Mimi

Outside the Lost Secret Realm.

Ye Qiong arrived beneath a peach tree.

This was the very tree he had leaned against to rest before he and Xilian had entered the Lost Secret Realm together.

Now, the peach tree was covered in pink fruits...

Wait, what was that?

Ye Qiong keenly noticed that among these peaches, there was actually a pink, square-shaped object.

Could peaches even grow into squares?

That was naturally impossible.

Recalling memories of the past, the corners of Ye Qiong's mouth curled upward.

"Found you."

Ye Qiong immediately leaped up, reaching out to pluck the square "peach."

The "peach" seemed somewhat excited in Ye Qiong's hand, actually hopping around joyfully a few times.

Ye Qiong couldn't help but twitch his lips:

"Even after turning into this, you still love to play tricks on people."

This was the seed (Flawless Pure Seed) that Xilian had transformed into, actually disguising itself as a peach to play hide-and-seek with him.

Truly, that is just like you.

The seed bounced twice in Ye Qiong's hand, then tried to break free and escape.

Seeing this, Ye Qiong frowned and immediately pinched it tight:

"Xilian, this time, I won't let you leave my side ever again."

He would never let go, never...

The seed seemed to understand Ye Qiong's words.

It merely trembled a few times before settling down.

It was as if it were saying:

"There's really no helping you, partner..."

Soon, the seed obediently merged into Ye Qiong's body.

A moment later, a small, fluffy thing flew out from behind Ye Qiong.

It was a ball of fluff the size of a head, entirely pink, with a pair of long ears and a fluffy tail swaying gently behind it.

As soon as it emerged, it flew around Ye Qiong twice, letting out excited, crisp chirps:

"Mi~mi!"

Ye Qiong was stunned for a moment.

Good heavens, that mysterious person didn't lie to me, it really is Mimi, alright!

The next second, the little creature flew directly onto his face, rubbing against him with its furry cheeks.

"Mimi~"

Seeing this, Ye Qiong couldn't help but smile.

It really was exactly the same as she was in his memories.

Ye Qiong stroked Mimi's little head, feeling the connection between himself and her.

That's right, Mimi had indeed become his Martial Soul.

But before he could check Mimi's information through the system, he felt a violent tremor beneath his feet.

In an instant, the previously bright and sunny weather dissipated, and the sky suddenly darkened.

Ye Qiong instinctively looked up, and the next moment, his pupils constricted.

He saw the once-clear sky instantly crack open, with red and black, eerie patterns spreading across the horizon.

He could feel that deep within those patterns, something was vaguely awakening.

Seeing this scene, Mimi's ears shot up, and she dove into Ye Qiong's chest.

She buried her face completely, her little claws clutching his lapels tightly, her whole body trembling as she looked terrified.

Ye Qiong's gaze sharpened as he looked down at Mimi:

"Mimi, return to my body first."

Mimi let out a cry and immediately transformed into a streak of pink light, diving into his body.

Seeing Mimi return, Ye Qiong pulled out his baseball bat and looked toward the sky with a vigilant expression.

At the same time, he kept calling out to the system in his mind:

"System, help me open the path back to reality."

[Connecting for you, please wait.]

The next second, a white rift unfolded.

Seeing the rift, Ye Qiong's expression brightened, and he immediately walked toward it.

Before leaving, Ye Qiong looked back one last time.

The red and black patterns were spreading faster and faster, having almost completely swallowed the entire sky.

Watching this scene, Ye Qiong's expression turned grave.

The Iron Curtain had awakened.

Because he had taken Xilian away, the Iron Curtain would wake up and then track him down by following the trail.

Fortunately, once he was out, the Iron Curtain would be unable to quickly breach the Tidal Zone that separated the two worlds.

He still had plenty of time to prepare and respond.

Back in reality.

It was already the next day, and by this time, everyone in the plaza had lined up in two rows.

Wang Sheng let out a yawn and asked, "Where on earth did the Dean go last night?"

Bai Chenxiang shook her head:

"I don't know. We didn't even see him show up for the soul battles last night."

Bai E turned his head to look at the others and spoke up:

"Teacher Ti Bao told us to gather and wait first, saying that..."

"The Dean entered the Simulation Realm yesterday as well and hasn't come out yet."

Hearing this, everyone felt incredibly surprised.

"No way, what kind of level did the Dean run into that it's taking this long?"

(Who knows, surely he isn't trying to clear A8-40, right?)

After a while, the door to the teaching building slowly opened.

Everyone looked toward the sound, only to see Ti Bao walking out from inside.

As soon as she emerged, she cast her gaze toward the gate of the Simulation Realm.

"The Dean hasn't come out yet?"

The group also glanced at the gate and nodded.

"Then everyone go to training first..."

However, before Ti Bao could finish her sentence, a ripple emanated from the gate of the Simulation Realm.

Everyone's attention was drawn by this movement, and they all looked over.

"This is..."

"Teacher, the Dean is coming out!"

Expressions of anticipation immediately appeared on everyone's faces.

Sure enough, the next second, Ye Qiong stepped out from within.

Seeing that he had truly returned, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

But the perceptive Nakesha noticed that Ye Qiong's temperament had changed.

It wasn't a change in soul power, but something much deeper.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Ye Qiong swept his gaze over the group:

"Why are you all still here?"

Wang Sheng hurriedly ran over:

"Teacher, why did you only just come out? We waited for you for half the night!"

Hearing this, Ye Qiong felt a surge of surprise in his heart.

Has it already been a second day?

He waved his hand:

"I had to handle some matters inside. Today's training will proceed as usual."

As Ye Qiong spoke, he turned toward Ti Bao:

"Teacher Ti Bao, thank you for your hard work today. Have them gather at the plaza again this evening."

Ti Bao nodded.

Seeing this, Ye Qiong turned and walked toward his office building.

Nakesha leaned in at this moment.

"Teacher Ti Bao, I can't help but feel that the Dean has undergone some strange changes."

Ti Bao watched his retreating figure and frowned as well.

"Indeed, I have felt it too. His eyes seem to have become deeper and more mysterious."

Inside the office.

Ye Qiong sat in his chair and called out softly:

"Mimi, come out."

The next second, Mimi flew out.

As soon as she emerged, she landed lightly on the desktop, tilted her head, and looked at Ye Qiong with her large, watery eyes.

"Mi, mi?"

Ye Qiong couldn't help but reach out and poke her forehead.

Mimi immediately stretched out her two little paws to hug his finger, a happy smile appearing on her face.

"Mimi~"

Ye Qiong smiled and opened the system to check the information regarding Mimi.

[Host's Second Martial Soul: Mimi.]
[Status: Juvenile Stage.]
[Abilities: Unlocked.]
[Spirit Ring: Vacant, currently cannot be added.]

Seeing the last line of information, Ye Qiong frowned.

"I can't attach a spirit ring for the time being?"