Mu Xi Departs? Promotion Match!

Mu Xi lowered her head to look at Xu Yue lying on her lap with his eyes closed, her beautiful eyes filled with nothing but tenderness and love.

This face, which she had watched grow from childhood into increasing maturity, never tired her no matter how long she looked at it.

Her slender, fair hands rested lightly on either side of Xu Yue's head.

Her soft fingertips kneaded his temples, easing the mental exhaustion brought on by his comprehension of spear intent.

The hands that usually gripped a blacksmith's hammer so tightly were exceptionally gentle at this moment.

"A-Yue, was that just now because of Tang Wulin?"

Xu Yue kept his eyes closed. After hesitating for only an instant, he smiled and replied, "No. I just suddenly comprehended something, so my emotions were a little unstable."

"Don't I look fine now?"

There was no need to tell her about Tang San.

Perhaps Mu Xi would believe what he said.

But it would bring nothing but needless worry.

As time gradually passed, Xu Yue's spiritual power steadily grew stronger under the feedback from his spear intent.

At that moment, he opened his eyes and looked at Mu Xi's profile through the gap in her raised clothing, asking softly.

"Big Sister Mu Xi, is there something you want to tell me?"

At his words, her kneading hands paused, and Mu Xi's voice came out somewhat forced.

"What are you talking about? Don't overthink it..."

"Really?" Xu Yue pressed. "I can tell that something has been off with you these past few days."

"If you don't want to tell me, then I'll get up."

As he spoke, Xu Yue slightly raised himself, about to sit up.

But before he could truly move, Mu Xi hurriedly pressed him down onto her lap.

"Don't! I'll tell you..."

Seeing Xu Yue about to get up, Mu Xi panicked.

She quickly pressed him back onto her lap with both hands.

Looking at Xu Yue lying back down, she bit her lower lip lightly and finally voiced the words she had held in for days.

"It's... about applying to Shrek."

"Applying to Shrek?" Xu Yue froze, immediately looking at Mu Xi. "This year's Shrek admissions are about to begin?!"

Shrek Academy was still the continent's number one academy, but its admissions had changed from once a year to once every three years.

"That's right." Mu Xi lowered her beautiful eyes slightly and nodded. "Principal Yu told me that my strength and talent are enough for me to apply to this round of Shrek admissions."

"If I'm willing, he'll give me a recommendation slot."

Xu Yue nodded to himself after hearing that.

Mu Xi was only fourteen now, yet she was already a peak rank-thirty-seven Soul Elder and had just successfully advanced to a fourth-rank blacksmith.

She was far stronger than her original counterpart, who had needed a Blacksmith Association slot just to enroll.

Even Xu Xiaoyu, the standout figure of Eastsea Academy's advanced division, did not have much more soul power than her now.

With talent like that, applying to Shrek would be practically a sure thing.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Xu Yue looked at Mu Xi and smiled gently. "As the continent's number one academy, Shrek must have far more to teach than Eastsea Academy. Why wouldn't you want to go?"

After a pause, he asked, "Is it because of me?"

Mu Xi silently nodded, her voice very soft.

"A-Yue, you're part of the Xu Family after all..."

"The Xu Family generally applies to Sun Moon Royal Academy. Almost no one chooses Shrek. I'm afraid..."

Her voice grew even quieter. "I'm afraid that after I go to Shrek, I won't be able to see you for a very long time."

Xu Yue stared at Mu Xi for a while, then suddenly smiled and reached out to stroke her pretty face. "Silly Xi'er, have you forgotten my relationship with the Xu Family?"

"Besides, my teacher is the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo. The Spirit Pagoda headquarters is in Shrek City. How could we possibly go that long without seeing each other?"

"Who knows? Maybe I'll apply to Shrek too."

"Really?" The worry on Mu Xi's pretty face instantly vanished as she looked at him in delighted surprise.

"You're not lying to me? You really will apply to Shrek?"

"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you?" Xu Yue replied with a smile, though inwardly he could not help sighing over Shrek's status.

Having stood on the continent for more than twenty thousand years, Shrek's influence had long since permeated every aspect of life.

The title of "Shrek graduate" alone could earn preferential treatment in most places.

Just like Wu Zhangkong—even Principal Yu Zhen treated him with great courtesy.

That was precisely why the Federation's upper echelon was so wary of Shrek. Of course, its corresponding military strength was also a key factor.

"But Xiao Yan still doesn't meet the application requirements. We may have to wait until the next intake before we can go."

Hearing Xu Yue's answer, Mu Xi gave a soft snort.

"Hmph, I knew it!"

"Feeling better now?" Xu Yue smiled, but the hand stroking her cheek was tightly seized by Mu Xi.

Mu Xi nodded happily, but her expression quickly changed as she warned, "Still, Ah Yue, don't think that just because I'm going to Shrek, you can freely associate with other girls without restraint."

"When the time comes, I'll have Xiao Yan keep an eye on you."

"Ahem." Xu Yue felt a little guilty. "When have I ever?"

"Really?" Mu Xi narrowed her golden eyes and said faintly, "Did you think I didn't know about the deal between you and Zi Xin?"

Xu Yue stiffened, then gave an awkward smile. "Xi'er, you knew?"

"Hmph." Mu Xi sneered. "For the past two years, Zi Xin kept going on and on about 'Xiao Yan this' and 'Xiao Yan that' in front of me, hinting at it in such roundabout ways. Did you really think I couldn't tell?"

"If it weren't for you, did you think I'd be willing to share Xiao Yan?" By the end, her voice was full of resentment.

"Xi'er, it's really good that I met you." Xu Yue looked at Mu Xi, his heart filled with emotion.

"Hmph, what else could I do? What choice did I have?"

Mu Xi rolled her eyes at him irritably.

Then, as if she had noticed something, her beautiful eyes widened instantly. "Wait... Xi'er? Xu Yue, you've got some nerve now. You don't even dare call me Sister anymore!"

Mu Xi suddenly parted her cherry lips, leaned down, and bit him, as though she wanted to vent every little grievance she had accumulated over the years.

"I'll bite you to death!"

"Hiss! Xi'er... Sister Mu Xi... go easy! If you keep this up, don't blame me for fighting back!"

"Wait, Ah Yue, you... mmph..."

Ever since running into Tang Wulin once at the Blacksmith Association building, Xu Yue had not encountered him again.

After all, even though all the first-year classes held lessons in the same teaching building, the odds of randomly running into someone were still quite low unless one deliberately went looking.

Two months passed in a flash.

Xu Yue once again settled into his established training routine.

Inside Class One's classroom.

As the final lesson ended, Ye Yingluo stood at the podium without leaving immediately.

"Students, the promotion matches have officially begun."

"However, today's match is Class Five challenging Class Four. If any of you are interested, you can go watch."

"Of course, your teacher has seen all your hard work. I believe that in this promotion match, you will definitely achieve good results and bring honor to the class!"