New Student Registration, Encountering Huo Yuhao

Amid their bickering and playful jostling, the two soon arrived at the new student registration area.

Perhaps the badge on Ling Luochan's chest, representing an Inner Court disciple of Shrek, was simply too eye-catching. Students along the way voluntarily made a path for them.

By coincidence, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao were next in line at the registration channel beside them.

Since another new student was still registering ahead of them, all three of their gazes fell on the Ling siblings at the same time.

"Wow, what a handsome new student!"

Tang Ya's eyes immediately lit up.

Although she saw Bei Bei's handsome face every day and had become somewhat immune to good-looking men, Ling Tianchen gave off an entirely different feeling.

His nearly flawless, refined features carried a faint sense of distance, yet he did not inspire the annoyance of boys who deliberately tried to act cool. Instead, he made people want to learn more about him.

"Bei Bei, do you know him?"

Bei Bei did not show any displeasure at his girlfriend being drawn to another boy. He nodded slightly to apologize to Ling Tianchen and Ling Luochan, then smiled helplessly as he leaned closer to whisper in Tang Ya's ear.

"Xiao Ya, you were a little loud just now. Complimenting someone is fine, of course, but it would be somewhat impolite if they heard you."

"Huh?"

Only then did Tang Ya realize what she had done. The tips of her ears instantly flushed crimson.

"Why didn't you remind me earlier?"

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something and put her hands on her hips, glaring at Bei Bei.

"Also, what should you call me?"

Bei Bei laughed and cooperatively raised both hands.

"Yes, yes, Teacher Xiao Ya."

"That's more like it."

Tang Ya nodded in satisfaction.

Ling Tianchen merely gave the little incident a faint glance and did not take it to heart.

Ling Luochan, however, glanced at Tang Ya. Her gaze remained calm, and she said nothing.

At that moment, a third-year student in a yellow fitted uniform, responsible for receiving new students, hurried over with a wide smile on his face.

"So it's Senior Ling. Since this new student was personally brought by you, there's naturally no need for an inspection. He can go straight in and register."

"That good? Thank—"

Ling Tianchen had just been about to offer a polite word of thanks when Ling Luochan gently caught his wrist.

"No need."

Her tone remained calm.

"I do not believe that Inner Court students should stand above the academy's rules. Let's follow the process."

The student froze for a moment, then quickly nodded.

"O-Okay."

"Junior, please present the city lord's letter of recommendation, then inject your Soul Power into this testing crystal ball."

"Mm."

Ling Tianchen took the crystal ball and casually handed over the recommendation letter personally written by Ling An.

Just as he was about to inject his Soul Power, he suddenly cast a thoughtful glance at Ling Luochan beside him.

Was it just his imagination...?

No matter how he looked at it, his sister's insistence on following the process did not seem to be merely about obeying the academy's rules.

It seemed more like she wanted to show off his talent a little—or perhaps stake a claim in front of Tang Ya? But was that really necessary?

Ling Tianchen could not figure it out no matter how much he thought about it.

The crystal ball emitted a dazzling white light, drawing everyone's attention.

"Th-This is level thirty-six!"

The senior in yellow stammered. The recommendation letter he had just checked clearly stated that Ling Tianchen was only eleven years old!

What kind of monster was this? Even among their third-year students, there were only a handful who had reached the rank of Soul Elder!

"Is that enough?"

Ling Tianchen asked.

He only wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

"Y-Yes! You've passed the assessment."

The student in yellow nodded repeatedly, even unconsciously using honorifics.

"Thank you."

Ling Tianchen nodded.

"Tianchen, let's go."

Ling Luochan smiled faintly and raised a hand to gently tuck a lock of light-blue hair behind her ear.

As her gaze swept over Tang Ya, the corner of her lips lifted almost imperceptibly, carrying a small, smug delight that only girls could understand.

Then she walked side by side with Ling Tianchen toward the academy.

Only after the two of them had completely disappeared at the end of the road did the previously quiet registration area erupt into commotion.

"That Inner Court senior was way too beautiful!"

"Beautiful? Did you not see the way she tucked her hair back just now? My heart almost leaped out of my chest."

"What do you know? Senior Ling's walk was the real killer. That presence—she was practically a queen. Every step landed right on my heart."

"Why are all of you talking about Senior Ling? That eleven-year-old Soul Elder was far more outrageous, wasn't he?"

"Don't even mention it."

Someone clutched his chest with a lifeless expression.

"It would have been one thing if he were only more handsome than me, but his talent is this absurd too... Which window did the heavens even close on him?"

"Bei Bei, you still haven't told me who they are."

Tang Ya's faint voice drifted over.

The look Ling Luochan had given her before leaving made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

She had only complimented Ling Luochan's companion. It was not as if she had tried to steal him. Did Ling Luochan really have to react like that?

"Senior Ling is an Inner Court student and one of the current Shrek Seven Monsters. At the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, she will compete as a member of the main team."

"As for the new student beside her, he's most likely her younger brother. I just feel that they look somewhat alike."

"Really? How come I can't tell where they look alike at all?"

Tang Ya pouted.

"I think that look Senior Ling gave me was clearly a warning not to steal her man."

Bei Bei did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"You definitely misunderstood. Teacher Xiao Ya is usually so carefree. You must be overthinking it this time too."

"Hey, don't underestimate a woman's sixth sense!"

Tang Ya waved her little fist and retorted indignantly.

The two laughed and roughhoused, completely failing to notice that Huo Yuhao's expression beside them had already become somewhat unnatural.

"Next."

It was finally Huo Yuhao's group's turn to register.

The yellow-clad student responsible for registration looked up and immediately greeted them with a smile.

"Senior Bei, you're back."

"Mm."

Bei Bei nodded.

"Help my junior brother register and test him."

"Since he was brought by Senior Bei, there's naturally no need—"

The student in yellow was about to wave them through when Bei Bei smiled and shook his head.

"Forget it. Even Senior Ling from the Inner Court followed the academy rules just now. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to make an exception."

"Let's test him normally."

"Alright."

The student in yellow nodded and handed over the testing crystal.

"Yuhao, go take the test. It'll be fine. With the Tang Sect's specially invited student quota, checking your Soul Power is only a formality."

Bei Bei patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder.

Tang Ya also said with a cheerful smile:

"Relax. Believe in yourself."

"I understand."

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, stepped forward, and slowly injected his Soul Power into the crystal ball.

A moment later.

"Level eleven."

The student in yellow announced the result.

Quite a few new students around them immediately began whispering among themselves.

Huo Yuhao's face instantly went pale.