Friends

Yan Shaozhe let out a quiet sigh.

That had been one of Mu En's Self-Created Soul Skills. Ma Xiaotao couldn't possibly withstand it. And anyone struck by Monarch Descends Upon the World would have a unique aura of oppression branded into their mind. The next time they faced its user, they would instinctively feel afraid and lose their fighting spirit, suppressing their combat strength.

He absolutely couldn't let Xiaotao suffer that kind of harm.

With that thought, Yan Shaozhe appeared between the two attacks in an instant. He raised a hand, unfurling a gentle Soul Power barrier that softly separated the force of their impacts.

Then he used his Soul Power to guide the Cold Cooling Pill he'd prepared into Ma Xiaotao's mouth, easing the Evil Fire's assault on her reason.

That way, he could both give Xuan Zi face and protect his own disciple. He'd struck the perfect balance, favoring neither side. Besides, who knew whether some powerful figure from the academy was watching from the shadows? He couldn't handle things recklessly.

The moment Dean Yan appeared, the whole scene fell silent. Then everyone erupted.

"Look! It's Dean Yan!"

"So that girl... that red-haired girl is actually Dean Yan's disciple!"

"Good thing we stuck around to watch!"

Listening to the noisy chatter around him, Yan Shaozhe shook his head helplessly.

"Enough, enough. Are you lot planning to tear apart the Outer Court?"

Ma Xiaotao's reason returned. When she saw her teacher, the grievances she'd bottled up during the fight overwhelmed her all at once. She rushed over, wrapped her arms around Yan Shaozhe, and burst into tears, her eyes red.

"Waaah, Teacher, the two of them teamed up to bully me!"

Yan Shaozhe raised a hand and gently, helplessly stroked her hair.

"Xiaotao, they didn't mean to, and they've already apologized. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I won't let you suffer for nothing."

"Mm..." Ma Xiaotao answered sulkily.

Yan Shaozhe looked up and beckoned Yue Ling and Gongyang Mo over.

Yue Ling knew her side was in the wrong, so she simply took Gongyang Mo, who had already withdrawn his Martial Soul, and walked over obediently.

"You're Xuan Zi's new disciple, Yue Ling?"

"That's right, Dean Yan." Yue Ling nodded.

"Mm. You certainly have a remarkable bearing. I watched the whole match just now. You two did fairly well. Gongyang Mo in particular had excellent timing with his support Soul Skills. Steady and precise."

His tone shifted as he looked at Yue Ling, his expression turning serious.

"I know that during a normal spar, you'd deliberately hold back. But remember, you should only do that once you've confirmed your opponent can't keep fighting."

"Remember, you have to take every fight seriously. If you keep underestimating your opponents, you'll only bring yourself to ruin when you face a true powerhouse."

Yue Ling came to her senses and quickly thanked him.

"I've learned my lesson, Dean! I was careless and underestimated my opponent this time. From now on, I'll give every fight my all!"

Yan Shaozhe's expression softened, and he nodded slightly.

"Good. Now, let's talk about something personal."

Gongyang Mo had been uneasy the whole time. Hearing this, he worked up the courage to step forward and apologize.

"Ma Xiaotao, I'm sorry. I was wrong to gossip about you just now."

"I'm sorry."

Ma Xiaotao had calmed down, but tears still clung to the corners of her eyes. She gave a quiet snort and awkwardly accepted the apology.

Seeing there was no more excitement to watch—and with Dean Yan present, no one dared stir things up—the surrounding students began to disperse.

Yan Shaozhe looked at the two of them and spoke calmly.

"What I meant by something personal wasn't an apology."

Yue Ling blinked. "Then what is it?"

"I want you two to become friends with Xiaotao."

"Friends?"

Yue Ling and Gongyang Mo exchanged a look, both a little dazed, then turned in unison to look at Ma Xiaotao.

Ma Xiaotao's cheeks reddened. She bit her lip and turned her head awkwardly, not daring to meet their eyes.

"Not just friends. You may well be teammates in the future," Yan Shaozhe added.

Yue Ling thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Dean, making friends is up to Ma Xiaotao. She has to be willing."

"You're right." Yan Shaozhe turned to Ma Xiaotao. "Xiaotao, what do you think?"

Ma Xiaotao slowly turned back. Tear tracks still stained her cheeks, and she still looked unconvinced.

"We can be friends, but a fight's a fight! Next time, I want to fight you one-on-one. Let's see if you can still beat me without his support!"

Yue Ling spread her hands helplessly and shot back with a grin, "Sure. Just don't go running to Dean Yan and crying again if you lose."

"You!"

Ma Xiaotao glared at her furiously.

They both turned away at the same time and gave a quiet snort, refusing to speak to each other.

Yan Shaozhe watched them, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, but inwardly, he finally relaxed.

Xiaotao had always been aloof, with hardly any friends her own age.

It seemed she agreed, after all.

That child had always been tough on the outside and soft at heart.

"All right, it's getting late. I'll take Xiaotao and go. You two, remember to attend class as usual tomorrow. Don't be late."

"Thank you, Dean Yan."

The conflict had finally come to an end. Yue Ling had gained a lot from it, and the lesson had firmly sunk in.

Yan Shaozhe turned and left with Ma Xiaotao.

Only after the two had gone some distance did Gongyang Mo let out a long breath.

That had been the head of the Martial Soul Department, a top figure in the academy. Standing in front of him had put Gongyang Mo under tremendous pressure.

"All right, stop tensing up. I'm hungry. Come on, let's get something to eat." Yue Ling patted him.

At the reminder, Gongyang Mo suddenly realized his stomach was empty. He quickly nodded, and the two headed into Shrek City.

They were starving, so they found a barbecue shop at random and sat down.

Grateful that Yue Ling had stood up for him earlier, Gongyang Mo insisted on treating her. Yue Ling didn't refuse. They ate their fill, stuffed themselves until they could barely move, then slowly made their way back to the academy.

The Shrek Outer Court covered a vast area, with broad roads lined by greenery.

The evening breeze brushed past, carrying the faint fragrance of grass and trees. The two walked at an easy pace, their mood finally relaxing.

"Thanks so much for today," Gongyang Mo said softly. "If you hadn't been there, I'd have been in for it."

He still remembered how Yue Ling had faced Ma Xiaotao's anger alone and shouldered most of the pressure on his behalf.

"Come on, don't get all sentimental. I've had enough lectures for one day. Let's put it behind us." Yue Ling rubbed her forehead helplessly.

Gongyang Mo couldn't help laughing. Then he asked, "Seriously, what do you think about getting along with Ma Xiaotao from now on?"

"It's simple. One more friend, one fewer enemy," Yue Ling said casually. "She's hot-tempered and loves to fight, but she's not a bad person. She doesn't kill innocent people. She clearly held back during that fight just now. She only wanted to teach us a lesson."

"After all, we were the ones in the wrong."

"And to be honest, in a fight between people of the same level, with your support, I can definitely keep her in check."

Gongyang Mo instantly puffed up with pride, standing tall like a smug little goose. "You bet!"

He turned to Yue Ling, admiration filling his eyes. "You're the amazing one! A plant Martial Soul, and your Second Soul Ring is already a thousand years old. Everyone watching was completely dumbstruck."

"It was just good luck." Yue Ling sounded modest, but inside, she was delighted.

No one knew that in the fierce exchange with Ma Xiaotao, while fighting against the pressure of her flame Soul Power, she had broken through by one level!

She had now reached level thirty-three, becoming a level-thirty-four Power Attack Type Battle Soul Elder!

Today had truly been a blessing in disguise.

Seeing Yue Ling secretly looking pleased with herself, Gongyang Mo gave her a look of disdain. "You're so full of yourself."

"What'd you say?"

The two bickered and laughed all the way back to their dormitory.

Back in their room, Gongyang Mo, exhausted after a long day, changed into his pajamas and let out a long yawn. He said good night, then collapsed into bed and soon fell fast asleep, breathing evenly.