Freshman Class One

Gongyang Mo slept deeply, breathing evenly. Before long, he started snoring softly.

Yue Ling glanced at him, secretly marveling at how soundly the man slept. He casually took a set of pink toiletries from beside his pillow and began getting ready.

The moment his fingertips brushed the delicate pink items, an indescribable strangeness lingered in his heart, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

When he was done, he tiptoed over and sat on the soft pink bed, which carried a faint fragrance. The delicate scent of the daisies on the windowsill lingered beneath his nose. He had meant to calm his mind, enter meditation, cultivate, and relax.

As Xuanzi's personally taught disciple, he had no need to squeeze into the Shrek Outer Court dormitory. He could have stayed in his private courtyard in the back hills and focused on cultivating.

But back then, Mu En had rejected the idea outright.

The old man had spoken gently, but firmly. "You're only twelve. This is the age when you should be full of life. Don't spend every day cooped up cultivating. Spend more time with people your age, see more of the world, and experience some lively, interesting things. That's how your character will truly grow."

Xuanzi had eagerly backed him up, adding his own advice. "Mu En is right. Your obsessions and hatred shouldn't hold you back. Getting stronger isn't just about secluded, arduous cultivation. When I was young, I had quite a few girlfriends, too..."

Mu En shot him a sidelong glance. "Xuanzi, I seem to recall you never left any heirs."

Xuanzi was instantly at a loss, looking awkward. "Uh... what does having descendants have to do with making friends?"

"Hmph." Mu En gave a soft snort, teasing him. "I really should've made you leave an heir. Then I could rest easy in my old age."

"Hey! You—!"

The image of the two top elders bantering echoed in Yue Ling's mind. A few black lines crept across his forehead, and he couldn't help shaking his head, trying to fling away all those muddled thoughts.

Meditate. Cultivate!

He forcibly gathered his thoughts, but the turmoil in his mind refused to settle.

After several failed attempts, he sighed helplessly and gave up on cultivating. Resigned, he lay down beneath the pink bedding, which carried a faint, pleasant fragrance.

It was probably because he was in a new place, with a new bed. He just needed a couple of days to get used to it.

Beside him, Gongyang Mo remained asleep, completely defenseless and carefree. Looking at his peaceful sleeping face, Yue Ling couldn't help thinking that he really wanted to shake him awake and tell him to get up and go back to sleep properly.

But then he thought better of it.

Given Gongyang Mo's temperament, he'd surely fly into a rage if someone woke him for no reason. He might even kill Yue Ling...

The bedding was soft and fluffy, and carried a faint, sweet fragrance. It was exceptionally comfortable.

A wave of drowsiness swept over him. Yue Ling let out a long yawn, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier, and soon he was fast asleep.

Meanwhile, in Zhang Lexuan's courtyard.

The night was quiet, the moonlight gentle.

Zhang Lexuan looked at the pale orange bedding lying inside her Soul Tool and furrowed her brow, puzzled.

She had clearly prepared these supplies ahead of time specifically for Yue Ling. Why were they still lying right here with her? Had Yue Ling returned them on purpose?

No, that didn't make sense.

An absurd and mortifying thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

In an instant, Zhang Lexuan's cheeks flushed scarlet, like the evening clouds. So embarrassed she hardly knew what to do with herself, she wished she could sink into the ground.

She finally realized: they had mixed up their storage Soul Tools.

Her and Yue Ling's Soul Tools were identical in style. Before they met at the opening of term two days ago, she had bathed and washed up, then taken off her Soul Tool and set it aside. She must have accidentally switched their things at the time.

The night was deep and still. Yue Ling had probably gone to sleep already.

Realizing that the boy had spent the whole evening using and sleeping among her personal belongings, Zhang Lexuan felt her ears burn and fine beads of sweat gather at her temples. She unconsciously bit her fingernail, filled with regret and helplessness.

This was utterly mortifying.

She gazed at the bright full moon outside the window and sighed helplessly. For now, all she could do was let it go.

Amid her jumbled thoughts, a feeling rose inexplicably in her heart... She suddenly found herself missing the soup he had made for her.

The evening breeze swept gently through the courtyard. Leaves rustled, and a sweet floral fragrance filled the whole place.

Tonight, the full moon cast its clear light over everything. In the stillness of the night, who knew how many people lay awake, each with their own thoughts?

The next morning.

The first light of dawn pierced the window and fell across the sleeping boy's face. Its dazzling brightness slowly roused Yue Ling from sleep.

"I forgot to close the curtains. Damn it."

The little daisies by the window swayed gently in the morning breeze, lively and fresh, heralding the arrival of a brand-new day.

Yue Ling lazed in bed for a few minutes before finally getting up. When he glanced at the time, it was already seven.

He stretched mightily, then reached over and yanked Gongyang Mo, who was still sound asleep, right out of bed.

Gongyang Mo looked dazed and sleepy, still too groggy to understand what was going on.

Yue Ling washed up quickly and changed into the Shrek Outer Court's standard white freshman uniform. Once he was ready, he dragged the still-dazed Gongyang Mo to the cafeteria for breakfast, then headed to the teaching building to attend the first class for the new students.

The moment they stepped into Freshman Class One, two tall, clean-cut figures immediately drew everyone's attention.

Soft gasps rose around the room, one after another.

"Wow! Look at those two guys. They're so handsome!"

"They have such a nice air about them. Should we go introduce ourselves?"

"I'm too shy..."

"Hahaha, you get embarrassed too?"

Surrounded by chattering voices and fervent stares, Yue Ling remained calm, his heart unmoved.

By contrast, Gongyang Mo couldn't help lightly brushing his fingers through his hair when everyone praised him, a hint of smugness in his eyes.

Twelve-year-old Yue Ling was tall and well-proportioned. His orange hair set off his clear, fair skin, and his handsome features and gentle, harmless air made him easy to like.

But the firm lines beneath his clothes quietly revealed a physique far sturdier than anyone his age.

Gongyang Mo, meanwhile, had smooth, delicate skin and a tall, slender build. His manner was quiet and gentle, and his features were refined and warm. Were it not for the unmistakable Adam's apple at his throat, he could easily have been mistaken from a distance for a pretty girl.

As soon as the two sat in empty seats near the front, a few girls gathered around them, speaking softly.

"Hello, would it be all right if we got to know you?"

"Is anyone sitting here? Can I sit over there?"

The gentle approaches kept coming. To the other boys in the class, however, they were an eyesore.

Quite a few boys looked jealous and spoke sourly.

"Putting on airs. What's the use of being good-looking? Spirit Masters ultimately rely on strength."

"Exactly. He looks so weak, just like a girl."

Gongyang Mo heard the remark and immediately took offense. He shot back without hesitation.

"If you're ugly, don't you dare go around badmouthing other people. You're the most forgettable and the biggest gossip in the whole class."

The boy's face stiffened. He glared at Gongyang Mo in fury. "You!"

"Don't think everyone's like you, ugly and rotten to the core. No wonder nobody wants to have anything to do with you."