Zhang Lexuan: Is She Only a Sister?

Early the next morning, before daylight had fully broken, the old parasol tree in Shrek Outer Court was already covered in sparrows, chirping noisily.

Tang Wulin opened his eyes from meditation, stretched his slightly stiff neck, and quietly climbed out of bed without disturbing Wang Dong, who was still sound asleep in the bed opposite him.

When he pushed open the dormitory door, figures were already moving through the corridor. Groups of new students wrapped in outer robes hurried toward the notice board, their faces unable to hide their nervousness and anticipation.

Tang Wulin followed the crowd at an unhurried pace.

A ring of people had gathered before the notice board. He stopped at the edge of the crowd, his gaze passing over several fuzzy heads to land on the sheet listing class assignments. He scanned down it line by line.

He quickly found his own name, then shifted his gaze slightly to the side and saw Gu Yuena's name listed in the same column.

Then he saw the class number.

Tang Wulin froze for a moment. His gaze lingered on that "one" for two breaths. Only after confirming that he had not read the wrong line did he slowly look away, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily.

Class One.

Zhou Yi!

When those two words appeared side by side in his mind, Tang Wulin felt his molars ache faintly.

Tang Wulin held his head, feeling as though it hurt terribly.

Fuck!

What kind of teacher was that old hag?!

Hehe, the advancement rate really was high—but how did it get so high?

Wasn't it because she weeded out all the weaker children? With fewer people left, and all of them elites, wouldn't the chances of entering the Inner Court naturally increase?

Someone like that is unworthy of being a teacher!

Tang Wulin walked along the bluestone path toward Sea God Lake.

The morning wind blew in from the lake, carrying damp mist and the fresh scent of grass and trees. It brushed coolly against his face, scattering some of the fatigue from cultivating all night.

The willows by the lake were sprouting new buds. Their slender branches hung over the water, swaying gently in the breeze and drawing faint ripples across the surface.

Tang Wulin found a flat rock by the shore and sat down, bracing his hands on his knees as he stared blankly at the lake for a while.

Before long, a set of neither heavy nor light footsteps sounded behind him. Then a hand reached over from the side and gently patted his shoulder twice.

"So you're here." Zhang Lexuan's smiling voice came as she walked around the rock and stopped beside him. "I've been looking for you forever. The first day of school is in a couple of days. So, how was it? Did you enjoy yourself at the Outer Court last time?"

Tang Wulin turned his head and saw Zhang Lexuan looking at him with smiling eyes, clearly teasing him. He gave a helpless smile and scratched the back of his head. "Sis, stop making fun of me. But did you just get back from outside?"

"Yeah." Zhang Lexuan sighed, her tone carrying a hint of helpless sentiment. "Not everyone is as lucky as you and doesn't need to hunt evil soul masters. We Inner Court disciples are constantly running around outside. One trip takes at least ten days to half a month. Unlike you, sitting safely in Sea God Pavilion and living such a comfortable life."

Tang Wulin choked on her words and shrank his neck a little, sounding embarrassed. "I'm only Rank 40 right now. Even if I really ran into one, I couldn't beat them. But if I do encounter one in the future, I definitely won't run."

Zhang Lexuan glanced at him, the smile in her eyes deepening. "Of course. Our little Wulin is the best. How could I not know that?"

She paused, then raised a hand and lightly patted the back of his head again. It was not hard, carrying the intimacy of an older sister.

"Enough of that. Wulin, cultivate properly at the Outer Court and don't slack off. If you're not used to living there, just come back to the Inner Court. Sea God Pavilion has a place for you anyway. If anyone bullies you, hit them right back. You're an elder of Sea God Pavilion—you don't need to be polite with anyone."

Tang Wulin smiled and nodded, his tone certain. "Don't worry, Sis. No one can bully me. Didn't you see it last time? For me, fighting a Soul Sage isn't even a big deal."

At that, Zhang Lexuan revealed a complicated expression that was both proud and amused. She looked him over twice. "That's true. With that monstrous strength of yours, knocking a strength-type Soul Emperor flying with one punch probably wouldn't be a problem."

Her eyes were filled with undisguised amusement as she said it.

Tang Wulin chuckled twice, lowered his head shyly, and ground the gravel beneath his feet with his toe. The tips of his ears turned slightly red.

Morning light filtered through the willow branches, falling across his shoulders and the lake in shimmering fragments of brightness.

"Little Wulin, with a face like yours, if you take part in Sea God's Fate someday, you'll probably win the affection of quite a few girls, right?" Zhang Lexuan teased as she looked at Tang Wulin's still youthful, not-yet-grown features, though her tone held traces of jealousy and sadness.

"Forget it, enough about that. Want to go to Sea God Island together? With your Blue Silver Emperor martial soul, cultivating on Sea God Island should count as mimicry cultivation, right?" Zhang Lexuan quickly adjusted her emotions and smiled at Tang Wulin.

"Wait a moment. I'll go tell the friends I just met first, then I'll come over." Tang Wulin looked up with a smile. "I also happen to need to find my teacher."

Old Tang gave me such a scare yesterday. I still need to hand those things over to my teacher and have them help me look for them.

Ahhh!

Why? When that damned system copied Tang Wulin, why did it copy the seals too? Why couldn't the system be more all-powerful and just unlock them once I reached the required rank?

Wuwuwu!

It's too cruel!

Tang Wulin had Dragon Valley as a buffer, but I don't!

Come to think of it, I wonder whether I'll be able to unlock the Golden Dragon Spear once I reach that level!

After all, in this timeline, that Golden Dragon Spear should be with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion!

Of course, it should exist, right? Logically speaking, the Golden Dragon King bloodline should still be in the God Realm right now!

"Alright, but little Wulin, don't forget your sister just because you've made new friends," Zhang Lexuan said with a touch of jealousy.

Tang Wulin coughed awkwardly twice. "How could that happen, Sis? You're the best sister. I'll go first. I'll come find you on Sea God Island in a little while."

Zhang Lexuan smiled and nodded. Watching Tang Wulin's departing figure dash away, her eyes dimmed slightly as she murmured, "Only a sister?"

Soon, she lightly patted her own face. "No, how can I have feelings for a child? I can't let little Wulin find out. What if he starts hating me?"

Tang Wulin returned to the dormitory. Wang Dong was still sprawled on the bed, sleeping soundly with all four limbs spread wide, her sleeping posture utterly awful.

The key was that this was practically the golden period for cultivation...

No wonder Tang Wutong had so many good things, yet she only became a second-class god...