A mutually beneficial relationship? Ning Rongrong's unnecessary worries? Xiao Wu's great suggestion!

"Tang San, are you leaving me too?" Yu Xiaogang stared at him fervently, making Tang San lower his head guiltily without a word.

After a long while.

Tang San wore a solemn expression and chose to lay everything bare.

"Since we've already gone this far today, we might as well make things clearer."

"Nominally, we're still master and disciple, but we're each taking what we need."

"You help me obtain the most suitable soul rings, and I help make you famous."

Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth. He had thought Tang San would refuse to acknowledge him as his master, but Tang San had merely emphasized the nature of their relationship.

"Fine. We'll help each other, for mutual benefit."

Yu Xiaogang and Tang San reached an understanding, though each harbored ulterior motives.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Rongrong, stop running already. Your body can't take it."

Ning Rongrong stubbornly shook her head. "No, I won't."

"I have to work hard. Who says support-system Soul Masters can't train and improve their physical fitness?"

"Sword Grandpa, didn't you say that during team battles, support-system Soul Masters had to constantly observe the battlefield and were the most likely targets of Battle Soul Masters?"

"If I keep training and improve my physical fitness, then even if I can't compare to Battle Soul Masters, I won't lose my combat ability from a single hit."

Chen Xin sighed helplessly. "Rongrong, I did say that, but that only applies to Soul Masters below level fifty. Beyond that, the gap between Soul Masters grows even wider."

"Especially between support-system Soul Masters and Battle Soul Masters."

"Physical training alone can't make up for that."

"At this stage, you should be diligently meditating to raise your Soul Power Level."

Ning Rongrong clenched her teeth, her eyes reddening slightly. "But..."

"My talent isn't that good. I'm far behind Qingling."

"She only awakened her Martial Soul not long ago, yet she can raise her Soul Power Level in just a few days."

"Meanwhile, even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resources, I've barely managed to rise one level."

At that moment, Ning Rongrong's Soul Power Level was only twelve.

She wasn't jealous that Chen Qingling's talent was better than hers. She was simply afraid that the gap between their Soul Power Levels would grow wider and wider.

She was afraid she wouldn't be able to keep up with Chen Qingling, afraid that when they met again in the future, she wouldn't be able to support her.

The greater the difference in cultivation, the more soul power it took to support someone stronger.

Ning Rongrong was even more afraid that, over time, they would no longer be good friends and would become strangers in all but name.

"Rongrong, you..." Chen Xin smiled and shook his head. "Your worries are unnecessary."

"You and I both know what kind of person Qingling is. Don't worry, she wouldn't do that."

What bad intentions could such an innocent girl possibly have?

Ning Rongrong nodded and murmured in agreement. Looking up at the Starry Sky as night fell, she couldn't help recalling the moment she had met Chen Qingling.

She had only been gone for a few days, and Ning Rongrong already missed her.

Notting Academy, Work-Study Student Dormitory.

Xiao Wu looked at Chen Qingling, who had crawled under the covers early, somewhat surprised. "Sister Qingling, aren't you meditating to raise your soul power today?"

"No, I... I'm tired today."

Chen Qingling's eyes darted around, making it obvious that she was lying out of guilt.

She actually wanted to meditate and raise her soul power, but after thinking about what Ning Rongrong had said, she didn't dare.

She was still growing, so she couldn't stay up late.

Chen Qingling felt rather conflicted about her unremarkable self.

She was quite good in every aspect, except for one particular area that had yet to begin developing.

Whenever she saw the astonishingly full chests of the older female students, her eyes filled with envy.

Why was it that they were all girls, yet she alone was so unremarkable?

"Hehehe..."

Xiao Wu had naturally seen through Chen Qingling's lie, but she didn't expose her. Instead, she slipped under the covers.

To Chen Qingling's surprise, she wrapped her arms around her delicate body.

"Sister Qingling, you smell so nice."

Suddenly, Chen Qingling felt a slight softness against her arm, and her eyes widened.

From the corner of her eye, she saw that Xiao Wu's chest was small, but it had shape.

Ten Thousand Critical Hit!

Ten Thousand Critical Hit!!!

Chen Qingling was left a complete mess. Why was even Xiao Wu, who was younger than her, bigger than she was?

Th-That wasn't right, was it?!

Wasn't she developing way too early?!

"Sister Qingling, what's wrong?" Xiao Wu followed Chen Qingling's gaze, then looked at Qingling's chest before finally realizing what was happening. Her pretty face reddened slightly.

"Sister Qingling, you... you're so naughty."

Black lines filled Chen Qingling's forehead as she huffed angrily.

"Hmph! Who was the one who suggested we Share a Bed first? Who was the one who hugged me first? It'd be impossible for me not to see it."

"Hehe..." Xiao Wu giggled foolishly.

"It's getting late. Let's sleep early."

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"

Before long, Chen Qingling was sleeping soundly, but Xiao Wu was still awake, staring at her without blinking.

"Sister Qingling is really so nice..."

Xiao Wu murmured to herself and secretly made up her mind.

Such a good person shouldn't be deceived by her.

One year—no, half a year.

She would tell Qingling the truth by then!

Xiao Wu feared that the longer she delayed, the greater the misunderstanding between them would become.

Day after day passed, and in the blink of an eye, three days went by.

After listening to three straight days of unbearably boring classes, Chen Qingling fought off sleepiness and yawned repeatedly.

Those lessons were far too basic. They might have been just right for Xiao Wu and the others, but they were completely useless to her.

On the way back to the Work-Study Student Dormitory, Xiao Wu spoke leisurely.

"Sister Qingling... actually, I don't think you need to be like us."

"Huh?" Chen Qingling was confused and couldn't quite understand what Xiao Wu meant.

"I mean, you're much older than us, so there's no need for you to start as a junior student like we do!"

"You can become an advanced student directly. With your talent and strength, Sister Qingling, the academy probably won't make things difficult for you."

Chen Qingling nodded thoughtfully. "That's right! Xiao Wu, what you said makes perfect sense!"

"I'll go ask at the Academic Affairs Office right now."

"If it works out, I'll treat you."

"Hehe, I'll be looking forward to your treat, Sister Qingling."

Chen Qingling bid Xiao Wu farewell and headed straight for the Academic Affairs Office.

Knock, knock, knock.

Chen Qingling knocked politely. "Come in."

When Director Su saw that Chen Qingling had entered, he immediately perked up from where he had been drinking tea.

"It's Qingling Student. What brings you to the Academic Affairs Office? Is something the matter?"

"Director Su, can I skip being a junior student?" Chen Qingling got straight to the point and stated her purpose.

"This..."

Director Su pondered for a moment. If it had been anyone else, he would have refused without hesitation.

But considering that Chen Qingling was older, he ultimately agreed.

"Fine, no problem."

"I'll let your teacher know. You can go back first."

"Thank you, Director Su." Chen Qingling thanked him gratefully before turning and leaving the Academic Affairs Office.

Watching Chen Qingling's departing figure, Director Su sighed helplessly.

"Sigh, it finally came."

He had long expected that Chen Qingling wouldn't advance through the academy step by step. He simply hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

Notting Academy had finally gained a once-in-a-century genius, yet she wouldn't be staying for more than a few years.