Thirty-Five, Taking the Back Door!

At Jia Nan Academy's designated recruitment plaza.

Xiao Dongchen stared at the sea of people and bobbing heads, dumbfounded. Why did this look so much like a tourist attraction during the holidays?

The plaza was exceptionally lively, filled with nonstop clamor. Countless young people desperately squeezed their way inside. If the three great families and the City Lord's Manor had not dispatched men to maintain order, the place would have descended into chaos long ago.

However, Xiao Dongchen was not worried in the slightest. After all, Xiao Yu was among the Xiao Household's group, and she had connections that could get them in through the back door.

"Young Master Chen... I have a way to get you tested early."

Perhaps noticing the boy's awkward expression, Xiao Yu quietly approached on her long, snow-white legs. Her beautiful eyes blinked softly, and she seemed especially cautious.

"Big Sister Xiao Yu has a way? Then sorry for the trouble."

Xiao Dongchen revealed a warm smile, spreading his hands with complete frankness.

Seeing the hidden tenderness in Xiao Yu's eyes, he could not help but sigh inwardly. Just what kind of charm did he possess, to turn a woman who had always been so proud into such a lovestruck fool? Ah, what a sin!

"Yes. One of the people in charge of recruitment in Wu Tan City this time is my instructor. As her personal disciple, of course I have a way."

Gazing at the boy, dazzling as the sun, Xiao Yu became slightly entranced. After spacing out briefly, she blinked mischievously and spoke.

"Cousin Xiao Yu, hurry and take us there."

At that moment, Xiao Mei also walked over, grabbing Xiao Yu's arm and speaking in a coquettish tone.

Then, she secretly glanced at the boy beside them from the corner of her eye. The longer she looked, the more bitterness filled her heart.

You were like a star in the sky, impossibly distant. Other than looking up at you, there was nothing she could do.

"Come with me."

Perhaps feeling a sense of shared misery, Xiao Yu glanced at the girl before leading her forward with a quiet sigh.

I still need to work harder. Only by becoming outstanding can I be qualified to stand at his side!

After watching the two girls leave together, Xun'er finally approached with graceful steps. Pouting, she raised her delicate brows and said, "I never expected Brother Chen to have such a colorful romantic history."

"Don't talk nonsense. We're innocent!"

Xiao Dongchen hurriedly waved his hands in defense.

"Hmph, nonsense? Anyone with eyes can tell those two girls like you."

Her eyes shifted, and Xiao Xun'er's lips curled into a proud smile. She puffed out her youthful chest and blinked her beautiful eyes. "But Brother Chen is so outstanding that there are plenty of women who like you. Still, I'm not afraid of any of them, because the only one worthy of Brother Chen has always been me, Xun'er~"

In the plaza, the girl's nightingale-like voice and angelic face displayed an air of nobility.

"Uh, that's true. Don't lower yourself to their level."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Dongchen could only spread his hands helplessly and nod in agreement.

Honestly, it was his fault too. If he had kept a lower profile, how could he have incurred so many romantic debts?

Hearing this, Xun'er smiled sweetly. She then took Xiao Dongchen's arm and followed the two girls ahead.

Following Xiao Yu through several twists and turns, the group arrived behind West Plaza. Fully armed guards stood there, blades and spears gleaming with cold light. The security was clearly airtight.

After sweeping her eyes over the tight security, Xiao Yu stepped forward alone. She removed a green waist token from her belt and spoke with someone who appeared to be a leader. Then she waved to the others.

The leader's solemn gaze carefully swept over the group before he waved his hand and shouted, "Let them through!"

Upon hearing their superior's command, the barricades ahead were immediately cleared away. A row of iron-armored guards also moved apart to either side, opening a passage about ten feet wide.

Xiao Yu smiled gratefully at the leader, put away her token, and led the group into the camp behind him.

The moment they entered the camp, Xiao Yu adopted a playful expression and chided the leader, "Senior Ke, can you stop being so serious? Just tell me where Instructor Ruo Lin is."

"You little girl, it's lucky you ran into me. If it had been anyone else, how could I have let you use this back door? They'd have to wait in line!"

A smile appeared on Senior Ke's stern face as well. Faced with this talented girl from the academy, he could do nothing about her.

Then, his gaze narrowed slightly as he looked toward Xiao Dongchen and Xun'er, suspicion rising in his heart. These two were clearly so young—why could he not see through either of them at all?

"Alright, thanks, okay?"

"Hurry back before someone reports you for neglecting your duties!"

Seeing an acquaintance, Xiao Yu returned to her cheerful academy demeanor.

"Pah! Neglecting my duties, my ass!"

"I can't win an argument with you. Instructor Ruo Lin is over there. Take them to her."

Senior Ke rolled his eyes slightly, pointed ahead, then shook his head and left.

"Let's go."

Following the direction of his finger, Xiao Yu led Xiao Mei, as well as Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning, who had arrived later, around the back of the camp toward the center of the plaza. Xiao Dongchen and Xun'er pursed their lips and followed as well.

After walking for a while, they saw a huge open green tent. An open area had been sectioned off there and surrounded by a fence. Outside it was a sea of people and one testing lane after another.

Occasionally, young men and women who passed the test would be led away with excited faces to tents on the side to rest.

"Yu'er, why did you only just arrive?"

As they neared the tent, a delighted voice reached their ears. Immediately afterward, a woman in an apricot-red dress hurried over. She looked Xiao Yu up and down before pursing her lips. "It hasn't even been that long since we last met. How did you get so much thinner?"

"No, you've probably just gotten fatter from lying around in the dorm every day!"

Xiao Yu straightened her waist and fired back without any courtesy.

"You brat, you dare make fun of me now!"

Hearing that, the woman immediately reached out and pinched Xiao Yu's nose, laughing as she scolded her.

"Let me introduce my good sister, Xue Ni. She's an Eight-Star Dou Zhe. As for her personality, she's pretty similar to mine."

Xiao Yu lightly glared at the woman and pushed her away before turning to Xiao Dongchen and the others with a smile.

Upon hearing the introduction, Xiao Dongchen and the others turned their gazes toward the woman. She had a bright smile on her baby face and two hair buns atop her head. Her ample, imposing chest looked heavy, while her curvy figure, slender waist, and long legs made her the very image of a baby-faced beauty with a voluptuous figure.

Her appearance was sweet rather than breathtaking, but her exceptionally fiery body was enough to make countless men drool.

After a pause, Xiao Yu pulled Xue Ni over and began introducing her clansmen.

"This is Xiao Mei, and this useless little brother of mine is Xiao Ning. They're both One-Star Dou Zhes!"

"This is Xun'er. Pretty, isn't she? Even I envy her beauty. This is Xiao Yan. He's soared through the ranks over the past few months and seems to have broken through to Seven-Star Dou Zhe a few days ago. As for this one..."

When she came to the smiling boy, Xiao Yu froze. She bit her lip slightly, and her eyes instantly dimmed considerably.

"Oh, I get it."

However, Xue Ni failed to notice Xiao Yu's expression. With a knowing grin, she said, "This couldn't be that little lover you've always been thinking about, Xiao Dongchen, could it?"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire place fell silent, and an awkward atmosphere quietly descended.