Zhang Lexuan looked at Huo Yuhao, her eyes curving with a gentle smile.
"Junior Huo Yuhao, it's been a long time."
Her words sounded warm, but to Huo Yuhao, they carried an entirely different flavor.
They had hardly been seeing little of each other lately. They had met absurdly often.
Calling those meetings guidance in cultivation made them sound pleasant. Put plainly, they meant a light training session every three days and a grueling one every five.
At Mu En's request, Zhang Lexuan had been watching him hone his Sovereign's Descent techniques. Every session brought a genuine clash of spiritual power and a tempering under crushing pressure. It amounted to one-sided, high-intensity training beatings.
And with little Huo Yan'er practically living at the Sea God Pavilion, Zhang Lexuan often played with the adorable child. For all the vastness of the Inner Court, there was only one tiny girl like her, and Zhang Lexuan looked every bit the doting caretaker. They saw each other absurdly often.
Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched hard as complaints ran wild in his head.
Fine. I guess it has been a long time.
They say three days apart can feel like three autumns. For us, one training session feels like we haven't met in a whole season.
Unaware of his silent complaints, Zhang Lexuan stepped forward. Her expression turned formal as she addressed everyone in a low voice and began the pre-departure briefing:
"Juniors, I'll briefly introduce the members of this expedition. I'm Zhang Lexuan, president of Shrek's Student Council and an eight-ring Soul Douluo of the Power Attack System. I don't need a Soul Ring on this trip. I'll be fully responsible for the team's safety and directing our journey."
As soon as she finished, a tall young woman beside her stepped half a pace forward.