Running Into Zhu Lu, Training Together, and Getting His Wallet Stolen While Out Shopping!

Lin Fan thought for a long moment, then smiled and said:

"Of course. That senior's fried rice is second to none. As for who she is... that's a secret."

"Lin Fan, I hate you..."

Wang Dong rolled her eyes at Lin Fan. Her voice turned petulant as she went on:

"Lin Fan, want to train together in a bit?"

"Sure. I've got nothing else to do."

Lin Fan lay on the bed, looking thoroughly at ease. He answered with a cheerful smile.

After she had eaten her fill, Wang Dong climbed onto her bed, sat down, and closed her eyes to train. Lin Fan joined her.

Lin Fan felt the speed at which his Soul Power grew. It was as though someone had poured gasoline onto a bicycle chain, sending it spinning faster and faster.

His Soul Power was at level 38, and he figured level 39 was not far off. He had come this far since awakening the system not long ago.

After the two had trained for a while, they stopped.

Lin Fan slowly opened his eyes. Wang Dong had already lain down on her bed and gone back to sleeping soundly.

He smiled softly. Pleased that level 39 was within reach, he got out of bed and headed out of the dorm to have a little fun.

Lin Fan left the Dormitory Building and wandered around, strolling from Sea God Lake to the Teaching Building.

The teaching buildings were marked in different colors for each grade. As he followed the straight corridor, he spotted upperclassmen from various years.

He stopped by his classroom, but there was no one inside. Bored, he left and kept wandering.

Then he saw a girl training in a classroom off the corridor. He stepped closer and realized she looked like Zhu Lu.

She wore a white school-uniform dress and sat cultivating with her legs crossed. Her full figure gave her a striking allure.

Once he was sure it was Zhu Lu, he stepped briskly into the classroom, glanced around, and walked over to her.

The classroom looked much like the others. The only difference was that its desks were arranged in horizontal rows.

"Zhu Lu."

Lin Fan bent down to look at Zhu Lu and raised a hand in greeting.

"Lin Fan! What are you doing here?"

Zhu Lu opened her lovely eyes and stared at him in surprise. Her voice was soft as a kitten's, tinged with confusion.

She had wanted to find him and apologize earlier. She had not expected him to come to her instead. What a coincidence.

"I had nothing to do, so I was wandering around. I happened to see you working hard at your training, and I came over."

Lin Fan rubbed the back of his neck and smiled.

"Oh... I'm sorry, Lin Fan. I forgot about what happened before."

Zhu Lu looked apologetic. After a pause, she added:

"And I apologize on Dai Huabin's behalf, too... It started because of me, after all. I'm sorry."

Lin Fan waved it off as though he did not mind at all, then asked in puzzlement:

"It's fine, really. But the classroom's empty. Why are you training here alone?"

Zhu Lu paused, lowered her head, and said quietly:

"I like training alone. The dorm is too noisy for me, so I came here."

Lin Fan's eyes shifted with curiosity.

"You train so hard. Don't you ever go out and have fun?"

Zhu Lu shook her head.

"I don't want to. I came to Shrek Academy to study and train hard."

Lin Fan stroked his chin, then said:

"I see. I know a way to speed up your training. I can let you try it once. Interested?"

Zhu Lu's lovely eyes widened slightly.

"Is there really a way like that?"

Lin Fan looked at her seriously.

"Believe me or not, I really do know a way to increase the speed at which you cultivate Soul Power."

After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Lu said slowly:

"I believe you. Tell me what to do, Lin Fan! I'll do whatever you need, as long as there aren't any side effects..."

She did not want to train recklessly. She resolved to stop at once if anything felt wrong.

Lin Fan smiled reassuringly.

"There are no side effects, and you don't have to do anything. I just need to sit beside you while we train together."

"You only need to sit beside me? It's that simple?"

Startled, Zhu Lu thought for a moment. Then she nodded, still looking thoughtful.

"All right, then..."

She could hardly believe that increasing the speed of Soul Power cultivation would come at no cost.

Lin Fan nodded. "Okay."

Without hesitation, Lin Fan turned, crouched down, and sat beside Zhu Lu.

They were so close that only their clothes separated them. Zhu Lu stiffened when she felt his shoulder press against hers.

Blushing, Zhu Lu raised a fair hand to push him away, but hesitated and stopped. Uneasy, she asked:

"Lin Fan, um... aren't you a little too close? Do we have to be... this... close?"

Lin Fan laughed and explained:

"This works better. The closer we are, the faster we can train. Let's begin."

"All right..."

Zhu Lu gave him a trusting look. She lowered her hand, clenched it tightly, and closed her eyes to resume training.

The two began cultivating their Soul Power together, and Lin Fan's Talent Resonance took effect.

Zhu Lu immediately felt the speed of her Soul Power cultivation surge, like an electric fan switched to its third setting.

Shock gave way to delight. Her cultivation was several times faster than usual, and she treasured the chance, continuing to train.

Beside her, Lin Fan remained calm as he felt his own Soul Power growing.

After they had trained for a while, they stopped.

"Well? Did it work?"

Lin Fan opened his eyes, turned toward Zhu Lu as she opened hers, and asked softly.

"Mm... it really did! That was amazing."

Excited, Zhu Lu reached out and gripped both of Lin Fan's shoulders.

"I never thought a way to train like that really existed. It was several times faster than my usual speed."

It was a pity she only had one chance. She wanted to do it again; the feeling of her Soul Power growing so quickly had been wonderful.

Lin Fan looked startled. He glanced sideways at the hands on his shoulders and said:

"Um, Zhu Lu... your hands?"

Zhu Lu's cheeks flushed. She snatched her hands back in alarm and exclaimed:

"Sorry, Lin Fan! I just... got too excited..."

Lin Fan stood and held out a hand to help her up, smiling.

"Oh. You've been sitting here training for so long. You must be tired. How about we go out for a walk?"

Zhu Lu looked up at his handsome face, then lowered her head shyly. She reached out and took his gentle hand.

"Okay."

"Mm."

Lin Fan felt her soft little hand in his and pulled her easily to her feet.

Then Lin Fan led Zhu Lu out of the classroom and the Teaching Building. They crossed the athletic field, passed through the Academy gates, and went shopping together.

The two enjoyed browsing the dazzling array of little goods.

Zhu Lu happily examined one trinket after another. Her eyes lit up, and in high spirits, she could not resist wandering from stall to stall.