Senior Schoolmate

The gates of Eastsea Academy were packed so tightly with bustling crowds that not even water could have flowed through.

Countless parents had gathered there, most of them having come specifically to see their children off to school.

Some had arrived in gleaming luxury cars, while others had walked the whole way and looked travel-worn.

Still, most children who could come to Eastsea City for school came from families that were not badly off.

At the very least, their families could keep them fed and clothed. Some were even quite prosperous.

At the school gates, parents stood chatting in little groups or chattering away as they gave their children last-minute reminders.

Others hurried to take their children to the academic affairs office for textbooks and dorm room assignments.

Against them, Li Qingyue's little group looked especially strange.

After all, new students were normally brought by their parents. Some came with one, some with two, and some with seven or eight relatives in tow—even their grandparents had made the trip.

But this group consisted of only three youngsters. The blonde girl leading them looked to be in her teens, yet beside the surrounding parents, she still seemed far too young.

More striking than that, all three were absurdly good-looking.

Of the three, only the blonde girl was slightly less beautiful. The other two were almost unbelievably lovely.

And even the blonde, the least eye-catching of them, had attractive features in every respect. Only her figure was somewhat ordinary.

As they walked, they noticed more and more eyes turning toward them.

Some people studied them, some looked curious, and a few seemed intent on prying into their business. Mu Xi could not help frowning.

"So annoying. We should've had Dad bring us himself. What are all these people standing around staring at?"

"Honestly, if they're here to see their kids off, they should get on with it. Piling up at the gates just wastes everyone's time."

As she spoke, she swept her gaze over the parents, sounding thoroughly exasperated.

The three continued into the school. Before they had gone far, they spotted a beautiful girl waiting for them.

At the sight of Mu Xi, the girl waved at once. "Mu Xi, over here! Come on!"

She beckoned again. Mu Xi waved back, then led Li Qingyue and Na'er over at a quick pace.

Li Qingyue gave the beautiful girl a polite nod, and she returned it with a friendly smile.

"Qingyue, let me introduce you. This is Ouyang Zixin, my best friend in class."

"I need to head back to my dorm for a bit, so Zixin can take you two to complete your enrollment."

Mu Xi smiled at Ouyang Zixin as she spoke. Clearly, she had arranged this with her beforehand.

Ouyang Zixin smiled at Li Qingyue too and offered him her hand.

"I'm Ouyang Zixin. Nice to meet you, junior."

"I'm Li Qingyue. Nice to meet you too, senior." He gently took her hand.

He touched only the front half of her fingers. After about two seconds, he politely let go.

Seeing how well-mannered he was, Ouyang Zixin smiled, then reached out to pat Na'er lightly on the head.

At the difference in treatment, Na'er blinked her lovely wide eyes, confusion glimmering in them.

She said nothing, however, and turned her head away with a little huff.

Looking at the two adorable youngsters, Ouyang Zixin wore a rare smile.

She took them straight to the academic affairs office to complete their enrollment, then led them to the boys' dormitory.

Since the school year had only just begun, parents and girls were still allowed inside for the time being.

Ouyang Zixin therefore led them directly to Room 206.

Li Qingyue raised an eyebrow at the room number.

It was right next to Tang Wulin's room—the room assigned to Wang Jinxi and the others.

Li Qingyue neither disliked nor particularly cared about those three students from the original timeline.

He calmly knocked, then pushed the door open.

The scene inside, however, was not quite what he had expected.

There were indeed two unfamiliar boys. One had black wings spread behind him, while the phantom of an Ancient Dragon coiled behind the other.

What surprised Li Qingyue was Xie Xie, standing quietly across from them.

He gripped the Twin Dragon Daggers and stared at the two boys with open provocation.

Feeling the tension stretched between them like a drawn bowstring, Li Qingyue froze for a moment.

At the sound of the door opening, all three turned almost at once.

Xie Xie was not surprised to see Li Qingyue. Having him assigned to this room had been Xie Xie's idea in the first place.

He had been determined to share a room with Li Qingyue, so he hurried over as soon as he saw him.

"You're here, Qingyue! These two are being completely unreasonable. I'd already picked out the lower bunks for us."

"I even chose our spots, and then this guy showed up and tried to take your bunk!"

As Xie Xie spoke, he shot the two boys a fierce glare. Their gazes clashed, and neither side gave an inch.

Ouyang Zixin raised an eyebrow. She understood at once: it was the usual dispute between boys sharing a dorm room.

They were all new classmates who would be spending a long time together. They needed to learn how to get along.

As a fifth-year student, she could have stepped in to mediate, or even decided who was right and who was wrong. But that might only make their future relationship harder.

Besides, Mu Xi had told her that Li Qingyue possessed innate Twin Martial Souls.

Although his Martial Souls were primarily support-type, he apparently was not weak. After thinking it over, Ouyang Zixin decided not to speak up.

Before she could say anything, Li Qingyue turned slightly toward her and offered a gentle smile.

"Zixin, sorry for the trouble, but could you take Na'er to her dorm first? I'll come downstairs and find you both for lunch. Please don't leave—I'd like to treat you and Mu Xi."

He smiled at Ouyang Zixin again, warm and bright as sunshine.

Yet on his almost unreal-looking face, that smile gave him an air so exquisite it was hard to believe he was real.

Though Ouyang Zixin had seen him several times already, she still found herself nodding almost without thinking.

Suddenly she understood why the ancients had used the word "beauty" rather than "beautiful woman" for someone breathtaking. A boy, too, could have a face she could not take her eyes off.

Ouyang Zixin did not linger. She gave Li Qingyue a polite smile, then took Na'er's hand to leave.

Na'er was not worried in the slightest about Li Qingyue facing the two boys. She knew exactly how many Martial Souls he possessed.

The boy before them had not only Twin Martial Souls but a bloodline Martial Soul as well—three Martial Souls in all, each exceptionally powerful.

Those two had dared to challenge her brother Qingyue, but Na'er merely grinned and waved to him.

Then she let Ouyang Zixin lead her downstairs toward the girls' dormitory.

After watching them leave, Li Qingyue still wore his gentle smile.

His dark eyes, however, swept calmly over the two boys before him.