On the way back, all three of them were much quieter.
Tang Wulin kept his head lowered the whole way, clearly thinking something over; Gu Yue did not chat casually as she usually did, a rare trace of contemplation in her expression; Xie Xie frowned and glanced at Tang Wulin from time to time, as though replaying what had just happened.
Once they entered the Academy, Gu Yue parted ways with them and returned to the girls' dormitory.
"I'm heading back." She paused, then looked at Tang Wulin again. "Don't do anything reckless tonight."
Tang Wulin nodded.
Only after Gu Yue had gone some distance did Xie Xie and Tang Wulin continue into the dormitory building.
At the door to their room, Tang Wulin suddenly stopped.
"Xie Xie, wait."
"What is it?" Xie Xie turned to look at him.
Tang Wulin looked at him, his expression much more serious than usual.
"I think I know how those Golden Scales appeared."
Xie Xie froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
"You figured it out? Tell me!"
Tang Wulin gathered his thoughts and said slowly, "After the Golden Scales first appeared, I tried all sorts of things. Circulating my soul power, training until I collapsed, even deliberately hurting myself. None of it worked. But when they appeared for the second time today, I suddenly realized there was one thing that was exactly the same as the first time."
"What?" Xie Xie asked at once.
"Your Light Dragon Dagger," Tang Wulin said quietly. "The first time, the Golden Scales only appeared after you injured me. Today was the same. That burning sensation only came back after your Light Dragon Dagger cut my back."
Xie Xie froze.
He stood there thinking for a moment, and his expression suddenly became quite a sight.