Lazy afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows of Eastsea Academy's training room. Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie, who had been resting separately, were stirred by a series of steady footsteps.
"Gather up." Wu Changkong's unmistakably cool voice sounded from the doorway. Dressed in a lake-blue robe with his long hair tied back, he stood exceptionally straight and tall.
Tang Wulin and the other two quickly formed a line, their gazes turning toward the door in unison. Wu Changkong stepped aside, revealing the space behind him.
"Let me introduce you. These two will be your teammates from now on."
As Wu Changkong finished speaking, two figures emerged, one plump and one slender.
The instant Tang Wulin saw them, his eyes widened, disbelief spreading across his face.
In front was a round little chubby boy with an affable smile, stuffing a pastry he had somehow filched into his mouth. Behind him stood a tall, striking young woman with short hair. She wore a neat combat outfit and carried a heavy sword, her gaze sharp as a blade. It was Ye Xinglan.
"Xu Lizhi? Ye Xinglan?" Tang Wulin blurted out, his voice full of surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Hehe, long time no see, Wulin." Xu Lizhi waved cheerfully. His surroundings might have changed, but his sunny disposition had not changed a bit.
Ye Xinglan gave a slight nod. Her expression remained somewhat cold and proud, but her gaze held less hostility toward Tang Wulin and more scrutiny. "Long time no see."
Seeing their surprised expressions, Wu Changkong offered a rare additional explanation. "They were both members of the Inner Court. But later, the Inner Court had too many people and limited resources, so a few had to return to the Outer Court to be assessed again."
He paused, his