The sunset's lingering glow spilled across the Dormitory windowsill as Gu Yue pushed open the door and entered, a faint smile on her face. She casually hung her cloak on the coat rack, then turned toward the others, who were packing their things. "I've sorted things out with the Spirit Pagoda," she said lightly. "As long as we don't break any rules during the tower challenge and have enough people, our spots are guaranteed."
At her words, Tang Wulin's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed. He nodded, relief in his voice. "Wonderful. I happen to have some good news for you, too. Besides the five of us, we'll have two powerful reinforcements this time—Senior Yuanen and Yue Zhengyu."
"Yuanen's coming too!" Xie Xie had been lounging against the headboard, but the moment he heard that, he sprang up as though injected with a shot of adrenaline, his eyes blazing. "Fantastic! I vote yes with both hands and both feet!"
"Oh?" Xu Xiaoyan blinked her large, mischievous eyes, a wicked grin curling her lips as she deliberately drew out her words. "Xie Xie, why are you so excited? Did hearing that Senior Yuanen is coming make you want to take the chance to 'smooth things over' with her, or... win her heart?"
"W-what nonsense are you talking about!" Xie Xie's face instantly flushed red to the tips of his ears. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he jumped up and tried to cover Xu Xiaoyan's mouth. "I'm thinking about the team's strength! Do you understand?"
Xu Xiaoyan nimbly darted behind Gu Yue, laughing so hard she rocked back and forth. "Oh my, you're blushing! You're blushing! Looks like I hit the nail on the head!"
Watching them, Tang Wulin shook his head helplessly, though a smile lingered on his