The Spirit-Sealing Register

"Heaven and Earth, Boundless, Borrowing Power from Heaven and Earth, Spirit-Sealing Register, capture!" a clear voice rang out.

Golden light enveloped the Vengeful Ghosts that had been fleeing. They let out piercing howls, then vanished into the scroll along with the light.

The scroll instantly rolled itself up, becoming utterly unremarkable, and fell from the sky.

"Heehee." A girl stood there in green robes, her hair tied in a bun. A black wooden case strapped to her back was nearly as tall as she was.

She reached out and deftly caught the falling scroll, then tucked it into a Deerskin Pouch at her waist with an excited look.

Just then, an old Taoist in purple robes approached, carrying a wine gourd.

"Gulp." After taking a long swig, he wiped his mouth and said helplessly, "Ling'er, isn't it nice studying Taoist arts with Grandpa on Mount Qingcheng and subduing demons? Why come all this way to attend some blasted university? What if someone bullies you?"

"Grandpa, Mount Qingcheng is so boring! I just came down for a change of scenery." Tang Ling'er pouted, tugging at the old Taoist's sleeve as she wheedled. "Besides, they should be grateful if I don't bully them. Who would dare bully me?"

"But you have so many senior disciples keeping you company up there. What's there to be bored about?" the old Taoist asked in puzzlement.

"They're always leering at me. It's so annoying," Tang Ling'er complained. "They even peep at me when I'm bathing."

"What? They did that?" The old Taoist flew into a rage. "Those little bastards! I'll go back right now and break their legs!"

With that, he tossed his wine gourd into the air. It instantly grew enormous, and he leaped aboard, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Once the old Taoist was out of sight, Tang Ling'er stuck out her tongue. "Sorry, senior brothers! I didn't mean to frame you. You'll have to fend for yourselves. Heehee."

Then the girl got her bearings and skipped toward Jinling University.

Meanwhile, our very own Li Yichen had reached his dorm building.

"Wait!" Seeing the elderly dorm attendant already closing the door, he shouted as he ran.

Click. Sure enough, the old man wasn't about to humor him. Without so much as another glance, he locked the door.

"Fuck!" Li Yichen's face turned green. Pointing at the old man's retreating back, he struggled for ages before squeezing out, "You... you... you're really something."

"If you won't let me in, I'll get in myself." Indignant, Li Yichen circled around to the other side, found a dark corner, and passed through the wall with a thought.

I wonder if the guys are asleep yet. Li Yichen hurried upstairs and pushed open his dorm room door.

A powerful blast of fragrance drove him straight back out.

"Ah... choo!" Li Yichen sneezed hard and quickly opened the door wider to air the room out.

"Seriously, how much cologne did you guys spray? Who are you trying to suffocate?" Li Yichen wrinkled his nose.

The three were so busy that they had no time to pay him any attention.

Yang Weifeng was carefully polishing a pair of leather shoes. They shone so brightly he could have used them as mirrors.

Sun Kai was meticulously steaming a white shirt with a garment steamer borrowed from who knew where. Not a single crease remained.

Zhang Yong was fussing with his hair in front of the mirror. There was no telling how much gel he'd used; any fly landing on it would probably end up doing the splits.

Anyone who knows would say you're welcoming freshmen. Anyone who doesn't would think you're off to your own weddings, Li Yichen silently grumbled.

They fussed about for another full hour before finally going to bed.

Early the next morning, they spent another half hour getting ready before setting off. All three had eyes as red as rabbits', whether from lack of sleep or excitement.

Li Yichen, meanwhile, simply found a clean tracksuit and went along with them.

"Number Four, don't take this the wrong way," Sun Kai said, glancing at Li Yichen's clothes and curling his lip. "Clothes make the man. You could at least dress up a little."

"Exactly," Yang Weifeng chimed in. "At least get yourself a decent pair of leather shoes. Girls these days like mature, dependable guys."

"If you ask me, you ought to style your hair properly. That's what makes you look dashing," Zhang Yong promptly offered his own opinion.

"I'm doing this for you guys, aren't I?" Li Yichen could only curl his lip. "I'm leaving all the opportunities to you. You should be thanking me."

"That's our Number Four! Always looking out for his big brothers," Yang Weifeng said gratefully. "Once I find you a future sister-in-law, I'll definitely treat you to a meal."

Li Yichen was speechless.

"Holy shit." Arriving at the meeting point, Li Yichen had his eyes opened.

He'd thought his roommates were flashy enough, but it turned out there weren't just one or two peacocks here. There were whole flocks of them, all dressed up to look respectable.

Just then, Han Wenqi approached, surrounded by a group of leading student council members.

He took the microphone and said with a beaming, self-satisfied smile, "Today is the day our university's freshmen arrive. On their behalf, I'd like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone for volunteering so enthusiastically."

As soon as he finished, enthusiastic applause broke out.

"What a phony." Yang Weifeng couldn't help curling his lip. "Every year, he uses his position as student council president to sweet-talk young girls. What an animal."

"Tell me about it," Zhang Yong added. "He ruins things for several girls every year. What a fucking bastard."

"Nothing we can do." Sun Kai sighed. "He's the student council president, after all."

"That's all I have to say today. Let's show them our volunteers' energy and spirit, and start welcoming the freshmen!" The guy certainly could talk. He went on for a full five minutes before finishing.

As for what he'd said, Li Yichen hadn't taken in a single word.

The crowd dispersed in twos and threes.

Yang Weifeng immediately led them running in one direction.

"I checked with people from my hometown. This is prime territory—the best place to pick up pretty girls," Yang Weifeng said proudly when they reached a corner.

"Really? Are you sure?" Li Yichen was skeptical.

"Want to know if it's true? We'll find out by trying." Yang Weifeng confidently puffed out his chest.

Just then, someone shouted, "Come quick! There's a pretty girl here!"

"Where?" The three perked up immediately. Forgetting all about their prime territory, they shot off like ravenous dogs lunging for food.

"Hey, beautiful, which school are you in?"

"Hey, beautiful, let me carry your luggage."

"Hey, beautiful, where are you from? Maybe we're from the same hometown."

"Hey, beautiful, do you have a boyfriend?"

Watching the crowd fall over themselves to please her, Li Yichen couldn't help muttering, "Animals."

Before long, Sun Kai and the others returned with their heads hanging.

"They beat us to her. They all go crazy when they see a pretty girl. What a bunch of beasts."

"What the hell? You guys weren't exactly slow just now either, were you?" Li Yichen asked in surprise.

"How are we anything like them?" Zhang Yong argued with righteous indignation. "Our intentions are pure, understand?"

"Guys, here comes another pretty girl!" Yang Weifeng's voice carried over from a distance.

"Leave her to me!" Before the words had even faded, Zhang Yong shot off, running faster than a rabbit.

"Pure? Like hell I'd believe you." Li Yichen twisted his mouth.

The freshman welcome was heating up, but Jinling's weather was even hotter.

Before noon, these animals were already drenched in sweat, their mouths dry and throats parched. They were practically panting with their tongues out.

Just then, an engine roared at the university gates, and a brand-new red sports car pulled up outside.