Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her beautiful eyes and gave him a mild, sidelong glare.
"Of course it matters. This is the first time anyone of the opposite sex outside my family has kissed me."
"So you're saying I came out way ahead?"
Lin En smiled teasingly. "This was my first time kissing another girl too, so you got a good deal yourself!"
Zhu Zhuqing shot him a mildly reproachful look. "You womanizing radish, I don't believe that was your first kiss..."
"Great, nobody believes me even when I tell the truth. Where's the most basic trust between people?"
Lin En spread his hands, looking helpless.
Zhu Zhuqing let out a giggle, another blush rising to her cheeks. "All right, stop running your mouth. I'm going back to training!"
"Then do your best. I'll be cheering you on in spirit!"
Lin En beamed and gave her a thumbs-up, then turned and headed straight for the shade beneath the trees.
"Did that bastard come over just to annoy me?"
Zhu Zhuqing gritted her teeth, then ignored him and focused on completing her training regimen.
Several days later, the Soul Hunting Operation officially began!
Skywater Academy's soul hunting squad consisted of twelve people, with every member of the Skywater Team assembled. Their purpose was to gain actual combat experience in Star Dou.
Compared with rigid training in the Mimicry Training Ground, real life-and-death battles were better at improving a person's fighting abilities.
This was also the first month-end assessment Shui Qingyue had assigned the Skywater Team since Skywater Academy's term began.
Besides the full Skywater Team, the squad included two members who needed Soul Rings.
One needed a purple Soul Ring, and the other a Yellow Soul Ring.
The final three were Lin En, Zhu Zhuqing, and the teacher accompanying them, a level seventy-two Agility Attack System Soul Saint.
Once the squad had assembled, Lin En and Shui Bing'er stood at the very front.
Lin En was the captain of this soul hunting expedition, and Shui Bing'er was the vice-captain.
After completing the head count, Lin En confidently waved his arm and led the eleven others toward the Star Dou Great Forest in three carriages.
Along the way, Lin En also discussed the expedition's targets with Shui Bing'er.
Since Skywater Academy's students were all water-attribute Soul Masters, their main purpose in visiting the Star Dou Great Forest was to obtain powerful water-attribute Soul Rings.
Skywater Academy had established hunting grounds in Star Dou.
There were quite a few water-attribute soul beasts in Star Dou, and Water Arrow Turtles and Water Jumping Fish ranked among the best of them.
Their goal on this trip was to obtain Soul Rings from these two kinds of soul beasts.
On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Lin En raised his hand, signaling for everyone to stop and rest before setting out again once they had recovered.
Only after receiving Lin En's order did the Skywater Academy group dare stop to rest.
After all, they had endured an exhausting carriage journey from Heaven Dou to the Star Dou Great Forest. They needed to get themselves into peak condition to face whatever unknown dangers might lie ahead.
"Bing'er, are our destinations the Cloudmist Swamp and Splashing Water Creek marked on the map?"
Lin En held the map and studied it carefully, asking Shui Bing'er about anything he did not understand as he worked to become a competent leader.
"Yes. There are Water Delight Fish in the Cloudmist Swamp, while Splashing Water Creek is home to Water Arrow Turtles!"
Shui Bing'er nodded at Lin En approvingly. He had gained such a thorough understanding of Skywater Academy's map of Star Dou in just a few hours. It seemed he really did have some genuine ability.
What Shui Bing'er did not know was that his ability to grasp the locations on the map so quickly depended entirely on the time he had spent surviving in Star Dou, during which he had thoroughly familiarized himself with the terrain.
Now that he had a map, it naturally came as easily as if his hands answered his heart.
Lin En nodded slightly. "Good. From here, we'll train as we make our way to the soul hunting grounds."
"Since this is an assessment the dean assigned you, I'll do my best to help you complete it."
"Yes, you're looking more and more like a leader now!"
Shui Bing'er smiled gently at Lin En, a little more warmth appearing on her iceberg-like face.
"Oh my, my esteemed big sister actually smiled! Live long enough and you'll see anything!"
At some point, Shui Yue'er had come up beside them. She wrapped both hands around Shui Bing'er's arm and giggled.
Shui Bing'er flushed. "Don't talk nonsense. I'm just happy, that's all. Where has your mind wandered?"
"Really? Then why haven't I ever seen you smile at anyone else?"
Shui Yue'er grinned teasingly, looked at Lin En, then at Shui Bing'er, and whispered into her ear:
"Sis, don't let him fool you. He's full of crooked little schemes, a super pervert."
Shui Bing'er gave Lin En a somewhat strange look, and his expression darkened. Although he had not caught what Shui Yue'er had said, even thinking with his toes would tell him she was slandering him.
"Yue'er, I wonder who it was chasing after me and begging me for it before? Such a tough guess."
A smile curled the corners of Lin En's mouth, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.
"You two...?"
Shui Bing'er's gaze swept over Shui Yue'er and Lin En, her expression tinged with startled suspicion and curiosity.
"Sis, don't listen to his nonsense. He's lying to you. I never went looking for him..."
Shui Yue'er looked somewhat guilty, an almost imperceptible blush coloring her face.
"You called me sweetie when you were feeling good before, but now that there's trouble, you're kicking me aside?"
A mocking smile appeared at the corners of Lin En's mouth.
"I... I didn't mean to. I'm sorry..."
Shui Yue'er twisted her fingers together. Knowing she was in the wrong, she apologized to Lin En, her cheeks burning red.
"Forget it. I'm magnanimous enough not to stoop to arguing with you!"
Lin En waved his hand and did not hold it against Shui Yue'er. After all, he had enjoyed it quite a bit himself back then.
"What exactly are you two talking about?"
Shui Bing'er looked thoroughly puzzled. Judging by the way these two were acting, had they been very close before?
Lin En checked the time and hurriedly changed the subject:
"Bing'er, Yue'er, we've rested enough. It's time to enter Star Dou!"
Seeing Lin En change the subject, Shui Bing'er did not dig down to the roots of the matter. Their most important task right now was still to complete the month-end assessment.
The two then led the Skywater Team members into the Star Dou Great Forest.
Star Dou was no different from when Lin En had left. Visibility was still poor, and sunlight could not penetrate the canopy.
Although their vision was considerably affected, it did not hinder their progress in the slightest.
Lin En also released Sageross to clear the way ahead of the squad. Any ten-year or hundred-year soul beasts they encountered were frightened away by Sageross's terrifying aura, making their journey peaceful and smooth.
Yet that peace did not last long before they unexpectedly encountered other Soul Masters in the forest.
"Them?"
Lin En looked somewhat taken aback, for a soul hunting squad with a peculiar lineup had suddenly appeared to their right.
The newcomers were none other than the Shrek group!
"You?"
Dai Mubai, who was clearing the way at the head of the Shrek group, likewise spotted Lin En and the Skywater Team members behind him.
When he saw Zhu Zhuqing among their ranks as well, Dai Mubai's eyes instantly reddened, and he began panting like an ox.
Lin En curled his lip. What an unfortunate coincidence!
The road truly was narrow when enemies met!
Before you continue