Before she knew it, the sky had darkened.
Having exhausted all her Soul Power and spiritual power, Huo Yutong leaned wearily against the wall and let out a long breath.
Though the change was minute, she could feel that her control over her spiritual power had grown a little finer.
If she kept working at it without giving up, surely she would be able to help Brother Lin Xi someday. That was the hope she held in her heart.
Huo Yutong had always felt deeply inferior.
Unlike the almost omnipotent Lin Xi, she had nothing.
Everything she had came from Lin Xi's charity, and that had always left her feeling very insecure.
It was not that she feared Lin Xi would abandon her. She had long since learned that he was not that kind of person. As long as Huo Yutong did not betray him first, he would never cast her aside. At the very least, he would ensure that she never had to worry about food or clothing.
What she feared was losing the right to stand beside Lin Xi.
Traveling with Lin Xi after leaving the Duke's Mansion had broadened her knowledge, but it had also deepened her sense of inferiority.
The wider her horizons grew, the more clearly she understood her own uselessness and Lin Xi's genius.
At this rate, a day would come when she could no longer even see Lin Xi's retreating back.
When that happened, would there still be a place for her at his side?
Lin Xi had told her from the very beginning that he had approached her because he saw potential in her. They were partners.
Conversely, if she failed to demonstrate that potential, Lin Xi might seek out his next partner.
Whenever she imagined Lin Xi showing tenderness to someone other than her while she could only watch from the sidelines, her heart hurt as though it were about to split apart.
She absolutely could not bear such an ending.
"So... I can't stop yet..."
Huo Yutong braced a hand against the wall and pushed herself upright.
"I have to... reach a level where I can help Brother Lin Xi sooner..."
Enduring the intense exhaustion and the cries of protest from her brain, she activated Spiritual Detection again.
Yet the moment she used it, a headache that seemed ready to tear her brain apart made her vision go black, and she nearly fell.
"Hey, hey, what are you doing?!" Even the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was startled by her actions. "Working hard is a good thing, but you can't abuse yourself! Rest for a while."
"I..."
Huo Yutong bit her lower lip in frustration.
She could not take it after so little time.
Just how useless was she?
A few days ago, she had made rapid progress under the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's guidance, and she had thought she was finally close to being able to stand beside Lin Xi. Reality had proved that it was entirely the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's achievement. She was still her old self, weak and helpless.
"Ah!" Just as she was sinking deeper into dejection, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in her Sea of Consciousness suddenly cried out joyfully, "Lin Xi's back!"
Having seen Huo Yutong's memories, he knew that Lin Xi could soothe her emotions better than anyone.
As long as Lin Xi was present, Huo Yutong could quickly pull herself together, no matter how dejected she had been.
Sure enough, the instant she heard that Lin Xi was back, Huo Yutong's dimmed eyes lit up again.
She hurriedly straightened up and wiped away the cold sweat beading on her forehead so that she would not look quite so disheveled.
She did not want Lin Xi to worry about her.
In less than ten seconds, Lin Xi appeared in her field of vision, accompanied by a burly man she did not recognize.
He's probably from Shrek. Brother Lin Xi can even get Shrek's teachers to do things for him. Just what I'd expect of him, Huo Yutong thought admiringly.
Lin Xi quickly brought the burly man over to Huo Yutong and introduced him.
"Yutong, this is Fan Yu, a teacher from Shrek's Soul Tool Department. You'll be studying Soul Tools under him from now on. Come on, show him your Spiritual Detection Sharing."
"Okay."
Huo Yutong nodded without hesitation. Then, paying no heed whatsoever to the fact that she had nearly fainted from forcing herself to use Spiritual Detection just moments earlier, she activated her first Soul Skill again.
In an instant, needle-like pain swept through her entire mind. The enormous waves that abruptly surged through her Sea of Consciousness startled even Tian Meng, yet she forcibly endured it.
Not even her expression changed.
"Oh!" Fan Yu's eyes flew wide open.
A view that could only be described as a god's-eye perspective slowly unfolded in his mind, and he could not help looking at Huo Yutong in surprise.
When Lin Xi had said he wanted him to pull some strings to get Huo Yutong admitted, he had assumed she would be useless.
He had never expected such an unusual Soul Skill.
Lin Xi glanced at Huo Yutong and frowned slightly.
"That's enough, Yutong. Put it away."
Huo Yutong obediently withdrew her Spiritual Detection.
Only then did the pain churning endlessly through her mind ease a little.
Lin Xi came to Huo Yutong's side, supported her, and looked at Fan Yu.
"Well, Teacher Fan Yu? Yutong's Soul Skill can grow, too. Its detection range and precision can keep improving. Does she qualify to enter Shrek?"
"Of course." Fan Yu gave Huo Yutong a long look and nodded. "And as agreed, both of you will receive the treatment afforded to core disciples of the Soul Tool Department."
Core disciples...
Huo Yutong quietly repeated the words in her heart.
Of course she knew what that term meant.
She had not spent all that time using Spiritual Detection at Shrek's gates for nothing.
In fact, the term "core disciple" had come up extremely often.
As far as she knew, becoming a core disciple was one of the outer courtyard students' highest goals.
After all, only by becoming a core disciple did they gain some assurance of entering the inner courtyard.
Yet she had already obtained this status before enrolling, when other students fought tooth and nail for it without necessarily succeeding.
She did not even need to think about where this privilege had come from.
Huo Yutong looked at Lin Xi admiringly.
Though she did not know what methods Brother Lin Xi had used, she was certain that she could enjoy such special treatment thanks to him.
"Then, Teacher, let's part ways here. We're already very tired from our journey." For some reason, Lin Xi sounded a little displeased. "I'll take Yutong to complete the enrollment procedures first. I'll come find you tomorrow."
"Mm, all right."
Fan Yu looked at him, then at Huo Yutong, and nodded thoughtfully before turning to leave.
Huh? That's it?
Huo Yutong looked at Lin Xi in confusion.
That doesn't seem like something Brother Lin Xi would do.
As she remembered it, Lin Xi would usually chat a little longer with the other person in situations like this. Even if he could not score any benefits, he could at least build a closer relationship.
Just like when they had met the Three-Eyed Golden Lion a few days ago: before successfully helping her obtain the Eye of Destiny, he had found every excuse to chat with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
Huo Yutong believed those conversations must have played some part, however small, in the Three-Eyed Golden Lion ultimately agreeing to Lin Xi's request.
Faced with Huo Yutong's innocent gaze, the corner of Lin Xi's mouth twitched.
Then he punched Huo Yutong on the head.
"Ow, ow, ow! Ugh, Brother Lin Xi, why did you hit me?"
Huo Yutong clutched her head and demanded aggrievedly.
Though he had not used much force, she felt that her heart had suffered a tremendous blow.
"You're still asking why?" Lin Xi's expression darkened. "Tell me the truth. Were you pushing yourself again just now?"
"N-not really..." Huo Yutong's gaze began to wander, and she tangled her small hands together. "I-I just wanted to be able to help Brother Lin Xi sooner. I think this level of training is still manageable."
Lin Xi rubbed between his brows, looking pained. "You don't think I'm angry because you pushed yourself, do you?"
What else would it be?
Seeing Huo Yutong nod, he heaved a sigh, reached out, and flicked her forehead.
"Of course not, you little dummy. Working hard is never a bad thing. If you're willing to give everything you have to get stronger, then of course I support you. I'll spare no effort to help clear the obstacles from your path, but there's one thing you need to understand."
Lin Xi's voice turned serious.
"I'm helping you get stronger because I want to nurture a top-tier powerhouse as a friend, not create a puppet who obeys my every word. You were exhausted and in pain just now, weren't you? Then refuse my request. You don't need to worry about making me angry or offending Fan Yu. I'm not that petty, and Fan Yu isn't anyone important, either. Don't force yourself to do things you don't want to do because of outsiders like us."
"Ugh..."
Huo Yutong covered her forehead and lowered her head, hiding her expression.
Was I too harsh...? Lin Xi sighed silently and rubbed her little head.
"We're not cultivating tonight. We'll go explore Shrek City. You need to relax once in a while, too. Do you hear me?"
"Mm."
Seeing Huo Yutong nod docilely, Lin Xi's expression softened.
It really feels like raising a little sister, and a very sensible one who doesn't cause any trouble at all.
"Let's go, then. We'll finish the enrollment procedures first."
After ruffling Huo Yutong's hair one last time, Lin Xi turned and led her toward the admissions office.
He had already obtained the necessary paperwork from Fan Yu. All that remained was to follow the process.
He did not notice Huo Yutong slowly raise her head behind him to look at him, barely able to suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
No, I can't smile. If Brother Lin Xi finds out that the more he scolds me, the happier I get, he'll definitely be angry.
But I'm really so happy.
Brother Lin Xi was concerned about her, afraid that she would stifle her own self and suffer in silence. She could still tell that much from his words.
He treated her so well. How could she not be happy?
I mustn't let Brother Lin Xi down.
Huo Yutong smiled happily and once again steeled her resolve in her heart.