Wu Ming

Zhang Lexuan and Keqing's reactions finally made Ma Xiaotao realize what had just been said. Her pretty face instantly flushed crimson, red as a ripe apple, as though blood might drip from it.

It seemed as if flames were burning in her eyes as she glared at Lu Jingming through gritted teeth, looking as though she wanted to devour him alive.

"Heh, can you even do it?" Ma Xiaotao threw caution to the wind, forcing down the shame and indignation in her heart as she painfully squeezed those words out through clenched teeth.

She straightened her back and fearlessly met Lu Jingming's gaze. Though she was still mortified inside, she refused to lose to him in terms of presence.

Lu Jingming's eyes sharpened at once. A man could be questioned about anything, except whether he was capable.

Just as he was about to retort fiercely—

"Alright, alright. You two, why are you always so hostile whenever you meet? Each of you take a step back. Let's leave it at that."

Seeing that Lu Jingming was about to say something shocking again, Zhang Lexuan's eyelids twitched violently. Sensing trouble, she hurriedly stepped forward to mediate.

As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Lu Jingming and Ma Xiaotao respectively, trying to pull them apart and prevent a conflict from erupting.

The words Lu Jingming was about to say caught in his throat. He looked at the helplessness in Zhang Lexuan's eyes, considered it for a moment, and ultimately decided to give Sister Lexuan some face, swallowing those words back down.

He took a deep breath and calmed himself, his expression gradually returning to normal.

Ma Xiaotao obediently shut up as well. She had already been mortified beyond measure, and even her ears had turned completely red.

Zhang Lexuan had given her a way out, which could not have been better. She also knew that if they kept arguing, Lu Jingming, given his temperament, might truly say something even more humiliating that would leave her with nowhere to hide. Then she really would not be able to step down.

"Xiaotao, are these your friends?" Just then, a group of people slowly approached from behind Ma Xiaotao.

There were thirteen people in the group, men and women alike, both young and old.

At their head was a woman who appeared to be around Zhang Lexuan's age.

Her long chestnut hair cascaded smoothly down her back like a waterfall, swaying gently as she walked.

She possessed a gentle, graceful temperament, with exquisite and stunning features. There was also a faint scholarly air about her. She seemed like a refined young lady who had stepped out of a painting, elegant and captivating.

"Yes, Sister Ruoruo. They're all my friends, and they've come to participate in this All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament as well." Ma Xiaotao nodded firmly, looking perfectly composed as she unhesitatingly included Lu Jingming and the others among her friends.

This surprised Lu Jingming greatly. He had originally thought Ma Xiaotao would exclude him. In his view, Keqing and Zhang Lexuan could indeed be considered Ma Xiaotao's friends, but he and Ma Xiaotao were usually at each other's throats. Calling them mortal enemies would not have been an exaggeration. He truly had not expected her to say that.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Han Ruoruo, captain of Shrek Academy's team. It's a pleasure to meet you." Han Ruoruo's lips curved into a gentle, exceptionally approachable smile.

As she spoke, she elegantly extended her hand toward Zhang Lexuan, poised and generous, fully displaying the bearing of Shrek Academy's team captain.

"I've long heard of Shrek Academy's great reputation. I'm Zhang Lexuan, captain of Saint Freya Academy's team."

Zhang Lexuan took Han Ruoruo's hand and introduced herself.

The moment their hands met and their gazes crossed, a wonderful Tacit Understanding quietly arose between them. Each saw appreciation and fondness in the other's eyes.

Though this was their first meeting, the feeling of having known each other for ages was remarkably strong. Like close friends reunited after years apart, both secretly felt they would surely get along well and become quite compatible in the future.

"Xiaotao, what were you doing just now? You could even bring yourself to make a move on someone so young? He is indeed quite handsome, but he's not even ten yet, is he?" A girl with orange-red hair stepped lightly over to Ma Xiaotao. Curiosity and teasing sparkled in her pink eyes as she leaned close to Ma Xiaotao's ear and spoke in a seemingly hushed voice that everyone present could actually hear perfectly clearly.

At the same time, her gaze kept sweeping over Lu Jingming and never left him from beginning to end.

The instant those words left her mouth, everyone's eyes snapped toward Ma Xiaotao. Those gazes were like spotlights, leaving Ma Xiaotao nowhere to hide.

Ma Xiaotao's cheeks flushed scarlet at once. Embarrassed and angry, her eyes filled with awkwardness and mortification as she hurriedly waved her hands and explained, "What are you talking about, Sister Wu Ming? Don't talk nonsense!"

Seeing Ma Xiaotao looking like she was about to explode from embarrassment and anger, Wu Ming inwardly cried out in alarm. She worried that Ma Xiaotao would truly disregard the occasion, lash out on the spot, and start a fight with her. Then things would be impossible to clean up.

So she hastily took two steps back, raised both hands high in surrender, and plastered a placating smile across her face. "Alright, alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore."

She looked exactly like a mischievous little girl admitting her mistake after causing trouble.

"Hello, little guy. I'm Wu Ming. Nice to meet you. You're really impressive. No boy in the academy would dare speak to Xiaotao like that." Wu Ming turned and walked briskly over to Lu Jingming, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and scrutiny.

At Shrek Academy, Ma Xiaotao was famous for her fiery temper, and it was no less explosive than Wu Ming's own. Those boys who offended Ma Xiaotao in ordinary times had suffered quite a bit for it.

Yet Wu Ming had seen it clearly just now—Ma Xiaotao had actually come off worse in front of Lu Jingming. How could that not make her curious about him?

"Hello, Sister Wu Ming. My name is Lu Jingming." Lu Jingming's lips curved slightly into a polite, friendly smile as he nodded to Wu Ming.

Wu Ming had not offended him, and she was a beautiful older sister besides, so Lu Jingming naturally treated her kindly, displaying all the manners of a gentleman.

"Aww, you're so cute." Wu Ming was extremely outgoing. As she spoke, her hand seemed to move of its own accord, reaching out to pinch Lu Jingming's cheek.

Then she casually gave the pink-haired little fox in Lu Jingming's arms a couple of rubs as well.

The pink-haired little fox had been comfortably curled up in Lu Jingming's arms, enjoying her owner's gentle stroking. Wu Ming's sudden action startled her, and she immediately bared her teeth, her eyes full of anger and displeasure.

Was she someone just anyone could touch? Wu Ming had not even brought any offerings, yet she dared to pet her!

"Alright, Ming'er, stop troubling him." Han Ruoruo stopped Wu Ming. Teasing a young boy in front of so many people was far too improper.