Outside the academy.
In a private room at a restaurant.
The four sat around a table, having just finished a lavish lunch.
They had finished introducing themselves and formed a basic impression of one another. Now they were about to get to know each other better.
"Zhang Yang, I suppose I have a Body Martial Soul too, though mine is my eyes. I call it Spirit Eyes." Huo Yuhao was the first to activate his Martial Soul, and his eyes lit up.
"Mine is the Light Goddess Butterfly, the most beautiful butterfly on the continent. It's rarer than a Body Martial Soul." Wang Dong'er didn't dwell on anything either. Brilliant wings suddenly appeared behind her.
Her tone carried a touch of girlish playfulness.
In the face of Zhang Yang's charm, she had almost forgotten to hide her gender.
Only after speaking did she realize something was amiss. She quickly shut her mouth again, her eyes flickering slightly.
Huo Yuhao was rather oblivious to such things and noticed nothing, but Xiao Xiao showed a trace of alarm.
It wasn't that she was worried about competing with Wang Dong. Rather, she had belatedly realized why her confession had been rejected not long ago: Wang Dong liked men too!
No wonder!
Xiao Xiao's face twitched involuntarily.
She quickly recovered, and when it was her turn to introduce herself, she released her Martial Souls.
For certain reasons, Wang Dong had concealed her second Martial Soul, the Clear Sky Hammer, but Xiao Xiao had no such reservations.
The Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron and the Nine Phoenix Worshipping Flute floated above her palms, one on each side, as she showed them to Zhang Yang.
"Zhang Yang, I have Twin Martial Souls."
"And just like you, I have Innate Full Soul Power!"
Like a child showing her toys to her best friend, she excitedly held her Martial Souls out to him.
Zhang Yang was only mildly interested in the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron. His gaze settled on the Nine Phoenix Worshipping Flute, and an inexplicable impulse came over him.
It was as though his subconscious was reminding him that he could pick it up and play it, but how could that be possible?
A few hours ago, he had indeed obtained the Musical Instrument Proficiency MAX talent by signing in with Xiao Xiao in the classroom.
He didn't doubt how powerful the life skill was, but the problem was that the flute before him was a freaking Martial Soul!
It wasn't a real instrument, so could it be played too?
Zhang Yang wasn't sure, but he couldn't be bothered to dwell on it.
With that thought, he activated his own Body Martial Soul. Unlike a Beast Martial Soul or a Tool Martial Soul, no object appeared.
A faint, refreshing scent instantly flowed through the entire private room. It came from Zhang Yang's "body odor," making him like walking hormones.
[Xiao Xiao's favorability +5, current: 65 (cannot sign in again)] [Wang Dong'er's favorability +5, current: 45 (cannot sign in)] [Huo Yuhao's favorability +5, current: 25 (cannot sign in)]
System notifications surfaced in the depths of his mind.
Zhang Yang was taken aback. This was quite unexpected.
His ordinary form was simply too conservative. So he could do this too?
Only by activating the Charm God Martial Soul could he flaunt his charm to his heart's content. One look from someone else was enough to raise their favorability!
"Xiao Xiao, lend me your Nine Phoenix Worshipping Flute. Let me try it." Zhang Yang looked gently into her eyes, with no need to sound as though he was asking.
"O... okay! Look all you like!" Xiao Xiao was stunned for only a moment before obediently nodding and handing him her Martial Soul.
She mistakenly thought Zhang Yang only meant to look at it.
But to her surprise, he actually laid hands on it!
He took the Nine Phoenix Worshipping Flute and played with it in his palm, making her feel ticklish.
Although a Tool Martial Soul did not relay sensations directly to its owner like a Beast Martial Soul, a Soul Master and their Martial Soul were connected in mind, so she still felt something.
Xiao Xiao blushed on the spot.
Yet she didn't ask Zhang Yang to give it back.
Beside her, the precocious Wang Dong'er gave them a very strange look, but said nothing either.
As for Huo Yuhao? He was completely absorbed in experiencing the mutated Body Martial Soul and didn't notice the changes in his companions' expressions.
"Z-Zhang Yang, could you give it back to me?" After quite a while, Xiao Xiao finally couldn't resist asking tentatively.
"Do you think I can play it?" Zhang Yang didn't answer. Instead, he playfully changed the subject and proposed an unusual idea.
All three were full of question marks.
They wondered, Classmate, are you kidding?
Although the thing looked like a flute and could be played with like one, it was a Martial Soul.
Take the Clear Sky Hammer, for example. It was indeed a hammer, but even if it were placed on the ground, it wasn't something just anyone could pick up and use.
"Probably not..."
Huo Yuhao muttered softly.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao said nothing, effectively agreeing.
Zhang Yang paid them no heed. He simply picked up the Nine Phoenix Worshipping Flute and brought it to his lips.
[Xiao Xiao's favorability +5, current: 70 (cannot sign in again)]
"???"
Girl, something's not right with you.
Looking at the inexplicable system notification, Zhang Yang's eyelid twitched.
Without stopping, he put the end into his mouth and held it in position.
Across the table, Xiao Xiao stared intently, her face as red as an apple, and swallowed hard.
[Xiao Xiao's favorability +5, current: 75 (cannot sign in again)]
The system's voice sounded again.
This time, Zhang Yang wasn't surprised. He simply blew into the flute.
At once, a melodious tune filled the private room, beautiful and moving.
Coupled with the powerful effect of his activated Charm God's Body, it left Xiao Xiao completely stunned.
Zhang Yang plays so beautifully... no, that's not the point! That's my Martial Soul, and he just used it like that. How did he do it?
"So you have this talent too, Zhang Yang."
Wang Dong'er and Huo Yuhao were no better off at this moment.
The two of them had no ear for music, yet after hearing Zhang Yang's impromptu performance, they couldn't help feeling a tremor in their hearts.
They had already been drawn to his Charm God's Body, and their favorability had been rising. Now, with the music added, both rose a little further.
[Xiao Xiao's favorability +5, current: 80 (cannot sign in again)] [Wang Dong'er's favorability +5, current: 50 (cannot sign in)] [Huo Yuhao's favorability +5, current: 30 (cannot sign in)]
Zhang Yang took a moment to glance at the system.
Not bad, not bad. Those increases are pleasing.
At this rate, he figured it wouldn't be long before he could win Xiao Xiao over.
Maxing out Wang Dong'er's favorability would be harder, but reaching the passing score of 60 should only take the next few days.
A moment later, the plaintive tune faded into silence.
The three still wanted more, and their gazes held a hint of admiration as they looked at Zhang Yang.
Xiao Xiao took her Martial Soul back from him. A small amount of "moisture" still clung to its end.
Playing a flute required blowing hard, so no matter how carefully one minded hygiene, some traces would be left behind.
She carefully withdrew her Martial Soul.
Her eyes darted about mischievously, though it was hard to tell what she was plotting.
Wang Dong glanced at her but couldn't be bothered to expose her. She stood up, looking rather regretful.
"Your musical talent is truly breathtaking, Zhang Yang. It's a pity we're short on time."
"Lunch break is almost over. Let's head back to class first. Next time we get a chance, we can have Xiao Xiao lend you her Martial Soul to play with again."
As Wang Dong'er spoke, she couldn't hold back her laughter.
Xiao Xiao blushed and stood up too, without answering.
The four hurried out of the private room, paid, and jogged into the academy, racing to the classroom building without stopping.
Before they even reached the door of Freshman Class One, they noticed something was wrong. The hallway was packed with people, vaguely divided into three groups, and the smell of gunpowder hung in the air?