Several days later.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy
As one of the most prestigious high-level Soul Master Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, this place remains bustling with activity.
Meanwhile, on a tree-lined path in the college...
Two beautiful figures were walking side by side.
One of them had short, dark purple hair, a tall figure, and a beautiful face.
It was Dugu Yan.
Beside her was a black-haired girl.
The girl was slender, with a cool and aloof demeanor, and her delicate face was expressionless.
It was Ye Lingling.
The two walked and talked.
suddenly.
Dugu Yan paused in her steps.
Her gaze fell ahead, and her eyes immediately lit up.
"Yo!"
"Isn't this our very busy person?"
I heard a sound.
Xiao Xuan, who had just returned to the academy, looked up.
Upon recognizing the person who had arrived, a smile immediately appeared on his face.
" Sister Yanyan, Sister Lingling!"
"What a coincidence?"
"Skillful?"
Dugu Yan crossed her arms and looked at him with a half-smile.
"Some people just disappeared without a word for so many days; I thought you didn't know the way back."
"How?"
Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"You missed me after a few days?"
"Pooh!"
Dugu Yan spat lightly.
"Who misses you!"
"I'm just worried that some people will die out there, and then there won't even be anyone to collect their bodies!"
"So you care about me that much."
Xiao Xuan feigned being moved.
" Sister Yanyan, you should have said so earlier."
"If I had known you would miss me so much, I would have come back sooner."
"You!"
Dugu Yan glared at him angrily.
"Who wouldn't miss you!"
Watching the two bicker, Ye Lingling couldn't help but smile slightly.
However, she soon noticed the changes in Xiao Xuan.
"Your aura..."
Ye Lingling spoke softly.
"It seems different from before."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan turned to look at her.
"Oh?"
"You can tell that?"
Ye Lingling nodded gently.
"I feel stronger than before."
" Sister Lingling is amazing."
Xiao Xuan gave her a thumbs up.
"That's right, we did gain something from this trip."
What did you gain?
Dugu Yan immediately became interested.
Tell me quickly!
"Want to know?"
"Nonsense!"
Xiao Xuan chuckled.
"Call me 'good brother,' and I'll tell you."
"Roll!"
Without even thinking, Dugu Yan rolled her eyes.
"Say it or don't!"
Although she said that, her eyes remained fixed on Xiao Xuan.
They were clearly very curious.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Xuan was immediately amused.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you."
"My Martial Soul has undergone some changes since this trip."
Another change?
Dugu Yan's eyes widened immediately.
Others may not know this.
But she knew all too well just how monstrous Xiao Xuan's bamboo was!
Now it's gotten stronger again?
"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"
"Summon it so I can see it!"
"Here?"
Xiao Xuan glanced around.
"It's crowded here, so it's not very convenient."
Is there anything inconvenient about it?
Dugu Yan pursed her lips.
"You've used your Martial Soul in the academy before, haven't you?"
"That's true."
Xiao Xuan thought for a moment.
He then extended his right hand.
Buzz!
Accompanied by a surge of Soul Power.
A bamboo spear, entirely deep purple, instantly appeared in his palm.
Sizzle!
A few thin arcs of purple lightning flashed past along the bamboo joints.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were both stunned.
"This..."
Dugu Yan blinked.
"Why has your Martial Soul turned purple?"
She remembers it very clearly.
Xiao Xuan's Martial Soul was originally blue-green.
But now...
Not only has the color of the entire bamboo spear changed completely, but even the aura it exudes is completely different from before!
Especially those purple arcs of electricity that flicker from time to time.
It doesn't look like decoration at all.
"Your bamboo..."
Dugu Yan pointed with her finger.
"Could it also be crackling with lightning?"
Xiao Xuan smiled but remained silent.
He simply gripped the gun and gave it a slight jerk.
Crack!
A purple arc of electricity shot out from the tip of the gun in an instant!
It struck a rock several meters away.
Bang!
A patch of charred blackness suddenly appeared on the surface of the stone.
"There really was lightning!"
Dugu Yan was immediately startled.
"No!"
"What kind of Martial Soul do you have?"
"How come they can come up with something new every now and then?"
Xiao Xuan answered in a very serious manner:
"Maybe it's because I'm handsome."
"..."
Dugu Yan's lips twitched.
Could you be any more shameless?
"Sure."
Xiao Xuan looked at her with a smile.
"But it depends on whether you want to see it."
"Roll!"
Dugu Yan was so angry that she raised her hand to hit him.
Xiao Xuan laughed and quickly dodged.
Ye Lingling, however, did not join in the foolishness.
She examined the purple bamboo spear in Xiao Xuan's hand closely.
Then he asked softly:
Is this trip very dangerous?
Xiao Xuan was slightly taken aback.
Why do you ask that?
"Because your Martial Soul has changed so much."
Ye Lingling looked up at him.
"You must have been through a lot."
Upon hearing this...
Xiao Xuan felt a warmth in his heart.
Compared to Dugu Yan's carefree attitude, Ye Lingling is always like this.
Not much to say.
Yet they always manage to notice things that others easily overlook.
Don't worry.
Xiao Xuan smiled.
"This little thing is no problem for me."
"But it's you guys."
How is the college while I was away?
What else can be done?
Dugu Yan picked up the conversation in an annoyed tone.
"Training, cultivation, and occasional Soul Fighting."
"It's the same thing every day."
At this point, she suddenly remembered something.
"That's right!"
"You're not planning to leave right away now that you're back, are you?"
Xiao Xuan thought for a moment.
"Probably not for now."
That's perfect!
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up.
"Please treat us to dinner tonight!"
"On what grounds?"
Xiao Xuan feigned surprise.
"Just because you ran off without a word for so long!"
Dugu Yan spoke with righteous indignation.
" Lingling and I are..."
He was only halfway through his sentence.
She suddenly stopped.
Xiao Xuan immediately became interested.
"But what?"
"But what is it?"
"Nothing!"
Dugu Yan blushed slightly and glared at him fiercely.
Anyway, you're treating tonight!
"Okay, okay."
Xiao Xuan nodded with a smile.
"Don't just say one meal, I'll take ten."
As he spoke, he looked at Ye Lingling again.
" Sister Lingling, what would you like to eat?"
Ye Lingling gently shook her head.
"I'm fine with anything."
That won't do.
Xiao Xuan laughed.
"You're so easygoing, what if Sister Yanyan orders all the expensive dishes?"
" Xiao Xuan!"
Dugu Yan was immediately displeased.
"What do you mean?"
Do I look like the kind of person who preys on people?
Xiao Xuan looked her up and down.
He then nodded seriously.
"Picture!"
You're asking for it!
Dugu Yan could no longer hold back and raised her hand to slap him.
Xiao Xuan smiled and stepped aside.
The three of them started making a ruckus.
Even Ye Lingling, who is usually aloof, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
However.
Just as the three were chatting and laughing...
A voice suddenly came from not far away.
"Excuse me, which one of you is Young Master Xiao Xuan?"
The three looked in the direction of the sound.
A well-dressed middle-aged man was walking briskly towards them.
The man approached and first gave a polite bow.
Then his gaze fell on Xiao Xuan.
"May I ask if you are Young Master Xiao Xuan?"
Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I am."
"Did you need something from me?"
A positive response was received.
A smile immediately appeared on the middle-aged man's face.
"We've finally found you!"
"I am here on His Highness the Crown Prince's orders to invite Young Master Xiao Xuan to the Crown Prince's residence for a discussion."
"Your Highness?"
Xiao Xuan was slightly taken aback.
" Xue Qinghe?"
"Exactly!"
The middle-aged man nodded quickly.
"His Highness the Crown Prince, upon learning that Young Master Xiao Xuan had returned to the academy today, immediately dispatched me."
"His Highness said that if it is convenient for Young Master Xiao Xuan, please go to the Crown Prince's residence as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this...
Xiao Xuan couldn't help but stroke his chin.
Xue Qinghe?
This guy's got pretty good information.
No sooner had I returned to the academy than he sent someone to my door.
However, Xiao Xuan wasn't too surprised by Xue Qinghe's invitation.
After all, the two had already met before.
Now they've suddenly sent someone to look for me.
It's probably more than just drinking tea and catching up.
Thinking about this...
Xiao Xuan's lips curled up slightly.
That's interesting.
"OK."
He nodded.
"I'll go with you."
"Please, young master!"
The middle-aged man was overjoyed and quickly stepped aside to make way for him.
Xiao Xuan then turned to look at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
"It seems dinner will have to be a little later tonight."
"His Highness the Crown Prince is looking for you?"
Dugu Yan was somewhat surprised.
"When did you become so familiar with His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Well...
Xiao Xuan smiled mysteriously.
"Maybe it's because I'm too good."
"..."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes.
Can't you be serious for once?
"Okay, okay, I'm not kidding anymore."
Xiao Xuan waved his hand.
"I'll go take a look first."
"I'll come see you again tonight if I'm free."
Ye Lingling nodded gently.
"Um."
"Go ahead."
Dugu Yan crossed her arms over her chest.
Remember this!
You still owe us a meal!
Xiao Xuan waved his hand without turning his head.
"Rest assured!"
I can't forget it!