That afternoon.
"Luo Chuan, Wu Lin."
"Over here, over here."
At Donghai Park, the Tang brothers appeared, greeted by two slightly older girls waiting for them.
"Mu Xi, what did you want to talk about?"
Tang Luochuan looked at one of them with a faint smile. Standing before him was the talented Forging Master, Mu Xi.
Beside her, of course, was her close friend Ouyang Zixin.
"Can't I just call you out for no reason?"
"We haven't had a chance to discuss forging all vacation—this is the longest break we've had. It's been so long."
Mu Xi's gaze lingered on him, her expression serious.
Not seeing him for over a month, she felt like something was missing in her forging without him around.
"With your current skill level, Mu Xi, I don't think you need my guidance anymore, do you?"
Tang Luochuan chuckled and shook his head.
Mu Xi's innate talent was excellent, and with his help, she had already broken through to a Level 4 Forging Master during the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition.
Now, before the vacation even ended, she had reached Level 6. Setting aside him and Wu Lin, her achievements were already unmatched.
A 15-year-old Level 6 Forging Master—she had the makings of a Divine Blacksmith.
"Level 6 is just the beginning. I still have a long way to go—how can I do it without you?"
Mu Xi shook her head, her expression earnest.
Even if she was a Level 6 Forging Master, Wu Lin had already surpassed her. She still had so much further to climb!
Ideally, she wanted to keep progressing alongside Luo Chuan!
"Luo Chuan, Xiao Xi is right."
"She really can't do without you."
Beside them, Ouyang Zixin smiled playfully as she watched Mu Xi and Tang Luochuan. As a modern young woman, she loved gossip—especially when it involved Xiao Xi and Luo Chuan.
"Zixin! What are you saying?!"
Hearing this, Mu Xi instantly bristled like a startled kitten, her face flushing red. That wasn't what she meant at all!
And besides, those kinds of words should stay private—why was Zixin saying them in front of Luo Chuan now?
"I didn't do anything. I wonder why Xiao Xi suddenly turned red."
"Right, Wu Lin?"
Ouyang Zixin seemed delighted by Mu Xi's reaction, her smile unwavering as she glanced at Tang Wulin beside her.
"I think it's accurate."
Tang Wulin met Ouyang Zixin's gaze and nodded seriously.
Put aside helping Zixin—even he could see how Mu Xi felt about his brother!
"See? I told you."
Ouyang Zixin grinned.
"You guys—"
"Zixin's the one who should be embarrassed! How many times have you said Wu Lin is adorable? Why are you targeting me?"
Mu Xi took a deep breath, her cheeks still tinged pink as she shot a glare at Tang Luochuan before huffing. Her eyes were sharp too.
"W-Wait!"
"That's not true! Don't make things up!"
Ouyang Zixin froze, her eyes widening in disbelief as she waved her hands frantically.
Sure, she had expected Mu Xi to get flustered—but why was she being dragged into this too?!
Tang Wulin stood frozen in place nearby, his little face flushed with warmth as he gazed at Ouyang Zixin with a strange look in his eyes. Could it be...
Could it be that Sister Zixin also...
"Let's talk about something else."
"You'll be leaving for Shrek Academy tomorrow. Once you get there, you must do your best."
Ouyang Zixin took a deep breath, then forced a smile as she looked at the three people before her, speaking softly.
"It's just a shame I won't be able to go with you."
As she said this, the unrest in her expression instantly faded, replaced by a trace of melancholy.
Of course, it pained her not to be able to accompany everyone to Shrek Academy. After all, among them, she might very well have been the most hardworking.
But unfortunately, given her talent... joining Shrek Academy remained nothing more than a pipe dream.
The Blue Silver Grass Spirit—even with a trace of the Blue Silver Emperor's bloodline and decent Innate Soul Power—was still at too great a disadvantage in cultivation.
And unlike her dear friend, she had no talent for forging, sealing her fate of never making it to Shrek Academy.
Her friend had been admitted through forging prowess, but she...
Had nothing to rely on.
"Sister Zixin..."
"So you really can't go?"
Hearing this, Tang Wulin's expression changed abruptly.
Before this, he had certainly discussed the matter with her, but he had always assumed she would go with them, just like Sister Mu Xi.
Only now did he realize... she wouldn't be coming?
"I can't go."
Ouyang Zixin shook her head. She hadn't told him earlier mainly because she didn't want to dampen his spirits with such news.
But now...
Even if it made him unhappy, it was time to say goodbye—because by tomorrow, he would be leaving Eastsea City.
"Your Sister Zixin and I both lack strong Martial Soul talent. I was only admitted as an exception due to my forging rank."
"She really can't go..."
At the mention of this topic, Mu Xi also wore a hint of sorrow, sighing as she spoke. The two of them had been inseparable for so many years.
Who would have thought their first separation...
Would be because she was going to Shrek Academy.
"In Eastsea City..."
"You must keep working hard too."
Mu Xi clenched her teeth. As long as there was an opportunity in the future, she would definitely bring Xiao Xi into Shrek Academy. She would wait for that chance, no matter what.
"Xiao Xi..."
"I'll definitely do my best."
Ouyang Zixin looked at the group before her, a trace of sadness in her eyes, yet she still smiled as she spoke.
If she didn't push herself harder...
The gap between her and the others would only grow wider. Perhaps in less than two years, even Wu Lin would surpass her.
"Sister Zixin..."
At this moment, Tang Wulin, standing nearby, turned to look at her, his expression far from calm. Clearly, something was on his mind, but he hesitated, unable to voice it.
"What is it, Wu Lin?"
Ouyang Zixin smiled gently, putting on a brave face as she asked softly.
"I..."
"I'll miss you."
Tang Wulin clearly had more to say, but the moment his eyes met hers, his heart became a tangled mess. He lowered his head guiltily, murmuring in a quiet voice.
"Mhm..."
"I'll miss you too."
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Ouyang Zixin's expression wasn't entirely calm either, but she still managed a faint smile and softly responded while stepping forward to give him a big hug.
"Work hard in your cultivation at the academy."
"Your sister is waiting for you to become a powerful Soul Master."
Ouyang Zixin's face was full of smiles as she spoke gently.
"I..."
"I definitely will."
Tang Wulin's small face was etched with determination as he nodded heavily. He absolutely would.
"I'm really going to miss Sister Zixin..."
"Brother, if I go to Shrek Academy and study diligently there, showing outstanding talent..."
"Could I bring Sister Zixin along?"
On the way back, Tang Wulin turned his gaze toward Tang Luochuan, blinking earnestly as he spoke seriously.
If he went to Shrek Academy, he would cultivate with utmost dedication—absolutely...
He could bring Sister Zixin along, right?
"I think it's possible."
Tang Luochuan wore a smile as he looked at his younger brother's face, so full of fighting spirit, and nodded in agreement.
"Then..."
"I'll have to redouble—no, quadruple my efforts!"
Tang Wulin's eyes shone with earnestness and anticipation.
He...
would be the most hardworking student!
"..."
"Zixin, this isn't what we agreed on."
"Aren't you going to confess?"
After parting ways with the Tang brothers, Mu Xi couldn't help but ask her best friend on their way back.
"You..."
"You didn't either."
Ouyang Zixin paused, then shook her head in response.
"I..."
"That's different for me. Wulin only has you by his side, and you like him too."
Mu Xi wore an expression of exasperation.
How many outstanding girls surrounded Luo Chuan?
Gu Yue was one, Xu Xiaoyan another—both of whom she couldn't compare to, not to mention the two younger girls waiting for him at Shrek Academy...
Even if she had those feelings, there was nothing she could do. Perhaps she would never voice her heart in this lifetime?
But Zixin was different. Wulin had only her by his side, and she genuinely liked him. If she didn't confess now...
Would there even be a chance once he went to Shrek Academy?
"I..."
"I have my own thoughts."
Hearing this, Ouyang Zixin stopped briefly before shaking her head and speaking slowly.
Wulin was still young. He would meet many people and experience many things in the future—he shouldn't be tied down to her...
As she thought this, she couldn't help but recall a past conversation they'd had:
"Sister Zixin, what's your dream?"
"My dream..."
"I suppose it's to become a powerful Soul Master, a formidable Control System Soul Sage."
Ouyang Zixin wore a thoughtful smile as she answered.
"Wulin, what about your dream?"
She asked curiously.
"My dream..."
"I haven't really figured it out yet."
Back then, Tang Wulin had smiled shyly, but a glimmer of starlight had flashed in his beautiful eyes.
"His future lies among the stars."
"His future..."
"Shouldn't be limited to me..."
A faint smile touched Ouyang Zixin's eyes as she shook her head gently, murmuring to herself.
Perhaps, overshadowed by
his brother's brilliance, Wulin didn't seem as remarkable—but in her eyes...
He was the very best.
If only my talent were a bit better.
But alas...
There are no such ifs.
PS:
Ouyang Zixin, this is Wu Lin's first love in the original work, and among the female characters that have appeared so far, she will be Wu Lin's official pairing in this book.
We'll be going to Shrek Academy later, no sadness here.