"Next time."
"You don't have to ignore Na'er's calls."
Tang Luochuan wore a faint smile as he gazed at the young woman before him, feeling a wave of emotion. It was clearly Na'er's call, yet she pretended it was no one...
This little Silver Dragon King... always so possessive, even jealous of her own sister.
"Got it."
Gu Yue responded softly, her face tinged with embarrassment. She hadn't expected Na'er to contact Luo Chuan again!
Especially since he had mentioned her ignoring the call—how awkward.
"Actually..."
"It wasn't on purpose."
Gu Yue muttered with a serious expression.
"Then I'll believe you."
Tang Luochuan chuckled in response.
"Mhm..."
Only then did a smile return to Gu Yue's face. At the same time, she picked up her communicator again, where three unread messages from Na'er waited.
"Gu Yue-jie, have you arrived yet?"
"Gu Yue-jie, why aren't you answering my calls?"
"Gu Yue-jie, you and Luo Chuan-gege can rest for a bit first. We'll go out for a walk later (smiley face)."
"Na'er..."
A thoughtful look crossed Gu Yue's face. If possible, she would rather have Luo Chuan all to herself—even if it meant keeping Na'er at a distance.
But the moment her gaze landed on Tang Luochuan, her expression softened again. It wasn't as if having Na'er around meant Luo Chuan would care for her any less...
So what if there was one more Na'er?
"I had my communicator on silent—I didn't mean to ignore your call."
"Na'er, let's meet at the outer dormitory building. Luo Chuan and I are about to head down..."
"Luo Chuan, let's go."
As she typed, Gu Yue stood up, her eyes turning to Tang Luochuan with a bright smile.
"Not staying here a little longer?"
Tang Luochuan blinked, recalling the resigned look on her face earlier when she heard Na'er's voice.
Gu Yue hadn't seemed so eager before.
"I'm not really tired, so no need."
"Since Na'er is coming, it'll be nice to take a walk with her. She probably knows Shrek Academy better than we do."
Gu Yue shook her head lightly, her expression indifferent. Compared to that...
What mattered most was Luo Chuan's feelings for her.
As long as that was certain, everything else was trivial.
"What's wrong..."
"Don't you want to bring your dear Na'er-meimei along?"
Gu Yue teased softly, though a part of her wished Na'er held no place in Luo Chuan's heart. But that was impossible.
"Alright."
"We don't know how long Wu Lin and the others will take with their exams. A walk sounds good."
Tang Luochuan nodded in agreement.
"Mm, I'll just use the restroom first. Wait for me."
"Sure."
Tang Luochuan replied before stepping out of the room. Gazing at the bustling crowds outside the window, he couldn't help but reflect.
This era's Shrek Academy was undoubtedly at its peak—its faculty, reputation, everything.
Yet it was also this very generation where both teachers and students would eventually give their lives for the academy...
While Tang Luochuan was deep in thought, the door of room 109 next door suddenly opened, and a red-haired figure stepped out, instantly catching his attention.
This person was none other than the girl he had encountered in the examination hall earlier, the one suspected to be Wu Siduo. Her striking appearance was truly hard to miss.
"Hmm?"
She also noticed Tang Luochuan, her gaze shifting toward him with a hint of surprise.
"I only glanced at him earlier, but I didn't realize this young man is quite handsome."
"Can I help you?"
Noticing her stare, Tang Luochuan remained composed and asked calmly.
"Nothing much. We'll be neighbors from now on."
"I'm Wu Siduo, from Star Luo City. We've met before. And you… what's your name?"
Wu Siduo spoke first, her cool eyes filled with a trace of curiosity as she spoke indifferently.
As a once-in-a-millennium genius from Star Luo City, she had already elevated her Soul Spirit to the ten-thousand-year level by the age of twelve and possessed the rare talent for a self-contained Martial Soul Fusion Skill...
Even at Shrek Academy, where geniuses gathered like clouds, she believed she would lose to no one. She was second to none.
But this person before her—the one who had passed the examination before her—had undoubtedly ignited her competitive spirit.
She was eager to know...
Why he had been faster than her. Across the ten rounds of assessments, except for the bun-eating segment, she had maintained an exceptionally high speed.
Moreover, she could vaguely sense the almost imperial aura emanating from him. He...
Was strong.
"So it really is her..."
Hearing her introduction, Tang Luochuan thought to himself, confirming his suspicions.
This person, who stood out at a glance, was none other than the top genius among the first-year elites in the original story, the most prestigious name on the Teenage Genius List—
Youming Wu Siduo.
As for why she was considered the most prestigious, it naturally stemmed from her once-in-ten-thousand-years talent for a self-contained Martial Soul Fusion Skill. That alone spoke volumes about her potential.
"Tang Luochuan, from East Sea City."
Tang Luochuan replied calmly.
"Tang Luochuan..."
Wu Siduo's eyes flickered with contemplation. Clearly, she had never heard this name before—after all, not everyone participated in the Teenage Genius List. Keeping a low profile while training was perfectly normal.
"You're strong. If you have time..."
"Would you be willing to spar with me?"
Wu Siduo voiced her thoughts, her eyes devoid of any romantic interest, filled only with a longing for strength and challenge.
She was eager to find out—between herself and the person before her...
Who was truly stronger.
"I don't have time right now."
Tang Luochuan shook his head slowly.
"Then next time."
"Goodbye."
Wu Siduo responded lightly before retreating back into her room without the slightest hesitation, her movements swift and decisive.
"What a competitive girl."
A thoughtful expression crossed Tang Luochuan's face. Her personality was indeed fitting for a genius capable of a self-contained Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
What kind of neighbor suggests a spar as their first greeting?!
"Luo Chuan, let's go."
Soon, Gu Yue stepped out of the room, her calm face carrying a faint smile as she looked at him.
"Let's go."
Tang Luochuan responded with a gentle smile.
"You did quite well..."
Gu Yue murmured under her breath.
"Hmm? What was that?"
Tang Luochuan didn't quite catch her words and asked.
"Nothing..."
Gu Yue shook her head with a mild smile on her face.
"..."
Slowly strolling through Shrek Academy with Tang Luochuan, Gu Yue's expression grew increasingly joyful. She was back—that familiar feeling had returned!
Back in Eastsea City, when she was the only one by his side, wasn't it just like this?
The only pity was that now there was also Na'er.
Not long after, when Na'er and Ye Xinglan appeared together, Gu Yue's expression subtly calmed, becoming much more composed.
"Na'er, Xinglan."
Seeing the two, Tang Luochuan greeted them with a bright smile.
"Brother Luo Chuan, Sister Gu Yue."
"Luo Chuan, Gu Yue."
Na'er and Ye Xinglan approached them, smiling as they spoke.
"From now on,"
"We're all part of the same academy. We can do everything together from here on out."
Na'er's face was brimming with joy as she looked at the two before her, grinning cheerfully. Just the thought of growing stronger alongside Sister Gu Yue and Brother Luo Chuan was exhilarating!
No more being in different cities like before!
"That's right."
Beside her, Ye Xinglan also wore a smile. Being able to stay with Luo Chuan was truly something that made her happy.
"..."
Among them all, only Gu Yue remained silent for a moment.
"Life with three people was already crowded enough."
"I was only thinking about Na'er—how could I forget about Ye Xinglan..."
A pensive look crossed Gu Yue's face as she sighed inwardly, unable to help her thoughts.
She had been so focused on Na'er...
How could she have forgotten about Ye Xinglan, that inner court disciple!