Chapter 70: Disagreement, A Solution
Though that's what he told Xiao Xiao, Lin Yun could roughly guess why Mu Jin had called them over.
If she'd only called for him, he might have thought she wanted to discuss something personal. But summoning all four at once? The plot points at Shrek Academy after enrollment were limited.
What else could it be?
They'd been enrolled for over two months, with less than half a month until the freshman assessment. What else could this be about?
Most likely, Mu Jin was struggling with team assignments for the assessment and wanted to consult them.
With this thought, Lin Yun stood up first, intending to follow Mu Jin as she prepared to leave the classroom. Xiao Xiao quickly hurried after him.
Meanwhile, Ning Tian and Wu Feng exchanged a glance before rising to follow suit.
Though many students in the classroom were curious about why Mu Jin had detained these four, they understood this was a private matter between the teacher and the class's top talents. After a few curious glances, they went their own way.
Faculty Office.
The four stood in a neat line facing Mu Jin. Ning Tian and Xiao Xiao flanked Lin Yun on either side, while Wu Feng stood beside Ning Tian, occasionally casting wary glances at Lin Yun.
Seeing this arrangement only gave Mu Jin a greater headache.
Among the three, both Xiao Xiao and Ning Tian wanted to partner with Lin Yun, while Wu Feng insisted on staying with Ning Tian. Excluding either Xiao Xiao or Wu Feng would undoubtedly provoke dissatisfaction.
'The younger generation plays such complicated games these days. These relationships are far too tangled.' Mu Jin could only sigh inwardly, completely forgetting her own youth hadn't been much better—she'd even lost out to Zhou Yi back then.
"You've probably guessed why I called you here?" Mu Jin asked softly.
"Is it about the freshman assessment, Teacher Mu?" Ning Tian inquired with a smile.
Mu Jin nodded, then said helplessly, "Yes. I originally wanted to pair you and Lin Yun together to secure the championship team. After all, our academy's freshman assessment has always offered generous rewards. With so many gifted students this year, the championship prize will likely be even more valuable. However..."
At this point, Mu Jin trailed off, glancing at Xiao Xiao and Wu Feng. The unspoken implication was clear.
With relationships this messy, how am I supposed to form your teams?
With things spelled out so plainly, Xiao Xiao and Wu Feng obviously understood. Freshman assessment teams consist of three members, yet there were four of them.
This meant if Lin Yun and Ning Tian formed a team, one of the other two would have to leave and find different partners.
Wu Feng immediately protested, "Absolutely not, Teacher Mu! I must be on Ning Tian's team!"
Xiao Xiao refused to back down: "I only want to team with Lin Yun."
"You see? This is exactly why I'm troubled." Mu Jin's face contorted into an expression of utter despair as she slumped weakly against her chairback. Kitty paw gesture.jpg.
"So you'll have to decide among yourselves. I'll respect your decision."
Lin Yun and Ning Tian exchanged a look—the former appearing completely indifferent, the latter visibly conflicted.
Ning Tian was indeed troubled.
Her ambitions toward Lin Yun were no small matter; this young heiress constantly schemed to bring him back to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan as her future clan lord husband. Yet she'd witnessed Lin Yun's bond with Xiao Xiao firsthand. Kicking Xiao Xiao out was clearly unrealistic.
But making Wu Feng—her childhood companion—leave on her own? Ning Tian couldn't bear the thought.
How could she possibly handle this?
Then again, if they had to form a single team among the four, Wu Feng would undoubtedly be the one excluded. Freshman assessment teams were limited to one assault-type soul master per group.
As fellow assault-types, Wu Feng couldn't hold a candle to Lin Yun even if she ran eight streets ahead.
Just as Ning Tian wrestled with her thoughts, Lin Yun spoke up.
"Teacher Mu, there's no need to complicate things. Let Ning Tian and Wu Feng form a team. Xiao Xiao and I can find another partner—I already have someone in mind." Lin Yun stated calmly. Before Mu Jin could respond, Wu Feng's eyes lit up: "Really?!" "Xiao Feng!" Ning Tian snapped disapprovingly, her gentle gaze turning sharp. What's your problem? Intentionally keeping me from my future husband? Even if you're my childhood friend, I won't tolerate you being a third wheel! While Ning Tian couldn't bear to exclude Wu Feng, that didn't mean she'd tolerate such blatant interference!
Wu Feng, who knew Ning Tian intimately, recognized her anger and lowered her head after biting her lip. In contrast, Xiao Xiao's favorability toward Lin Yun skyrocketed, with [Favorability +999] practically flashing above her head. I knew Lin Yun would never abandon me! The little loli was absolutely delighted.
"Lin Yun, are you certain?" Mu Jin asked. "This year's freshmen are no simple matter. Besides you and Ning Tian, two others have also reached Soul Master level. Their teams will be your strongest rivals." "I've looked into their files. The other two Soul Masters are Dai Huabin and Xie Huanyue.
Dai Huabin is an assault-type Soul Master, while Xie Huanyue is a defense-type. Xie Huanyue is manageable, but Dai Huabin carries the Dai surname of the White Tiger Duke. The White Tiger lineage is most famous for the martial soul fusion skill between the Dai and Zhu families—the Mysterious Nether White Tiger."
"Coincidentally, Dai Huabin has a freshman named Zhu Lu by his side. Though her soul power is only at the Great Soul Master level, a fusion skill between a Soul Master and Great Soul Master can reach Soul Emperor-tier combat strength.
I hope you'll consider this seriously." "With Ning Tian's support, your chances of victory would be greater." Mu Jin said sincerely. Honestly, while having her class win the freshman assessment would benefit Mu Jin, she cared more about Lin Yun and the others shining during the evaluation to gain the academy leadership's attention. Every year's freshman assessment was when the academy leadership observed promising talents.
Many freshmen were selected as key cultivation targets based on their performance. Mu Jin didn't want them to miss this opportunity. A team of two Soul Masters—one assault, one support—could overwhelm all freshmen this year. Even Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's fusion skill would be no exception.
"Teacher Mu, you need to have more faith in me..." Lin Yun smiled faintly, an air of invincible arrogance in his expression. "It's merely a martial soul fusion skill. Even without Ning Tian's support, I could shatter it with a single punch." "Can a fusion skill possibly be stronger than a Soul Emperor like Zhou Yi?"
Confidence is inherently attractive. At that moment, Lin Yun seemed to glow, naturally drawing the gazes of the little loli and young heiress beside him. 'So handsome!' 'So cool!'
The young heiress and little loli's eyes practically clung to Lin Yun, their gazes growing syrupy sweet. 'This guy is so damn arrogant!' Wu Feng pouted, glaring resentfully at Lin Yun. Then, due to her hostility toward him, she was sent sprawling on her butt by the automatically triggered dragon might. Crap!
(Chapter end)
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