The streets of Tiandou City were already busy even though the sun hadn't fully risen yet.
"Lu Yuan, isn't this… not so good?"
Xue Ke pressed her lips together, anxiety showing on her pretty face. "At the very least, I should tell my father. If he learns I'm missing again, the entire royal palace will panic."
She had been quietly spirited out of the Tiandou Imperial Palace by Lu Yuan before dawn—again.
Lu Yuan looked utterly unfazed as he strolled ahead, hands folded behind his back, stopping only to glance at a large clay wine jar displayed by a vendor.
"The palace rules are too restrictive. You have to report even if you just want to take a walk. Doesn't that feel suffocating?"
He gave a carefree chuckle. "You can come out next time after telling him. For now, enjoy it."
The young princess sighed helplessly. She had been sneaked out by Lu Yuan so many times she was starting to lose count.
But if her father found out… yes, the entire imperial family might just explode in panic.
Zhu Zhuqing, walking silently beside them, gave a small nod and said, "Just tell the city guards to inform the palace when we leave. That way no one will be too worried."
"That could work!" Xue Ke's ruby lips curved into a bright smile. "We can tell the guards directly!"
Lu Yuan suddenly slowed, his gaze shifting toward a teahouse by the street. The soft hum of conversation drifted out—voices full of youthful energy.
Inside sat several people dressed in Tiandou Royal Academy uniforms. A middle-aged man with calm eyes and scholarly air smiled over a teacup.
"Students," he said, "are you satisfied with the spirit rings you hunted this time?"
"Completely satisfied, Teacher Qin Ming!" one of the students said excitedly. "The spirit ring fits my Martial Soul perfectly, and its age is even higher than we expected!"
"I used to dream of obtaining a four-thousand-year spirit ring. Now I finally did. Thank you, Teacher Qin Ming!"
Another student jumped in, "My fourth ring increased my power by sixty percent! It's amazing!"
The group grew noisy, excited by their recent success.
Qin Ming looked at their bright faces and couldn't help smiling. Teaching such spirited youths was a joy.
Since the Continental Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament ended five years ago, he had joined the Academy's Senate and was now the Director of Teaching at Tiandou Royal Academy.
"Alright, everyone," he announced after sipping his tea. "Take the day off today. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Great Spirit Battle Arena. I want you all to become familiar with your new spirit abilities."
A collective groan rose at once.
"Teacher Qin Ming! Can't we rest for two more days?"
"Yeah, we just got back from Star Dou Forest. We're still recovering!"
He waved them off dismissively. "The decision's already made. The Emperor Fighting Team from five years ago is still posted on the academy's achievement board. Do you think they won the championship by resting?"
Those words immediately made a few students perk up in awe.
"That team only won because I led them with outstanding tactics," Qin Ming continued, completely straight-faced. "Without my strategies, winning the championship would've been impossible. Remember that—trust your teacher's arrangements!"
His confidence left the students speechless.
"Hmm… is that how it really happened?"
A familiar male voice sounded next to Qin Ming's ear, calm yet teasing.
He froze for a second before blinking, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
"Lu… Lu Yuan?!"
Seeing that lazy grin and half-drunk expression, Qin Ming nearly jumped out of his chair. Even after five years, he could never forget the walking nightmare who crushed other academies in that same Elite Tournament.
Why was this guy here?!
Deliberately trying to startle him again?!
Zhu Zhuqing covered her mouth, hiding a small smirk. She couldn't help wanting to see how long Teacher Qin Ming could keep bragging before collapsing from embarrassment.
"Hahaha—well, if it isn't Lu Yuan, Zhuqing, and even Princess Xue Ke!" Qin Ming laughed unnaturally loud, scrambling to change the subject. "What a coincidence! Come, let's have a drink together!"
Lu Yuan's eyes brightened at the word drink. "Let's go!" he said immediately.
Qin Ming inwardly let out a long sigh of relief. Thank the heavens—at least Lu Yuan hadn't come to expose his boasting. If the students learned he had been exaggerating, he'd never live it down at the academy.
"Teacher Qin Ming, are we coming too?" one of the students asked hopefully.
Qin Ming's face darkened immediately. "No. Go back to the academy. Now."
"But Teacher, it's almost lunchtime…" another student ventured.
He realized quickly that their real motivation wasn't alcohol—it was Xue Ke.
As members of the nobility, they were used to social maneuvering. Getting to dine with the Tiandou Princess herself was a rare opportunity. Who knew, maybe one day she'd remember one of them fondly.
"Princess Xue Ke, my name is Lei Jiayin!" one bold young man introduced himself eagerly.
"Hello." Xue Ke gave a courteous but distant smile.
"I'm—uh—my name is…"
"I'm—"
The others began talking over each other, trying to introduce themselves.
Xue Ke kept smiling politely, but her attention was elsewhere—on the man who walked ahead, the one who always acted like rules didn't exist.
Two blocks later, a strong wave of alcohol fragrance drifted down the street.
"Ah, good wine!" Lu Yuan's eyes lit up immediately.
He practically floated toward the source—the entrance of a tavern.
Inside stood a woman with short, deep-purple hair and a form-fitting green outfit that showed off her pale shoulders. She leaned casually against the counter, paying no attention to the door—until Lu Yuan appeared.
Before anyone could blink, he had crossed the floor and wrapped his arms around her.
"Ah—!" she yelped in shock, instinctively raising her arm to strike.
But her hand was caught midair, gripped as if in an iron vise.
"Let me go, you pervert!" she snapped, a faint poisonous mist flaring around her body.
Lu Yuan just smiled faintly. "Yanzi—you haven't changed a bit." His fingers gently brushed her cheek.
Her eyes widened. "Lu Yuan?! Is that really you?"
Dugu Yan—formerly known as the "Jade Phosphor Serpent"—could hardly believe it. "Why are you here? No, wait… it's a tavern, of course you're here."
She sighed, then peppered him with questions. "Where have you been these past few years? Why didn't you come find me? What are you doing in Tiandou City now?"
Each question came faster than the last, showing just how much emotion she had buried.
"Yanzi, you're here too?" another familiar voice interrupted.
Qin Ming had just arrived, and when he saw her, his jaw nearly dropped. "Heavens above, what's going on today? All the students from the tournament five years ago are showing up one by one?"
Lu Yuan laughed heartily. "Yanzi, let's talk while we drink. Teacher Qin is treating us today!"
"…Wait, what?" Qin Ming's smile froze.
As they all headed toward a private room, he sighed and patted his pocket with despair.
One month's salary—gone in a single lunch.
--
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