"You might as well say you're a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast in human form."
Gu Xun heard Dong Qianqiu's mutter and his expression turned strange. "Hey, girl, do you even know what you're saying?"
"You're a hundred-thousand-year-old demon spirit great white shark in human form, yet you dare call me, a human, a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast in human form? That's a bit much, don't you think?"
"Heh. Hope you remember what you said today."
Gu Xun smiled at Dong Qianqiu. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she looked at him and retorted.
"What's wrong with what I said? Or... are you really a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast in human form?"
"No way! I was just saying it randomly. You can't be serious, right?"
Dong Qianqiu stroked her chin, eyeing Gu Xun suspiciously. For some reason, she found herself hoping he'd admit it.
"Ouch!"
Gu Xun smacked Dong Qianqiu on the head. She yelped in pain, then glared at him, demanding an explanation.
"Why'd you hit me?!"
"Did you learn all your theory from Paopao? A spear-wielding spirit master like me turning out to be a spirit beast? Believe it or not, I'll drag you back to the teacher for theory retakes."
"I was just joking... Why so serious... And hit me on the head?"
Only then did Dong Qianqiu realize why Gu Xun had hit her, and he immediately began grumbling in displeasure.
"Hey, Gu Xun, the midterms are coming up in a few days. Are you ready? Want to team up?"
"Whatever."
The academy semester was nearing its midpoint, and the students were preparing for their midterm exams. The midterm task involved forming teams to hunt spirit beasts in the virtual world.
The team that killed the most won—simple as that.
"We only have two people now. Should we find another?"
Dong Qianqiu looked at Gu Xun inquiringly, but Gu Xun remained indifferent.
"I'm invincible. You do whatever."
"So cocky? Hey, big shot, how much real combat experience do you have? You're not going to run away the moment you see a spirit beast, are you?"
Dong Qianqiu felt the title "Young Master" suited Gu Xun perfectly. Why? Because everything about him—from his clothes to his meals to his lifestyle—screamed extravagance.
After every meal with Gu Xun, Dong Qianqiu felt her cultivation progress accelerated.
She knew the food Gu Xun consumed must be incredibly expensive. Add that to Gu Xun's striking good looks and the air of superiority radiating from his every gesture.
Not to mention, Gu Xun had a private car driving him to and from school. All these details made Dong Qianqiu feel the "young master" label fit him perfectly—it seemed almost tailor-made.
"Have you beaten me before?"
Gu Xun turned to confront Dong Qianqiu with the question, instantly infuriating her.
"You're two grades above me and can control my ice element! How could I possibly beat you?!"
"Exactly. You claim I lack combat experience? Then doesn't that make you, who's less skilled than me, pretty weak?"
"You! Hmph! I'm done playing with you!"
Dong Qianqiu stormed off in a huff, while Gu Xun remained calmly reclined on the pavilion bench.
When midterm exams arrived, the instructor led everyone to the training room to test their stats.
"Gu Xun, Strength—perfect score; Endurance—perfect score; Speed—perfect score; Spirit Power Quality—perfect score; Spiritual Power—232 points."
Hearing Gu Xun's results, the trainees were all stunned.
"Teacher, is this machine malfunctioning? How could his punch possibly pack 800 kilograms of force? And I only have 20 points of spiritual power—why does he have 232?"
One student immediately challenged the results. The teacher, equally stunned by Gu Xun's scores, turned to the questioning male student and replied.
"The machine is functioning correctly. Next!"
After stepping down, Gu Xun met the gazes of the crowd. The boys' eyes held shock, admiration, and naturally, some resentment and jealousy.
Most of the girls, however, looked at him with admiration. Gu Xun walked through these stares and sat down on a nearby chair.
His exceptionally high spirit power might be due to his second martial spirit, the Passionate Sword, being spirit-attributed. After adding spirit rings, his spirit power had surged significantly.
"Dong Qianqiu, Strength 130kg—9 points; Endurance—8 points; Speed—7 points; Spirit Power Quality—8 points; Spiritual Power—98 points."
The crowd gasped at Dong Qianqiu's stats, yet Gu Xun's overwhelming lead left no one feeling hopeful of catching up.
After stepping down, Dong Qianqiu ignored the stares and walked straight over to sit beside Gu Xun.
"Aren't your stats a bit too shocking?"
Dong Qianqiu was also stunned by Gu Xun's figures—his strength was over six times hers, and his mental power far surpassed hers.
After all, Dong Qianqiu possessed a physique enhanced by a beast martial spirit, and as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form, her innate growth potential was undeniable.
"It's okay, I guess. Feels pretty average to me."
"Hehe, young master, then this humble maiden shall rely on you. After all, I'm just a weak woman—no match for those ferocious spirit beasts."
Dong Qianqiu adopted a pitifully helpless demeanor, and Gu Xun felt she was overacting a bit.