Lin Yuan's smile stretched even wider— "Nothing much…"He leaned in."Just a promise."
Lin Yuan couldn't even finish his next words before a crisp female voice cut through the air:
"Hey, Wuhen, Senior Lin Yuan… are you two sure you aren't doing anything shady?"
Both boys stiffened.
They turned around to find Chu Yue, silver-grey hair tied casually behind her head, watching them with a teasing smile tugging at her lips.Her eyes gleamed with mischief—far too perceptive for their comfort.
She tapped her chin thoughtfully."Don't tell me… you two are actually into each other?"
Jun Wuhen froze.Lin Yuan's arm was still draped around his shoulders like a clingy lover.
Jun Wuhen immediately ripped himself free as if electrocuted.
They both scrambled several steps apart.
Lin Yuan coughed awkwardly, waving both hands."Don't misunderstand! We're straight! Very, very straight!"
Jun Wuhen's lips twitched.'Don't give her ideas, idiot. Just keep your mouth shut.'
Chu Yue let out a soft laugh."Relax, I believe you."Then her expression sharpened just a little."So… why don't you take me along to meet the rest of the champion team from the tournament?"
Lin Yuan and Jun Wuhen exchanged a glance.
'This… is a threat.Wait—how much did she hear?!'
Their eyes widened simultaneously.
Lin Yuan asked carefully,"How long have you been… listening?"
Chu Yue's smile didn't falter in the slightest.
"Long enough," she said lightly."Long enough to hear that you two want to join the Genius Meet and that fancy joint-training programme."
A silent sigh of relief passed between the two boys.
'Good. We didn't mention reincarnation.Close one.'
Lin Yuan plastered on a friendly smile."In that case, why don't you join us? I was just about to take Jun Wuhen there anyway."
Chu Yue nodded immediately."Okay."
She followed them a step behind them—but her gaze…
That strange glint in her eyes didn't leave Jun Wuhen's back even for a moment.
---
Spirit City – Inner Garden
A warm breeze drifted through the Spirit Hall's inner garden, carrying the scent of blooming flowers. Beneath a sprawling spirit oak, Jiang Mo, Shi Ming, Qing Dan, Tian Yue, and Dugu Yan lounged in the soft grass, the rare tranquility almost foreign after months of grueling preparation and the pressure of the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament.
All of them had grown noticeably—no longer children but young adults, powerful and promising. The youngest, Qing Dan and Dugu Yan, were already sixteen, their eyes still holding a hint of youthful brightness despite the responsibilities that had begun to shadow their lives.
Shi Ming, stretching lazily, broke the peace first."Brother Jiang Mo, in the last tournament you were insane. I still can't forget how everyone in the arena gasped when you released all seven rings."
Qing Dan giggled, nearly tipping over as he flopped onto his stomach."Ha! The entire Star Luo team looked like they wanted to run home to their moms the moment your seventh ring appeared. Their faces were priceless!"
Tian Yue, unable to hide her amusement, added,"Especially after you activated your Gravity Domain. The Star Luo finalists couldn't even lift a finger. I think the referees were sweating more than they were."
Dugu Yan, sitting a little apart, blushed fiercely. Her fingers twisted nervously around a blade of grass. She had resolved a hundred times to confess her feelings after the tournament… and backed out a hundred times more.
Jiang Mo lay flat on his back, arms behind his head, eyes half-closed in a vain attempt at rest. At their chatter, he cracked open one eye, staring at them with a mixture of annoyance and helpless fondness.
"Enough," he grumbled. "All of you shut up. This is the first peaceful moment we've had since the tournament. In a few days, we might have to continue another insane training schedule."
Qing Dan blinked innocently."But why? We already worked so hard! We're strong enough than ordinary graduates, aren't we?"
It was true. Even he—who currently had the lowest cultivation among them—had already reached Soul Ancestor, level 48. For a Senior Soul Master Academy, graduating required only level 40.
Qing Dan clapped his hands proudly."I think we're already the strongest! The Academy should be thanking us for raising their standards!"
His declaration made Shi Ming choke on his drink and Tian Yue pinch the bridge of her nose.
Before any of them could scold him, Jiang Mo slowly sat up, dusting off grass from his robes. Though his expression remained casual, the weight hidden behind his words instantly calmed the group.
"Strongest?" He let out a slow, humorless chuckle. "We barely stood at the starting line."
Silence hung over the garden like a heavy curtain. The earlier laughter was replaced by a strange, mutual understanding—one name could send them all running for their lives… or straight into training hell.
Without warning, Jiang Mo moved.
A blur of motion—then pa!
"Ouch!!" Qing Dan yelped, clutching his head and glaring indignantly. "Brother Mo! Why?! What did I do?!"
Jiang Mo crossed his arms and snorted, "Don't say things that will make a certain someone excited to come beat us into the ground."
A collective shiver ran through the group.Even the boldest among them felt a cold sweat slide down their backs.
Tian Yue, however, puffed her chest out proudly."I'm not scared! I want to fight Qian Renxue again!"
The others stared at her in horror—'Don't say her name!!!—'