The corner of Xiao Se's mouth twitched. He stepped beside Xiao Yixian and Zhu Zhuqing, smiling as he introduced them.
"Xiao Yu, let me introduce you. This is Zhu Zhuqing, and this is Xiao Yixian. They're here to enroll in Canaan Academy with me."
"Hello, I'm Zhu Zhuqing."
"Hello, I'm Xiao Yixian."
Hearing Xiao Se's introduction, the two girls offered Xiao Yu and Xue Ni gentle smiles.
"Ah—oh… hello. I'm Xiao Yu, and this is Xue Ni."
Xiao Yu forced a smile, though she gave Xiao Se a subtle, resentful glance.
Sensing the atmosphere turning awkward, Xiao Se immediately seized the chance to change the topic.
"Ahem… Xiao Yu, we'd better hurry and register."
Xiao Yu nodded and led the three of them into the large tent.
Inside, many people were already gathered. Aside from Xiao Yu's female comrades—the same hungry wolves that existed in the original timeline—there was also Instructor Ruolin.
"Teacher Ruolin, I brought them!"
Spotting the gentle woman chatting with female students, Xiao Yu cheerfully pounced into her arms.
"Hehe, I'd like to see which boy is so fortunate that my precious Yu-er has been waiting for him day and night."
Ruolin hugged Xiao Yu, then turned her eyes toward Xiao Se.
She froze.
For some reason, the boy looked… familiar.
"Instructor Ruolin, we meet again."
Xiao Se greeted her with a warm smile. Two years ago, when Xiao Yu left for Canaan Academy, he had met Ruolin once. But back then he was scrawny and childish—no wonder she didn't recognize him now.
"You are…" Ruolin asked, surprised.
"Instructor, he's that Xiao Se from two years ago—the one who came to send me off!"
Xiao Yu giggled in Ruolin's arms.
"So you're that little brat from before?"
Ruolin stared, stunned. She never expected the scrawny boy from two years ago to grow taller than her, with looks refined to the point of being breathtaking. Compared to him, the young men she knew looked utterly dull.
After recovering from her shock, Ruolin set Xiao Yu down and spoke seriously.
"Yu-er, although returning students may bring people through the special passage, I must still follow academy rules. What are their strengths? The minimum requirement for entry is under twenty years old and at least eight-star Dou Qi. I assume their ages qualify—what are their levels?"
Xiao Yu blinked, then shook her head.
"He's been out training these two years. I don't know his exact strength… but passing shouldn't be a problem."
Ruolin nodded and pulled a crystal ball from her ring, placing it before the three of them.
"Go on—test."
Xiao Se, Xiao Yixian, and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged amused glances.
Only Zhu Zhuqing, with nine-star Dou Qi, stepped forward.
"Zhu Zhuqing, twelve years old—nine-star Dou Qi."
The moment the result appeared, everyone except Xiao Se and Xiao Yixian was stunned.
Twelve years old.
Nine-star Dou Qi.
If she had a Qi Gathering Powder, she could easily become a Dou Fighter before turning thirteen.
Years ago, Xiao Yan's record as an eleven-year-old Dou Fighter was enough to shake Wutan City and the entire Jia Ma Empire. Even Nalan Yanran, the pride of Yunlan Sect, had once said his former talent was unmatched.
Now Zhu Zhuqing's numbers hit everyone like a hammer.
Ruolin inhaled deeply, suppressing her excitement.
"Yu-er, you really brought me a good seedling this time."
Then she looked toward Xiao Yixian and Xiao Se.
"Now the two of you."
The pair exchanged knowing smiles.
Without any buildup, their auras exploded outward.
"Xiao Yixian, fifteen years old—five-star Dou Huang."
(Author note: Since the original didn't state her age, we'll say she's one year older than the protagonist.)
"Xiao Se, fourteen years old—five-star Dou Ling."
Hiss—!
The entire tent collectively sucked in a breath.
After registration was completed, Xiao Se and the others left the enrollment grounds together with Xiao Yu.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Yixian chatted happily behind them, intentionally giving Xiao Yu and Xiao Se some space.
Walking side by side, Xiao Yu seemed distracted.
She glanced at Xiao Se repeatedly, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"If you want to ask something, just ask."
Xiao Se turned to face her.
"I feel like… I can't see through you anymore."
Xiao Yu stopped walking, staring up at the boy who now stood taller than she did.
There was a faint sadness in her eyes.
Xiao Se shook his head with a smile and said seriously:
"In the Xiao Clan, aside from my late parents and old butler, you were the only one who truly cared about me. No matter what happens from now on… just remember that I'll always be the Xiao Se you grew up with."
Xiao Yu nodded heavily.
The sadness faded, replaced with a gentle smile.
He was right.
As long as he remained himself… that was enough.
"Then… you're not going back to the Xiao Clan?" she asked softly.
She knew the darkness of his childhood there.
He didn't hate the Xiao Clan, but he certainly didn't feel affection for it.
If not for her… he might never set foot in Wutan City again.
Xiao Se shook his head.
"No. Yixian and Zhuqing aren't familiar with Wutan City. I'll stay at an inn with them. As for my return… keep it a secret. I don't want the Xiao Clan knowing."
"…I understand."
Xiao Yu nodded slowly.
At the crossroads, they reluctantly parted ways.
Watching Xiao Se walk away with two peerless beauties beside him, Xiao Yu felt a soft ache in her chest.
Only now did she realize—
Her childhood companion, the boy she used to tease and bicker with, the one who quietly nestled into her heart…
Had already grown up.
At the same time, in a quiet courtyard of the Xiao Clan—
Xun'er sat in a pavilion, sipping tea, reading as usual.
Suddenly, a swirl of shadowy mist appeared outside the pavilion.
The mist condensed into a black-clad figure—
Ling Ying, her hidden guardian.
"Young Miss, Young Master Xiao Se has returned. He just registered for Canaan Academy."
Thump.
Xun'er's heart skipped a beat.
Her calm mind rippled instantly.
She closed her book, carelessly tossing it aside.
While standing up, she spoke decisively:
"Ling Lao, we're going to register as well."
(End of Chapter)
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