As Ning Rongrong left, Lan Si shared a knowing smile with Zhu Zhuqing, who naturally nestled into his embrace.
Lan Si gently whispered in Zhu Zhuqing's ear, "Zhuqing, aren't you coming with me to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Before meeting Dai Mubai and the others, Lan Si had already informed Zhu Zhuqing about everything he had experienced after parting from her, except for Qian Renxue.
It wasn't that Lan Si wanted to hide things from her; rather, Qian Renxue's identity was too sensitive. Knowing it wouldn't be beneficial for the little kitty, he had to pretend that Qian Renxue and Xue Qinghe were not the same person.
Besides, to outsiders, it appeared that Lan Si had encountered Prince Xue Qinghe in the Star Dou Forest, not the cold figure known as Qian Renxue.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "Ah Si, even though I want to be with you, I've thought it through. I can't just stay by your side as a decoration; I want to become stronger on my own."
There was something Zhu Zhuqing didn't say: as long as she stayed at Shrek Academy, the Star Luo Empire wouldn't pay attention to Lan Si. That way, his safety would be maximally ensured.
"I'm just worried—" Lan Si hadn't finished his sentence when Zhu Zhuqing lifted her delicate hand to cover his lips. "Ah Si, don't worry. I know what you're concerned about. With the dean and several teachers around, Dai Mubai wouldn't dare to act against me."
Lan Si still felt uneasy, leading Zhu Zhuqing into a nearby alley where he handed her a semi-automatic pistol and an AK47 assault rifle, explaining how to use them. These guns were relatively simple in design and were the most practical, high-performance weapons Lan Si could craft at the moment—perfect for Zhu Zhuqing.
"Zhuqing, do you remember how to use them?" he asked.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded. She picked up the weapons and demonstrated with the ease of someone who had handled guns for years. Lan Si smiled, pleased with her progress. "You did well. With these, if Dai Mubai tries to harm you, just shoot at him. You'll hit your target. Plus, if you infuse your soul power while firing, you can greatly enhance the bullets' power. You might even take down a Soul King or Soul Emperor if they're caught off guard."
"Is it really that powerful?" Zhu Zhuqing was astonished, realizing that her man had given her two formidable weapons that could help her defeat foes several ranks above her.
"There's even more to it." Lan Si continued to remind her about the firearms and their safety precautions, then promised to meet her the next day to introduce her to Ye Lingling, before they both exited the alley.
As soon as they stepped out, Lan Si unexpectedly encountered two familiar faces: Tang San and Xiao Wu. After receiving treatment from a healing spirit master, Xiao Wu's face had returned to its usual rosy glow, and she was being carried by Tang San, pretending to be delicate and helpless, clearly enjoying the moment.
Beside them stood a middle-aged man with an eagle-like nose and rectangular glasses, who was none other than the dean of Shrek Academy, Flandre.
Seeing Lan Si and Zhu Zhuqing holding hands and coming out from the dark alley, the trio paused in surprise. Xiao Wu was the first to speak, "Zhuqing, and Lan Si, what's going on here?" She didn't continue, as the scene was all too obvious.
"Oh, Tang San, and little rabbit, it's been a while—almost half a year, right? I didn't expect your relationship to still be so good." Lan Si continued to hold Zhu Zhuqing's hand as he greeted them.
Back at Nuoding Academy, Xiao Wu had lost to Lan Si a hundred times in spirit battles over the course of a year, leading to their mutual dislike. However, Lan Si, mindful of Tang San's connection to Tang Hao, never escalated their conflict, and so far, they were neither friends nor enemies—at least, not outwardly.
"Lan Si, long time no see. I didn't expect to run into you here," Tang San replied with a faint smile, clearly unfazed by the tension between Xiao Wu and Lan Si.
Despite Xiao Wu's losses to Lan Si, he had never hurt her during their matches, and since they had not confirmed their sibling bond at that time, Tang San had not taken it to heart.
"Tang San, Xiao Wu, do you know him?" Flandre asked, glancing at Zhu Zhuqing with a slight frown before turning to Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Just an annoying guy," Xiao Wu jumped down from Tang San's back, turning her head away from Lan Si.
Every time she thought of her hundred losses to Lan Si, she felt furious. Because of him, no one at Nuoding Academy acknowledged her as the big sister of the academy.
Tang San added, "Lan Si graduated from Nuoding Academy like us, but it seems he joined the Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City."
Blue Tyrant Academy?
Flandre contemplated. "Is he a student of Erlong"
"What's his strength? Why haven't I heard you or your teacher mention him?" he asked.
In the Douluo Continent, most advanced spirit master academies required students to have a spirit power level of at least 20, usually under the age of 20.
Since Lan Si had just graduated from a junior spirit master academy and was able to enter Blue Tyrant Academy, his talent might not be as exceptional as Shrek Academy's seven prodigies, but it wouldn't be far off either.
Tang San shook his head. "We're not really sure. My teacher once said that a spirit master's talent and spirit quality are closely related to their innate spirit power. The higher the innate spirit power, the stronger the talent and the better the spirit quality. Lan Si only has a level five innate spirit power. While he managed to defeat Xiao Wu early on thanks to his first soul skill, he might struggle later on and fade into the crowd."
That was a direct quote from his teacher, Yu Xiaogang.
How could someone destined for mediocrity be worth befriending someone as talented as himself, who possessed the Tang Sect's ultimate skills and dual spirits?
Gradually, Tang San lost interest in Lan Si.
His only understanding of Lan Si was limited to the fact that he had defeated Xiao Wu when they both acquired their first soul rings, and nothing more.
"Why not just ask him?" Xiao Wu pouted and asked Lan Si, "Hey, smelly Ah Si, what's your spirit power level?"
Hearing Xiao Wu refer to her boyfriend as "smelly Ah Si," Zhu Zhuqing finally understood why Lan Si disliked her so much. She frowned, about to scold her, but saw Lan Si shake his head and respond, "I'm only at level thirty-three."
"Oh, so you're only level thirty-three. Thirty-three? How is that possible?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened in disbelief. Before she could finish, she saw Lan Si's feet glowing with two yellow rings and one purple ring, dazzlingly bright.
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