That day, Feng Yue rushed to her mother's side and cried for the whole day until she grew tired and fell asleep. Upon waking up, she stayed by her mother's side for the whole month without leaving. Just as she was about to leave the hospital, she noticed a jade pendant around her mother's neck. After taking the jade pendant, she received a message about her father's whereabouts. It turned out her father was in Azura Cloud Stronghold.
So she made a deal with her clan elders that she wanted to study in Azura Cloud Stronghold and attend university from there. She proposed that if they agreed, she would reluctantly marry the person they chose for her. However, if they refused, she would take her own life.
Faced with Feng Yue's threat, the greedy elders discussed intensely. Eventually, they permitted Feng Yue to go to Azura Cloud Stronghold.
Her purpose was to find her father and have a long conversation with.
...
Lu Shen carefully applied all healing medicine to Feng Yue's wounds,
"Feng Yue?"
he called softly after finishing, but there was no response.
Concerned, Lu Shen leaned closer, only to find that Feng Yue had fallen asleep. With a gentle smile, he covered her entire body with the long dress she had provided, ensuring she was warm and comfortable.
After making sure she was settled, Lu Shen stood up, his gaze still on her peaceful face for a moment longer. he gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her close.
he carried her to a more comfortable spot in the cave and place her in the soft bed made of leave which was made by some demon beasts.
In the quiet cave, Lu Shen watched over Feng Yue as she slept, he was about to get up to sleep in a different spot.
"mother, grandfather, don't leave me.."
"Sniffles..."
Feng Yue beginning to cry softly. She called out for her mother and grandfather, pleading for them not to leave her. then she wrapped her arms around Lu Shen, holding him close as she cried.
Feng Yue clung to him, her sobs shaking her head. She didn't let go, and Lu Shen didn't push her away. Instead, he held her tighter, his heart aching at the pain,
'she must have endured in her childhood'
Gently, Lu Shen stroked Feng Yue's head, his touch soothing as he whispered softly,
"I'm here, Feng Yue, I won't leave you."
He stayed with her, comforting her silently as she cried. Lu Shen wiped away her tears and watched over her until she fell asleep. Even when Lu Shen tried to escape, she held onto Lu Shen tightly. so using his bloodline skill, Wood Bind, he sealed the cave entrance to keep them safe from any danger outside.
...
Shaking his head, he used his insight ability on her.
[Name: Feng Yue
Age: 18
Race: Human
Bloodline: Thunder Dragon
Warrior Realm: Refinement (94%)
Strength: 200
Endurance: 160
Agility: 100
Luck: 30
Skill: All seeing eyes]
"She is indeed as strong as me and she have same skills has boss Li"
"Hmm, maybe it's just a coincidence"
He thought Feng Yue was related to Li Lan, but since her surname was Feng, it must be a coincidence, so he closed his eyes.
.....
The morning sun gently filtered into the cave, Feng Yue slowly open her eyes from deep slumber, blinking sleepily she became look at her surroundings. To her surprise, she found herself snuggled in Lu Shen's embrace, his arms wrapped around her. Startled, she almost jumped but then she remembered she had fallen asleep while recalled her past.
A blush of embarrassment spread across her cheeks as she realized she had been the one to initiate the hug with Lu Shen. Feeling warmth from his hand warped around her, she gently touched his face, looking at the peaceful expression he wore in his sleep.
Deciding to give him some space, Feng Yue quietly freed herself from Lu Shen's embrace and made her way to a secluded spot in the cave. After changing into new clothes retrieved from the space ring given to her by her grandfather, she sat down and began to cultivate, focusing her energy on strengthening herself.
After a while, Lu Shen woke up and noticed Feng Yue wasn't next to him. Looking around, he saw her meditating.
Not wanting to bother her, Lu Shen quietly started making some food, the smell of cooking spreading through the cave as he worked. He stole quick looks at Feng Yue, impressed by her endurance and strength and admired how beautiful she looked in the morning light.
After cultivating for two hours, Feng Yue opened her eyes and saw Lu Shen roasting rabbit meat.
"Cough, here"
Lu Shen pass the roasted meat to Feng Yue. He seemed embarrassed about the events of last night and coughed change the pace.
di di di
"hmmm"
"We don't have much time. Let's eat and head to the campsite" Lu Shen suggested, avoiding direct eye contact with Feng Yue.
He had spent the entire night wrapped in Feng Yue's embrace, and now he felt it was best to respect her space and not make any assumptions about their relationship without her consent.
"Umm" Feng Yue nodded in agreement.
"Hmph, coward" Feng Yue can tell Lu Shen's thoughts easily, his expressions written on his face like an open book to her. she wished he would at least meet her gaze.
Lu Shen: "....."
...
In a blink of an eye, the half month trial was about to end.
At the campsite, all students and teachers were present as a teacher walked in.
"All present students, in the half month trial, you might have faced many challenges, and to become stronger, you must face many dangerous situations in the future"
"In this trial, about a hundred students died, 10 got seriously injured, and many quit the trial"
"Even so, this year's trial is quite successful"
"Now, for the final results..."
"Zhang He, 10 points!"
"Li Li, 15 points!"
"Bao Lei, 23 points!"
"Lan Hai, 0 points!"
The teacher who announced the points looked at Lan Hai with a Serious face, obviously guessing the reason. Lan Hai must have been robbed of materials and points and beaten severely, resulting in him getting 0 points.
However, for such a thing, there was no sympathy. If he had no strength, he deserved to be robbed.
"Li Yun, 195 points!"
When Li Yun's points were announced, the students from Class D felt proud. After all, Li Yun was from their class, which was a source of pride for them.
"Oh please, you only have 195 points. With such a result, are you even worthy of my challenge?" Tangsu Ming sneered as he emerged from the line of Class B, looking at Li Yun with disdain.
Even though all his points were taken, he still had many points obtained by robbing weaker students and from his lackeys.
After some time, the scoring teacher announced Tangsu Ming's score.
"Tangsu Ming, 1727 points!"
"Wow, that's a lot!"
Li Yun's expression changed, and he said coldly,
"You must be robbing someone else!"
"That's just how it goes!" Tangsu Ming sneered in response.
Li Yun blushed, not knowing how to refute, as he did same.
"Wow, 1727 points! Tangsu Ming should be in the lead, right? Among the five geniuses of the Academy, Tangsu Ming is the one of the strongest. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is the peak refinement realm warrior of our Azura Base. No one has more points than him!"
"Do you know who killed that beast?"
"Um, I think it must be Lu Shen. When the beast was killed, I believe Lu Shen's points quickly increased by 1000 points."
"I think so too."
Students began to discuss among themselves.
"Although Tangsu Ming's luck is good, his points were snatched from the hands of many students. Tangsu Ming and his group are ruthless. If that person is Lu Shen, then he will definitely offend Tangsu Ming and the others..."
"Tsk tsk, the first reward is given by Principal himself. If you offend Tangsu Ming, do you think Tangsu Ming will let you live peacefully in Azura Base?"
"If I were him, I wouldn't dare to do it. Tangsu Ming is from the Tang clan in Azura Base. Just causing trouble for that person is enough to make him regret it."
Tangsu Ming paid no attention to what others were saying because he knew that Lu Shen was the one who killed the two tailed scorpion after their fight and he would definitely try to kill Lu Shen if he got the chance.
"Hmph, I don't believe you can win against members of my clan, true warriors. You're as good as dead!" Tangsu Ming made plan secretly with a fierce look in his eyes.
"Up to the names of the students from tenth to fourth position are announced."
"Now, let's move to the top three names."
"As for the top three students, their names are"
[1st place: Lu Shen - 2211 points]
[2nd place: Feng Yue - 2120 points]
[3rd place: Wang Mei - 1890 points]
"Let's welcome the principal to congratulate the top three students."
Clap clap clap
All students were eager to meet the principal of the academy because he was known for his wise leadership in the battle against demon beasts. He even commanded the troops to fight against demon beasts, but due to some serious injuries, he chose to retire.
Even so, he was a legend for students and even Lu Shen was excited to see that legend. he was an old man, aged between fifty to sixty, stepped onto the stage.
As old man stepped onto the stage, Lu Shen couldn't believe his eyes. It was the same old man who had helped him find his bus that time.
Lu Shen watched the old man, he was surprised when the old man winked at him before turning into a student.
"Students of our North High Academy, I am pleased with the results of the recent trial. Despite the challenges, we also discovered exceptional talent among our students" Principal Zhang's voice echoed.
"But before we proceed, allow me informe some change. Due to top three exceptional results, the top three students will receive additional rewards."
"what.."
"Lucky them"
"why not me top three"
Even though the students were shocked by the sudden reward change by the old man, they maintained their focus and listened intently, as they respected him greatly.
"Damn it, that could have been me" Tangsu Ming clenched his fists in frustration.
Principal Zhang continued, directing his attention to Wang Mei first.
"For her exceptional performance"
"Wang Mei will receive a reward of one rank 2 early stage demon core, along with ten low level qi gathering pill."
he continued, turning to Feng Yue,
"Feng Yue will be rewarded with one rank 2 Intermediate stage demon beast core and ten low level qi gathering pills, as well as one early stage demon core."
"And finally, for the top performer of this trial"
Principal Zhang gaze resting on Lu Shen.
"Lu Shen will receive two Intermediate stage demon core, and an additional 10,000 dollars."
He finished speaking, and Principal Zhang winked at Lu Shen once again before disappearing into the back of the stage.
"Strange, why did that old man wink at me again? Seems like there's something interesting on my face" Lu Shen thought shaking his head in confusion.
Swish swish!!!!
One after another, cold eyes glanced at Lu Shen, filled with anger and envy.
"two demon cores of intermediate demon beast and 10,000 dollars too, lucky him"
"fuck, he just got first place, stepping over others."
"Yeah, yeah."
Students were casting envy and some curse at Lu Shen luck.
"It seems he really did kill the beast" Tangsu Ming felt Lu Shen had slap his face and he face became red with anger, he almost explode but control himself as teacher were looking at them.