217. Did I Let You Rest?
Yun Ling woke up feeling completely drained.
He glanced at the time; it was already past midnight. He'd slept for about four hours.
Yun Ling let out a long sigh. Fu Hua was truly too strong. Without the constraints of the Sword Heart, her martial arts skills hadn't regressed but rather advanced.
And in that final moment, if he wasn't mistaken, that should have been Fu Hua's Artificial Cascade Form, right?
Yun Ling had used every trick in the book: the Herrscher of Domination's threads, a fighting style reminiscent of Kalpas, Ruoshui, the Taixu Sword Qi, the Void Unity True Technique, and the power of Leviathan.
Except for Kalpas' mask, he had used everything that could enhance his strength, yet he could only barely force Fu Hua into her Artificial Cascade Form.
It should be noted that he didn't even have a chance to face her Artificial Cascade Form. In the final moments, he was utterly exhausted.
Even if Fu Hua didn't struggle, he wouldn't have been able to hold on for long.
As for why he didn't use his trump card, the "Divine Essence"...
In Yun Ling's own understanding, although the Divine Essence is unavoidable, it's actually only suitable as a "finishing move" or "surprise attack," and of course, it can also be used as a pinpoint nuclear weapon.
The Divine Essence has a significant wind-up, and Yun Ling isn't powerful enough to instantly unleash it.
Fu Hua naturally knew Yun Ling knew this move and was therefore wary. Going all out would likely yield far less benefit than the cost to himself.
Moreover, this is at St. Freya Academy, and their battle is already attracting enough attention. Using the Divine Essence would probably demolish the academy.
Although both of them have been quite restrained, the training ground will probably still need to be rebuilt.
Hopefully, Theresa will show mercy; his savings are about to be depleted.
"Um... Yun Ling... are you awake?"
A voice beside him startled Yun Ling.
Because of his extreme weakness, even his senses were diminished, and he didn't notice anyone nearby immediately.
"Mei? What are you doing here?" Yun Ling asked, puzzled.
Isn't there a curfew in the dorm? Didn't Mei go back?
Mei gently rubbed her eyes, looking like she had just woken up.
"Don't worry, I told Teacher Himeko beforehand that I am going to stay and take care of you." Mei seemed to sense Yun Ling's confusion.
"You call Kiana an idiot every day, but it turns out you're an idiot yourself! It's just a sparring match. Why are you putting in so much effort?" Mei chided playfully.
"Emmm, it's like a test of my own strength. I've never tried fighting with my full power before, and now I finally know my own limitations." Yun Ling sighed.
Mei recalled the battle from not long ago, still feeling a lingering fear.
Yun Ling had become so powerful without her noticing.
Besides the Taixu Sword Qi, his other combat techniques were equally formidable.
Elusive, transparent threads; ferocious, direct combat abilities; unpredictable water manipulation; and even the yet-to-be-revealed Divine Essence.
Yet, judging from his expression, he still seemed unsatisfied.
"Yun Ling, you're really obsessed with getting stronger." Mei climbed onto the bed and gently nestled against Yun Ling's chest.
The two hadn't been this close in a long time, and Mei was even starting to feel a fondness for Yun Ling's scent.
"Because I want to protect you all. My current strength is far from enough." Yun Ling clenched his fist slightly.
"Changing 'you all' to 'you' would be a great opportunity to score points." Mei's cheeks puffed out slightly.
"So, in Mei's heart, I'm not quite a perfect score after all?" Yun Ling felt a little hurt.
"I'll give you a perfect score when you get rid of your fickle ways. For now... I'll give you a 98."
"Actually, I think 98 is pretty high... Hey, hey, Mei, I was wrong." Yun Ling hurriedly grabbed Mei's hand from his waist.
At this moment, his body was very weak; if he were pinched, he'd probably get a bruise.
"Hmph~" Mei snorted softly, expressing her dissatisfaction.
"Do you remember our promise?" Mei suddenly asked.
"You mean the promise to change each other?" Yun Ling nodded, indicating he remembered.
Mei wanted to try to make Yun Ling love only her, and Yun Ling wanted to try to make Mei accept a harem ending.
But clearly, neither of them could change the other.
"That's right, now I'm going to make one last effort," Mei said.
"One last effort means... Mei, you..."
Mei's domineering and aggressive kiss landed on Yun Ling's lips.
The talent he had acquired during the third simulation finally came in handy.
It's as if a cicada's wing, light as silk, adorns her body, her jade-like skin flushed red, as if drunk in the spring breeze.
Mei's hair ribbon fell loose, her long hair cascading onto her snow-white skin, her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and barely concealed fear.
Yun Ling seemed to understand the meaning of Tao Yuanming's line in "Returning to the Countryside":
"The path is narrow, the grass and trees are tall, the evening dew wets my clothes."
"How many more storms can it endure? Spring hastily returns."
With a loud cry, Mei ultimately couldn't defeat Yun Ling, who was weakened.
But the smile on her face proved she didn't seem to regret her actions.
However, just as Yun Ling was about to hold Mei and sleep until dawn, a black hair clip inexplicably appeared on her head.
"Did I tell you to rest?"
The question was utterly domineering.
Before Yun Ling could speak, her mouth was covered.
The Thunder Queen's allure was slightly different from Mei's. The Thunder Queen seemed more mature, and also more...proactive.
...
Yun Ling, supporting his aching back, walked outside. He was still recovering from his fight with Fu Hua and was quite weak.
Then Mei suddenly initiated a duel. Although it seemed somewhat opportunistic, how could a man refuse?
He had finally defeated Mei, but then the Thunder Queen suddenly appeared...
Yun Ling's still-recovering body was truly struggling; he was even walking unsteadily.
But Mei only dares to do it by taking advantage of Yun Ling's weakness. If she dared to wait for him at his peak, she would have utterly defeated by him!
"Auntie, ten chive buns, and a cup of soy milk, please," Yun Ling said to the cafeteria lady.
"...Young man, you need to be more careful. With your looks, finding a girlfriend at St. Freya Academy shouldn't be difficult."
The auntie, seeing Yun Ling's state, kindly reminded him and even packed him some chive-filled buns, giving him two extra in case he didn't have enough.
"...Thank you, Auntie." Yun Ling didn't explain, as he was genuinely a little tired.
Yun Ling devoured the buns in two bites each, clearing the pile in front of him, finally feeling a bit of renewed energy.
At least his body wasn't completely depleted anymore.
Although it might be just his imagination, it was at least some psychological comfort.
Shortly afterward, Yun Ling was summoned to the principal's office.
Fu Hua was already waiting there.
Theresa, her fingers interlaced, looked at the two of them with a serious expression.
...