Chapter 17: Crazy Face-Slapping
Upon hearing Dragon Chen's idea, a hint of hesitation flickered in Ye Lingling's eyes.
She didn't have confidence in herself.
"Brother Chen, but my spirit power is only Level 23 right now. There are hundreds of students in the academy, and about fifty of them are above Level 30. The requirements for the school team must be very high. I probably can't get in..."
Dragon Chen stopped, turned around, and looked at Ye Lingling seriously, his tone firm:
"Lingling, while spirit power level is important, it's definitely not the only standard to measure a Spirit Master's worth. Your Nine Heart Begonia Spirit is the most powerful healing Spirit on the continent, possessing group healing abilities. In a team battle, an excellent healer can turn the tide of battle and is an indispensable presence in the team. This ability of yours is irreplaceable by anyone."
Dragon Chen gently placed his hands on Ye Lingling's shoulders and continued to encourage her:
"Moreover, you are still young. For a healing Spirit Master to reach Level 23 at this age is already very impressive. There are still five years until the next Soul Master Competition, so you have plenty of time to improve yourself. I believe that with your potential, nothing is impossible."
Ye Lingling looked up, meeting Dragon Chen's encouraging gaze, and a warm current surged in her heart.
She hadn't expected herself to hold such an important place in Dragon Chen's heart.
"Brother Chen, do you really think so?"
"Of course!"
Dragon Chen chuckled.
"Lingling, actually, I have some inside information. You've already pre-booked a spot on the school team."
Ye Lingling looked at Dragon Chen with a puzzled expression, half-believing, half-doubting.
Dragon Chen explained:
"I met those three teaching committee members today, and the chief teaching committee member personally promised that you would enter the school team."
Ye Lingling found it a bit hard to believe, and a hint of pleasant surprise flashed in her eyes.
"Brother Chen, we can cultivate together from now on."
"Yes, with me by your side, you won't be lonely anymore."
The two exchanged smiles and continued on their way to the main campus, enjoying the tranquility of the night and the warmth between them.
It was getting late, so Dragon Chen escorted Ye Lingling to the girls' dormitory building.
"Lingling, get some rest early."
"Mhm, you too. Get some rest early. See you tomorrow."
As they were speaking, a voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Dragon Chen?"
Both of them turned their heads in unison, only to see a figure slowly approaching under the moonlight.
It was Dugu Yan.
Although Dugu Yan was only fifteen or sixteen years old, she was tall and curvaceous, and her green eyes under her short hair were deeper than before.
Clearly, the backlash of the Bi Lin Snake Venom was secretly eroding her, and its impact on her was growing.
Dugu Yan still maintained her unique pride and cold allure, her steps enchanting, each one seemingly carrying a strange power.
"It really is Dragon Chen. Long time no see. Why are you still at the academy so late?"
Dugu Yan walked closer, a playful smile on her lips, her gaze shifting between Dragon Chen and Ye Lingling, as if she had discovered something.
Dragon Chen smiled calmly, not surprised by Dugu Yan's sudden appearance.
"Hello, Dugu Yan. We'll be classmates from now on. Please take care of me."
Ye Lingling also interjected with a smile from the side:
"Sister Yan Yan, Brother Chen will be a member of our Royal Academy starting tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan's eyes flickered slightly, as if evaluating Dragon Chen's strength.
She could feel that Dragon Chen's strength was definitely above Ye Lingling's.
She just didn't know why he had only come to the academy now.
"Dragon Chen, it's good that you're here. Keep Lingling company more often, so she won't be so lonely anymore."
Dragon Chen nodded.
"It's getting late. You two should go up and rest early. See you tomorrow."
"Mhm, see you tomorrow."
Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan went upstairs together.
They no longer shared a dormitory but often met.
Dugu Yan had also recently obtained her third spirit ring, reaching Level 31 in spirit power, making her a Heaven Dou Level student.
After returning to the dormitory, Dragon Chen went to sleep early.
The next morning, Dragon Chen woke up early.
He had been to the Royal Academy a few times and was somewhat familiar with the academy's environment.
However, the academy had four or five hundred students, divided into different classes according to three levels.
It was his first time attending class, and he wasn't familiar with the classroom's location, so he had to find it beforehand.
After some inquiries, he finally arrived at the classroom.
Dragon Chen arrived relatively early, and there weren't many people in the classroom.
But as time went on, students one by one walked into the classroom.
Almost every student who walked in had their eyes fall on Dragon Chen.
They were all Heaven Dou Level students, all over fifteen years old, some even over twenty.
Compared to them, Dragon Chen seemed a bit immature.
If Dragon Chen hadn't been wearing the uniform that only Heaven Dou Level students were entitled to, he would have been kicked out of this classroom long ago.
A few eighteen or nineteen-year-old boys huddled in a corner, laughing and saying something, then walked towards Dragon Chen together.
"Hey, kid, new here?"
The one who spoke was a tall, burly boy, about twenty years old.
Students of the Royal Academy were either rich or noble, most of them spoiled and arrogant.
Dragon Chen couldn't be bothered to pay attention to that person, merely glanced at him, then continued looking at the medicinal herb atlas in his hand.
The other boys, seeing this, were very disdainful.
"Hey, are you mute, kid! Our boss is talking to you!"
"Kid, how old are you this year? Do you think wearing this uniform makes you a Heaven Dou Level student?"
"This kid must have worn the wrong uniform, but he's not stupid, he didn't go to the wrong classroom."
"Hahahaha~~"
The mockery of the few boys quickly attracted everyone's attention, and all eyes focused on Dragon Chen.
Everyone wanted to know Dragon Chen's background.
Why could a teenager over ten years old wear the uniform representing a Heaven Dou Level student's identity?
"Kid, do you think playing dumb will let you get away with it? Let me see what strength you have to be sitting here!"
The burly boy said, then raised his fist and smashed it towards Dragon Chen, trying to force Dragon Chen to make a move and test his strength.
Dragon Chen's expression remained unchanged.
As a black light surged in the palm of his right hand, the Dark Night Magic Qin Spirit was released.
Immediately after, three spirit rings, yellow, yellow, and purple, unfolded around him in sequence.
As the second spirit ring suddenly lit up, his fingertips plucked the strings, and a massive Nine-tailed Fox phantom unexpectedly enveloped most of the classroom.
Seeing this scene, everyone was startled.
"W-what is this..."
"A fox with nine tails..."
"He really is a three-ring War Spirit Grand Master!"
While everyone was still in shock, Dragon Chen's fingers continued to pluck the strings.
The few people who had just mocked Dragon Chen seemed to fall into a trance, forming a circle.
Each of them raised both hands, slapping their own mouths with their left hands and heavily slapping the face of the person next to them with their right hands.
Slap!
Slap!
Everyone quieted down, silently watching this scene.
Only the soft sound of the lyre and the sound of those few people frantically slapping themselves and each other could be heard in the classroom.