As the four of them exited through the doors, Xiao Xiao seemed to have mustered up some courage and said, "Wang Dong, can I talk to you?"
However, Wang Dong waved his hand and replied, "No, I have to get ready for tomorrow's match. Xiao Xiao, once the exam begins, we'll see the power of your twin martial souls." As he said this, he grabbed Huo Yuhao and Wang Feng by the shoulders and led them away.
Seeing the disappointment in Xiao Xiao's eyes, Huo Yuhao gave her a gentle smile. Xiao Xiao forced a smile back. They were all still very young and had vague feelings toward the opposite sex, mostly based on appearance. Though Wang Dong's rejection left Xiao Xiao feeling a little down.
However, as she watched the three of them walk ahead, Xiao Xiao, slightly dejected, suddenly had a strange glint in her eyes. Then, she took out an interesting device from the storage-type soul guide on her wrist, something she had bought from a merchant.
This item was said to be a soul tool produced by the Sun Moon Empire, specifically designed to capture commemorative photographs.
After a soft "click," a photo slowly emerged from the bottom. As Xiao Xiao took it, she saw the three of them walking forward beneath the setting sun, as if heading toward the future...
Xiao Xiao quietly tucked the photo away, a feeling rising in her heart that this picture would surely hold a special memory for the three of them in the future.
After walking some distance from the teaching building, Wang Dong finally let go of Huo Yuhao and Wang Feng.
"She likes you. You didn't have to reject her so directly, did you? Or do you prefer more mature types?" Wang Feng teased Wang Dong, winking playfully.
Wang Dong pouted and replied calmly, "There are so many girls who like me. Am I supposed to respond to all of them?" Then, in a more mature tone, he added, "We're still young. We should focus on our studies. How can we have other thoughts? Wang Feng, you're seriously not mentally sound."
Wang Feng shook his head. "Isn't it normal for a guy my age to like pretty girls? Besides, it's not like that means I'm not serious about studying."
Wang Dong snorted. "Hmph, pretty girls? So now you're calling yourself a normal guy?"
Wang Feng grinned. "Of course. Even though I'm handsome and talented, I'm still just a regular person."
Huo Yuhao, who was in between them, could only shake his head and smile. The atmosphere among the three of them was always like this—warm, sometimes annoying, but never boring.
Wang Dong shot Wang Feng a sharp look. "Handsome and talented? I don't know where you get that kind of confidence."
"That's a fact, not confidence," Wang Feng replied, rubbing Wang Dong's hair roughly. He hadn't expected Wang Dong's hair to feel so silky to the touch. After a few moments, he let go.
Pretending not to notice Wang Dong's annoyed glare, Wang Feng said, "Isn't your hair a little too long? When are you going to do something about it?"
Wang Dong snorted in response, "Why, so you want me to cut it short, just so you can bully me and fulfill your perverted desires?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone nearby who heard them turned to stare at the three of them, especially at Wang Feng with strange looks.
Wang Feng's eyes widened in shock. "Hey, don't go saying misleading things like that!"
Huo Yuhao watched the two of them bicker and could only smile helplessly.
…
When they arrived at the dormitory building, the three of them returned to their room to change clothes. Naturally, Wang Feng changed outside.
Afterward, Wang Feng told them he was going to meet with Dean Yan.
Standing at the doorway of their room, Wang Feng waved casually. "I'm heading out. It might take a while, so don't wait for me for dinner."
Wang Dong, who was drying his hair, replied, "Where are you going? Looking for wild women?" but his tone carried a hint of threat.
Wang Feng just laughed. "Relax, that's not happening. I'm not a playboy."
Huo Yuhao, who had just finished tidying his clothes, turned around and looked at Wang Feng. "Then take care of yourself," he said softly, his clear eyes radiating warmth.
Wang Feng smiled widely and nodded firmly. "Don't worry. I know my limits." He raised his hand in a mock military salute before turning around and walking away.
...
Shrek Academy, Headmaster's Office
As usual, Yan Shaoze was sitting in his chair, working through an endless pile of documents.
But today, there was one more person in the room. It was Ma Xiaotao, Yan Shaoze's student.
"Teacher, when is he coming? I've been waiting here forever," Ma Xiaotao complained as she lounged on the sofa, one foot on the floor and the other folded up, displaying her usual laid-back demeanor. Both legs were covered in black leather stockings.
"Be patient, Xiaotao. He'll come," Yan Shaoze replied without lifting his head from the paperwork.
Just as Ma Xiaotao was about to complain again, a knock came at the door.
"Dean Yan, it's Wang Feng. You called for me?"
"Come in," Yan Shaoze responded shortly.
The door opened, and Wang Feng entered without saying much. But as soon as his eyes landed on Ma Xiaotao, his eyebrows rose slightly.
"Senior? I didn't expect to see you here."
Ma Xiaotao shot back, "Why? I'm not allowed to be here or something?" she replied while crossing her arms beneath her ample chest.
She was still annoyed that Wang Feng had kept her waiting so long.
Wang Feng scratched the back of his head, wondering what exactly he had done to make her this upset.
Yan Shaoze let out a sigh. "Enough. Xiaotao, don't make this worse."
Ma Xiaotao snorted.
Relieved that the tension had eased a little, Wang Feng exhaled and turned to Yan Shaoze. "If I may ask, Dean—why did you summon me?"
Yan Shaoze gave a faint smile. He stood up, walked around his desk, and positioned himself in front of the two with a firm posture, hands clasped behind his back.
"Wang Feng, the reason I called you here today is because there's something very important I want to discuss."
"What is it, Dean?" Wang Feng asked, curiosity in his voice.
Yan Shaoze nodded slightly. "First of all, I'm sure you're aware that Xiaotao's Martial Soul tends to go out of control."
Upon hearing that, Wang Feng glanced briefly at Ma Xiaotao, then nodded. "Yes, I know. I've even been a victim of it myself."
Ma Xiaotao looked guilty, but she didn't apologize to Wang Feng.
Yan Shaoze exhaled lightly. "And that's the core of the issue. Her Martial Soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix. It grants her powerful flame abilities—just a step below the ultimate fire element. However, this Martial Soul also has a fatal flaw. During training, Xiaotao often struggles to control the emotional and physical urges caused by the evil fire."
"We at Shrek Academy have tried various methods to deal with it. Unfortunately, only a Spirit Master with ultimate ice can suppress the evil fire generated by Xiaotao's Martial Soul. Up until now, she's managed to hold it back because her spirit power was still relatively low. But as her power increases, it will eventually become uncontainable—and when that time comes, she'll have to face it."
Wang Feng was silent for a moment, surprised at how serious the issue really was. "In that case, why call me? I'm not a Spirit Master with ultimate ice. I don't even have regular ice."
Yan Shaoze nodded, his expression more serious now. "True, you don't possess the ice element. But you have something even rarer—and possibly more effective."
He paused for a moment to ensure Wang Feng was paying attention.
"You possess the Martial Soul, Lotus of Harmony."
Wang Feng didn't respond. Dean Yan Shaoze didn't know that his Martial Soul had evolved into the Ethereal Lotus, but the Lotus of Harmony had indeed always had a calming effect, which might help with Ma Xiaotao's condition. Now that it had evolved, its effect should be even stronger.
Wang Feng stared at the Dean for a few seconds, then turned his gaze to Senior Ma Xiaotao, studying her silently.
"Very well, Dean. I'll try. But I have one condition."
Wang Feng continued in a calm but firm tone, his eyes returning to Yan Shaoze.
"No one else can be present while I perform it. Not even you, Dean. I don't want anyone witnessing the process."
Yan Shaoze frowned slightly, but didn't outright reject the request. As someone who had seen Wang Feng's talent firsthand, he knew this student wasn't one to make unreasonable demands.
"Why?" Yan Shaoze asked, narrowing his eyes to gauge the intent behind Wang Feng's request.
"Everyone has their secrets. Let's just say this has to do with my Martial Soul, and I don't want anyone observing how it works."
The room fell silent for a few seconds. Yan Shaoze stared deeply at Wang Feng, searching for any hidden motives.
But all he saw was calm, conviction, and a hint of... unusual firmness for someone Wang Feng's age.
At last, the Dean sighed quietly. "Very well. I'll accept your condition—but with one caveat."
"What is it?" Wang Feng asked, still calm.
"I'll set up an isolation formation around the area—soundproof and intrusion detection. If anything unusual happens, I'm coming in." Yan Shaoze's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Wang Feng thought for a moment, then nodded. "That's acceptable."
Ma Xiaotao, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke, her voice still tinged with annoyance. "What's that supposed to mean? I'm just supposed to trust someone with my body without any supervision? What if he does something weird?"
Wang Feng raised an eyebrow slightly. "Senior, if I really had bad intentions, I wouldn't need to wait until you were vulnerable to act, would I?"
His words were sharp—but not illogical.
Ma Xiaotao snorted again but didn't reply. Deep down, she knew Wang Feng was right, but her pride wouldn't let her admit it outright.