The Fourth Test Site.
When Dai Mubai saw Qi Lin approaching from the distance, his brows furrowed slightly.
What is he doing here?
Dai Mubai was a bit puzzled and asked as Qi Lin drew closer, "Teacher Qi, what brings you here?"
Surprisingly, Dai Mubai's tone was rather respectful—something Qi Lin didn't expect at all.
What Qi Lin didn't know was that after Dai Mubai left yesterday, he thought it over repeatedly and came to a single conclusion:
Even if he didn't like Qi Lin, he absolutely could not afford to offend him.
In fact, not only could he not offend him—he had to try and win him over!
Why?
Because Qi Lin might just be the key to helping him defeat Davis.
A twelve-year-old, Rank 48 Soul Ancestor—and a support-type, no less.
Such talent was simply unheard of in Dai Mubai's eyes.
Qi Lin, though mildly surprised by Dai Mubai's respectful attitude, didn't dwell on it. He got straight to the point and explained why he had come.
After hearing the reason, Dai Mubai immediately smiled and said, "If Teacher Qi is willing to take over my duties, I'd be more than happy to step aside."
He didn't leave right away, though. Instead, he tried to get close to Qi Lin.
His decision to curry favor was, in theory, a wise one—at least he wasn't acting like some brainless antagonist.
Unfortunately, his attempts at friendliness were just too clumsy. Qi Lin saw through his intentions instantly, which only lowered his opinion of Dai Mubai further.
What's more, Dai Mubai's attitude had changed so drastically from yesterday to today—it was hard not to feel put off.
So despite all his efforts, Qi Lin remained indifferent, responding with only polite disinterest.
This secretly frustrated Dai Mubai, but he didn't dare show it.
Sometimes, watching Dai Mubai force a smile even though he clearly didn't want to made Qi Lin genuinely want to say:
Stop wasting your time.
Hasn't anyone told you? Your smile is painfully fake.
Some time passed.
When Ning Rongrong casually passed through the third assessment and walked over from a distance, both Qi Lin and Dai Mubai noticed her immediately.
Dai Mubai's heterochromatic eyes lit up with an unmistakable gleam.
He'd been with many women, but a girl of this caliber? He hadn't seen one like her in years.
Ning Rongrong quickly picked up on Dai Mubai's heated gaze and instinctively frowned.
But then she spotted Qi Lin standing beside him, calm and composed—and her refined little face lit up with pleasant surprise.
He's here too? Could he have come just for me?
At the thought, Ning Rongrong's cheeks turned slightly red as she stepped forward with a cheerful greeting.
"Hi! I didn't expect to see you again so soon!"
Dai Mubai was dumbfounded by what he saw. He glanced at Qi Lin, his eyes now full of suspicion.
Did Qi Lin really come here because Flender told him to take over the test? Or was it because he saw Ning Rongrong and came on his own?
Dai Mubai thought it over and found his own theory quite convincing.
If it were me, I'd probably do the same!
Having figured that out, a glimmer of cunning flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes.
I think… I finally know how to win him over.
If that's his weak spot, then I'll play to it!
With a sly grin, Dai Mubai turned to Qi Lin and said, "Teacher Qi, I'll leave her in your capable hands. I wouldn't want to get in your way."
With that, Dai Mubai spun around and left, leaving behind a very confused Qi Lin.
Ning Rongrong noticed the creepy grin Dai Mubai had on his face and couldn't help but look disgusted. She turned to Qi Lin and asked, "Is he also a student at Shrek Academy? That smile of his is so gross!"
Qi Lin nodded. "His name's Dai Mubai. He's been a student at Shrek for quite some time."
"Oh." Ning Rongrong blinked, then recalled what Dai Mubai had called Qi Lin earlier. Curiously, she asked, "Why did he call you 'teacher' though?"
Qi Lin replied naturally, "Because I am a teacher at Shrek Academy."
But when Ning Rongrong heard that, she gave Qi Lin a once-over, then pouted, "Don't try to fool me. You look about the same age as me. How could you possibly be a teacher?"
As she spoke, Qi Lin thought he detected a hint of playful sulkiness in her tone—but maybe that was just his imagination.
Still, he smiled and said, "I'm not lying. I really am a teacher at Shrek."
Seeing how sincere he looked, Ning Rongrong grew even more curious.
"But all the Shrek teachers I've seen so far are at least in the sixties in terms of soul power. How did you get to be a teacher?"
Qi Lin chuckled. "Because my soul power is high enough. I'm a Rank 48 support-type Soul Ancestor. Is that qualified enough to teach you?"
"What?!"
Ning Rongrong nearly thought she'd misheard him. She reflexively asked again, "What level did you just say?"
"Forty-eight. Soul Ancestor." Qi Lin repeated with a smile.
He had to admit, seeing people's stunned reactions to his soul level gave him a certain smug satisfaction.
In the end, he was just a normal person with slightly better luck than most.
Ning Rongrong covered her mouth in shock and still seemed unsure. She asked again, "Really Rank 48? And a support-type?"
Qi Lin nodded calmly.
This time, Ning Rongrong truly believed him, and a sparkling light appeared in her eyes.
"You're amazing! My dad always says I'm the most talented in our clan in a hundred years. I was born with innate Rank 9 soul power, but I'm only at Rank 26 Soul Grandmaster right now."
Hearing that, Qi Lin smiled happily, though his words were modest as ever.
"Well, I was just born a tiny bit luckier than you. My martial soul is a tiny bit better, my innate power is a tiny bit higher, and even my soul skills are just a tiny bit more awesome."
His humility only made Ning Rongrong's eyes shine brighter.
But then she frowned in slight distress.
"So does that mean… I have to call you 'teacher' from now on?"
"But you're obviously the same age as me!"
Qi Lin gave her a warm smile. "It's fine. Just call me 'teacher' when we're in public. Privately, you can call me by my name—Qi Lin."
"Really?" Ning Rongrong's face lit up with joy.
"Of course."
Qi Lin then looked at her and said, "Alright, let's stop chatting for now. Since I'm your proctor, we still need to go through the motions."
"This test is usually a combat evaluation, but since we're both support-type soul masters, we'll use a different format."
"Honestly, with your talent, you're guaranteed to get in either way. So let's just make it official."
Ning Rongrong nodded eagerly like a pecking chick.
Teacher Qi Lin is the best!