So, he said nonchalantly, "In this world, are such things really that uncommon? What matters is not that my efforts have been in vain, but that I have also gained something in the process of giving."
"I don't consider myself to be at a loss on that account."
"Of course, what's more important is that only worthless Spirit Masters would worry about their Artifact Spirit leaving. And I, Zhao Long, am clearly not one of them!"
Zhao Long's words exuded an aura of confidence.
And when Jiang Xian'er saw his self-assured demeanor, a smile of complete agreement spread across her face.
However, deep within her eyes, there flickered a gleam that was not easy to catch.
Once doubts are spoken aloud, they cease to be just doubts.
But you must understand, these doubts always exist; they have just transitioned into a more concealed form.
The two of them stepped into the Contract Room.
At the same time, far away in the boys' dormitory, Lin Dong suddenly felt the mental connection break, and Jiang Xian'er's entanglement with him vanished.
He sprang up from his bed and dashed off!
...
On the other side.
After ending their training, Xiao Zhan and Ye Youlong returned to their apartment.
Training in the Cultivation Room is a huge drain on one's mental and physical energy. One must commit wholeheartedly to the exhaustive training, which is a test for the body.
Despite the fatigue, the results are unmistakably rewarding.
Xiao Zhan has gained some insight into the Spirit Manipulation Technique and is confident he can master it within a month.
After returning to his room and taking a shower, Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and clenched his fists, feeling explosively powerful in that moment.
But he knew well that this sensation was mostly illusory, a side effect of sensory stimulation from the nerves.
One cannot blindly trust that this power belongs to oneself.
Both of them finished washing up and were ready to sleep.
Xiao Zhan subconsciously put his hand on Ye Youlong's waist, intending to pull her into his embrace for sleep, but he quickly retracted it.
"Uh, sorry, that was instinctive."
Xiao Zhan said with an awkward smile.
Hugging Ye Youlong throughout the day while bantering with Lin Dong and others had become a habit, and it was hard to let go.
"It's okay."
Ye Youlong spoke indifferently, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks.
Suddenly, she took Xiao Zhan's hand back and placed it again on her waist.
Xiao Zhan was a little surprised, feeling the smoothness under his fingertips, and seeing Ye Youlong's shy eyes that dared not meet his.
He couldn't help but smile slightly, tightened his grip, and pulled Ye Youlong fully into his embrace.
Ye Youlong let out a surprised expression, suddenly feeling the warmth and familiarity of a chest.
Her face flushed even more.
This was the chest she woke up to each morning.
Before falling asleep, they maintained a respectful distance; however, mysteriously, she would find herself in Xiao Zhan's arms during the night.
Seeing her in such a shy and charming state, Xiao Zhan felt an immense sweetness blossoming in his heart.
Then, it was time to turn off the lights and sleep.
...
In the following days, Xiao Zhan and Ye Youlong spent most of their time soaking in the Cultivation Room, devoting themselves fully to practicing the Spirit Manipulation Technique 'Fish Lamp Soul Summoning', in preparation for the freshman competition.
Since most of the time was spent in the Cultivation Room, there were fewer people seeking a sense of presence, which gave Xiao Zhan some rare peace and quiet.
However, Lin Dong came looking for Xiao Zhan midway.
Xiao Zhan thought he was here to start trouble, but to his surprise, he was there to ask Xiao Zhan to beat Jiang Xian'er until she cried and begged for mercy during the competition for new disciples.
Xiao Zhan shook his head at his display of beating his chest and gnashing his teeth.
He felt secretly relieved that he hadn't formed a Contract with Jiang Xian'er, or else it would have been just a matter of time before she betrayed him.
He also hadn't expected Jiang Xian'er to abandon Lin Dong so decisively.
Indeed, he still did not understand Jiang Xian'er well enough.
Time passed by day by day.
A month later, Xiao Zhan finally succeeded in cultivating the 'Fish Lamp Soul Summoning' technique and he stepped out of the Cultivation Room.
Unexpectedly, Lin Dong was anxiously waiting at the door of the Cultivation Room.
Seeing him emerge filled Lin Dong with joy, "Big Brother, you're finally out. The registration is almost over, and if you don't come out, you won't be able to compete."
The emperor is not in a hurry but the eunuch is.
Xiao Zhan was speechless. If you, Lin Dong, want to see Jiang Xian'er get slapped in the face, why don't you do it yourself? Wouldn't that be more satisfying?
Instead, he was relying on others.
Lin Dong could not care less, as he hurriedly took Xiao Zhan to the registration point, fearing that Xiao Zhan would miss the registration.
"Hey, I say, do you really believe I can defeat Jiang Xian'er?" Xiao Zhan asked, flabbergasted.
Lin Dong replied, "It's not that I believe you can defeat her, but among the two of us, only you are capable of defeating her right now! I can't wait to see that despicable woman get her comeuppance!"
When the current becomes the ex, the ex and the one before join forces.
Xiao Zhan gave him a thumbs up.
This guy had a pretty clear head.
However, Xiao Zhan had no interest in slapping Jiang Xian'er in the face. Such petty personal grudges were far less meaningful than the Secret Realm.
The two arrived at the registration, and there was actually plenty of time left; there was still a quarter of an hour before the start even after registration ended.
It was Lin Dong being anxious. Seeing Xiao Zhan succeed in registering, he actually breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he turned his head to remind Xiao Zhan, "You've been cultivating this whole month, and might not be aware of what's been happening outside. In this competition for new disciples, you have to be careful of Zhao Long and Jiang Xian'er. They both broke through to become First Grade Spirit Masters yesterday."
Lin Dong's tone carried a mix of surprise and resentment. He was aware of Jiang Xian'er's talent. Under normal circumstances, it would take at least four months for her to break through to First Grade.
Yet, she had become a First Grade Artifact Spirit just a month after leaving him.
No wonder Jiang Xian'er had decisively left him.
He thought that day would come, just not this soon!
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan was also a bit stunned.
An SS-rank Spirit Master and an S-rank Artifact Spirit pair had managed to break through to First Grade in just one month, which was truly unbelievable.
Not everyone had special Talent Bloodline Skills like him!
At this moment, Ye Youlong analyzed, "The Zhao Family is a military-commercial family, with half in the military and half in business. Backed by the military, their business is very strong, mainly involving the sale of precious items such as Spiritual Grass and Spiritual Fruit, and Demon Beast Corpses."
"So, my guess is that the two of them must have consumed Spiritual Medicine that was highly compatible with their attributes; otherwise, they couldn't have cultivated so quickly."
"This is the terrifying power of resources," Xiao Zhan could only lament.
No wonder, after the anomaly, the eight great families had always remained just those eight, never changing.
With such a terrifying amount of resources at their disposal, unless the family produces someone utterly useless, it is almost impossible for the family to fall.
Like some enterprises, it's all about bloodline inheritance.
"Anyway, be careful, Xiao Zhan. This time, in addition to those two, there are three other pairs of SS-rank that have also broken through to become First Grade Spirit Masters. You have quite a few threats," Lin Dong said with great concern.