Volume One: Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 16: Blossoms and Youth

"Mo Xing, what's wrong?" Shi Yan asked.

"Oh, I saw something written on the paper cup," Mo Xing quickly turned back and explained to Shi Yan, "so I just wanted to ask the owner what it's about."

"Words? Let me see," Shi Yan leaned in.

"Right here, it says 'May you pass every exam,'" Mo Xing pointed to the writing on the cup.

"Oh, there really is a little inscription," Shi Yan nodded.

"I heard before that there's a shop on Western Shopping Street founded by a renowned fortune-teller. Customers who buy their products might receive a small gift with a blessing written on it, and apparently there's an eighty percent chance the blessing actually comes true," Shi Yan said.

"So this breakfast stall is the one?" Mo Xing continued, "Check if there's any writing on your cup."

Shi Yan returned to her seat, examined her cup for quite a while, then shook her head and said, "Nope, seems you're the only lucky one!"

"Ah... so that's how it is. In that case, I can share half my luck with you," Mo Xing offered.

"No need to be so generous, you should save it for the freshman exam tomorrow," Shi Yan laughed, covering her mouth.

"You're right, haha," Mo Xing smiled, "The buns are getting cold, hurry up and eat."

"Mm-hmm," Shi Yan continued eating her bun.

A moment later.

Watching the pair walk away, Mr. Shen stepped out from the corner of the street and approached the breakfast stall.

"The soy milk is sold out, come earlier next time," the owner said without even looking up.

"Oh, that's a pity," Mr. Shen sighed.

"But speaking of which, you didn't write a blessing for that young lady, did you?" Mr. Shen remarked.

"Some things are best left unsaid. It's better to let fate take its course," the owner shook his head. "Mainly, I'm worried it might affect your little apprentice's mindset."

"Oh? You can even predict that? The reputation of Prophet Liang's astrology is well-deserved," Mr. Shen chuckled. "How about you divine something for me?"

"You?" Prophet Liang shot Mr. Shen a glance. "Just two words: tough fate."

"You're too kind, haha," Mr. Shen replied, "But I'm still curious, what would her blessing have been?"

"The bad lot," Prophet Liang paused.

"A withering flower."

On the hillside, in a pavilion.

Mo Xing and Shi Yan were reviewing their theory lessons.

"I never realized the names of our school's buildings had such history!" Mo Xing exclaimed. The Lightwing Teaching Hall, Hades Training Ground, Rain Apartments, Polly Dining Hall, and the Divine King Hall were all named after legendary sacred beasts.

"That's right, those are key points," Shi Yan nodded and continued, "They often appear as fill-in-the-blank questions, so you must remember them well."

"Mm-hmm, got it," Mo Xing said, flipping a page, "Are the Four Great Academies also important knowledge?"

"Yes, Saint Sky Royal Academy, Spirit Academy, Red Moon Academy, and Han River Academy are recognized as the four major institutions," Shi Yan explained.

"Spirit Academy specializes in training summoners; Red Moon Academy is just one street away from us; Han River Academy is an old institution accommodating various races; and our Saint Sky Royal Academy is the foremost of the four."

"Wow, Shi Yan, you're amazing!" Mo Xing exclaimed, "You distilled the keywords perfectly, even more clearly than the textbook!"

"It's nothing, really. I took the test last year," Shi Yan smiled. "The questions are mostly common sense and not difficult."

"That's good. I'll review it once more and then prepare for the practical lesson this afternoon," Mo Xing said, leafing through his notes.

"Oh wow, it's already noon," Shi Yan checked her watch.

"Want to have lunch together?" Mo Xing asked.

"Thank you, but I have work at the student council this afternoon. I'll head off now—let's have lunch together next time when we're free," Shi Yan smiled.

"Okay... alright," Mo Xing stood up and watched Shi Yan leave. Seeing her running silhouette, he suddenly felt a surge of happiness, as if he'd just tasted a fragrant hot latte.

"Mo Xing, good luck on the freshman assessment!" Shi Yan shouted from afar, waving her hand.

"I will!" Mo Xing replied, remembering the promise he made with Shi Yan that evening: to pass the freshman assessment and become stronger!

"So this is where you're having a date."

Mo Xing recognized the familiar voice and turned around, startled to see Cai Hongzheng standing nearby.

"Cai... Senior Cai Hong, why are you here?" Mo Xing clutched his chest, amazed that he'd been startled from behind twice that morning.

"Oh, that," Cai Hong pointed to the other side of the mountain. "Mian Hua and I bought lunch and were taking the path back to the dorm. We saw you and Shi Yan together, and Mian Hua got all worked up, so she had me fly ahead to check it out."

"I see, but I was just studying, not on a date!" Mo Xing scratched the back of his head.

"No need to be modest, junior," Cai Hong smiled, "I'm rooting for you and Shi Yan!"

"Uh..." Mo Xing felt awkward and quickly tried to change the topic, "By the way, Senior Cai Hong, the book says you can't summon wings until reaching Blue Crest rank, so how did you release yours at level fifty-something in Green Wood rank?"

"Oh, that," Cai Hong laughed, "I'm an Elementalist, so it's a bit special. I mastered a flying skill called Burning Wings at level forty-something."

"You're an Elementalist too, Senior!"

"Yes," Cai Hong replied.

"But I remember the book says Burning Wings is an amplification skill for boosting explosive power, yet you use it as a flying skill!" Mo Xing exclaimed.

"Books are dead, people are alive," Cai Hong smiled. "Burning Wings not only amplifies attack power, it also has flight capabilities. Some people even use its unique glowing effect for spectacular light shows!"

"Show my foot!"

A loud roar echoed from not far away.

Mo Xing looked over and saw Mian Hua charging toward them, furious, with two lunches in hand—he suddenly felt as if she were a food delivery rider.

"Cai Hong, you scoundrel!" Mian Hua cursed, "You flew over with your wings and left me behind! Made me walk all this way!"

"You're too heavy—I can't carry you!" Cai Hong laughed.

"Enough talk, draw your sword!" Mian Hua put the lunches beside Mo Xing and then summoned her greatsword from her storage ring, pointing it at Cai Hong.

"Where did you get that sword? Not everyone is a sword dealer like you," Cai Hong chuckled.

"Two lunches—Mo Xing gets one, and the other goes to the winner between you and me. Deal?" Cai Hong raised his eyebrow and summoned his staff from his storage ring.

"Deal!" Mian Hua brandished her greatsword.

"Uh..." Mo Xing was momentarily speechless. The two seniors always bickered when they met, but he was getting used to it.

"Mo Xing, pay attention!" Cai Hong suddenly turned and smiled.

"Huh?" Mo Xing asked, puzzled.

"Watch how an Elementalist strategizes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Cai Hong flashed away, disappearing from sight.