Volume One: Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 63: You, Don’t Leave After School!

Mo Xing unleashed the “Grip of Coldwater,” grasping the upper wall of the tunnel entrance. Suspended in midair like a monkey, she swung herself forward, leaving Lin Ke behind. In truth, she had no idea how she managed it; a sudden intuition told her this move would work. The massive claw of water elements briefly solidified on the wall, bearing her weight, then, taking advantage of the claw’s tensile force, she successfully swung herself across.

Though it seemed to defy the laws of physics, this was another world—what couldn’t happen here?

Let us row our oars!

At the peak of her joy, the peculiar momentum flung her out of control.

“Ahhh, I’m losing control—!”

As her head was about to hit the ground, a figure dashed forward and caught her. The impact was too much, and both of them tumbled to the floor.

“You…”

Mo Xing found herself sprawled atop Lin Ke, their faces barely a breath apart. Suddenly, a burning flush spread across her cheeks.

“Hush, as long as you understand. Don’t tell anyone…” Lin Ke paused. “You win. Now, please get off me.”

“Ah… sorry, sorry!”

Mo Xing scrambled up, her face even redder, and picked up the “Frostless Divine Staff” lying nearby.

Lin Ke also got up, patting the dust from his clothes.

“I truly apologize…” Mo Xing stammered.

“It’s fine. Let’s hurry—otherwise, the others will catch up.” Lin Ke’s expression was unconcerned.

“All right… sorry again. I’ll be going then.” Mo Xing glanced back at him, then ran toward the end of the passage.

Lin Ke watched her disappear into the distance, touched her own feverish cheek, and sighed. Thankfully, the light in the tunnel was dim, and Mo Xing hadn’t noticed her flushed face.

She was, in truth, a girl. She had cut her hair and altered her voice, disguising herself as a boy only to fulfill her mission: to prove her worth at the Sacred Sky Royal Academy and bring honor to her family.

She was born in Floating Cloud Village, renowned for a mysterious technique called “Rainbow.” The specifics were unknown to her, but one rule was clear: this technique was passed down only to sons, never daughters.

Unless—

A girl could make a name for herself at Aslant’s most prestigious academy, Sacred Sky Royal Academy.

She was the seventh child—and the seventh daughter—in her family. All six elder sisters had tried for this honor, but each failed in the end. Her parents’ hair had turned white, her sisters married off far away, and now, as the family’s last hope, if she too failed to inherit “Rainbow,” the family line would end, and they’d become a laughingstock.

So she had to distinguish herself at the academy!

She had to prove herself!

Girls could be strong too!

To become more relentless and powerful, she had no choice but to masquerade as a boy.

Since entering the academy, only a few instructors knew this secret. And Mo Xing… you are the only student to know.

At this moment—

Mo Xing was dashing madly around the outskirts of the Hades Training Grounds.

After their unfortunate collision, her previous suspicion was confirmed!

Lin Ke… was truly a girl!

Her feelings were all in turmoil—so complicated!

Would running off like this be letting her down? Would she hate her?

No, no! She was the one who told me to go!

But did I really just leave? Shouldn’t I have stayed and begged forgiveness?

“Hey, Mo Xing!”

Mo Xing snapped out of her thoughts to see Mentor Chen Musi waving at her not far away. Xiaofeng was sitting nearby, the ice on his arm nearly melted.

“Where are you running off to? The class is gathering here,” Chen Musi puffed out her cheeks.

“Ah, sorry, I’ll come right over…” Mo Xing realized she’d run too far and hurried back to her mentor’s side.

“What’s with you? Didn’t I tell you to keep your distance? Why are you back?” Chen Musi asked.

“I thought it was safer here…” Mo Xing scratched her head. “And didn’t you call me over just now…”

“Hmm…” Chen Musi approached and pinched Mo Xing’s cheek.

“Ouch…” Mo Xing quickly waved her hand. “Don’t pinch my face, Mentor Musi!”

“Mentor Musi~ I want to pinch your face too!” Xiaofeng called out.

“Get lost.” Chen Musi shot him a frosty glare. “You little pervert!”

“Boohoo, why do you treat your students so differently?” Xiaofeng pretended to sob.

“Why do you smell like a girl?” Chen Musi looked Mo Xing up and down. “Don’t tell me you were hiding in the girls’ restroom?”

“N-no! I just… went to Windmill Valley! There are a lot of flowers and plants there. I must have picked up their scent! That’s it, floral scent!” Mo Xing insisted.

“Oh?” Chen Musi chuckled and finally released her.

“By the way, Mentor Musi, I have a question… but I’m not sure if I should ask…” Mo Xing rubbed her pinched cheek.

“Go ahead,” Chen Musi replied, flicking her hair. The white earrings shimmered in the sunlight.

So beautiful…

No, no! I mustn’t be fooled by appearances.

Mentor Musi is really a witch! A capricious little enchantress, constantly exuding charm! Of course, these words could only be muttered inwardly.

“Well, out with it!” Chen Musi pouted, growing impatient.

“It’s just… why are you so hostile toward Xiaofeng? Did he do something wrong?” Mo Xing asked, scratching her head.

“Him? He’s a total pervert! He often harasses the girls, and once tried to show off his power by unleashing a gust of wind, which blew up all the girls’ skirts. He’s on every girl’s blacklist now,” Chen Musi shook her head.

“That’s not my fault! Why were they all wearing skirts that day?” Xiaofeng wailed.

“Save your excuses.” Chen Musi shot him another cold look. “And another time, he challenged someone to a duel and blew my bedding off the lawn outside the teachers’ dorm.”

“Not my fault either! That guy stole my girl. I just happened to run into him on the teachers’ lawn. I was just standing up for myself!” Xiaofeng protested.

“And you think you’re fit to challenge others?” Chen Musi laughed. “My little Mo Xing is much more obedient—never causing trouble~”

“Uh…” Mo Xing blushed, scratching her head. Suddenly, she saw a group of students running over, led by none other than the Dean of Students—Xue Dinghai!

“Dean Xue, what’s wrong?” Chen Musi saw the irritation on Xue Dinghai’s face.

“Mentor Musi! Look at what your student has done!” Xue Dinghai scolded. “I was just taking a walk through Windmill Valley, and when I returned, I found the entire passage blocked!”

“That passage is pretty wide. How could it be blocked?” Chen Musi asked, puzzled.

“It wasn’t people—it was ice pillars!” Xue Dinghai spread his hands. “Ice pillars this big!”

“That’s a bit exaggerated, isn’t it? They’re only kids at the Greenwood Tier…” Chen Musi smiled faintly.

“I’m not exaggerating. That’s exactly how it is,” Xue Dinghai retorted.

“Mentor Musi… actually, it was me…” Mo Xing spoke up.

She couldn’t stand by and watch her mentor be blamed, so she stepped forward and admitted her mistake.

“You?” Chen Musi was surprised—a Greenwood Tier student had managed such a feat?

“It really was me. I froze the passage to escape them,” Mo Xing said, embarrassed. “The others can vouch for me.”

At these words, everyone fell silent for a couple of seconds.

The students were in awe of the towering ice wall and looked at Mo Xing with newfound respect, while the two mentors saw boundless potential in her, though they kept it to themselves.

“It’s all right. I’ll handle whatever comes up,” Chen Musi said with a smile to Mo Xing, then turned sharply to Xue Dinghai. “Dean Xue, you’re making a fuss over something so trivial?”

Xue Dinghai frowned, then sighed, “I’m not here just to nitpick. I actually need to talk to Mo Xing.”

“About what?” Mo Xing asked.

“Don’t leave after class. There’s a meeting with the senior students about the Dragonfang Island operation,” Xue Dinghai replied.

“Oh… all right.” Mo Xing nodded. In just a few days, she’d be setting off for Dragonfang Island for an aid mission. Time was passing quickly.

“That’s all. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, Dean Xue turned and walked away.

As he vanished at the end of the training grounds, the students, who had been silent all this time, erupted with excitement:

“Mo Xing, you’re amazing!”

“Yeah! You froze half the passage!”

“Boss, take me as your follower! I want in!”

“Me too, me too!”

“Make sure to look after us in the future!”

“Uh… well…” Mo Xing scratched her head, wondering how things had turned into a fan club meeting all over again.

“All right, everyone,” Chen Musi called the group to order. “There’s still some time—let’s have a quick course review.”

Half an hour later—

After finishing the meeting and sharing some combat tips, Mentor Musi dismissed the class. Lin Ke exchanged a glance with Mo Xing, then left with the others. Xiaofeng’s complaints faded into the distance, and talk of Dean Xue soon vanished into thin air.

“Mentor Musi, aren’t you leaving?” Mo Xing asked, noticing the training grounds were nearly empty.

“I have a meeting too~” Chen Musi replied with a smile. “I’m also here to pick you up after class, little one~”

“Uh… Mentor Musi, your way of speaking is quite interesting,” Mo Xing remarked.

“Oh? How so?” Chen Musi asked, curious.

“How should I put it?” Mo Xing hesitated. She couldn’t say her mentor was capricious—she’d be dead for sure—so she put it another way: “Other people can only prepare one dish, but you can make many.”

“That’s about how it feels,” she added.

“Hahaha, you’re quite amusing. No wonder so many people like you, even Xiao Zhang,” Chen Musi said with a smile.

“Xiao Zhang? You mean Zhang Zhihao, the legend?” Mo Xing asked.

“That’s right. It’s me.”

A familiar voice spoke behind her.

Mo Xing turned around, stunned—Zhang Zhihao was right there!

Heavens!

Speak of the devil and he appears!

Can’t you at least make some noise when you walk?

—Idle Chatter by the Pit—

Tomorrow morning at nine, the novel will update, and the reader group will be announced. All are welcome to join (^_^)／