Volume One: Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 64: Shi Yan and I Are in the Same Group

“Great Master?” Mo Xing patted his chest. “How do you walk without making any sound… You startled me!”

“There is sound when I walk, I just hide it,” Zhang Zhihao replied with a calm smile. He walked past Mo Xing and gave Mentor Chen Mosi a slight bow. “Good day, Mentor Mosi.”

Before Zhang Zhihao had finished speaking, Mentor Chen Mosi rushed forward and hugged him, her face alight with joy.

“Little Zhang, it’s been so long! Your teacher has missed you dearly~” Mentor Chen Mosi exclaimed.

“I only just attended your class this morning,” Zhang Zhihao replied blandly. “And besides, Mentor, you’re being too enthusiastic. If people see, they might get the wrong idea.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. If anyone has a problem, I’ll just teach them a lesson!” Mentor Chen Mosi smiled.

“N-no, I wouldn’t dare say a word,” Mo Xing suddenly blurted out.

He regretted it the moment he spoke. He had no idea why he’d said that, and now both of them were looking at him curiously.

“Little Mo Xing, you really are adorable~” Mentor Chen Mosi said with a smile.

“Indeed,” Zhang Zhihao echoed with a laugh.

“Er…” Mo Xing was at a loss for words.

“Everyone, please assemble at Arena Seven.”

Suddenly, a voice sounded in their ears. Mo Xing glanced around, but it wasn’t coming from a loudspeaker, nor were there any other people nearby except for Zhang Zhihao and Mentor Chen Mosi.

Where was that voice coming from?

“Mentor Yunzhou has activated [Sound Domain],” Zhang Zhihao explained, as if reading his mind.

“[Sound Domain]?” Mo Xing was puzzled. “What’s that?”

“It’s a domain skill that manipulates the volume and propagation of sound,” Mentor Chen Mosi explained. “Remember the day the results of the freshman assessment were announced?”

“I remember, it wasn’t that long ago,” Mo Xing nodded.

“In such a vast square, the mentors didn’t use loudspeakers. Instead, they used [Sound Domain] to communicate with you all.”

“Oh… I see!” Mo Xing exclaimed, the realization dawning on him. “So it’s basically a skill with a built-in loudspeaker function!”

“More or less, but [Sound Domain] is more complex than that,” Zhang Zhihao said, patting Mo Xing’s shoulder. “Let’s talk more later. We should go assemble now.”

“Oh… Alright!” Mo Xing wanted to ask more, but his curiosity was quickly subdued by the presence of the great Zhang Zhihao.

Forget it, I’ll ask next time if I get the chance.

A moment later.

Over a hundred people had gathered at Arena Seven. Their faces varied, as did their makeup, but they all shared one thing in common—they were all elites of the Sacred Sky Royal Academy!

Of course, I’m the exception, Mo Xing thought with a bitter smile. I’m just a “colorful extra” sandwiched between the strong, like a speck of dust in the air—somewhat unnecessary, a little self-conscious.

“Hey~ Mo Xing, you’re here too!”

A familiar voice sounded nearby. Mo Xing turned quickly to see Shiyan smiling gently at him.

She wore a light gray, wide-necked t-shirt with a pale yellow cardigan. Her black hair was braided back, and her deep blue eyes sparkled with a lively glimmer.

“L-long time no see, Shiyan!” Mo Xing scratched his head. “You look really nice today.”

“Haha, thank you!” Shiyan laughed, then asked, “Which group are you in?”

“Well… I’m not sure. I was with Great Master Zhang Zhihao and them…” Mo Xing turned to point, only to find that Zhang Zhihao and Mentor Chen Mosi had vanished!

“Huh? Where did they go?” Mo Xing was shocked. How had he gotten separated just by following them?

“You’re in President Zhang’s group too?” Shiyan said. “I’ll take you. I’m in Group One as well.”

Before Mo Xing could react, Shiyan took his wrist and led him through the crowd.

In the hazy confusion, he could feel the warmth of her palm.

So warm…

Deep inside, it was like a small bridge over flowing water, carrying the gentle sound of a stream.

People around them turned to look, some with surprise, others shaking their heads and sighing, as if Mo Xing and Shiyan were star-crossed lovers meeting for a romantic rendezvous…

Of course, these were just Mo Xing’s own impressions—he was lost in his sentimental imaginings.

In reality, many looked at Mo Xing with eyes burning with envy or even resentment. They were the admirers of Goddess Shiyan, outstanding students in every field, and yet a mere freshman had managed to steal the spotlight?

During the opening weeks, there had been plenty of rumors about Mo Xing and Shiyan, all of which had turned out to be false. But now, was Mo Xing really trying to turn fiction into reality? Did he really think so highly of himself? Did he not see his own standing?

At this thought, the onlooking tough guys clenched their fists, making cracking sounds.

Mo Xing, you little brat, we’ll deal with you sooner or later!

“We’re here!” Shiyan let go of his hand.

“Oh!” Mo Xing snapped out of his reverie, completely unaware of how much envy he had just drawn upon himself.

Three people stood before him. In the center was Great Master Zhang Zhihao, his usual calm smile like the setting sun, as if saying, “Mo Xing, you finally made it.”

Standing to the right was Xia Ningxin, the ice-cold queen. She was idly combing her pale gold hair, still exuding a certain chill, though not as piercing as before—perhaps because Zhang Zhihao was beside her, balancing warmth and cold.

On the left was a young man with regular features and bright, piercing eyes. A small mole adorned his square face. He wore a black-and-white headband with letters on it, cropped hair as thick as a finger, and a black checkered shirt over a white t-shirt. His whole demeanor radiated spirit.

“Hello, Mo Xing.” He noticed Mo Xing and walked over, extending his right hand.

“Hello!” Mo Xing hurried to shake his hand, only to notice the many scars crisscrossing the other’s arm. He couldn’t help but gasp.

“Wh-why so many scars?”

“Just little wounds—think of them as ordinary marks,” the young man explained.

“Alright then!” Mo Xing took a deep breath, wondering how many battles this person must have been through to be so scarred.

“I’m glad to meet you, Mo Xing, and…” He paused, nodding slightly to Shiyan. “Vice President Shiyan.”

“Yes, I know you,” Shiyan replied. “We met during the student council recruitment interviews.”

“You’re a new member of the council this year?” Mo Xing asked in surprise. “May I ask your name?”

“Wu Dance,” he replied.

“Wu Dance? That sounds familiar—I think the seniors have mentioned you before,” Mo Xing mused, scratching his head, though he couldn’t quite recall.

“He was first in this year’s freshman assessment,” Shiyan said.

“What? Top of the freshman assessment!” Mo Xing exclaimed.

“Oh, it was just a ranking,” Wu Dance waved it off. “I was just lucky; honestly, my abilities aren’t much different from many others in our year.”

Seriously?

No need to be so modest, right?

Just lucky? Abilities on par with others?

Are all the prodigies so humble these days?

“Alright,” Zhang Zhihao stepped forward. “Now that we all know each other, the five of us will be a team for the Dragonfang Island mission, so let’s look out for one another.”

“Understood, President Zhang!” Wu Dance responded.

“Alright! Let’s take care of each other!” Mo Xing nodded.

“I suppose that’s fine,” Shiyan said, her gaze drifting away.

“Let’s hope so,” Xia Ningxin replied curtly.

It seemed like a normal conversation, but Mo Xing felt that something was off.

By rights, when two girls who know each other meet, they should at least greet or acknowledge each other. But when Shiyan and Xia Ningxin met, they neither made eye contact nor spoke—it felt as if there was some unresolved conflict between them.

It had been the same at the exit tunnel of the Hades training ground. When the other student council officers saw Xia Ningxin, they all saluted her—even the arrogant Li Qingchi would give way. But Shiyan didn’t spare her a glance.

There must be some kind of misunderstanding or tension between them!

“Is everyone here?” a voice sounded in their ears, pulling Mo Xing back to the present. Mentor Su Yunzhou now stood at the very center of the arena, clad in a golden robe embroidered with dragon patterns, surrounded by purple rings of light—none other than [Sound Domain]!

“I’ve called you here for something urgent,” Su Yunzhou announced. “There’s been a change of plans. The situation on Dragonfang Island has become critical, and Han Chuan Academy has requested immediate support from our school.”

“So please pack your things tonight and be here at six o’clock tomorrow morning. The school has arranged an airship to take you on the expedition to Dragonfang Island!”

“Yes, sir!” everyone responded in unison.

“Alright, dismissed!” Su Yunzhou waved his hand, and in a flash of violet light, vanished from the center of the arena.

The crowd began to disperse from the arena without protest, as if this sort of thing was perfectly normal for them, always prepared for an expedition. This surprised Mo Xing somewhat.

“Let’s go, back to the dorm,” Zhang Zhihao said, patting Mo Xing’s shoulder.

“Oh, alright,” Mo Xing nodded, glancing once more at Shiyan.

“See you tomorrow!” Shiyan smiled at him.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow!” Mo Xing replied.

“See you all tomorrow!” Wu Dance waved.

“Remember to pack well and arrive on time,” Zhang Zhihao reminded them with a smile.

“Of course!” Wu Dance replied.

“Mhm,” Xia Ningxin added simply.

As the sun set, the five of them went their separate ways to their dormitories.

...

Night deepened.

Level three underground of the Sacred Sky Royal Academy.

The Crystal Prison.

Made from [Silence Stone], which suppresses elemental power, the Crystal Prison housed the academy’s most dangerous individuals.

A young man lay on a wooden cot, his hands bound in [Silence Shackles]. He wore a relatively clean prison uniform, eyes closed as if meditating.

“You’re here?” he suddenly said.

The visitor paused outside. The corridor’s oil lamps cast a dim light, obscuring the face of the “visitor.”

The young man didn’t even open his eyes, continuing to rest as if he knew exactly who it was—an old acquaintance, so familiar he could never mistake them.

The visitor drew a ring of bronze keys from his pocket, the seven keys of varying lengths jingling in the air.

The visitor spoke blandly:

“Long time no see, Li Qingchi.”

—Idle Words at the Edge of the Cliff—

A reader group for “Dragon and Youth” has been established. All are welcome to join!

QQ Group: 636946569