The massive gates surrounding the square slowly opened, and several spatial gates appeared simultaneously, leading to various recruitment areas. This allowed the examinees to choose between walking out into the towering city or returning to their respective recruitment areas to pack their bags.
Since Zhang Ye and Lina had their belongings stored in their space rings, they didn't need to head back.
“Brother Ye, are you guys going back?” Renomon walked over and asked.
Zhang Ye shook his head. “Nope. How about you, Lina?”
“I’m not going back either.”
Renomon immediately grinned. “Then let’s go wander around All Souls City. I’ve always wanted to come here.”
Zhang Ye asked, “Is that All Souls City right outside? What kind of place is it?”
Lina explained as she stroked Gujiu, “All Souls City is the capital of the All Souls Empire. There are twelve main cities in the empire, all named All Souls City. This one should be All Souls Main City No. 3, where All Souls Academy is located.”
Zhang Ye nodded. “I see. Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get going... Hey, where’s Nan?”
Zhang Ye looked left and right but couldn't find any sign of Nan.
“He didn't slip away on his own, did he?” Zhang Ye peered around, searching for Nan’s figure.
Lina and Renomon couldn't help but laugh.
Renomon said, “That’s just how Nan is—a loner. He’s the same whether he’s out in the world or back with his family.”
Zhang Ye asked curiously, “You know him?”
“The Salomon family and the Thunderclap family have had exchanges before. Most of them were fine, but Nan... as the main star of the exchange back then, he only showed his face twice during the entire event.” Renomon shook his head.
Zhang Ye grimaced. “I see...”
Not fitting in, being a loner—that also meant being lonely.
Loneliness was what people feared most...
But it didn't matter!
Once they entered the academy, he would make sure to set things up for the guy, ensuring he felt a warmth he had never experienced before!
Yes, that was the plan!
After all, Zhang Ye was a total warm guy.
The three of them walked out of the training grounds together. Beyond the walls stood a ring of fully armed soldiers; it was clear this secret realm was heavily guarded.
Stepping past the outer walls, a magnificent city immediately came into view.
Good grief, this main city was at least a hundred times larger than Bailing City!
Looking at the European-style architecture, it was full of Western flair. Everywhere he looked, there were ornate houses. In the distance stood a cathedral with a large plaza in front, featuring a massive six-winged angel statue in the center.
Everything was so gorgeous and grand, perfectly matching the otherworldly splendor Zhang Ye had imagined!
“This is... way too pretty!” Zhang Ye was incredibly excited, his eyes practically sparkling just like Lina’s.
As for Lina... the stars in her eyes had been twinkling for a while now.
“Let’s find an inn first. We have to stay here for three days,” Zhang Ye said.
Renomon chuckled. “No need. My big sister has already arranged a manor for me.”
“I see, that works...” Zhang Ye nodded. Before he could finish his sentence, a red figure appeared before them.
The three of them were startled, but then Renomon and Zhang Ye both spoke up with expressions of pleasant surprise.
“Big Sister...”
“Big Nana!”
Renomon: “?”
Renomon turned to look at Zhang Ye, his face full of bewilderment.
Brother Ye, something is wrong with you.
Big Nana?
Is he calling Leona that?
Good lord! Aren't you afraid Big Sister will beat you to death?!
Just as Renomon expected Zhang Ye to get scolded, Leona spoke with a smile. “It seems you two get along quite well.”
Zhang Ye leaned on Renomon’s shoulder and laughed. “Of course! We’re Good Brothers now!”
Renomon looked at his sister in shock, then back at Zhang Ye, his gaze darting between the two.
Wait... shouldn't Zhang Ye be getting beaten until he cried?
You had to know that a battle-maniac like Leona hated soft, mushy nicknames like that the most.
Big Nana... Renomon was certain that if he called Leona that, he would definitely be beaten until he wailed.
Something was up!
Something was very wrong!
But as a total blockhead, Renomon didn't know where the problem lay, so he eventually just attributed it to them having a good relationship.
After all, Leona was Zhang Ye’s instructor, and Zhang Ye was Leona’s first and only student. It was only natural they were close.
“Have you two fought yet?” Leona asked. “How did it feel?”
Zhang Ye nodded. “We did. My brother-in-law is very strong; few people in the same tier are a match for him. Then I taught him the Hydrogen-Oxygen Enhancement Formation. I’m sure he’ll become even stronger!”
Renomon scratched his head and smiled. This confident, powerful man actually appeared quite shy in front of his older sister.
“Brother Ye is the truly impressive one. I was no match for him at all. And the enhancement circle he taught me is seriously powerful. I’m really grateful to him!”
Hearing this, Leona burst into laughter.
One was her own younger brother, and the other was her first student. No matter which one was stronger, she was happy.
“By the way, Xiao Ye’er, let me ask you a question,” Leona said suddenly.
Since Zhang Ye called Leona “Big Nana,” she had started calling him “Xiao Ye-ye.” However, she eventually found it too mushy; Zhang Ye didn't react much, but she gave herself goosebumps. So, her nickname for him became “Xiao Ye.”
But when she said “Ye,” she liked to add a little curl to the end, so it became “Xiao Ye’er.”
“Sure, ask away,” Zhang Ye nodded.
“All those soul essences... it was because of you, wasn't it?” Leona smiled. Although it was a question, Zhang Ye could hear the certainty in her voice.
He gave an awkward laugh. “Ahahaha, how could that be... Yeah.”
He was surprised. Big Nana was too smart; she’d seen through him already?
As expected, Big Nana was the best—brains and beauty. He really loved that about her.
At this point, Renomon stepped forward. “It was all thanks to Brother Ye this time. Otherwise, I would have farmed forty million points at most and ended up heavily injured.”
Lina also nodded. “Mhm, Brother Ye was so good to us. He gave us so many points. All of mine were given to me by him. He only kept eighty million for himself.”
If the other examinees heard this, they would probably choke on their own spit.
Only? Eighty million was an “only”?
Why don't you guys just ascend to the heavens... fine, in the secret realm, Zhang Ye had not only ascended but also brought his buddies along with him.
He was seriously impressive!
“Even all of Nan’s points were given to him by Brother Ye!” Lina looked at Zhang Ye with a face full of adoration.
Zhang Ye’s performance this time had been too stunning. She had been by his side the whole time and knew just how exaggerated his actions were.
He had suppressed Samanra and Nan with absolute power, robbed several people multiple times, and worked with her to farm monsters with incredible efficiency.
Lina knew she was basically just eye candy, but Zhang Ye had taken her along to farm monsters and even let her prove her worth, making her feel like she wasn't useless. That was what she was most grateful for.
Later, Zhang Ye had saved Renomon, taking on hundreds of Flame Rock Beasts single-handedly, including a Tier Ten mid stage Flame Rock Beast!
Furthermore, Zhang Ye had been able to crack the secret realm’s taboo to rescue Labella. One had to realize that a taboo capable of restraining the Two-star Saint-tier Labella could only be a Saint-tier taboo. Yet Zhang Ye had cracked it with a Tier Seven cultivation, showing just how high his understanding of magic truly was.
Of all the things Zhang Ye had done, which Tier Seven peak could possibly replicate them?
Never mind a Tier Seven peak—just cracking that taboo was something even a Tier Ten peak might not be able to do!
Finally, Zhang Ye had led everyone to mine ore, gifted them unprecedented musical instruments, and performed beautiful songs for them. Time spent with him was always filled with laughter and joy.
Even the expressionless Nan had been influenced.
From the moment they entered the secret realm, Zhang Ye had been constantly radiating brilliance, and that light was only growing stronger.
Compared to Zhang Ye, Lina felt that aside from her status and background as a little princess of the Lionheart Royal Family, she had nothing that could compare. Even her status and background probably meant nothing to him.
Because in the future, he would surely become a world-shaking, peerless powerhouse.
Thinking of this, the starlight in Lina’s eyes dimmed slightly.
Did someone like her have the right to be Brother Ye’s friend?
Suddenly, a warm hand landed on Lina’s shoulder, and Zhang Ye flashed a brilliant smile.
“Actually, it’s all thanks to Lina. Otherwise, I wouldn't have even been able to farm points.”
This wasn't humility. Without Lina and her pseudo-Saint artifact, he wouldn't have been able to gather soul essences due to his system’s passive cultivation, nor would he have been able to use overwhelming force to restrain Samanra and Nan. Never mind taking Bolabo away, saving Renomon, or helping Labella break the taboo.
This was causality; Lina had played a crucial role in it all.
Lina’s eyes widened as she looked at Zhang Ye, the starlight in her gaze gradually brightening.
“Brother Ye...”
Upon hearing this, Leona laughed heroically. “As expected of my student!”
Zhang Ye gave a bashful smile and scratched his head. “But I still didn't manage to take a spot in the top three...”
Leona shook her head. “The only reason they’re in the top three is because of you. You don't need to sell yourself short. Therefore...”
At this point, she licked her red lips.
“The reward you deserve won't be missing.”
Upon hearing that, Zhang Ye’s breathing instantly became hot.
Renomon looked at the two of them in confusion and suddenly asked, “Reward? What reward?”
Zhang Ye chuckled. “Kids shouldn't ask so many questions.”
Lina, on the other hand, watched the two of them with burning eyes. Renomon didn't know, but she certainly did.
A kiss from Leona... she wanted that even in her dreams!
Leona smiled at her younger brother without saying more, then waved her hand. “Let’s go. We’ll talk more when we get back. First, let’s celebrate your success.”
“Yay!” Zhang Ye cheered, his mood reaching an all-time high.
“Can... Can I go too?” Lina asked a bit nervously.
Leona smiled. “Of course you can!”
...
...
Rate on N.U.
