Yao Xuan slowly opened his eyes, the transparent system panel fading from his view. 'A 1.2% increase. At this rate, it will take about eighty days to reach level 6. That's slower than I'd like.' A slight frown touched his brow before smoothing away. 'But it's to be expected with this basic technique. Once I complete the system mission and get the [Creation Soul Forging Technique] and [Enhanced Meditation], my speed will skyrocket. Patience.'
"Brother Xuan?" a tentative voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Tang Wulin, looking at him with a mixture of envy and hope. "I... I'm having some trouble with the meditation. Could you guide me a little?"
Due to his Blue Silver Grass martial soul and low innate soul power, Tang Wulin had received minimal direct attention from Lin Ximeng. After a whole afternoon, he could barely sense the ambient soul power but repeatedly failed to draw it in. He looked to Yao Xuan, who had succeeded on his first try, as his only hope.
"Of course, I'd be happy to help. What seems to be the problem?" Yao Xuan replied, his tone warm and encouraging. Internally, he was pleased; this was another perfect opportunity.
"Thank you, Brother Xuan! You're amazing!"
Tang Wulin's questions were foundational, and for Yao Xuan with his [Enhanced Comprehension], they were trivial to answer. With a few simple, clear pointers, the confusion on Tang Wulin's face cleared, replaced by understanding and deep admiration.
"It's no trouble at all. If you have any more questions in the future, just come to me," Yao Xuan said cheerfully.
'Excellent! Three more points. He truly is my lucky star.' A satisfied smile graced his lips as he immediately allocated the new points.
The familiar warmth spread through him, and he felt his physical capabilities inch upward once more, his body thrumming with latent power. He was now tantalizingly close to the 1% milestone.
"Children, class is dismissed. You may go home, or you are welcome to stay and continue meditating," Lin Ximeng announced, marking the end of the school day.
With Lin Ximeng staying behind for academy duties, Yao Xuan took the key she offered and headed home alone.
He walked through the streets of Aolai City, his enhanced senses passively absorbing the details of this new world. It was then that a small, solitary figure by the roadside snagged his attention.
A little girl with short, silver hair. Her face was fair but smudged with dust, her clothes simple and a bit worn, yet she carried an innate, captivating grace that made her stand out. Her eyes were extraordinary—long silver lashes framing large, bright eyes with pupils like clear amethyst, deep enough to see one's reflection.
'It's her. The future Silver Dragon King. The sovereign of soul beasts. Gu Yuena.' His breath caught. 'I never imagined she would be this captivating, even as a child. The system was right; our paths have crossed first.'
As if sensing his gaze, the little girl slowly looked up. Their eyes met. Hers were filled with a profound confusion and a deep, unsettling bewilderment that belied her age.
"Hey little girl, where are your parents?"
The coarse voice shattered the moment. From across the street, a group of young men with punk hairstyles and shabby clothes swaggered over, their leering eyes immediately drawn to the unique silver-haired child. They surrounded her. The girl ignored them, lowering her head again.
"Silver hair like that... really rare. Maybe she's from another continent, a different race. Look at those eyes too. Boss, what if we sold her to the black market? We could get a good price," one of them suggested in a low voice.
"Not a bad idea. The folks on the black market would pay a fortune for a unique one like her. Let's do it," the tallest one, the leader, nodded. He bent down, a fake, oily smile plastered on his face. "Hey there, little girl. You hungry? How about I take you to get something good to eat?"
The little girl shook her head vigorously, her eyes flashing with a disdain that was ancient and cold.
"Tch. Don't like friendly offers, huh? Don't blame me for being rough then!" The leader's smile vanished, replaced by a malicious glare. He reached out to roughly grab her arm, while his companions fanned out, blocking the scene from the view of passersby.
Yao Xuan's body moved before his mind fully processed the command. A cold anger, fierce and protective, surged through him. This was not just any child; this was *Gu Yuena*. And they were mere insects daring to threaten a dragon.
"Take your hands off her," Yao Xuan said, his voice low but cutting through the air like a whip. He stepped forward, his small frame suddenly seeming much larger as he placed himself between the thugs and the silver-haired girl.