Qin Ming grinned and said, "Alright, introduce yourself to everyone."
Yin Xuan took a look around the classroom, locking eyes with a few curious glances, and replied in a calm voice, "I'm Yin Xuan. My Spirit is Shadow Demon Grass. I'm a Rank 26, two-ring attack system Battle Spirit Master. Hope you'll treat me well."
The moment those words left his mouth, the whole classroom erupted. Whispers everywhere. Most students stared, clearly unsure what to make of Yin Xuan.
Qin Ming just chuckled. "Yin Xuan, grab any empty seat and settle in."
Yin Xuan nodded. The classroom was spacious—plenty of spots to choose from.
A short while later, class wrapped up. With Qin Ming gone, people streamed out. But not everyone left. A good number stayed behind, all eyes on Yin Xuan, sizing him up.
Someone finally spoke up. "Shadow Demon Grass... Never heard of a clan with that Spirit here in Heaven Dou City. Are you from somewhere else?"
A girl stepped forward, hips swaying, checking out Yin Xuan from head to toe. Her peach-blossom eyes looked him over, and she ran her tongue over her lips.
"I'm not from around here, and the Shadow Demon Grass is actually a mutation," Yin Xuan explained. No way he'd reveal the Blue Silver Emperor, so 'Shadow Demon Grass' was just a stand-in name.
The girl smiled and played with her hair. "Thought so. What's special about your Spirit? Why'd you go for the attack system?"
Yin Xuan met her gaze, a flicker of challenge in his eyes. "Want to find out for yourself?"
"Sure!" She laughed, extending her hand. "I'm Dugu Yan. My Spirit is the Bilin Snake. I'm a Rank 28, two-ring control system Battle Spirit Master!"
Yin Xuan looked surprised.
A guy whistled from behind, mocking, "Careful, Big Sis—he looks soft and delicate, don't bully him too hard!"
Another chimed in, "If he cries after you beat him, you'll have to cheer him up!"
Dugu Yan didn't even glance at them. Her smile was genuine, eyes gleaming. "Relax. My spirit power's a bit higher than yours, but I'll go easy. I won't hurt you."
Yin Xuan grinned, "If I win, you'll show me around and help me get settled—deal?"
Before Dugu Yan could say anything, the crowd gasped.
"No way! Did he just say he's gonna beat Big Sis, and he's two ranks lower?"
"What is he, nuts? Outsiders really don't know their limits!"
"Let him taste your Bilin Snake Poison, Big Sis!"
Dugu Yan ignored the noise, flashed Yin Xuan a sweet smile, and replied, "If you really beat me, I'll even let you be my boyfriend."
Everyone fell silent. Eyes wide. Some students were literally checking their ears, wondering if they'd heard right.
Yin Xuan just chuckled, "Hey, don't be hasty—think before you leap."
Dugu Yan blushed, murmuring, "Can't help it. You're just… good-looking."
Yin Xuan heard her crystal clear; it threw him off. Looks matter, apparently—a lot. For once, he realized that being strong wasn't everything.
She took his hand. "Come on. Let's find a quiet spot to spar."
With everyone watching, the two slipped out.
—
They walked together in a shaded part of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's forest. Dugu Yan showed him the area. "Spirit Masters with plant types usually train here," she said. "I come here too sometimes."
Yin Xuan looked around. Lots of people training, all spaced out, keeping to themselves.
"Thanks for pointing it out," he said.
Dugu Yan laughed. "It's nothing. Just remember to respect people's space. Some of these guys are Tian Dou Level students—arrogant, from noble families. They treat their own kind and anyone above them well, but they look down on everyone else. It's pretty nasty."
"So why are you so nice to me?" Yin Xuan asked, still smiling.
She shrugged. "I'm not a noble. I've got no title—free as a bird. The only reason I can study here is my grandpa. He's a Titled Douluo."
Yin Xuan smiled. "Shouldn't that make you even snobbier?"
Dugu Yan wagged a finger. "Nope! The higher your status, the more careful you need to be with how you act."
Yin Xuan nodded. "That actually makes sense."
She paused, playing with her hair as her cheeks reddened. "Honestly... Your looks are totally my type."
Yin Xuan was floored. That had to be the main reason she was so friendly.
Dugu Yan lifted her chin, arching an eyebrow. "If I win, you're my boyfriend. Deal?"
Yin Xuan felt a bead of sweat—awkward, but he managed a laugh. "Alright. If you win, I'm yours."
She looked dead serious. "Don't joke. I mean it."
"I'm not joking," he replied.
"Good!" she said, grinning like she'd already won. "Get ready to be my boyfriend, then!"
Soon, they reached a wide clearing in the forest, barely anyone else around.
"We can use a thirty-meter radius for our match," Dugu Yan said.
Yin Xuan agreed. With all these plants, he'd have plenty of options. Plus, Dugu Yan only had two spirit rings, neither of which gave her direct attacking Spirit Abilities.
Her first Spirit Ability was 'Bilin Red Poison'—a poison boosting attack and speed. The second, 'Bilin Blue Poison,' numbed pain and boosted defense a little.
"Ready when you are."
Dugu Yan moved confidently. As she released her Bilin Snake Spirit, two yellow rings floated behind her. Her hair turned emerald green, her eyes shifted to snakelike slits, and her aura spiked.
Yin Xuan watched, fascinated. He didn't feel intimidated—actually, she looked even more interesting in this form.
He summoned the Dark Blue Silver Emperor in his right palm, two purple rings glowing fiercely behind him.
Dugu Yan's jaw dropped. "Wait—that's purple? Both? Thousand-Year Spirit Rings?"
She couldn't believe what she was seeing.