Chapter 496 - Gu Yue Returns (1/2)

Tang Wulin smiled at Luo Guixing. “Hmm? You guys still aren’t convinced? Want another go at it?”

Luo Guixing shrugged. “We just want to see how much we’ve grown and you guys are the best opponents to compare our strength with. Even though we probably won’t win, we still want to try. We’ve been training our asses off to reach you guys.”

Tang Wulin nodded. “Alright. When?”

“How about tomorrow afternoon? We’ll have nothing to do tomorrow after the morning opening ceremony. The losers pay for the arena rental fee. What do you say?”

“Sounds good,” said Tang Wulin, a quirk to his lips. It was good to compare notes with his classmates, and he had absolute confidence in his comrades.

“Class President, you better not underestimate us! We’ve grown a lot stronger. Our teamwork has improved too. We won’t make the same mistake as last time.” A sheepish smile slid across Luo Guixing’s lips. “But how about you guys lay off that soul fusion skill? It’s just too overpowered. Plus, isn’t the backlash quite large?”

Tang Wulin chuckled, soft and low. “Guixing, the way you’re talking just shows how little confidence you got! You don’t have any chance of winning to begin with if you keep this up.” He saw right through Luo Guixing, his little plans and schemes. Luckily for his classmate, he didn’t plan on using theDragon God Transformation anyway. Old Tang had advised him not to.

“Great. See ya tomorrow.” And off Luo Guixing went.

As soon as he was gone, Tang Wulin made his way to his workshop. He didn’t bother notifying his friends about the challenge. Despite having not forged for a while, he was surprised at how much better the hammers felt in his hands than before. He chalked it up to the improvement in his blood essence and senses, and having some time to settle down. His alloy forging success rate increased, as well as the quality of his products. After an afternoon of work, he produced a piece with a harmony rate of eighty-nine percent, which prompted a grin from Yuanen Yehui upon his delivery. By the time he finished and left for his dormitory, it was already evening.

Xie Xie wasn’t anywhere to be seen and Gu Yue had yet to return. Tang Wulin knitted his brows, concern tickling his heart. He pulled out his soul communicator and called Gu Yue.

“Wulin?” She picked up immediately. His body instantly relaxed at the sound of her voice.

“Yeah. It’s me. School starts tomorrow. How come you aren’t back yet? Where are you?”

“Hehe. I’m almost there. I’ve got you some tasty treats. Just wait a moment and I’ll see you.”

“I’ll meet you at the gates,” Tang Wulin blurted out. It surprised him, this impatience in his heart, and he hadn’t a clue why those words left his mouth.

“Okay!”

Tang Wulin leaped off his bed, threw on some shoes, and ran out of his room, the door slamming shut behind him. And Xu Lizhi had watched him leave, a wry smile forming on his lips.

During his sprint, Tang Wulin bumped into Xie Xie a soon as he was one step off the dormitory grounds.

“Woah! Boss, you’re back?” Xie Xie asked. Drenched in sweat and coated with dust, he cut quite the sorry figure. His hair was sticking to his face in a disheveled mess, his complexion a bit pale.

“What have you been up to? You’re a mess,” Tang Wulin said, looking Xie Xie up and down.

Xie Xie’s eyes lit up. “It’s a secret!”

“Fine fine.” Tang Wulin knew when not to pry. He waved Xie Xie goodbye and continued running toward the academy gates.

A few moments later, Xie Xie found himself in front of a sink. He washed his face of sweat and dust. Rinsed his hair. He turned off the sink and felt refreshed, the water still dripping from his face and hair.

It made him cringe to think about the training he put himself through. But he could only blame himself. If he hadn’t been so quick to ask Liang Xiaoyu for guidance that day, he wouldn’t have to endure such excruciating training.