Ye Lingling was quite slender, so Gu Yecheng didn't feel much weight as he carried her on his back—his steps were steady and sure.
Still, he felt somewhat helpless. She was no child, fully capable of walking on her own. Yet she insisted on being carried. If it hadn't been for the two meat pies he ate from her earlier, he'd never do something that damaged his cool and aloof image.
They made their way toward the carriage station, where travelers could rent or hire horse-drawn carriages. As long as one could pay the fare, a coachman would even be provided.
Though the speed of a soul master wasn't much slower than a carriage, who would willingly run the whole way to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy when they could arrive comfortably?
He paused briefly to adjust Ye Lingling on his back to ensure she wouldn't fall, then continued forward. The whole way, Gu Yecheng remained quiet, which made Ye Lingling a little unhappy.
Even though she knew he was the silent, brooding type, this was too much. She remembered how, back when he worked as a gardener, he'd always ignore her. While Aunt Gu had already helped her get some revenge yesterday, she still wanted him to talk to her first.
Recalling the two secret "moves" Aunt Gu had taught her, she nodded to herself—time to put one into action.
[Aunt Gu's Secret Move #1: Stir Up Jealousy]
"Yecheng, I have a secret to tell you. Want to hear it?" Ye Lingling said playfully.
"What secret?" Gu Yecheng replied.
Ye Lingling's eyes sparkled mischievously. "You know how I'm one of the top talents in Nuoding City? Three months ago, I was admitted into the elite class at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Technically, I'm your senior."
"Also… there's this super handsome guy in the elite class named Yufeng. His martial spirit is the Windchime Bird. He's a Rank 30+ Battle Soul Exalted."
"He confessed to me. He's older, but honestly, he's really good-looking. What do you think I should do?"
Gu Yecheng frowned. What was she trying to do? Was this her way of breaking up with him? But then again, they weren't even officially a couple yet, so where would a breakup even come from?
Still, his mother had told him last night—if he didn't manage to win Ye Lingling over, he shouldn't bother coming back home. And besides… he did like her.
So he replied decisively, "Then… just reject him. Tell him you already have a boyfriend. If he doesn't give up, I'll come with you and make him back off."
Heh, it worked! Ye Lingling grinned inwardly.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat and said with mock regret, "Sorry, but you're not my boyfriend—at least, not yet. Wouldn't be right to bring you along."
Gu Yecheng stopped in his tracks. "How am I not your boyfriend? Even your mom agreed to let us be together. Isn't that enough?"
Ye Lingling replied calmly, "She agreed, yes. But you still haven't completely won me over. If I fall for someone else, my mom wouldn't blame me, either—don't you think?"
That…
Gu Yecheng was stunned. He glanced at her beautiful face, her delicate features, and those faint dimples that could easily intoxicate a man.
In this world, aside from strength, only fine wine and beautiful women were worth indulging in—and she possessed both.
It wasn't that Gu Yecheng lacked feelings—he was just bad at expressing them. From the moment he awakened his martial spirit, he'd seen Ye Lingling as the person he most wanted to protect.
A thousand-mile horse was common, but a Bole (a wise judge of horses) was rare. Ye Lingling was that rare Bole in his life—and she was someone he liked.
Resolving himself, he said sincerely, "Alright, just tell me what you want. As long as you don't go with him, I'll do whatever you say."
Ye Lingling smiled. "Great! Remember, you said that—witnessed by the heavens! Starting today, you must take the initiative to talk to me every day. Even if I ignore you, you must shamelessly keep trying, understand? No more of that silent treatment like yesterday, or I really might get stolen away."
That… felt a bit much.
Gu Yecheng had always been introverted and hated being overly familiar. Now she was asking him to go against his nature and cling to someone? Not his style.
"No way. I can't do that. Pick something else," he said irritably.
Honestly, what difference was that from kneeling on a washboard or a keyboard? He refused to be a simp.
Thinking for a moment, Ye Lingling offered, "How about this—just spend one hour with me every day. During that time, you're all mine. The rest of the day, you can do whatever you want. Deal?"
"Once we're at the Royal Academy, we won't be in the same class. If we can spend an hour together daily, no one can steal me away. Sound fair?"
Gu Yecheng furrowed his brows. That didn't sound too unreasonable. He could accept that.
"Fine. But you have to keep your word—just one hour a day. And don't pay attention to that lunatic," he said.
Ye Lingling giggled. "That depends on your performance. During that one hour, you'll have to do whatever I say. No backing out!"
"Deal," Gu Yecheng nodded.
Not long after, the two arrived at the carriage station. With Gu Yecheng chatting along the way, Ye Lingling didn't feel bored. Clearly, the earlier agreement had already taken effect.
Though his topics were dull, today was the happiest she'd been in a while. Finally, she didn't have to see that cold expression of his—she could make him smile on command. In her heart, she was giddy with satisfaction.
Renting a long-distance carriage cost 10 gold coins, plus 5 more if you wanted a coachman. After paying, they boarded the carriage to rest.
With the coachman driving, they sped off toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
They had dry rations and water packed, so all they needed to do now was endure the boring journey in the carriage.
Over the next few days, Gu Yecheng learned from Ye Lingling that the Heaven Dou Royal Academy wasn't actually located in the city, but rather outside it—in the mountains.
There were forests, lakes, and a landscape perfect for training, offering a simulated cultivation environment.
Most students there were nobles. A small few, like Gu Yecheng, got in through connections. Classes weren't divided by age, but rather by talent.
Ye Lingling explained that the academy had three class levels: General Class, Advanced Class, and Elite Class.
She was part of the Elite Class—small in number but made up of incredibly talented students. They were led by Teacher Qin Ming, and she had already been accepted as a special recruit three months earlier.
The other two classes would officially begin in three days. Before that, there would be a placement test. Those with strong results would be placed in the Advanced Class; those who didn't qualify wouldn't be expelled but would be placed in the General Class.
Three days later, Gu Yecheng and Ye Lingling finally arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Gazing at the grand white-marble archway, the staircases carved with soul beast motifs, and the purple sandalwood trees lining the road, Gu Yecheng couldn't help but exclaim inwardly: "Damn, this place is loaded."
And this was just the exterior. Who knew what the inside looked like? It couldn't be worse, that's for sure.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy, here I come!"
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