Chapter 98

Xiao Yan slowly walked towards the tent, with Xiao Yu behind him, gritting her teeth and glaring at his detestable back. She never expected this guy to be so disrespectful.

A few people approached the green tent, and in the pleasant shade, more than ten men and women were gathered in small groups, chatting with each other. From their relaxed expressions, it seemed they were all students of the Cana Academy, just like Xue Ni.

Outside the shade, about twenty young men and women were sitting on the ground under the scorching sun. Despite the sweat streaming down their faces due to the high temperature, their expressions were filled with restraint, indicating they were likely the new students who had just passed the outer test.

Inside the tent, a few chatting girls suddenly looked up at Xiao Yu and the others who were slowly approaching. Their faces lit up with surprise, and they giggled as they swarmed around Xiao Yu, chattering incessantly.

The sudden wave of sound made Xiao Yan's head swell, and his eyes scanned the young and beautiful female students, noticing their surprised expressions. Xiao Yan realized that Xiao Yu seemed to have good interpersonal relationships in the academy.

"Oh, please, be a bit more reserved, will you?" Xiao Yu pushed away her friends who were clinging to her, looking helpless.

"Yu'er, you've become so much fuller in just two months. Come on, confess, did you... hmm?" A woman with a beautiful face secretly touched Xiao Yu's chest and then rested her hand on Xiao Yu's shoulder, teasing her.

Xiao Yan sighed helplessly, looking at Xiao Yu with a strange expression. Why are all her friends like female wolves?

"Get lost, Silver Girl! Don't act so wild around me." Xiao Yu, with a slightly flushed face, pushed the woman away. Seeing other women about to pounce, she quickly stepped back and introduced Xiao Yan and the others, diverting their attention.

"Hehe, what a pretty little beauty." Their eyes swept over Xun Er and Xiao Mei, and the two women's outstanding appearances naturally drew exclamations of admiration.

Their gazes then slowly shifted to Xiao Yan, while Xiao Ning, being Xiao Yu's younger brother, was conveniently ignored.

Although Xiao Yan was a few years younger than Xiao Yu, after a year of hard training, he was now as tall as her. His face was slightly delicate, but his brows carried a mature and experienced air that didn't match his age. This conflicting visual impact made the women look at him a few more times.

"Hehe, what a handsome little guy. Yu'er, is this your cousin? Not your younger brother, right? Come on, confess, have you been taking advantage of him?"

Hearing these women ask such bold questions in front of the person concerned, even though Xiao Yan was usually calm, a slight twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his gaze towards Xiao Yu became even more peculiar.

Xiao Yu, hearing the women's teasing, was filled with embarrassment and helplessness. Just as she was about to explain, she caught sight of a man hurrying over.

Her face changed slightly, her eyebrows furrowed, and then relaxed, a blush appearing on her cheeks. She pouted, "Stop teasing him. He's been shy since he was little."

"Uh..." The women were taken aback by Xiao Yu's unusually shy demeanor, exchanging puzzled looks. They had only been joking, but Xiao Yu was actually explaining seriously, and her tone... sounded like she was defending a lover.

Xun Er and the others were also stunned by Xiao Yu's intimate tone, exchanging puzzled glances. When did Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan's relationship become so good?

Standing to the side, Xiao Yan watched the woman's performance with a cold eye, his lips twitching. Just as he was about to expose her, Xiao Yu quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist, affectionately dusting off his clothes.

"Ah..." Seeing Xiao Yu's sudden action, everyone around was stunned. When had they ever seen her treat a man like this?

"Xiao Yu, you... it's been a while." Just as everyone was in a daze, a man's voice suddenly sounded.

Turning their heads, they saw a young man in gray and white clothes standing behind them, smiling. He was quite handsome, but his bright smile seemed a bit fake to Xiao Yan and the others.

The blush on Xiao Yu's face slowly faded as she turned around, still holding Xiao Yan's arm. She glanced at the young man and said coolly, "Luo Bu, it's been a while."

"Hehe." Smiling, Luo Bu nodded and casually glanced at their intertwined hands, a hidden coldness and anger flashing in his eyes.

"Hehe, are these the ones you brought?" He walked forward with a smile.

"Uh-huh." Xiao Yu nodded casually and introduced Xiao Yan and the others again, smiling, "I'm bringing them for the test."

"Oh, I see." Luo Bu nodded with a smile, took out a red crystal ball the size of a fist from his pocket, and said, "Just now, Teacher Ruo Lin gave me a test crystal. Let them try it. The other test crystals have all been taken to the front testing area. If they don't use mine, they'll have to wait a while."

Xiao Yu hesitated for a moment before nodding and explained to Xiao Yan, "This test crystal is simple. As long as your strength reaches the eighth level of Dou Qi, it will light up, and you'll pass the initial test."

"Let go!" Xiao Yan glanced at her and said indifferently.

"Uh-huh." Xiao Yu nodded with a smile and obediently let go. Seeing her obedient demeanor, Luo Bu, holding the crystal ball, clenched his hand tightly.

"Xun Er, you go first." Rubbing his slightly red wrist, Xiao Yan smiled at Xun Er.

Xun Er, Xiao Mei, and Xiao Ning stepped forward, placing their hands on the crystal ball for a moment. When it lit up, they stepped back.

Seeing the three succeed, Xiao Yan also stepped forward and casually touched the crystal ball, achieving the same result.

"Don't worry. If they hadn't reached the passing level, I wouldn't have brought them here." Seeing the four succeed, Xiao Yu said indifferently.

"Hehe, it's not that I don't trust you, but it's the rule." Luo Bu smiled apologetically at Xiao Yu, put away the crystal ball, and pointed to the men and women sitting in the sun outside, saying, "Congratulations on passing the initial test. Now, please wait outside for half an hour."

"Luo Bu, what do you mean by that?" Xiao Yu's eyebrows shot up, and she coldly demanded.

"Xiao Yu, you're an old student. You should know the rules. Hehe, the new students are getting more and more restless, so we need to humble them a bit to help their future life in the academy." Luo Bu smiled.

"Hmph, Luo Bu, you can say whatever you want to those ignorant new students, but don't apply these rotten rules to the people I brought!" Xiao Yu said coldly.

"It's the rule."

Luo Bu's lips twitched. Xiao Yu's lack of respect in front of everyone made him angry and bitter.

"Luo Bu, stop causing trouble. You know these rules are optional. Why make a fuss?" The women around them, disliking his behavior, frowned.

"Hehe, sorry, they passed the test under my supervision, so I should manage them for a while." Luo Bu smiled brightly. Seeing Xiao Yu about to get angry again, he quickly added, "Alright, for your sake, they don't all have to go out. Just one person as a representative. Uh... let's see, let's have... this little brother go out. Hehe, after all, a big man doesn't have to worry about getting sunburned." Luo Bu's finger slowly moved over the group and finally stopped in front of Xiao Yan with a smile.

Xiao Yan lifted his eyes and looked indifferently at the smiling young man.

"Get lost, Xiao Yan isn't going out. I'll talk to Teacher Ruo Lin myself. Don't meddle!" Xiao Yu stepped in front of Xiao Yan, her long legs moving forward, and said coldly.

"Hey, Brother Luo Bu, it seems you have a problem here?" Just as they were arguing, a group of men laughed and emerged from the tent's shade.

"It's nothing, just this new student doesn't want to go out in the sun." Luo Bu put away the crystal ball and said casually.

"Hehe, it's been a while since we've seen such a cocky new student. Brother Luo Bu, do you need help?" A young man with a gold star on his chest laughed at Luo Bu, his smile filled with flattery.

Smiling, Luo Bu nodded and looked at Xiao Yu, who had a dark expression. After a moment of thought, he said, "Alright, if they don't want to go out, that's fine. But there are so many new students watching. If only they don't go out, others might be unhappy."

Saying this, Luo Bu patted the young man's shoulder and smiled at Xiao Yan, "Since you don't want to go out, why don't you spar with Ge La? You don't have to defeat him; just last twenty rounds."

Hearing this, the women around Xiao Yu immediately scolded Luo Bu. They now understood that he was jealous of Xiao Yan and wanted to take revenge.

Unlike the women's anger, Xiao Yu strangely remained silent. She tilted her head, her eyes on Xiao Yan. She knew his current strength was not weaker than hers, and dealing with a one-star Dou Zhe would not be difficult.

Ignoring Xiao Yu's gaze, Xiao Yan stared indifferently at the smiling Luo Bu, a coldness flashing in his eyes. He didn't want to cause trouble, but this guy kept pushing.

"Hehe, come on, kid, let me teach you how to respect your seniors. Otherwise, you'll regret it in the academy." Ge La stepped forward and said with a malicious smile.

Xiao Yan slowly exhaled, shrugged helplessly under everyone's gaze, and took two steps forward. As he passed Xiao Yu, he suddenly reached out and tightly hugged her slender waist, pulling her into his arms.

Caught off guard by Xiao Yan's sudden move, Xiao Yu first froze, then her face turned red. Considering Luo Bu was nearby, she stopped struggling, gritting her teeth and cursing the guy who dared to take advantage of her in public.

Xiao Yan's action not only stunned the women around but also made Luo Bu's face turn dark. He turned to Ge La and said in a low voice, "Be rough!"

Ge La nodded with a sinister smile.

Xun Er and the others, seeing the two men's strange actions, helplessly shook their heads.

"This is interest." Xiao Yan's hand lingered on Xiao Yu's waist for a moment, then he whispered coldly in her ear.

After saying that, Xiao Yan didn't look at Xiao Yu's blushing face, released her, stretched his neck, and slowly walked towards Ge La, who was staring at him with a sinister look.

(Slightly modified, but it doesn't affect the plot. Thanks, O(∩_∩)O~.)

(To be continued)