Chapter 631 Waiting

Nighttime. The southern gate of the Wan’an Pass wall.

Rong Taotao and Cheng Jiangjie stood before the main gate, watching it slowly open while enduring gusts of fierce wind.

Cheng Jiangjie said, “Principal Mei must have already contacted the higher-ups. When I went to report and ask for clearance, they already knew about our request for a joint mission.”

A warmth spread through Rong Taotao’s heart. On the phone, Principal Mei had been harsh and hadn’t given a clear answer, but behind the scenes, he had used his influence to pave the way for Rong Taotao.

Getting into Pine Soul Soul Martial University had truly been the right choice in his life. He had found a strong support system there, and many people who quietly cared for him.

As he was lost in thought, four riders entered through the gate in single file. The moment he saw those familiar figures, Rong Taotao’s heart unexpectedly calmed.

It might sound unbelievable, but when Rong Taotao saw Xia Fangran, Li Lie, Si Huan Nian, and Yang Chunxi, he felt as if he were seeing family.

CLANG. The main gate slowly closed, and the fierce wind abruptly ceased. Under the glow of the surrounding Luminous Lantern Paper Cages, the group’s figures stood out in sharp relief.

Xia Fangran brushed the frost from his parted hair, chuckling as he looked at Rong Taotao. “Well, well~ If it isn’t a member of the legendary Cyan Mountain Army. What’re you doing standing guard at the main gate?”

Rong Taotao smirked. “Well, well~ If it isn’t the famous Coach Xia. Shouldn’t you be at home resting for winter break? What brings you all the way out to the Third Wall on a mission?”

Xia Fangran: ???

‘Why the hell do you think I’m not resting? You know damn well why!’

“Hehe~” At the side, Si Huan Nian let out a delicate laugh, her beautiful eyes freely sizing up Rong Taotao. ‘This kid is pretty reliable after all; he does what he says he’ll do.

‘He said he’d get me out for a change of scenery, and he found a way to make it happen, to get me out of the university.’

However, the group’s line of sight was blocked by a single figure. Yang Chunxi urged her horse forward, leaned down, and placed a hand on Rong Taotao’s head, guiding his face to tilt upward.

For a moment, their eyes met.

Beside them, the ignored Cheng Jiangjie felt a little awkward…

Yang Chunxi saw the smile in Rong Taotao’s eyes, while he saw a face filled with complex emotions.

‘Admiration? It didn’t seem like it. Wistfulness? Perhaps a little, but most of it seemed to be reproach…’

“Sister-in-law,” Rong Taotao said, pulling down his half-mask and smiling up at Yang Chunxi.

Yang Chunxi spoke softly, “To this day, you still don’t dare to contact your older brother, and yet I’m seeing you before he is.”

Rong Taotao: “…”

Yang Chunxi let out a light sigh and asked gently, “Are you tired?”

“It’s manageable. We work in six shifts, so there’s plenty of time to rest.” Rong Taotao smiled again, tilting his head to glance at Li Lie with another smile and a nod.

Li Lie grinned back. “I never forgot our agreement. I was still waiting for you to turn eighteen to have that drink with you, but you’ve already joined the Cyan Mountain Army. I guess some things don’t need to be done by the book—at least not for you.”

“Uh… Huh?” Rong Taotao hadn’t yet figured out how to respond when he felt the hand on his head tighten slightly.

With a slight upward pull from Yang Chunxi, Rong Taotao felt himself being lifted into the air. He hastily spread his legs and landed on her Snow Night Shock, right in front of her.

“There’s no time to waste. Let’s go,” came Yang Chunxi’s voice from behind him. “Hya!”

Rong Taotao: “…”

‘Jeez!’

‘What happened to my gentle and virtuous sister-in-law, the one who was as lovely as a spring day?’

‘Judging by this action, she’s got quite a few complaints about me, huh?’

‘No matter how strong she is, she can’t just hoist a person onto a horse by their head…’

As they rode, Rong Taotao introduced Cheng Jiangjie to the teachers. Unexpectedly, both Li Lie and Xia Fangran already knew him. They must have crossed paths long ago.

Following Rong Taotao’s directions, the group rode to the southwestern district and stopped before a small stone building.

Everyone dismounted and went inside.

The four Divine Generals curiously sized up the interior of the building, and Rong Taotao spoke. “Take a good look. Who knows, one day you might have to station your own disciples here.”

“You’ve got some skills, kid.” Xia Fangran slung an arm over Rong Taotao’s shoulder. “Instead of coming back to Little Soul yourself, you just poach a bunch of us teachers? Tell me the truth, are you just sulking and trying to get back at Old Ghost Mei?”

Rong Taotao: “…”

Xia Fangran muttered, “If you’re going to sulk, go back to school and confront Old Ghost Mei yourself. Don’t drag us into it…”

A thought struck Rong Taotao, and he asked, “None of you teachers know why you’re here?”

“Nope.” Xia Fangran nodded. He saw a few soldiers emerge from a doorway and nodded a greeting to them as he spoke. “Old Ghost Mei just said you needed help and told us to get to Wan’an Pass to find you as fast as possible. Then he hung up. Didn’t say anything else.”

“Coach Xia,” Gao Lingwei said respectfully, emerging from one of the rooms.

“Whoa~ It’s been months, and you’re looking more and more impressive.” Xia Fangran’s mood brightened considerably upon seeing his long-unseen star pupil.

‘This world really is all about looks…’

‘The moment Xia Fangran saw Rong Taotao, he started poking at him. But the moment he saw Gao Lingwei, it was all praise…’

Then, from the door beside Gao Lingwei, another person emerged. A… well, a Humanoid Soul Beast.

Instantly, all the teachers’ eyes locked onto the Frost Beauty. It wasn’t particularly strange to encounter a Frost Beauty in Wan’an Pass, but what was this one doing here, away from its tribe?