Chapter 200 - 188: Gu Qingwu Blocks the Way

Chapter 200: Chapter 188: Gu Qingwu Blocks the Way

General Studies Department, Xisha Area.

"Huh? Is that... Junior Brother Li Heng? Aren’t the freshmen still in military training?"

"No way, it’s only been seven days, right? A freshman is already back?"

"Did he not participate in the field exercise? That can’t be right! It’s practically mandatory for all first-years!"

...

"Junior Brother Li Heng! May I ask what...?"

Although it was already night, for young people, the night was a stage of its own. This was even more true for the students of a Soul Energy University, who were all Soul Masters.

The moment Li Heng entered the Xisha Area, he was almost instantly "caught" by some upperclassmen who had yet to turn in for the night.

They were all surprised by Li Heng’s sudden appearance. After all, the freshman military training was a traditional event at Meteor University.

As people who had been through it themselves, the upperclassmen knew exactly what this traditional event entailed. They had expected to enjoy a good show this year, but they never imagined a freshman would return so soon.

It was excessively early, in fact—a full week ahead of schedule!

So, seeing Li Heng back, the upperclassmen were naturally brimming with curiosity and couldn’t help but approach him directly with questions.

"Good evening, seniors! My field exercise is over. The professor in charge told me to come back and rest for a few days," Li Heng replied politely and openly.

!!

’The field exercise is over?’

The moment Li Heng spoke, the surrounding upperclassmen heard him clearly and fell silent. Those who were a bit slower on the uptake were still trying to process the meaning of his words.

Meanwhile, the quicker ones understood in an instant and were now staring at Li Heng with looks of doubt, confusion, and astonishment.

"Seniors, is there anything else? This school’s field exercise was pretty tiring, and I’d like to go back and get some rest." Li Heng had no desire to stand here and be stared at like a monkey in a zoo.

Hearing that Li Heng wanted to rest, the group of upperclassmen felt it was inappropriate to press him further. They said a few more words, all ending with well-wishes for their junior brother, telling him to get a good rest.

And so, under their complicated gazes, Li Heng walked straight back toward his detached wooden cabin.

After Li Heng left, a few of the upperclassmen exchanged complicated looks and a few words.

"Was it that fast this year? Or could it be..."

"Anyone want to go check out the training site? Did they get lucky this year or what?"

"Let’s go, let’s go! Let’s go see! There’s no way the school would just let these freshmen off the hook!"

Li Heng had no idea what sort of schadenfreude was brewing in the minds of these upperclassmen who had once been "trained" themselves. On his way back to the wooden cabin, however, he saw a familiar face in the Xisha Area.

"Senior Sister Gu! Good evening!"

He was a little confused, but he didn’t ask any questions, simply offering a polite greeting.

He remembered that this wasn’t the lane where Gu Qingwu lived. ’It’ll be late night soon, so why is she here?’

Gu Qingwu nodded at Li Heng, then called out to him. "Junior Brother Li Heng! For this field exercise, did you choose the South City Gate route?"

"I did! I wasn’t familiar with any of the routes, so I just picked one at random."

"I heard you returned early, so I was waiting here for you. For some personal reasons, I’m quite curious about the Illusion Stele at the South City Gate. But the school says that particular Illusion Stele... can only be seen once by each person. After you leave the illusion, you can never find it again. Even the school can’t do anything about it."

Gu Qingwu took the initiative to explain why she was there.

’Senior Sister is waiting for me?!’

’And it’s to find out about the Smoke Illusion Mountain Stone Boundary Stele!’

Hearing Gu Qingwu’s words, Li Heng was lost in thought for a moment. He didn’t particularly care whether he could see the Smoke Illusion Mountain Stone Boundary Stele again.

After all, he couldn’t imagine what other purpose that boundary stele served besides messing with people. It was probably massive, too. ’Even if I tried to sell it, buyers would complain it took up too much space.’

But now, seeing how concerned Gu Qingwu was about the Smoke Illusion Mountain Stone Boundary Stele, Li Heng’s curiosity was piqued. "So, Senior Sister, are you asking what... I saw inside the illusion?"

Gu Qingwu nodded lightly.

"I saw a troop of soldiers and a village. For various reasons, I didn’t get a chance to fight those soldiers, which was a bit of a shame," Li Heng replied openly.

Hearing this, Gu Qingwu didn’t speak immediately. After a brief silence, she asked again, "Were they... soldiers from Li Liang City?"

Li Heng nodded. He wasn’t surprised that Gu Qingwu knew the name Li Liang City. After all, she had been at this school for two years and was curious about the boundary stele. It was only natural that she would have gathered some information about it.

Seeing Li Heng nod, Gu Qingwu fell silent again. But this time, she didn’t lower her head in thought. Instead, she gazed at Li Heng, her eyes fixed on him.

Being stared at by Gu Qingwu, Li Heng didn’t feel awkward or fidgety. He met her gaze.

Gu Qingwu had beautiful eyes. Even though it was nearly late night, it didn’t stop Li Heng from finding them captivating.

At that moment, Li Heng found himself wanting to know what she truly looked like beneath her veil.

’Of course, this was just a thought. He would never say it out loud, nor would he reach out and lift her veil.’

"Thank you, Junior Brother! Did you see anyone using a sword in the illusion? Or... anything related to swords?" After they held each other’s gaze for a moment, Gu Qingwu was the first to look away, asking her question.

"No, I didn’t. The soldiers I saw were only carrying long spears and bows. As for swords, I was the only one using one," Li Heng said truthfully.

Before, when hearing Li Heng’s words, Gu Qingwu had mostly just been silent, her tone of voice remaining steady. But when she heard him say he hadn’t seen any "swords" in the illusion, her expression flickered for a moment before quickly returning to normal.

"Thank you very much, Junior Brother Li Heng!"

"It’s nothing, it’s nothing! Is there anything else you’d like to know, Senior Sister Gu? If I know it, I’ll definitely tell you."

"I was wondering if you’re free, Junior Brother? Would you like to come to my courtyard for a bit? I have something I’d like to show you."

!!!

’Wait a minute!’

’This isn’t right!’

Hearing Gu Qingwu’s words, Li Heng jumped in alarm. It was the dead of night, a lone man and a lone woman.

And the woman was proactively inviting him over to her place!

If this were back before he’d transmigrated, Li Heng would have been all too happy to accept such an invitation—and he would’ve shown up prepared for more than just conversation. Repeat visits would have been welcome.

But this was Meteor University, a Soul Energy University built inside a secret realm!

And the one inviting him was the same senior sister who had once proposed a "touch-and-go" sparring match!

"You’re too kind, Senior Sister! How about we do this another day? Not only is it getting late, but I’m also pretty tired from the last few days. I hope you understand."

Gu Qingwu wore a veil, so her looks couldn’t be too bad, but after thinking it over, Li Heng still politely refused.

Putting everything else aside, if he remembered correctly, Gu Qingwu’s courtyard was filled with nothing but blade-covered wooden training dummies!

With a woman like that, forget about whether she was beautiful or easy to get with—when she struck, she would definitely not hold back!

One hundred percent a ruthless person!

Besides, Li Heng could tell that although her words sounded a bit ambiguous, she definitely had no intention of asking him for... you-know-what.

Since she wasn’t looking for a hookup, going over this late at night was really not appropriate... so Li Heng decided to play it safe.

After being politely refused by Li Heng, Gu Qingwu’s tone didn’t change; it remained calm. "It was presumptuous of me. Please get some rest, Junior Brother. I will come bother you again tomorrow."

"It’s no bother, no bother at all! In that case, Senior Sister Gu... I’ll be going now?"

Gu Qingwu nodded. Li Heng gave a small wave and a smile, then turned and left without looking back.

Watching Li Heng’s departing figure, Gu Qingwu was lost in thought.