As the one-month holiday drew to a close, Jing Shaoyu, Na'er, and Xu Xiaoyan boarded the soul-powered train back to the academy.
"Class Monitor, Xu Xiaoyan, what a coincidence! I can't believe we ran into you on the train," a young man exclaimed in surprise, tugging at his companion excitedly. "Jinxi, look! Who do we have here?!"
"Yangzi, Jinxi, it's really you," Jing Shaoyu said, equally surprised, his face lighting up with joy.
"Long time no see, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi," Xu Xiaoyan greeted them with a warm smile.
"Brother, are they your friends?" Na'er asked curiously, glancing at Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi before turning her gaze back to Jing Shaoyu.
"That's right," Jing Shaoyu nodded with a smile. "They were our classmates at Donghai Academy—Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi. Yangzi, Jinxi, this is my younger sister, Na'er."
"Hello," Na'er greeted them politely.
"Hello," Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi responded immediately, their attention quickly shifting back to Jing Shaoyu. "Class Monitor, you were amazing! We watched your match against the Sun Moon Academy," Zhang Yangzi said.
"Haha, the students from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy are just average. Only a few of them are truly impressive," Jing Shaoyu chuckled. "So, where are you two headed?"
"School's about to start, so Jinxi and I are heading back to the academy," Zhang Yangzi replied. "You guys are returning to the academy too, right?"
"Yes," Xu Xiaoyan chimed in. "Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, what's your current cultivation level? Do you think you have a chance to win the next Tianhai Grand Competition?"
"Hehe, I'm at level 38, and Yangzi is at level 39. By the time the next Tianhai Grand Competition starts, we'll definitely both reach the Soul Grandmaster level. Winning the championship will be a piece of cake!" Wang Jinxi said excitedly.
"Mm," Zhang Yangzi nodded, looking at Jing Shaoyu with gratitude. "We owe it all to you, Class Monitor. If it weren't for you teaching us the method of harmonizing our cultivation, we wouldn't have improved so quickly."
"It was nothing," Jing Shaoyu replied. "With your talent, even without the harmonizing method, you would have progressed rapidly. You must be the academy's key students now, right? Have you thought about your future plans?"
"Yes," Zhang Yangzi answered. "Jinxi and I have discussed it. We aim to break through to the Soul King level before we turn twenty, and then strive to become Battle Armor Masters."
"That's a great goal. I admire your ambition. I believe in you," Jing Shaoyu said approvingly.
Zhang Yangzi's plan was a common one in the soul master world—first improve soul power, then craft battle armor. This approach was entirely different from the Shrek Academy's method of synchronizing soul power and battle armor. The former was suitable for all soul masters, while the latter was only for those with exceptional talent and energy.
Running into Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi on the soul-powered train was something Jing Shaoyu hadn't expected. They chatted all the way until Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi got off at their stop.
Watching the two figures leave, Jing Shaoyu couldn't help but sigh. He could clearly feel that an invisible barrier had already formed between him and Zhang and Wang. Although the barrier was still fragile at the moment, he feared that by the next time they met, they wouldn't be able to sit together and chat freely like they did today.
Jing Shaoyu might remain the same as always, but Zhang and Wang were uncertain, much like Zhou Shuren and the Brave Hunter of Badgers.
"Brother, what is harmonized cultivation?" Na'er's soft voice pulled Jing Shaoyu out of his contemplative mood.
"Harmonized cultivation," Jing Shaoyu chuckled lightly, "is when two Soul Masters who possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill can cultivate together, assisting each other to enhance their cultivation speed."
"I see," Na'er said thoughtfully, glancing subtly at Xu Xiaoyan. "Then, have you and Gu Yue cultivated together? And what about Ye Xinglan? Has she cultivated with you?"
The carriage was filled with a sour, jealous atmosphere. Jing Shaoyu smiled wryly, unsure how to respond.
"Hehe, Brother Shaoyu, you look so nervous," Xu Xiaoyan teased, a hint of schadenfreude in her voice as she giggled.
"Ahem, is someone eating dumplings in here? I smell a strong vinegar scent," Jing Shaoyu joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Brother!" Na'er frowned, her face stern. "Don't change the subject. Answer the question!"
"Alright, Gu Yue and I can harmonize our cultivation," Jing Shaoyu admitted, realizing he couldn't evade the question. "But Ye Xinglan hasn't yet. I wanted to try, but she always avoids me."
"That's too much!" Na'er's face flushed with anger as she pounced on Jing Shaoyu, her fists pounding his chest. "Brother, you're so unfair! How could you do that? I haven't even cultivated with you yet!"
"Ahhh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Forgive me, okay?" Jing Shaoyu hugged Na'er helplessly, his voice filled with both exasperation and affection.
Xu Xiaoyan, watching the overly affectionate siblings, felt annoyed. "Na'er, you and Brother Shaoyu don't have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, so you can't cultivate together. Unlike me, who not only can harmonize with Brother Shaoyu but also possesses the unique Yu-Yan Power!"
"Yu-Yan Power?" Na'er asked instinctively, catching the subtle jab in Xu Xiaoyan's tone.
"It's a unique Soul Power formed after Xiaoyan and I harmonized our cultivation," Jing Shaoyu explained, casting a pleading look at Xu Xiaoyan.
"Oh, I see," Na'er said, her expression turning thoughtful. She fell silent, her lively eyes growing deep and unfathomable, as if lost in thought.
"Na'er, what are you thinking about?" Jing Shaoyu asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Nothing," Na'er replied expressionlessly, slipping out of Jing Shaoyu's embrace and sitting quietly by the window, her face turned toward the outside. She looked as if her heart was breaking.
Seeing this, Jing Shaoyu immediately moved closer, wrapping his arms around her and whispering softly, "Are you unhappy?"
"No," Na'er stubbornly said, though her body betrayed her as she nestled into Jing Shaoyu's embrace. "I'm just a bit tired and want to sleep for a while."
"Alright, go ahead and sleep. I'll wake you when we arrive," Jing Shaoyu gently replied, not calling her out on her lie.
With that, Na'er turned around, burying her face and body into Jing Shaoyu's chest, and quietly drifted off to sleep.
"Brother Shaoyu, you're spoiling Na'er too much," Xu Xiaoyan said with a hint of jealousy, her small feet playfully nudging Jing Shaoyu's legs. Her delicate face showed a mix of dissatisfaction, envy, and a touch of mischief.
"Come on, I spoil you too, Xiaoyan," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile, reaching out to gently squeeze one of Xu Xiaoyan's calves.
"Ah!" Xu Xiaoyan let out a soft, coquettish sound, quickly pulling her leg back from Jing Shaoyu's grasp. She stood up and immediately sat down on Jing Shaoyu's seat, pressing her body close to his. "I'm tired too, I want to sleep for a while!"
"Alright, alright, go ahead and sleep. I'll wake you both up," Jing Shaoyu said with a slight shake of his head, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
By the time the three of them arrived at Shrek Academy, it was already evening. Jing Shaoyu first escorted Xu Xiaoyan to her dormitory building, then went with Na'er to Sea God Island to meet Yun Ming and Ya Li.
That night, Jing Shaoyu stayed over at Sea God Island.
The next day, he returned to the Outer Academy dormitory. Mo Hentian hadn't arrived yet, and it seemed he wouldn't be back until the afternoon. Jing Shaoyu headed to their group's workshop, where Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, and Wu Siduo were all present.
"When did you all get back?" Jing Shaoyu asked.
"Yesterday," Wu Siduo and Ye Xinglan answered in unison.
"What a coincidence. Xiaoyan, Na'er, and I also returned yesterday, though it was already evening by the time we got to the academy," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile.
"Mm, Xiaoyan already told us," Wu Siduo replied.
"Xinglan, have you fused with your second Soul Spirit yet? What level is your Soul Power now?" Jing Shaoyu asked, turning to Ye Xinglan.
"Of course," Ye Xinglan replied with a hint of excitement. "My Soul Power is currently at the peak of level 42. In at most half a month, I should reach level 43."
As she spoke, Ye Xinglan's eyes sparkled, and her face was filled with enthusiasm.
"Not bad," Jing Shaoyu said with a grin. "How about we try dual cultivation? It could significantly shorten the time it takes for you to break through."
Hearing Jing Shaoyu's tone, which sounded like he was trying to lure an innocent girl, Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help but roll her eyes. She suppressed her inner frustration, silently cursing, Brother Shaoyu is such a playboy!