Education Commissioner Meng Shenji, may I ask if there's a Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Master in any of these three classes?"
"I've heard that Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Masters possess the strongest healing abilities in the entire Spirit Master world."
"My Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul seems to be leaning toward life attributes. I think it would be better to develop in that direction."
"Since the Nine Heart Begonia excels in healing, the spirit rings it absorbs should also be life-attribute, right?"
"Maybe I can consult her for information on life-attribute plant-type spirit beasts."
Inside the Education Committee Office—
Although Ye Yu's real goal was Dugu Yan, it wasn't appropriate to mention her name directly.
He could only use Ye Lingling as a cover, asking with an expression of curious innocence.
He assumed that, since Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan were close friends, the two of them were likely in the same class.
"A Nine Heart Begonia Spirit Master?"
"We do indeed have one at the Royal Academy. Do you want to be placed in the same class as her?" Meng Shenji chuckled.
"Yes!" Ye Yu nodded earnestly.
"She's in Class One of the first grade. I'll assign you there then."
"Be sure to come to class tomorrow morning."
The next morning came quickly.
Upon arriving at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Ye Yu went straight to the Education Committee building to find Meng Shenji.
Meng Shenji led him to the Intermediate Spirit Master Division and introduced him to Lin Zhiming, the homeroom teacher of Class One, a Spirit Emperor.
As class was about to begin, Lin Zhiming brought Ye Yu to the classroom and introduced him on the podium.
"Everyone, let me introduce a new classmate."
"This is Ye Yu. He'll be joining our Class One from now on."
"Let's give him a warm welcome!"
Applause erupted throughout the classroom.
Many students looked at Ye Yu with curiosity.
After all, the semester had already begun.
For someone to be admitted this late, he must have quite a background!
Standing on the podium, Ye Yu looked at his classmates and noticed there were quite a few beautiful girls in the room.
But he couldn't immediately identify Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
After a closer look, he noticed two girls sitting together who were very likely to be them.
One of the girls wore a tight-fitting blue leather dress. She had short, deep-purple hair and a pair of emerald-like green eyes. Her face was exquisitely beautiful with a dash of heroic spirit.
The other wore a luxurious blue gown, with long, dark-blue hair cascading over her shoulders. Her long bangs partially obscured her eyes. Her delicate, lovely face carried a cold elegance, and she looked quiet and introverted.
(Character illustration: Dugu Yan)
(Character illustration: Ye Lingling)
"Ye Yu, please choose an open seat," Lin Zhiming said after the introduction.
Ye Yu immediately picked the seat closest to the two girls he believed were Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
"Alright, let's begin class."
Once Ye Yu was seated, Lin Zhiming started the lesson.
As homeroom teacher, Lin Zhiming taught the practical combat applications of Battle Spirit Masters—
Specifically, how different types of Battle Spirit Masters could best utilize their soul skills in various combat scenarios against different types of enemies.
After one class, Ye Yu found the content quite useful.
When class ended, some curious male students approached Ye Yu to ask about his background.
Ye Yu could only offer a helpless smile and explain that he didn't come from an influential background.
He had simply earned some merit by chance, and with the help of the Crown Prince, was granted the title of Baron by His Majesty, which allowed him to enroll at the Royal Academy.
Naturally, the other boys looked at him with expressions of disbelief.
At that moment, Ye Yu noticed Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had already left their seats. He feigned curiosity and asked,
"Hey, what are the names of those two girls?"
"Oh, them? Hehe, those are Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling."
"They're from the Jade Phosphor Clan and the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, respectively—both are renowned Spirit Master clans!"
"They're also the recognized beauties of our class!"
A male student replied with admiration.
So it really was Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling!
A gleam flashed in Ye Yu's eyes as he asked more questions about the two, intending to analyze Dugu Yan's personality and figure out how to pursue her.
After all, he was determined to mooch off her!
From his classmates' descriptions, Ye Yu gradually built up a clearer image of Dugu Yan.
Both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were known for being aloof.
But while Dugu Yan's aloofness came with a kind of arrogance and "keep your distance" vibe, Ye Lingling's coolness was more reserved, quiet, and sorrowful.
Ye Yu thought "cold and elegant" described Ye Lingling best.
Even though he now had a general idea of their personalities, to win over Dugu Yan, he needed to find the perfect approach.
So, Ye Yu continued quietly observing Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's routines at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Gradually, a plan began to form in his mind.
He noticed that after morning classes, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling sometimes returned to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
But most of the time, they trained in the Martial Soul Simulation Training Grounds.
Occasionally, Ye Lingling would leave early to visit the library.
As it happened, Ye Yu was also interested in the library.
So every afternoon, after morning classes, Ye Yu made a habit of heading to the library—
Focusing especially on books about spirit beasts, particularly plant-type ones.
And wouldn't you know it—
He found that Ye Lingling often read books about plant-type spirit beasts as well.
After frequently encountering each other, the two naturally grew more familiar.
One day, Ye Yu smiled apologetically and asked Ye Lingling,
"Do you know if there are any books here that talk about life-attribute plant-type spirit beasts?"
Ye Lingling nodded and silently led him to a nearby bookshelf.
She pulled out a book and handed it to Ye Yu, her voice calm and cool.
"Here."
"Thank you!" Ye Yu nodded politely and began reading.
He found the book contained many powerful life-attribute plant-type spirit beasts—just what he needed.
He read with great focus.
"Is your Martial Soul a healing-type support spirit too?"
Seeing how seriously Ye Yu was reading, a flicker of curiosity appeared on Ye Lingling's cold, refined face.
Normally, only healing-type support Spirit Masters paid attention to life-attribute plant-type spirit beasts.
"No, my Martial Soul isn't a healing-type support spirit—just an ordinary plant-type."
Ye Yu smiled slightly and shook his head.
"But I believe that if my Martial Soul absorbs a suitable life-attribute plant-type spirit ring, it might evolve."
"That's why, even though my spirit power has already reached level 10, I haven't gone to hunt a spirit ring yet."
"I want to choose the most suitable target spirit beast."
"Absorbing the right spirit ring can make a Martial Soul evolve?"
Ye Lingling's elegant face slightly frowned, her delicate brows furrowed. She seemed to think Ye Yu was making it up.
"I've never heard of such a thing!"