The twilight deepened, and the last remnants of the setting sun slowly disappeared below the horizon.
Gu Feng hurried back to the dormitory from the cafeteria, only to be intercepted by Yu Feng the moment he stepped inside.
Yu Feng, her face filled with suspicion, moved right up to Gu Feng until their faces were almost touching. She sniffed intently, her expression full of doubt. "Gu Feng, it's strange. I feel like the aura of a strong expert on you is getting stronger. Did you break through again?"
As the possessor of the Needletail Swift Spirit, Yu Feng had an innate sense of danger that far surpassed other Beast Spirit Masters. Especially when facing experts with Superior Spirits, her perception was particularly sharp.
Since enrolling, Yu Feng had been secretly observing Gu Feng. She increasingly felt that Gu Feng seemed to be transforming every day, his aura constantly changing. It was truly unbelievable.
Gu Feng's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm. He casually made up an excuse to brush her off. "You must be imagining things."
However, Yu Feng wasn't so easily dismissed. She put on a serious face, her small features stern. "Hmph, this young master isn't buying it. Confess, and I'll go easy on you. Resist, and I'll be harsh. Spill it!"
Gu Feng chuckled dryly, about to firmly refuse.
But then Yu Feng's eyes widened, her hands clasped tightly together, her tone almost pleading. "Oh, Gu Feng, just tell me. We're dorm mates, after all. We may not be blood brothers, but we're closer than that."
Seeing that he couldn't keep it hidden any longer, Gu Feng steeled himself and laid it out. "Unless you make a Spirit Oath, I won't say a word."
Without hesitation, Yu Feng immediately extended three fingers, her expression solemn, her voice firm and resolute. "I swear by my Martial Soul, if I betray Gu Feng, my cultivation will never advance again!"
As soon as her words fell, a thunderous roar echoed across the sky, as if responding to her oath.
In the Soul Master World, making a Spirit Oath was equivalent to staking one's life. Once broken, the consequences were severe, which was why Soul Masters rarely made such oaths.
Gu Feng was genuinely surprised by Yu Feng's decisiveness and sincerity.
But what he didn't know was that the Min Clan's situation was precarious.
After the Clear Sky School abandoned them a few years ago, the Min Clan had nearly faced annihilation.
Due to the nature of their Martial Souls, the Min Clan couldn't take up the profession of Bounty Hunters or escort merchant caravans. Despite being Soul Masters, their lives were even more difficult than ordinary civilians.
Because of this, Yu Feng's desire to grow stronger was almost obsessive. She desperately wanted to change the Min Clan's current state.
After leaving the Min Clan, she spent every day and night thinking about how to improve her strength.
Hearing that the Royal Fight Team gathered the most elite young Soul Masters of the Heaven Dou Empire each year, she didn't hesitate to travel from the Star Luo Empire to join, even borrowing tuition money from Yang Wudi.
Now, seeing her dorm mate Gu Feng's strength increase, Yu Feng couldn't hold back her eagerness to uncover the secret to becoming stronger.
Unable to withstand Yu Feng's pitiful pleading, and since she had already made the Spirit Oath, Gu Feng sighed in resignation. "Alright, alright."
He was still puzzled. How could a guy make such an adorable yet resentful expression?
Could it be that Yu Feng was an old sister-in-law?
However, before everything was settled, he didn't dare to make a hasty decision. It would be quite awkward if it turned out to be a misunderstanding.
Gu Feng took out a Narcissus Jade Bone from his Soul Guidance Ring and held it up in front of Yu Feng. "This is it—an Immortal Herb. Not only can it strengthen your foundation and nurture your vitality, but it can also enhance a Soul Master's innate talent. Even if your Innate Soul Power is only at level seven, after consuming this, you could possess the exceptional talent of Innate Full Soul Power."
"Really?" Yu Feng's eyes widened, filled with longing, though a trace of doubt still lingered in her heart.
"Of course. I, Gu Feng, never lie."
After receiving Gu Feng's reaffirmation, Yu Feng could no longer suppress her inner impulse and instinctively reached out to take it.
Gu Feng looked at her outstretched hand and slapped it away with a loud "smack." "What are you doing? I only showed it to you. I didn't say I was giving it to you. You're really something."
"Ouch!" Yu Feng cried out in pain, clutching her slapped hand and looking at Gu Feng with a pitiful expression.
Seeing her pitiful demeanor, Gu Feng couldn't help but feel a hint of amusement.
However, considering that she would be a member of the Royal Fight Team in the future, she did have some potential—certainly more than that guy with the Evil Fire Spirit. It would be beneficial to win her over.
So, Gu Feng didn't completely crush her hopes and said, "I can give you the Immortal Herb, but on one condition: you must join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and swear a Spirit Oath to never betray it. What do you think?"
"Forget it then." Although Yu Feng desperately desired the Immortal Herb, she couldn't bring herself to abandon her clan and pursue wealth and glory alone. Without hesitation, she refused.
"Alright. But if you ever change your mind, you can come to me anytime."
Gu Feng didn't press her further. After all, everyone has their own principles and aspirations. To each their own.
With that, Gu Feng went about his morning routine, preparing to rest.
Meanwhile, Yu Feng lay in bed, her mind filled with thoughts of the Immortal Herb and becoming stronger. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The next morning, when she woke up, she looked utterly exhausted and listless.
After getting up, Gu Feng saw her condition and felt a bit guilty. He said, "If you don't mind, you can train with me. While it won't be as significant as the boost from the Immortal Herb, it will definitely be much more effective than training on your own. Are you willing?"
"Really?" Yu Feng instantly perked up, looking at Gu Feng with eager eyes that seemed to say, "I want it so badly!"
"Of course," Gu Feng confirmed.
"Wow, Gu Feng, you're amazing!" Yu Feng was so excited that she rushed forward and hugged him.
In that instant, a delicate and refreshing fragrance wafted into Gu Feng's nostrils. This confirmed it—she really did have a natural scent.
The thought of a guy having a natural scent made Gu Feng's expression turn slightly strange. No matter how he thought about it, it seemed odd.
But Yu Feng, oblivious to Gu Feng's reaction, kept asking, "Gu Feng, are we going to train now? Where are we going?"
Gu Feng shook his head helplessly and said, "Just follow me."
Since it was early morning, it wasn't the time for intense training. A simple warm-up would suffice.
It's important to understand that everyone's physical condition is different, and there are also disparities among Support-type Soul Masters.
Consider this: if everyone carries a stone and runs ten laps, will the results be the same?
This is akin to having a college student who struggles with basic physical training train alongside a national athlete. When the student inevitably falls behind and fails the training, the athlete might say, "You don't value teamwork at all."
Gu Feng wouldn't do what Flender and Yu Xiaogang often do—forcing people to run dozens of laps around the academy early in the morning without any protective gear, safety measures, or even proper nutrition.
Instead, Gu Feng took Yu Feng to the Gravity Room at the back of the mountain. Following strict protective protocols, he determined that the maximum gravity Yu Feng could currently handle was 2 times the normal level. After that, he led her through a warm-up session for physical training.
(End of Chapter)