Fang Zhou had only gradually figured out this particular application of dream power, though naturally he wasn't going to overwork himself to death over it.
Even so, he had already skillfully mastered the release of Initial Level magic.
"Thunder Seal!"
"Python Mark!"
With electric arcs crackling around his hands, Fang Zhou cast the spell toward the sky. It popped and snapped with such a barrage of noise that anyone unaware would have thought someone was setting off firecrackers.
A distinct, scorched smell drifted through the air. Standing on the steps, the young girl wore a tranquil expression, a rebellious strand of her shoulder-length hair sticking up playfully. With a slight wrinkle of her delicate nose, Ding Yumian didn't bother to fix it, her eyes fixed entirely on the boy who was grinning broadly.
"Books say ordinary people take close to a year after awakening to successfully release an Initial Level magic," Ding Yumian said. "They say even those with innate talent might need eight or nine months, and that's with the assistance of a Magic Device. You've managed it in less than two months—if word gets out, you'll be dragged off to be studied."
"Hehe, as long as you help me keep it a secret, Yumian, I'll definitely be fine!"
Dusting off his clothes, Fang Zhou smiled at Ding Yumian, turned and ran back, stepping close to her. He reached out and tucked that stray lock of hair behind the girl's ear.
"You—"
Ding Yumian's eyes widened instantly. The tips of her pink ears flushed scarlet in a flash, her emotions fluctuating as an invisible ripple of spiritual energy swept through the surroundings.
Unfazed, Fang Zhou doubled down instead. He reached out to wrap an arm around the girl's delicate shoulders, staring right into her eyes with a bright, focused gaze.
Invisible ripples surged from him as well, rolling outward like ocean waves and perfectly neutralizing the psychic energy radiating from Ding Yumian.
"This place isn't a cage. No one is going to take us away."
Leaning in even closer, Fang Zhou rested his forehead gently against Ding Yumian's.
"You aren't a caged bird. One day, you will gain true freedom. Trust me, okay?"
The boy and girl stood so close they could smell each other's familiar breath—a scent that brought an incomparable sense of reassurance.
"Mn."
Ding Yumian's spirit gradually settled. Her gaze grew watery and soft, her body going limp as she instinctively leaned against the boy and gave a soft reply.
A young girl's heart is always full of sentimentality. Fang Zhou keenly caught the pessimistic undertones hidden in her words; while he couldn't completely dissolve them, he managed to provide Ding Yumian with an extra layer of psychological support.
"Um... Xiaozhou, I'm having trouble standing." Stirred by his words, Ding Yumian felt her entire body go soft, and she nearly lost her footing.
"I'll just carry you, then!"
With a cheeky chuckle, Fang Zhou ignored the girl's startled gasp, scooped her right up into his arms, and dropped her onto the sofa.
"Sit here and be a good girl. I'm going to cook," Fang Zhou declared grandly.
Blinking her eyes, Ding Yumian propped her chin in her hands and quietly watched the boy bustling back and forth in the kitchen.
Outside the door, Dean Xiao and Dean Fu looked at each other in awkward silence, unsure whether to step inside or walk away.
"Ahem, Dean Fu, regarding students dating early, what do you think?" Dean Xiao asked, talking nonsense with a completely straight face.
"I'm getting old. Ah, youth is wonderful!" Dean Fu shook his head. After all, everyone had been young once.
Then, gesturing with his hand, he paced forward slowly and said, "Isn't it a bit too early to bring them into Pearl Institute right now?"
"You heard them too; they aren't caged birds. Since we've given our guarantee, we should provide them with the best environment," Dean Xiao said. "The institute is an ivory tower. Most people use that as a derogatory term, but for them, it's the best living environment. The students don't have any malicious intentions, and they can make more friends here. Otherwise, keeping them cooped up like this will cause problems."
"I know that of course," Dean Fu said in a low voice. "I mean, that recent incident with the National Team competition is probably going to put a massive amount of pressure on us. Those bastards at the Imperial Capital University actually sent an Ice Calamity Bearer to the World University Tournament! Utterly idiotic!"
Putting aside what might happen as a Calamity Bearer grows up, regardless of whether she would cause a disaster in the future or not, the moment she was discovered and the Holy City stepped in personally, the National Team's participation would become impossible to continue.
To put it more gravely, the entire country had lost face and would consequently suffer heavy losses in the various interests partitioned through the National Team tournament.
"I've heard about Qin Yu'er as well. The Qin family did nothing, and Imperial Capital University did nothing. They both made mistakes, and this serves as a warning to us, but we can't change our attitude because of it."
Dean Xiao took off his glasses to wipe them. "Still, you're right. Let's wait a bit longer. Once this storm passes, we'll bring those two kids over to Pearl Institute. It will just be the start of the new semester, and they can join as specially recruited students."
"What you say makes sense." Dean Fu nodded.
After taking a stroll outside, the two men walked into the villa with smiles on their faces and unceremoniously began helping themselves to free food and drink.
Fang Zhou's eyes widened and his fingers trembled slightly. Never mind that the meal he had lovingly prepared for his Yumian was snatched away by two suddenly appearing old men—what was with those facial expressions? You're eating the food I made and you're still acting picky?!
"Too much salt. Use less next time," Dean Fu offered as a critique and suggestion.
Dean Xiao smiled without a word, though the several times he raised his teacup spoke volumes.
Fang Zhou: "..."
"I'll have a taste." Taking a small bite, Ding Yumian paused slightly before swallowing it with a casual expression.
In the end, Fang Zhou bore all the misery himself, cleaning up the battlefield like a whirlwind.
Then he watched as Dean Fu pulled several dishes—clearly meticulously packed—out of his Storage Magic Device, smiled warmly, and told Ding Yumian to eat slowly.
Fang Zhou's anger surged instantly!
Fang Zhou's fists clenched hard instantly!
Fang Zhou turned around and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
"A boy who loves to smile never admits defeat! Sooner or later, I'll make you look at me in a whole new light!"
Right around a week later, television news reports regarding the National Team's defeat at the World University Tournament were finally broadcast. In an instant, the news stirred a thousand ripples and provoked public outrage.
Every single generation claimed they had hope, yet every single generation stopped short at the second round. Who could take that?!
Fang Zhou saw the news as well. He thought of Qin Yu'er, who was likely already frozen within the Tianshan ice crevices at this point, and Zhankong—who went to the Holy Judgment Court alone, though he was still called Zu Xingyi at the moment—and his heart tightened involuntarily.
This was a lesson drawn from the immediate past!
"What's wrong, Xiaozhou?" Ding Yumian asked with concern.
"Nothing, just feeling it's a pity. Clearly this year's team was still quite strong, yet they didn't even make it into the third round," Fang Zhou lied casually.
Ding Yumian could naturally tell he wasn't being entirely truthful, but she didn't probe further. Whatever Fang Zhou said, she believed.
"Then Xiaozhou will just have to work hard at his cultivation, participate in the National Team tournament in the future, bring back first place, and win glory for the country!" Ding Yumian said with a faint smile.