Chapter 19: The Vigorous Orangutan and the Jade Phosphor Serpent (I)

"Th-thanks to Brother Ling for going easy on me. We're all classmates from now on; just call me by my name."

Chu Qingtian grasped Ling Bai's hand and used it to pull himself up, a faintly bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He didn't want to make any excuses, like saying that the Seraphim overpowered the Berserk Lightning Leopard, or that he hadn't had enough to eat at dinner...

He had the advantage in spirit power and was an outstanding student of Shrek Academy's Outer Courtyard, yet he couldn't even force Ling Bai to use his third or fourth spirit skills. Throughout the entire battle, he hadn't launched a single threatening attack. Most of the time, he was racking his brains trying to figure out how to escape from the edge of the Angel Sword.

In contrast, Ling Bai hadn't moved a single step from his original position. He had even given up the Seraphim's strongest advantage: air superiority. Nonetheless, he had easily driven Chu Qingtian to desperation with just a few casual spirit skills.

If this confrontation hadn't been an examination in the form of a friendly spar but rather a life-or-death battle, Chu Qingtian reckoned he would have been halfway to his grave by now.

Clap, clap, clap!

Applause echoed through the arena as their battle concluded. Zhang Lexuan and Du Weilun led the others over.

"Shrek's Inner Courtyard has gained another monster. Welcome, Little Junior Brother."

Zhang Lexuan was the first to congratulate Ling Bai, her star-like dark eyes full of smiles. Just now, Du Weilun had briefly explained Ling Bai's identity to her.

An eleven-year-old Inner Courtyard student. The youngest in Shrek's Inner Courtyard without a doubt.

Hence, Zhang Lexuan's address of 'Little Junior Brother' was indeed fitting.

"Thank you, Big Senior Sister."

Little Junior Brother, huh? Though it sounded a bit odd, Ling Bai figured he'd get used to it in a couple of days.

"You did well too, Qingtian. The speed of your Berserk Lightning Leopard, your Lightning Transformation, Lightning Clone, determination…. you've displayed all the abilities you should have. You'll need to work even harder in the Inner Courtyard from now on."

Zhang Lexuan didn't forget to encourage Chu Qingtian. After all, losing to Ling Bai was nothing to be ashamed of; in a few years, Chu Qingtian might even take pride in it.

Chu Qingtian immediately forgot about the injury on his shoulder upon hearing these words. Revitalized, he puffed out his chest and loudly declared, "I will definitely train hard and make sure not to disappoint Big Senior Sister!"

Ling Bai blinked. He seemed to have underestimated Zhang Lexuan's status in the hearts of the Inner Courtyard students. Just a few words of encouragement, and Chu Qingtian's attitude changed so drastically!

Zhang Lexuan probably didn't expect Chu Qingtian to take it so seriously either. After a brief moment of surprise, she said warmly, "Take care of your wound first. We'll head to Sea God Island shortly."

"Yes, Big Senior Sister!"

Chu Qingtian retrieved bandages and medicine from his Storage Spirit Guidance Device, and the other Inner Courtyard freshmen helped him bandage his wound.

Meanwhile, Ling Bai walked over to Du Weilun. His golden eyes curved into a smile as he teased, "Well, Director Du, I didn't let you down, did I?"

"You rascal!"

Du Weilun gave Ling Bai a few hearty pats on the shoulder, but his face revealed a gratified smile.

"It was worth me swallowing my pride to have Lexuan give you an extra examination. You are not only prettier than a girl, but you fight even more beautifully!! While Martial Spirits are innate gifts, what pleases me most is how you've developed your spirit skills!"

Du Weilun's teacher instinct kicked in; he couldn't suppress his urge to offer guidance.

"If I'm not mistaken, your first spirit skill should be a light array composed of holy energy."

He looked at Ling Bai, his tone full of certainty.

"Yes, Director Du."

Ling Bai nodded. "My first spirit ring came from an 800-year Starlight Unicorn. The Radiant Spirit Array is derived from the Starlight Unicorn's Innate Spirit Skill, the Starlight Spirit Array."

Mentioning the Starlight Unicorn caused a flicker of emotion in his eyes. That was the first spirit beast he had personally slain. From the moment its blood spurted and splashed onto his palm, the gears of fate began to turn.

Du Weilun continued, "Bei Bei, Tang Ya, did you notice? With the same first spirit skill, Ling Bai can unleash the Radiant Spirit Array, a special defensive array, and finally the Holy Storm.

In the hands of most Spirit Masters, a spirit skill remains the same as when it was first acquired. The Radiant Spirit Array is just a light array and many Spirit Masters possess similar spirit skills. But in his hands, the Radiant Spirit Array exhibits all kinds of variations.

The Martial Spirit is given by our parents and the heavens; we cannot change it. But we can change our spirit skills.

There are no weak spirit skills in this world, only lazy and uncreative Spirit Masters.

Understanding and developing your own spirit skills is a crucial challenge you must overcome on your path to becoming strong."

"We understand, Director Du!"

Bei Bei and Tang Ya accepted his words wholeheartedly, especially Tang Ya. She had always felt that her Blue Silver Grass was too inferior to other Martial Spirits; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep up with her classmates. Now, it seemed another path was slowly unfolding before her.

"Ling Bai."

"Hmm?"

"Continue to develop your spirit skills, especially since your cultivation is still shallow and you have fewer spirit skills. In the future, when you have more spirit skills, you won't be able to focus on all of them."

"Don't worry, Director. I may not have many strengths, but I do have plenty of ideas."

Ling Bai made a small joke. Du Weilun was certainly earnest and could be considered a truly dedicated teacher.

"Big Senior Sister, I've finished treating my wound."

Chu Qingtian tested his shoulder after bandaging his injury. Thanks to the spirit power protection from his Berserk Lightning Leopard's fourth spirit skill, Thunderstorm, and Ling Bai's restraint, the sword wound was only superficial. With the physical resilience of a 4-ringed Spirit Ancestor, he'd be fully healed after two days of rest.

"Mm."

Zhang Lexuan looked up at the sky. The bright moon hung high, and stars were scattered across the sky. This had been the longest Inner Courtyard examination she could remember.

"Little Junior Brother, it's time for us to go to the island!" she called out.

"Alright, Big Senior Sister. Director Du, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, I'm leaving now. See you later."

Ling Bai nodded and said. Now that he was an Inner Courtyard student, calling Bei Bei and Tang Ya 'Senior' seemed inappropriate, and referring to himself as their 'Senior' felt awkward. So he subtly hinted that from now on, they should address each other by name.

"It's getting late; you should hurry along."

Du Weilun waved his hand with a stern expression. After thinking for a moment, he added, "For the sake of your Clan Head, you can come to me if you encounter any difficulties in the future."

"Pfft!"

Tang Ya stifled a laugh, drawing a dagger-like glare from Du Weilun. He had initially kept his emotions in check, but Tang Ya's laughter made him lose his composure once again.

"Bye-bye, Senior Ling! Don't forget to look after your junior brothers and sisters in the future!"

Tang Ya ignored Du Weilun and laughed heartily without a care.

Bei Bei shook his head helplessly. When they first met Ling Bai, she called him 'Junior' at every turn, and now that he'd joined the Inner Courtyard, she immediately switched to 'Senior.' It seemed his scatterbrained girlfriend hadn't picked up on Ling Bai's hint at all.

Yet, the more he looked at her, the more he liked this girl's innocent and silly nature!

After bidding farewell to Du Weilun, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya, Ling Bai, along with Chu Qingtian and the other Inner Courtyard freshmen, followed Zhang Lexuan out of the examination arena and headed toward Sea God Lake.

At the same time, the dark figures hidden in the surrounding area gradually faded away, retreating from Shrek Academy like receding tides...