After he had haggled over the price for the mecha, Tang Wulin managed to bring it down to 280,000 points. It had still pained him to part with the points, though he could bear it. Two months and his mecha would be finished.

  But a week later and his piloting classes were about to begin.

  “I’ll sign up for the afternoon class,” Xu Xiaoyan said when the topic of the optional mecha piloting class came up. Her eyes shone with interest.

  In the end, the only people from Tang Wulin’s team to take the class were him, Xu Lizhi, and Xu Xiaoyan. The other three decided to spend their time elsewhere.

  Gu Yue was still busy as usual, disappearing for the Spirit Pagoda every afternoon and only returning for dinner. Often with a bundle of food, which she’d give to Tang Willing without a word.

  Once, Tang Wulin had tried to share some of the food with Xie Xie and Xu Lizhi. But Gu Yue had stared him down into submission. In complete silence. Xu Lizhi and Xie Xie had ran for their lives, tails tucked between their legs. Since then, it became a known fact that her food was meant for Tang Wulin and Tang Wulin only.

  “You want to learn how to pilot?” Gu Yue asked, tilting her head.

  Tang Wulin nodded. “I’m gonna give it a shot. It’s not like mechas and battle armors conflict with each other. If I can use both, then I’ll be even stronger. Safer too. And don’t forget, my goal is to join the army. They mainly use mechas in the army, so if I don’t even know the basics of piloting, what sort of position could I get my hands on?”


  “Okay. I’m just worried that you might be wasting your time,” Gu Yue said.

  A smile tugged at the corner of Tang Wulin’s mouth. “I’ll be fine. When I was a kid, I dreamed about being a mecha pilot. I never even thought about becoming a battle armor master, or even knew what one was. I was born in a small, backwater town. That’s what all the boys there dreamed about. To soar through the skies in a mecha, free as a bird.”


  Gu Yue giggled. “Sure. It’s up to you.”


  “Class is dismissed,” Shen Yi declared from behind the lectern. She left for the teacher’s door, but stopped upon opening it. Her eyes went wide.

  “Hello, Teacher!” said a beautiful, silver-haired girl.

  Shen Yi schooled her features back in order. “Na’er? What are you doing here? Did you need me for something?”


  Na’er shook her head and pointed a finger past Shen Yi, a huge smile blossoming on her face.

  Shen Yi followed the finger, frantically wracking her brain as to why the direct disciple of the Sea God Pavilion Master would be here. Na’er was known as the number one genius in the inner court, raised under the direct and meticulous care of Sea God’s Pavilion. The fact that her talent earned the notice of the Pavilion Master was testament to her status as a peak prodigy.

  Who could she be looking for in the first grade? Does she actually know someone here? Shen Yi finally stepped back from the doorway and out of the way. She was curious to see who was acquainted with the little princess of the inner court.

  Na’er’s figure stood out clearly upon the backdrop. A single glance and the entire first grade froze, enchanted by her adorable smile. Eyes widening, they felt their heart beats quicken, mind wandering the universe, lost in the wispy nebula. How a girl their age could be so dazzling and ethereal they would never know.

  Naturally, Tang Wulin was among the crowd that saw her. He approached her, unfazed by her beauty. “Na’er, what are you doing here?” The second those words left his lips, the entire class looked his way.

  Xie Xie, the only other person beside Tang Wulin who had met Na’er before, glanced nervously at Gu Yue, subconsciously taking a few steps back.

  Na’er latched onto Tang Wulin’s arm. “Big Brother, can’t I come just because I miss you? Oooh! Is this what your classroom looks like?” she said as her eyes wandered around. “This place is huge. You know, it took me a super long time to find this place.”


  Murmurs swept through the room. ‘Big Brother’? Is she his little sister? Damn! She’s the Class President’s little sister!

  Quick as an arrow, Yang Nianxia rushed forward from the crowd, the picture of naive enchantment. “Beautiful lady, my name is Yang Nianxia. I’m a good friend of the Class President.”


  Tang Wulin rolled his eyes. Since when were we good friends? This guy sure knows how to bluff.

  Na’er gave a slight bow and a gentle smile. “Hi, I’m Na’er.”


  Luo Guixing appeared in a silver flash beside Tang Wulin. “Hi Na’er, I’m Luo Guixing,” he said, revealing his best nobleman’s smile.

  This guy actually teleported here! Tang Wulin could hardly what was happening.

  “Hello,” Na’er said politely.

  The rest of the male students snapped out of their stupor as well and rushed forward to introduce themselves. Barely at the cusp of adulthood, these boys knew not the meaning of restraint. Na’er was just too charming. Her gentle beauty, tender smiles, and kindness were nothing like they had ever encountered. She greeted each and every one of them with sweetness. Before her, all enraptured fools.

  “That’s enough you guys. We’re going.” Tang Wulin peeled his classmates off Na’er and pulled her away.

  Yang Nianxia’s expression grew stern as he watched the two leave. “From today onward, Class President is my big brother! I’ll do my best to make him my brother-in-law!”


  “As if!” someone scoffed.

  “You’re shameless!”


  “No way! He’s going to be my brother-in-law, not yours!”


  As the boys argued, Shen Yi glanced at the door Tang Wulin and Na’er had just left through. She still couldn’t comprehend what she had just witnessed. ‘Big Brother’? Na’er is Wulin’s little sister? They don’t look anything alike though!

  Before long, Tang Wulin led Na’er all the way to Spirit Ice Plaza.

  “Jeez. You sure are popular, Na’er,” he said, scratching his chin as he looked at his cute little sister.

  Na’er wasn’t just popular with the first grade students. During their stroll, she had attracted many gazes from students of the upper grades. But since Tang Wulin had been pulling her by the arm, they only sent envious glares at him from afar.

  Na’er giggled. “You don’t like that? I won’t visit your classroom next time then. We’ll just set a place for our next date.” She placed a finger on her chin. “Well, I’m busy cultivating most of the time, so I can only come out once a week. How about from now on we meet up on this day of the week for every week? Three in the afternoon. You can take me out for food.”


  “Sounds good.” Tang Wulin rubbed her head, affection in his eyes. “What do you feel like eating today?”


  “I’ll let you decide. Either way, I’ll eat anything you throw at me!”


  Tang Wulin chuckled. “Let’s go then!”


  Whenever Tang Wulin was in Na’er’s presence, he always felt in a good mood and did his best to pamper her. It reminded him of his childhood, of simple times with his family. Reuniting with her had thawed his lonely heart and lifted some of the pressure weighing heavily on his shoulders.

  He spent the entire afternoon with Na’er. He did not cultivate until evening in a rented cultivation space.

  ☀

  Tang Wulin left for class early the next morning. The moment he entered the classroom, he felt that something was off.

  In an instant, over half of the boys rushed over to him and bowed deeply. “Good morning, Big Brother!”


  Tang Wulin blinked twice as he took in the sight of their groveling. What the hell is going on?

  “Get away from me! You guys are way too close!” he said, rushing to his usual seat.

  “Big Brother, I got you some water,” one of the boys said.

  “Have some snacks, Big Brother!” another boy said.

  “Enough of that!” Tang Wulin rubbed his face furiously in his palms, trying to escape from reality.

  “Big Brother, when is Na’er visiting again? How about we go out for some food together next time she comes?”


  “What do you mean go out?” came the sound of Gu Yue’s voice, stern and chilly. Cold enough to freeze. In one swift motion she shot up from her seat, a rampaging blizzard upon the boys crowding Tang Wulin.