Douluo Continent: Thunder Roar

Zhang Lexuan exchanged a few pleasantries with Ling Yu, inquiring about his arrangements. Her gaze swept gently over Wang Dong, who appeared quiet but was actually eavesdropping, before turning to Ling Yu in a consultative tone:

"Xiaoyu, actually, besides seeing you, there's something else I wanted to ask you about today." She paused slightly, as if trying to find the right words. "In the inner courtyard, there are several junior brothers and sisters who are quite talented and have good character. They often get together to exchange cultivation experiences in a informal way, and sometimes they also discuss topics related to the Soul Master world. They've heard me mention you and are quite curious about you."

As she said this, she glanced at Jiang Nannan beside her, who immediately nodded in understanding, indicating that she knew these people.

Zhang Lexuan continued, "Perfect timing! They've arranged to have a small gathering at 'Jingsi Pavilion' this afternoon, which is quite secluded in the inner courtyard. I was thinking that since you're new here, it would be beneficial for you to make some like-minded peers early on, as it would be helpful for your future studies and life at the academy. I wonder if you're free this afternoon? If you are, why not come with me for a chat, just to meet some new friends?"

Ling Yu understood.

This is Zhang Lexuan paving the way for "Xiao" and creating an opportunity for her to come into contact with the elites of the inner court.

It was also to let him investigate and see if he was worth recruiting as a new member.

The Akatsuki organization wants to change the entire Soul Master world, and even the entire universe's ecology. The three of them are far from enough; they are even somewhat inadequate in formulating a strategy.

We need more like-minded people, and even a large number of peripheral members to handle miscellaneous tasks.

He showed a timely expression of surprise and appropriate humility: "Sister Lexuan, you've gone to so much trouble. As a new student, it's a great honor to have the opportunity to learn from the senior brothers and sisters of the inner academy. I happen to be free this afternoon, but..." He hesitated slightly, "My cultivation is still shallow and my knowledge is limited. I'm afraid my words might be childish and disturb the enjoyment of the senior brothers and sisters."

"Don't underestimate yourself," Zhang Lexuan gently encouraged. "Exchanges are meant to inspire each other; there's no hierarchy. Your unique insights are what interests them."

Jiang Nannan, standing nearby, added softly, "Dr. Xiaoyu, don't worry. Although Senior Sister Xiaotao and the others are very strong, they are all very kind people. And Sister Lexuan is here too."

Ling Yu nodded and said solemnly, "Then thank you very much for the introduction, Sister Lexuan. I will be waiting outside Jing Si Xuan on time this afternoon."

"Okay." Zhang Lexuan smiled and nodded. "Then Nannan and I won't bother you any longer. You've just arrived, so you can familiarize yourself with the environment this morning." She then politely nodded to Wang Dong, who had been leaning against the door without saying a word. "Excuse me for disturbing your rest, classmate."

Wang Dong'er was listening intently when she was suddenly called upon. She paused for a moment before awkwardly straightening up and mumbling, "...It's nothing."

After seeing Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan off, Ling Yu gently closed the door.

The dormitory fell silent.

Wang Dong'er stood still, but her gaze couldn't help following Ling Yu's figure. She watched him walk back to his desk, sit down, and pick up his pen again, as if the invitation to the "Inner Courtyard Gathering" was just a trivial matter.

She felt like a kitten was scratching at her heart.

Inner Courtyard... Jing Si Xuan... Senior Sister Xiao Tao... She, as a freshman, had never heard of these names, but she knew what the words "Inner Courtyard" meant.

That is where Shrek Academy's true elite reside, a place that countless outer court disciples look up to.

Why is it that Ling Yu, who has only been here for two days, is personally invited by a senior student from the Inner Court to attend such a high-end gathering? Or is it because "they are very curious about you"?

She moved to sit on the edge of her bed, picked up the book, flipped through a couple of pages, and couldn't help but glance at Ling Yu.

Ling Yu seemed completely absorbed in his own affairs, oblivious to the gaze directed at him.

Wang Dong'er hesitated for a while, but finally couldn't hold back. She put down her book, cleared her throat, and spoke in a tone that was as casual as possible, but whose ending still unconsciously carried a hint of inquiry:

"Hey, you..." She paused, as if searching for the right words, "Are you going to the inner courtyard this afternoon?"

Ling Yu didn't stop writing; he only responded with a soft "hmm."

This cold response made Wang Dong'er choke for a moment. She bit her lower lip and changed her approach: "Where is that Jing Si Xuan...? It sounds like it's in a remote area?" She tried her best to make her question sound like casual conversation.

"Sister Lexuan said she's in the inner courtyard, but I don't know the specifics. Sister Nannan will take me there this afternoon." Ling Yu's reply was still brief and businesslike.

It's "Sister Nan Nan" again! Wang Dong'er's nameless anger resurfaced.

She found that when talking to this guy, she always seemed to be at a disadvantage, and she couldn't get the response she wanted no matter what she asked. Instead, it made her seem like she cared a lot.

"Oh," she replied dryly, picked up the book again, and turned the page forcefully with a rustling sound. She didn't absorb a single word on the page; her mind was filled with the words "inner courtyard" and "gathering."

What secrets is this taciturn man hiding?

Why does he get so much attention?

Wang Dong'er became increasingly indignant as she thought about it, and her rosy cheeks unconsciously puffed up again, like a pufferfish filled with doubt and a little bit of resentment.

She decided to keep a close eye on things in the afternoon.

After writing down the initial strategy for the development of the Akatsuki organization, Ling Yu tidied up his desk and went back to bed to meditate and cultivate. He knew that facing those arrogant inner court students in the afternoon would probably be more than just drinking tea and chatting.

To convince them, simply reasoning with them won't work; we'll also need to explain physics.

This applies to every world: if you want to reason with others, you must first have the power to make them quiet down and listen to you.

I practiced all night last night, so I need to adjust my state first.

Seeing Ling Yu enter meditation, Wang Dong'er snorted inwardly, and as if unwilling to admit defeat, she returned to her bed and began to cultivate as well.

On the opposite bed, Wang Dong'er saw Ling Yu start cultivating without saying a word, and her competitive spirit resurfaced.

She pursed her lips, then sat cross-legged as well, closed her eyes, tried to calm her mind, and began to circulate her soul power.

Hmph, who doesn't know how to cultivate?

Don't think you're the only one working hard!

However, her heart, filled with curiosity and defiance, could not find peace.

Although his eyes were closed, his ears were perked up, capturing any slight movement from the other side.

The words "inner courtyard," "Quiet Contemplation Pavilion," and "gathering" kept replaying in my mind, along with Ling Yu's always calm and expressionless face.

The dormitory fell silent, with only two even, soft breaths.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting quiet dappled patterns on the two single beds facing each other.

……

As the hour of Wei approached, Wang Dong'er heard a soft rustling sound coming from across the street; it was Ling Yu getting up and changing his clothes.

She immediately opened her eyes a crack to peek, and saw that Ling Yu had changed into clean clothes, tidied his appearance, opened the door and walked out, gently closing the door behind him.

The moment the door closed, Wang Dong'er sprang up from the bed like a nimble cat, showing no trace of her cultivation.

She tiptoed to the door, pressed her ear against it to listen, and only after confirming that the footsteps in the corridor had faded away did she gently open the door a crack and peek out, looking around.

As Ling Yu's figure disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor, a sly and triumphant glint flashed in Wang Dong'er's pink-blue eyes, and a victorious expression appeared on her small face, as if to say, "I knew you would sneak around, and I caught you right away."

"Hmph, so secretive. I'll see what kind of crazy party you're having in the inner courtyard!" she muttered under her breath, then darted out the door, her movements light and swift, leaving Ling Yu far behind.

Following along, Wang Dong'er watched as Ling Yu met up with Jiang Nannan, who was waiting in front of the dormitory building. The two exchanged a few words in hushed tones and then headed towards the inner courtyard. Wang Dong'er's curiosity grew even stronger.

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