Chapter 21: MVP Settlement Micro-Sequence

Hu Liena struggled to cover her chest, completely unaware that the silk of her undergarments was catching fire. Beside her, Nian Yun was desperately trying to manifest a gust of wind; tucked away in those clothes was a gift he had spent nearly half a month preparing, and now, he watched in a panic as it threatened to turn to ash.

He tried repeatedly to condense the wind element, but to no avail. Finally, he watched helplessly as the fabric around his waist disintegrated into cinders. Just then, he felt his recently injured right hand regain some sensation, and a warm, smooth touch brushed against his arm.

"Ah!"

Hearing Hu Liena’s cry, Nian Yun immediately pulled his right hand away. Beneath their pressed-together garments, her fair skin was exposed. Feeling the warmth of it, the panic that had gripped them both began to subside.

"Pfft—"

The top of the wind barrier finally gave way, leaving a fireball fully exposed before them. Without hesitation, Nian Yun turned and tackled Hu Liena, shielding her beneath his body. Startled by his movement, Hu Liena looked up at him, her heart racing. She ignored the sensation of their chests pressed against each other, her eyes fixed on the fireball looming just inches away.

"Whoosh—"

The sound of the fireball descending echoed in their ears. Only after a long moment did they cautiously open their eyes. Hu Liena didn't even have time to look at Nian Yun before she flushed crimson, turned her head away, and scanned their surroundings. Staring at her slender, fair neck for a moment, Nian Yun realized that the tearing sensation he had expected in his back had not occurred, and he too began to look around.

"That fireball... it seems to have vanished," Hu Liena said, her voice soft and measured as she kept her face turned away.

"Oh, I—I’m sorry."

They stood up, turning their backs to one another. Just as they were pondering their predicament, two sets of clothing were tossed in from outside the wall of fire. Hu Liena caught the garments and, shyly, reached her other hand out behind her.

"These... these were thrown from outside. Take them."

Nian Yun turned around slowly. His gaze drifted unintentionally along her arm, and a glimpse of her fair silhouette caught his eyes.

"Nian Yun, take them."

Hearing her voice again, Nian Yun forced his gaze back to her arm, which was now free of bloodstains.

A short while later, once they were fully dressed, the wall of fire began to dissipate. Both of them looked toward the same direction, where a mature woman with short black hair was watching them with great interest.

"It seems I was right to bring two extra sets of clothes. Well, how do they fit?" the woman teased.

The two bowed shyly in greeting: "Senior."

"Don't make me sound so old. Never mind, it doesn't matter. Come up." As she spoke, the woman summoned her martial soul.

"Pfft." Nian Yun examined her closely. "Are you... Elder Ling Yuan?"

"Oh? A sharp eye. Not bad for the future of my Spirit Hall."

"Spirit Douluo Ling Yuan!" Hu Liena realized who she was and covered her mouth with her hand, whispering in awe.

...

On the way, the two wanted to ask some questions, but before they could speak, Ling Yuan broke the silence first.

"You will understand everything once we arrive."

...

They flew for a while longer. Arriving above Spirit Hall, Ling Yuan slowly descended. "Go in. His Holiness the Pope is waiting for you."

"Step, step." After bowing and thanking Ling Yuan, the two exchanged a glance and walked inside.

"Step, step." "Step, step, step."

"Your Holiness."

Bibi Dong opened her eyes with a rich smile. "Mm, rise. To be able to withstand three strikes from Elder Ling Yuan—very good."

"Step, step."

Turning his head, Nian Yun saw someone approaching. Hu Liena called out with a touch of excitement: "Brother."

Xie Yue smiled at the two and then bowed to Bibi Dong: "Your Holiness."

Bibi Dong nodded slightly.

Not long after, Yan, Zhang Ping, Li Kai, and Xu Yu walked in one after another.

"Your Holiness."

"Whoosh." A cloud of black mist appeared below the steps.

"Your Majesty, everyone has arrived," Yue Guan whispered.

Bibi Dong stood up and looked at the seven of them with a smile. "Congratulations on successfully passing the assessment. You are the seven most outstanding individuals in the academy. From today on, you seven will form the strongest team of our Spirit Academy."

"From now on, your training will be arranged by the Hall."

"Remember, your words and actions represent those of the Spirit Hall. I hope you will all strive for excellence and build the future of the Spirit Hall together!"

After exchanging glances, the seven of them said in unison: "For the Spirit Hall!"

...

At night, back at his quarters, Nian Yun fell onto his bed in exhaustion, not finding Morris anywhere.

"My gift..." He buried his face in his pillow, still muttering.

System: "Congratulations to the host for completing the task: 'Enter the Golden Generation lineup.' Rewards are being issued..."

"You finally show up? I thought you were gone."

System (Smiling): "Host, please rest assured. The system will appear when the host is about to die, so..."

"I give up. I wasn't played to death, but I was scared to death."

"By the way, I'm curious about how much Hu Liena's favorability toward me has risen."

System (Smiling even more broadly): "The system was just about to report that to you. The host's efficiency is so high that the system is truly impressed."

"Save the flattery. You'd be better off giving me a few soul bones."

System: "Ahem, those are things you will get sooner or later. Here are the details of Hu Liena’s favorability."

[Companionship +3, Dessert +3, Blocking an Injury +5, Dying Together +10, Naked Encounter +15]

System: "A total of 61. Congratulations, host. You have unlocked a new stage of favorability with Hu Liena."

"A new stage? 61 isn't bad."

"Wait, what the hell are you talking about? 'Dying together'?"

System: "The precognition function has been activated. The system wishes to congratulate the host in advance."

"Congratulate me for what?"

"Click—"

"Nian Yun, you're back." Morris opened the door and saw Nian Yun lying on the bed, talking to himself.

"Morris."

"Congratulations. With your strength, the test must have been a breeze."

Hearing this, Nian Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Cheer up. It couldn't be helped; that Soul Sage bishop was already going easy on us. It's my own strength that was limited."

Seeing Morris genuinely happy for him, Nian Yun raised the corners of his mouth slightly, though his expression darkened involuntarily at the mention of 'Soul Sage.'

"Whoosh, whoosh."

Outside the window, a breeze blew by, and the faint fragrance carried on the wind made Nian Yun feel intoxicated. Soon, his thoughts returned to that 'naked' encounter.

"This is!"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm going out to get some air."

Without waiting for a reply, Nian Yun didn't even use the door; he flipped out through the window.

Morris was stunned for a moment, but the faint fragrance left behind by Nian Yun made him feel happy for his friend.

"Tap-step."

Using the wind, Nian Yun quickly climbed to the roof. He looked toward a nearby rooftop; just seeing that silhouette was enough to make his heart race.

"Whoosh-tap."

"Tap—"

Hu Liena glanced at Nian Yun as he appeared beside her, a smile she couldn't suppress blooming on her lips.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, I just arrived, and you came right after."

They sat in silence, admiring the moon.

...

"Nian Yun, thank you for today." Her voice was very light, but Hu Liena knew Nian Yun had heard her.

"Thank you..." Nian Yun was just about to speak, but when he turned his head, that beloved, smiling face was already pressed against his own.

The flawless, fair face in his eyes was now truly right in front of him.

On his lips, a touch of rouge was brushing against him.

Nian Yun flushed, closed his eyes, and enjoyed the glow of the full moon.

—

On the other side of the rooftop, watching the scene before them, a figure turned and left calmly, leaving behind only a patch of dark red lava.