Chapter 9: Winning Over Bibi Dong? System, You’re Truly Unbelievable

"What mission?"

System: "The mission will only appear once the host triggers the conditions."

"That doesn't make sense. Logically speaking, having twin martial souls should be enough to make me famous within the Spirit Hall. And what about that black raven? Could it be stuck on him?" Every time Nian Yun thought of that cold, avian face, he couldn't help but shiver.

Back at the dormitory.

"With your current strength, once you fill your spirit rings, you will be fully capable of fighting Yan," Morris said, sitting on his bed and looking at the anxious Nian Yun.

"Ah, oh, it's fine. No rush. We'll have to fight sooner or later. As for those spreading rumors, I'll make them regret it eventually."

Nian Yun's confident demeanor looked even more dazzling against the backdrop of the sunset. Morris couldn't help but be infected by this confidence, and the corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

A Dream of Black Ravens

"Huff, huff, huff."

After a burst of rapid breathing, Nian Yun bolted upright.

"I am someone destined to become a god, yet a mere Spirit Saint dares to disturb my sleep."

The commotion woke Morris up from across the room. "Nian Yun, was there an earthquake? It's fine, come here, I'll cover you."

"It's nothing, just had a nightmare. Sorry." Seeing that he had disturbed Morris, Nian Yun hurriedly apologized.

Opening his eyes to glance at the window, where the light was just beginning to break, Morris fell back asleep.

As Nian Yun turned away from Morris and muttered something under his breath, just as he was about to lie back down, he felt a very familiar presence.

He looked up, and a black raven was perched on the windowsill.

"What the hell is this?" After a soft mutter, Nian Yun noticed the raven staring fixedly at him. He then caught sight of a white strip of paper tied to its leg. He sighed.

*Swish—tap, tap, tap.*

He threw on a jacket and sauntered toward the window.

The moment Nian Yun approached, the black raven on the sill dissolved into a few black feathers that drifted away, and the white strip of paper dropped straight down.

"A message by raven? I've lived long enough to see everything." Shaking his head, Nian Yun picked up the paper and opened it.

[Assemble at the square immediately - Nian Yun]

"No peace in my dreams, and still a pain in the neck when I wake up. This second playthrough is really uncomfortable." He kept complaining, but his body moved without hesitation.

After ten minutes of simple preparation, Nian Yun finally walked out of the dormitory at a leisurely pace.

"Tap, tap, tap."

"Nian Yun, it really is you."

Looking through the morning mist, he saw that familiar face. "Xie Yue!"

Sensing that something was up, Nian Yun looked around. In the breeze, two more figures came into view.

"It's no surprise that Yan is here, and that over there is Zhang Ping," Xie Yue said, following Nian Yun's gaze.

"What are we..."

Just as Nian Yun was about to ask, a crisp, delicate voice reached him: "Brother, and... Nian Yun."

"Na... Hu Liena, good morning." Nian Yun put on a smile and greeted her.

"Good morning." Although her face hadn't changed much from when they first met, the icy coldness she usually projected toward outsiders was absent when she faced Nian Yun.

"By the way, I think Zhang Ping is in the same class as you. I heard she got first place in the assessment," Xie Yue added, recalling the news about her.

"We don't really know each other," Nian Yun said, his face stiffening. Judging by Zhang Ping's martial soul, he knew she would look their way after hearing the conversation. Since his first impression of her wasn't great, he didn't want to turn around and make eye contact.

"Everyone is here. Get ready to move out," Lustre appeared out of nowhere. After a quick glance at everyone, he signaled for them to depart.

*Clatter, clatter, clatter.*

The sound of hooves grew closer and then faded. Soon, seven or eight carriages rolled out of the academy.

Just as Nian Yun was feeling confused, Xie Yue and Hu Liena waved at him and headed toward the third carriage.

While he hesitated, a black raven landed on his shoulder. "Get in the fifth one."

As soon as it spoke, it turned into a black feather and drifted off. After counting the carriages, Nian Yun found his place.

*Clang.*

As the door opened, an icy gaze from inside locked onto him.

After a brief pause, Nian Yun stepped into the carriage and closed the door. Soon, the sound of hooves returned, and the convoy headed toward the academy gate.

[Side Quest: Get to know Zhang Ping]
[Reward: ?]

The system's notification chimed in his mind again.

"System, you bastard."

The silence in the carriage lasted a long time.

"Hello, Nian Yun." Tempted by the unknown reward, Nian Yun couldn't help himself.

"Twin martial souls," Zhang Ping said to herself.

"You have a good memory." Nian Yun gave an awkward, silly laugh.

Silence returned once more.

"Zhang Ping, if there is a chance, I would really like to see it," Zhang Ping said, a flicker of anticipation in her eyes.

[Side Quest: Get to know Zhang Ping completed. Reward being distributed...]

As the notification echoed in his mind, Nian Yun's face lit up with joy. He shed his outer layer of shyness and put on his most confident expression.

"No problem, you're welcome anytime."

His sudden change in demeanor made Zhang Ping laugh.

"By the way, where are we going?" Looking out the window at the soldiers who saluted the convoy from time to time, Nian Yun felt very curious about their destination.

"Every batch of outstanding new students receives a summons from the Pope after enrollment. Usually, they are identified from the Junior Spirit Master Academy in Spirit City. However, this time, there is an exception." After explaining, Zhang Ping's gaze fell back onto Nian Yun.

"An exception?" At first, Nian Yun didn't react, but after locking eyes with Zhang Ping, he pointed to himself. "Me?"

"To receive the Pope's attention in such a short time, you really should thank your twin martial souls," Zhang Ping said with a shake of her head, sounding somewhat envious.

"Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong!" Linking this to the mission map from yesterday, Nian Yun grew instantly excited.

System: "Side quest reward has been placed in the host's storage box. Please check it."

"What kind of good stuff is it? Let me see." Nian Yun couldn't wait to jump into his mind and open the box.

"Conditioner, oil-absorbing sheets, face masks..."

After digging around, a pile of unexpected items came into view.

"What kind of system gives these as rewards? System, I suspect you were transmigrated from Blue Star too."

*Ding—*

System: "Mission panel refreshed."

[Spirit Hall Mission Prologue: Please Bibi Dong]

"Wooing Bibi Dong? System, you really are outrageous." The moment he saw the mission, Nian Yun felt a thousand words stuck in his throat.

[Reward: One 6,000-year-old spirit beast]

"Well, acting like a villainous usurper isn't impossible."

*Clang—*

The crisp sound of the gate pulled Nian Yun back to reality.

"A word of advice: do not lose your composure in front of the Pope. Otherwise, not even your twin martial souls will be able to save you." For some reason, seeing Nian Yun looking around, Zhang Ping gave him a subtle warning.

"Don't worry, I know the rules."