CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 41: FAREWELL

Yang Zhou’s "immature little suggestion" quickly received approval from the Department of Education: students received extra credits, teachers received raises, and Li Xing, Tang Dou, and a group of main battle students were allowed to freely choose which reserve military academy to attend. After all, these were their rightful rewards, and it didn’t cost the Department of Education anything, so why not?

After ten years of basic education, it finally concluded amidst the laughter and tears of the students.

Thanks to the Wolf-headed Bat attack, the education department awarded extra credits, and this year’s martial master students achieved the highest acceptance rate to reserve military academies since the founding of Datang Academy.

In a small place like Datang City, having a child attend a reserve military academy is a great honor for the family, boasting rights that come with government bonuses and welfare policies.

Students from reserve military academies, along with their immediate family members, could relocate without household registration restrictions.

Therefore, every graduation season, fortunate families, thanks to their children, would leave Datang and move to better living conditions in middle or upper cities.

This year, there were exceptionally many fortunate families; as the holidays began, numerous students and their families were already planning to leave Datang for other cities.

There is no such thing as a banquet that never ends, but cultivators tend to take farewells lightly, believing that as long as destiny allows, they will meet again.

Yet, human emotions are ultimately flesh and blood, and facing classmates who, while holding her hand, were crying their hearts out, Li Xing couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.

She didn’t like such a sad atmosphere and particularly didn’t want to attend farewell parties, but while anyone could be absent, she could not.

Ever since the Wolf-headed Bat incident, she became indisputably the big sister, a star figure at Datang Academy. If someone held a farewell party and didn’t invite Sister Xing, it would be seen as lacking class and face, and the tears would be truly heart-wrenching.

So, for several days in a row, Li Xing found herself moving between various farewell parties, feeling both frustrated and helpless as she watched her classmates showcase their tearful performances around her.

Today was the day of Tang Dou’s departure, and everyone gathered to see him off at the Teleportation Port. Watching the butler and servants in black tailcoats, elegantly and efficiently handling Young Master Tang’s countless designer luggage, Li Xing admitted she felt a pang of envy.

"Brother Tang, I heard Cold Smoke Castle is really cold. Did you bring enough clothes?" Ma Le, easily moved to tears, would cry at any goodbye, but today, saying goodbye to his most beloved Brother Tang, was teary-eyed from start to finish.

Tang Dou kept his head down, not daring to meet Ma Le’s eyes, and responded with a muffled grunt.

"Ma Le, didn’t you want the latest game console? I used my VIP status to order one from Wan Tong Department Store; it’ll arrive in a couple of days, so remember to pick it up."

"Brother Tang..." The new game console was selling like hotcakes, with orders backed up for half a year. Ma Le had offhandedly complained about how hard it was to get, not expecting Tang Dou to remember.

"Focus on leveling up. Don’t call me to play until you reach platinum rank; I don’t want to team up with a noob like you!"

Ma Le nodded tearfully, "I’ll transfer the money to you."

"Get out of here. Do I look like I need your petty cash? Remembering our friendship is worth more than anything else!"

"Brother Tang, I won’t forget. As long as you still see me as a friend, I’ll always be here!"

After saying this, Ma Le could no longer hold back, jumping up to hug Tang Dou and crying out loud, ignoring the curious glances from people around.

Ma Le knew that, given his aptitude and abilities, he would only live as an ordinary person. Tang Dou’s future was brighter and grander, and he was fortunate to know him. What’s more, Tang Dou didn’t look down on him.

Removing Ma Le’s arms, Tang Dou looked up at Li Xing, his expression shy.

"Li Xing, I have to go."

"Have you really decided to go to Cold Smoke Pavilion?"

"Yes."

Among the many Federation Reserve Military Academies, four are recognized as the best and strongest, with Cold Smoke Pavilion being one of them. Located in Cold Smoke Castle in the Northern Federation, it is cold year-round.

The harsh climate also serves as a training factor, and Cold Smoke Pavilion has a training method that utilizes the cold weather, which is particularly effective for Earth Elemental Spirit Warriors known for their strength. This aspect was what attracted Tang Dou to pursue further studies at Cold Smoke Pavilion.

"The Tang Family’s main residence is in Cold Smoke Castle. Our branch of the family split off years ago and moved to Datang City, so now I’m essentially returning home in honor."

Li Xing nodded, "Tang Dou, you’re a worthy opponent, and knowing you has been my honor! I wish you a bright future and endless success."

Despite being defeated by Li Xing countless times, Tang Dou never sought trouble with her in private, nor did he resort to scheming tricks. From this perspective, although Tang Dou has some small flaws, his straightforward nature is truly rare.

Li Xing was the first to extend her hand to Tang Dou, who grasped it without hesitation and shook hands.

"Li Xing, we... are friends. You must take care, and when you reach the new school, crush anyone who dares challenge you. Let them know that graduates from Datang Academy are no pushovers! We’ll each work hard, and the next time we meet, let’s have a proper showdown. I won’t hold back."

For ten years, it was the first time she found Tang Dou’s words so agreeable.

"Alright, it’s a deal! When I reach the top and earn fame, I’ll announce to the world that you’re the only one who can knock me out in one move. As for opponents, I’ll only acknowledge you!"

Tang Dou slightly smiled, feeling that this suggestion sounded quite good.

"I’m off."

Tang Dou turned away gracefully, entering the Teleportation Port without looking back.

After bidding farewell to Ma Le and the others, Li Xing finally felt relieved; the send-offs were done, and from tomorrow, she could happily focus on Alchemy, fighting monsters, and making money.

"Beep beep beep—beep beep beep—"

The optical brain sent a video communication request. Li Xing glanced at it and answered.

"Hello? Hello hello, is it connected?" A young man with sea urchin-style green hair appeared on the optical brain screen.

"It’s connected. Go ahead."

"Master, why can’t I see you?!" Disappointed at the failed first video call with Little White Flower, Yang Dawei sounded down.

"The front camera is broken."

"..."

Although Li Xing repeatedly emphasized that she wasn’t a talisman master, Yang Dawei, with his unusual thinking, never believed it, maintaining Li Xing’s high image in his mind for years.

But the truth could not stay hidden for long, and fake would eventually be exposed. Over time, Yang Dawei gradually noticed that Little White Flower Master was even more amateurish than he was concerning many common questions about talisman masters.

This forced him to reassess Little White Flower Master’s identity; could it possibly be that she was truly just a talisman enthusiast, as she claimed?

After an open and honest talk, Yang Dawei completely gave up on the thought, realizing there was no master, only a child younger than him!

Nevertheless, he didn’t underestimate Li Xing because of this, instead making a decision he still considers exceedingly wise—to develop Li Xing into a partner!

How many people in this world could upgrade a Rune Plate through self-study? Li Xing was definitely a potential hotshot, a leg to latch onto tightly.

"Master! You’ve pocketed quite a share of the shop’s dividends over the years, but still don’t splurge on a new optical brain? Be honest, are you tangled up in drugs, gambling, or similar?"

"Get lost. Speak your business; if nothing, I’ll hang up."

"Hey hey, wait, there’s something!" Yang Dawei organized his thoughts, then continued, "Do you know anything about the forest outside Datang City? Or do you know someone who does? I’ve got a guide job here that pays quite well."

Who else could be more professional as a guide in the forest?

"Give me the details."