Chapter 37: Darkening of the Light

Darkening of the Light

Fu Guang hesitated a little; her bodily coordination was excellent, but she was still a novice at close-quarters combat.

She had never practiced body refinement before, and single combat would nicely compensate for this weakness.

But the Sentinels were indeed somewhat unrestrained.

"Does the academy have any requirements for Sentinel attire?" she asked.

"Cough." Yin Zhu couldn't hold back her laughter, turned slightly and gave a light cough.

Fu Guang really understood the Sentinels; those Sentinels were almost ready to dress themselves up like peacocks, just waiting to show off to Fu Guang.

"Don't worry, among Sentinels the strong rule; as long as I'm here, fewer than twenty could appear before you." Yin Zhu comforted Fu Guang.

She secretly thought, it's still better with someone of the same sex; Fu Guang wasn't as wary of her as she would be of a man, and was even allowed into the Guide's private territory.

Damn that bunch of arrogant fools.

Fu Guang rubbed the goosebumps on her arm, feeling as if she were about to enter a wolf's den.

The two exchanged greetings and left the villa; a hovercar awaited at the gate, one Fu Guang had applied for after her clearance was upgraded at Alliance University.

Yin Zhu's golden eyes narrowed, she scanned the hidden Sentinels all around; the black‑footed cat grew larger, lounging on the hovercar's roof and exuding the aura of an S‑rank Sentinel, warning the approaching Sentinels.

Fu Guang sat by the window and noticed many Sentinels passing along this road; formerly this road was deserted, with only occasional passersby, never so many.

Are they forming a team to farm bosses?

Never mind that she isn't a boss; besides, she doesn't drop loot—she only makes these people drop their own stuff, then they cry for their parents and run away.

"Have you arrived?" Shang Ze's message blinked on the info box.

"Young Master Shang, what are you preparing?" Yin Zhu didn't answer, but threw the question back.

"Yin Zhu, you should be asking what everyone is preparing." Shang Ze's message replied quickly.

"Just wait." Yin Zhu closed her light‑brain; in her field of view, a blond girl with closed eyes was cultivating, her spiritual power slowly flowing beside her, reminiscent of Sheng Lai Ke Si in her memory—constantly striving to cultivate.

"Fu Guang, have you decided on a name for your weapon?" Yin Zhu asked, "A five‑stringed guqin—such instruments are rare nowadays; I've only seen them in museums and ancient texts."

Fu Guang kept her eyes closed and said, "Darkening."

The hovercar came to a steady stop; Fu Guang opened her eyes to see Sentinels dressed extraordinarily splendidly.

The higher‑ranked the Sentinel, the finer their physique; as rank rose, their bodies approached perfection.

Each of their physiques had its own flair, and they all knew how to dress to look their best.

Those with good builds even went bare‑chested to show off their strong, powerful muscles.

All were tall and long‑legged, with excellent looks, conspicuously highlighting their strengths, flaunting themselves like disciples of the Union Joy Sect.

Fu Guang twitched the corner of her mouth, feeling that stepping out would be like wandering into the Union Joy Sect; she hesitated at the door, not getting out, and said, "They'll have something to do soon, right?"

Yin Zhu pressed her lips, unable to suppress a smile at Fu Guang's reluctance to mimic her comrades' attire.

How could they think Fu Guang was a lustful person?

Even if they weren't blocking her car, Fu Guang could ignore them, but as they stepped forward another pace, they were practically about to get in…

"Change your clothes, or I'll have to replace you for this mission." Fu Guang felt the stalemate wasn't working, she pulled up the group chat and spoke for the first time.

"Sure thing."

Shang Ze grabbed the reluctant Bai Gao and turned to leave, the silver‑white ornaments on his person clinking and clanking.

"Just say the military department's plan can't be realized."

"Regardless of the outcome, if we carry it out, the blame won't fall on us."

"Don't blame everything on the military department, as if we had no ideas of our own."

Bai Gao shook off Shang Ze's grip on his collar, looked him up and down—his familiar white suit, but adorned with many jingling ornaments.

He sneered, "You really are a white peacock."

Shang Ze gave Bai Gao a sour glance, glanced at his chest, and scoffed, "With such a frail build, you'd better train more."

……

After the crowd gradually dispersed, Fu Guang exited the car, used water escape to head to the training ground, pushed open the door, and Sheng Lai Ke Si, waiting inside, turned and nodded to her.

"Sheng Lai Ke Si, long time no see."

Seeing the utterly normal Sheng Lai Ke Si, Fu Guang relaxed and greeted him cheerfully.

"You're late." Sheng Lai Ke Si's cold words echoed in the room.

What?

Fu Guang checked her light‑brain: it was 2:03 PM, while class started at 1:50, so she was indeed late.

"Sorry."

Before she could finish, the door behind her was pushed open, a long, slender hand with distinct joints resting on the doorframe.

She quickly darted aside to avoid being hit by the opening door; Bai Gao halted his back‑and‑forth with Shang Ze.

He had changed into his usual casual sportswear, sleeves rolled up to reveal smooth forearms.

His silver eyes brightened; he took three strides in two steps to reach Fu Guang's side, his little canine tooth showing as he said, "Sister."

Looking at her, his eyes were full of adoration and infatuation.

Fu Guang stepped back half a pace, thinking she had done nothing—why was this kid looking at her like that?

"Sister." Bai Gao seemed struck by Fu Guang's action; he spoke softly, his peach‑blossom eyes dimming.

Sheng Lai Ke Si pinched his brow and said, "Bai Gao, Shang Ze, you two go to the training room for a sparring match—no spiritual power."

Bai Gao turned his head, looking dissatisfied at Sheng Lai Ke Si from a place Fu Guang couldn't see.

Shang Ze pressed his hand onto Bai Gao's shoulder and said, "Come on, weren't you just wanting to practice?"

Bai Gao glanced at the unmoving Fu Guang, then gripped and pulled off the hand on his shoulder; the two skeletons seemed to emit a clear, ringing sound.

Fu Guang met Sheng Lai Ke Si's gaze and said, "Guide Fu Guang, since you've come to the single‑combat class, I can assume you want to become stronger?"

Of course.

Sheng Lai Ke Si nodded, green eyes fixed on her for a moment, "Please, Fu Guang guide, run ten thousand meters first."

I'll record your physical condition here to arrange the subsequent training.

Fu Guang reached up, twisted her long ponytail, secured it with a hairpin, and started running as soon as she was in position.

Soon after, Shang Ze and Bai Gao walked out of the training room; Fu Guang counted her heartbeat and steps, running slowly, she thought running these distances wasn't that hard.

After about five minutes, sweat appeared on her forehead; around seven minutes, sweat trickled down her eyelids, most of her stamina drained, and her throat tightened.

The finish line still seemed far away.

"Lang Ge, how far did you set it?" Bai Gao leaned against the rail, wiping sweat from their forehead.

Ten thousand meters.

"Ah? Ten thousand meters isn't just a blink away?" Bai Gao said incredulously, "Sister doesn't look that weak either."

So weak, could he...?

A glint of light flashed in his silver pupils.

"On one hand, attack power isn't necessarily proportional to one's stamina."

"On the other hand, if you want to, just go. We also want to see what result you'll get." Shang Ze loosened his collar, speaking as if watching a show.

The girl's speed was much slower than at the start, sweat soaking her skin gave it a pearl-like sheen.

The white fox jumped onto Shang Ze's shoulder.

He looked down at the girl's unceasing footsteps.

She didn't care about her own embarrassment and fatigue; her eyes seemed to hold only the goal.