Chapter 98: Reunion After Long Separation

Soon, Yu Tianyun arrived at the Tian Dou Royal Academy for the third time. This time, he again lingered at the gate for a moment and activated his Ice‑Fire Twin Pupils, yet still did not spot Xuebeng and his henchmen; he couldn't help but smile, then stepped into the academy.

Yu Tianyun had already been here twice before, so his entrance was smooth as ever. After asking passersby, he learned Duguyan's location and headed straight there.

At this moment, Yu Tianyun took a skewer of candied hawthorn from the Storage Soul Conduit and ate it bite by bite, spitting out the tiny hawthorn pits now and then.

"Hmm, it's quite sweet, not too sour," Yu Tianyun couldn't help but nod in praise.

However, he didn't truly enjoy the candied hawthorn.

Yu Tianyun has never been fond of sour‑sweet things, only because the women he loves do!

Soon, the last piece was swallowed, and Yu Tianyun tossed the bamboo skewer aside.

He extended his hand, fingers pressed together in front of him, exhaled, then inhaled sharply.

"Hmm, the effect is decent," Yu Tianyun said, nodding with satisfaction.

Soon, Yu Tianyun arrived at a training ground.

At that moment, seven figures were on the training ground, and he immediately spotted the short‑haired, curvaceous woman with purple hair—Duguyan.

Duguyan stood in the center, facing five other young men and women, while a slightly older man watched from the edge.

"Teacher Qin, ever since Deputy Captain Yu Tianheng dropped out, even the five of us together can't beat the captain! The captain is just too strong," said a handsome young man of average build, with short golden hair and lively small eyes.

"Yes, Teacher Qin, please stop tormenting us; Sister Yanzi and we are on completely different levels, we need opponents of equal rank," another equally handsome man in black, with a slightly androgynous air, added.

Among the other three, two were a pair of twins—broad‑shouldered, square‑jawed hulks—while the remaining trainee, standing behind everyone, was a graceful young woman.

She wore black from head to toe, even a veil of black gauze over her face; slender, with a waterfall of blue hair spilling down her back. Her blue eyes showed no emotion, emanating only loneliness and desolation.

Though the three said nothing, their expressions indicated strong agreement with what the two handsome men had said.

The middle‑aged man called "Teacher Qin" appeared to be in his thirties, with an ordinary face, simple black hair, plain clothing, and only his eyes retained some spark.

He didn't draw attention like the others; he seemed just an ordinary person.

He frowned and said, "You disappoint me. When faced with a strong enemy, do you cower and surrender? Do you only dare to bully those with lower soul power?" "Although Duguyan has two more Soul Rings than you, she is alone while you are five. Even if you can't defeat her, you still have the strength to retaliate, and under Ye Lingling's healing you won't be in danger. Fighting Duguyan will better hone you and improve you."

The six people here are the other five members of the Imperial Battle Squad and their team leader.

The handsome youth is Soul Master Yufeng of the Fengling Bird, the man in black is Soul Master Aosiluo of the Ghost Leopard, the twins are Soul Masters Shimo and Shi Mo of the Black Tortoise Turtle, the veiled woman is the squad's sole support Soul Master Ye Lingling, and the middle‑aged Soul Master is Flame‑Azure Wolf Qin Ming.

At this time, Duguyan was idly listening to Qin Ming lecturing the teammates opposite her. Since she took the Immortal Herb, her strength has surged, and no member of the Imperial Battle Squad can match her. The only one who could still somewhat contend with her, Yu Tianheng, transferred away half a year ago.

Now, even if the other five squad members combine forces, they are no match for her. She also feels the fight is a foregone conclusion with no benefit to herself, but since Qin Ming is her team leader, she feels embarrassed to refuse his face, so she steps in as a sparring partner.

Because of her grandfather's notorious reputation and her own terrifying poisonous aura, Duguyan has always had few friends.

Now, the huge gap in strength with the teammates leaves her with even fewer confidants; only the lone, solitary, desolate girl opposite her is close, and the two naturally become inseparable best friends.

Suddenly, a dazzling flash seemed to streak through Duguyan's mind, and she instinctively turned her head backward.

A tall, muscular man with a stern face appeared in her view—he was the one she had been longing for! In an instant, her heart felt hammered, her breathing quickened. Her eyes filled with tears that welled up uncontrollably; these were not sorrowful tears but tears of happiness.

Duguyan darted forward like an arrow released from a bow, the ground beneath seeming unable to bear her haste. Her skirt billowed in the wind like a blooming flower. Her hair streamed wildly, each strand brimming with excitement and joy.

She threw herself into Yu Tianyun's arms at breakneck speed, stirring a gust of wind. Her hands clutched his neck, fingers whitening from the strain. Her body trembled slightly, as if she would use every ounce of strength to embed herself in his embrace, fearing that if she let go it would vanish like a dream. Her bright red lips pressed hard against Yu Tianyun's mouth.

The kiss not only felt sweet to Duguyan's heart, but on the palate it was sour‑sweet, leaving her both surprised and astonished.

Yu Tianyun felt Duguyan's passion, his hands tightly embracing her slender waist as if to fold her into his own body forever.

Soon, the rushing tears soaked both of their collars.

The onlookers were stunned by the sudden scene; the usually aloof, proud captain who kept strangers at bay now appeared like a coddled little bird.

But they all courteously refrained from disturbing the couple, their gazes full of curiosity—anyone chosen by Duguyan must be extraordinary! Only Ye Lingling's eyes held more than curiosity; she is Duguyan's closest friend, and she had heard from Duguyan about Yu Tianyun. Duguyan and he had been apart for two years, and now they were a long-awaited reunion.

At that moment, watching Duguyan finally reunite with her lover, she silently sent her blessings, feeling a tinge of envy, wondering when she might have such love herself, but then recalling her own situation, her gaze grew markedly forlorn.

(End of Chapter)