Chapter 121: Auntie, Dare You Bet With Me?

The competition during this study trip will begin at 9: 0 a. . tomorrow.

Score tallying will conclude at 9: 0 a. . on December 10, one month from now.

I hope everyone actively hunts down ferocious beasts during this period.

Of course,

you must act according to your own strength and avoid overextending.

That's all for today. Dismissed.

After the vice president of Qingjing Institute of Esoteric Abilities announced dismissal,

the freshmen from the three universities did not leave, but instead began shouting excitedly.

"The Qingjing Institute's five-member team still needs one support-type esoteric ability user."

Requirement: first-rank upper tier; students from our school or other schools are both acceptable."

"Two-member elite teams must possess absolute offensive-type esoteric abilities, rank A or higher."

"Of course, if an S-rank wants to team up with me, I won't refuse."

"......"

This study trip competition imposed no restrictions on team formation.

Most freshmen knew they had no chance of securing a top ranking.

So they treated it as a training opportunity and began inviting others to form teams.

Even some social butterflies started inviting freshmen from other schools.

Suddenly, the entire square buzzed with voices.

"Big Brother Ming, our Class 2 is forming several adventure teams to operate around the Demon Cavern. Want to join?"

At that moment, a tall girl approached Xu Jingming, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"I won't join. You guys form your team," Xu Jingming smiled.

The girl's name was Ding Yu, class monitor of his Class 2.

She routinely assisted the counselor in organizing all class activities.

According to Mo University's rules, the class monitor should be the strongest student.

But since this position offered little benefit to power advancement and consumed excessive time, Xu Jingming had no interest.

Thus, Ding Yu, who ranked 16th in the freshman competition, was chosen.

Though Ding Yu had anticipated his refusal, confirmation still brought a pang of disappointment.

Yet she concealed it well, instead punching the air in encouragement:

"Since we can't team up, then I wish you'll take first place—crush that S-rank from Qingjing!"

"I will," Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

After learning that the Qingjing Institute had an S-rank external ally with third-rank power,

most people doubted him, though none voiced it openly.

Only those close to him, especially classmates who shared his daily classes, still had absolute faith.

Class monitor Ding Yu was one such steadfast supporter.

"Alright, I'll keep looking for teammates. See you later, Big Brother Ming."

Ding Yu waved and left.

Beside him, Song Qiuyun blinked curiously at Xu Jingming:

"Tomorrow, when you enter the Demon Cavern, you're still going alone?"

"My goal is the Demon Cavern's central zone. Traveling with others would slow me down."

Xu Jingming nodded.

Demon Cavern No. 7 is divided into distinct zones: the outer zone mostly contains first- to third-rank ferocious beasts.

The central zone is dominated by third- to fifth-rank ferocious beasts.

With my current strength, I can handle fourth-rank lower-tier beasts.

I can still escape from fifth-rank beasts, so the central zone is ideal.

"The central zone..."

Song Qiuyun's face reflected awe.

She was certain that if she entered the central zone now, she'd have no chance of survival...

After a pause, she asked with hopeful anticipation:

"But walking from the outer zone to the central zone should take one or two days, right?

Can I travel with you during that time?"

"With me?"

Xu Jingming raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then nodded: "Alright."

Though Song Qiuyun was only second-rank lower tier, her actual combat power could match fourth-rank lower-tier beasts.

Taking her along in the outer zone wouldn't be a burden.

But this would delay his entry into the central zone by about half a day.

Based on the aura he observed from the S-rank in the training hall that morning,

though the man's aura was powerful, it lacked refinement and chill.

It proved this Kesan had never spent long periods in the wilderness.

Even a third-rank S-rank like him, Xu Jingming still felt confident he could crush.

Delaying half a day was negligible.

"Fine. Tomorrow, when you leave, just ring my doorbell."

Song Qiuyun's eyes curved into crescents, her delicate face suddenly looking adorable.

After confirming they'd travel together tomorrow, Xu Jingming returned to the training hall.

Song Qiuyun, however, parted from Xu Jingming and headed straight for the main building of the supply base.

Like the Yuan Shui Supply Base, the top floor of the Shunan Supply Base housed the chief supervisor's office and VIP reception rooms.

These areas were normally off-limits, but Song Qiuyun pulled out a black-gold card,

swiped it over the elevator's sensor, and rode straight to the top floor.

Whoosh—

The elevator doors opened, and Song Qiuyun stepped out with graceful strides.

Two guards standing beside the elevator seemed surprised by her arrival.

But they quickly recovered and bowed respectfully: "Young Lady."

Song Qiuyun nodded slightly and walked confidently into the chief supervisor's office.

Inside the elegant, luxurious office, only behind the desk sat

a beautiful woman, composed and working.

She was Zhou Ying, chief supervisor of the Shunan Supply Base.

Seeing Zhou Ying, Song Qiuyun's face lit up with a warm smile:

"Auntie, I'm here."

"Xiao Yun?"

Zhou Ying looked up, her face filled with surprise and delight.

She immediately rose, pulled Song Qiuyun onto the sofa, and feigned scolding:

"You little rascal, I thought you'd forgotten your auntie now that you've got a boyfriend."

Song Qiuyun's cheeks flushed slightly: "Auntie, what are you saying? I was just busy with something else..."

"Don't pretend. Your Bin brother already told me—it's Xu Jingming, right?"

Though Zhou Ying was over forty, her beauty remained dazzling, and now a teasing smile lingered on her lips.

"N-no... I haven't even gotten to first base with him."

The powerful second-ranked Mo University freshman,

under her auntie's teasing, turned bright red, fidgeting nervously with her hair.

"Haha, Xiao Yun, you're just as adorable as ever."

Zhou Ying giggled, then stopped teasing and turned serious:

"You're entering the Demon Cavern tomorrow, right?

The Demon Cavern isn't like ordinary wilderness—it's extremely dangerous.

The Twelfth Squad is stationed here. I'll have them accompany you."

"No need, Auntie. I can handle it alone."

Recovering from her embarrassment, Song Qiuyun quickly waved her hands in refusal.

"Using our own military squad isn't a bother," Zhou Ying raised an elegant eyebrow.

She spoke the truth:

The entire Glory Corps belongs to the Song family of Sichuan Province.

As the current clan leader's daughter, Song Qiuyun didn't just need to request a small squad—

she could mobilize the entire corps with a single word.

The Song family even holds major shares in the Shunan Supply Base—otherwise, she couldn't be chief supervisor here.

"Auntie, no need—I'd get punished by the school if I got caught cheating."

"Besides, my dad already gave me a protective talisman; I'll be fine."

Song Qiuyun pointed with her jade finger to the necklace around her pure white neck.

The necklace glowed a translucent white, faintly emitting a soft milky radiance and a heavy surge of energy.

"A protective talisman? So your brother-in-law already gave it to you—then you really don't need anyone else to guard you."

Zhou Ying finally exhaled in relief, then another teasing smile reappeared on her alluring face:

"What about your little boyfriend? Should Auntie arrange someone to protect him?"

Song Qiuyun no longer bothered correcting her aunt's term of address; after a moment's thought, she said seriously:

"Jingming is very strong—he doesn't need anyone specially assigned to guard him."

In truth, she worried these people were hiding in the shadows, trailing them.

As long as they weren't discovered, it was fine—but if they were, it would be hard to explain.

"True—he's already Upper Second Rank, plus an S-rank ability."

"As long as he doesn't go deep into the demon lairs, there won't be major problems."

Zhou Ying nodded slightly, then added with a hint of regret:

"It's just a pity—this year, Qingjing Institute of Psychic Abilities brought in outside help."

"Otherwise, your little boyfriend would've been number one."

"Even with outside help, he'll still be number one."

Song Qiuyun's expression was serious.

"Oh? Are you that confident in him?"

Zhou Ying was surprised.

Demon Lair No. 7, one of the most notoriously dangerous wilderness zones in Great Xia.

Not only domestic psychic warriors came here, but many foreign ones as well.

As a Sixth-Rank psychic warrior and the head administrator of the base, she had met several S-rank awakened psychics.

And among S-rank abilities,

higher-ranked psychics overwhelmingly dominated lower-ranked ones.

Especially since a Third-Rank Lower is a full major rank above Second-Rank Upper.

Whether in one-on-one combat or slaying ferocious beasts, the gap was immense.

"Auntie, you don't believe me? Then dare to bet with me?"

Song Qiuyun's lovely face radiated absolute confidence, her clear, melodious voice hiding a faint hint of mischief.