Chapter 238: Each Seeking Cooperation

Jiang Jiang Qinge chose Li Luo's squad, which immediately caused quite a stir in the Three-Star Academy, drawing sidelong glances from everyone.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's "Black Swan Squad" was considered the strongest in the Three-Star Academy; in the past, whenever they entered the Dark Cave, they would basically purify the most pollution, eliminate the most aberrations, and thereby earn the most points.

A squad of their caliber cared about efficiency.

But if under such circumstances they were made to bring along a rookie squad, it would undoubtedly slow their pace, and their actions would be greatly constrained in many situations.

The Three-Star Academy squads that generally chose to cooperate with these newcomers were basically mid-tier in strength; they didn't care about efficiency, which was why they were willing to play nanny and look after the newcomers to earn some points.

For these reasons, they were surprised when they saw Jiang Jiang Qinge's choice.

But immediately after, playful and envious gazes were cast toward Li Luo.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's choice was clearly to look after Li Luo.

Even to the point that she was willing to sacrifice the chance to earn a large haul of points in this Dark Cave run.

After all, one had to know that for every Dark Cave purification mission, each Star Academy tier would have a final points ranking, and the squad that ranked first would receive an extra generous reward from the academy as encouragement.

In previous purification missions, the Three-Star Academy side had always been dominated by the Black Swan Squad, but this time they suddenly brought along a drag, which gave other squads an opportunity.

Therefore, regarding Jiang Jiang Qinge's choice, some top-ranked Three-Star Academy squads that had the qualifications to threaten them were actually happy to see it.

"Heh, the feelings really run deep."

In the Three-Star Academy, Duze Duze Honglian looked at this scene, her red lips slightly pursed; her words were unclear as to whether they were sarcasm or schadenfreude—this Jiang Jiang Qinge was truly willing to go all out for Li Luo.

But it was also fortunate that Jiang Jiang Qinge could completely keep her two teammates in line; otherwise, such a unilateral decision would surely have caused conflict.

"But since you're being so noble, don't expect to hold onto first place in this Three-Star Academy purification mission anymore." Duze Duze Honglian sneered. On the One-Star Academy side, her brother Duze Duze Beixuan would also be participating in the purification mission, yet she had not chosen to cooperate with his squad.

One reason was that in her own squad, although she was indeed the captain, her prestige was honestly not as strong as Jiang Jiang Qinge's, who could keep the other two utterly subdued.

The second reason was that doing so wouldn't have much meaning—after all, these newcomers were too weak. Even though these Purple-Glow squads were the cream of the crop among them, compared to students like them from the Three-Star Academy, there was still a huge gap. Forcing the two sides together would only slow both parties' pace.

The correct approach was to first wait for these newcomer Purple-Glow squads to gradually familiarize themselves with the Dark Cave and improve their own strength; cooperating then would be the best for everyone. As for now, these Purple-Glow squads should just tag along with other squads and get by in the Dark Cave.

However, Jiang Jiang Qinge paid no heed to the astonished gazes around her. Taking Li Luo by the hand, she led the way toward an instructor at one side of the plaza, even drawing the attention of some Four-Star Academy students along the way.

The Princess also noticed the commotion here—after all, every move Jiang Jiang Qinge made was so attention-grabbing. And when she saw Jiang Jiang Qinge choose Li Luo's squad, she was a bit surprised as well.

"Junior Jiang's protection of Li Luo is perhaps a bit excessive; this kind of forced-growth approach may not necessarily be a good thing for Li Luo." Gong Gong Shenjun glanced over and said with a smile.

The Princess, her phoenix eyes watching Li Luo being led by Jiang Jiang Qinge, recalled instead the shock he had once given her. This Li Luo, on the surface, did seem to shine less dazzlingly than Jiang Jiang Qinge, but at critical moments, he always brought some unexpected miracles.

"Why must one assume Li Luo will be a drag?" she thought for a moment, then said.

Gong Gong Shenjun paused slightly, then smiled and said, "The purification missions the Three-Star Academy carries out will involve disaster-class aberrations... you should be well aware of just how terrifying their killing power is."

"Li Luo should still only be at the first pattern of the Birth Pattern Stage, right? There's still a considerable gap between them."

A faint smile surfaced on the Princess's elegant, exquisite face as she said noncommittally, "Perhaps."

Gong Gong Shenjun glanced at the Princess, wondering if it was his imagination, but he always felt that recently the Princess seemed to pay Li Luo a bit of special attention.

"Although Li Luo is indeed good-looking, it shouldn't be to that extent..."

Gong Gong Shenjun muttered to himself, puzzled. He knew best what temperament his imperial sister—only a few days younger than him—possessed. Although Li Luo had some special qualities with his dual aspects, in the eyes of the Princess, who had seen countless prodigies, he could really only be considered above average at best.

There shouldn't be anything between them.

While Gong Gong Shenjun was thinking these thoughts, Jiang Jiang Qinge had already brought Li Luo and the other two to an instructor and completed the registration.

The registering instructor then gave each member of the two squads a green-wood token.

Li Luo took the green-wood token; the moment it touched his hand, it was surprisingly cool, like an ice crystal. A faint chill surged from his palm, bringing a slight sting while also calming his heart.

"This wooden token is carved from phase-force wood and is called the 'Green Wood Heart-Protecting Token.' It has the effect of suppressing negative emotions within. Once inside the Dark Cave, you must wear it at all times to prevent your mind from being eroded by aberrations." Jiang Jiang Qinge reminded them.

Li Luo, Bai Bai Mengmeng, and Student Xin Fu, the three little greenhorns, hurriedly nodded.

"Once we enter the Dark Cave, we'll be companions, so let's all get to know each other." Jiang Jiang Qinge said.

Li Luo looked at Jiang Jiang Qinge's two teammates and said with a smile, "In the Dark Cave, I'll have to ask the two seniors to look after me."

Facing Li Luo's smile, Senior Qiu Bai and Tian Tian sighed inwardly, but they didn't give Li Luo any attitude—after all, things had come to this, and no matter what, they had to show respect to Jiang Jiang Qinge.

"Inside the Dark Cave, just stick close to us and don't do anything rash." Tian Tian said with a smile.

"Now we just wait; it should take about half a day more. We can only enter the Dark Cave after the Purple-Glow instructors finish clearing the path." Jiang Jiang Qinge said.

Hearing this, Li Luo and the other two nodded in agreement.

On the plaza, the chaos and commotion continued; the remaining One-Star Academy Purple-Glow squads one after another found partners.

There was one little episode, though: the top-ranked squad in the Two-Star Academy, the "Fire Immortal Squad," approached Lü Qing'er, Qin Qin Zhulu, and Yin Yin Yue.

"Qing'er, how about our two squads cooperate in this Dark Cave run? We're only Two-Star Academy, so the purification missions we carry out won't be too difficult. If we cooperate, it's actually just right." The captain of the Fire Immortal Squad was Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan; he smiled at Lü Qing'er and said.

At this moment, Lü Qing'er's gaze was still lingering on Li Luo, who had been led away by Jiang Jiang Qinge. She hadn't expected Jiang Jiang Qinge to be so bold—holding Li Luo's hand right out in the open.

But then she thought, the two of them did have a marriage contract, so these gestures weren't really excessive.

Even as she thought this, however, Lü Qing'er couldn't help feeling a bit irritated. So when she heard Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan's invitation, she said coolly, "I don't really mind, but you should ask our captain's opinion."

Qin Qin Zhulu, standing beside her, was stunned—now you suddenly remember I'm the captain? You think I can't tell you're using me as a shield?

Fortunately, Qin Qin Zhulu's face was dark, and his perpetual blank expression made it impossible for anyone to read his emotions. So when Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan heard what Lü Qing'er said, he looked toward him. But before he could speak, Qin Qin Zhulu had already shaken his head and said woodenly, "If after entering the Dark Cave you can arrange for that girl in your squad to stay farther away from me, I have no problem."

Faced with such an inhuman request, even Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan was a bit thrown off for a moment. The Dark Cave was so dangerous—how could he possibly arrange for a teammate to stay farther away? Wouldn't that be seeking death?

Behind Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan, a girl in the Fire Immortal Squad with a fiery, voluptuous figure glared at Qin Qin Zhulu upon hearing this. Is this guy an idiot?

In the end, Senior Zhu Zhu Xuan walked away with a slightly greenish face, because facing someone who seemed mentally abnormal, he truly had no way to communicate.

"Captain, looks like we've been ignored."

Ye Ye Qiuding watched the retreating figures of Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo, and the complaints of his teammates drifted into his ears: "This Jiang Jiang Qinge is being too reckless. Our squad's strength is far beyond that rookie squad's."

Ye Ye Qiuding's expression remained calm, but the hand hidden in his sleeve tightened slightly, a hint of anger flickering deep in his eyes.

He hadn't expected Jiang Jiang Qinge to give up on them, who were clearly the optimal choice. Was this still the rational Jiang Jiang Qinge he knew?

Ye Ye Qiuding took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, and decided not to say more, preparing to lead his teammates away.

"Interested in cooperating with us?" But just then, a voice from the side made Ye Ye Qiuding pause. He turned his head and saw Duze Duze Honglian smiling at him.

Ye Ye Qiuding frowned.

"If you come with us, then for this Purification mission, we have a great chance of getting the highest score, and when the time comes, we can let Jiang Jiang Qinge know just how wrong her choice was." Duze Duze Honglian's crimson lips parted slightly as she spoke with composed ease.

Ye Ye Qiuding glanced at the two figures in the distance, was silent for several breaths, and finally nodded.

"Then... let's give it a try."