Female Protagonist Assistance System

Chapter 52 : . Return to the Academy

The two embraced like this, saying nothing.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Han suddenly heard the voice of the young girl buried in her embrace: "Senior Sister, I originally thought your approach to romance would be as cold as your personality. Who knew you would be..."

Xiao Han's lips curled into a smile as she lowered her voice, with a seductive huskiness and magnetism: "I would be what?"

Gu Xun'er fell silent.

After a while, a muffled voice came: "Unexpectedly passionate."

Xiao Han couldn't help but chuckle.

What an odd combination of words.

Gu Xun'er nuzzled against Xiao Han, then looked up at her. Suddenly, with lightning speed, she stood on her tiptoes and quickly pecked Xiao Han's lips. Then she let out a light laugh, and taking advantage of her agile figure, escaped from Xiao Han's embrace, giggling as she ran towards the courtyard where they were staying.

Xiao Han was momentarily stunned, then shook her head with an amused smile, her eyes brimming with affection.

Seeing Xiao Han like this, the system carefully chose its words before saying: [Congratulations to the host for winning the beauty's heart.]

Xiao Han nodded and responded with a simple "Thank you."

This expression of gratitude caught the system off guard. Nowadays, its role was becoming increasingly limited. Often, if it didn't engage in some awkward conversation to assert its presence, its host might have forgotten she even had a system, let alone receive a word of thanks from her.

[Um, host, may I ask something?] The system suppressed its excitement. [Why did you suddenly change your mind?]

It's worth noting that initially, its host was dead set against the idea, constantly muttering about "master-disciple ethics" as if possessed.

Hearing the system's question, Xiao Han's eyelashes trembled slightly as she raised her eyes to look into the distance.

She remained silent for a long time, so long that even the system thought she wouldn't answer. Then Xiao Han's voice drifted on the wind, sounding somewhat unreal.

"I just thought, since I've already died once... why should I let down the person I like..."

The system didn't understand, only responding with a vague affirmative.

Hearing the system's confused and bewildered voice, Xiao Han suddenly curled her lips into a smile.

If her master were still alive, he would probably be so angry he'd expel her from the sect.

—

They rested at the Cloud Mist Sect for four days before bidding farewell to Nalan Yanran and the others, setting off for Jia Nan Academy.

They had at most ten days left of their vacation. Although Xiao Han could have brought Gu Xun'er back to Jia Nan Academy within a day, she preferred to return at a leisurely pace. Besides, they had nothing urgent to do, so they might as well set off now.

When Xiao Han and Gu Xun'er left the Cloud Mist Sect, Nalan Yanran, Xiao Yi Xian, Cloud Yin, and Medusa all came to see them off. Of course, Medusa was still coiled around Cloud Yin's wrist, lazily swishing her tail, lightly tapping Cloud Yin's wrist, looking as if she hadn't fully awakened.

Xiao Han glanced at Medusa, finding it amusing. Fully recovered yet refusing to leave, still clinging to Cloud Yin like a spoiled child. It seemed she might have taken a liking to the Cloud Mist Sect's Sect Master.

Sensing Xiao Han's gaze, the Queen huffed, glaring with her clear golden snake eyes, casting a threatening glance back.

Tsk, what a temper.

"Well, we'll be going then," Xiao Han said, adjusting her collar with one hand while holding Gu Xun'er's hand with the other, her expression calm.

Cloud Yin's gaze fell on their joined hands, a hint of mischief in her eyes: "Isn't she your disciple?"

Xiao Han turned her head to look at Gu Xun'er, who happened to be looking back at her. Their eyes met, and the young girl's eyes, like blue lotuses, revealed undisguised affection.

Xiao Han's expression unconsciously softened. She looked back at Cloud Yin and said, "Not anymore."

After a pause, she added: "Now she's my lover."

Hearing Xiao Han say the word "lover" with her own ears, Gu Xun'er's ears twitched slightly, a faint blush spreading across them.

Nalan Yanran slightly lifted her chin: "Congratulations. I never thought you'd actually find a lover. I thought a cold, unfeeling person like you would die alone."

Xiao Han didn't take offense at Nalan Yanran's seemingly rude words, only retorting: "Likewise."

Seeing Nalan Yanran about to flare up again, Xiao Yi Xian quickly changed the subject: "Will you come back in the future?"

Xiao Han shook her head: "I don't know."

She raised her head, gazing into the distance. Gu Xun'er followed her line of sight but found nothing except the blue sky, white clouds, and a few birds.

Xiao Han withdrew her gaze and smiled: "If there's a chance, we might venture into the Central Plains."

"The Central Plains..."

Hearing these words, everyone present except Xiao Han and Gu Xun'er fell into a daze. The term "Central Plains" still felt somewhat distant to them.

That Central Plains, teeming with experts...

Cloud Yin and Nalan Yanran both hesitated. Their loved ones – one a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, the other with the Calamity Poison Body – were no ordinary individuals. Staying within the small confines of the Gamma Empire would indeed hinder their growth. But the Central Plains seemed too dangerous for them, whose talents weren't particularly outstanding.

"We'll see."

As Cloud Yin and Nalan Yanran were pondering with pressed lips, an ethereal yet alluring voice spoke. Medusa shifted slightly, seemingly nonchalant: "This Queen is quite comfortable here, having everything I need. As for the journey to the Central Plains... we'll see. There's no rush."

"Just to be clear, it's not for the sake of this fool Cloud Yin," Medusa added after a moment's thought.

Hearing this, Cloud Yin was first stunned, then her smile deepened: "I know."

Medusa raised her head: "Just afraid you might get the wrong idea."

Xiao Han was somewhat speechless.

Was the Cloud Mist Sect good at nurturing tsunderes? Medusa hadn't been this tsundere before. How did she become like this after just a few months with Cloud Yin?

Wasn't this overdoing it?

Xiao Yi Xian also smiled and said: "I agree, there's no rush for the journey to the Central Plains."

Nalan Yanran pouted, averting her gaze somewhat bashfully.

Xiao Han smiled helplessly and said: "If that's the case, we'll take our leave then. Until we meet again, if fate allows."

"Take care."

"Take care."

Putting an arm around Gu Xun'er's waist, Xiao Han spoke softly, reminding her, before departing with Gu Xun'er.

Watching the two leave, Nalan Yanran instinctively looked at Cloud Yin, who nodded at her and said: "Let's go back."

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Jia Nan Academy, an ancient institution located at the heart of the continent. Over thousands of years, the supreme experts who had emerged from this place all possessed resounding reputations across the continent, each a legend in their own right.

The most formidable aspect of an academy isn't its faculty strength, but the thousands upon thousands of powerful individuals it has produced.

Although there are countless academies across the continent, Jia Nan Academy's reputation remains unrivaled, indicating the profound depth of this ancient institution's foundation.

Across the continent, regardless of race, countless people take pride in being able to enter this ancient academy. Unfortunately, the academy's near-harsh admission conditions leave many sighing in frustration.

Although they weren't in a hurry, with Xiao Han's speed, it took only three short days to travel from the Cloud Mist Sect to Jia Nan Academy.

Before setting out, Xiao Han had sent a message to Instructor Ruo Lin at Jia Nan Academy, so as soon as they arrived at the academy gates, they saw Ruo Lin and Xiao Yu coming to greet them.

Seeing Xiao Han in her black robe and Gu Xun'er, Xiao Yu's eyes lit up, and she eagerly approached them.

"Well, well, you took a three-year leave. Where have you been?" Xiao Yu stroked her chin, grinning as she looked the two up and down.

Xiao Han resignedly allowed Xiao Yu to examine them, but imperceptibly shielded Gu Xun'er behind her, blocking Xiao Yu's scrutinizing gaze.

"Alright, Yu'er, stop teasing," the gentle Ruo Lin said softly, then turned to Xiao Han and Gu Xun'er. "You two must be exhausted from your journey. I've prepared accommodations for you. Please, come with me."

Gu Xun'er peeked out from behind Xiao Han, playfully blinking: "Then we'll trouble you, Instructor."

"It's an instructor's duty," Ruo Lin's gaze swept over Gu Xun'er, then returned with a light chuckle.

If she wasn't mistaken, this playful young girl before her had likely already broken through to the nine-star Great Dou Shi level. As for the girl beside her, reportedly the daughter of the Xiao family patriarch, even Ruo Lin couldn't discern her cultivation level.

Three years ago, wasn't this Xiao Han just a one-star Dou Zhe? In such a short time, she had reached such a terrifying level?

Xiao Han, whose thoughts were not on these two people, didn't notice Ruo Lin's musings. Even if she had, she probably wouldn't have cared. After this, she was going to accompany Xun'er to the Inner Academy, so she wouldn't pretend to be of average ability like before.

Perhaps seeing how close they were, Ruo Lin arranged for them to stay in the same courtyard, with their rooms close to each other.

They had arrived at Jia Nan Academy in the evening. After chatting with Xiao Yu and Ruo Lin for a while, the moon was already high in the sky. Instructor Ruo Lin, considering they had just arrived and were likely exhausted, bid farewell with Xiao Yu, letting them rest well, promising to familiarize them with the school tomorrow.

After saying goodnight to Gu Xun'er, Xiao Han entered her own room. As the continent's premier academy, Jia Nan Academy boasted not only strong faculty and talented students but also first-rate living conditions.

Xiao Han released her spiritual sense to search the room, finding nothing unusual. She relaxed, realizing that Instructor Ruo Lin had probably had someone clean up in advance. Everything in the room was new and dust-free, looking very clean. The bedding had been freshly changed and seemed to have been sun-dried, with a unique scent of sunlight.

Xiao Han felt the blanket and, smelling this scent, said to the system: "The smell of roasted dust mites."

After a pause, she asked: "Does this world have dust mites?"

System: [.......]

Host, your focus is indeed quite different from ordinary girls. And this question... it really doesn't know how to answer.

Who would be idle enough to care whether this world has dust mites??

The system felt a bit weary.

Xiao Han was just asking casually, not really expecting the system to answer. She stretched and looked out the window.

Never mind, no cultivation today. Let's have a good rest.

The night deepened.

Outside the door came a rustling sound, as if some small animal was moving about.

Soon, the sound disappeared, as if it had been an illusion.

The next second, the door opened a crack. Moonlight seeped through, illuminating a small patch of floor.

A figure peeked in like a thief, looking around to ensure they hadn't been discovered. Only then did they carefully enter the room, gently closing the door behind them without making a sound.

The figure tiptoed towards the inner room, taking in the room's layout and furnishings as they went.

Gently lifting the curtain to the inner room, they immediately saw Xiao Han sleeping soundly on the bed.

Moonlight poured in through the window, slightly illuminating the inner room, casting a small shadow on Xiao Han's face.

The figure paused for a moment, then gradually approached the bed.

Reaching Xiao Han's bedside, the figure hesitated, then reached out, seemingly wanting to touch her. Just as their hand was about to make contact, a hand suddenly grasped their wrist.

Caught red-handed, the figure panicked for a moment, then met Xiao Han's amused gaze.

"What's this? Couldn't sleep, so you came to play thief?"