novelraw Chapter 78 : Rest Period
Chapter 78 : Rest Period
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TN: Formatting change. Chat/Comment from Bold to Italic
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Chen Sui and Xie Yi met in the space station's public hall.
At the front of the hall was an electronic light screen displaying elimination match academy rankings, transit flight information, Competition Committee announcements, etc., in fluorescent font, viewable by students and staff.
When Xie Yi saw Xue Yaoyao and Chen Sui walking side by side, she hurriedly stood up to greet them.
In front of her was a round pastry on a white porcelain plate, covered with green juice, looking very much like an interstellar dark cuisine.
Two plates of the same dessert were placed opposite her.
"I didn't expect the Competition Committee to arrange an Ancient Star Food Zone!"
Xie Yi enthusiastically pointed to an area in the corner of the hall. Chen Sui looked to the side and saw a mechanical window hidden behind a white light screen.
"I ordered honey peach cake, and this seems to be green grape jam? It tastes a bit strange."
Xie Yi loved food, scenery, and culture; discussing these made her happy.
Infected by her mood, Chen Sui couldn't help but smile as well.
She wasn't very familiar with interstellar cuisine, mostly eating at Zhu Jing Fu's cafeteria, where the food was very simple.
Chen Sui had tried this kind of dessert once in her previous world.
It was something Chen Jia had brought from the ruins. The thin metal wrapper on the outside had turned black. Chen Jia had dabbed some of the dense cream and spread it on Chen Sui's mouth corner.
That day happened to be her birthday.
Chen Sui carefully took a bite, and the sweet taste spread in her mouth. Her eyes suddenly widened a bit.
Xie Yi watched her, thinking she looked like a startled kitten with its tail raised and fur standing on end.
"Delicious, right?" She leaned closer, her glass-like eyes staring at Chen Sui. Chen Sui licked her lips and nodded honestly.
Seeing this, Xie Yi broke into a smile: "We can only eat this during the league match. As expected of being backed by the Biology Department, they have so many ingredients!"
"But, Suisui, Zhu Jing Fu's Biology Department is so impressive, you must have many delicious things, right?"
When asked, Chen Sui recalled the brilliant ideas of the Biology Department students.
The Biology Department, led by He Lanxi, loved innovating based on ancient star recipes. As an external member of the Biology Department, Chen Sui would inevitably receive gifts from them at night.
But honestly: the innovation was good, but please don't innovate again.
"If you have a chance, you can come to Zhu Jing Fu and try it," Chen Sui said conservatively, without praise or criticism.
But her expression showed a hint of endurance, and Xie Yi sensed something amiss.
"That can't be right," she pondered.
Zhu Jing Fu's Biology Department was famous throughout the Star Alliance. Could it be that the Biology Department students had no interest in making food?
Or was it... terrible?
Xie Yi was somewhat curious and excitedly said: "Then why don't I go to Yuguang Star with you all!"
"Huh?" Chen Sui widened her eyes slightly. "During this rest period?"
"Ahem," before Chen Sui could react, Xue Yaoyao cleared her throat, "Forget it. We're transiting tomorrow. We still need to review, and there's training too."
Xie Yi pouted, disappointed: "Alright!"
Seeing the vibrant expressions on her face, Chen Sui consoled her: "Actually, not being able to go is a kind of luck."
The Biology Department's innovations would surely leave an unforgettable impression.
Before Xie Yi could react, she looked toward the entrance and waved: "Over here!"
Chen Sui felt someone approaching, a familiar aura coming over. She immediately became alert, narrowing her eyes. Turning around, she saw a somewhat gloomy-looking person with black curly hair.
Black Mamba.
Chen Sui subtly raised an eyebrow.
"What are you looking at?"
Xie You walked over slowly, first glancing at the person with the most obvious gaze, then coldly responding.
Then he placed a collector's album in front of Xie Yi, "Here, didn't you not want it anymore? Now you want it back."
His tone was somewhat disdainful, but Chen Sui noticed his microexpression, which showed a hint of disappointment.
Xie Yi didn't notice at all. She happily picked up the album, looked at it, then looked up at Xie You, asserting righteously: "Didn't you say you didn't like it? Always telling others, 'this thing is annoying here, annoying there.' Now you don't have to be annoyed!"
Chen Sui watched as Xie Yi spoke, and Xie You's expression darkened with each sentence. From his awkward expression and clenched jaw, she sensed that perhaps Xie You wasn't truly annoyed.
Awkward people should be like this—receiving a gift from his sister, secretly wanting to show it off, but not good at saying it directly, so telling everyone, "Xie Yi gave me something, where should I put it? It's troublesome here, troublesome there."
But if someone complimented him, you could see his subtle smile.
This thought suddenly flashed through Chen Sui's mind, and she experimentally said: "Is this something Xie Yi gave you? Seems like you two siblings have a good relationship."
Sure enough, the Black Mamba's lips curved imperceptibly.
Chen Sui held back her laughter, lowering her head to hide it. She saw Xue Yaoyao with a knowing expression. The two exchanged glances, both understanding.
Xie You's secret joy had just emerged when Xie Yi's next words directly extinguished the spark of excitement.
"I want to give this to Suisui. Do you mind?"
Xie Yi raised her eyebrows at him.
Xie You's smile froze: "What did you say?"
Xie Yi repeated herself, then saw the stupid liar brother glaring darkly at her: "Xie Scenery! This is what you gave me!"
"Didn't you say you didn't like it?" Xie Yi asked, confused.
Xie You's temper flared, anger appearing on his face, which reduced his gloominess. Youthful vitality showed in him.
Chen Sui and Xue Yaoyao held back their laughter. This pair of siblings—one awkward, one natural airhead—had an interesting dynamic.
"If I don't like it, you just give it to someone else?"
Xie You's eyes swept over Chen Sui, seeing her eyes containing laughter, his anger suddenly frozen: "You want this?"
Chen Sui saw him hugging the collector's album. The mecha collector's album was much larger than a repair material sticker album, with internal microstructure diagrams of various famous mechas, rich in content.
Chen Sui nodded honestly, answering with restraint: "If you're willing to part with it..."
Xie You glared at Xie Yi, speaking slowly in a cold laugh, as if out of spite: "Willing? Why wouldn't I be willing? I don't care about this thing. Who was begging me to accept it back then? Such a hassle! Big and heavy, inconvenient to put anywhere!"
Xie Yi, after being told several things in a row, immediately retorted: "Fine! If you dislike it so much, why did you accept it? This set took me a long time to collect. Some illustrations can't even be bought!"
"You two... calm down, calm down," seeing the siblings confronting each other, both with rising anger, Chen Sui sensed trouble. "Since it's a gift, you should keep it," she then said to Xie Yi, "If he didn't like it, why would he carry it around?"
Xie Yi: "I don't want to give it to him anymore!"
Xie You: "I don't like it at all!"
After speaking, the two pulled the collector's album from each side, pushing it into Chen Sui's arms.
Xie Yi: "I'm giving it to you now!"
Xie You: "What crappy book! Take it if you want it!"
Chen Sui was pushed from both sides, receiving a thick collector's album.
She held the noticeably thick book.
Looking to the left, Xie Yi puffed her cheeks, her curly hair tied with a red string seemingly bristling.
To the right, the Black Mamba was tall, looking down at her, snake pupils vertical, his aura no less intense.
"Ah, this..."
Xie You took a breath, his emotions quickly calming, the vertical arc of his snake pupils relaxing.
"It's yours now."
He reverted to his gloomy demeanor, showing no regret in his expression as he said to Chen Sui.
Xie Yi felt somewhat wronged, muttering softly: "You're the one who said you didn't like it. How strange!"
Chen Sui saw from the corner of her eye that Xie You clenched his lowered hand.
Understanding inside, she looked up to confirm with him: "Are you sure? You're really giving it to me?"
Xie You glanced at the collector's album, nodding with a poor tone, seemingly trying to hide his emotions: "I said I'm giving it to you, so take it."
Then he turned to Xie Yi, his tone brooking no argument: "Xie Scenery, you gave it to me, so it's mine. Now you're using my things to curry favor with others. You need to get me another gift."
Xie Yi, seeing his still angry face, belatedly understood something and softened her tone: "Alright, alright, I'll get you something you like later!"
Xie You was finally satisfied. Seeing Chen Sui pick up the collector's album, remembering she was also a repair technician, he asked an additional question: "Are you interested in studying mechas? Which aspect?"
"Mecha structure," Chen Sui nodded in response. This was an issue she had encountered while repairing Black Arrow.
Black Arrow's mecha structure differed somewhat from current Star Alliance designs. In fact, Chen Sui vaguely felt this design was familiar.
Compared to standard Star Alliance designs, it was more like Forest Envelopment.
Hearing this direction, Xie You frowned: "Then it seems I really can't help you."
He said flatly.
Xie You glanced sideways at Chen Sui, seeing her fingers stroking the collector's album's cover. He couldn't help thinking, if this thing hadn't been a gift from Xie Scenery, he would have thrown it away long ago.
But on second thought, it was fine to help Chen Sui. He himself had no interest in mecha repair, but this person... was quite impressive.
She seemed to really like this thing, so it could be considered put to good use.
Xie You thought quickly, then reminded Xie Yi not to forget the gift she had promised before leaving, not wanting to disturb their gathering.
After he left, Xue Yaoyao crossed her hands on her chest, saying quietly: "Didn't Na Luo River go to Dawn III today to see the Tun Mud Sea?"
Xie Yi understood, checking her light brain and pulling up her social feed. Chen Sui leaned in and saw it was He Lanqi's update.
[@He Lanqi: Promised gathering, just the two of us, from now on Na Luo River school team is just two people @Simos]
Xue Yaoyao burst into laughter. Her expression was calm, but her smile had a hint of mockery.
"Na Luo River is only somewhat united on the battlefield."
She sat up straight, speaking solemnly, making Chen Sui realize the mockery wasn't her imagination. "Heaven's pride might just be like this, never learning to compromise."
Xie Yi showed an embarrassed expression, covering her face with her hand.
Xue Yaoyao, realizing she had criticized her brother in front of her, waved her hand, saying candidly: "Oh, I'm not targeting just your brother, I mean all the Main Star family people."
Chen Sui saw her show her lower whites again, giving the impression of 'not to speak ill, but everyone present is trash.'
Xie Yi ate a bite of dessert, shaking her head with a smile: "Fine, fine, I understand."
Xue Yaoyao looked at Chen Sui, seeing she had stopped eating and placed the collector's album in front of her, opening it to look with concentration.
Xie Yi also squeezed over, sitting beside them.
Xue Yaoyao noticed Chen Sui's expression when looking at mechas, showing undisguised fondness, and silently noted it.
So Chen Sui liked mechas, or better yet, collector's albums. She understood.
"This is..."
The first page of the collector's album contained miniature diagram stickers of famous mechas. Chen Sui had seen these mechas in Star Alliance repair books.
At the top were the milestone works of Star Alliance mechas.
Black Arrow, Ghost Blade, Song of Praise.
"They say Master Jin's first mechas were Black Arrow, then Ghost Blade, and finally Song of Praise, representing the three stages from the Kamanna Empire to the Star Alliance."
Xie Yi explained, though the collector's album had small text like captions beside it.
Song of Praise had the structure most conforming to current Star Alliance mechas.
"But these three types of mechas were more suited for star beast combat. After many modifications by repair technicians, they've become the current structure suitable for energy body combat," Xie Yi flipped back a few pages to the single-page introduction of Black Arrow. "See, the collector's album also has the mecha's evolution stages. You can't buy these now! Only a big collector like me has them!"
Xie Yi referred to herself with this title; she truly loved collecting.
Hearing this, Chen Sui felt the collector's album's preciousness, so she uncertainly asked: "Do you really want to give it to me?"
Xie Yi nodded, "Yes, don't you like it? Back on Hundred-Day Star, I felt you really liked mecha-related things—materials, components, structures—you should like all of these, right!"
Xie Yi blinked, seeing Chen Sui somewhat embarrassedly curl her fingertips, seeming to notice her restraint, and quietly squeezed her hand.
Chen Sui's fingers were somewhat rough from years of fighting. From as far back as she could remember, it had been training and killing aliens, naturally not in the best condition.
But Xie Yi squeezed her hand, feeling more of her hardship.
From interstellar nomad to border star, then to Zhu Jing Fu, making it to the Star League Competition—there was hardship she couldn't imagine.
Xie Yi was someone who easily softened; at this moment, moved by her imagined version of Chen Sui's difficult journey, she felt even more sympathetic toward her.
"Anyway, I can't use this. I collect these as a personal hobby. If it can help you, then it's fulfilled its value!"
She smiled at Chen Sui.
After a moment's pause, Chen Sui's fingers couldn't help but stroke the spine of the collector's album, her gaze falling on the pages.
Every trace of Black Arrow's revisions was printed on it. Though the miniature diagrams were small, they didn't miss any details.
With just this downward glance, Chen Sui suddenly noticed something unexpected in Black Arrow's second version.
"Were the modifications to Black Arrow also done by later Star Alliance repair technicians?"
Xie Yi was asked about this and looked at the collector's album: "Oh, not this one," she pointed at the second version, "This was modified by Master Jin later. After the modification, some of Black Arrow's performance changed, and this mecha was then given to Chairman Song Yunlai."
Chen Sui nodded.
Seeming to see that her mind was on th
e collector's album, Xie Yi didn't chat with her too much.Saint Laurent's transit flight was the next day, and they still needed to pack.
So the small gathering dispersed before nightfall. During this time, Xie Yi seemed about to say something several times but never asked Chen Sui.
Chen Sui was somewhat puzzled but didn't pry into her personal privacy. After the gathering ended, she took the collector's album back to Zhu Jing Fu's area.
Black Arrow, Ghost Blade, Song of Praise, all came from Master Jin Chen Youjin's hand.
Flipping through the evolution of these three mechas, Chen Sui was surprised to discover something.
Black Arrow's joint structure was very similar to Forest Envelopment, Ghost Blade's skeleton connection and Song of Praise's component assembly could all be found in corresponding places on Forest Envelopment.
But the problem was:
Forest Envelopment was something she had brought from the wasteland, not a Star Alliance mecha structure. After Chen Sui's own melting and reshaping, integrating with interstellar structures, it had its current mecha form.
Now Chen Sui finally understood why Black Arrow's repair had encountered difficulties.
One was the structural anomaly; she couldn't solve Black Arrow's problems by simply using Star Alliance mecha structures.
The other was the lack of materials.
Black Arrow was missing one most important raw material.
—White Satin Gold Gilt.
This now-discontinued material.
To repair Black Arrow, she either needed to find White Satin Gold Gilt or a material that could substitute for it.
After understanding Black Arrow's issue with the help of Xie Yi's gift, Chen Sui finally had new repair ideas.
But the next day, as she was about to complete the school team's weapon damage repair, she suddenly received a summons message from the Analyst Association.
The sender was...
Chen Sui's expression suddenly became very strange.
She was holding the Four-sided Mace, with Zhou Chen anxiously watching her fix the lightning-conduction surface.
Then Chen Sui put the weapon into the mecha ring and apologetically said to Zhou Chen: "I'll fix the Four-sided Mace later. The Analyst Association needs me for something."
"Huh?" Zhou Chen was shocked by this bad news, widening his eyes. "The Analyst Association? What do they want with you?"
Then he realized: "Wait, you're in the league match period now. Unless it's a major emergency, the Analyst Association's summons shouldn't fall on you."
Chen Sui knew this rule, but: "Director Ji Qing issued the summons, right here at the space station. I'll go see first."
The Analyst Association's main chairman should understand the rules for analysts and the Competition Committee better than she did.
This made Zhou Chen unable to say anything, but watching Chen Sui change out of her repair clothes and leave, he still muttered confusedly: "Chairman Ji Qing, what does he want with you?"
"Don't tell me Chen Sui has done something impressive again without me knowing?"
Zhou Chen suddenly realized he was a big step behind, unable to keep up with Chen Sui's pace of achievement.
Chen Sui had no idea what he was thinking.
When she arrived at the medical center, besides medical practitioners, there were the Competition Committee's review panel and analyst team.
Among them were several familiar faces, like teachers from online courses she had taken.
Yan Mingyu and Xie Chunshi were also there. The wolf-tailed boy waved to Chen Sui, and she walked over to him.
"What's going on?"
She privately whispered to Xie Chunshi.
The boy's deep voice sounded by her ear: "It's about spiritual healing."
Before Chen Sui could figure out the connection, she saw many people surrounding Ji Qing, seemingly asking several questions. Seeing him nod, the discussion gradually subsided.
Ji Qing looked over at Chen Sui: "Student Chen Sui."
Chen Sui greeted him politely: "Hello, may I ask what this summons is about?"
Ji Qing: "The Analyst Association's analysts specializing in spiritual healing are taking time to transit here. To avoid delaying Zhu Jing Fu's rest period arrangements, the Analyst Association has issued a summons to you, hoping you can complete Cheng Wei's spiritual healing work."
Chen Sui widened her eyes, pointing at herself: "Me?"
Though she was confident and could definitely perform spiritual healing, to be honest, shouldn't such things be done by mature analysts?
"I've only been learning spiritual healing for about half a month."
Chen Sui said diplomatically.
However, once these words were out, the analysts led by Ji Qing looked at her, their gazes showing implicit criticism.
How long did you say you've been learning?
Half a month, and you can complete spiritual healing in half a month?
Half a month, and spiritual healing doesn't cause any rejection from awakened ones?
My goodness! Is there any justice in this?
More than one analyst present was inwardly ranting, though outwardly maintaining a pretense of profound calmness.
Ji Qing knew that Chen Sui was very knowledgeable about analyst tasks but lacked some common sense, such as the rejection reaction to analysts' spiritual healing.
He already knew how to make Chen Sui clearly understand her position.
"Why not try, Student Chen Sui," Ji Qing said. Only with facts before her eyes would Chen Sui know her special quality. "Since you can complete spiritual healing, then this process should be no problem."
It was undeniable that those who performed spiritual healing were mature analysts because mature analysts had more precise energy control and could avoid energy collisions with the awakened ones' mental thresholds, reducing the chance of turbulence.
But, if Ji Qing's thoughts were correct and this student had special energy fluctuations in her mental threshold or special energy attributes in her core crystal, giving her a peaceful ability, then she would be the most suitable analyst for performing spiritual healing.
With Chairman Ji Qing putting it this way, Chen Sui had no reason to refuse. She looked at Yan Mingyu and Xie Chunshi, and the Team Leader teacher nodded affirmatively to her: "No problem, Student Chen Sui, feel free to do it."
Yan Mingyu's encouragement gave Chen Sui a sense of security.
She nodded.
Chen Sui had known about Cheng Wei's condition for a long time, and spiritual healing wasn't difficult for her.
The process didn't even disturb Cheng Wei himself.
When Chen Sui's energy entered his mental threshold, Cheng Wei was completely unaware.
By the time he vaguely felt his headache easing, he was already waking up.
Facing the medical pod were many faces.
Cheng Wei was startled, his eyes widening. The pod's sound wasn't turned on, so his voice didn't come through, but Chen Sui could tell from his lips that Cheng Wei had shouted "f*ck."
She glanced at the elders around, hoping no one could tell.
But immediately after, the surrounding people straightened one by one, looking at each other awkwardly.
Cheng Wei touched his head, surprised to find it didn't hurt anymore, and the discomfort from energy chaos was gradually disappearing. He excitedly said something to everyone.
At this time, Ji Qing was looking at Chen Sui, along with the solemn gazes of the surrounding analysts.
Chen Sui was suddenly stared at, paused for a second, and moved slightly behind the Team Leader and Teacher Yan: "What's wrong? Is there another problem?"
Ji Qing shook his head, seeming to sigh, explaining to the surrounding analysts: "Student Chen Sui is a new analyst without a dedicated teacher. Her learning in Zhu Jing Fu is taught by the school's internal analysts."
Chen Sui hadn't yet understood his intent when she heard an analyst speak up: "Zhu Jing Fu? Yang Qinhe was willing to let go of such a talented analyst?"
Ji Qing quickly understood the reason but swallowed his words at the last moment. Seeing Chen Sui's confusion, he explained: "Student Chen Sui, the Analyst Association believes that your mental threshold energy or core crystal attributes are special, with strong compatibility, allowing you to greatly reduce rejection when entering an awakened one's mental threshold. Thank you for your cooperation. This summons task is complete, and I've uploaded it to the association's internal system."
Chen Sui raised an eyebrow, trying to understand his meaning, and asked: "Are you saying my attributes are special?"
"That's right," Ji Qing looked at her. "It should be a special rare attribute. In Star Alliance history, there have been several individuals with such attributes. Due to insufficient samples, there's currently no quantitative detection for this attribute, but within the analyst community, this attribute is termed 'healing.'"
"Healing?"
Chen Sui asked.
"Is it because of the special performance of analysts with this attribute when entering awakened ones' mental thresholds?"
Ji Qing nodded, "Exactly. These special attribute holders all have several similarities: low level, mental threshold value fluctuations, showing exceptional talent in healing."
Chen Sui was one of these special existences. Her excellent combat talent meant she couldn't follow her predecessors' path to become a rear-focused healing analyst.
Ji Qing's words made Chen Sui think about the essence of spiritual healing, followed by another possibility.
But this thought quickly passed; she didn't dwell on it too long.
Because Cheng Wei's mental threshold issue was resolved, the medical practitioner initiated the high-concentration repair procedure for him. His discharge date was moved up; he could leave the hospital by noon tomorrow.
So Yan Mingyu purchased evening transit flights.
Zhu Jing Fu's school team and division stayed at the space station for a day, transited at night, and only reached Yuguang Star's starport by noon the next day.
Cheng Wei was discussing the comfort of spiritual healing with Zhou Chen.
He only later learned that Chen Sui had performed his spiritual healing.
The two's mystical descriptions filled the present awakened ones with skepticism.
He Lanxi, as a child from an analyst family, knew all too well the discomfort of healing and immediately expressed disbelief: "Impossible. I've never seen anyone walk out of spiritual healing smiling. You two are trying to trick me!"
He said with certainty.
Cheng Wei looked distressed as he explained: "I was right there in the medical pod. I wasn't even strapped in with restraints. Don't believe me? Ask Sui!"
Chen Sui silently turned away. These past few days, she'd been receiving all sorts of attentions from the two men.
Seeing Zhou Chen and Cheng Wei, Chen Sui just wanted to drag these two goosebump-inducing guys into the combat platform for a few moves.
For the sake of their precarious classmate friendship, Chen Sui decided not to discuss this topic anymore.
This behavior, in He Lanxi's eyes, was not going along with their corruption, avoiding becoming one of them.
He snorted: "Suisui doesn't even want to join you in deceiving people."
Cheng Wei cried out in grievance: "No, am I the kind of person who would lure my brothers into a trap?"
He Lanxi nodded sincerely: "You are. You ate a sour tangerine before and tricked me saying it was delicious! And that new book by Unsleeping God a month ago, you laughed and told me it wasn't painful at all, then cried with me after I finished reading it."
Finally, looking into Cheng Wei's eyes with a brotherly expression, he uttered four heartbreaking words: "I don't believe you."
Cheng Wei leaned back against the intercity bus seat, powerless: "No love left. If I say it like this, believe it or not, it's your loss if you don't."
Zhou Chen laughed, moving closer to He Lanxi, about to deliver his own lines.
He Lanxi just looked at him calmly: "Please make up your story."
Zhou Chen: ......
"Is it possible, I'm saying, that what I'm saying is true."
He Lanxi shook his head: "Don't believe it."
Chen Sui was discussing with Tong Wei and Gu Qinxue about where to go on their one-day break during the rest period. With one ear listening to the boys' conversation, she was struggling not to laugh.
Zhou Chen, struck down by He Lanxi's disbelief, took a deep breath: "Forget it, how about this. Watch the White Sand Sky Pillar Sea Domain elimination match replay yourself."
He Lanxi raised an eyebrow: "Fine, I was going to watch the replay anyway."
Zhou Chen proudly lifted his chin, patting him: "After watching it, you'll know about your bro's comfort and pleasure."
He Lanxi shrugged, shaking off his hand.
The group bantered as they reached the gate and swiped their cards to enter.
It was noon, the sun was bright—the quietest time at Zhu Jing Fu. Normally at this time, students would be in the cafeteria, dormitory, training room, combat platform, library, or staying in classrooms.
However, today, along the tree-lined avenue leading from the school gate, students in Zhu Jing Fu uniforms crouched in the thornflower bushes and the Biology Department's labeled plant forest.
From the treetop, a student climbed down, one hand holding binoculars, the other opening the light brain intercom interface.
"Number 1, Number 1, target group has arrived at the gate."
The other side responded: "Number 1 received. Everything is ready, awaiting organization's orders."
Just as the school team entered the gate, they sensed something unusual. Chen Sui immediately frowned: "Why do I feel... the atmosphere around is a bit strange?"
Zhou Chen looked at the neat ground, nodding solemnly: "The trumpet tree isn't dropping leaves anymore. Has the Biology Department developed something good again?"
The trumpet tree was the greenery along this path at Zhu Jing Fu. Its leaves were like students' hair, always falling, sometimes covering the entire ground.
People crouching behind the thornbushes didn't dare breathe too loudly, afraid of being discovered.
But as soon as the team entered, they heard such a conversation.
The person with the open light brain intercom paused, then whispered to the other side: "This is Number 1. Target is too alert, plan advancing."
Just as this voice sounded, Chen Sui vigilantly looked in that direction.
Before she could act, many people suddenly stood up from behind the thornbushes.
Chen Sui widened her eyes slightly.
"BOOM—"
An extremely loud sound, completely different from an explosion.
Then, flower cannons sprayed countless petals and leaf fragments into the air.
These leaves were still the withered leaves of the trumpet trees that lined the paths of Zhu Jing Fu.
A sky full of grass and leaves danced like the most solemn ceremonial cannons.
Red, pink, white, yellow, green—all kinds of leaves flying and dancing in the air.
Before the group could react, many people suddenly jumped out from the distant forest. Chen Sui watched them pull flower cannons.
There were even more 'fireworks' scattered in the air.
"Woohoo— Welcome home—"
The surrounding voices said in unison.
"Beautiful win!"
"Keep it up!"
"Zhu Jing Fu is awesome!"
"First battle, great victory!"
"Seizing first place!"
"Emperor Sui dominating the league!"
"Xie Chunshi crush them!"
"Gu Qinxue you're really great!"
"Puluo you're the hardest man!"
Puluo: ...... can't laugh
"Zhou Chen stop showing off!"
Zhou Chen: ?
Zhou Chen: "Why does the tone change when it gets to me?!"
Zhou Chen looked at the emoticons clearly held up by summoning system classmates.
Chen Sui, looking at this scene, turned her head somewhat confusedly to glance at her teammates.
He Lanxi and Cheng Wei's division also had their own slogans.
This group shouted amidst laughter and clamor: "How's that? Nice welcome ceremony, right?"
Sensitive Tong Wei was already laughing with tears in her eyes. People from the Analyst Department came forward, and a gentle girl softly wiped her tears, saying softly: "You've worked hard! You've done great!"
During this time, someone reached out and rubbed Chen Sui's head, a gentle voice seemingly comforting her too: "Little Sui has worked hard too. Everyone's been amazing!"
On the other side, Zhou Chen and Cheng Wei's reception was not this gentle breeze and drizzle.
A student from the Summoning Department put an arm around Zhou Chen's shoulder: "The league match has made you so proud. Showing off, and even enjoying spiritual healing," as he said this, he punched Zhou Chen's chest, making him yelp, "Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Looking so smug! We have to charge forward in the next elimination match too!"
Zhou Chen was flattered, proudly raising his head: "Piece of cake. With a bit of effort, we'll get top three in the league!"
"Brothers, Zhou Chen says league first place is a piece of cake!"
Zhou Chen: ?
"Brothers, Zhou Chen says he wants to challenge everyone in the league to be number one!"
"Wanting to be number one, you'd have to get past my Grass God first!"
"That's right, Grass Grass is number one!"
Chen Sui listened in confusion, not understanding: "Who is Grass Grass?"
Xie Chunshi was in front of her, seriously discussing decision-making issues from the White Sand Sky Pillar Sea Domain with Command System students.
Hearing this, he suddenly remembered Chen Sui's nickname.
He smiled at his classmate, cleared his throat, made a fist, and leaned back to remind her: "grassgrassgrass."
"Huh?" Chen Sui took a second to react, realizing it was her nickname. She pointed at herself, looking questioningly at the Analyst Department classmates.
Everyone held back their laughter until someone said with a smile: "Grass Kid!"
Then they all laughed friendly.
A group of people walked toward the building, laughing.
People around asked Cheng Wei how his injury was, others asked Chen Sui if she was injured.
Students who had stayed at the academy told them about how nervous the teachers were watching the league match. Some shared classic expressions from the White Sand Sky Pillar Sea Domain with the school team.
Finally, after talking all the way, everyone looked at Chen Sui intently, telling her not to forget to process the materials and post them on the StarNet.
"Huh?" Chen Sui looked up in confusion. "How do you know about the StarNet store?"
"Grass Grass, your style is too obvious!" someone said.
"grassgrassgrass and Grass Born Coming Out, both certified from the Fourth Star Ring, making things with the same effect—how could we not guess!"
Chen Sui's eyes showed understanding. With new items for the rest period planned in her mind, she just nodded slightly: "Alright, I'll post them all up later."
The classmates who had secured the promise of new uploads were exceptionally excited, hooting and howling all the way.
As they approached the school team building and the crowd was about to disperse, someone suddenly quietly asked Xie Chunshi: "Commander Xie, can we go to the formal competition?"
Chen Sui caught this voice, and at that moment, she felt some overflowing emotions inside. She nodded, saying resolutely: "We can win."
"League first place."
This voice made the surrounding discussions quiet down.
Until someone shouted loudly: "Grass God has spoken! Brothers and sisters! Don't worry!"
Chen Sui's mouth corner twitched. She looked at her teammates, finding everyone had a slight smile.
"Right?"
She turned to ask.
Xie Chunshi nodded: "Without a doubt."
Zhou Chen: "Emperor Sui has spoken, so we definitely have to charge forward."
Gu Qinxue: "Of course."
Puluo: "I always listen to the analyst."
The five school team members exchanged smiles. In the crowd, someone's light brain captured this moment.
When Zhu Jing Fu won first place in this most turbulent Star League Competition, it became the headline washing over the StarNet.