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Just as Bai Chen had expected, the remaining days of the assessment passed smoothly for him and Yuan En Yehuī without encountering any significant trouble.
The most formidable opponents they faced during those days were nothing more than a soul master squad consisting of five Soul Ancestors and two Great Soul Masters.
A group like that posed little threat to them. As far as Bai Chen was concerned, their combined menace didn't even come close to that of the Flame Magic Lion pack or the Dark Gold Terror Bear he had already dealt with.
When the Spirit Ascension Platform's surge period finally came to an end, Bai Chen and Yuan En Yehuī pressed the button and smoothly exited the Platform.
"Congratulations — you've successfully completed the assessment."
The moment Zang Xin climbed out of his pod, he strode over with a face full of smiles to greet them.
He gave something a toss toward Bai Chen. A red-and-blue token came flying through the air, and Bai Chen quickly raised his hand to catch it. He looked it over — it was indeed the Tang Sect Ice and Fire Seal.
With this, it meant Bai Chen now had the qualification to enter the Ice and Fire Two-Instrument Eyes to select a spirit herb.
He hadn't anticipated that, out of the three eras, it would be his current self who made it in first.
"When you return this time, I'll explain to you how to use this Tang Sect Ice and Fire Seal."
Unaware of the emotions stirring in Bai Chen's heart, Zang Xin turned to Yuan En Yehuī with a smile and said:
"So — the partner I arranged for you isn't bad, is he? Would you be willing to team up with him?"
"Mm... thank you."
Yuan En Yehuī gave a small nod, and for once, a rare hint of embarrassment crossed her face.
"Then let's head back first."
Zang Xin said cheerfully:
"Yuan En, within the next couple of days I'll find time to go through the formal enrollment procedures with you. Get yourself ready."
Since Yuan En Yehuī had been brought over by Yun Mei on the spur of the moment, she was not, strictly speaking, an official member of the Tang Sect yet.
But now that she had become Bai Chen's teammate, she would have to formally join the Tang Sect — and moreover, be directly promoted to a member of the Combat Soul Hall.
Fortunately, her talent and strength were both more than sufficient; joining the Combat Soul Hall was well within her reach.
After leaving the Spirit Transmission Tower, Bai Chen only then noticed that the sky outside had already darkened to night.
Time inside the Spirit Ascension Platform operated on a subtle offset from the real world — it was genuinely difficult to gauge the outside time from within.
Zang Xin drove his car and sent him home.
Xue Ni opened the door to welcome them. When he caught sight of Yuan En Yehuī, he couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
"Your Highness, who is this?"
Zang Xin smiled and explained:
"Her name is Yuan En Yehuī. Starting today, she is Bai Chen's partner."
He paused briefly, then leaned closer to Xue Ni and asked:
"She's actually only just arrived in this city a few days ago. Would it be alright for her to stay here with you all for the time being?"
"Hm? Well, that's certainly fine..."
Zang Xin waved a hand and said:
"I'll be heading off then — there's quite a bit of work that's piled up over these past few days."
"Understood, Your Highness. Farewell."
Xue Ni quickly waved him off as well, and after seeing Zang Xin out, led Bai Chen and Yuan En Yehuī inside.
The moment they stepped into the house, a small silver-haired head poked out from around the corner.
"Ah, big brother!"
Seeing Bai Chen, her eyes immediately lit up, and she came scurrying out with tiny, quick steps.
"Na'er."
Bai Chen caught her with a smile and asked:
"How have these past few days been — have you been happy?"
Just as in the original story, Na'er had not managed to successfully awaken her martial soul this year. Bai Jiaming had even taken her to see doctors specifically about it, but none of them could determine the cause.
Bai Chen had a rough idea of why, though the truth of it, if spoken aloud, would probably get him dismissed as having lost his mind.
So Na'er had enrolled in an ordinary school rather than a soul master academy.
Fortunately, her school life was reportedly quite pleasant — and to Bai Chen, that was what mattered most.
Na'er pouted slightly and said with a hint of complaint:
"I'm happy enough, but coming home and not seeing big brother makes me feel a little unhappy."
"Haha, sorry about that. You know, big brother has to study hard these past few days — all of it is so I can get stronger and protect you all better."
Bai Chen laughed helplessly and reached out to ruffle her little head.
Yuan En Yehuī drifted silently to his side and suddenly interjected:
"Is she your little sister?"
"Mm, her name is Na'er. She's one year younger than me."
Upon hearing Bai Chen's answer, Yuan En Yehuī studied Na'er again with an odd expression on her face and murmured:
"She doesn't look like you at all."
Both Bai Chen and Na'er were quite attractive, but their looks were in completely different directions. Standing side by side, it was hard to believe they shared any blood relation.
Bai Chen nodded candidly.
"Of course she doesn't — Na'er is an adopted child in our family."
"Oh, I see..."
Yuan En Yehuī seemed to think of something, and for a brief moment her eyes dimmed slightly.
Bai Chen then turned to introduce Na'er:
"Na'er, her name is Yuan En Yehuī. She's big brother's classmate and friend, one year older than me. Starting today, she'll be staying with us at our house for a while."
"Oh..."
Na'er nodded in sudden understanding, slipped out of Bai Chen's arms, ran up to Yuan En Yehuī, and smilingly stretched out —
— her hand.
"Sister Yuan En, hello! I'm big brother's little sister Na'er. Pleased to meet you!"
"Mm."
Yuan En Yehuī was momentarily at a loss for how to respond, but she still gave a somewhat clumsy nod and took Na'er's hand.
Seeing this, Bai Chen smiled with relief.
Na'er really had become so much more outgoing — worlds apart from how shy and withdrawn she had been a year ago.
He glanced over at Xue Ni and could clearly see the same emotion reflected in the other man's eyes.
Xue Ni cleared his throat and suggested:
"Alright, standing out here talking is getting us nowhere. Let's go inside — dinner is just about ready anyway."
"Sure."
Bai Chen and Na'er answered in unison, and together they led Yuan En Yehuī into the living room.