Chapter 7: REUNION AND HIDDEN FEELINGS
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Hao Chen saw Tang Zheng and Yao Yin ahead.
He immediately called out,
"Zheng… Yin!"
They both turned back and smiled.
Tang Zheng spoke first,
"Hao Chen, how are you?"
Yao Yin followed,
"Hello, Chen."
Hao Chen nodded.
"I'm okay."
Then he asked,
"What about you both?"
"We're fine," they replied.
Hao Chen looked at Yao Yin.
"Are you okay now, Yin?"
Yao Yin smiled slightly.
"Yes, I'm alright now."
"That's good."
Hao Chen gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"If you need help… I'm always here."
Yao Yin nodded gratefully.
"Thank you so much, Chen. I'll always remember that."
Tang Zheng suddenly said,
"What about me?"
Hao Chen chuckled.
"Of course."
They all laughed.
---
After a moment, Hao Chen said,
"Help me gather all the disciples outside the hall. Elder Tianli ordered it."
Tang Zheng nodded.
"Alright, I'll go now."
Yao Yin also nodded.
"Meet you later," Hao Chen said.
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Soon—
All the disciples gathered outside the hall.
Sect elders and clan leaders watched from the side.
Then—
Elder Tianli stepped forward.
"Good day, everyone."
"Good day, Elder Tian!" the crowd responded.
He continued,
"Last year, the previous disciples were not given treasures or cultivation resources… because they failed the training and exams."
The crowd fell silent.
"But this time…"
He paused slightly.
"Thanks to the Sect Founder… all of you will receive rewards."
The disciples exploded in excitement.
"Wow! The Sect Founder is too kind!"
"That's amazing!"
---
Elder Tianli smiled faintly.
"Come here… Handsome Chen."
Instantly—
The female disciples went crazy.
"Handsome Chen?! It fits him perfectly!"
"I love him so much!"
"Hao Chen, marry me!"
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Hao Chen walked toward Elder Tianli…
Slightly shy.
Chen Mo laughed.
"Handsome Chen… hahaha, Elder Tianli, you're right!"
Elder Xue Dao and Elder Ling Xiao glanced at him and laughed softly as well.
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From the side—
Tang Zheng grinned.
"That's the way, Handsome Chen!"
Yao Yin laughed.
"He's really too handsome—wait… what am I saying?"
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Meanwhile—
Meizu Xuan sneered inwardly.
"Hmph… dog. You're still just trash."
---
Elder Tianli raised his hand.
"All disciples—enter the Sacred Room and take what you need."
"Thank you, Elder Tianli!"
The disciples rushed in happily.
---
At that moment—
A powerful aura descended.
Sheng Yue arrived.
She walked gracefully toward Elder Tianli.
Her beauty and presence stunned everyone.
Hei Meng whispered,
"Wow… she's so beautiful…"
Meizu Xuan narrowed his eyes.
"So this is her… she's even more beautiful.
---
Elder Tianli turned and greeted her.
"Greetings, Madam Yue."
She nodded calmly.
---
Hao Chen turned—
And saw her.
Elder Tianli whispered,
"She is the Sect Founder's daughter, Sheng Yue."
Hao Chen said calmly,
"Greetings, Senior Yue."
---
She looked at him.
"Who is he?" she asked.
"That is Wang Hao Chen," Tianli replied.
Hao Chen nodded.
---
Suddenly—
Sheng Yue blushed and turned away.
"Don't call me 'Senior'… we were classmates before. Do you remember?"
Hao Chen paused.
"…Yue Yue?"
The name felt familiar.
Then—
He saw her bracelet.
His eyes widened.
"It's you… I'm sorry."
She smiled softly.
"It's okay."
---
Elder Tianli raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? You know each other?"
"Yes," she replied.
Hao Chen nodded.
---
At that moment—
Meizu Xuan stepped forward.
"Yue, how are you?"
Her expression turned cold.
"…Hm."
She ignored him completely.
---
Hei Meng and Qing Tian laughed quietly in their minds.
Meizu Xuan forced a smile.
"Maybe you forgot me?"
He chuckled coldly, hiding his humiliation.
"Alright…"
He turned and walked toward the Sacred Room.
Inside his mind—
"You haven't changed… you always ignored me."
"I like you even more."
Then his thoughts darkened.
"Hao Chen… remember this…"
"One day… you'll pay for everything."
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Hei Meng and Qing Tian followed.
"Elder Tianli, Sheng Yue—we'll go ahead."
Tianli nodded.
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Inside—
Elder Tianli said,
"Madam, let's go inside. We'll eat, and I'll call your father."
Sheng Yue shook her head.
"You go first. I'll follow later."
"Alright."
---
Tang Zheng and Yao Yin returned to Hao Chen.
"Hao Chen, let's go to the Sacred Room," Zheng said.
Hao Chen shook his head.
"I'll go home first. It's my father's birthday."
"Oh," Zheng smiled.
"Then happy birthday to your father."
Yao Yin nodded.
"Yes, happy birthday to him."
"Thank you so much," Hao Chen replied.
---
"We'll go now," Zheng said.
"Alright. See you tomorrow."
They left.
---
Sheng Yue stepped closer.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine," Hao Chen replied.
"What about you?"
"I'm fine too."
"That's good."
---
She smiled softly.
"Happy birthday to your father."
"Thank you so much."
She looked at him gently.
"It's been years since we last met…"
"Yes… many years."
---
Hao Chen then said,
"Can you tell Elder Tianli I'm going home?"
"Alright."
She paused.
"Take care… I missed you."
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But before he could respond—
She had already run off.
---
Hao Chen took a deep breath.
Then—
He laughed softly.
Calm.
Gentle.
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After that—
He turned…
And began walking home.
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Meanwhile—
Inside the Sacred Room—
Meizu Xuan, Qing Tian, and Hei Meng gathered.
Qing Tian spoke coldly,
"Hao Chen took everything from us… even back then."
"All the girls liked him."
"He was the teacher's favorite…"
"And he even took our crush."
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Meizu Xuan's eyes darkened.
"I have a plan…"
He leaned closer—
And whispered to them.
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Their expressions slowly changed.
From resentment…
To something far more dangerous.