The First Summoner - Chapter 126

After Feng Xingyao finished speaking, he returned to the daybed. All nine of his fox tails had vanished, but his silver hair and fox ears remained. Even his alluring eyes were still red.

He reclined against the daybed.

His clothes had been torn open, offering tantalizing glimpses of cool, pale skin as smooth as jade and the striking contours of his abdominal muscles. The smears of blood on them lent him an indescribable air of allure.

Shen Yan did not feel hurt by what he had just said. She rose and asked evenly, “If you transform again and lose consciousness in the future, how should I wake you?”

Feng Xingyao narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze rested for a moment on the blood at the corner of her mouth. “I need to smell your blood.”

Hearing this, Shen Yan nodded to show that she understood.

Just then, the Ninefold Demon-Suppressing Pagoda flew unsteadily toward Shen Yan. They transformed into human form and hugged her tightly.

“Master! Master!” Ninefold’s eyes were red-rimmed, and a swollen red patch marred their forehead, as though someone had struck them.

Shen Yan looked down at them. Her brows drew together when she saw their swollen forehead, and she reached out to touch it gently with one finger.

“Ow! It hurts! Boohoo!”

Ninefold looked utterly aggrieved. Inwardly, they cursed that bastard Feng Xingyao. Once the man lost consciousness, he turned into a complete savage. It was terrifying!

Shen Yan took out a type of medicinal oil and gently applied it for them.

Clinging to Shen Yan’s leg, Ninefold sniffled and pleaded, “Master, when can I leave this place?” They were truly scared.

Shen Yan asked, “Do you want to stay in another space? With Wuying?”

“No!” They did not want to stay with Wuying. First, they barely knew Wuying. Second, Wuying had quite a temper too.

Although Feng Xingyao was terrifying when he transformed, he normally paid little attention to Ninefold and gave them plenty of freedom.

On second thought, staying here was still the better choice.

In the end, Ninefold said weakly, “I’d better stay here.”

“You’ve had a hard time.” Shen Yan raised a hand and stroked their head, comforting them. “He’s conscious again now. You don’t need to be afraid.”

“I still have something to do, so I’ll be leaving.”

“Huh?” Ninefold was somewhat surprised. They reluctantly tugged on Shen Yan’s sleeve, pouted, and wheedled, “Master, you’ve barely been here and you’re leaving already. That was way too fast. Stay a little longer, okay?”

“Another day.” Shen Yan did not relent. She stood firm in her decision.

She turned to look at Feng Xingyao. His eyes were closed now, as though he were resting them, or perhaps had fallen deeply asleep.

Without saying goodbye to him, Shen Yan left the ability space.

The instant she departed, Feng Xingyao opened his eyes. His gaze darkened. Her touch earlier had nearly made him lose control.

Ninefold bit their lip and watched Feng Xingyao’s handsome face, cautiously testing the waters.

“Your… Are you all right?”

“No.”

The moment they heard that answer, Ninefold panicked and immediately transformed back into the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, terrified that Feng Xingyao might attack them again.

Feng Xingyao was speechless.

After a moment, he asked, “Did your master get into Western Region Academy?”

“She did! She even placed first!”

Ninefold’s voice brimmed with happiness.

Feng Xingyao propped his chin on one hand, a glimmer of amusement flashing through his eyes.

…

Shen Yan reappeared at the corner, unnoticed by anyone.

She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, then swallowed a second-grade pill. Her face remained a little pale, but her spirits had improved considerably.

She set out for Western Region Academy.

Many people recognized her along the way.

Some even surrounded her and asked how she had been able to summon ghosts.

Naturally, she did not answer. She quickly escaped them and put on a mask.

Once she had the mask on, the rest of her journey went much more smoothly.

About thirty minutes later, Shen Yan finally arrived at the gates of Western Region Academy.

The academy gates were ancient and imposing, without excessive gilded ornamentation.

Dozens of young men and women had already gathered outside.

As soon as Shen Yan arrived, Jiang Xianyue and the Zhuge brothers waved to her.

Her appearance naturally drew everyone’s attention. She had placed first in the entrance test and had eliminated Pei Wusu and the others.

No one had expected her to come out on top.

Just as she approached the crowd, a girl in red hurried toward her with an enthusiastic expression. Smiling brightly, she said, “Little Sister Yan’er, my father instructed me to take good care of you. Who would have thought you’d be even more formidable than I am? I truly admire you.”

Shen Yan regarded the red-clad girl without a change in expression.

“Who are you?”

The girl was not embarrassed. Smiling, she explained, “I’m Huo Bao’er of the Huo Clan in Biyun Kingdom. I suppose you could call me your elder sister.”

“I don’t know you.” Shen Yan’s voice was indifferent. She stepped forward, intending to go around her.

Huo Bao’er hurriedly reached out to block her and said with a slightly aggrieved air, “I really am your elder sister. The Shen Clan of Nanxiao Kingdom and our Huo Clan have deep ties. We are both families of Summoners. In fact, the Shen Clan can be considered a branch of the Huo Clan, so I’m like an elder sister from your main clan. My father specifically told me to take good care of you.”

A faint sense of superiority colored her tone.

Shen Yan replied coldly, “I have severed ties with the Shen Clan. I have nothing to do with them now, so there’s no need for you to go around claiming me as your little sister.”

Displeasure had already risen in Huo Bao’er’s heart.

Still feigning sadness, Huo Bao’er said with a bitter smile, “All right. I shouldn’t have said any of that to you.”

By then, Jiang Xianyue had hurried over. She glanced sideways at Huo Bao’er and sneered, “As if anyone wanted to hear it.”

Huo Bao’er’s expression nearly cracked.

She lowered her head, malice filling her eyes.

Some people in the crowd immediately thought Shen Yan was shamelessly rejecting goodwill. She came from a tiny border kingdom, and the fact that a great clan like the Huo Clan was willing to acknowledge her was already doing her an honor. Yet she had humiliated Huo Bao’er in public. She was far too arrogant!

There were still clearheaded people in the crowd, but they chose not to involve themselves in the dispute.

Just then, Yu Changying approached Shen Yan with elegant, poised steps. Her eyes shimmered with springtime allure as she gave Shen Yan a charming smile. “Little Sister Shen Yan, your Summoning Arts are truly powerful. Losing to you wasn’t a bad trade for me.”

Shen Yan inclined her head in greeting.

Yu Changying continued, “I wonder if there will be another battle between us?”

Shen Yan immediately understood.

She had come to challenge her to a rematch.

Shen Yan answered calmly, “There probably will be.”

Yu Changying covered her lips with one hand and gave a bashful laugh. “Little Sister Shen Yan, you’re so decisive and straightforward. I really like you.”

Suddenly, Zhuge Youlin poked his head out from behind Shen Yan. Staring eagerly at Yu Changying, he asked sincerely, “Could you build me a super-powerful mechanical arm? The free kind?”