Douluo Continent: The Ruler of Time, Reigning Supreme

Chapter 218 An Encounter
After being severely injured by the Ice Emperor in the far north, Zhang Lexuan returned to the academy and secluded herself in the Golden Tree. Not only did she recover from her injuries, but her soul power bottleneck also loosened.

More importantly, that experience quietly opened a crack in her heart, which had been bound by responsibility and commitment for many years.

Today, she changed out of her plain white robe and put on a light purple long dress. Her waist-length black hair was casually draped over her shoulders. She looked less dignified and aloof as the chief disciple and more gentle and beautiful like a big sister next door.

"I heard that another extraordinary genius has emerged from the outer academy. Not only does he possess twin martial souls, but he also has the same extreme ice attribute as you. The academy's higher-ups have even made an exception and convened a Sea God Pavilion meeting for him, an outer academy student."

While chatting about some interesting anecdotes from the academy, Zhang Lexuan took a sip of sweet and chewy tapioca pearls and suddenly brought up Huo Yuhao, who had recently caused quite a stir in the outer academy.

"Yes, his name is Huo Yuhao, and he's my classmate."

Yin Chen nodded and added.

"His second martial soul is Titan Snow Demon."

"Titan Snow Demon?"

Zhang Lexuan's pretty brows furrowed slightly as she put the straw in her mouth and pondered for a moment before speaking.

"I remember Elder Mu once said that although ordinary Titan Snow Demons are powerful, their ice attribute is still a step away from the 'ultimate' level. Among the overlord-level soul beasts in the far north, the only ones who are born with the ultimate ice attribute are the legendary Ice Snow Maiden and... the Ice Jade Scorpion clan."

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to Yin Chen's eye, which had turned emerald green.

“What we can think of, the senior members of the academy can naturally think of as well.”

Yin Chen smiled. He knew what Zhang Lexuan was thinking, but he simply brushed the topic aside.

"However, none of this has anything to do with us, does it, Sister Lexuan?"

That natural "Sister Lexuan" made Zhang Lexuan's heart skip a beat.

She paused for a moment, then smiled with relief.

"Too."

She nodded, no longer delving into Huo Yuhao's secrets.

Just as Yin Chen said, that's something for the academy's higher-ups to worry about.

For her, being able to unload all her burdens and walk with him in the sunshine as an ordinary woman, tasting sweet drinks she had never had before, was a very unique experience.

Just then, at the street corner in front of them, a couple walked towards them, holding hands and talking intimately.

The man was handsome and tall, with a gentle and refined demeanor and a warm smile on his face. The woman was charming and lovely, with a neat ponytail, a light and lively gait, and eyes full of happiness.

It was Beibei and Tang Ya.

"Senior Beibei, and Senior Tangya, what a coincidence, you're out shopping too."

Yin Chen smiled and took the initiative to greet him.

Zhang Lexuan, who was standing next to him, stiffened almost imperceptibly the moment she saw the two people.

Her gaze, as if drawn by a magnet, unconsciously fell upon their tightly clasped hands.

There was a time when, every time she saw such a scene, it was like a needle piercing her heart.

However, this time, things turned out differently than she expected.

The needle seemed to have become dull.

She felt somewhat lost, yet also somewhat relieved.

Perhaps it was that brush with death that made her understand many things.

Or perhaps... it was the presence of this young man beside her that, unknowingly, filled the void in her heart.

"Junior Brother Yin Chen? And... Sister Le Xuan?!" Bei Bei and Tang Ya also saw them, and their faces showed surprise at the same time.

Beibei, in particular, was incredibly surprised to see his usually aloof and unsmiling sister here with Yin Chen, holding a milk tea.

"Just like you guys, out having some fun."

Yin Chen smiled and shook the milk tea in his hand.

"Junior Brother Yin Chen, you're pretty good."

Tang Ya's bright, lively eyes darted back and forth between Yin Chen and Zhang Lexuan, a genuine, maternal smile spreading across her face.

Beibei, on the other hand, had a knowing look on her face.

He quickened his pace, patted Yin Chen's shoulder affectionately, leaned close to his ear, and whispered with a wink and a smile in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Junior, you're really something. You even managed to get my sister... You're amazing, truly amazing."

After saying that, he winked at Yin Chen and subtly gave him a thumbs up, his expression full of praise and encouragement for the younger generation to surpass their teacher.

Yin Chen's expression instantly turned somewhat strange.

Zhang Lexuan... she's your childhood sweetheart and fiancée, my dear senior.

He subconsciously touched his head of white hair that gleamed in the sunlight, and a strange sense of absurdity rose in his heart.

He's clearly white-haired, so why does he look like he has yellow hair?

Just as Yin Chen was at a loss for words, Zhang Lexuan, who was standing to the side, did something that surprised everyone.

Looking at Tang Ya, who was filled with curiosity and a hint of nervousness towards her, the cold expression on her face melted away like ice and snow, and she suddenly smiled. That smile seemed to brighten the entire street.

"You must be Tang Ya? This is the first time we've met formally like this."

Her voice was gentle and sincere.

"From now on, I'm entrusting my good-for-nothing younger brother to your care."

"Ah...oh, okay, alright, leave it to me, Senior Sister."

Tang Ya was taken aback at first, but then immediately understood the meaning behind Zhang Lexuan's words.

Her initial nervousness from the first meeting vanished instantly, replaced by a tremendous joy of being recognized.

She puffed out her small chest, patted it with a grin, and looked like she had me wrapped around her little finger.

She had heard Beibei mention many times that he had an older sister who watched him grow up and was like a mother to him.

She was initially worried that this legendary senior sister wouldn't like her, but to her surprise, the other party was so gentle and approachable.

After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, Beibei tactfully pulled Tang Ya away.

Before leaving, he deliberately lagged behind by half a step, turned back to Yin Chen, and made a strong "thank you" gesture, his eyes filled with the expectation that he believed in Yin Chen.

The encounter with Beibei and Tangya was just a small interlude.

Yin Chen came out this time specifically to help Zhang Lexuan, who had just recovered, relax and enjoy herself.

However, because of this incident, the atmosphere between the two underwent a subtle change.

After walking a short distance, Yin Chen suddenly felt a small, slightly cool yet incredibly soft hand tentatively grasp his right hand.

Yin Chen paused, subconsciously turning his head to look at Zhang Lexuan beside him.

(End of this chapter)