60: Chapter 60 Are they just friends...?

Mu Qingci did not even glance back as he turned and left.

Inside Mingde Hall.

Ye Guyi looked at the box in front of her in disbelief.

Inside the box lay a left arm Spirit Bone in excellent condition; it was precisely the Light Unicorn left arm Spirit Bone that Mu Qingci had obtained at the auction.

"Qingci... is... is this for me?"

She could not believe her ears, thinking she must be hallucinating.

Mu Qingci smiled and pushed the box forward. "Guyi, you heard correctly. This Spirit Bone is a gift for you."

"Bu... but... I... I..." Ye Guyi was incoherent at this moment. She had never seen such a precious Spirit Bone in her entire life, and he was actually giving it to her directly.

"Alright, no more 'buts'. Go ahead and absorb the Spirit Bone." Mu Qingci took the Spirit Bone out of the box and placed it into Ye Guyi's hands.

Ye Guyi's mind was still in a whirl. She took the Spirit Bone in a daze and went into a quiet room.

Mu Qingci sat cross-legged outside the door to guard her.

An hour later.

Accompanied by a surge of Soul Power, the room door was pushed open.

Ye Guyi walked out, her aura significantly enhanced.

"Qingci, thank you."

Her eyes were red, and tears welled up within them.

She knew all too well the value of a 70,000-year Spirit Bone, which was why she was so moved.

Because Ye Guyi knew that Mu Qingci was also a user of the light attribute and possessed the Ultimate Light. If he had absorbed this Spirit Bone, the effect would have been even better than for her.

"Qingci, why are you so good to me?" Ye Guyi asked suddenly, with a serious expression.

Mu Qingci was caught off guard by the question and answered instinctively. "Because we are friends."

A trace of disappointment flashed in Ye Guyi's eyes, and the radiance she emitted seemed to dim slightly.

"Just friends..." She murmured in a voice only she could hear. "But I don't want to be just friends..."

Seeing Ye Guyi's dejected appearance, Mu Qingci was about to say something, but just then, Ye Guyi suddenly stepped forward, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek.

Sensing the fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose and the sensation on his cheek, Mu Qingci was slightly caught off guard.

A few seconds later, Ye Guyi pulled away, gave Mu Qingci a deep look, then turned and ran off.

Watching Ye Guyi's retreating figure, Mu Qingci shook his head helplessly.

Time flew by, and soon it was one month before the tournament.

During this time, Mu Qingci's days were very fulfilling.

He was learning about spirit tools from Kong Deming to reach the level of a Level 5 Soul Engineer, while also learning to control his Spirit from Long Xiaoyao, and his strength was steadily improving.

Regarding the cultivation of his Soul Power, Mu Qingci had not fallen behind either; he was now at the peak of level 57, just half a step away from level 58.

This morning, in the training ground of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, the entire main team and reserve team were gathered.

Old Ma looked at everyone, cleared his throat, and said, "The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament is almost here. Whether we can defeat the Shrek Academy team and wash away the academy's humiliation of thousands of years depends on you. I will accompany you as your team leader."

"In addition." Old Ma cleared his throat and continued, "Elder Kong Deming will also be accompanying us this time to show our support. Let's give him a round of applause!"

Among those present, except for Mu Qingci, his direct disciple, who could see Kong Deming often, most of the others had only heard the name of Kong Deming, the pillar of the Empire, from their elders at home.

Hearing that they would be able to see Kong Deming, everyone appeared very excited.

Mu Qingci shook his head helplessly, but his heart was full of emotion. He knew that Kong Deming had come because he was worried about him.

Kong Deming's figure appeared before them, and thunderous applause immediately broke out.

"Your Excellency Silver Moon." Old Ma bowed respectfully and stepped aside.

Kong Deming pressed his hand down, and everyone instantly fell silent.

His aura was restrained at this moment, just like an ordinary neighbor's grandfather.

"Let me say a few words." He said, "Seeing your vibrant energy, I am very gratified. You are the future of the Empire, and I believe you can win back glory for the Sun Moon Empire in this tournament!"

Next was a standard motivational speech. The others listened very attentively, while Mu Qingci was so bored he was about to fall asleep, feeling as if he had returned to his past life, listening to school leaders speak on campus.

"Alright, as your team leader said, I will accompany you this time to ensure your safety. You will have a three-day holiday to rest. After the holiday ends, we will set off immediately for the Star Luo Empire!"

Afterward, amidst the applause of the crowd, Kong Deming's figure disappeared from the training ground.

That night, on the streets of Mingdu.

"Qingci, do you think we can defeat Shrek this time? I heard their team composition is very high-level."

Mu Qingci felt a bit helpless and reached out to flick Meng Hongchen's nose. "Sister Meng, this is the fifth time you've asked the same question. The members of the Shrek Academy team are also human. Do you have so little confidence in yourself, and in me?"

Meng Hongchen smiled embarrassedly upon hearing this and didn't say anything more.

Suddenly, she pointed in a direction on the street. "Qingci, look over there?"

Looking in the direction she pointed, it was a restaurant.

Mu Qingci recognized the restaurant at a glance; it was the exact one where they had first met.

He immediately took Meng Hongchen to that restaurant.

After entering the restaurant, Mu Qingci found the window seat where they had first met and sat down with Meng Hongchen.

"Two guests, what would you like to order?"

The waiter greeted them enthusiastically and poured tea for them.

Mu Qingci casually ordered a few signature dishes and sat there drinking tea while waiting for the food.

"Yo, is little brother here alone?"

Meng Hongchen imitated the way they first met, mimicking the words from that day.

This time, Mu Qingci was no longer indifferent. Instead, he chuckled, wrapped his arm around Meng Hongchen's slender waist, and pulled her hard.

Caught off guard, Meng Hongchen lost her balance and landed right in Mu Qingci's lap.

Mu Qingci leaned close to Meng Hongchen's ear, wrapped his hands around her waist, and whispered, "Of course I am alone. Would this beautiful lady like to join me for a drink?"

Feeling the warm breath near her ear and the strong, good-looking hands around her waist, Meng Hongchen's face turned red instantly.

"Hateful, let go of me quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Qingci not only didn't let go, but instead used some strength to make the sitting Meng Hongchen lie half-reclined in his arms.

"Be good, don't move."

Feeling the solid chest beneath her, Meng Hongchen stopped struggling, and the two of them maintained this posture while watching the night view outside the window.

Feeling the warmth and softness in his arms, Mu Qingci felt a sense of relaxation like never before.

Over the past year, in order to become stronger, his nerves had been constantly tense; he hadn't relaxed like this for a long time.