Volume One: The Awakening of the Dragon Soul Chapter 39: Xia Ningxin’s Invitation

"Something's wrong! The campus security squad is here!"
At the sound of someone shouting, Senior Mianhua, who had been about to step forward for a fight, suddenly paused, and the other party lowered their hands as well.
Mo Xing turned around and saw the dense crowd parting, forming a path. A group of soldier-like men walked through the gap, led by Captain Huo.
"Club recruitment must be orderly. Please don’t block the public roads," Captain Huo said.
"Yes... yes, sorry," the other apologized.
"My apologies, it was my fault," Senior Mianhua scratched his head sheepishly, looking nothing like his impulsive self from moments ago.
"It’s already midday. If there’s nothing urgent, go get lunch," Captain Huo continued.
Everyone dispersed, including the troublemaker from earlier.
Mo Xing breathed a sigh of relief. Captain Huo truly deserved his title—he was like a lion, exuding an unspoken authority and the bearing of a king.
"Mo Xing, you’re here too? Long time no see!" Captain Huo noticed Mo Xing standing nearby.
"Captain Huo, it’s been a while!" Mo Xing waved back quickly.
"Little Brother Mo Xing, you know this big shot too?" Once everyone else was gone, Mianhua came over.
"Yes," Mo Xing nodded.
"Isn’t this the young fellow who got tied up in the Divine Armory Tower before? Are you recovered?" Captain Huo smiled.
"Of course! I’m as strong as ever!" Mianhua patted his chest proudly.
"Captain Huo, do you remember me? In my first year, you substituted for a few combat classes while Professor Tianqi was on a business trip," Mianhua extended his hand.
"Oh, did I? It’s been a while since I taught, so I don't recall the specifics."
"Then let’s get reacquainted." Captain Huo stepped forward and shook hands.
"By the way, Mo Xing! I just happen to have something to ask of you!" Captain Huo suddenly turned.
"What is it? Please tell me," Mo Xing responded.
"We have an anti-bandit operation this Friday night and need your assistance!" Captain Huo said.
"I see. Could you give me more details?" Mo Xing nodded.
"Anti-bandit?" Mianhua muttered.
"Our target is a group of thieves. According to our observers, they meet every Friday night at a designated spot for a group meeting."
"Why not just have the campus security squad arrest them directly?" Mianhua asked.
"We could, but we stand out too much—it would alert them," Captain Huo shook his head. "That’s why we need Mo Xing to cooperate with us."
"Do I have some special advantage?" Mo Xing asked.
"Yes, your element is water, which will be especially useful for this operation," Captain Huo explained. "Don’t worry, you’ll be under our cover, able to infiltrate safely and retreat unharmed when the task is complete."
"Alright, I’ll accept," Mo Xing nodded.
"I want to join this operation too!" Mianhua suddenly proposed. "I’m worried Little Brother Mo Xing won’t be able to handle it alone."
Captain Huo frowned, thought briefly, took a deep breath, and shook his head.
"Sorry, this mission is only suitable for Mo Xing alone. I hope you understand."
"Fine, but remember to call me next time," Mianhua pouted.

"Alright, I will," Captain Huo turned, patting Mo Xing’s shoulder. "See you at the campus gates after lunch on Friday."
"Okay," Mo Xing replied.
Watching Captain Huo and the security squad walk away, Mianhua shook his head and said,
"We promised to be each other’s little angels, yet you didn’t call me for this mission."
"Uh..."
Mo Xing was momentarily lost for words, wondering why Senior Mianhua suddenly said something so sentimental.
"Seems I’m not as close to him as you are," Mianhua sighed. "He trusts you more. As the saying goes, never suspect those you use, and never use those you suspect."
"The campus security squad is truly impressive. You and that passerby were about to fight, but as soon as you heard he was coming, you both stopped," Mo Xing remarked. "Especially Captain Huo—he has the aura of a king."
"You might not know, but the campus security squad is an extraordinarily powerful force in our academy—every member is an elite," Mianhua came closer. "Take Captain Huo, for example. When he was a freshman, he had already reached the Honglan rank. According to campus records, only three people have ever done that."
"That’s incredible," Mo Xing exclaimed.
"Absolutely. He became captain right after graduating, sometimes substituting for traveling professors. Rumor has it he’s now at the Ziding rank, able to compete with Professor Tianqi," Mianhua praised. "Knowing such a strong big shot, you should feel honored."
"My goodness!" Mo Xing was amazed.
Now, he knew both Zhang Zhihao, the president of the student council, and Captain Huo, the head of the security squad. He was practically the protagonist of a campus adventure novel, protected by all the major leaders—a bulletproof network. Who would dare mess with him?
"By the way, you wouldn’t mind meeting another big shot, right?" Mianhua suddenly smiled. "Join the singers’ team—I’ll introduce you to our king of singers!"
"Ah..."
Mo Xing came back to his senses, remembering the hefty membership fee. His wallet was empty; he was penniless. How could he afford it?
"Maybe next time, Senior. I’m off to lunch!"
Mo Xing waved and politely declined, then left.

Afternoon was for combat training.
With the "lesson" from the morning’s theory class, Mo Xing went straight to the Hades Training Grounds after lunch, found a pavilion, and took a brief nap.
Hearing some commotion, Mo Xing opened his eyes slowly as other freshmen began to enter.
This time, he was lucky enough to secure a spot in Professor Tianqi’s public combat class.
Each student could receive five minutes of individual guidance. When it was Mo Xing’s turn, he and Professor Tianqi exchanged greetings.
"Professor Tianqi, I’d like to reconsider my choice of profession," Mo Xing said. "I don’t think elemental mage suits me."
"Oh? Is that so?" Professor Tianqi nodded. "What career path would you prefer?"
"Magic swordsman."
"That’s similar to a staff, but I feel more comfortable with swords. Ordinary warriors require perseverance and technique, which doesn’t suit me," Mo Xing paused. "But magic swordsmen combine blade and magic, suited for guerrilla tactics and control—"
"Very well. I was just about to give you a weapon," Professor Tianqi said, taking a longsword from his storage ring and handing it to Mo Xing.
"This is..." Mo Xing took the sword, feeling a unique aura. The golden hilt was inlaid with blue and white gems, the silver blade bore intricate markings, and blue light flowed within.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, the grip comfortable—worlds apart from the training weapons he’d used before!
Mo Xing was certain: this was a divine artifact!
"Blue gleam shining forth, as if frost’s brilliance," Professor Tianqi said. "This weapon is called—God’s Frostless."

"Thank you for your gift, Professor. I’ll gladly accept it," Mo Xing took "God’s Frostless," gently waving it. The air nearby seemed to be sliced open.
A divine weapon was indeed extraordinary!
Mo Xing practiced continuously, effortlessly unleashing various skills. He felt this sword truly suited him!
He had no idea that Professor Tianqi was somewhat astonished at that moment.
This divine artifact wasn’t something just anyone could lift. Professor Tianqi had only meant for Mo Xing to try it, but Mo Xing not only lifted it easily, he wielded it as if chopping vegetables.
His earlier suspicions were confirmed: during the freshman test for Dragon God Power, Mo Xing hadn’t been at level zero, but at Green Wood rank, level sixty!
Normally, with Dragon God Power at Green Wood rank sixty, the clock would reset, and the crystal sphere would shatter. But it didn’t happen then. Mo Xing possessed a miraculous restorative force that stabilized the crystal’s fluctuations, preventing its destruction and causing a misjudgment.
Thankfully, this youngster didn’t lose heart. He pushed through the freshman trials, broke through others’ doubts, and proved himself. He might not be the strongest, but he was undoubtedly the most promising. If his abilities were likened to a river, sometimes calm, sometimes rushing, and at need, turbulent.
But Professor Tianqi believed his abilities were not just a river, but an ocean.
Boundless future!

Two hours later.
Mo Xing walked along the road to the campus hospital.
He had gained much from today’s combat class—just the divine weapon alone was worth a hundred million! His skills had become increasingly refined through practice. He’d hoped to learn more, but Professor Tianqi was pulled away by other students. Truly, everyone got only five minutes—no chance for extra guidance.
He wondered how Shi Yan was doing. She should be nearly recovered and discharged today. He decided to visit the hospital.
Twenty meters from the hospital entrance, Mo Xing quickened his pace.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the corner. Mo Xing stopped abruptly, but inertia betrayed him, sending his body forward. He was about to crash into the person when a gust of air enveloped him, suspending him in midair.
"Xia Ningxin? Ah, no—Miss Xia!"
Mo Xing recognized her and quickly corrected himself.
"Here,"
Xia Ningxin handed him a business card, her expression calm, unconcerned about the earlier address.
"What... what’s this?" Mo Xing frowned, taking the card. On it was an address: Shopping West Street—No. 198.
"An invitation," Xia Ningxin replied coolly.
"What... what for?" Mo Xing scratched his head, utterly confused.
"What do you think?"
Faced with Xia Ningxin’s counter-question, Mo Xing was at a loss and blurted out,
"Are you inviting me to dinner?"
He immediately regretted it. What was he saying? Would a noble and elegant Miss Xia invite someone as ordinary as him to dinner? A toad lusting after swan’s meat? Have some boundaries! Mo Xing, wake up!
"Mo Xing, you truly are different from others," Xia Ningxin smiled slightly. "Then it’s settled—the address on the card."
"Saturday evening at seven. Don’t be late."
—————————Idle Talk by the Pit—————————
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