A moment later, she suddenly spoke softly, the calm yet pleasant voice reaching Lin Guang's ears.

"Do you have time to write that paper yourself?"

Lin Guang was taken aback for a moment, then realized what she meant.

The data was all shared, and as soon as he came back, he started using the research building's system to read it, and also uploaded a copy.

So, Kaiwen must be referring to the matter of the [Ice Brave].

"I should...have the time...right?"

Saying this, Lin Guang felt a bit unsure of himself.

Even if he's a time management master, it seems like he might really, perhaps, probably, definitely be too busy during this period.

But just then, he suddenly heard something unexpected.

Kaiwen said softly, "Do you need me to help you write it? You don't have to put my name on it, you can be the first author."

Lin Guang instinctively declined, "...No need, that would trouble you too much!"

Kaiwen raised her head again, looking at Lin Guang with calm eyes, "There's no reason why not."

"Since the theory, practice, and research results were all planned by you, you don't have to feel any psychological burden over this."

"The publication of the Evolutionary Path is beneficial to Great Xia, and it could help you get promoted to the position of Intermediate Researcher sooner."

"I'm not someone who doesn't understand flexibility; since you don't have time recently, having me ghostwrite is not morally objectionable."

"Teacher..."

Lin Guang didn't know what to say.

His dark golden eyes met Kaiwen's eyes.

Those emerald green eyes remained as calm as ever, their emotions difficult for ordinary people to discern.

But Lin Guang just knew very clearly...she was indeed caring about him.

After a few seconds, he finally spoke softly, "Teacher, I'll do it myself."

"..."

Seemingly surprised that he would refuse even at this point, Kaiwen was silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "And what's the reason?"

"You...during this time, have truly had it rough, right."

Lin Guang sighed, "Because of my matters."

Kaiwen's eyes moved slightly.

"Not only do you have to worry about my condition, but you also have to clean up after the things I've done, and provide me with various resources..."

"Though I've said I wouldn't regret what I've done."

He lowered his head slightly, "But to you alone, I really feel very sorry."

"I don't know why you're so good to me, but..."

"I don't want to see you overworked anymore."

"..."

Under Lin Guang's gaze, Kaiwen remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, she gently nodded, her voice as usual, "Then, make sure you also get some rest."

"Alright, goodbye, teacher."

With that, Lin Guang left.

Kaiwen silently watched his back until he disappeared from view, then slowly withdrew her gaze.

Then, she looked at her own chest.

That was the place Lin Guang had secretly glanced at earlier.

...

The sun had already set.

Under the varied gazes of the classmates, Lin Guang and his group got off the school bus and walked toward the school gate.

A fox-eared girl and a beautiful maiden who looked like a demon flanked Lin Guang on either side, while the cool-faced wolf-eared maid followed half a step behind the three.

Vishdair stretched lazily, her black and red tail unfurling, the shark tooth bracelet on her wrist clinking softly, "Whew—ah! Home, sweet home! Bath and dinner!"

Lisa's nine fluffy, soft golden tails swept back and forth beside Lin Guang, revealing a smile that could melt anyone's heart, "Lisa also has some dishes she wants to try today."

Lin Guang reached out his hand and gently smoothed the fur on her tails, the bracelet on his wrist making a similar crisp sound, nodding, "Then let's cook together today."

He turned back, looking at Chelina, "Is there anything you'd like to eat?"

"Master, I'm fine with anything." She shook her head, her attitude indifferent, but her expression seemed much gentler than before.

"..."

The four chatted and laughed all the way to the school gate.

And at that moment, Lin Guang suddenly saw a certain figure.

It was a handsome young man wearing an oversized pure black trench coat, bandages wrapped around his hands, his hair a slightly indistinct brown, leaning against one side of the school gate with his arms crossed, his eyes somewhat unfocused, and his face showing an extremely complex expression.

It was Du Qing.

It seems to have sensed Lin Guang's approaching presence; his eyes regained clarity and he cast his gaze over, opening his mouth.

But when he saw the three beautiful maidens laughing and chatting beside Lin Guang, suddenly he seemed unsure whether to strike up a conversation.

He doesn't appear very cheerful... Lin Guang thought to himself.

Perhaps seeing that Lin Guang's gaze rested on him, Du Qing took a deep breath, walked over and spoke: "Lin Guang, you..."

His eyes were extremely complex: "How did you do it?"

The four of them temporarily paused their conversation, all looking towards Du Qing.

Lin Guang's sharp gaze caught a slight trace on his face.

It was a very, very small wound, on the verge of healing without needing treatment, leaving just a scab ready to fall off.

Is it a symptom of teenage angst? Or perhaps...

Lin Guang raised his eyebrows, suddenly recalling something.

—After completing the data measurement yesterday, Leng Shengnan seemed to plan to challenge Du Qing for another battle, and with full force this time.

"Did you guys battle again today? No restrictions?"

"Then you should have won again, right?"

"..." Du Qing nodded silently.

Seeing this, Lin Guang merely smiled lightly, he roughly understood what had happened.

In that match, Du Qing's victory was undeniable. After all, one evolution was not enough to bridge the gap between the two, let alone Leng Shengnan not having time to adapt to a new fighting style.

And looking into Lin Guang's eyes, Du Qing couldn't help but recall today's battle.

Leng Shengnan, possessed by the Ice Brave and wielding the Ice Sword Spirit, displayed such imposing momentum and sharpness that even Du Qing felt some pressure and danger.

The degree of Leng Shengnan's progress, her tenacity, and the final counterattack completely exceeded Du Qing's expectations.

After evolving, Leng Shengnan even had a short flying ability, engaging with him in aerial battles. Though she ultimately lost, she seized a moment of his carelessness to add another wound to his face.

Still unknown, Lin Guang just sits back. A talent sequence number 973, tail-end has also managed to wound him...

In Du Qing's heart, this undoubtedly was a huge impact.

Moreover, he wasn't entirely ignorant of the Ancient Martial Style—the Celestial Star Sect at least provided basic introductions.

Once the unique body refining of Ancient Martial Style begins and proper training occurs, when Leng Shengnan adapts to this state and unlocks her potential... her strength is bound to rise another notch.

By then, even if Du Qing progresses and most likely still wins, it surely wouldn't be as easy.

It can be said, this single evolution sparked a chain reaction, almost turning Leng Shengnan from someone he'd never bother to glance at to a rival he needs to recognize.

"..."

Coming back to his senses, Du Qing slightly rigidly stated: "So, how did you do it."

"Did you confirm long ago that this evolutionary path was correct and she had this kind of potential? Is this part of your talent?"

"..."

He seemed intent on attributing all of Leng Shengnan's progress to Lin Guang: "Could it be that... you're a Spirit Beloved?"

Lin Guang didn't speak, seemingly acknowledging it.

Although he didn't quite appreciate such an imposing title, with his cheat-like System and memories of the past life... it really posed no big problem.

And after a brief moment of daze, Du Qing's eyes revealed a certainly so expression.

—Her transformation was instigated by the hands of a more formidable genius, Lin Guang.

Lin Guang is even a Spirit Beloved!

Then suddenly it all made sense!

Du Qing naturally knew, what was known as Spirit Beloved was no mere fiction or rumor.

It was a term referring to those adored by the world and Spirit Beast due to possessing related talents or Divine Objects, or even contracting certain Spirit Beasts favored by the heavens and earth.

They often can pluck that crucial puzzle piece from the vast sea of Spiritual Materials and Spirit Beasts, piece it together, turning the ordinary into extraordinary.

Nearly all Spirit Beast Doctors are Spirit Beloveds, just varying in degree.

Since the standard of evaluation for Spirit Beast Doctors surpasses the limits achievable through mere effort by ordinary people.

In that instant, a bit of confidence seemed to return to Du Qing's demeanor.

—A future Spirit Beast Doctor's intervention, now that explains it...

Looking at his expression, Lin Guang instantly understood what Du Qing was pondering in his mind, he neither confirmed nor denied, suddenly posing an unrelated question:

"How many times have you been engaged in life-and-death struggles?"

"Or more precisely, have you faced opponents with absolute disparity, where one moment of carelessness could mean death?"

"..."

Judging by Du Qing's somewhat bewildered look, the answer was obvious.

The Celestial Star Sect hadn't tasked their generation of True Disciples with such matters.

Lin Guang calmly stated: "I'm not outright denying your Talent Supremacy Theory nor do I think mere talk can persuade you."

"However, if there's someone of higher grade talent, higher level, with longer cultivation time coming to kill us three, and we have no certain escape option, the survival likelihood for me and Senior would surely be greater than yours."

"Because we will exhaust all means, think of every way to defeat them, whereas you might lose the will to resist upon seeing them."

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