Before Du Yu even stepped out the Demon Spirit Realm's main gate, he spotted a floating "meme" in midair.

Wind Witch had a zigzag "Z" antenna sticking out of its head, its white cape fluttering even though there was no wind, poking its head around and peeking into the Otherworld.

As soon as it saw Du Yu, its expression instantly changed: (*ﾟ▽ﾟ)

Du Yu tilted his head back, smiling and waving at Wind Witch. Following the little guy's flight path, his eyes landed on a pair of long legs.

Sigh... If only my own lifeline was this long. Judging by that length, I could probably scrape by for ages.

Today's Li Mengnan wore a white baseball cap, dressed all chill and casual, still in denim shorts and—wait, were those flip-flops? Where was the warrior vibe?

Only the Demon Soldier Sword hanging at her waist announced her as a Demon Taming Warrior. Unfortunately, with this outfit, the perfectly straight sword just looked like a really big ruler...

But her white T-shirt was pretty unique, printed with several "Wind Witch Doll" characters in all sorts of poses.

Under Du Yu's gaze, Wind Witch actually flew right in front of Li Mengnan, its tiny silhouette lining up perfectly with one of the shirt graphics.

Du Yu was blown away!

Invisibility Technique?

Realizing it had caught Du Yu's attention, Wind Witch cheerfully zoomed up again.

It floated to Li Mengnan's abdomen, took up a sideways flying pose, and matched up with another Wind Witch Doll image on her shirt.

"Here!" Li Mengnan tipped up the brim of her cap, her face full of reunion joy, waving at Du Yu over and over.

But as she waved, her shirt lifted a little—Wind Witch's Invisibility Technique failed...

The moment the girl's clear voice rang out, everyone turned to look, and all the sneaky onlookers now had an excuse to openly stare.

"Long time no see." Du Yu strode over, his mood instantly lighter seeing Wind Witch playing happily.

"You're telling me!" Li Mengnan opened her arms wide, giving Du Yu a huge hug and smacking his back, hard.

Too bad all those hearty slaps landed squarely on Du Yu's tactical backpack.

Still trying to "hide" in front of Li Mengnan, Wind Witch instantly got squished between the two in their embrace...

"Careful." Du Yu quickly eased Li Mengnan away, freeing Wind Witch from the sandwich.

Wind Witch: T-T

"Ah!" Li Mengnan gasped, clearly distressed, cupping Wind Witch protectively in her hands and giving Du Yu a reproachful look. "You're so cold, not even a little bit excited!"

"I'm really happy too." Du Yu grinned. The feeling of reuniting with an old friend… it's something most people can't truly understand.

Over the past two months, their lives had changed completely. They'd gone from regular students to suddenly, just… warriors.

Especially for someone like Du Yu, who'd had more than a few brushes with death while they were apart, so seeing an old friend again—it was hard to put into words.

Gratitude, nostalgia, so many mixed emotions...

Du Yu never thought he was the only one entitled to these feelings. Li Mengnan had undoubtedly fought through her own Demon Spirit Realms, with no shortage of adventures.

She'd even mentioned on the phone that she'd faced ridicule and exclusion in her own team.

The outside world—especially the Demon Taming World—was nothing like the purity of high school.

"What are you thinking about?" Li Mengnan gently stroked Wind Witch. The little guy was already perfectly fine, but fully indulged in all the attention, refusing to fly off and stubbornly clinging to her palm.

"Just thinking about what we've gone through since we parted." Du Yu started walking. "Come on, let's head to the bookstore and get our names down."

"By the way, how did you manage to get the Dust Spirit Bead?" Li Mengnan hurried to catch up, eyeing Du Yu curiously.

Du Yu looked back at Li Mengnan and blinked meaningfully.

Li Mengnan rolled her eyes. "As if! Who'd buy that you seduced your way in?"

Du Yu: "..."

"Not gonna say? Fine. Where's Yan?"

Du Yu placed a hand on the bookstore's door. "I'll summon her out to play later when there aren't so many people. Too much of a crowd right now, we'd cause a spectacle."

"Oh."

"Ring ring~ ring~" Du Yu pushed open the bookstore door. Behind the bar, Tang Dun looked up and broke into a smile at the sight of a certain someone.

"Congrats, congrats." Tang Dun said softly, pulling a little red box out from the drawer and plopping it on the counter. "Here's your bookstore reward."

Du Yu glanced over at a few customers lounging in the distant lounge, shifted a bit to the side, took the box, and quickly popped it open.

Li Mengnan leaned in, eyeing the dull, weathered-looking silver ring with fascination.

So this is the legendary Library Ring? Kinda underwhelming—not at all the flashy, sparkling thing I imagined.

But Du Yu's eyes shone—sure enough, it was silver!

The South Suburb Newbie Realm only took Demon Tamer Prentice and under—the rings were bronze.

But this North Suburb Newbie Realm allowed Demon Tamer Journeyman and under, so the rings were silver!

Someday, Du Yu would head to higher-level realms… did that mean he'd collect rings made of Glory Gold, Xuan Platinum, Cold Jade, Eternal Diamond and all sorts of materials?

So eventually, he'd get a diamond ring from the Demon Spirit Bookstore!

Just thinking about it was… yeah, a bit painful actually.

If things kept going this way, the first to give me a diamond ring would NOT be that special girl in my life, but a nationwide bookstore chain?

Huh?

Honestly, marrying the Demon Spirit Bookstore doesn't sound half bad…?

"Demon Spirit Bookstore." Li Mengnan murmured, twirling the ring on Du Yu's finger.

Du Yu lowered his voice, "This is really silver, right?"

Tang Dun nodded vigorously. "Of course it is, this ring represents supreme honor! The Bookstore would never give you some knockoff."

"Don't be stupid, silly Du Yu!" Li Mengnan, obviously more familiar with Du Yu's ways, hurriedly warned, "If you ever need something, tell me! I'll buy it for you! Just don't you dare sell that ring!"

Du Yu: "..."

Well, well, Little Mengnan, so full of confidence these days?

He lowered his voice, "I saw a place I like in Xishu Garden District, over in the southern part of the city."

Li Mengnan glared at him. "Dream on!"

Tang Dun's expression was quite odd, looking at this young pair in front of the bar. At first she'd thought they were both "good-looking," but listening to them banter…

Li Mengnan turned to Tang Dun. "Can you register us first?"

"Oh, right!" Tang Dun snapped out of it, quickly pulling up a tablet and setting it in front of them. "Each session is three days, starting mid-August. I've grouped you two together—want to pick which session?"

Du Yu took a look and gestured to Li Mengnan. "How about the very first session? We've got half a month—plenty of time to practice tactics in the Demon Spirit Realm."

Li Mengnan asked, "You sure we shouldn't wait? If the venue's the same, the activities probably are too… We could get some tips from earlier groups, prep in advance?"

Du Yu shook his head. "Other people get the same chance. There'll always be folks with more money, connections, or inside info than us.

We're better off as pioneers!

See? The Library Ring reward only goes to the first three session winners—the rest get nothing. That means the first session definitely has the best prizes."

Li Mengnan hesitated, then seemed to get it. "Good point. You're already a Demon Tamer Journeyman—it's your power spike! You're one whole Stage ahead of everyone! The earlier we compete, the bigger our advantage."

"Right." Du Yu nodded again and again. But when he checked the sign-up requirements, something felt off.

One requirement: Only participants awakened after June?

Isn't this supposed to be newbie-friendly?

Great Xia's definition of newbies was within one year of awakening, so why the June cut-off...

Well, well~ Du Yu put two and two together.

The event really was for newbies—just a special kind: Paper Crane Disciples?

Interesting.

"I'll register you two for the first session." Tang Dun tapped away. Interestingly, the third and later sessions were already full, but the first two and some in the middle still had open spots.

Looks like most Paper Crane Disciples have their own game plan, maybe waiting and hoping to break through to Demon Tamer Journeyman?

Li Mengnan tugged Du Yu's coat sleeve. "If we're practicing on our own, I'll send my coach home."

"Huh?" Du Yu hesitated. "Is that okay?"

Li Mengnan pouted. "Already paid the deposit. Honestly, folks like that love taking your money and getting another student lined up."

Du Yu felt a bit regretful. "Your coach could've helped us tailor our tactics."

"Pfft~" Li Mengnan smacked Du Yu on the shoulder. "Trust in you, bro! My private coach is all about brute force. Good match for me, not you.

You're the main force on this team—of course we should use your tactics!"

Du Yu: "..."

Just say it, I'm "carrying"!

Li Mengnan really did have an unshakeable faith in Du Yu. She was talking as she stepped outside to make a call.

Once Long-legged Little Mengnan left, Tang Dun finally looked up at Du Yu and asked quietly, "Your girlfriend?"

Du Yu shook his head. "No, definitely not."

"Heh heh." Tang Dun's smile was pure gossip, loaded with mischief.

Du Yu curled his lip and muttered, "Pure sugar mommy arrangement."

Tang Dun's smile froze: ???

Suddenly, Du Yu flashed a dazzling smile, showing off his white teeth and giving a big thumbs-up.

Tang Dun: "..."

After registering, Du Yu ordered two breakfasts, then pushed open the door and stepped out of the bookstore.

Outside, Li Mengnan had just finished her call and was poking the mischief-making Wind Witch in the cheek.

"Hey." Du Yu called as he walked up behind her.

"I'm done. Let's go, ready to dive into the Demon Spirit Realm?" Li Mengnan turned and looked back.

Du Yu: "Let's grab some breakfast first. Oh, and I've got a present for you."

"Huh?" Li Mengnan was surprised. Du Yu had never given her a present before—he'd always insisted he'd pay her back somehow.

Ever since graduation, her dad had taken over from her mom, turning Li Mengnan from a student who never lacked pocket money into a bona fide Little Rich Lady.

Only now did Li Mengnan realize her dad's "hidden love" policy had come from mom's strict orders. They actually agreed: a high schooler should act like a high schooler and study hard, not live it up.

Looking back, Mr. Li's guidance hadn't turned out too badly. At least, even with a cushy background, Li Mengnan kept a low profile—she'd taken a taxi here on her own rather than hitting her dad up for a car and a driver...

Li Mengnan had only bought treats for Yan because she liked her; she'd never actually planned to make Du Yu pay for them, and now she certainly wouldn't even mention it.

So… present?

In Li Mengnan's mind, Du Yu must've found another "payback" loophole.

Du Yu glanced around. "Lot of people here. Let's find somewhere more private."

Li Mengnan's curiosity spiked—plus, with Du Yu acting all mysterious, she couldn't help getting interested. "Busier than a train station—where's quiet around here?"

Du Yu beckoned. "Come on, let's borrow the staff dorm in the bookstore."

Li Mengnan stepped over, frowning. "We won't be bothering anyone, right?"

Du Yu paused, hesitating a second. "Then… shall we get a hotel room?"

"Eh?"

Du Yu grinned heroically. "I've got a Library Ring now, free rooms at the Bookstore! If we're lucky, maybe we'll even bag a king-size bed!"

Li Mengnan flushed and gave Du Yu a swift kick in the butt. Do you really think I'm your bro?

Is getting a free room really the point here?

Who in their right mind is sharing a king-size with you!

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