At this moment, the moon hung halfway up the sky, around midnight.
Yue Jinghua heard some rustling voices.
The voices were vaguely familiar; they belonged to Shalman, mixed with a man's voice.
Although Yue Jinghua disliked Shalman, she had to admit that Shalman had a talent for beast taming. Beast tamers and Summoners were somewhat similar, except that Shalman could only command the Dark Beasts that she had hand-raised. While Summoners were more adept at conjuring Dark Beasts out of thin air.
The Thunder Snake that Shalman summoned that day was a Fifth-level Dark Beast, a perilous species on the continent. The ability to raise a Thunder Snake and tame it made Shalman's worth far exceed that of a Dark Jade of the Inner Court.
Yue Jinghua couldn't understand why the Sha Family would let someone as talented as Shalman waste her days away in the Outer Court.
Exceptional Six Senses, coupled with spiritual power, allowed Yue Jinghua to see everything happening within a three-mile radius crystal clear.
In the forest and through the bushes, young lovers huddled together. That woman was unmistakably Shalman. Her face flushed with shyness, speaking in soft whispers, a stark contrast to the domineering demeanor she showed in front of Yue Jinghua before.
Yue Jinghua couldn't help but smile bitterly. So, Shalman snuck out overnight just to meet her lover.
But looking at the man's attire, he was actually from the Inner Court.
Peeking at others sharing love talks was not Yue Jinghua's cup of tea.
Just as she was about to stealthily leave, Shalman asked softly, "Brother Xi, didn't you say that you're about to enter the competition, and we shouldn't meet for these days? Why did you call me out tonight in such a hurry?" Shame tinged Shalman's voice, revealing the bashfulness of a young girl.
"Shalman," from Yue Jinghua's perspective, Shalman's lover looked handsome, except there was a lack of forthrightness in his brows, and his demeanor was rather odd. He stuttered, "Tonight, I asked you out to inquire whether you could get the unlocking mantra for the Cultivation Hall."
Shalman, immersed in her lover's embrace, shivered slightly, a tinge of haze flickered through her eyes. She smiled bitterly, raising her head, "Brother Xi, you should know, the Cultivation Hall is the Headmasters' forbidden area, only the most special students can enter. Me, just a mere Dark Human, how could I have the chance to step into the Cultivation Hall."
The man awkwardly said, "Shalman, don't misunderstand, you know that I'm taking part in this college competition. If I can win the competition, I'll be able to enter the Xuan Technique Pavilion and obtain a Dark Technique above the level of Dark Jade."
"The Inner Court's competition is indeed thrilling. It's just a pity that the Outer Court has not signed up to participate in such an event for many years," a flicker of determination flashed in Shalman's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
"Hmm, this time the competition is different from the past, it is divided into solo and duo contests. If I can win any of them, my future..." Liu Xi caressed Shalman's delicate cheek, his expression one of infatuation.
Liu Xi was hardworking in cultivation, and his Dark Skill cultivation level was also quite remarkable.
"It's divided into solo and duo contests? Brother Xi, have you found a partner for the duo contest?" Shalman's voice carried a hint of anticipation.
"For the duo contest, Shalman, that's exactly why I called you out tonight. Shaluo came to me, wanting to invite me to partner with her."
"Liu Xi, you clearly know how much I hate Shaluo and her mother. If it wasn't because of them, my mother and I wouldn't have... I can join you for the college competition, you know? I have already successfully bred a Five..." Shalman's delicate body trembled, and she sat up, gazing straight at Liu Xi.
She had been quietly devoted to breeding techniques for several years, always keeping it hidden. Tonight, she could finally tell him that she was not worthless. Her breeding skills could help him win the college competition.
"Shalman, how could I possibly team up with you? Let alone your Dark Skill. You're from the Outer Court; if I team up with someone from the Outer Court for the competition, I would definitely be laughed at to death by other students," Liu Xi's handsome face showed embarrassment.
"Laughed at? Liu Xi, when you pursued me, why didn't you consider that I was a student from the Outer Court? Weren't you afraid of being laughed at?" Shalman's voice grew sharp, disappointment apparent on her beautiful face, "You knew I was a student from the Outer Court all along, didn't you? You pursued me because I was from the Sha Family. Later, when you found out I wasn't favored in the Sha Family, and Shaluo joined the college, did you shift your target and decided to chase after her instead?"