"Just do it?"
Mu Lei blinked, then quickly asked, "Wait—you're saying your Summoning Department is really going ahead with the welcome program?"
Song Jie nodded calmly.
Mu Lei frowned. "Song Jie, that's not funny. If you lose and can't beat a hundred people, all your summoning resources are gone!"
Song Jie smiled faintly, patted his shoulder, and gave him a look full of meaning.
Seeing that, Mu Lei squinted suspiciously. "Hold on… don't tell me your summoned beast is about to break through to the advanced stage?"
If that were true, then Song Jie might actually have a chance!
"I should be able to before the event starts," Song Jie said casually.
Then he added, "I'm telling you because I trust you. Don't go spreading it around."
Mu Lei raised his hands. "Relax, I'm not that kind of person."
Hearing that, Song Jie smiled and the tension melted away.
The two chatted for a while longer before heading out to eat.
If Song Jie won this beast-fighting competition, the training resources he'd gain would be enormous.
Not to mention that both Xiaolu and Wind-Harnessing Skyhawk would be able to obtain the Refined Beast Blood, greatly enhancing their power.
Even more enticing was the chance to enter the Three-Step Tower—a cultivation ground said to rival the effects of bathing in the Holy Spring, allowing one's strength to skyrocket in a short time!
Song Jie's Light Element was already close to reaching the second level.
With the support of the Three-Step Tower, he was confident he could break through soon.
He'd once considered holding back his cultivation to let the system perform more outrageous transformations.
But now, he understood—improving strength came first.
Transformations and blessings would come naturally in time.
One day, all his abilities would be fully enhanced…
And when that happened, he would stand as the Law God of this world!
For now, though, that goal was still distant. Step by step—he'd get there.
Time flew by.
Two months later, the Qing Campus was buzzing with excitement.
The long-awaited welcome program had finally arrived!
While Song Jie focused on cultivation, the entire academy erupted in chatter.
Everyone knew there was only one student in the Summoning Department, and many thought the welcome program would be canceled.
But it wasn't.
In fact, that lone summoner—Song Jie—was going to take on the entire freshman class by himself!
And the conditions were wild:
If he defeated one hundred people, he'd win all the freshman resources.
If he defeated two hundred, he'd also take the old students' resources.
And if he somehow beat two hundred and fifty, Dean Deng himself would hand over a spiritual magic tool!
The news spread like wildfire. Both freshmen and seniors were thrilled.
"One versus a hundred? Forget that—he's talking about two hundred? Two hundred and fifty?!"
"Who gave that summoner kid the courage?"
"This is Pearl Academy, not some backwater training ground!"
"Hah! When the time comes, I'll personally teach him how ridiculous his words sound!"
The freshmen were fired up. The seniors, on the other hand, were amused—no one took it seriously.
After all, they'd never even seen someone win a one-versus-a-hundred battle before.
While everyone discussed him, Song Jie was quietly cultivating in his dorm.
[Ding! Congratulations, host! "Light Blessing: Holy Shield" has undergone an outrageous transformation—now upgraded to "Light Blessing: Double Holy Shield"!]
Song Jie immediately understood what that meant: double defense!
After testing it, he found that the Double Holy Shield could even withstand a second-level Intermediate attack spell!
"Not bad," he said with satisfaction.
The previous month's transformation chance had gone to his summoning system, granting him a new ability—Skill Steal.
The effect was simple but powerful: it allowed him to steal one ability from his summoned beast!
He'd experimented using it on the Wind-Harnessing Skyhawk, and unbelievably, he managed to steal its Flight skill.
The stolen skill could only be used temporarily, lasting for a limited duration based on the beast's strength, and could be performed once per day.
For now, he could only fly for thirty seconds—but that was more than enough.
Sometimes, thirty seconds was all you needed to turn a battle around.
It was his secret trump card.
Just then, the door opened. Mu Lei returned, spotting Song Jie climbing down from his bunk.
"Jiaojiao came to see me," he said with a grin. "Want to join us for dinner?"
"Mu Nujiao's here?"
At that exact moment, Song Jie's stomach growled. Perfect timing.
The two of them headed downstairs, and sure enough, Mu Nujiao was waiting by the dorm entrance.
She wore a pleated skirt and a crisp white blouse—a look that turned countless heads.
But Song Jie immediately recognized it—it was her high school uniform.
On her, it carried a different kind of charm altogether.
Several passing male students nearly tripped over themselves.
"Long time no see," Song Jie greeted first.
"Long time no see," Mu Nujiao replied calmly, though her heart was racing for reasons she couldn't quite explain.
Before the silence could stretch any longer, Mu Lei jumped in, "Alright, alright, enough staring contests. I'm starving—let's eat!"
After dinner, Mu Lei "got a call" midway and hurried off, leaving the two alone.
They strolled slowly along the campus path, the night breeze cool and quiet.
"I heard from Brother Lei," Mu Nujiao said, turning to him, "that you're planning to take on all the students yourself?"
Song Jie nodded. "Yeah. The beast-fighting competition's tomorrow. Will you come watch?"
"Of course," she said. "Brother Lei will bring me in."
Song Jie smiled. "Everyone thinks I'll lose. What about you? Do you think I can win?"
"I believe you can," she said without hesitation.
"You trust me that much?"
Mu Nujiao looked at him seriously. "You've escaped danger more than once. Compared to that, a competition like this isn't that scary, right?"
"That makes sense."
Song Jie laughed softly, then feigned a sigh.
"Still… I'm a little nervous. Facing a hundred people alone tomorrow—I could use a hug for luck."
His tone was teasing, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Mu Nujiao lowered her head, her heartbeat quickening.
She could tell he was joking—but somehow, she couldn't stop thinking about it.
Soon, they reached the school gate where her car was waiting.
"Alright, I'll stop here," Song Jie said with a smile.
"Okay." Mu Nujiao nodded, but her fingers fidgeted slightly.
Every time she was with Song Jie, her calm composure vanished.
Just as he turned to leave, she called out softly, "Wait!"
Song Jie turned. "What's wrong?"
Before he could react, Mu Nujiao stepped forward and suddenly wrapped her arms around him.
Her scent brushed past his nose—light, clean, and faintly floral.
A heartbeat later, she pulled away, face burning red, and dashed toward the car.
Sliding into the seat, she took a deep breath to calm herself. He's saved me twice. It's just a hug… that's all.
Watching the car drive off, Song Jie stood frozen for a moment, then couldn't help but grin.
"Good flexibility," he murmured with a smirk before heading back toward the academy gates.