While Fox Lian and Emma were busy being disgustingly sweet and inseparable, Gu Liang finally had her moment in the spotlight.
To promote inter-clan exchange, the merman clan organized a joint martial exhibition. Representing the dragon clan was none other than Gu Liang—who had turned heartbreak into battle strength.
On the arena floor, Gu Liang stood tall in crimson armor, her dragon tail striking the ground with force, sending sparks flying. Her opponent? A renowned merman general known for his ferocity.
Everyone expected a fierce, evenly matched duel. But—
"Roar—!"
Gu Liang let out a thunderous dragon cry, golden light erupting around her as a dragon-shaped aura soared skyward. Her tail lashed out like a bolt of red lightning, and the sheer force of her dragon might blanketed the arena.
Three moves.
Just three moves—and the merman general was sent flying out of the barrier by a single tail strike, crashing into the water with a massive splash.
Silence.
Then, deafening cheers exploded across the stands.
"Senior Gu Liang is amazing!"
"Glory to the dragon clan!"
In the audience, Emma's eyes widened in shock. She knew Gu Liang was strong—but this strong?
Fox Lian, however, looked utterly unfazed. He lazily toyed with Emma's fingers, his tail brushing her skirt. "Dragon clan combat is… mildly entertaining," he commented with reluctant approval.
But the real surprise came after the match.
The defeated merman general didn't sulk. Instead, he swam back to Gu Liang, removed his helmet, and revealed a ruggedly handsome face.
"Miss Gu Liang," his voice was deep and sincere, like waves crashing on the shore. "You're strong. I'm Cang Ming. I look forward to our next spar."
Gu Liang blinked, staring at the man she'd just flattened—who was now admiring her with open respect. Her tail slowed its aggressive swaying.
"Uh… sure," she stammered.
From that day on, Cang Ming began appearing around Gu Liang more and more. Sometimes he brought rare pearls from the deep sea. Other times, he invited her to spar (though he never lasted more than a few rounds). The merman general seemed thoroughly smitten with the fierce dragon girl.
At first, Gu Liang was still hung up on finding someone "hotter than Fox Lian" and barely responded. But Cang Ming's persistence—and his unabashed admiration for strength—hit a nerve.
Compared to Fox Lian's elegant mystery and unreadable moods, this straightforward warrior who respected her power… was refreshingly easy to understand.
One afternoon, Emma and Fox Lian strolled through the academy's vine-covered corridor and spotted Gu Liang chatting with Cang Ming nearby. He held a glowing pearl the size of his fist, explaining something intently. Gu Liang stood with arms crossed, tail swaying gently, a smile tugging at her lips—one she didn't even seem to notice.
"Looks like someone's moving on," Fox Lian murmured, his tail lazily curling around Emma's wrist.
Emma smiled. "It's good for her." She paused, then teased, "At least General Cang Ming doesn't have a fluffy tail for you to get jealous over."
Fox Lian snorted and pulled her closer, resting his chin on her head, tail possessively wrapping around her waist.
"He'd better not."
Sunlight filtered through the vines, casting a warm glow over the couple. Not far away, the dragon girl and the merman general stood side by side, their silhouettes slowly drawing closer.
It seemed the love stories at All-Race Academy… were ready for a new chapter.