Chapter 178 First Day Back at School

Bai Hua Lin Academy dismissed class early for the first time since its opening.

The wild children dashed out like unleashed hounds, and watching their joyful antics, Jiang Xiao felt like saying, "What a pleasant surprise!"

As Jiang Xiao strolled out of the academy with Yuan Yuan in his arms, chatting with Cang Lan, snowflakes danced in the courtyard. It wasn't the Ice Grotto clan this time, but the wild children engaged in a snowball fight...

The physical prowess of these wild children was absolutely top-notch!

Their snowball fight wasn't just simple play. One wild child, dodging a snowball, leaped more than a meter high, almost flying...

The world of adults was beyond children's understanding, but the children could still sense the strange atmosphere.

Especially when Jiang Xiao and Cang Lan emerged, the academy courtyard, normally besieged by the wild folk, was now filled with countless gazes fixed on Jiang Xiao.

The wild children initially thought these adults were watching them, so they were eager to show off, playing with great enthusiasm. But realizing the true situation, they scattered in a flash, scaling the courtyard walls and running off to play elsewhere.

Cang Lan stopped, chuckling softly, "Since you left, Buddha (Zhang Songfu) has become their instructor, but he hasn't been able to escape your shadow."

"Hmm?" Jiang Xiao held Yuan Yuan tighter, adjusting her position for comfort, and looked at Cang Lan curiously.

Cang Lan covered her mouth and giggled, "Although the wild folk haven't said anything, everyone can feel they don't appreciate Buddha's combat skills. It can't be helped. You taught them before, so naturally, the students will compare the teachers."

"Uh..." Jiang Xiao awkwardly pondered for a moment, then nodded to the circles of wild folk outside the courtyard. "Go back to your tasks. Tomorrow, I'll check your skill levels, see if your training has been lax this past year."

The wild folk, male blade wielders and riflemen, responded loudly. Only after Jiang Xiao urged them repeatedly did they finally disperse.

Jiang Xiao marveled, "Is your academy a forbidden zone? The wild folk have surrounded this place completely, but no one dares to step inside."

"That's my order to them: do not disturb Madam Cang Lan's teaching of the children," a hoarse voice echoed.

Jiang Xiao turned and saw Chief Bru, draped in a White Ghoul fur coat, approaching.

Beside the giant Chief Bru was an even larger figure, its size approaching three meters, rivaling even the wild folk's male and female shamans.

Jiang Xiao was stunned. Wasn't that his Tyrant? Ice Soul?

Although... Jiang Xiao knew this Ice Soul wasn't the same Tyrant from back then – after all, he first encountered Ice Souls in Liaodong Province – but...

Honestly, Jiang Xiao had a slight psychological shadow regarding Ice Souls.

The Ice Soul, in its ghostly, ethereal form, floated beside Chief Bru, its body constantly solidifying, gradually revealing icy lines and transforming into an ice crystal body.

Its massive form stood amidst the white snow, shimmering beautifully under the sunlight.

Jiang Xiao secretly marveled, "Wow, that's a big ice sculpture!"

Excellent, shiny, and large!

After death, it could stand guard at the entrance of his stone villa!

Compared to the Ice Soul, however, Jiang Xiao already possessed many Crystal Dragon statues; the Dragon Clan's structure was naturally more exquisite.

Clearly, the Ice Soul held Cang Lan in high regard, bowing its head and nodding to her in a friendly manner.

Presumably, Bai Hua Lin had initially driven away this Ice Grotto team, but under Cang Lan's suggestion, Bai Hua Lin had taken in the Ice Clan. After learning the whole story, the Ice Soul became particularly friendly toward Cang Lan.

Jiang Xiao said with a smile, "Old Chief, how have you been?"

Chief Bru's understanding of Chinese had improved greatly. With a face full of wrinkles, he replied with a smile, "Mr. Jiang, how have you been?

Your people are leading Bai Hua Lin tribe to develop better and better. I am very glad that Bai Hua Lin can meet kind humans like you."

"Don't say that," Jiang Xiao said. "We also came here seeking shelter. It seems my comrades are living well here. Many thanks to Chief Bru for your care."

Chief Bru smiled and changed the subject, gesturing to the Ice Soul beside him. "This is Bing Qi Lin, named by Instructor Zhang."

Jiang Xiao: "......"

Cang Lan obviously knew what Jiang Xiao was thinking, and whispered, "Qi as in pray, Lin as in forest."

Jiang Xiao: "Ah?"

This was beyond Jiang Xiao's expectations. He really thought the guy was called Ice Cream.

Cang Lan whispered, "The name already represents the Ice Grotto clan's story. I'll tell you about it when we get back."

Hearing this, Jiang Xiao remembered the male blade wielder's introduction and suddenly understood.

So that's how "Bing Qi Lin" came about.

This Ice Grotto clan was seeking a place to settle down, so Zhang Songfu named this Ice Soul, and their tribe, accordingly.

In that case, should the "qi" in "qi qiu" (祈求, to pray) be changed to the "qi" in "qi tao" (乞讨, to beg)?

However, Jiang Xiao didn't see the group of aloof Ice Demons praying every day, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so hung up on the character.

The Ice Demons in the alien dimension were different from those blurry, pixelated Ice Demons in Earth and the lower dimensions.

The Ice Demons here had clearer lines and more exquisite features. Just pulling one out at random, their looks would be above average.

Coupled with their sobbing cries and praying postures, whether male or female, anyone with a kind heart probably couldn't stand their wounded appearance.

Jiang Xiao greeted the two tribal chiefs and said, "I'll visit you two in the afternoon. I'll go home first."

"Okay, Mr. Jiang, go back and rest," Bru hurriedly said.

The Ice Soul beside him remained silent and made no gesture.

Led by Cang Lan, Jiang Xiao, carrying Yuan Yuan, arrived at a stone house.

In the Bai Hua Lin tribe, most of the buildings were wooden. Stone buildings were relatively rare, and mostly belonged to humans.

A typical example was Madam Zhu Yue's former residence, and now, Cang Lan and Hu Wei's independent courtyard.

They had settled down here. When they first arrived, they stayed with Zhu Yue and Xiao Chongyang for a while, and then they built their own home.

"That's Buddha's house, next to us," Cang Lan said, opening the courtyard gate.

Jiang Xiao felt Yuan Yuan struggling in his arms. He let go, and Yuan Yuan landed steadily, splashing a spray of snow, and ran in quickly, shouting, "Xiong Xiong!" (Bear Bear!)

Jiang Xiao walked in quickly and saw Yuan Yuan pouncing on a stuffed toy in a bedroom.

"Ying?" The bamboo bear, lying on its back and sleeping soundly, was also startled by this cannonball and woke up.

When it saw it was Yuan Yuan, the bamboo bear smacked its lips and continued lying on its back, tilting its head and falling asleep again.

It seemed this scene was commonplace for it.

Cang Lan leaned against the door frame, watching Yuan Yuan with a loving expression, and said softly, "Thank you for bringing the bamboo bear. It's very lazy and docile, and has been growing up with Yuan Yuan."

"Ah, it's nothing," Jiang Xiao said casually. Seeing such a healing scene, he felt really good.

"By the way, who is this...?" At her own home, Cang Lan finally asked the question that had been bothering her the whole way.

Jiang Xiao knew she was asking about Baze, and explained, "This is another me."

"Oh?" Cang Lan looked over Baze behind him. Although they were both wearing cloaks and masks, Baze was a little taller than Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao added, "He's a body, a shell, without a soul. I'm controlling him."

Cang Lan's breath caught slightly: !!!

She looked at Jiang Xiao in shock, countless thoughts flashing through her mind, but then she let it go.

As a mother, she had to consider more, but her friendship with Jiang Xiao quickly put her at ease.

Toward this sincere and warm youth, after receiving so much from Jiang Xiao, Cang Lan really couldn't feel any vigilance toward him, and wouldn't even have any doubts or suspicions.

Jiang Xiao suddenly said, "By the way, has Xiao Chongyang come back?"

Cang Lan pursed her lips. This was also the question she wanted to ask.

Back then, Jiang Xiao had transformed into a crow and flown away to find the lost child.

Half a year had passed, and now it seemed Jiang Xiao hadn't succeeded.

Cang Lan's silence gave Jiang Xiao the answer.

Jiang Xiao sighed softly and said, "I traveled all over Beijiang, Zhongji, Liaodong, crossed eastern Da Meng, and traversed the Three Jins Provinces, searching the Central Plains..."

Cang Lan's mouth was wide open. These familiar place names were not just simple words.

They represented extremely dangerous regions. Cang Lan could hardly imagine what Jiang Xiao had encountered on such a journey.

Jiang Xiao said, "In the Central Plains, my team and I attempted to advance north into Yan Zhao territory, but we were repeatedly beaten back."

Cang Lan said softly, "You have a team."

Jiang Xiao: "Yes, the team is strong, but it still can't let us roam freely in Yan Zhao."

Cang Lan said, "We can help you."

Jiang Xiao was stunned and laughed, "No, no need."

Cang Lan grabbed Jiang Xiao's arm, her face sincere. "Let us do something for you, even just a little."

Jiang Xiao was stunned.

He was used to giving. To others, perhaps Jiang Xiao didn't get anything in return. He didn't ask for it.

But for Jiang Xiao himself, he gained a lot.

These teammates who were alive and had found hope, the thriving Yuan Yuan, all of this enriched Jiang Xiao's life and made his life more valuable.

Jiang Xiao smiled and patted the back of Cang Lan's hand. "I've advanced to the Star Sea Realm. My Star Transformation martial skill can reverse time. This time, I'm back to see where Xiao Chongyang went."

Cang Lan was completely stunned. She received too much information in just a few minutes, and Jiang Xiao's Star Transformation skill was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Baze behind her wasn't AFK, he was just silent. And Cang Lan in front of her seemed to have really "gone offline"...

Jiang Xiao reached out and waved his hand in front of Cang Lan, "If I really need it, I'll ask for your help, don't worry. By the way, when will Lao Hu and Buddha be back?"

"They, he..." Cang Lan reacted for a while before stammering, "They've been gone for two days, they should be back soon. General hunting operations don't last more than three days."

"Aren't there enough apes raised in the valley?" Jiang Xiao asked curiously, "Do you still have to go hunting?"

"Yes," Cang Lan sighed softly. "When Bai Hua Lin fought with Bing Qi Lin before, the Ape Clan was affected."

"Hmm." Jiang Xiao nodded. "I see. In that case, I'll wait for them to come back. I'll go see Xiao Chongyang now."

With that, Jiang Xiao turned to leave.

"Quan Quan Uncle! Where are you going?" Yuan Yuan, lying on the soft bamboo bear, immediately became anxious, and hurriedly got up and ran over.

"I'm not leaving yet," Jiang Xiao hurriedly squatted down, and gently comforted Yuan Yuan, "I'm going for a walk, I'll be back for lunch."

Saying that, Jiang Xiao looked up at Cang Lan with a strange expression, "Is there lunch at noon?"

"Ah, yes!" Cang Lan nodded repeatedly, "Eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers, whatever you want. How about I stir-fry a 'di san xian' for you? Do you like it? And then a pot of cabbage stewed with ape meat?"

Jiang Xiao: "......"

Awesome!

Never mind Instructor Zhang Songfu's skill level, Hu Wei's farming skills sound really good...

Whether it's Earth or another dimension, this black soil can really feed people!

"By the way!" Baze suddenly said, "I brought you a lot of grain, seasonings, and new seeds, fearing that Hu Wei wouldn't be able to grow the land well. They are all in my space. Let's move them..."

Baze had just opened the door to the Sea Ridge Shelter when a big-headed doll popped out.

It poked its head out, looking around.

"Ah." Yuan Yuan exclaimed in surprise, curiously approaching, scaring Cang Lan who grabbed Yuan Yuan's back collar and dragged him back...

Yuan Yuan was grabbed by the back of his neck of fate, lifted in the air by Cang Lan. His little hands grabbed his collar, his feet floundering, his little face flushed red, making it difficult to breathe.

Confirmed!

This is the real mom!

Yuan Yuan grew up in this kind of environment, and he is really fearless.

Children don't understand things, but adults do!

Cang Lan had never seen this big-headed doll, she didn't know what it was, of course, she didn't dare let her son approach mysterious species.

Jiang Xiao also noticed this scene and shook his head with a smile.

The black mist doll was surrounded by fog, and its eyes were still a strange ruby color. Did this Yuan Yuan really not know how to be afraid?

If this chubby little guy continues to grow up like this, he's afraid he's going to be a troublemaker.