World's No. 1 Swordsman
Chapter 51: Three Years Without Seeing Each Other

Chapter 51: Three Years Without Seeing Each Other

A timely rain after a long drought, a reunion with an old friend in a distant land, the joy of a wedding night, and the triumph of making the honor roll. These were considered life's four greatest joys.

Wang Sheng never expected that while rescuing his junior sister with his senior sister, he would encounter a familiar face he hadn't seen in years.

Shen Qianlin.

This is the university she attends?

He had never asked in detail before, but this sudden meeting felt awkward, to say the least. He vaguely remembered her mentioning in a text once that she had come to this city for school...

What were the odds? Out of so many students across campus, with at least seven or eight cafeterias, they ended up running into each other here at such a specific moment.

However, the initial surprise and joy of seeing her quickly faded as Wang Sheng's thoughts raced.

The timing of this meeting was anything but ideal—perhaps even disastrous.

Shen Qianlin could jeopardize the entire operation if she were to casually blurt out something like, "Aren't you supposed to be training on Mount Wudang?"

Chi Wen was just nearby, already drawn to the phone that had fallen to the ground. Meanwhile, Shen Qianlin was still staring at him, clearly trying to confirm his identity. There was a real risk that she would inadvertently expose him as a Daoist priest from Mount Wudang.

When Wang Sheng sensed the chaotic flow of true essence within Chi Wen, he already had a rough idea of what was happening.

Based on the information at hand, it was highly likely that someone among the university's student population had discovered the secret of this world's renewed capacity for cultivation. They could have obtained rudimentary cultivation techniques through the internet or some other means, started recruiting others, and formed a fledgling organization dedicated to cultivation.

In simpler terms, Chi Wen and her dormmates had already begun cultivating, though it remained unclear whether they were on a righteous or evil path.

However, given Chi Wen's recent demands for large sums of money from her family, coupled with reports of a cultivator injuring people with talismans, it was hard not to worry about the environment she had fallen into.

Within just two seconds, Wang Sheng decided on a course of action.

By now, Shen Qianlin had also fully confirmed that the long-haired young man before her was indeed Wang Sheng. Her bright eyes lit up with joy; she was so excited that she nearly dropped her tray.

Of course, it was just the excitement of seeing an old friend again. They hadn't been in touch for about a year.

Affection doesn't always withstand the erosion of time, and emotions often fade with physical distance. They had never truly started anything, to begin with.

"Wang Sheng! It's really you! What are you doing here?" Shen Qianlin exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

Her outburst attracted curious glances from nearby students. The friends accompanying her, all third-year students, began teasing her immediately.

"Who is he?"

"Our honorable president actually found time to nurture a little romance?"

"Oh, stop it. He was my high school junior. He once saved my life!" Shen Qianlin retorted with a playful pout while taking a step forward with her tray.

"Senior Sister!" Wang Sheng winked at her. A faint smile graced his lips as he stepped forward.

What does that wink mean?

Caught off guard, Shen Qianlin blinked twice, her long eyelashes fluttering. The excitement in her eyes quickly turned into a hint of confusion.

Before she could process it further, Wang Sheng had already closed the gap between them and opened his arms, leaving her no time to react.

Is he going in for a hug?Is he really that excited to see me? His long hair makes him look almost as if he has just returned from studying abroad. Wait, wasn't he supposed to be training at Mount Wudang? That's why he dropped out in the first place. How did he end up here...

As her mind raced, Wang Sheng heavily put his hands on her shoulders, making her flinch a little.

"Senior Sister, it's been years! You've... grown taller!" he exclaimed, his tone that of an elder warmly addressing a younger family member.

"Eh?"

His peculiar greeting bewildered Shen Qianlin enough to stun her and make her nearly drop her tray.

A low and deliberate whisper then reached her ear. "Don't draw attention. I'm here as a newly arrived art exchange student. I'll explain everything later. For now, don't mention anything about my past."

An art exchange student? Since when did the art department have domestic exchange students? And why avoid talking about his past?

Her thoughts were spinning, but one particular detail snapped her back to the moment.

How could I hear him so clearly? His lips barely moved!

"I almost forgot you were attending this university," Wang Sheng added casually.

With a mildly nostalgic expression, he pulled his hands back and subtly checked Shen Qianlin's condition. She didn't have primal qi within her, and her meridians were in their natural, unaltered state. She seemed to have no connection to Chi Wen's situation.

"W-when did you get here?" Shen Qianlin asked with slightly flushed cheeks, her small tongue darting out briefly.

Now a third-year student, Shen Qianlin exuded a more refined and mature charm than three years ago. Back in high school, she stole the hearts of countless juniors, and her allure had only grown since.

Her increasingly voluptuous figure didn't help. Even though she had deliberately chosen a loose-fitting dress, it still couldn't hide her otherworldly curves...

"Just today," Wang Sheng replied with a smile before shifting his gaze to the girls standing behind Shen Qianlin. "Senior Sister, are they your classmates?"

"Mm-hmm!"

Slowly regained her composure, Shen Qianlin sneaked a few glances at Wang Sheng. It was as if she had returned to that summer afternoon three years ago when she had nervously gathered the courage to visit a boy's home for the first time.

"Nice to meet you, Junior!"

"You're so handsome!"

"Hello, everyone. My name is Wang Sheng. I went to the same high school as Senior Sister Shen."

The group of girls smiled knowingly, each introducing themselves confidently and teasing Wang Sheng with a few playful remarks.

They were already in their third year, almost entering their fourth—they had nothing to be reserved about anymore.

Taking advantage of the moment, Shen Qianlin recovered from their weird social situation and then watched Wang Sheng from the side. She couldn't help but compare him to the junior she remembered.

He had grown much taller, and his slightly thin and boyish physique had become upright and lean. The energetic high schooler from three years ago had transformed into a composed and mature young man.

Just looking at him inexplicably made her feel reassured, as though he radiated an undeniable sense of security.

The look in Shen Qianlin's eyes wasn't exactly affectionate, but it was enough to stir one's imagination. Sensing this, the senior girls accompanying her tactfully said their goodbyes.

"Qianlin, Wang Sheng, we'll leave you two to catch up."

"Qianlin, remember to come back to the dorm tonight."

"Wang Sheng, why don't you two find a quiet place to chat? See you! Hehe!"

Wang Sheng had the urge to explain something for Shen Qianlin's sake as this was a matter of her reputation after all. But before he could speak, the girls had already picked up their trays and left quickly, laughing and chatting among themselves a short distance away.

"They love to joke around like that. Don't take it seriously, okay?" Shen Qianlin explained.

Feeling a little embarrassed, she pursed her lips as she looked at Wang Sheng. She had initially thought of leaving with her tray, but an inexplicable emotion kept her rooted in place.

At that moment, Wang Sheng's spiritual consciousness sensed that Chi Wen had made a move.

Prompted by her roommate, his junior sister picked up the phone that Wang Sheng had dropped on the floor and was now walking over.

Pretending not to notice, Wang Sheng smiled at Shen Qianlin. "I'm going to grab some water. Want anything to drink?"

"No, no, I'm fine. Where are you sitting?" Shen Qianlin asked softly, hoping to have a chance to chat and catch up.

Before she could finish her sentence, Chi Wen came up to them from behind Wang Sheng.

"Excuse me, I think you dropped your phone," she said in a gentle tone.

"Hm?" Wang Sheng acted startled. He patted his pockets and then quickly turned around to the girl holding out his phone.

The screen had cracked.

The investigation team's phone is so quick to break.

In truth, though, Wang Sheng simply got distracted just before the phone hit the ground, preventing him from using his true essence to shield it.

He took the phone from Chi Wen and stood still for a moment, frowning silently. Shen Qianlin also set her tray down on a nearby seat and leaned in, her concern evident.

"Oh no, the screen's broken."

"It's fine; I can just replace it," Wang Sheng replied with a smile. He then turned to Chi Wen. "Thank you. Would you mind exchanging YouChat contacts? I'd like to treat you to a meal sometime as thanks."

Chi Wen simply smiled and shook her head. Right after, she turned around; walked back to her seat; and ate her meal in small, deliberate bites.

A flat-out rejection.

Wang Sheng furrowed his brow slightly but quickly returned to his usual calm demeanor. He shrugged at Shen Qianlin.

Shen Qianlin, however, couldn't help smiling playfully and teasing him. "What was that? Saw a cute girl and immediately tried to get her contact info? Don't tell me you intentionally dropped your phone behind her!"

Wang Sheng laughed but didn't respond. "Senior Shen, why don't you come sit over here? I'll introduce you to... my girlfriend."

Girlfriend?

A flurry of questions surged in Shen Qianlin's mind. In a hushed tone, she couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you say you were at Wu—"

"Shh," Wang Sheng interrupted, gesturing for silence. His lips moved slightly, his voice reaching Shen Qianlin's ears alone. "I'll explain everything later. I also need your help with something."

"Why are you being so mysterious, Junior?" Shen Qianlin muttered softly, but she didn't press further.

Wang Sheng merely smiled once more and gazed at Mu Wanxuan, who had already stood up. He subtly gestured toward her with a nod.

Following Wang Sheng's gaze, Shen Qianlin's eyes landed on Mu Wanxuan. She froze for a moment before gasping in admiration.

"How beautiful... Is she really your girlfriend?"

"Of course," Wang Sheng replied with perfect composure.

Not officially yet, but that doesn't mean it won't happen in the future. It depends on how much my senior sister understands relationships.

Shen Qianlin gave Wang Sheng a gaze that could only be described as seeing a monster. "Junior... are you secretly a rich second-generation heir?"

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