Chapter 11: You're Asking for Death!

The exchange class was the only course where Guides and Sentinels intersected within the Sanctuary.

In Star Navigation District 12’s junior Sanctuary, there were five classes each for Guides and Sentinels, with forty students in each class. The exchange class paired the classes and partners through a lottery system, randomly matching them to collaborate.

It was jokingly called the “social mixer” class.

If two people hit it off during class, they might arrange a small meeting after school, and before long, they could start dating.

But for Ji Xun, the exchange class was simply a time to make new friends and interact with their friends’ spiritual bodies.

At least, that was how it used to be.

Back then, Ji Xun didn’t understand. Having grown up surrounded by love, he never thought it was a big deal that he still lacked a spiritual body at his age. His easygoing nature and openness meant he could quickly get along with any Sentinel partner he was matched with.

But after hearing what Fu Shuxing said, Ji Xun couldn’t help but take it to heart.

He began to believe that perhaps all Sentinels secretly looked down on Guides who had no spiritual bodies.

Those past exchange classes that seemed “pleasantly cooperative” were probably just his own one-sided enthusiasm.

The Sentinels might have been silently disdainful all along.

For the first time ever, Ji Xun found himself reluctant to attend the exchange class.

For Sentinels, being paired with a Guide without a spiritual body was surely unlucky. Yet they had to maintain good manners and pretend it didn’t bother them.

If the other side was suffering, then so was he.

So why bother attending?

Before class, Ji Xun hid away in the bathroom.

He was thinking about what excuse he could give to Instructor Alice to take a leave.

Just then, his communicator buzzed. The instructor had sent the lottery results and randomly assigned Ji Xun a Sentinel partner for the exchange class.

His partner was Xu Yuangui.

Ji Xun didn’t know Xu Yuangui. His attention shifted to the class they were paired with.

It was Sentinel class B.

Fu Shuxing and Shitou were in class A.

In other words, their two classes’ venues were adjacent.

The thought of possibly seeing Fu Shuxing made Ji Xun even more unwilling to attend.

He sat on the toilet lid, deciding to fake a stomachache and skip the class.

Whether Instructor Alice marked it as leave or truancy, maybe that Sentinel named Xu Yuangui would even feel relieved that he didn’t show up.

Ji Xun was editing a message on his communicator when loud voices suddenly came from outside—

“Brother Gui, this time paired with class C for the exchange class, everyone’s hyped! They said finally someone got the treasure, all curious who the unlucky one is—who’s your partner?”

A lazy voice replied, “Has the list come out?”

“Just now. Anyway, I’m not the unlucky one.”

A bright voice chimed in, “Don’t be so harsh. I heard that little Guide is quite cute—round big eyes, dimples when he smiles, sweet voice, calling everyone ‘bro.’”

“Haha, want me to pass you that luck? I’ll see who our class got and give you the ‘bro’ chance.”

“Ah no, no! Just joking, no luck to accept, gotta keep the exchange class grades up!”

“I’ll check who got paired.”

Sounds of zippers and running water came from outside.

Ji Xun sneered, knowing the topic was about him.

Then the lazy voice swore loudly, “Damn! It’s me! The no-spiritual-body Guide from class C, Ji Xun, right?”

“No way, Gui, it’s really you??”

“Shit! I failed this course at midterms, if I get a loser again, my final grade’s totally screwed!”

“Don’t be mad, it’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? Not a big deal, then swap partners with me!”

“I? No way, I can’t… Gui, I just remembered I have something to do, gotta go! Hurry up, time to gather at the venue!”

Footsteps quickly faded, leaving only “Brother Gui” still cursing.

Ji Xun sat on the toilet lid.

He originally planned not to go.

But suddenly, a rebellious spirit stirred—why should lacking a spiritual body make him look down on by those Sentinels?

Fine, I won’t take leave!

Let’s see what you can do about it!

After Xu Yuangui finally left, cursing all the way, Ji Xun went to the venue to line up with his classmates.

Sentinels from class B and Guides from class C lined up side by side, not far from each other.

Instructor Alice called out names from the roster.

When a name was called, one Guide and one Sentinel stepped forward, forming the afternoon’s exchange class pair.

“Instructor Alice: Guide class C, Ji Xun.”

Ji Xun heard a brief burst of teasing laughter from the Sentinel side, seemingly enjoying his misfortune.

He stepped out, thinking, so it really wasn’t just Fu Shuxing—every Sentinel thought the same: a Guide without a spiritual body was just a useless little nobody.

Fu Shuxing was just the first to tell him.

Letting him know that in the Sanctuary, he had always been looked down upon and mocked.

It didn’t matter.

I’ll have a spiritual body soon enough!

Ji Xun snorted quietly to himself.

“Instructor Alice: Sentinel class B, Xu Yuangui.”

Ji Xun looked toward the line of Sentinels from class B.

A rough-looking Sentinel stepped forward.

Xu Yuangui’s eyes lit up when he saw Ji Xun. Smiling, he strode over, “Hello, you must be Ji Xun? Your name sounds so nice. I’m your partner this class, Xu Yuangui.”

His voice was far more earnest than the slick tone Ji Xun had heard in the bathroom.

Two completely different faces!

Ji Xun forced a smile, “Hello.”

Xu Yuangui said, “Let’s go over there. I’ll release my spiritual body for you to play with.”

“What’s your spiritual body?”

“A Tibetan Mastiff.”

Ji Xun’s heart skipped a beat: Tibetan Mastiff? That dog’s not for playing around. Was this Sentinel threatening him?

Seeing Ji Xun’s startled expression was exactly what Xu Yuangui wanted. He immediately softened, reaching out to pat Ji Xun’s back to comfort him.

But Ji Xun dodged.

Xu Yuangui said, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you. It won’t bite anyone.”

Ji Xun said, “Too bad I don’t have a spiritual body, so I can’t help you much…”

“Not at all! That’s not a problem!”

Ji Xun still looked guilty. “If you fail because of me…”

“Failing isn’t your fault. Besides, I believe in your ability.”

“Let’s go over there. There’s a place to sit.” Ji Xun pointed toward class A.

He wasn’t stupid. He saw Xu Yuangui was trying to take him away from the center of class B’s exchange area to a more isolated spot.

But that made him uneasy. If Xu Yuangui revealed his true nature, what if he attacked Ji Xun?

He couldn’t fight back.

So Ji Xun, feeling very uneasy, kept walking toward class A—at least if something happened, he could call Shitou for help immediately.

But Ji Xun didn’t see Zhao Zhanlei in class A.

He did see Fu Shuxing.

Tall and standing among the few Sentinels not yet called, Fu Shuxing’s expression was indifferent, as if nothing mattered to him.

He was always like that.

Handsome, distinguished, someone you could spot in a crowd at a glance.

But Ji Xun didn’t look at that jerk.

He averted his gaze and scanned the area for Shitou.

Where had that guy gone?

Xu Yuangui asked, “Xiao Xun, what are you looking at? That’s class A.”

“Just looking around, curious.”

“Let’s not go over there. Let’s stay here.”

“Okay.” Ji Xun thought, even though Shitou wasn’t here, it was fine if Fu Shuxing was around. Despite their falling out, they had known each other for over ten years. Fu Shuxing wouldn’t just stand by and let him die.

He just hoped Fu Shuxing wouldn’t wander too far.

For the next while, Ji Xun frequently glanced over at class A.

After Fu Shuxing was assigned a partner, he stood under a tree not far from Ji Xun. Ji Xun finally relaxed and continued “chatting” with the pretentious Xu Yuangui.

Xu Yuangui said, “In past exchange classes, I never worked well with any Guides! I failed several times in a row.”

Ji Xun was different. His other subjects were at the bottom at midterms, but he got an “excellent” in exchange class.

He thought Instructor Alice was just being lenient and gave everyone a high grade.

But Sentinels were different.

There was an actual assessment.

Ji Xun asked, “How do you Sentinels get graded in exchange class?”

Xu Yuangui said, “The day after exchange class, the instructor increases training intensity and difficulty for practical combat drills. Those scores count toward the assessment. If the mental guidance during exchange class wasn’t done well, the high-difficulty training is much harder to pass.”

Ji Xun was surprised. “Really?”

But in the first half of the semester’s three exchange classes, his mental guidance was minimal—mostly just going through the motions and playing with the Sentinels’ spiritual bodies!

He was doomed. Had he caused those Sentinels to fail?

Xu Yuangui didn’t know what Ji Xun was thinking. He noticed Ji Xun’s lively eyes and the faint dimples on his cheeks, which made him feel excited and act faster.

He released his spiritual body.

“Woof!”

A small Tibetan Mastiff suddenly appeared, fierce, baring its teeth, lunging straight at Ji Xun!

Ji Xun was startled and immediately dodged backward.

Xu Yuangui seized the moment to hug him, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be scared. Brother will protect you.”

“Black dog! Don’t be fierce!”

“Woof, woof!” The Tibetan Mastiff, scolded by its owner, immediately sat down, wagging its tail and whining softly.

Ji Xun was both shocked and frightened!

He had never seen such an aggressive spiritual body before.

When he finally snapped out of it, he realized Xu Yuangui was holding him. He felt a wave of nausea and hurriedly pushed him away, “I’m fine now, thank you.”

But Xu Yuangui didn’t let go. Instead, he grabbed Ji Xun’s right hand gently, “Good, you’re alright. I was worried you’d be scared. Don’t judge the black dog by its looks—it’s actually very obedient. You should pet it; I promise it won’t bite.”

Ji Xun had no desire to touch it.

Feeling very uncomfortable, he yanked his hand hard, “Please let me go!”

“No.” Xu Yuangui gave a lewd smile, “Why let go? Aren’t you supposed to give me mental guidance? You don’t have a spiritual body and your mental strength is weak. Instead of wasting effort, wouldn’t it be easier to just pet and kiss Brother? That quickly relieves the over-concentrated state after high-intensity and long training sessions for Sentinels...”