Chapter Fifty: Li Hao and Lin Xueyou

Li Hao and his companions walked along the road toward the selection tournament. Li Hao’s deep crimson hair was tied back with an ornate, matching hairpiece, and he wore a flowing red robe embroidered with a vividly lifelike, multicolored dragon. The dragon seemed to crawl from the right side of his dantian, coil behind his back, and circle over his left shoulder, with its head resting upon his left chest. Lu Zhengtian, his long, jet-black hair secured by a delicate gold ornament, was robed in gold, with two majestic golden roc birds, proud and lifelike, embroidered upon his chest and back, each occupying a side. Lin Huashu likewise wore white, with a nine-colored Vermilion Bird embroidered on both the front and back of his attire. Lu Xuemei’s snowy hair and clothing, all white, contrasted with Lu Yao’s black hair and purple gown, and Lin Xueyou’s black hair paired with red garments. Each of the three young women wore a different, exquisitely crafted headdress. The trio of Kui Hu, too, had their black hair tied up, with their clothes in black, blue-green, and blue, each adorned with unique patterns.

Lu Zhengtian, Lin Huashu, Lu Xuemei, Lu Yao, and Kui Hu and his friends all felt that something in the atmosphere today was subtly different, though no one could pinpoint exactly what was amiss.

As they walked, Lu Yao suddenly asked, “Brother Li Hao, why are you dressed all in red today?”

Without hesitation, Li Hao replied, “Because when Brother Shengqi carries me, he’s surrounded by barriers of crimson flame. Wearing other colors while riding him felt quite odd, so I put on this red robe, which I rarely wear.”

Everyone was intrigued by the Shengqi he mentioned and looked at Li Hao, silently asking for an explanation.

Understanding their curiosity, Li Hao flashed his charming smile and turned to the little qilin on his left shoulder, saying, “Brother Shengqi, since you carried me, do you want me to carry you in return?”

The little qilin leaped to the ground and instantly transformed into a tall, handsome youth about Li Hao’s age. He wore pure white, his clothes adorned with a golden qilin, the supreme beast, wreathed in flames. No one had expected that Li Hao’s mighty and imposing companion had already achieved the stage of transformation, and the realization stunned everyone, especially the young onlookers nearby.

Li Hao introduced him, “Let me introduce you all! This is the Brother Shengqi I mentioned, a gift from a senior who helped me through the Five-Star Cavern ahead of you all. He is my sworn brother, Bai Shengqi.” As he spoke, Li Hao gestured to the human-formed qilin and then introduced each friend in turn: “These two are my close friends, Lu Zhengtian and Lin Huashu. This is Sister Lu Xuemei, and this is Little Sister Lu Yao. These three are also my brothers: Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen. And this beautiful sister beside you, like yourself, is a new acquaintance.”

Though the qilin had just taken human form, as a divine beast of the supreme bloodline among all creatures, he had seen much of the world at the side of the eccentric old man all these years. He understood the manners of dealing with people, so he greeted Li Hao’s friends politely: “Bai Shengqi greets you all, brothers and sisters.”

These young men and women were all scions of the great families of the Lujia Mountain Star Domain, so the greeting from a supreme-bloodline divine beast in human form, while impressive, did not overly shock them. They responded in turn, “Greetings, Brother Shengqi.”

Lin Xueyou, ever frank and lively, couldn’t help but tease, “Brother Shengqi is just as handsome as Brother Li Hao!”

Having just gained human form and possessing the innocence of a five- or six-year-old child, the qilin blushed shyly at Lin Xueyou’s praise, stealing a glance at his young master before stammering, “Thank you, sister, you are very beautiful too.”

Already, the qilin was growing more accustomed to human speech and no longer spoke as haltingly as he had moments before.

Lin Xueyou grinned at Li Hao and the qilin. “Such a sweet tongue, just like Li Hao! Hurry up and grow up, and I’ll find you a wife.”

The newly transformed qilin, flustered by her teasing, quickly put a safe distance between himself and the charmingly dangerous young lady, darting to Li Hao’s other side. Her silvery laughter rang out, provoking hearty laughter from Lu Zhengtian and the others, leaving the bashful qilin even more embarrassed, his face flushed crimson. Their laughter drew curious glances from bystanders.

Lin Huashu could only shake his head helplessly at his mischievous sister.

Seeing his friend teased, Li Hao felt a touch of injustice. To defend his companion, he retorted to Lin Xueyou, “How does Sister Xueyou know if I have a sweet tongue?”

The words struck the group like a thunderclap—no one expected such a bold remark from the young Li Hao. Yet, to Lin Xueyou, his quip landed without the slightest ripple. She replied calmly, “Of course I don’t know if your tongue is sweet, but you told me yourself when you arrived!”

Once again, Li Hao was bested by this quick-witted girl. He never expected to be so thoroughly outmaneuvered by someone he’d only just met. Recovering briefly, he tried to save face, “Sister Xueyou, you have such a good memory. I’d almost forgotten about that.”

Their playful banter quickly became the amusement of the group, making their journey more lively. Yet Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao watched them with forced smiles, unable to conceal their true feelings. Still, to outsiders, it was a beautiful scene.

The two walked together, exchanging quips, until Qin Zhen spoke up, “Don’t you feel something’s a bit off with our group today?”

Everyone looked around, seeing nothing unusual, unsure what Qin Zhen meant. Their eyes turned to him in confusion. Qin Zhen understood, but said nothing, only glancing slyly at Li Hao and Lin Xueyou. The others, catching on, stared at the pair with speculative eyes.

Li Hao and Lin Xueyou, uncomfortable under their scrutiny, asked in unison, “What are you looking at?”

They glanced at each other in surprise, their eyes meeting briefly before both looked away, again speaking in chorus, “What about us?”

Once more, their eyes met before both turned away, saying together, “You’re so childish!”

The more synchronized they became, the more amused the others grew. This time, Li Hao scratched his head awkwardly, while Lin Xueyou’s cheeks flushed with bright color as she lowered her head, her heart fluttering uncontrollably.

Laughter erupted around them. Amidst the joy, some felt bitterness. Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao, caught in a swirl of unnamed emotions, felt a pang in their hearts. Lin Xueyou’s admirers, too, felt a trace of envy, wishing they could switch places with either Li Hao or Lin Xueyou.

Sometimes, fate weaves the most remarkable and unexpected coincidences.

In the eyes of others, Li Hao and Lin Xueyou appeared ever more like a pair perfectly matched in wit and spirit. Both dressed in red, their rapport was so natural, their banter so seamless, it seemed as if they’d known each other for years.

Lu Xuemei silently mused, “Ah, Little Brother Li Hao, who knows how many confidantes you’ll have in the future. I should be happy for you, and yet, why do I feel this strange discomfort? Oh, Lu Xuemei, what’s come over you? Have you lost all sense of propriety, daydreaming like this? Stop it! Stop thinking such nonsense...”

But such things are never so easily banished from the heart.

Lu Yao, still young and innocent, could only berate the pair in her thoughts, “Li Hao, you big meanie, you’re so awful! And Sister Xueyou, you’re just as bad. Both of you are bad! Don’t you know how much this hurts me?”

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she turned away, quickly wiping them before anyone could notice.

Unwittingly, Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao had been drawn into the whirlpool of Li Hao’s emotions, unable to extricate themselves. Li Hao, for his part, was guileless, thinking of the girls as family. His heart was set on growing stronger, finding his grandfather, his father, his mother, and one day returning to Litians Xingyu, to the place that truly belonged to him.

After this commotion, Li Hao and Lin Xueyou ceased their playful sparring, and a strange silence settled over the group as they made their way toward the grand gates of the Treasure Palace.

Inside, the palace was already a sea of people, and more continued to stream in behind them. Today marked the first day of the selection tournament, and every youth felt a measure of anticipation or anxiety. Some were eager, some nervous, some already despondent before things began, and others exuded confidence as though victory were assured. For this generation, too, the tournament would bring both joy and sorrow.

At that moment, a procession emerged from within the palace—some appeared powerful and middle-aged, others were elderly, and some were young, talented, and cultivated. Men and women of all ages, all gathered to maintain order at this year’s selection. Altogether, they numbered over a thousand.