Chapter 221 (2/2)

Even though the spectators were surprised, they didn’t dare to ascend the mountain to check. They only watched as the sharp rays of sword light rained down like a storm upon that peak.

The torrent carried on for several minutes before settling down. Then, all was peaceful.

However, the scene wasn’t as elegant and serene as it had been before; rather, it was in complete disorder. Deep ravines spiderwebbed the ground, clean cuts as if they’d been carved by a razor-sharp weapon.

Li Xuantong stood on a stone platform, his previous confidence and ease were nowhere to be seen. Even his clothes had a few tears to them. His hair draped down1, giving him a very sorry appearance. However, it wasn’t all because he was allowing Luo Li to vent her anger. Luo Li’s strength had truly surpassed his expectations.

He inspected his tattered clothes and the girl with the longsword. Then he cautiously asked, “Are you done venting?”

Luo Li combed and twisted her long hair with her jade-like hands. Her exquisitely charming face was expressionless as she spoke. “Li Xuantong, I hope this will be the last time. I still consider you a friend, but if you take it too far, I may turn hostile.”

Li Xuantong bitterly smiled as he seriously replied, “If he couldn’t even handle the likes of myself, how could he handle matters in the future? You can’t be the one to handle all of it, right?”

Luo Li went silent and didn’t respond.

Li Xuantong lightly sighed. “How much longer can your grandfather endure? Two years? Maybe three?”

Luo Li trembled. Her small hands clutched the sword handle so hard that even her fingertips were turning white. Her petite figure suddenly seemed especially frail and pitiful.

“You’re the only hope the Luoshen Clan has. For how much longer can you remain by his side? You’re the Empress of the Luoshen Clan and the one with the purest bloodline within the royal family. You have many followers who are loyal to the the Luoshen Clan’s Royal Family, and they have seen you as the Emperor’s successor. With your personality, I know you won’t be able to abandon everything. Therefore, when the time comes, you’ll definitely go back. And at that time, you’ll have to leave him. There’s no happy ending for the two of you.” Li Xuantong said slowly.

“I’ll wait for him,” Luo Li replied in a soft voice.

“Wait for him to grow? Let’s not even mention whether he can actually reach that stage. Even if it were possible, do you have the time to wait? The other three God Clans2 are also eyeing yours. The Luoshen Clan has fallen, the lion has aged. Right now, you are the only intimidating force.” Li Xuantong sighed. Reality was always so cruel.

Luo Li looked up towards Li Xuantong. Her voice was soft and slow as she articulated each word with an unquestionable resoluteness. “I believe in him.”

Li Xuantong speechlessly looked at her exquisite beauty.

Luo Li also spoke no more. Her jade hands waved as she skimmed away from the stone stage, turned into a streak of light, and rapidly disappeared.

For the next few days, if things went as Mu Chen expected, the entire Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy would be talking about that pact of three move that he’d had with Li Xuantong. Even the entire freshmen’s area was talking about it in excitement. There was nothing Mu Chen could do but hole up in the building and seclude himself in cultivation.

Luo Li looked after him for a few days. Only after she was certain he was fine did she head for the Convergence Array to cultivate. Mu Chen could sense that recently, her need to cultivate had become a little more pressing.

Mu Chen could only bitterly smile inwardly at that. Luo Li’s dedication to cultivation made his heart ache for her, but there was nothing he could do.

He had no idea about the details of her life, that cultivating was everything. That she had to, because of her responsibility. That’s why her world had always been monotone and dull. A character created, but nothing in her heart. A dull character.

It was later, after they’d met, that something had appeared in that girl’s heart that allowed her to smile, despite the exhaustion from cultivating.

To her, time was usually the most precious commodity. But she’d still come all the way to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, just for him.

It was another night. Mu Chen was seated in his room, cultivating, when he suddenly opened his eyes. His figure moved and he appeared on top of the building, where he saw Li Xuantong, standing, with his hands behind him.

A crease appeared in Mu Chen’s brow when he saw Li Xuantong. “What did you say to Luo Li? Why’s she cultivating so hard these past few days?”

Li Xuantong turned around, glanced at Mu Chen, and lightly said, “Rather than saying ‘she’s cultivating so hard’, why not say ‘she’s trying to lighten your burdens’?”

“What do you mean?” Mu Chen’s brows were tightly locked together.

Li Xuantong sat down, looked at the round moon, and lightly sighed, “Have you heard of the Luoshen Clan?”

Mu Chen listened with full attention.