Chapter 242: Wan Lis Past (2/2)

”Yeah, they are one of the best alchemy sects in the Crimson Empire,” Ma Rong said. There was a hint of annoyance in her voice.

”What's their grade? Are they better than us too?” Alex asked.

”They are around the same level as us in terms of Alchemy achievements. But they were created before us so they are already a first-grade sect. Since we are so close to each other in prowess, we have a deep-rooted history of the rivalry.”

Ma Rong didn't seem as angry when she talked about this aspect of their relationship.

”Also, they said we were the second-best in last year's exam. Does that mean that we didn't do very well?” He asked.

”We did well. It's just that they did better. However, that won't be the same case this year. This competition, we will surely win,” Ma Rong said with an eye full of determination.

”What makes you say that?” Alex asked. 'It's not just because of me right?' he wondered.

”Because this time we have you and Wan Li,” Ma Rong said.

”Wan Li? He wasn't there in the last competition?” Alex asked.

”No, he… we made him stay behind to grieve the loss of his parents,” Ma Rong said.

Alex didn't expect such reasoning. ”His parents died?” he asked.

”Yes. His parents were merchants that left their son at Hong Wu sect ever since he was 10 years old. He's worked his way up to where he is for the last 9 years.”

”While he was here, his parents were away on their business. But then, one day during a normal caravan ride, they were targeted by bandits and were killed. We tried to find the bandits, but they got away,” Ma Rong said.

Alex remained quiet. 'Why is there so much death and tragedy in this game? Can no one have a normal life here?' he wanted to shout.

Alex turned back to look at Wan Li who was walking up the stairs with Fan Ruogang holding his arm.

”The boy hadn't been with his parents for so long that he didn't know how to feel when he learned the news. Poor boy didn't even know how to grieve. He spent his days doing nothing but preparing for the competition, holed up in his house.”

”He didn't listen to any one of us, so when the time came for leaving, I made him stay behind and made sure he took care of his emotions. His grief was too much and it was eating him away inside. He just didn't know it,” Ma Rong said.

”Thankfully, after the competition, Fanfan has been there with him, making him do other things aside from just alchemy, trying to take his mind off of his feelings once he was done grieving.”

”She has truly been a blessing for him,” Ma Rong said.

”I see,” Alex said. He couldn't have imagined that the bubbly girl that seemed to want to do nothing but play was actually just trying to help him.

Alex started seeing both of them in a new light. Finally, he stopped looking at them as just Number 1 and Number 3 and instead thought of them as actual human beings with thought.