“The location for this training exercise has been decided.” Jin Anqi looked at all the students of Class One and said sternly, “It will be the remaining forest at the border between District Four and District Five. Same as previous years—ten people per group, teams formed freely.”
“For this training, you don’t need to worry too much. The academy will monitor the entire process. Everyone will also receive an information device. If you encounter danger, get injured, or voluntarily withdraw, the academy will be notified and will bring you back.”
“As for this training, I don’t have much else to say.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the silent class.
“There’s only one thing I want to tell you.”
“I don’t want to see even one person brought back because they gave up.”
After speaking, Jin Anqi glanced at the silent crowd and turned to leave.
Lian Qiguang Lian Qiguang walked through the academy, expressionless as he stared at the shadow on the ground, his mind wandering somewhere unknown.
“Xiaoguang.”
Ji Renlin Ji Renlin appeared in front of him, smiling gently. The tenderness in his eyes was so thick it was almost nauseating.
Lian Qiguang didn’t even lift his head.
Calmly, he walked around Ji Renlin and continued forward without expression.
Ji Renlin’s smile stiffened.
A trace of resentment flashed through his eyes before disappearing.
“Xiaoguang.”
Ji Renlin quickly stepped forward and blocked him again, looking at him with half helplessness, half indulgence.
Only then did Lian Qiguang raise his head and look at him expressionlessly.
“Xiaoguang, did you hear about the training?”
“……”
“Xiaoguang, I don’t mean anything else.” Ji Renlin stepped closer, standing almost against him, his voice soft. “I just want to ask… would you be willing to team up with me?”
“No.”
Three words.
No hesitation whatsoever.
Ignoring Ji Renlin’s suddenly frozen expression, Lian Qiguang expressionlessly walked around him again.
“Xiaoguang!”
Ji Renlin’s voice grew sharper as he turned and reached for him.
A cold light flashed in Lian Qiguang’s eyes.
He turned and looked at Ji Renlin expressionlessly, a trace of darkness surfacing in his gaze.
Ji Renlin shivered.
His outstretched hand froze in midair.
“Xiaoguang…” Ji Renlin suppressed the gloom on his face. His smile now carried grievance and bitterness. “You still refuse to forgive me?”
“……”
Idiot.
Lian Qiguang shoved his hands into his pockets, turned his head woodenly, and silently looked upward.
“Xiaoguang, I just want to protect you.”
Ji Renlin’s eyes filled with sorrow.
He said sadly, “During training, no one knows whether an accident might happen. I know you misunderstand me and are angry with me…”
“But I only want to silently protect you and watch over you.”
“Xiaoguang, can you give me a chance?”
Lian Qiguang lowered his head and looked expressionlessly at Ji Renlin’s pleading face.
Then he tilted his head.
No one knows whether an accident might happen during training?
That meant…
he could kill him there too.
As long as no one found out.
So—
should he kill him outright?
Or torture him to death?
Lian Qiguang found this difficult to decide.
“Xiaoguang, what’s wrong?” Ji Renlin asked, uneasy under that gaze.
“Okay.”
Lian Qiguang nodded expressionlessly.
Then he turned and left.
Team up.
And then kill him.
Yes.
That settled it nicely.
Ji Renlin stared blankly at Lian Qiguang’s retreating back.
Okay?
What did that mean?
Did that mean… he agreed?
At that thought, Ji Renlin’s eyes lit up.
The anger from being ignored vanished instantly, replaced by smug satisfaction.
Lian Qiguang! So what if you’re a genius?
You still love me, don’t you?
Hmph. Once you become mine, you’ll be mine to do with as I please.
After getting rid of Ji Renlin, Lian Qiguang returned to the dormitory.
As soon as the door opened, a black figure entered his line of sight.
By the half-open window stood Qiu Limò Qiu Limò, his back facing Lian Qiguang.
As always, he wore a black coat.
His cold gaze was fixed outside the window.
Lian Qiguang withdrew his gaze, expressionlessly shut the door, and walked toward his room.
Just as his hand touched the doorknob—
A chill rushed at him from behind.
Darkness flashed through Lian Qiguang’s eyes.
Qianming appeared in his hand and swept behind him in one swift motion.
The blade steadied.
Its sharp edge pressed firmly against Qiu Limò’s throat.
At some point, Qiu Limò had already appeared right behind him.
Lian Qiguang slowly turned his head and stared expressionlessly at Qiu Limò, now only inches away.
Qiu Limò looked coldly into Lian Qiguang’s lifeless eyes.
Despite the icy blade at his throat, there was not the slightest hint of fear.
“It was you.”
Qianming spun in Lian Qiguang’s hand and slashed horizontally toward Qiu Limò’s chest.
Qiu Limò bent backward.
His feet slid across the floor as he retreated several meters, stopping in the corner with arms crossed, watching Lian Qiguang coldly.
Lian Qiguang gripped Qianming in reverse, staring at him without expression.
Though faint—
he recognized that trace of ability fluctuation on Qiu Limò instantly.
The painting had been dusted with crystal-core powder by his own hand.
His power remained on it.
There was no way he could mistake it.
“Where is the painting?”
Lian Qiguang stared at Qiu Limò expressionlessly and asked coldly.
“During the training in a few days.”
Qiu Limò finally spoke.
His cold voice carried the dead stillness Lian Qiguang found strangely familiar.
“Team up with me.”
“Where is the painting?”
Qianming rose before his eyes.
Lian Qiguang’s right hand slowly tightened around the hilt.
His gaze remained fixed on Qiu Limò’s icy face.
“……”
Qiu Limò remained silent.
Then—
“Team up with me.”