Gu Bei couldn't help but think what a waste. Nie Li was an absolute blockhead.
What a waste! Such a perfect opportunity!
Gu Bei shook his head over and over.
Still, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, he couldn't help but admire Nie Li.
After the three of them left, news of Nie Li defeating Long Yuyin in a contest of raw physical strength spread like wildfire. He had unquestionably become the most dazzling genius of this batch, drawing everyone's attention. Fellow prodigies, in particular, now regarded him as a serious rival.
Long Yuyin's courtyard.
Sure, Long Yuyin had once crippled him, robbing him of every ounce of dignity as a man. But ever since he'd been healed, she was still the first thing he dreamed about every night. He loved watching her move in her fitted training clothes, loved the way her silhouette curved as she turned away.
Even when she blew up at him, he'd still slink back like a lovesick fool — because in his eyes, Long Yuyin was breathtaking even when she was angry.
But his goddess, his fiancée, had just been humiliated by some no-name punk?!
That was absolutely unforgivable!
He was going to tear that kid apart, piece by piece, to vent the rage in his heart!
Long Yuyin returned to her courtyard. Her clothes were still covered in dust, she looked a sorry mess, and her expression was hollow and lost.
Nie Li's words echoed in her ears: "Stay away from me from now on — the farther, the better!" In her entire life, this was the first time anyone had said something like that to her. The first time someone had been so disgusted by her. The first time someone had humiliated her like that.
And yet, in Long Yuyin's heart, she couldn't even name the tangle of emotions she felt.
A boy her own age had actually beaten her through sheer ability — and not by a narrow margin, but in a complete, crushing fashion. That made her want to know him even more. She wanted to understand what kind of person he really was. She wanted to grow stronger, strong enough that Nie Li would truly take her seriously as an opponent!
But everyone had told her to get as far away as possible. Wouldn't going back just be asking for more humiliation?
Her heart was a battlefield of contradictions.
When Long Yuyin walked in — dusty and disheveled, yet still devastatingly beautiful — Hu Yong felt his blood heat up. He hurried over. "Yin'er, you're back? How badly are you hurt? I brought the best healing ointment from my family!"
The moment he saw Hu Yong, disgust flickered across Long Yuyin's face. "Hu Yong, don't ever come here again. If I catch you here a second time, don't blame me for throwing you out myself."
"Yin'er, don't be like this." Hu Yong noticed her hollow expression and pressed on. "Yin'er, seeing you like this breaks my heart. Please apply the ointment as soon as you can! As for that Nie Li — leave him to me. I'll make sure he pays! When he came out of the Sacred Spirit Sanctuary before, I wanted to teach him a lesson, but those old fools
At his words, Long Yuyin froze. Hu Yong had already gone after Nie Li? She glared at him, eyes blazing. "Who asked you to go after Nie Li? Did you tell him I sent you?"
"I never said you sent me!" Hu Yong shook his head quickly.
"Hu Yong, without your family's power behind you, you're nothing. My fight with Nie Li was a fair, head-on contest. I, Long Yuyin, lost, and I can take it. If you really want to stand up for me, then go fight Nie Li yourself with your own strength. If you can beat him, I'll respect you! But the way you're acting? You're nothing but a coward. Get as far away from me as you can. Don't let me see your face again — and if I do, I'll cripple you all over again!" Long Yuyin's gaze was ice cold.
"Yin'er, I—" Hu Yong tried to speak.
"Hu Yong, get the hell out of my sight!" she roared.
"You—" Hu Yong finally snapped. "Long Yuyin, you think you're so great? You're only the seventh-in-line heir of the Dragon Seal Family! Marry me, and then you'll have the right to become the first-in-line heir! Don't throw away what I'm offering!"
"Get out!" Long Yuyin kicked Hu Yong square in the chest, sending him flying out of the courtyard.