Chapter 448: Believe Us

Xiao Jun stood on the high platform, hands clasped behind his back, the sea wind lifting his robes; with a solemn expression he said, "Everyone, today marks the opening of the Sea Hunt Event of the Fusang Festival. I, Xiao Jun, as the lord of Fusang Island, welcome all guests from the Three Islands and Nine Continents."

"Today, everyone may enter the Fusang Sea to hunt. The Sea Hunt Event lasts three days; after three days we will tally the game each of you has captured. The top ten will receive generous rewards from Fusang Island."

After Xiao Jun finished speaking, his gaze swept over the assembled crowd, and at last he broke into a smile.

Upon hearing of the generous rewards, the crowd couldn't help but become excited.

At this moment, after Xiao Jun and Xiao Qionghua sat down, the Great Elder stepped forward to announce the various rules of the Sea Hunt Event to everyone.

"There is no limit to the number of participants, but those without a Water‑Repelling Pearl are advised not to join. The currents in the Fusang Sea are extremely swift, and the deep‑sea zones host many high‑level sea beasts; if they entangle you, your life will be in danger."

"Furthermore, participants may not kill other contestants during the competition. Everyone, please prioritize life above all else."

"Finally, we will dispatch ten Nascent Soul Realm masters into the sea to monitor the event. If you encounter danger or decide to abandon the competition, you may inform these ten Observers, and they will bring you back to the surface."

The guard Observers are all clad in red garments, and each has an identification badge hanging around the neck.

After the Great Elder finished explaining all the relevant rules, he said, "The Sea Hunt Event will last three days, so you may enter or leave the sea at any time within those three days."

The crowd heard this, feeling both nervous and eager; they were already itching to try.

"Everyone, I, the Elder, declare the Sea Hunt Event officially begun—"

"Please."

Many, upon hearing this, placed a Water‑Repelling Pearl in their mouths, headed toward the sea surface, and after descending to a certain depth, leapt forward and plunged into the water.

More and more people rushed in, eager to be the first into the sea.

But Xiao Lingwei made no move.

Xiao Lingchao turned his head toward Xiao Lingwei and couldn't help asking, "Aren't they joining the Sea Hunt Event?"

"They'll come later," Xiao Lingwei replied, turning her head toward him, then reaching out to touch the top of Xiao Lingchao's head.

Xiao Lingchao's expression stiffened slightly; his lips twitched a few times, as if about to speak but held back.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Lingwei asked.

"I'm no longer a child; don't touch my head in front of everyone," Xiao Lingchao said.

Xiao Lingwei raised an eyebrow, "Even though you're no longer a child, you're still my younger brother. A Li and the others are older than you, and I often touch their heads as well."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingchao felt a subtle emotion stir within him.

Xiao Lingwei said, "If you don't like it, I won't force you."

Xiao Lingchao lifted his gaze at her, his eyes slightly complex; he always felt that his sister's affection for those senior brothers and sisters was so deep that he couldn't find a place within it.

He thought perhaps his sister truly did have a place for him in her heart…

But that place would surely be far smaller than the ones for those others.

If his sister never left Fusang Island, would his relationship with her be deeper than with those others?

After all, he is the brother who shares blood with her.

Xiao Lingwei was unaware that Xiao Lingchao had already thought so much in such a short time; her attention now rested on the three not far away—Xiao Ru, Xiao Fu, and Qiao Ruoning.

She saw the three of them apparently discussing something.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

At the same time, a voice came from behind.

"Second Senior Sister!"

Xiao Lingwei turned her head and saw Yuan Yao, Song Yan, and Xue Jin walking toward her.

The few exchanged glances, then nodded in unspoken agreement.

After the three of Yuan Yao arrived, Xiao Lingwei instructed Xiao Lingchao, "From now on, you will follow them."

Xiao Lingchao was slightly stunned, "What about you?"

Xiao Lingwei explained, "Wu Ji is looking for me and has some business; I need to go back and handle it."

"Are you hiding something from me?" Xiao Lingchao asked sharply, "Why can't you tell me?"

Having said that, his handsome young face grew a few degrees colder.

"Lingchao, do you really want to know?" Xiao Lingwei said, looking at him solemnly.

A hint of hesitation arose in Xiao Lingchao's heart, but soon he nodded vigorously.

Xiao Lingwei narrowed her eyes, "Then you should definitely follow Brother Song Yan and the others, because they will lead you to the truth."

The young boy was momentarily stunned.

He then looked up at Song Yan, Xue Jin, and Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao laughed teasingly, "Just follow us; we won't eat you."

Xiao Lingchao muttered softly, "Who said you would eat me?"

"We'll leave it to you here," Xiao Lingwei said, raising an eyebrow.

Yuan Yao said, "Alright! We will certainly ensure this Fusang Festival proceeds smoothly."

"I believe in you," Xiao Lingwei smiled.

Before leaving, Xiao Lingwei first went to greet her own parents.

Xiao Jun and Xiao Qionghua then pressed for what had happened.

Xiao Lingwei: "Just a minor matter."

She paused, then added, "It will be resolved soon."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jun and Xiao Qionghua vaguely sensed that something was about to happen, but Xiao Lingwei quickly soothed them.

Xiao Jun and Xiao Qionghua watched Xiao Lingwei's departing silhouette, then shifted their gaze to the distant group of Xiao Lingchao and Yuan Yao.

Xiao Qionghua laughed, "I heard from the mansion that the relationship between the two siblings has eased."

Xiao Jun corrected, "The brother and sister never really fell out."

"That's what you said," Xiao Qionghua said with a smile.

Xiao Jun seemed to recall something, pursing his lips as he said: "A few days ago, your elder brother told me he wanted to betroth Xiao Ru to our A Chao; I didn't dare agree to it. What do you think?"

Xiao Qiong Hua's smile faded from her face: "Don't worry about him."

The so-called elder brother is nothing more than a half-brother.

Her half-brother took after his mother's nature—he is not only overly ambitious but also selfish and worthless.

If it weren't for her supporting him because of that blood tie, could her half-brother have achieved his present stature?

Xiao Jun looked slightly surprised: "You aren't also rather fond of Xiao Ru, are you?"

"She is older than A Chao; I don't like her." Although Xiao Qiong Hua said that, in truth she has many reasons for not wanting Xiao Ru to marry into the A Chao line.

First, A Chao clearly has no affection for Xiao Ru in that regard.

Second, the son raised by the half-brother, Xiao Fu, is also extremely worthless, constantly causing trouble; if they really became allied by marriage, it would surely bring unending trouble to A Chao.

Third, Xiao Ru overthinks things.

"Husband, A Chao is only thirteen, not three hundred years old; we need not worry about his marriage—let him decide for himself. What I'm more worried about now is Ling Er's marriage..." Xiao Qiong Hua sighed deeply.

"It's all your fault, drinking and messing things up!" Xiao Qiong Hua glared at him angrily.

Xiao Jun was at a loss for words.

Xiao Jun said guiltily: "In a few days I will personally go to the Xiahou family. No matter what compensation they demand, I will try my best to meet it, as long as we call off this marriage."