Chapter 533: Qin Yin Yue, Zhao Zhao Beili

Under the gazes of Li Luo and the other two, two squads swiftly streaked toward their location and finally landed ahead of them.

"I didn't expect to run into the number-one squad on the scoreboard here. What an honor."

As the two squads drew closer, a burst of laughter rang out from the front. It was a tall, strapping youth, a long spear in hand, carrying a certain martial air. His gaze swept over Li Luo and the others, lingering, of course, on the Princess and Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Li Luo glanced at the academy emblem on the man's chest.

North Sea Saint Academy.

His heart stirred, and shifting his gaze, he indeed spotted a figure in white robes beside that youth — dashing and refined — none other than Senior Ao Bai, who had previously claimed the title of strongest in the Two-Star Division during the Division-level tournament.

As if sensing Li Luo's gaze, Senior Ao Bai offered him a smile and a nod in greeting.

"So it's Brother Qin Yin Yue of North Sea Saint Academy." The Princess looked at the strapping youth who had spoken first, a faint smile surfacing on her ravishingly beautiful face as she spoke.

The speaker was named Qin Yin Yue, the most outstanding student of the Four-Star Division at North Sea Saint Academy. The Princess had crossed swords with him during the Division-level tournament. His strength was around the Five-Star Tian Zhu Jing; though there was some gap between them, he could still be counted among the top figures.

"And this must be Zhao Zhao Beili of Skyfire Saint Academy, Brother Zhao, I presume?"

The Princess's phoenix-like eyes shifted as she looked toward the squad where Lu Ming stood, and she asked gently of the slender youth at the center of the three.

The youth named Zhao Zhao Beili was also fairly dashing in appearance, a green-edged longsword slung at his waist, hair loose and flowing. He was the strongest of the Four-Star Division at Skyfire Saint Academy, his strength roughly on par with Qin Yin Yue beside him.

Meeting the Princess's gaze, he cupped his fist with a smile and said, "Greetings, Your Highness. I saw Your Highness's bearing during the Division-level tournament. It's fortunate we never met, or I'd surely have been thoroughly thrashed."

Whether it was Qin Yin Yue or Zhao Zhao Beili, both maintained a measure of courtesy before the Princess — and this was not because of her status. After all, the Princess was, in the end, only the Princess of Great Xia, a title that held little intimidation for students of other academies.

Their courtesy was mainly because of the Princess's strength.

Looking across all the Four-Star Division students in this Holy Grail War, the Princess's strength might not reach the level of the absolute number one, but she was certainly qualified to rank among the very top. Those who could surpass her could be counted on one hand.

"Brother Zhao is too modest."

The Princess smiled, her bearing elegant.

"It seems your two squads have also received the temporary mission from the Spirit Mirror?" she asked the two.

Qin Yin Yue and Zhao Zhao Beili both nodded and said, "We originally came here for Thunder Roar Mountain as well, but when we arrived, we received this temporary mission. It seems some squad has gotten trapped inside for some reason."

"Heh, since Your Highness's group is also here for this mission, why don't we all travel together? It would be good to have each other's backs." The two issued the invitation at the same time.

Hearing this, the Princess did not agree directly. Instead, her phoenix-like eyes turned to Jiang Jiang Qinge, who in turn looked at Li Luo.

Li Luo was stunned. Big Sis, you must be joking — you want my opinion too, a mere bystander?

Still, since Big Sis was giving him face, Li Luo naturally smiled and nodded. "The mission doesn't say it has to be done alone. Having help is obviously better."

Seeing this, the Princess smiled at Qin Yin Yue and Zhao Zhao Beili. "Then I hope we have a pleasant cooperation ahead."

Qin Yin Yue and Zhao Zhao Beili both smiled and nodded, but their gazes subtly sized up Li Luo. Of course they knew who he was — Li Luo, the strongest of the One-Star Division in this Holy Grail War. But this place was no longer the Division-level tournament; it was the mixed-tier tournament... In this special situation, virtually every One-Star Division student was just dead weight, and Li Luo, even as the strongest of the One-Star Division, was no exception.

It was no surprise that the Princess would consult Jiang Jiang Qinge's opinion. As the strongest of the Three-Star Division, even people of their Tian Zhu Jing strength would not underestimate her, because her strength could genuinely be of great help.

But Li Luo... was quite a bit lacking.

So in this situation, they were quite surprised that the Princess and Jiang Jiang Qinge would actually decide whether to join forces based on Li Luo's opinion.

Still, they could tell that the Princess's behavior was entirely out of deference to Jiang Jiang Qinge. And Li Luo's relationship with Jiang Jiang Qinge was rumored to be somewhat special... Could it really be true?

These thoughts turned in their minds, but none of it showed on their faces. Instead, they stepped forward with genial expressions and made some introductions among the members of both sides, and the atmosphere instantly became extremely harmonious.

Li Luo watched in silence. During this brief exchange between the two sides, he could sense that Qin Yin Yue of North Sea Saint Academy was being somewhat attentive toward the Princess. This was hardly surprising — after all, the Princess's looks and bearing were right there, and she was no mere decoration; her strength was top-tier among the Four-Star Division, and on top of that she had a distinguished status. All of this was enough to inspire admiration in people like Qin Yin Yue.

While the three captains were talking, Li Luo stepped forward a few paces and looked at Lu Ming, who had yet to speak and had only been glancing at him every now and then. He smiled and said, "We meet again. I didn't expect we'd actually have a chance to cooperate. What a surprise."

Lu Ming crossed her arms over her chest, her slender, exquisite figure brimming with boundless charm. She pouted and said, "I'll give you that — you actually beat Jing Jing Taixu. I thought he'd have you running for your life."

"It's because I didn't have to spend too much effort on you," Li Luo said earnestly.

Lu Ming's willow-leaf brows instantly shot up, and she shot Li Luo a fierce glare. This guy — was he saying she was useless? That he'd passed her checkpoint far too easily?

"Hmph, if you hadn't ambushed me with poisonous gas, my Illusory Thunder Array would've made you suffer!" Lu Ming snorted coldly.

Li Luo smiled and stopped teasing her. "If we run into a strong enemy this time, I suppose we can see things from a partner's perspective."

Lu Ming rolled her eyes at him. "In a team like this, what use can we One-Star Division students be? Just errand runners. Are you expecting some grand performance?"

"Not necessarily."

Li Luo replied with a noncommittal smile.

As Lu Ming spoke with him, her gaze couldn't help drifting toward where Jiang Jiang Qinge stood, curiosity flickering in her eyes. She asked in a low voice, "Hey, Li Luo, is Senior Jiang really your fiancée?"

"Even you're this gossipy," Li Luo said helplessly. Lu Ming had given off a cool, aloof vibe when they first met; he hadn't expected her to ask a question like this.

Lu Ming looked a little embarrassed, her fair cheeks faintly flushed. "Anyone would be interested in something like that. After all, Senior Jiang is the most dazzling female student in this Holy Grail War — we're all proud of her. Who would've thought she'd have that kind of relationship with you..."

She sized up Li Luo. "How on earth did a guy like you get such good fortune?"

"Nothing I can do about it — a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made by heaven," Li Luo declared shamelessly.

Faced with such thick-skinned audacity, even Lu Ming was momentarily at a loss for words and could only pout in exasperation.

"What are you two chatting about?"

At that moment, a laugh cut in. Li Luo looked up — it was Zhao Zhao Beili, the captain from Skyfire Saint Academy. He stepped between the two of them, looked at Lu Ming, and said with a warm smile, "Earlier I was worried that Junior Sister Lu Ming might still hold a grudge from the Division-level tournament and wouldn't want to cooperate with Junior Li Luo. But it seems I was overthinking it — Junior Sister Lu Ming is quite the team player."

Lu Ming replied coolly, "Senior Zhao is overthinking it. Winning and losing in a match is normal. I'm not that petty."

Zhao Zhao Beili smiled and nodded. "Naturally. Junior Sister Lu Ming, this trip to Thunder Roar Mountain may not be so simple. You should be careful too. But don't worry — if anything happens, I will protect you at all times."

Li Luo took this in and understood the situation. So this Senior Zhao Zhao Beili had designs on Lu Ming — no wonder, seeing them chatting so warmly over here, he had to wedge himself in.

But judging from Lu Ming's lukewarm expression, she didn't seem to return that kind of feeling for this senior.

"Heh, Junior Li Luo, the three of us captains have already discussed our next move. Hurry back to the group and get ready to set out." Zhao Zhao Beili turned his gaze to Li Luo and said with a smile.

In his gaze toward Li Luo, there was a hint of wariness. This kid had grown up looking like that — far too popular with the girls. He'd have to keep a close eye, lest his home be stolen out of nowhere.

Though Zhao Zhao Beili's gaze was somewhat subtle, Li Luo still keenly caught it, and his mouth twitched at the corner. This Zhao Zhao Beili was a brainless fool too — guarding against me, what for? Can't you see Jiang Jiang Qinge watching from behind? Would I dare do anything?

Besides, am I, Li Luo, the kind of person who goes around flirting?

So, feeling indignant, he could only wave at Lu Ming and turn to rejoin the group.

Very quickly, the three squads completed their initial coordination and set off, maintaining formation as they plunged into the vast mountain range shrouded in thunderclouds.