Chapter 813: Refusal

The lakeside platform, which had been buzzing with noise, now fell somewhat quiet.

Stunned gazes fixed on Li Luo.

At the same time, some of Qin Yi's admirers were indignant—how dare this brat treat the chance they treasured as a precious gem so rudely? He was truly arrogant!

Beside Li Luo, Li Li Fengyi, Li Li Lanyin, and the others were also staring at him with strange expressions. That slap from Li Luo might have looked like nothing more than swatting away a butterfly, but in truth it was no different from a slap across Qin Yi's face.

Presumably this heavenly maiden, whose fame resounded across the Outer Shenzhou, had never tasted such a thing before?

Thinking this, they couldn't help but feel a trace of satisfaction in their hearts.

Mm, as expected, jealousy is the original sin.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Luo remained expressionless. He didn't even glance at Qin Yi, because he simply didn't believe the butterfly had truly landed before him by chance.

There must have been some trickery from Qin Yi involved.

Judging from the grievances between their elders, Li Luo felt that Qin Yi must have known of him, even seen his portrait, or at least known what he looked like.

So the meaning behind the butterfly's landing was truly worth pondering.

Was Qin Yi testing him in some way?

Whatever Qin Yi's true purpose was, Li Luo had no intention of playing along. Given the grievances between their families, expecting him to step forward and fight for her Jade Heart Lotus Seeds... that was pure fantasy.

An ordinary man might have been smitten by Qin Yi's beauty and bearing, but if she thought that would be enough to bewitch him, Li Luo... he could only say that Qin Yi had overestimated herself.

The field stayed quiet for a while, then young elites from various factions burst out indignantly, one after another denouncing Li Luo's rudeness.

Even Li Li Qingfeng frowned slightly and said, "Li Luo, Banner Leader, if you don't wish to, just say so. Why be so rash?"

Li Luo lifted an eyelid and said with an apologetic smile, "My apologies, I drank too much. I thought some dirty thing was flying around in front of me."

Li Li Qingfeng looked at Li Luo twice. He naturally understood this was just an excuse, but he also knew of the grievances between their elders, so Li Luo's behavior wasn't too hard to comprehend.

Besides, why had Qin Yi chosen Li Luo? What was she trying to do?

Pondering this, Li Li Qingfeng turned his gaze to Qin Yi. Her exquisitely beautiful face was also somewhat dazed at this moment—clearly she hadn't recovered from Li Luo's crude move. After all, given her status and looks, every man she'd met before, regardless of age, had always been all smiles, warm and passionate.

But Qin Yi was no ordinary woman. She quickly came to her senses. She didn't look at the greasy, fat man who had caught the spirit butterfly. Her clear, lake-like pale blue eyes simply rested on Li Luo, and then she revealed a faint smile that made many men's hearts skip a beat, asking softly, "May I ask how this friend is addressed?"

Li Luo glanced at her and said with a faint smile, "Dragon Fang Lineage, Qingming Banner Leader, Li Luo."

"So it's Banner Leader Li Luo."

Qin Yi nodded, then said apologetically, "The spirit butterfly chooses at random, so I disturbed you earlier. But I do need a friend to help me gather the lotus seeds. Since the butterfly happened to land before you, consider it fate. If Banner Leader Li Luo could help, regardless of the outcome, I would be endlessly grateful."

Her beautiful eyes seemed to gaze at Li Luo sincerely, a hint of pleading on her exquisitely delicate face. The sight made many men present ache at heart, wishing they could speak up and take Li Luo's place.

Yet Li Luo just smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, I drank too much last night. I'm not in good shape right now, I'm afraid I can't go fetch the lotus seeds for Miss Qin Yi."

He refused again.

A murmur of astonishment rose from the crowd, and some young prodigies of the Five Heavenly Dragon Lines couldn't help but burst out angrily: "Li Luo, Miss Qin Yi is a distinguished guest. She's just asking you for a small favor—do it and be done with it. Why keep refusing?"

"If outsiders see this, they'll say our Li Li Tianwang Lineage has no hospitality."

"Exactly."

"Could it be that he knows he has no chance of winning against Zhao Zhao Fengyang, so he's choosing to avoid the fight? If that's the case, just say so outright."

"..."

Hearing these words, before Li Luo could respond, Li Li Fengyi beside him had already arched her brows in anger, glaring at the crowd. "He already said he has no interest in fighting right now. What are you forcing him for? Do you think everyone is like you, going weak at the knees the moment they see a pretty woman?"

"Right. If you want to win a beauty's favor, go earn it yourself. Don't try to draw attention by belittling others." Although Li Li Lanyin had been bickering with Li Li Fengyi before, at this moment she firmly stood by her close friend.

The onlookers, rebuffed, could only smile awkwardly and fall silent.

Qin Yi slightly raised her exquisite face. Her skin seemed to ripple with a watery sheen, giving one the impression that a gentle pinch might make water seep out, so tender it was. She lightly pressed her flower-petal-like crimson lips together and said in a gentle voice, "I always act by fate. Since the spirit butterfly chose Banner Leader Li Luo, I naturally trust in that fate. And if Banner Leader Li Luo cannot fight, then I suppose I'm simply not fated to have these Jade Heart Lotus Seeds. In that case, I won't take part in this 'Lotus Duel.'"

At her words, many present showed regret on their faces, feeling the occasion had been spoiled—after all, this was supposed to be the highlight of today's banquet, and now Li Luo had killed the mood.

This made many people harbor a grudge against Li Luo.

Li Li Qingfeng also furrowed his brow. He was the host of this banquet, and for it to turn out like this naturally left him quite displeased.

Li Luo glanced at Qin Yi. Her jade-white face, bathed in moonlight, radiated a powerful allure, but he felt that Qin Yi seemed to have come specifically for him.

It was even possible that she had come to this banquet because of him.

Of course, it certainly wasn't because of his looks—it was because of the tangled grievances between their elders.

But Li Luo had no proof; it was only a hunch.

"Miss Qin Yi seems very eager for me to step in?" Li Luo said with a smile.

Qin Yi smiled prettily. "I'm merely following my spirit butterfly's choice."

Li Luo stroked his chin and said unhurriedly, "Actually, Miss Qin Yi is a guest, so if you asked me to help, I'd have no reason to refuse. But the thing is, I'm a man with a fiancée. Although my fiancée's looks and bearing both surpass Miss Qin Yi's by a fraction, helping you for no reason would mean I'd inevitably have to explain it to her later."

At these words, many were so angry they laughed.

This Li Luo—couldn't you come up with a slightly more believable excuse? Now he's even dragging his fiancée into it. And fine, having a fiancée is one thing, but to claim her looks and bearing both surpass Fairy Qin by a fraction?

Weren't you from the Outer Shenzhou before? A place like that backwater—could it possibly produce a fairy-like being who gathers the spiritual essence of heaven and earth like Fairy Qin?

The crowd snickered among themselves, but Qin Yi's jade-like countenance remained unruffled. She simply smiled faintly and said with elegant grace, "I see. That was presumptuous of me."

At this moment, Li Luo continued, "But if Miss Qin Yi truly wants my help, it's not impossible."

The crowd was stunned, then realization dawned, and they sneered inwardly. So Li Luo was playing the old 'play hard to get' trick—trying to use this unusual method to leave an impression on Fairy Qin's heart?

Fairy Qin's beautiful eyes flashed, as if delighted. "Really?"

Li Luo nodded, and under everyone's gaze, he raised one finger with a brilliant smile.

"Ten million."

Everyone was dumbfounded. This time, even Qin Yi's composure cracked—her flawless jade-like cheeks froze for a moment.

One thought rose in everyone's mind.

Holy shit, you're charging for it?!