Chapter 91

The formation galloped from afar and swiftly arrived beneath this high slope.

Si Si Qiuying gazed at the stunning figure riding a horse-beast away from the formation, then said to Li Luo: "Since you disagree with my suggestion, consider it unsaid."

Her gaze swept over Li Luo, clearly implying he should not mention their earlier conversation in front of Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Li Luo smiled but ignored her, for his eyes remained fixed on the approaching figure.

The figure rode her horse up directly to the slope, seated atop it, clad in a short azure cloak, wearing a battle skirt beneath which her long legs were pale and straight, exuding supple grace, her figure perfect enough to stir the heart.

She appeared utterly beautiful and strikingly brisk.

Her pure golden eyes first glanced at Li Luo, then turned to Si Si Qiuying, smiling faintly: "Little earthworm, so interested in my young master? Came all the way to meet him?"

Si Si Qiuying chuckled awkwardly, then obediently said: "I just came to see the top scorer of the Tian Shu Prefecture examination."

Jiang Jiang Qinge made no reply, then asked Li Luo: "Is that so?"

Si Si Qiuying quickly gave Li Luo a meaningful glance.

Li Luo said: "This Miss Si came over asking me to break off our engagement, and even tried to arrange a marriage between her elder brother and you."

Girl, you're too green—why not ask at Nan Feng Academy what I, Li Luo, am best at? It's tattling!

Si Si Qiuying's smile froze on her face; she glared at Li Luo with fiery eyes.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's exquisite face showed no emotion; she merely said coolly: "Little earthworm, gotten bold, now? Daring to meddle in my affairs?"

Si Si Qiuying stepped back slowly, whispering: "No, no, Jiang Qinge-sis, let me explain—"

Then she turned and ran.

Jiang Jiang Qinge flicked her finger, and light-phase energy formed several glowing orbs at her fingertip; the orbs shot forth and struck Si Si Qiuying's firm buttocks with soft thuds.

Oof!

Si Si Qiuying's face flushed crimson; she clutched her rear, eyes glistening as she pleaded: "Jiang Qinge-sis, I'm sorry, don't hit me anymore!"

Jiang Jiang Qinge dispersed the light-phase energy and said: "No next time."

"Also, stop trying to set up your elder brother. He's decent, but I'm not interested."

Hearing this, Si Si Qiuying immediately bristled: "Jiang Qinge-sis, my elder brother is truly outstanding—even the mentors at Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy say he has the potential to become a Marquis!"

"Marquis?"

Jiang Jiang Qinge smiled faintly: "Is that all your vision amounts to?"

Si Si Qiuying fell silent. If anyone else had said this, they'd have been spat upon—but coming from Jiang Jiang Qinge, it somehow left no room for rebuttal.

Si Si Qiuying pouted, glanced at Li Luo watching from the side, and huffed: "My elder brother may not compare to you, Jiang Qinge-sis, but he's still better than him!"

Jiang Jiang Qinge smiled: "That's not certain. Two months ago, Li Luo was still a Void Phase. Now, he's the top scorer of Tian Shu Prefecture. Give him more time, and he might become the top newcomer of Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy."

Si Si Qiuying stared in disbelief: "Jiang Qinge-sis, even you can't be this outrageous!"

Though she had to admit Li Luo's achievement as Tian Shu Prefecture's top scorer was impressive, claiming he could become Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy's top newcomer was absurd—this was Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy, where countless geniuses from all of Daya gathered. What made Li Luo think he could rise above them all?

Jiang Jiang Qinge showed no intention to argue further; she merely waved her hand, dismissing her.

Si Si Qiuying sighed helplessly, pulled on her boots, shot Li Luo a resentful glare, and walked away.

Watching Si Si Qiuying and her group depart, Li Luo finally spoke: "You're too harsh—you've already drawn a whole wave of hatred toward me."

If Jiang Jiang Qinge's words spread, Li Luo felt his survival difficulty at Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy would only increase further.

"I suspect you're setting me up, but I have no proof."

Jiang Jiang Qinge's golden eyes blinked gently; she tilted her head slightly, appearing almost innocent.

The rebuke Li Luo had ready died on his tongue—holy crap, she was too cute. Jiang Jiang Qinge, so beautiful and pretending to be innocent? That's cheating.

But sadly, Jiang Jiang Qinge quickly resumed her calm expression, her exquisite face serene: "Not bad. I thought you'd just barely make it into Sheng Zhu Xuan Star Academy—you've become Tian Shu Prefecture's top scorer instead."

"Sigh, I was forced into it. All forced." Li Luo shook his head, looking as if he couldn't bear to recall it.

Jiang Jiang Qinge softly "oh"ed, then dropped the subject.

Li Luo blinked in surprise—wait, she really wouldn't ask? After all this effort to have something to boast about in front of Jiang Jiang Qinge, he had to swallow it back? So frustrating.

But no matter how frustrating, he had to endure it—he couldn't force the topic out; that would be too awkward.

So Li Luo suppressed his frustration.

"Let's go see Sister Cai Wei and Ling Qing—I haven't seen them in a while," Jiang Jiang Qinge said, taking hold of her red horse-beast and stepping down the slope with her long legs.

Seeing this, Li Luo could only trudge after her listlessly.

The two descended the slope as evening light fell from the horizon like a crimson cloak, wrapping them both, making them appear from afar as one radiant entity.

Cai Wei and Yan Yan Lingqing stood outside the carriage, watching the two approach; the former smiled: "From appearance alone, these two are perfectly matched."

Yan Yan Lingqing nodded in agreement. Though she never cared much about looks, she had to admit that among all the opposite-sex individuals she'd met, few could rival Li Luo in appearance.

Under their gaze, Jiang Jiang Qinge and Li Luo arrived before them.

"Jiang Qinge! I've missed you so much!" Yan Yan Lingqing rushed forward and hugged Jiang Jiang Qinge tightly; Jiang Jiang Qinge's exquisite yet sharp face softened slightly as she gently patted Yan Yan Lingqing's back.

Cai Wei's enchanting eyes sparkled with joy; though less excitable than Yan Yan Lingqing, she stepped forward and gave Jiang Jiang Qinge a light embrace.

Jiang Jiang Qinge wrapped one arm around each of their waists and smiled: "Cai Wei-sis, Ling Qing, you've worked hard."

Behind them, Li Luo watched the three women hugging and suddenly felt a pang of loneliness—he realized he seemed entirely superfluous.

They'd all gone through so much together in Nan Feng City—they were comrades. If he could, he wouldn't mind joining them in celebration.

"Li Luo, want to come join the celebration?" Yan Yan Lingqing's voice suddenly rang out.

Li Luo looked up, about to answer, when he saw Jiang Jiang Qinge turn her head, watching him with a half-smile. He gave a blank wave and said coolly: "I've no interest in women's revelry."

This drew low giggles.

Li Luo stood there watching the three women chat for a long while, his legs growing numb—luckily, they finally noticed and ended their conversation reluctantly.

Yan Yan Lingqing and Cai Wei mounted the red horse-beast; Jiang Jiang Qinge stepped onto the carriage.

Li Luo was about to mount the horse-beast himself when he saw Jiang Jiang Qinge look at him, her golden eyes glinting with amusement.

"Aren't you coming up? I still want to hear about your performance in the Academy examination."

Li Luo was startled, then gave a light cough. "Actually, there's nothing to—"

"Then forget it." Jiang Qing'e waved her hand.

"Ahem, but if you really want to hear it, I can still tell you about it." Li Luo quickly changed his tune, darting onto the carriage like a flash of lightning, while weeping inwardly—Jiang Qing'e, you little tormenting sprite.

(End of chapter)