Having spent several years in her grandfather's military camp, Song Yueyao had long ago grasped a fundamental truth.
When it came to the male species, whether old or young, fists were the most straightforward way of communicating.
Xiaomi often muttered that there was no worry in the world that a hotpot meal couldn't solve.
For them, the equivalent would be: there is no conflict in the world that a good fight cannot resolve.
At times like these, there was no need for anyone to step forward and uphold justice.
It all simply came down to whose power was greater.
The weak could only be the first to lower their heads and yield.
And right now, neither of them was willing to be the first to bow down.
Jiang Zhiyu watched, completely dumbfounded.
He had originally thought Wu Li would lose. After all, his master summoning his primordial spirit was, in a sense, a desperate ultimate move meant to snatch life from the jaws of death, yet he had actually fought Wu Li to a draw.
He couldn't help but turn his gaze toward the calm-looking youth. What terrified him was that Wu Li didn't even seem to be using his full strength.
Under these circumstances, he feared it would take his master's true body descending in person to suppress Wu Li.
It was just a pity that his master's true body had long been destroyed.
However, Ji Bai was no pushover either. He immediately summoned his defensive magical artifact. A golden light burst forth, completely blocking the incoming Gu power and malevolent aura.
In doing so, offense and defense advanced together.
Ji Bai gradually realized that this brat had a fatal flaw: he was overly aggressive and reckless. When fighting, he only cared about attacking fiercely, completely ignoring his own defense.
It was as if this life didn't even belong to him.
His eyes darkened slightly.
This kind of fighting style was ultimately just the arrogance of youth. If he ever encountered someone with ulterior motives... it would likely become the greatest tribulation of his life.
You little brat, I am going to bring out the big guns! Ji Bai shouted in a deep voice. I suggest you protect yourself while you still can, and do not blame me for not warning you!
Heh. Wu Li sneered. With a raise of his hand, a malevolent aura surged, surrounding Ji Bai like a tide of black ink. No need for you to worry. I cannot die anyway, so you had better just look out for yourself.
Lili.
Suddenly, a crisp voice rang out from behind him.
Wu Li froze for a moment and turned his head.
Seeing the young girl behind him clearly, he immediately realized it was that wretched old man's illusion magic.
But it was too late.
In that brief instant of distraction, a golden light tore through the air, crashing into him with a piercing momentum.
Boom—
His entire body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, forcibly blasted back dozens of meters before slamming heavily into the enclosing wall.
The wall cracked, and rubble tumbled to the ground.
Dust and smoke rose all around.
If he had only kept a bit of his malevolent aura to protect himself just now, he absolutely would not have fallen for such a sneak attack.
Wu Li propped himself against the wall and slowly stood up, raising a hand to wipe away the trail of blood seeping from his lips. The look in his eyes was completely unpredictable.
He never expected this. When the old thing said he was bringing out the big guns, he thought it would be some kind of head-on ultimate move.
He had not imagined it would be a dirty trick.
It was certainly an eye-opener. He thought he was the only one who played dirty, but who would have thought that a highly respected alchemist of the Jingming Platform would also stoop to this level.
Ji Bai's form could no longer hold on. Like a wisp of smoke, he drifted back into the white cat's body. The white cat shook itself, walked slowly up to Wu Li, and looked up at him.
A trace of hope was hidden in its eyes.
I have won. Now, I only require you to do one thing. Sincerely apologize to me for what happened last night, and I will let bygones be bygones.
This was the final opportunity it was offering.
As long as this brat was willing to lower his head just once and say he was sorry.
It would completely let go of its grudge and truly treat him as a promising pupil.
From then on, it would teach him well, passing on everything it knew. Alongside the girl Xiaomi, it would plant seeds and cultivate this field, waiting for the warmth of spring and the blooming of flowers.
Tch. Wu Li shot it a sidelong glance, his brows and eyes full of mockery. Old man, it is not even dark yet. Why are you daydreaming?
Losing was losing.
But he was not convinced, and he refused to concede.
What is more, apologizing was something he could only ever do to one person in this lifetime.
Ruthless, vicious, and stubbornly mischievous. You truly are unteachable! Its voice was low, laced with the very last shred of suppressed patience. I will ask you one more time. Do you admit your mistake or not?
Admit my foot. I did not do anything wrong. Wu Li lazily lifted his eyelids.
Apologize to me!
No.
Apologize!
In your dreams!
...
When even a fight could not settle the matter.
Ultimately, someone still had to step forward and uphold justice.
Inside the Phantom Sound Pavilion.
A man and a woman stood side by side under the shade of the wisteria.
The sun was high in the sky, and the heatwave was like fire.
Jiang Zhiyu looked up at the sun, vaguely feeling that the abnormal weather in Thousand Mists Town likely had a lot to do with the mineral vein. Because the Scarlet Fire Sand had been excavated from underground, heat surged from the earth's veins, baking this area like a steamer.
Fortunately, his master had already filled in the vein. Presumably, the weather would return to normal before long.
He pulled out his folding fan, fanned Yaoyao beside him, and asked casually, Yaoyao, do you know what exactly Wu Li did to make my master so angry?
In his memory, although his master was strict, he had never gotten this angry at him. Why was he taking it so personally and getting so furious with Wu Li?
Song Yueyao gave him a sharp flick on the forehead, rolling her eyes cleanly. How would I know? You do not even know when Wu Li left last night. What use are you?
Jiang Zhiyu rubbed his head, pouting in grievance.
However, the fan in his hand waved even more vigorously.
He was still somewhat useful, right? He had rescued his master in time, saving the white cat's physical body.
But clearly, something else must have happened before that.
It was just a pity that his master refused to say.
He would rather go complain to Xiaomi.
He looked up toward the distance.
Among the flower corridors below the Phantom Sound Pavilion, there was a swing.
Xiaomi was sitting on it. She had slept until the sun was high in the sky, and she was still a bit groggy.
Gripping the swing with both hands, she swayed slowly, listening to the white cat's grief-stricken and indignant account.
The cat was so angry that its back arched repeatedly, and its whiskers were trembling.
Jiang Zhiyu watched for a while and suddenly noticed something was off.
It is so hot today. Is Xiaomi not sweltering in those clothes?
The little girl on the swing was actually wearing a high-collared, double-layered top. She was wrapped up tightly from her neck to her ankles. When she gripped the swing ropes, she even held onto her sleeves tightly, as if she were afraid of the cold, hiding her arms entirely inside.
Except for her face, it seemed not a single patch of skin was exposed.
Song Yueyao shot him a glance. Why do you care what she is wearing? Xiaomi looks good in anything.
I did not say she did not look good, Jiang Zhiyu said sheepishly. I just thought it was weird...
Maybe it is something new Wu Li bought for her, Song Yueyao said casually.
Ever since they left Falling Star Plateau, Wu Li had become exceptionally enthusiastic about buying things for Xiaomi. Food, daily necessities, clothes, and all sorts of fun and novel trinkets—as long as he saw them on the street, he would buy them and bring them back.
It was a good thing Xiaomi had a Cosmos Bag on her, big enough to hold it all.
Despite Wu Li's young age, and not knowing what kind of experiences he had growing up, he was incredibly skilled at taking care of people, handling everything with meticulous attention.
It would not be an exaggeration to say he doted on Xiaomi as if she were his younger sister or even his daughter.
