Today was the start of the selection competition. The two who had fallen asleep together woke early, almost as if by agreement.
On the hillside, Xun'er tidied her messy clothes, her face bright red. Some unconscious, instinctive movements during sleep had caused this.
"Hehe… I'll help you teach him a lesson," Xiao Jietian said gently, patting her hands. "That'll teach you to misbehave."
"Hmph, stop fooling around. You got off easy. Let's go back so Instructor Ruo Lin doesn't come looking for us," Xun'er said, glancing at him, then taking his hand to walk down the mountain.
Back in the attic, Instructor Ruo Lin and Xiao Yan were already there.
"I was going to call for you two, but did you spend all night outside?" Xiao Yu asked, seeing them holding hands.
Xun'er turned scarlet and hid behind Xiao Jietian.
"Xiao Yu, you single dog wouldn't understand," Xiao Jietian teased.
Xiao Yu grabbed Instructor Ruo Lin's hand, placing it on her waist.
"Instructor, don't let go!"
"Ah! Xiao Jietian, you're despicable! Watch me kick you to death!" Xiao Yu waved her arms, pretending to attack.
Mmm… that feels good," Xiao Jietian muttered, bewildered. Everyone else looked shocked, and Ruo Lin wished she could disappear.
"Ahem, since everyone's here, let's depart," Ruo Lin said, clearing her throat.
Led by Ruo Lin, the four reached a massive square, larger and more ancient than the Jia Ma Empire's Royal Square. Each flagstone seemed to tell stories of past legends.
The square was full of people and noise.
"As expected of Jia Nan Academy. The competition will be interesting," Xiao Yan said, feeling the presence of many Da Dou Shi-level cultivators.
"You'll have a chance to fight them," Xiao Jietian said, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"As long as I don't run into Tian Ge, I fear no one. And also Xun'er," Xiao Yan added quietly.
Xiao Jietian smiled. "The early stages are usually simple; the top fifty fight later."
"Do you know something?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed. You'll see when the time comes," Xiao Jietian replied.
Xun'er didn't ask further, content just being by his side.
The four arrived at the Yellow Class Two area, where many classmates were seated.
"Oh, Junior Sister Xun'er is holding hands with a guy! Could he be Xiao Jietian?"
"Is he the mysterious troublemaker everyone fears? But he's handsome. I'm falling for him," whispers spread.
Xun'er leaned against Xiao Jietian, embarrassed. He ruffled her hair, and many hearts nearby shattered.
A tall, white-clad young man looked frustrated from afar. Xiao Jietian noticed but ignored him.
"Dong." A bell tolled, silencing the square.
All eyes turned to the platform. Elders appeared, and beside a white-haired elder stood a red-clad young woman with a devilish figure.
Xiao Jietian guessed she was the Little Enchantress of Jia Nan Academy, Hu Jia. The elder was Vice Dean Hu Gan.
Hu Jia's gaze swept the crowd, landing on Xun'er holding hands with Xiao Jietian. Her displeased smile turned furious.
"Who is that stinky man? How dare he hold Xun'er's hand?"
"He is Xiao Jietian, back after a year's leave," Hu Gan said.
Hu Jia sized him up, thinking: "I'll have to fight him. If he loses, he'll give Xun'er to me."
Hu Gan's eyes lit at first, but then veins popped in his forehead. He sighed, knowing nothing could stop his granddaughter.
Xiao Jietian felt her stare and looked back at Hu Jia. Xun'er whispered, "She is the Dean's granddaughter, the Little Enchantress Hu Jia."
"So she's your admirer. No wonder she's hostile."
Xiao Jietian smiled teasingly at Xun'er.
"That's her business. I don't care. And you're still laughing."
Xun'er pouted, pinching