Luo Yun Ge, the number one genius of the Luo Clan, the first in this generation to reach the grandmaster realm of the Dao of Poetry.
Tian Qiu felt that this person's temperament was extremely eccentric. He was only interested in befriending those he considered talented.
As for ordinary people like Luo Wu Chang, he showed a bit of disdain when standing beside them.
Tian Qiu slightly frowned, his gaze like a blade glancing at the two shoulders draped over him: "Why is this guy here?"
Suddenly a strange feeling rose in him, mixed with a chill down his spine: "It feels like I am acting in a boy love drama with two men?"
He cleared his throat: "Brother Yun, can we... put our hands down?"
Luo Yun Ge patted his shoulder, laughing heartily as if this were completely normal. A man draping his arm over another man had no consequences.
"We are close brothers, do not fuss over trivial matters."
"We are men so it is fine, right?"
Luo Yun Ge even leaned close to his ear and whispered, his voice ambiguous: "That's right. Outsiders will only think we are brothers."
When Luo Tian Qiu heard this, he immediately revealed a wicked smile.
He withdrew his arm, stepped back one step, leaving the other two still with their arms over each other's shoulders.
At that moment, Luo Yun Ge and Luo Wu Chang seemed to wake up. Both turned their heads at the same time, looking at each other with eyes full of panic.
Luo Tian Qiu stepped forward again, arms spread wide embracing both of them. Pulling them even closer together, his face unchanged. His voice extremely despicable: "I think you two suit each other very well. A perfect match."
After saying that, he calmly let go, stepped back two steps, clasped his hands seriously: "Then I wish you two... a hundred years of happiness."
Luo Wu Chang blushed and shouted: "I do not like men! You know that clearly!"
"I did not force you to marry a man. Why react so strongly?"
Both sides immediately separated, brushing their hands repeatedly.
Tian Qiu walked over, pointed at Yun Ge: "Look. Did he say anything?"
Luo Wu Chang muttered, brushing his hands while speaking in a low voice: "He finds it disgusting, so he does not even want to speak…"
Indeed, Luo Yun Ge was frowning. His face wrinkled as if he had touched something filthy, continuously brushing his shoulders.
"Ha ha ha!"
Luo Tian Qiu laughed like a madman.
At this moment, the other two could only shake their heads: "Luo mad dog, mad Qiu, dog Qiu... truly the most flowery phrases to describe you."
"What kind of person bursts into laughter like a lunatic at the slightest thing."
After laughing, Tian Qiu turned and ran off, leisurely walking forward, leaving the two behind to slowly "have a talk".
"Hmph."
"Hmph."
Two cold snorts sounded simultaneously.
One was a genius, believing only in the phrase "near ink becomes black, near light becomes bright". One was overly ordinary, without any outstanding talent.
"You think being a genius is impressive? Being second place is great?"
"It is impressive! It is great! Better than some ordinary fellow who only knows how to trail behind others all day like an annoying leech."
"You…"
"You what you!"
Luo Wu Chang was speechless, not knowing what more to say. He could only sigh, raise his hand in surrender: "Fine, you win. You win, alright?"
This was a point everyone liked about him. Argue when arguing, but still keep rationality.
And when unable to win, calmly admit he could not win.
Who does not like to win, even if it is just an argument.
In this argument, clearly he had lost. But in terms of people's hearts, he had won a point, that was showing how benevolent he was.
They had won, yet still had to respect him a little. Because that way of losing was kind and calm, like a cool breeze among hot tempered people.
A moment later, Luo Wu Chang finally caught up with Luo Tian Qiu.
"Brother Qiu, next time do not leave me in the same place with that arrogant guy."
"After linking arms for so long, did you not feel anything?"
Tian Qiu fell into contemplation, hand stroking his chin. Luo Wu Chang frowned, full of unease: "Are you joking with me again?"
Clearly the other party had talismans to assist movement. Yet deliberately walked slowly to wait for him.
Suddenly Tian Qiu laughed loudly, laughing as if he had never hidden anything: "You are my best brother. I never misjudge people."
Then he slung his arm over him like before, joking: "Of course. If I joke too far, our Chang Chang will forgive me anyway. Am I right."
Luo Wu Chang lightly gritted his teeth: "You are right. You are… right about everything."
In front of the academy gate, murmurs sounded like waves crashing. An old woman with messy hair and a hunched back sat silently beside a purple mat, drawing everyone's gaze.
"Who is that? Why is she sitting in front of the academy?"
"Not sure. Although the four great clans allow disciples to interact, outsiders are forbidden from entering. How did she get in?"
A female disciple exclaimed softly, eyes sparkling: "A fortune teller? Then let me see who my future Dao companion is!"
"And I want to know when I will get rich."
In the crowd, three youths stood with arms crossed. Eyes full of contempt.
"Hmph, just fortune telling. What is so surprising!" The one who spoke was Luo San Yuan, leader of the Luo Third Young Masters.
"Big brother speaks correctly. Eight out of ten fortune tellers are frauds." The second, Luo San Bao continued.
"Let's see what she says." Luo San Cai grinned.
These three were called the Luo Third Young Masters, with reputation in excess, strength average. Specializing in bullying the weak, their mouths unbeatable, their hands never daring to strike anyone stronger than themselves.
All three stepped forward. Before they could speak, the old woman's voice rang out, slow yet sharp: "You all are carrying an obsession… about a young man."
Her gaze seemingly swept past the three.
"That person… is the center of all attention."
As soon as the words ended, all three froze. Cold sweat began forming on their foreheads.
Before them was a silver haired old woman, sitting cross legged on the mysterious purple mat.
In the center of the mat was a crystal ball, reflecting faint light like stars. On both sides were two stacks of purple covered books: "Astrology Art", small line below: Techniques of the divination Dao.
The old woman's eyes were bottomless. At this moment, her gaze seemed to say: "Accurate or not?"
Without another word, all three turned and ran. In their hearts only two words: Too accurate.
They were indeed obsessed with a young man. Especially very afraid of him.
That person's methods were so ruthless that they could never forget in their lifetime. Some scars still remained on their bodies, though small, but deep. Because at that time… they were still just children.
Even now, recalling it still made them shiver.
The whole academy began to stir. A fortune teller had just appeared, yet spoke with terrifying accuracy.
At this time a fourteen year old youth walked past, followed by a young girl of similar age.
Their faces were speckled with mud, hair messy, seemingly just bullied. The journey to the academy had not been smooth.
Whispers rose again like a disturbed beehive.
"It is him… the orphan adopted by the clan leader."
"No, I heard he is an illegitimate child not acknowledged."
"So that is it. Not favored…"
There were ignorant gossipers, and also fierce ones gossiping:
"Hmph! Just a waste, cannot even use a spirit drawing tool."
"You speak rightly. In the cultivation world, it does not matter what your background is. It depends on whether you are chosen to be called the three words cultivation practitioner."
"A waste like this would be killed within three steps outside."
"What is his name again?"
"Ye Fan, seems that is his name?"
After speaking of him, someone turned to speak of his younger sister.
"Who is following him?"
"His younger sister. Seems not blood related, lived with him since childhood."
Another saw his younger sister had some beauty, unable to resist teasing.
"Already taken a liking, huh. Raising a wife from childhood."
"With this face, once she grows a bit more, she can go to a brothel, become a courtesan."
The person beside could not endure hearing it and asked lightly.
"Who taught you to say that?"
"My father."
"Damn!"
He endured every gossip willingly, only silently grinding his teeth.
But whenever it involved his younger sister, all the hair on his body stood up: "You are not allowed to speak ill of my younger sister."
Everyone turned to look at him, both ignorant and fierce: "Do you know those words you say are disgusting!?"
"If you want to be affectionate, go somewhere dark to say it."
Some criticized his moral values, others said his heart was narrow, unable to endure idle words.
"Those words are nothing. If your spirit is weak then do not listen, lest you trouble yourself."
"You do not know. When we were young, the words we heard were far worse than now. See that Luo mad dog, did he ever complain once?"
"At most if impatient he would use his hands. Not like you, touched a bit and bristle up like a kitten."
Someone added with contempt:
"That is the difference between genius and waste..."
Ye Fan did not bother responding, only held Ye Ling Long's hand and walked away. Ignoring the words, though a bit uncomfortable inside.
But he could only endure. After all, born abandoned by his parents, not even a single inquiry. The only relic left was an ancient ring.
Only knowing that when conscious, he was already in the Luo Clan. Beside him was a younger sister to take care of.
She was the remaining bit of hope, making him strive each day in this harsh life.
Just as the two passed the fortune telling stall, an old hoarse voice rose from the shadows: "The chosen one, king's fate in the palm. The final victor among the thirty six paths."
A light rustling sound, dry leaves rolling across the path, like emphasis to the strange prophecy.
At the same time, two figures arrived at the gate. Luo Tian Qiu and Luo Wu Chang.
All eyes unconsciously turned to the gate. Some stared. Some were fascinated. Some sympathetic, some hateful. Some young girls bit their sleeves, some stepped back, eyes uneasy with fear.
All were directed at them. Not elsewhere.
Tian Qiu was very clear. Those gentle, fluttering or regretful gazes. He glanced toward Wu Chang.
As for those sharp, hateful or wary eyes. He looked straight at them as if reflecting upon himself.
Having lived fourteen years, Tian Qiu found this friend very interesting.
Suddenly, the fortune teller spoke again: "Ill fated youth, at most can live four more years."