Chapter Forty-Eight: Xia Yu

At this moment, Xia Yu was wholly unaware that a distinguished guest was about to arrive in her life. She had just returned to her dormitory after participating in the selection trials for the Dragon Division and was deep in intimate conversation with her roommate, Ling Fei.

The Dragon Division was a rather mysterious entity within the government, endowed with immense authority, and each of its members possessed formidable abilities. The group was typically composed of martial artists. The so-called selection trial was the Dragon Division’s method of recruiting new members from the various martial arts families. Xia Yu had participated not only because she possessed innate strength—at the Golden Core stage—but also for a more significant reason: her maternal grandfather was, in fact, one of the principal leaders of the Dragon Division.

After some small talk, Xia Yu pulled out her phone and sent a text to her brother, Xia Tian, arranging to eat together in the cafeteria.

In the cafeteria, Xia Yu and her roommates were already waiting, yet the gentlemen they’d arranged to meet had yet to appear. By “gentlemen,” she meant Xia Tian and the remaining three members of the QH Four Swordsmen, who were always at his side. Of course, Xia Tian was the leader of these so-called Four Swordsmen. Ling Fei, indignant, exclaimed, “What’s this? Making beauties wait?”

As she spoke, a group of handsome young men approached. “Apologies,” said Ling Feng, the second of the Four Swordsmen and the current student council president. “Wen Dong and the others’ teacher ran over time in class. In the spirit of solidarity, we decided to suffer together, so we all came late.”

Seeing his expression as he spoke, Xia Yu felt a twinge of exasperation, but knowing this was simply his nature, she did not take it to heart.

At this point, Xia Tian stepped forward, coming to stand before Xia Yu. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Xiao Yu,” he said simply. Yet those few words left Xia Yu with no reason to be angry, and she replied, “It’s all right.”

Ling Fei, on the other hand, was not so forgiving. She stepped forward, grabbed Ling Feng’s arm, and demanded, “Brother, how are you going to make it up to us? Don’t you know a beauty’s time is precious?”

Xia Yu rubbed her ears. What did Ling Fei just call Ling Feng—brother?

As Xia Yu pondered this, Xia Tian leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Didn’t you know Ling Feng and Ling Fei are siblings?” Seeing the confusion on her face, Xia Tian understood immediately. “What kind of roommate are you, not even knowing this? One’s your close friend, the other’s my best friend, and you never realized they’re brother and sister?”

“But I know now!” she protested, a little aggrieved. “Besides, I haven’t known Ling Fei that long. My grandfather tricked me into that selection trial not long after we met.”

“Oh—I suppose that’s not your fault, then,” Xia Tian replied, apparently understanding, and let the matter drop.

Meanwhile, Bing Yan was already nearby. Her power far surpassed that of Xia Yu, and even Xia Tian, with his Tribulation Transcending strength, had no inkling that someone was quietly observing them. Inwardly, Leng Bing Yan marveled at the profundity of the Chaos Samsara Eye—a divine ability designed to peer into the hearts of others. Those under its spell would be none the wiser and suffer no side effects, but only those of Grand Ascension stage and above could wield it.

Just moments ago, Bing Yan had used the Chaos Samsara Eye on Xia Yu. Though she was aware this was an invasion of privacy and avoided using it unless necessary, this was an exception. She knew next to nothing about Xia Yu and needed to understand her quickly and thoroughly in order to protect her better. In such a case, the Chaos Samsara Eye was the best tool.

Thus, Xia Yu’s inner thoughts were laid bare before Leng Bing Yan, who could not help but sigh. Perhaps it was the resonance between the Phoenix blood in Xia Yu and the Dragon blood in Xia Tian, but there truly seemed to be a subtle, ambiguous tension between these two pretend siblings.

A teasing smile appeared on Bing Yan’s lips. This promised to be quite the show—and she was content to remain a silent, attentive spectator.

The meal was lively and boisterous. Afterward, the group dispersed, and Xia Yu put on the glasses she hadn’t worn for some time. The traces of allure faded from her features, and after ruffling her hair, the delicate, pretty boy reemerged.

It was worth noting that Xia Yu maintained a male identity at school, perhaps to relive her boyhood once more. Only her roommates and Xia Tian were privy to her true situation. The glasses, of course, were meant to hide her striking beauty. In truth, Xia Yu bore a remarkable resemblance to Bing Yan: both possessed unearthly beauty, ethereal as immortals, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.

Strolling along the pond, time seemed to slip by quickly. It was already past eight in the evening when Xia Yu suggested returning to the dormitory. Xia Tian nodded and sighed softly. So be it. Watching her retreating figure, a faint smile crept across his lips, and his eyes grew deeper, more contemplative.

Leng Bing Yan followed after Xia Yu. With a flicker, she silently closed the distance between them.

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The next four or five chapters have undergone significant revisions, which may feel a bit abrupt. This arrangement is primarily to serve the plot of my other novel. I hope everyone can bear with it... After this volume, things get much better.