Chapter 65: Xue Qinghe Seeks a Favor from Li Zhexian, Communication Before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament

The noodle stall's curtain fluttered as seven people walked in one after another.

Leading the group was a tall young man. Though his features were not extraordinarily striking, his brows carried an overbearing and heroic aura, exuding a natural sense of awe-inspiring dominance.

The girl bringing up the rear was particularly eye-catching. A cascade of dark red, voluminous waves fell past her waist, accentuating her delicate facial features and skin that put snow to shame.

She wore a gold-and-red miniskirt, revealing a stretch of slender legs, with a red garter tied around one of them, radiating a fiery, sexy, and bold demeanor.

The remaining five individuals were all young men, clad in matching gold-and-red combat uniforms.

The moment these seven stepped into the noodle stall, a wave of scorching heat rushed toward them, as if even the loose fire-elemental energy in the air had been stirred.

Li Zhexian swept his gaze across them and understood the situation in his heart.

With several academies currently gathering in Heaven Dou City for exchanges and sparring matches prior to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, and given their distinct attire, they could only be from Blazing Academy, one of the Five Elemental Academies.

"It has nothing to do with me anyway."

Li Zhexian ate his noodles mindlessly, his ears perked up to listen to the storyteller at the wine shed across the street.

The seven members of Blazing Academy ordered their noodles and began chatting unceremoniously, as if no one else was around.

"Vice-captain, didn't you go to the Soul Duel Arena?"

One of the members asked, "Did you not run into anyone formidable?"

The long-haired wavy-haired girl was none other than the vice-captain, Huo Wu.

She curled her lips, her gaze sweeping casually over the humble noodle stall.

"No, I'm sick of fighting in the Blazing City's Soul Duel Arena."

"I thought Heaven Dou City might be somewhat interesting, but it turns out to be just so-so."

The tall young man at the head was the captain, Huo Wushuang.

He picked up a teacup, and the cold tea in his hand unexpectedly began to steam with wisps of heat.

"I heard that there is a man here known as the Sword and Wine, whose strength is extraordinary."

The moment the words "Sword and Wine" were uttered, the diners who had deliberately lowered their voices to avoid this group of "uninvited guests" suddenly perked up.

When it came to the Sword and Wine, they were wide awake!

Sensing the subtle change in the atmosphere within the noodle stall, a playful curve formed at the corner of Huo Wu's lips.

"I have also heard a little about the Sword and Wine the captain mentioned."

"It seems this person's reputation in Heaven Dou City is truly not small."

Right at that moment, the storytelling voice from the wine shed across the street raised its pitch once more, recounting the tale of "The Sword and Wine Slaying the Evil Phoenix with a Single Sword."

The members of the Blazing Team raised their brows slightly upon hearing this, their faces lighting up with deep interest.

"Just listening to this storyteller, this Sword and Wine... is indeed very strong."

Huo Wushuang took a sip of hot tea and slowly said, "It is said that Royal Team captain Yu Tianheng couldn't even block a single move from him."

Huo Wu nodded. "Although storytellers often exaggerate, there's no smoke without fire; this person must have extraordinary capabilities."

At this point, steaming bowls of noodles were served.

Huo Wu looked around and noticed that the other diners had quietly moved their seats further away after they entered.

Only the young man in white at the adjacent table remained seated without moving, actually appearing somewhat closer.

She picked up the jar of chili oil, leaned over with a smiling expression, and asked, "Little brother, are you still using this chili?"

Li Zhexian raised his eyes to look at her, scooped a large spoonful of red oil into his own bowl, and casually pushed the jar across.

"All yours."

Whether it was because Li Zhexian remained completely calm and composed in the face of their group, or because he was too engrossed in listening to the storyteller across the street talk about the Sword and Wine, when Huo Wu took the jar, she took the opportunity to taste her noodles and curiously pursued the conversation.

"Little brother, are you also fond of listening to stories about the Sword and Wine?"

Li Zhexian nodded. "Mmm, I love listening to them."

"Have you ever seen him fight in a soul duel? Is he really as formidable as the storyteller claims?"

Li Zhexian smacked his lips.

Making him praise himself?

That was truly a bit... embarrassing to do.

"Formidable."

His tone was resolute. "Even more formidable than what the storyteller says."

"Oh?" Huo Wu raised a brow.

The young man in white before her possessed handsome features and a demeanor that was neither humble nor arrogant; he didn't look like someone who spoke carelessly.

It seemed this Sword and Wine might genuinely be formidable.

A fiery glint flashed in the pupils of Blazing Academy's captain, Huo Wushuang.

"I hope to have the opportunity to witness it on this trip."

Another day passed.

Xue Qinghe carried a food box and paid a personal visit.

The enticing aroma wafting from the box was none other than Li Zhexian's favorite Three-Immortal Chicken.

When Li Zhexian opened the door and saw her, a look of surprise first appeared on his face.

Immediately afterward, he took the food box with utmost naturalness and turned to lead her into the courtyard.

"You busy person actually have time to come to my place?"

Xue Qinghe's gaze swept across the small courtyard, finally landing on the sandalwood rocking chair beneath the plum blossom tree.

The sandalwood rocking chair gleamed with an oily luster, making it obvious at a glance that it was frequently used.

She nodded with satisfaction. "Stealing a moment of leisure amidst a busy schedule."

"By the way... I brought you something to eat."

Li Zhexian placed the food box on the stone table in the courtyard.

Xue Qinghe went into the room with practiced ease and brought out two sets of bowls and chopsticks.

The two of them then shared the fragrant Three-Immortal Chicken beneath the slanting shadows of the plum branches, accompanied by the gentle breeze and the fragrance of plum blossoms.

At last, they began to bicker over a glossy, oily chicken wing.

"Phew..."

Xue Qinghe finally snatched the "spoils of war," chewing on the chicken wing with deep satisfaction and letting out a long sigh of relief.

She looked at Li Zhexian across from her.

The fatigue that had accumulated between her brows over the past few days unconsciously melted away by more than half.

It truly was a strange thing.

Clearly, this fellow frequently made her so angry she wanted to choke.

Yet somehow, she felt like she had developed an addiction, always wanting to spend time in his presence.

It seemed as though as long as she was by his side, no amount of exhaustion could be forgotten.

"Speak."

Li Zhexian took a sip of wine, lowered his cup, and let his gaze fall upon her face.

"What brings you here today?"

Xue Qinghe arched a delicate brow. "Is it that obvious?"

Li Zhexian curled his lip. "Otherwise? If I hadn't noticed you weighed down with worries, do you think I would have deliberately yielded that chicken wing to you?"

"You rarely have business with me, so spit it out."

Seeing hesitation flicker across Xue Qinghe's face, Li Zhexian lazily leaned back against the chair and added, "Having owed you so much money, do you and I still need to beat around the bush?"

Xue Qinghe blinked and stared at Li Zhexian for a long while.

Suddenly, the corners of her lips curved upward, blossoming into a genuine and heartfelt smile.

In truth...

Deep down, she had always resisted coming to Li Zhexian with matters of business.

She constantly feared that this rare and precious bond might become tainted with the scent of utilitarianism, something she deeply disliked.

Yet Li Zhexian's casual remark about "owing money" just now, along with his phrase "you and I," acted like a gentle breeze, blowing away all her misgivings.

Xue Qinghe sorted through her thoughts and began to speak.

"My imperial father's health is failing."

"The responsibility for the academy exchange events prior to this Soul Master Tournament has thus fallen upon my shoulders."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "The academy teams participating this time possess strength that cannot be underestimated."

"The Royal Team represents the dignity of the imperial family, and naturally they cannot afford to lose in Heaven Dou City."

"Although Yu Tianheng and the others are strong and may not necessarily lose, I figured it would still be best to add an extra layer of insurance."

Hearing this, Li Zhexian already understood.

"Your meaning is..."

"If the Royal Team suffers a defeat, I should step up in their place?"

Xue Qinghe smiled gently.

She picked up the flagon and filled Li Zhexian's cup to the brim.

"He who knows me best is Zhexian."

Li Zhexian picked up the wine cup and drained it in a single gulp.

In the back of his mind, the Blazing Team he had encountered yesterday suddenly flashed into his thoughts.

Under Xue Qinghe's smiling, crescent-eyed gaze, he nodded and said, "Then I suppose I'll go join in the fun?"