Chapter 272: I’ll only be Senior Brother’s toy

Though the two sides ultimately avoided an outright quarrel, their discussion dragged on for what felt like an eternity.

Xiao Tianyang was this close to dozing off on the spot.

Frankly, their conversation was unbearably dull—yet paradoxically, packed with veiled meaning.

You couldn't exactly call it an argument—no curses were exchanged.

Nor was it outright mockery—though there was certainly some biting sarcasm.

Perhaps the best way to describe it was a battle of passive-aggressive jabs.

In the end, after their so-called "friendly exchange," both parties stormed off with darkened expressions. As for their moods? Predictably foul.

"Hey, Senior Brother, why the dazed look?" Fei Xue nudged the spacing-out Xiao Tianyang. "They've all left. Why are you still standing here?"

"Can't I just stand here if I want to?" Xiao Tianyang shot back, glancing around before lowering his voice. "By the way, did they say anything important?"

"You didn't even listen?" Fei Xue froze, her masked face undoubtedly twisted in disbelief.

"Ahem, well… you know how boring they were. Aside from the last bit, I basically tuned out the rest." Xiao Tianyang coughed awkwardly.

Fei Xue grinned. "Heh. Same here—I didn't listen either."

Xiao Tianyang: "..."

Even without looking, he could picture the smug expression beneath that mask.

"Ah, my mistake. I asked the wrong person." Resigned, Xiao Tianyang turned to Saber instead.

If anyone had paid attention to the conversation between the three—Emperor Xue Ye included—it would be her.

Because Saber took everything seriously.

Boring? Complex? Irrelevant.

Once she committed to something, she saw it through. That was Saber's principle.

Rather than answering directly, Saber said, "This isn't the place. Let's talk on the way."

Xiao Tianyang nodded in agreement.

The four of them set off together, with Zhou Cheng—ever the silent type—trailing wordlessly behind.

As they walked toward their resting area, the corridor was mostly empty, giving Saber the perfect opportunity to summarize:

"Cutting out the useless parts, they only announced the competition venue and the fixed rewards."

"First, this year's event won't be held at the Great Soul Arena. Instead, it'll take place in the Royal Hunting Ground."

"Wow, how extravagant. They even have their own hunting grounds?" Fei Xue scoffed, clearly unimpressed.

"Hey, quit interrupting." Xiao Tianyang flicked her forehead with a smirk. "With my current wealth, I could buy ten hunting grounds for you—no need to drop hints."

"Then don't hit my head!" Fei Xue protested. "I'm not that tall to begin with!"

"Face it, you were doomed from the start. Why even care?" Xiao Tianyang retorted. "Besides, being compact makes you easier to carry around."

"Wow, so I'm petite and cute, but 'pocket-sized'? Are you treating me like a toy now?" Fei Xue bristled like an angry kitten, teeth bared and claws at the ready.

Xiao Tianyang grabbed her collar, lifting her effortlessly to eye level.

"Got a problem with that?"

"...N-No?" Though Fei Xue couldn't see his eyes, the sheer pressure radiating off him was enough to make her back down.

"Fine, toys it is… but I'll only be Senior Brother's toy—"

"Enough nonsense. I don't need people misunderstanding us." Xiao Tianyang shuddered, quickly setting the gremlin down.

Don't be fooled by Fei Xue's playful words—this girl was pure chaos incarnate. Whether in the city or the wild, she was always stirring up trouble, never pausing for breath.

Frankly, if the Rubik's Cube hadn't trapped her for a while, Xiao Tianyang would've been run ragged trying to keep up.

Now that her interest had waned, the gremlin was back to haunting him—and it was exhausting.

'Six sides and nine squares… too simple. Maybe I should give her a Luban Lock next time?' Shaking off the thought, he turned back to Saber. "Continue."

Unfazed by the interruption, Saber calmly resumed: "Next is the promotion round—also called the individual team competition. Aside from our five shortlisted teams, there will be participants from other regions."

"As for the fixed reward, the top three performers will receive a soul ring from a beast under 30,000 years."

"It's useless." Xiao Tianyang shook his head. "Can it be discounted?"

"It's not clear." Saber sighed but offered, "You could always ask Emperor Xue Ye. Given his favor toward you, he might agree."

"Forget it. I don't want to owe favors." Xiao Tianyang knew the unspoken rules. His joke was just that—a joke.

His future favors would be far too valuable to waste on something so trivial.

Besides, a 30,000-year soul beast meant nothing to him. If he really wanted one, he could just head to the Star Dou Forest himself.

As they talked, nearing the rest area, a figure suddenly stepped out from around the corner—blocking their path.

"Hey, who are you? What do you want?" Fei Xue squinted. "Wait, you look familiar… Oh! Aren't you that hot girl from Blazing Fire Academy?"

"Hot girl?" Huo Wu blinked, startled by the title. Since when did she have that nickname?

Meanwhile, Xiao Tianyang's forehead creased with invisible sweat.

"I mentioned that offhand once—why does this gremlin remember everything? And saying it to her face? Is she trying to start a fight?"

Then again… Fei Xue never cared about offending people.

Huo Wu, however, didn't seem angry. Recovering, she locked eyes with Xiao Tianyang.

"I'm here for him."

"For him?" Fei Xue followed her gaze.

"There's something I need to discuss with him." Huo Wu's tone was calm, but her eyes held an unreadable glint when they landed on Xiao Tianyang.

Fei Xue, socially oblivious, missed it entirely.

But Saber didn't.

Though inexperienced in matters of emotion, she recognized that look.

This girl knew Xiao Tianyang—and whatever lay between them wasn't just casual.

As for Xiao Tianyang himself? His pulse spiked.

'Does she recognize me?'

'Impossible. My appearance, aura, even scent—everything's changed. Then how?'

A chilling thought struck him.

Don't tell me…it's a trap?

…

Enjoying the story? Get early access to 10 advanced chapters for just $3.

Your support helps me bring more translated content to you, faster.

patreon.com/DarkLord621