Chapter 9 Byes Open

Yinya's action seemed unintentional, but in truth, it was a test.

If Tao Xi accepted the golden sound feather leaf, it would mean she still left a door open for him.

But Tao Xi did not give him that chance.

She had neither the right nor the intention to trample on Yinmi's feelings — emotionally, logically, or otherwise.

The one who shared a beautiful past with Yinmi was Qianshen, not her.

Tao Xi was clear-headed. She knew that making her stance known early was the kindest option.

Yin Mi felt a deep discomfort, mixed with confusion, at her rejection.

But as the Yin Shi Lou Lou Qi — a race who valued clarity and endings — he quickly understood.

After growing up alongside Tao Xi for so many years, he had long sensed her lack of romantic affection.

To her, he was family, a brother.

And yet, he had fallen for her anyway.

He lied to himself: She doesn't like anyone else. I'm still the closest to her. One day, we will naturally be together.

Now, Tao Xi shattered that fragile fantasy with a single, gentle strike.

Yinmi was not the kind to force what wasn't his.

After so many years of quiet obsession, it was time to let go.

With a drooping voice, he said,

"I understand. It's getting late. I'll return to my residence."

Without waiting for a response, Yin Mi took off into the sky, his departing figure swaying slightly, carrying the weight of loss.

Tao Xi stood still, feeling no regret.

—

With Yinmi's chapter closed, Qiang Yu, who had been holding Tao Xi's hand tightly, finally released her — but not before pulling something out from his storage ring.

It was a delicate earring, silver with a tassel tail, mirroring the one he wore on his own ear.

With burning ears and a serious face, Qiang Yu gently placed it on Tao Xi's left ear.

"This earring is called Bright Moon.

It's paired with my Qingfeng.

They are defensive magic artifacts that can teleport the wearer away in times of deadly danger.

This is my only memento from the father I never knew…

And now, I'm giving one half to you."

Tao Xi's heart skipped a beat.

In the original book, men's earrings weren't explained much — she never knew they could have such powerful functions.

It wasn't just a life-saving artifact.

It was a true, unmistakable token of love.

Tao Xi's mind swirled.

From the moment they had held hands that day, the relationship between her and Qiang Yu had changed — quietly, naturally, with no need for words.

—

The next day was the grand Wanlai Festival.

It was also when the bye system was officially introduced.

As the name suggested, a "bye" allowed a player to skip a match in a multi-round competition — if they were lucky enough.

Tao Xi, having recently broken through to the primary yellow level after her talk with Qiang Yu, was feeling confident.

Thanks to the matching system that paired players by initial strength, not current strength, her matches today would be far easier.

Of course, some unlucky contestants got matched against those stronger than them — like Qiang Yu, who had faced a yellow-level opponent in the very first round.

It all depended on luck.

Tao Xi wasn't particularly lucky: no byes for her yet.

Still, her strategy was effective — dominate early, control completely, then unleash overwhelming attacks.

She and Qiang Yu sailed through round after round, reaching the sixth round without much resistance.

By now, Tao Xi knew that even if she fought bravely, the seventh round — the top three — would likely be out of reach.

But that was fine.

Her goal was to understand her combat style better, not to win glory.

Taking a deep breath, Tao Xi drew her match opponent for round six:

欜族·治宋 — Zhi Song from the Rang Clan.

At the same time, Qiang Yu also drew his opponent:

Yin Mi.

Tao Xi turned to Qiang Yu in the waiting room, frowning slightly.

"Qiang Yu, is your opponent difficult?

I drew the Young Master's adopted sister from the Rang Clan…

Honestly, anyone making it to the sixth round isn't easy. I'm a little nervous."

When Tao Xi realized she would be fighting the heroine, she couldn't help feeling speechless.

Since ancient times, supporting characters existed only to highlight the heroine's brilliance.

Winning wouldn't be easy.

But Tao Xi was determined.

Even if she lost, she refused to lose to the heroine who, in the original book, had harmed Qiang Yu so deeply.

Now that she was Qiang Yu's chosen partner, she couldn't afford to lose even her pride.

Qiang Yu, seeing her worry, smiled and patted her head.

"Don't worry, Xixi.

Zhi Song isn't a true blood member of the Rang Clan.

Without the clan's core techniques, she won't be invincible.

You can absolutely fight her."

Since the day they fell in love, their ways of addressing each other had changed naturally.

Tao Xi originally thought about calling him something sweet like "Ayu," but in the end, calling him by his full name with a slightly spoiled tone felt more intimate.

As for Qiang Yu calling her "Xixi" — he was confident that he, not the Yin clan chief, would be the one standing by her side.

Qiang Yu then added,

"My opponent is the owner of Oton Restaurant, Yin Mi.

He's a bit tricky but manageable."

Tao Xi's mood lightened.

—

The match was fast approaching.

Both Tao Xi and Zhi Song took flight to the competition stage.

Tao Xi didn't know if her control-heavy tactics could defeat the lucky heroine this time, but she had to try.

Meanwhile, Zhi Song, receiving information from her mysterious system, learned Tao Xi's current cultivation level — and her heart froze.

She's stronger than me?

Impossible.

There was a flicker of murderous intent in Zhi Song's eyes.

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