"Qin Xiaowan? What are you doing here?" Ye Feifei couldn't help but ask the girl in front of her.
"I came for the preliminary trials, but I've already competed. The qualification tournament is tomorrow. Right now, I'm just watching these people fight to get some more combat experience," Qin Xiaowan said with a smile.
However, Qin Xiaowan's gaze was fixed on Ye Tian, while his eyes were also on her. Their eyes met for a moment before they both quickly looked away.
Ye Tian saw a trace of resentment and helplessness in her gaze. It was a complex feeling he couldn't quite put into words. He had a faint sense that she had changed a great deal—she had matured, becoming better at hiding her inner emotions.
Looking at Ye Tian, however, Qin Xiaowan felt a deep frustration. 'I should hate him. I should hate him with every fiber of my being.' But when their eyes met, the seething hatred in her heart suddenly diminished, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
'Ye Tian, sooner or later, I will make you suffer,' Qin Xiaowan told herself. 'I'll never forget the debt owed to the Qin Family. Never.'
"Xiaowan, these matches are almost over, and there's not much left to see. I haven't seen you in so long. Let's find a place to chat, and you can tell me how you've been," Ye Feifei said.
Ye Feifei and Qin Xiaowan had once been the best of friends, as close as sisters. But because of Ye Tian's actions, the Qin Family had been destroyed, and their friendship had grown distant. While Ye Feifei felt no differently, Qin Xiaowan couldn't help but feel a certain repulsion. The feeling of being with the daughter of her family's enemy was unbearable.
Although her father, Qin Wushuang, hadn't been killed by the Ye Family's hands, he wouldn't have taken his own life if not for them. Therefore, her hatred for the Ye Family was immense. But she knew this wasn't the time for revenge. The Ye Family was constantly growing stronger, while her own strength was far too weak; it would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
'A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years. Once I'm strong enough, I will get justice for my family and make the Ye Family pay. For now, I can only pretend I've let go of my hatred, as if nothing ever happened.'
Qin Xiaowan glanced at Ye Feifei and smiled. "I was just thinking the same thing. Once we both get into Linyuan Academy, we can be together all the time."
Ye Tian was surprised and rather pleased that Qin Xiaowan could be so open. Her expression as she spoke seemed completely natural. 'If someone truly harbored such hatred, they couldn't fake it this well,' he thought. 'The eyes always betray one's true thoughts.'
"Alright, let's go. By the way, which inn are you staying at?" Ye Tian asked.
"I'm staying in a common guesthouse. The inns in Lin Yuan City are very expensive, and I can't afford one. But anyway, let's not talk about that!" Qin Xiaowan said with a smile.
The three of them then left the area of the preliminary trials. Their departure naturally drew some attention, especially the appearance of Qin Xiaowan, which startled many. Her previous performance on the fighting stage had left a lasting impression.
However, others noticed Ye Tian. They wondered who this young man could be, walking with two young women. Though one of them wore a veil, her figure and bearing suggested she was also a great beauty.
"Xiaowan, come stay with us! We got two of the better rooms, so it's perfect—one for Ye Tian and one for the two of us. I've had so much to tell you since you've been gone. So it's settled! Is there anything you need to get from your guesthouse? If not, why don't we go straight back to our inn?" Ye Feifei said with a smile.
Ye Feifei had her guard down completely around Qin Xiaowan. If Qin Xiaowan had wanted to harm her, it would have been incredibly easy. Perhaps it was because Qin Xiaowan was fundamentally too kind, or perhaps it was Ye Feifei's own sincerity that prevented such thoughts from ever entering Qin Xiaowan's mind.
Qin Xiaowan pondered for a moment before replying, "I don't have much to grab at the guesthouse, just a few sets of clothes. Why don't you wait for me? It's not far from here. I'll be back soon."
"Let's all go together. There's still some time before dinner anyway, so we can take a proper look around Lin Yuan City. You got here before us, so you must know your way around better than we do," Ye Feifei said with a smile.
"I rarely wander the streets myself. Lin Yuan City is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. How could a lone woman like me dare to draw attention to herself? I think we should just head back to the inn after I grab my things," Qin Xiaowan said.
Before long, Qin Xiaowan had retrieved her belongings. Ye Tian settled the bill for her room, and the three of them slowly made their way back to their own inn.
The three of them sat in Ye Tian's room for a long time, talking mostly about the current Linyuan Academy recruitment. The news that even disciples at the Early Two Veins stage were participating made them all feel the pressure.
Eventually, Ye Tian had the inn's waiter bring up several exquisite side dishes. The three of them ate and talked late into the night before Ye Feifei and Qin Xiaowan finally returned to their own room.
The next day, all three were up early. Today was the day of Qin Xiaowan's qualification match. She was quite confident, having already won three consecutive matches. She could have advanced directly, but she wanted to fight one more time to gain more combat experience.
After quickly washing up, the three went downstairs and had some breakfast in the inn's main hall. "Xiaowan, you'll definitely get through this time! We believe in you!" Ye Feifei said.
"Mhm, I won't let you down!" Qin Xiaowan said with a smile.
The three then headed toward the outer fighting stages of Linyuan Academy. The area was already packed with people. Today's event was the most thrilling part of the recruitment, and all the young men and women participating in the qualification matches looked incredibly excited.
After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the middle-aged man from the previous day stood atop the fighting stage. "Today is the final and most critical day of Linyuan Academy's recruitment of outer disciples. Whether or not you can successfully become a student of Linyuan Academy all comes down to this last battle.
So, you must all give it your absolute best. Those who enter Linyuan Academy will be cultivated with the best resources. Those who fail may never get another chance to change their fate.
All who have successfully advanced over the past few days, please come up to the stage! We will once again draw lots to determine your opponents. Winners will remain, and losers will be eliminated. We will continue until only one hundred people are left. Seize this opportunity. Don't let it slip by!"
Instantly, the crowd erupted in a clamor. One by one, the young men and women streamed toward the fighting stages. Qin Xiaowan also made her way slowly toward the stage, but as she did, countless eyes fell upon her…