That night's drinking session went on until the world spun.
It wasn't until the following day at noon that everyone began to sober up one by one.
After a brief rest, Li Zhexian and his group escorted the three teams to the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
"Sword Wine…"
Feng Xiaotian's eyes burned with intensity as he fixed his gaze on Li Zhexian and said earnestly:
"This time, I lost."
"Half a year from now, at the Spirit Master Tournament, let's have a rematch!"
Huo Wushuang raised his fiery brows and asked:
"Brother Sword Wine, you will be taking part in the Spirit Master Tournament, won't you?"
Li Zhexian thought for a moment before shaking his head with a smile.
"Half a year from now—who can say for sure?"
"At least right now, I don't have much interest."
Huo Wu stepped forward, her small fist thumping lightly but firmly against his chest, her smile bright and confident.
"Sword Wine, you have to join!"
"In these next six months, we'll definitely find a way to counter your sword techniques!"
The supervising teachers' voices urged them to hurry.
From the Elephant Armored Sect, Huyan Li led six burly men, his voice booming like a great bell.
"Brother Sword Wine! Brother Yu Tianheng! My friends!"
"In half a year, we'll see each other again at the Spirit Master Tournament!"
"Take care!"
Dust rose from the official road.
The figures of the three departing teams grew smaller and smaller in the haze until they became nothing but faint black dots.
Li Zhexian and the others watched for a moment before turning to go back to the city.
"Sword Wine…"
Yu Tianheng suddenly stopped and said solemnly:
"How about…"
"You join the Emperor Team? I'm willing to give up my captain position!"
"With you, the tournament championship will surely belong to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy!"
At those words—
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's beautiful eyes lit up.
The four others, including Yu Feng, were stunned at first, but quickly voiced their agreement.
If Li Zhexian were to join, they'd gladly withdraw one member to make space for him.
Li Zhexian met their earnest, eager gazes and shook his head with a smile.
"Forget it."
"Like I said, I'm used to the freedom of a drifting cloud and wild crane—I can't bear the constraints."
"Your team's composition isn't weak; you have a great chance of making it into the top three of the Spirit Master Tournament."
He wasn't just being polite.
Because of his presence—
The butterfly's wings had already stirred a storm across the Douluo Continent.
Aside from Zhu Zhuqing, the Shrek Seven Monters had missed out on the immortal herbs opportunities, their overall strength greatly diminished.
By contrast, the Emperor Team had Dugu Yan, who had obtained the Blood Swan Kiss—her strength would surely soar in the next six months.
Yu Tianheng, though repeatedly defeated, had only grown more determined. Through trial and grinding, his edge was beginning to show.
The same could be said for Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, and the rest.
With such gains and losses…
This year's Spirit Master Tournament—
Would be a fierce, stormy clash worth looking forward to.
Seeing the faint disappointment in the Emperor Team's eyes, Li Zhexian changed the subject:
"With the tournament approaching, you should intensify your special training. I happen to be planning a trip to the Wind Sword Sect in the next few days."
"Wind Sword Sect?"
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the others were stunned.
That group of blue-robed sword wielders with black silk over their eyes?
"Idol, are you going there to train your sword?"
Yufeng blurted out.
Li Zhexian nodded.
His gaze drifted toward the ever-present winds within Heaven Dou City.
In his eyes, those invisible currents had begun to reveal faint, profound patterns.
"Back in the Star Dou Forest, Elder Feng Xiao and the young sect master Feng Buyu invited me to visit."
"This trip to the Wind Sword Sect may bring me some new insights."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's eyes flickered with a desire to go, but thinking of the imminent training, they could only pout. "Are you going alone? Without anyone for company?"
Li Zhexian smiled casually.
"It's only a few days. Why would I need company?"
At that moment, the silent Xue Qinghe suddenly tugged lightly at Li Zhexian's sleeve.
"The Emperor Team still has to train hard. Since you and I are idle, we shouldn't be in the way."
"How about fishing at Lotus Lake?"
"Sounds good."
Watching Li Zhexian and Xue Qinghe walk off side by side,
Yu Tianheng and the others shook their heads and sighed, their words filled with "envy" for Li Zhexian's carefree life.
Dugu Yan bit her red lip. She suddenly leaned close to Ye Lingling's ear and whispered something. Ye Lingling's clear blue eyes widened abruptly, and her delicate, cold face was filled with disbelief.
"No... no way..."
Dugu Yan nudged her with her shoulder and winked slyly. "Then you go and try?"
"H-How am I supposed to try…"
Ye Lingling's cheeks flushed red, and she glared playfully.
"Yanyan, you're teasing me again. Why don't you try?"
"Who says I won't? I'll do it when Brother Zhexian comes back…"
...
By the side of Lotus Lake, a gentle breeze blew. It rustled through the lush green grass, and the water's surface rippled with shimmering waves.
Li Zhexian and Xue Qinghe sat side by side, fishing rods hanging over the water, the atmosphere calm and serene.
Then—
Xue Qinghe suddenly spoke.
"Li Zhexian, I'll ask you a few questions. You must answer immediately."
Li Zhexian kept his eyes on the float and replied casually:
"Go ahead."
"Which is more pleasant—spring or summer?"
"Spring."
"Which is tastier—Three-Immortal Chicken or Seven-Treasure Duck?"
"Three-Immortal Chicken."
"Which is more refreshing—Burning Knife Liquor or Hundred-Flower Brew?"
"Burning Knife."
"Who's more beautiful—Dugu Yan or Ye Lingling?"
"…"
Li Zhexian's mouth hung open.
The answer that nearly slipped out was forcibly stuck in his throat.
He turned to look at Xue Qinghe.
She still faced the lake, her expression focused—
It was as if that shockingly wide-ranging and provocative question had not come from her mouth.
"Why aren't you answering?" She asked without looking at Li Zhexian.
Li Zhexian sighed helplessly. "How am I supposed to answer such a tricky question?" Besides, why are you asking this?"
"Just a casual question." Xue Qinghe was silent for a moment before changing the topic. "When will you set off tomorrow?"
"Between seven and nine in the morning."
"I'll be tied up with state affairs tomorrow, so I won't be able to see you off."
"It's nothing. I'll be back in a few days—no need for a send-off."
Yesterday, he had seen others off.
Today, it was his turn to set out.
Over ten miles outside Heaven Dou City—
Li Zhexian led his Windchaser Horse and smiled as he waved to the Emperor Team members who had come to see him off:
"My friends, head back. I'll see you in a few days."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling stepped forward one after another, handing him carefully prepared food, drink, and a change of clothes.
Li Zhexian thanked them each in turn, his gaze sweeping toward the city.
As expected, Xue Qinghe hadn't come.
He said no more, swung into the saddle, and with a flick of the reins—
"Hyah!"
The Windchaser let out a long neigh, its hooves pounding the ground,
Kicking up a trail of dust as it sped into the distance.
Watching the white-clad youth vanish completely down the road, Yu Tianheng let out a long sigh.
"I wonder how much sharper his sword will be when he returns this time…"
"Let's go. If we don't go back and train hard, we won't even be able to see his shadow."
Hearing that—
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling quietly clenched their fists.
...
The official road was winding.
Li Zhexian rode his horse at a gallop. As he rounded a steep bend, a flash of pure white suddenly entered his vision amid the swirling yellow dust.
It was a strikingly beautiful white Windchaser Horse.
But even more dazzling than the horse—
Was the rider upon it.
A long, golden hair that flew in the wind, as if it had condensed the light of the sun. And that breathtakingly beautiful back, as if she were alone in the world...