The vermilion staircase built in mid-air was very long. From Ruan Ruoyin’s perspective, the Chibi Character was holding a rabbit lantern larger than half a person’s size, inching forward step by step. Ruan Ruoyin couldn’t help but chuckle and hooked her hand around Fu Ruheng’s.
Fu Ruheng thought she was growing impatient and comforted her, “Sister, just wait a little longer. We’re almost at the very top.”
Passersby who overheard his voice all cast surprised glances at Fu Ruheng, who was wrapped in a black robe, seemingly astonished that someone with such a murderous aura was actually a very young boy.
However, when they noticed there was no second person beside the boy, their hearts skipped a beat, and a chill ran down their spines.
Where was the “sister” the boy was talking about?
Ruan Ruoyin blushed, feeling like a playful child.
She hummed softly while playing with the rabbit lantern’s ears and poked Fu Ruheng’s cheek to show she understood.
Watching the rabbit ears being messed up, Fu Ruheng couldn’t help but let a smile curl at the corner of his lips.
The more time he spent with her, the more childish she seemed.
It was laughable how he had initially mistaken her for a venerable, immortal-like elder.
Fu Ruheng quickened his pace, darting through the crowd in a few flashes until he reached the main area of Mistwater Pavilion.
Ahead stood a massive table adorned with many exquisitely crafted and beautiful lanterns. The largest and most stunning was the one in the center—white, plump like a round snowball, with two perfectly round eyes that looked dazed and innocent, exuding a kind of clear, foolish cuteness.
With just one glance, Fu Ruheng knew she would love it.
That must be the top prize lantern the vendor had mentioned—the Beast Lantern.
Fu Ruheng turned to ask someone nearby, “Excuse me, how do you win the top prize lantern?”
A man in purple glanced at the lantern placed in the center. “The top prize lantern isn’t easy to obtain. The rules change every year. This year, it’s a martial arts competition.”
“Look over there—the competition stage is already set up.”
The purple-clad man pointed toward a high platform not far away.
Fu Ruheng followed his direction and saw that quite a crowd had already gathered there.
Frowning, he asked, “Why are so many people competing for just a lantern?”
The purple-clad man gave Fu Ruheng a once-over. “You must be participating in Mistwater Pavilion’s lantern festival for the first time.”
Fu Ruheng nodded.
The purple-clad man looked as if he had expected as much. “No wonder, then.”
“Although Mistwater Pavilion only offers lanterns as rewards, with these lanterns, one can apply to join its affiliated sects and participate in the Four Sects Grand Competition.”
“Mistwater Pavilion prepares sixteen lanterns each year. Even the lowest-ranked lantern allows the winner to become an inner disciple of their chosen sect.”
“The top prize lantern is even more remarkable. Rumor has it that the winner can enter a sect as a direct disciple, with resources flowing in effortlessly every month.”
The purple-clad man sighed. “The top prize is too difficult. My friends come every year, but they always return disappointed.”
“At best, they manage to take home the lowest-ranked lantern.”
Then, he laughed heartily. “But after participating so many times, it’s become a habit. Even if we can’t win the top prize, competing for a slightly lower-ranked one still feels rewarding.”
Perhaps realizing he had spoken too much, the purple-clad man quickly got to the point. “Brother, if you want to compete for a lantern, go sign up. Once it gets crowded, they stop accepting registrations.”
Fu Ruheng thanked him thoughtfully and headed toward the competition stage.
Beside the stage, a registrar was handling sign-ups.
Fu Ruheng filled out a form, and that counted as a successful registration.
The competition hadn’t started yet, so Fu Ruheng found a spot at the edge and stood there quietly, waiting.
He stood tall and graceful, his broad black cloak unable to conceal his cool, aloof demeanor.
Many women stole glances at him, among whom a young woman in pale cyan robes was the most excited. Unabashedly showing her interest in Fu Ruheng, she pulled her friend along and approached to strike up a conversation.
“Young master, are you also here to participate in the martial competition?”
After asking, Gu Miaomiao looked at him expectantly.
She had never encountered a man with such imposing presence before. With his height and bearing, there was no doubt he was a talented powerhouse.
Surely, among the sixteen lanterns, one must belong to him.
A guaranteed inner sect disciple—if she, Gu Miaomiao, could befriend him, then once he emerged from the Secret Realm of the King Realm expert, she could obtain the opportunities she desired at a minimal cost.
Gu Miaomiao’s heart burned with excitement, already envisioning opportunities beckoning to her.
Her smile grew sweeter as she moved closer to Fu Ruheng.
For every step she took forward, Fu Ruheng retreated a step, not even bothering to speak to her.
Gu Miaomiao’s pride was wounded, her smile turning strained as she tried to soften her voice. “Young master, Miaomiao is speaking to you.”
Her friend beside her placed her hands on her hips and said, “Our Miaomiao is talking to you—are you deaf?”
Gu Miaomiao gently tugged her friend’s hand and said softly, “Xiaoxiao, the young master probably didn’t hear us. We shouldn’t be rude.”
Ning Xiao frowned stubbornly. “Miaomiao, you spoke so loudly that anyone within a hundred meters could hear you. He clearly doesn’t think much of us!”
Gu Miaomiao sighed, maintaining her gentle and magnanimous demeanor. “That’s not necessarily true. The young master might be deep in thought about something and didn’t notice us speaking to him.”
“Miaomiao!” Ning Xiao said disapprovingly. “You can’t always think so highly of others!”
“All these years, if I hadn’t been by your side every moment, you would have been cheated out of everything you have!”
Gu Miaomiao’s gentle expression nearly faltered.
Her foolish friend was truly clueless, completely unaware that she was putting on an act. Gu Miaomiao was far from innocent—every word she spoke was carefully crafted to project her image of purity and kindness.
Adjusting her subtle expressions, Gu Miaomiao nodded with a touch of emotion. “These years haven’t been easy, but I’m glad you’ve been by my side, Xiaoxiao.”
Using your brashness and willfulness to highlight my gentleness and thoughtfulness.
Ning Xiao raised an eyebrow smugly. “Miaomiao, it’s good that you understand.”
Suddenly, Ning Xiao shot a disdainful glance at Fu Ruheng. “Miaomiao, look at this person—he doesn’t even show his true face. I think he’s just a fraud who doesn’t know his own strength, here to try his luck.”
“This…” Gu Miaomiao hadn’t expected Ning Xiao to play along so well, even saying things to provoke hostility. She pursed her lips, pretending not to know how to respond.
Ning Xiao nudged Gu Miaomiao’s hand with her elbow. “Miaomiao, don’t speak up for him. Once I fight him, you’ll see if he has any real skill.”
Only the strong have the right to ignore their words; the weak should grovel and flatter them.
Gu Miaomiao said with concern, “Xiaoxiao, let it go. What if you get hurt…”
Ning Xiao had already made up her mind. Drawing her sword, she said sternly, “Miaomiao, step aside.”
Seeing that she couldn’t dissuade Ning Xiao, Gu Miaomiao turned to Fu Ruheng and said, “Young master, Xiaoxiao’s cultivation is not yet refined. Please go easy on her.”
Her face was gentle and radiant, her delicate brows furrowed, easily evoking pity in others.
Fu Ruheng did not even glance at her. He pursed his lips irritably, a violent killing intent raging in his heart.
If only these blind fools could all die.
Why did they always have to jump around in front of him?
He only wanted to participate in the competition, to win the adorable Beast Lantern for his sister.
He only wanted to spend a festival with his sister.
These people insisted on popping up to disturb them.
Insisted on tainting his happiness.
What if his sister became unhappy because of them?
Seeing that the rabbit ears on the lantern showed no signs of being pressed down, Fu Ruheng grew even more agitated.
His sister was already unhappy.
She wasn’t even touching the rabbit ears anymore.
His sister must really hate these two women. He would just kill them.
Kill them, and his sister could touch the rabbit lantern he bought again.