Every Capital Star Alliance University martial arts tournament attracts widespread enthusiastic attention. After all, everyone who can enter the Alliance University is at least an outstanding talent, if not a top-tier genius.
On top of that, each of them is full of youthful energy and unique beauty. Who doesn’t enjoy watching handsome men and beautiful women? Even if someone’s appearance is plain, the Alliance University filter makes them look attractive, pleasant to the eye, good-looking men, stunning women.
Who isn’t a fan of looks?
Before the competition even began, the livestream was already flooded with viewers, with millions joining every second. The numbers quickly surpassed the usual viewership of a major platform influencer, and the popularity kept climbing relentlessly, eventually reaching billions of viewers.
The host was responsible for warming up the audience before the matches. The aerial “little bee” livestream cameras circled the arena, showing the competitors one by one in the livestream.
“Wow, Alliance University really went all out, hiring elves as hosts! They’re so aloof; this must have cost a fortune.”
“You’re just inexperienced. With the broadcasting fees from other planets alone, the school has already made a huge profit. Not to mention other revenue streams. If you haven’t seen the world, don’t worry about it—Earthlings like us won’t understand.”
“Ahhhh, so many handsome guys and beautiful girls! Hurry up! And you’re paying attention to this instead? This audience is hopeless 【dog-head for survival】.”
Lin Luxi remembered the last time he had attended a lively, normal-human event like this, it was the big sports festival held three years ago.
Three years isn’t short, but it’s not long either.
So much happened during that time that even his memories from when he was eighteen seemed faded. Events in just three years had completely overwritten the past.
He hadn’t participated in such an event for a long time, so it all felt fresh and exciting now.
The surrounding crowd shouted and cheered with enthusiasm, not out of fear of mutant beasts, but out of passionate admiration for the competitors.
It was the vitality of strong life.
At this moment, Lin Luxi felt caught up in the atmosphere, finally grounding himself in a sense of reality.
This was real. He had truly left that chaotic, disorderly world and entered the novel.
But… he wondered how his friends were faring after he left.
He felt a little relieved that he was an orphan, otherwise, his parents would have had to endure the grief of losing a child so young.
Lin Luxi couldn’t help but smile.
The livestream cameras, shaped like little bees, used the most advanced optical cloaking technology, controlled by intelligent AI. They seemed to favor visually striking individuals. After dutifully circling the other competitors, the cameras hovered silently in the air, focusing on one particular direction and zooming in.
The boy in question had an appearance that rivaled anyone else. His silver hair was slightly curled, giving off a soft sheen in the sunlight. His skin was so pale it almost glowed. His features were delicate; even though the colors of his eyebrows and eyes were soft and light, his presence was undeniable. When he smiled, his pale gray eyes conveyed an extreme softness that reached straight to the soul, melting anyone who looked at him.
Next to him sat a man with long golden hair, whose features were extraordinarily handsome and deep, showing not an ounce of femininity but an untouchable, high-mountain aura. He sat perfectly upright, wearing Alliance University’s custom combat uniform, which outlined his ideal male physique. The top button of his collar was fastened, partially revealing a tantalizing Adam’s apple. Above that, his clean, sharp jawline, slightly pursed lips, and composed demeanor made him appear both reserved and imposing.
But soon, the livestream audience realized they had misjudged him.
The golden-haired man seemed to notice the camera and revealed a faint, gentle smile. Then, the silver-haired boy leaned over and whispered something to him. The man’s smile grew even warmer; his golden eyes seemed filled with sunlight, radiating an unbelievable warmth.
He reached into a bag beside him, took out a bottle of drink, and carefully opened it to hand to the silver-haired boy. While the boy sipped the drink, the man reached out and ruffled his hair a few times. The silver strands shimmered under his touch. The boy shot him a sidelong glance and tried to dodge a few times but couldn’t escape, playfully tugging at the man’s long hair in return. The man didn’t get annoyed; instead, he laughed even more heartily.
The livestream went completely silent for a full minute.
Then came a torrent of comments flooding the screen.
“Ahhh I don’t know why I’m screaming, I just want to scream ahhh!”
“Ahhh I just bought a light-brain! I was drinking water and got sprayed by handsomeness, wtf!”
“Keep screaming, girls, I’m going first!”
“Ahhh, the girls at Alliance University are so lucky! This boy with such youthful charm, and that man so handsome he makes my legs weak, ahhh, how can I choose?!”
“Kids make choices; I want both hahahaha!”
“Both of them are amazing! I’ll take the college entrance exam next year, can’t wait to go to university!”
“Elder sister is fine, younger sister is fine! Cheers in advance!!”
“The silver-haired boy is so cute, the golden-haired one is so pampering and gentle, I’m going to melt into his smile.”
“They’re both so good-looking, just debut as a duo! I’ll absolutely support them, just for their looks ahhh!”
“Three minutes, I need their full profiles! 【smoking】”
Lin Luxi had no idea he was even in the frame. The competition hadn’t even started, yet online, a wave of fans obsessed with looks had already been stirred, screaming with excitement.
Compared to the previous world, drinks in the future were far more focused on health and nutrition. They tasted fresh and even had a slight energy-boosting effect. After a few sips, he soon felt energized.
But he didn’t expect Yue Xinghe to ruffle his hair.
This was usually something only done between people who were very close.
When Lin Luxi tugged at his hair just now, in that kind of atmosphere, it had been a completely instinctive gesture. He thought that even if Yue Xinghe wasn’t angry, he would at least feel uncomfortable or mildly offended.
He didn’t expect Yue Xinghe not only to feel nothing but to smile so happily.
Of course, the original owner and Yue Xinghe had grown up together. They were practically childhood friends, so a bit of closeness was only natural.
Thinking this, Lin Luxi quietly decided in his mind how he would interact with Yue Xinghe going forward. Focused on this thought, he didn’t notice the “stone-like” Qin Hao beside him, whose eyes were wide with shock. Even Chris, who usually looked down on the original owner and didn’t get along with him, had a stunned expression, wondering if Lin Luxi had lost his mind. How else could he dare tug on Yue Xinghe’s hair today?
The two exchanged a glance and, noticing that Yue Xinghe seemed in a good mood, silently swallowed their doubts.
The competition was divided into individual and team events. Before the matches, a draw determined the rounds and opponents.
The matches began quickly. In the empty arena, five rings rose from the ground. As each rank and name were announced, the competitors entered one by one.
On the first day of the elimination rounds, most matches ended quickly. In just a few minutes, a large batch of inexperienced newcomers, there to make up the numbers, were eliminated, their attacks slow and weak.
To Lin Luxi, seasoned in countless battles, it was no different from watching elementary school kids fight.
Yet for ordinary spectators, it was still exciting to watch. Even in the streets, a scuffle would draw a crowd, let alone an official tournament like this.
Even after drinking the energizing beverage, Lin Luxi was bored enough to yawn, nearly falling asleep.
The sleepy boy had pale silver eyelashes with a few glistening tears clinging to them. His skin was already extraordinarily white, his delicate, cute features making him look like a precious little prince displayed in a high-end showcase.
Although his appearance hadn’t changed, the overall impression he gave off was completely different.
Yue Xinghe’s golden eyes deepened slightly, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. “Sleepy?”
Lin Luxi let out a soft sound, rubbed his eyes, and before he could speak, yawned again.
A large hand gently pressed on his head. Lin Luxi followed the motion and leaned into the broad, warm chest in front of him. “If you’re sleepy, just rest a bit.”
A deep, gentle voice came from above his head, his back pressed against the other’s chest, feeling the slightest vibration.
Lin Luxi blinked, his sleepy mind sluggishly questioning whether this was appropriate. Then another thought came: he was now the male lead’s childhood friend. In the novel, their relationship was the closest. Leaning on his shoulder was nothing unusual.
Supporting his straight, tense posture, his muscles instantly relaxed. Lin Luxi shifted slightly to get comfortable, naturally using the male lead as a human sofa. He squinted his eyes and dozed off.
The golden hair fell smoothly over the shoulder, shading him from the bright sunlight. Yue Xinghe lowered his head slightly, his eyes hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable.
Across the arena, on the opposing competitor’s bench, Lin Leyin held a delicate, compact telescope and caught sight of this scene.
His jaw tensed, lips pressed tight. He held back for a few seconds, but couldn’t contain himself; his chin trembled violently as he cursed, “Damn it!”
Beside him, a charming boy with fox-like eyes glanced at Lin Leyin’s flushed neck and clicked his tongue teasingly. “Not to tell you, but at your age, how can you have such a masochistic hobby?”
Isn’t it obvious it’s masochism?
Knowing full well that Yue Xinghe and Lin Luxi were close, knowing he didn’t like seeing them together, he still couldn’t ignore it every time.
Lin Leyin had black hair and eyes, handsome features, and brows and eyes somewhat resembled Lin Luxi’s. He looked delicate, but his temper was explosive, like a powder keg.
He gripped the telescope so hard it creaked, gritting his teeth. “None of your business!”
Two girls from his team sat nearby, secretly amused at their bickering, laughing so hard they shook.
Zhao Fankong tapped Lin Leyin on the forehead. “No manners, huh? Lucky for you the senior’s magnanimous, not holding it against you.”
Lin Leyin snorted and continued observing with his telescope.
When he looked at Yue Xinghe, his eyes sparkled like stars, full of admiration, as if gazing at an idol. But when he saw Lin Luxi, his expression instantly turned disdainful, as if staring at a stinky bug in a gutter.
He couldn’t understand how Lin Luxi was better than him. Why, from childhood to now, did Yue Xinghe treat him so evenly, not too close, not too distant, yet cared so much for Lin Luxi?
What was so special about Lin Luxi that allowed him to stay by the side of such a strong, gentle man? Surely someone so powerful would have equally strong companions.
Lin Leyin had assumed Lin Luxi’s clingy antics would end by university. After all, his aptitude had been measured since childhood, and his talent was abysmal, a gap no one could bridge.
He had expected that once at university, Lin Luxi would no longer be in his way.
Who would’ve thought!
Trash, trash, trash, trash!!!
Lin Luxi was incredible, he actually got Yue Xinghe to agree to be his guarantor. And now, they seemed even closer than before. Previously, the most they would do was a pat on the shoulder. Now he ruffled his hair and leaned on his chest!
Lin Leyin ground his teeth. He now wished that in the upcoming matches, he could stand on the ring with Lin Luxi and deliver him a serious life lesson, titled—”Weakness Gets You Beaten”!
Author’s Note:
Lin Leyin, fierce: I’m hitting you because you’re weak! Understand?
Lin Luxi: zzZZZ