Shen Guiyi: Second Senior Brother’s appearance is indeed a bit lacking, and he hates it most when people criticize his looks…
As soon as the group sat down, attendants from the arena brought over snacks and tea. These were already included in the room fee and didn’t require additional payment.
Jun Lanyue grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and stuffed them into Shen Guiyi’s hand, then grabbed another handful for herself, cracking them open with relish.
Pei Yan: Little Junior Sister seems to really enjoy eating sunflower seeds. The ones made in places like this are all seasoned with spices and have no nutritional value. I’ll make some nutritious and tasty sunflower seeds for her to carry around someday, so she can munch on them whenever she’s bored.
Two men stood on the arena stage. The one on the left was about six feet tall, with a build as sturdy as a bull—though his looks were rather unfortunate…
Squinty eyes, a bulbous nose, sausage lips, and a face covered in pockmarks.
[There’s an Elixir on the market that can alter a person’s appearance. Although its effects aren’t drastic, it can at least keep someone from looking too ugly. But that ugly guy isn’t interested! He even says things like, “What’s the use of a pretty face in a world where strength reigns supreme? As long as you’re powerful, who dares to comment on your looks?”]
Shen Guiyi: Second Senior Brother really did say that. Back then, Third Senior Brother refined a Beauty Elixir for him. It was meant as a kind gesture, but it was misunderstood, causing Second Senior Brother to hold a grudge against Third Senior Brother for a long time.
At the referee’s signal, the two men on the arena stage began to fight.
The other man had fiery red hair and a much slimmer build. He wielded a large, imposing blade with great ferocity.
Jun Lanyue took a small sip of tea, watching with keen interest.
[What a coincidence today, getting to see these two old rivals fight.]
The battle on the arena stage below grew fiercer. Before the match, both sides had signed an agreement not to take each other’s lives.
Though they couldn’t kill, there was no rule against crippling the opponent—as long as they didn’t die.
“Senior Sister, Senior Brothers, have any of you ever been struck by lightning?”
Jun Lanyue had just finished her handful of sunflower seeds. She clapped her hands clean and asked with a smile.
The four were intently watching the fight below. Hearing this sudden question, their first thought was: Is Little Junior Sister about to start making up excuses to fool us?
Pei Yan, Song Qiguang, and Shen Guiyi all shook their heads. Only Rong Jue, who rarely spoke and always wore a cold expression, showed no reaction.
Jun Lanyue was already used to his lack of response. Just as she was about to proceed with her next line of reasoning, Rong Jue spoke.
“Yes.”
That single icy and unexpected word made Jun Lanyue swallow the words she was about to say.
She gritted her teeth and asked Rong Jue with a smile, “So Senior Brother has been struck by lightning too, just like me. Did you awaken any special abilities after being struck?”
“No.” Rong Jue picked up the teacup from the table, took a small sip, and then added, “But it paralyzed my face. Since then, I’ve only had one expression, and I can’t smile.”
Jun Lanyue: “??”
[Is that true? Or is Senior Brother telling a cold joke to get Senior Sister’s attention? That analysis seems pretty reasonable. After all, Senior Brother rarely speaks, but today he’s said so many words all at once! Isn’t this change for the sake of love?]
Rong Jue: It’s still better than you saying my brain was crushed by a door. For now, you’re only thinking it—who knows when you’ll start spreading it around!
“Senior Brother…” Jun Lanyue suppressed the joy and shock in her heart, then sighed, “You’ve had it really rough.”
Rong Jue softly replied with an “Mm,” and said nothing more.
“Getting struck by lightning is pretty miserable, but I was luckier than Senior Brother.” Seeing blood splattering all over the arena below, Jun Lanyue hurriedly continued, “Back then, I was fried crispy on the outside and tender on the inside by the lightning. Just when I thought I was going to die, a miracle happened!”
At this point, she suddenly paused, mainly to create an air of mystery.
“What miracle?”
Pei Yan, Song Qiguang, and Shen Guiyi asked in unison, their faces full of curiosity.
Only Rong Jue remained indifferent, as if saying: I’ll just quietly watch you perform.
Having successfully piqued their curiosity, Jun Lanyue began, “I gained a mysterious power from ancient times. That power allowed me to successfully mutate. Do you know why I reached the Spirit King stage at such a young age?”
The three continued to play along.
They shook their heads and asked, “Why?”
Their enthusiastic support almost made Jun Lanyue burst out laughing.
“Because that mysterious power makes my strength increase every time I get beaten up, and it doesn’t hurt at all when I’m being hit.”
While saying this, Jun Lanyue deliberately exaggerated her tone.
Pei Yan, Song Qiguang, and Shen Guiyi were stunned, utterly astonished!
“Do you know why, even after gaining that power, my strength is still only at the Spirit King stage?” Jun Lanyue began to tease again.
Playing dumb, the three cooperatively asked, “Why?”
“Because!” Seeing that the fight below was almost over, Jun Lanyue decided not to drag it out any longer, “I didn’t get beaten up enough in the past.”
The four of them: “…”
On the arena, the red-haired man was beaten until he was covered in blood, lying on the platform with no strength left to move.
“He’s too arrogant!” Jun Lanyue sprang to her feet, “This is bullying!!”
Her sudden slam on the table startled Pei Yan and the other two.
“Who knows what grudge he holds, to beat someone up like this. Beating him is one thing, but stepping on his face with that stinky foot—he must be punished!” She rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to fight, “Our status is special; we can’t bully people without reason. So, I’ll go up first to stand up for justice and insult him a bit. He’ll definitely get angry and hit me. When I’m beaten half to death, Senior Brother can go up and finish him off!”
With that, Jun Lanyue leaped out of the private room before anyone could stop her.
She singled out Rong Jue in the end because she thought her aloof senior brother wouldn’t get involved in such matters anyway. Since she couldn’t be killed and wouldn’t get hurt, at worst, their master would take her to Yun Luo Chen to make a scene.
“Aren’t any of you worried?” Pei Yan’s face was full of concern.
“Second Senior Brother, I unconditionally trust Little Junior Sister.”
Song Qiguang was naturally worried—how could he not be?
His gaze was fixed on Jun Lanyue, ready to rush down and pull her away at any moment.
Shen Guiyi clenched his fists, his palms beginning to sweat, but he said nothing.
Rong Jue sat upright, his hand gripping his sword tightening imperceptibly.
“Hey? Ugly freak, aren’t you going too far?” Jun Lanyue crossed her arms, lifting her head high like a fighting rooster, looking down her nose at the man opposite her, “You’ve almost crippled him and still insult him? You’re truly ugly inside and out!”
Tang Qing hated it most when others called him ugly, especially in such a crowded place.
He instantly flew into a rage, glaring at Jun Lanyue and grinding his buckteeth with a crackling sound. “Are you looking for death?”