Absolute Resonance

n their faces.
They simply nodded and carried on as if it was the most normal thing in the world that the point leading squad was being led by a One Star Hall mouse.
They introduced their squad members around and made some icebreaker conversation.

Li Luo watched on quietly as the squads conferred.
He could sense that the North Sea Sage College's Qin Yue had some sort of special interest in the First Princess.
That was not surprising.
She was beautiful, but not a delicate ornament to be left in the display case.
When the situation called for it, she could roll up her sleeves and wade in with the rest of the Four Star Hall elites.
There was definitely much for Qin Yue to appreciate there.

While the three squad leaders conferred, Li Luo strolled up to the girl who was glancing at him once in a while.
“We meet again.
And this time on the same side.”

Lu Ming folded her arms, drawing her clothes even tighter around her beautiful figure.
“I still can't believe you actually beat Jing Taixu.
I thought he would make mincemeat out of you.”

“It’s because I didn't have to spend too much energy fighting you,” Li Luo answered seriously.

Lu Ming glared at him.
Was he trying to say that she was a pushover? Easily passed?

“Hmph, if not for your poison tricks, I would have had you then,” she sniffed.

Li Luo chuckled and stopped teasing her.
“Well, if we meet a strong enemy later, think of how we can cooperate, huh?”

She rolled her eyes at him.
“As if we One Star Hall students could contribute anything.
We're just here as a formality.
Or did you think you were going to be the star of the show again?”

“Well, I wouldn't say that…”

Lu Ming was glancing over at Jiang Qing'e occasionally as well, and she finally lowered her voice.
“Hey, Li Luo.
Is Senior Jiang really your fiancée?”

“So you're one of the gossipy ones too,” Li Luo said irritatedly.
He had thought the cold and aloof Lu Ming would be beyond that.

Lu Ming flushed a little.
“Anyone would be interested in such news!” she blurted.
“She's the most outstanding girl here at the Holy Grail Meet, and all of us are proud of what she's done for female students.
To think that you and her…

“How did you get so lucky with her anyway?” she demanded.

“Lucky? Inevitable, I'd say.” Li Luo shrugged.
“Beautiful girl, handsome man, how could we not be together?”

Lu Ming almost gagged at how brazen he was, then she settled for a derisive cluck of the tongue.

“What are you guys chatting about?” a cheerful voice asked.
It was the Heavenly Inferno Sage College’s squad leader, Zhao Beili.
“I thought Junior Lu Ming would be a little sore after the hall-level competition and refuse to work with Junior Li Luo, but it seems like you guys are really getting along here.”

“I wouldn't be so petty, Senior Zhao,” Lu Ming said stiffly.
“Both wins and losses are normal in competitions.”

“Indeed,” Zhao Beili agreed amiably.
“Anyway, this foray won't be easy.
Junior Lu Ming, please be careful.
Of course, I'll be protecting you.”

Li Luo understood now that Zhao Beili was interested in her.
No wonder he would inject himself into the conversation when they seemed chummy.

But seeing Lu Ming's reaction, the interest probably wasn't reciprocated.

“Keke, Junior Li Luo, the three of us have finished discussing our next move now.
You should rejoin your squad quickly and prepare to move out,” he said with a cool smile.

Li Luo was just too handsome, and any girl would fall for him.
He had better watch the silver-haired devil carefully.
Li Luo sensed the coolness from him but could not fathom why. “Zhao Beili surely doesn't have any brains.
Can't he see Jiang Qing'e watching them like a hawk already? Would I really dare to try anything with her around?

“Besides, am I really that kind of playboy?”

He felt a sudden urge to kick the floor childishly, but instead, he waved to Lu Ming like a gentleman and returned to his squad.

In any case, the three squads had their basic communications down, and together they headed into the thunder-filled mountain range.