The drinking bout lasted until dawn.
It wasn't until noon the next day that everyone gradually sobered up.
After a short rest, Li Dixian and his group escorted the three teams to the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
"Jian Jiu..."
Feng Xiaotian's eyes burned as he gazed at Li Dixian, and he said seriously:
"I lost this time."
"Let's compete again in the Soul Master Competition half a year from now!"
Huo Wushuang raised his reddish eyebrows and asked:
"Brother Jian Jiu, you'll participate in the Soul Master Competition, won't you?"
Li Dixian thought for a moment, then shook his head and smiled:
"Who can say for sure what will happen in half a year?"
"At least for now, I don't have much interest."
Huo Wu stepped forward, her fist lightly but firmly hitting Li Dixian's chest, her smile bright and vibrant.
"Jian Jiu, you must participate!"
"In these six months, we will definitely find a way to counter your sword moves!"
The urging of the team leader grew more insistent.
Hu Yanli of the Elephant Armored Academy, leading six burly men, spoke with a booming voice.
"Brother Jian Jiu, Yu Tianheng, and all my good friends!"
"See you again in the Soul Master Competition in half a year!"
"Take care!"
Dust rose on the official road.
The figures of the three teams gradually faded into the dust, eventually becoming blurry black dots.
Li Dixian and the others watched for a moment before turning back to the city.
"Jian Jiu..."
Yu Tianheng suddenly stopped and said seriously:
"How about..."
"You join the Royal Fight Team? I am willing to give up the captain's position!"
"With you, the champion of the Soul Master Competition will surely be our Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
As soon as these words were spoken...
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's beautiful eyes lit up.
The four, including Yu Feng, were first stunned, then all expressed their willingness.
If Li Dixian joined, they would willingly withdraw one person to make room for him in the team.
Li Dixian met their sincere and eager eyes, shaking his head with a smile.
"Forget it."
"It's still the same old saying: I'm used to being a free spirit, and I can't stand restrictions."
"Your team's configuration is not weak; there's great hope for the top three in the Soul Master Competition."
His words were not empty.
Because of him...
The butterfly's wings had already stirred up a storm on the Douluo Continent.
The Shrek Seven Devils, with the exception of Zhu Zhuqing, had not obtained immortal herb opportunities, and their strength was greatly reduced.
In contrast, the Royal Fight Team, with Dugu Yan having received the Kiss of the Blood Swan, would surely see her strength advance by leaps and bounds in half a year.
Yu Tianheng, despite repeated setbacks, had an even more soaring fighting spirit, and under the sharpening, his sharpness gradually emerged.
The same was true for Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, and others.
With this ebb and flow... this year's Soul Master Competition...
Could be described as a turbulent and exciting event, worth looking forward to.
Seeing the unconcealed disappointment in the eyes of the seven members of the Royal Fight Team, Li Dixian changed the subject:
"The competition is imminent; you should intensify your special training."
"It just so happens that I plan to visit the Wind Sword Sect these few days."
"Wind Sword Sect?"
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and the other six were stunned.
Those green-robed swordsmen with black silk wrapped around their eyes?
"Idol, are you going to practice swordsmanship?"
Yu Feng blurted out the question.
Li Dixian nodded.
His gaze fell upon the omnipresent wind within Heaven Dou City.
In his eyes, that invisible and intangible airflow had vaguely revealed some profound trajectory.
"When I was in Star Dou Forest, Elder Feng Xiao and Young Sect Leader Feng Buyu of the Wind Sword Sect invited me to visit."
"This trip to the Wind Sword Sect might lead to some enlightenment."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's eyes flickered with interest, but thinking of the imminent intensive training, they could only pout and say:
"Are you going alone? Without even a companion?"
Li Dixian smiled indifferently:
"It's only for a few days; why would I need company?"
Xue Qinghe, who had been silent by his side, suddenly tugged lightly at Li Dixian's sleeve.
"The Royal Fight Team still needs to train hard; we two idlers shouldn't bother them here."
"How about we go fishing at Lotus Lake?"
"Alright."
Watching Li Dixian and Xue Qinghe walk away side by side.
Yu Tianheng and the others shook their heads and sighed, their words full of "envy" for Li Dixian's carefree life.
Dugu Yan gently bit her red lip.
She suddenly leaned close to Ye Lingling's ear and whispered something.
Ye Lingling's clear blue eyes suddenly widened, her delicate and cold face filled with disbelief.
"N-no way..."
Dugu Yan nudged her with her shoulder, winking mischievously.
"Then you go try?"
"H-how do I try...?"
Ye Lingling's cheeks flushed, and she chided:
"Yan Yan, you're tricking me again. Why don't you go try?"
"Who says I'm not trying? I'm waiting for Dixian Didi to come back..."
By the Lotus Lake, a gentle breeze blew.
It rustled through the lush green grass, and ripples spread across the water's surface.
Li Dixian and Xue Qinghe sat side by side, their fishing rods gently cast, the atmosphere peaceful.
At this moment...
Xue Qinghe suddenly spoke.
"Li Dixian, I have a few questions for you, and you must answer them immediately."
Li Dixian's gaze was on the float, and he casually responded.
"Ask away."
"Which is more pleasant, spring or summer?"
"Spring."
"Which is more delicious, Three Immortal Chicken or Seven Treasure Duck?"
"Three Immortal Chicken."
"Which is more refreshing, Burning Blade or Hundred Flower Brew?"
"Burning Blade."
"Which is prettier, Dugu Yan or Ye Lingling?"
"..."
Li Dixian's mouth was open.
The words that were almost out were caught in his throat.
He turned his head to look at Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe still faced the lake, her expression focused.
It was as if the astonishingly broad and shocking question just now had not come from her mouth.
"Why aren't you answering?"
She asked, not looking away.
Li Dixian sighed helplessly.
"Such a tricky question, how am I supposed to answer?"
"Besides, why are you asking this?"
"Just a casual question."
Xue Qinghe was silent for a moment, then changed the subject.
"When do you set off tomorrow?"
"Chen Shi (7-9 AM)."
"Tomorrow, I'll be tied up with official duties, so I'm afraid I won't be able to see you off."
"It's a small matter; I'll be back in just a few days. There's no need to see me off."
Yesterday, he saw others off.
Today, it was his turn to embark on a journey.
About ten li outside Heaven Dou City.
Li Dixian, leading his Wind Chasing Colt, smiled and waved to Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng, and the others who had come to see him off:
"Everyone, please go back. See you in a few days."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling stepped forward one after another, presenting carefully prepared food, drink, and a change of clothes.
Li Dixian thanked them one by one, his gaze sweeping towards Heaven Dou City.
Xue Qinghe indeed hadn't come to see him off.
He said no more, flipped onto his horse, and gave the reins a shake.
"Giddy up!"
The Wind Chasing Colt neighed, its four hooves kicking up dust.
It sped off into the distance, raising a trail of dust along the way.
Watching the white-robed youth completely disappear at the end of the road, Yu Tianheng sighed deeply and said:
"I wonder how much sharper his sword will be when he returns..."
"Let's go. If we don't go back and train hard, I'm afraid we won't even be able to see his back."
Hearing this.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling quietly clenched their fists.
The official road was winding.
Li Dixian galloped on his horse.
As he turned a steep bend...
Amidst the swirling yellow dust, a pure white figure suddenly entered his vision.
It was a beautiful white Wind Chasing Colt.
And even more striking than the colt... was on its back.
That golden long hair, fluttering in the wind, as if condensed from sunlight.
And that exquisite back, as if she was an independent beauty isolated from the world... Please, dear readers, cast your monthly votes... The humble author is being caught up to... Please... I bow to you...
💎 Power Stone Bonus: Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter
🌟 5-Star Review Bonus: Every 5 (5-Star) Reviews = +2 Extra Chapters
💬 Comment Speed-Up: If any chapter reaches +10 Comments = The Next Chapter Will Be Released Faster!
🔥 Want to Read Ahead? If you want to read advanced chapters, check out my buymeacoffee(.)com/Oyunbozan