Chapter 73: Night Falls Quietly, Yet Sleep Eludes

For an entire month, Ke Bei scarcely left his room. Luo Ling, though living right next door, had barely seen him during that time. She knew Ke Bei must be immersed in cultivation and did not wish to disturb him, but every day she woke early. Her first act upon rising was to ascend to the top floor of the villa, sit hugging her knees, head tilted, letting her violet hair cascade freely down her back, her delicate hand resting against her cheek with a touch of languor, gazing quietly out over Azure Dragon Lake.

She knew that each morning, as dawn approached, Ke Bei would open his door and go to the lakeside, and she longed to catch a glimpse of him—even just once would suffice.

She could not say when it began, but Ke Bei’s slender silhouette had engraved itself deeply into Luo Ling’s mind. The feeling was one she could not describe; all she knew was that whenever she thought of Ke Bei, a gentle and tranquil smile naturally graced her lips.

Often, she would hug her head and foolishly smile all day long, sometimes gripped by sudden nervousness or inexplicable worry.

Night was calm, people awake. The sky, a deep indigo curtain studded with silver points, enveloped the world in peaceful silence. Treading softly beneath the starlight, Luo Ling made her way to Ke Bei’s door.

Her pearly teeth bit gently into her red lips, her delicate hands tightly clutching the hem of her dress. At this moment, Luo Ling’s heart fluttered wildly, pounding as though it wished to leap from her chest and show Ke Bei its crimson form.

She drew a deep breath of the cool air, exhaling slowly. Her small hand pressed against her chest, then lifted, extending two slender, pale fingers. Just as her fingers were about to touch the door, she suddenly withdrew her hand, her milky cheeks flushed a vibrant red.

After a brief hesitation, Luo Ling bit her lip, and finally, her jade-like fingers landed on the door.

Knock, knock, knock!

Luo Ling tapped on Ke Bei’s door.

“Who is it?”

Ke Bei, hearing the knock, was momentarily surprised. He hardly knew anyone at the Nine Rivers Genius Training Camp, and it was rare for anyone to seek him out, especially at night.

Puzzled, he opened the door with a soft creak.

“Luo Ling?”

He was slightly stunned at the sight.

Luo Ling wore a sheer, pale purple dress, her exquisite features etched upon her jade-like face. Her eyes were clear as autumn waters, not quite bright but profound, her petite nose and cherry-red lips delicate and alluring, a shy blush rippling across her flawless cheeks.

Such ethereal beauty, like a goddess untouched by mortal concerns, descending into the world by moonlight. For a moment, Ke Bei was utterly entranced. He regained his composure after a while, stepping aside to let Luo Ling enter.

“Um, cough, it’s late—do you need something?”

Luo Ling walked past Ke Bei, a subtle fragrance wafting through the air. Ke Bei was suddenly overwhelmed by a nameless heat. To mask his embarrassment, he coughed heavily and spoke in a low, uncertain voice.

“Mm, my brother asked me to check which challenger you’re preparing for. He went over the Azure Dragon Ranking, from thirty to sixty, and gave me a summary. He hopes it will help you.”

Luo Ling’s lips parted, her voice gentle.

“Number thirty-one on the Azure Dragon Ranking.”

Ke Bei glanced at her, frowning slightly as he spoke. Facing the thirty-first ranked expert, he was not entirely confident in victory, so his mood was heavy. He cursed his luck inwardly—of all the experts ranked thirty through sixty, only this tough opponent remained for him.

“Thirty-one?”

Luo Ling pondered briefly, nodding.

“That one is Zhao Gang. His talent is earth affinity—great strength and formidable defense.”

She spoke slowly, her brows furrowed with concern, sharing what she knew of Zhao Gang, the thirty-first on the Azure Dragon Ranking.

Ke Bei would have a hard time winning against such an opponent.

Luo Ling was worried. She knew Ke Bei yearned to grow stronger, and entering the Tower of Awakening was a rare opportunity; recognition there would bring great benefits.

“If you want to defeat him, it will be very difficult…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Luo Ling looked at Ke Bei’s tightly knit brows and spoke softly.

“Perhaps you should wait for next month…”

She bit her lower lip, her voice gentle. She was afraid—afraid Ke Bei would be injured again. The memory of him, nearly reduced to bare bones last time, filled her heart with an indescribable ache.

“I don’t want to wait!”

Ke Bei looked at Luo Ling’s worried face, grinned, and spoke with unwavering determination.

He wanted his strength to increase quickly, to release Han Lingyue sooner—though that was only one reason. Ke Bei was anxious, but he knew that reaching a level where even the founders of the Nine Rivers Base would have to yield was nearly impossible in such a short time.

Most importantly, he needed to complete the second stage of the Nine Suns Divine Art as soon as possible. With the first six layers, his power would soar, and he could begin the third stage.

Though the Nine Suns Divine Art was powerful, Ke Bei felt he’d delayed far too long. He had to finish the entire chain of tasks quickly.

After sparring with the Transcendent, Ke Bei recognized his shortcomings. Even with the complete Nine Suns Divine Art, entering the top three of the Azure Dragon Ranking would be difficult. His internal power was strong, but he lacked sufficient martial skills for attack. While the Little Li Flying Knife was formidable, it was nearly useless against those with aberrant innate abilities on the ranking.

He must complete the chain of Nine Suns Divine Art tasks, then acquire other martial arts for attack, so his abundant internal power could be put to use.

All this depended on gaining recognition from the Tower of Awakening.

Ke Bei clenched his fist, a surging wave of fighting spirit rising within him.

So what if it’s the thirty-first on the Azure Dragon Ranking?

Great strength? With the power of two hundred men, he might not lose!

Formidable defense? When he unleashed the Ninefold Thunder Slash and the Nine Suns Divine Art, his strength would exceed a thousand men—surely he could break that defense!

“Don’t worry. Just watch tomorrow—I might not lose to him!”

Ke Bei looked at Luo Ling’s anxious face and smiled reassuringly.

“Mm.”

Luo Ling nodded, raised her little fist to Ke Bei, and smiled gently.

“I believe you will win!”

“Since Ke Bei has made up his mind, then as his gi…well, I should support him and believe in him!”

Her cheeks flushed once more, like a ripe apple, inviting a bite.

Ke Bei, seeing her blushing, cute and alluring, felt his heart race.

“Damn, what’s wrong with me tonight?”

He pinched himself hard, forcibly suppressing the inexplicable heat in his chest, muttering quietly under his breath.