Hearing the innkeeper’s voice, the waiter hurried forward and opened the door. A girl of about fifteen or sixteen appeared before everyone, her presence instantly drawing the room’s attention—the kind of entrance that could silence even the rowdiest crowd.
Behind her were five or six people. In their midst, a veiled young lady was sheltered at the center, a bright green umbrella above her head keeping her perfectly dry.
"Honored guests, please, come in!" The waiter saw their impressive arrival and immediately snapped to attention.
The girl in front strode into the inn and commanded, "Prepare three upper rooms for us. Also, bring out your best food and wine—quickly, no delays! Get moving."
"Right away, honored guests, please wait just a moment!" the waiter replied, then dashed toward the kitchen.
Evan Chu and his four companions stopped eating, their gazes shifting to size up the newcomers.
Most of the girls showing up here were probably bound for Heavenly Dragon Academy as well. Judging by their attire, this group was clearly from a powerful clan.
A young woman in a pink dress, sword in hand, with a clever and confident face entered first.
Her bright eyes swept the room with self-assured light, quickly landing on Evan Chu and his group. A hint of disdain flickered across her face.
Five of the people entering with her wore identical black robes. All were middle-aged men, each carrying a weapon and wearing a wide-brimmed bamboo hat, adding a layer of mystery to the scene.
Evan Chu couldn't help but feel stunned as he looked at the girl protected by the five guards. Her beauty was so striking, it seemed to make the world pause for a heartbeat.
Her eyes seemed able to pierce the soul, her flawless face veiled in translucent white, giving an instant impression of breathtaking beauty—like a goddess descended from the heavens.
Is she headed to Heavenly Dragon Academy too? Could we end up cultivating together? Evan couldn’t help but wonder, even though the thought struck him as ridiculous.
Just then, the veiled girl seemed to sense a burning gaze on her and looked up in Evan’s direction.
That glance unsettled her heart, stirring up emotions she couldn't name. A flush of red instantly bloomed across her flawless face—hidden only by the veil, but powerful enough to make her heart race.
She found the young man’s eyes strikingly handsome, almost as if they could speak, irresistibly captivating.
Just then, Lynn Zhu, another girl, noticed Evan Chu and his group staring, especially Evan’s dazed look. She snapped, "What are you staring at? Keep it up and I'll gouge your eyes out!"
But she also noticed Roxanne Lin’s veil and secretly thought, Why do all these girls wear veils? Must be ugly, afraid to show their real faces—no way they could compare to my lady.
The veiled girl immediately turned away, glaring at her maid. "Lynn, don’t be rude."
Then she turned to Evan Chu, her voice soft and ladylike: "Young master, please forgive Lynn Zhu. She has a temper. I, Lily Tang, apologize on her behalf." Her words carried a gentle, pitiable tone.
"Miss Tang, you're too polite. My name is Evan Chu. It's a stroke of luck to meet you here. Are you also heading to Heavenly Dragon Academy to cultivate?" Evan said, glancing at Roxanne Lin with a hint of worry that she might mind him speaking to a strange girl.
Even with his fiancée Roxanne Lin by his side, Evan Chu couldn't help but feel a flicker of worry—would she mind him talking to another girl? The thought gnawed at him, even as he tried to act casual.
Roxanne Lin simply smiled and said, "Whatever you do, I support you. Don't worry about my feelings."
"No need to be so formal, just call me Lily Tang. Yes, I'm heading to Heavenly Dragon Academy. And you? Are you going too?" Lily Tang replied.
"That's right, I'm also going to Heavenly Dragon Academy. This rotten weather trapped us in this little inn, so I never expected to meet you here! And please, just call me Evan Chu."
Evan Chu noticed the waiter bringing food and wine, so he continued, "Let's not disturb your meal. Tomorrow, let's travel together for safety. We'll arrive at Heavenly Dragon Academy sooner that way." With that, he stood up, took Roxanne Lin's hand, and headed toward their room.
After Evan Chu left, Lily Tang smiled and agreed, "Alright, tomorrow we'll travel together. You should get some rest."
As soon as Evan Chu was gone, Lynn Zhu couldn't help teasing Lily Tang in a low voice: "Miss, why were you so friendly to him? Your face even turned red while talking! Did you fall for him at first sight? That's not like you at all!" Lynn Zhu's words were like little daggers, each one poking at Lily Tang's pride.
"You dead girl, how dare you make fun of me! Are you looking for a beating?" Lily Tang snapped, her eyes flashing with fiery indignation.
"I'm just asking! Why hit me instead of answering? Haha!" Lynn Zhu laughed, nimbly dodging Lily Tang's swipe, her laughter ringing out like silver bells.
"Enough, enough, stop it, Lynn Zhu. Honestly, I can't keep pretending to be some proper lady. I don't care about all that. From now on, I'm going to be myself again," Lily Tang said, her gaze steady with stubborn resolve, her true spirit shining through.
"Miss, you really shouldn't! If you do, I bet no man would dare to like you—a mother tyrannosaurus with poison running through her veins! I just want you to find a good husband soon," Lynn Zhu said, half worried, half teasing.
"Mother tyrannosaurus? Say that again and I'll rip your mouth off!" Lily Tang exploded, her temper flaring so fiercely that even the air seemed to crackle.
"See, see, your true colors show the moment you open your mouth! I'm really worried about you!" Lynn Zhu giggled, ducking away from Lily Tang's mock attack.
That night, Evan Chu and Roxanne Lin each stayed in their own room, while their three attendants squeezed together in a third.
The next morning, Evan Chu woke early, changed into a blue robe that made him look even more handsome, washed up, and waited outside Roxanne Lin's door.
Soon, Roxanne Lin emerged in a red dress with a matching red veil and sword in hand, looking every bit the red-clad heroine wandering the jianghu.
She smiled, "Let's go. Maybe Lily Tang is already waiting for us!"
When they reached the inn entrance, only Lily Tang's guards were waiting. Lily Tang and Lynn Zhu were nowhere to be seen.
After a short wait, Lily Tang appeared, looking a bit embarrassed that everyone was waiting for her. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I accidentally overslept—this damned girl didn't wake me up!" she said, shooting a glare at Lynn Zhu.
"Miss Tang, there's no need to be so polite. Let's set off—there are still two days to Heavenly Dragon Academy, and it's best to arrive early to prepare. I heard there are entrance grading tests," Evan Chu suggested.
Lily Tang nodded, "Yes, I've heard the same. Let's go! We'll talk more when we get to the academy."
After two days of travel, the group arrived at White Tiger City, not far from Heavenly Dragon Academy. They could have reached the academy that day, but Evan Chu suggested staying in the city to buy supplies and make final preparations. Once inside the academy, students rarely have a chance to leave except for special events like magical beast hunts.
"Unless it's for a magical beast hunting activity organized by the academy, students usually can't leave," Evan Chu explained, sharing what he'd learned.
Lily Tang was curious, "What are these magical beast hunting activities exactly?"
"Magical beast hunting is one of the academy's ways to test students. Whoever kills the most magical beasts gets rewards and can earn extra points toward graduation," Evan Chu explained.
"But what kinds of beasts do you face? I heard magical beasts are really fierce. Is there any danger to life?" Lily Tang asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
Lynn Zhu couldn't help but interject, "Miss, don't be so cute! You once killed a tiger—how could you be afraid of magical beasts?"
"She killed a tiger?" Evan Chu and the others exclaimed, their jaws dropping in disbelief.
"I... I..." Lily Tang stammered, at a loss for how to respond. That damned girl had exposed her at the worst possible moment.
"Lynn Zhu, I'm going to chop you in half..." Lily Tang roared, her temper flaring as she chased after her mischievous maid.
A metaphorical black line appeared on Evan Chu's forehead as he watched the chaos unfold, thinking: So this is the legendary mother tyrannosaurus? If I ever cross her, I'll be lucky to keep my skin!
Evan Chu and Roxanne Lin each took their own room that night, while the three attendants squeezed into a third.
The next morning, Evan Chu rose early, changed into a blue robe, and waited outside Roxanne Lin's door.
Soon, Roxanne Lin emerged in a red dress, her veil and sword in hand, looking every bit the wandering heroine.
She smiled, "Let's go. Lily Tang might already be waiting for us!"
As they stepped outside, only Lily Tang's guards were waiting; Lily Tang and Lynn Zhu were nowhere to be seen.