Xu Nian looked at the extraordinarily graceful Murong Xue, feeling a multitude of emotions in his heart.

    Now, Murong Xue evidently seemed more charming than a year ago, with an added touch of maturity.

    "How about that, was it worth the trip? Let me tell you, although Murong Xue is ranked third on the Beauty List, it''s only because she is younger. Give her a few more years, and even the top two might not be able to hold a candle to her elegance," Chen Wudi said to Xu Nian with a light smile.

    Xu Nian was silent but agreed with Chen Wudi''s statement.

    At just sixteen, Murong Xue was already so outstanding; in another two years, she would likely be even more dazzling.

    Thinking of this, Xu Nian couldn''t help but have the image surface in his mind from the time he helped treat her illness and the white scene that was unveiled when he removed the pink bellyband, causing his blood to churn.

    Frightened, he quickly composed himself, suppressing the restless energy inside and silently chided himself for his wild thoughts.

    "What''s her cultivation level now?" Xu Nian deliberately changed the subject.

    "Her cultivation level is not low, King-level talent plus already two years at the Academy, so she is now a One-star Warrior," Chen Wudi answered.

    He hadn''t done anything else these past few days but investigate the backgrounds of all ten beauties on the Beauty List, so naturally, he knew Murong Xue''s cultivation level very well.

    "Sixteen years old, a One-star Warrior, truly deserves to be the number one prodigy of Tianhai City," Xu Nian remarked with emotion.

    Anyone who could reach the Star Realm before the age of eighteen was considered a genius-grade person, and Murong Xue reaching it at sixteen further proved her diligence in addition to her talent.

    "Feeling interested, huh? But let me tell you, it''s hopeless. I''ve already inquired, Murong Xue already has someone in her heart. Otherwise, with your Emperor Level talent, you would have made a great match for her," Chen Wudi teased with a chuckle.

    Xu Nian gave a helpless smile, but his heart felt a mysterious sense of loss.

    "She has someone in her heart? Who could it be?" Xu Nian murmured softly, looking at that mesmerizing figure.

    ...

    "Xue''er sister, there you are. No wonder I didn''t see you at your residence," as Xu Nian was lost in his thoughts, a familiar voice resounded in the Scripture Pavilion.

    Xu Nian''s eyes instantly turned icy, and killing intent flashed, fixing his gaze on the newcomer.

    The newcomer was none other than his ''good second brother,'' Qin Hen, who had caused his six years of hard cultivation to be destroyed.

    Seeing Qin Hen again now, the suppressed killing intent in Xu Nian''s heart surged forth.

    Indeed, the speaker was none other than the ever-troublemaking Chen Wudi.

    After taking one look at Chen Wudi, Qin Hen''s gaze shifted coldly towards Xu Nian standing next to him.

    "Who are you?" Qin Hen asked Chen Wudi.

    "Who I am isn''t important. What''s important is my elder brother thinks you''re shameless, so he sent me to scold you," Chen Wudi said arrogantly.

    "Who is your elder brother?" Qin Hen asked again.

    "If I tell you, it might scare you to death. My elder brother is him, his name is Xu Nian," Chen Wudi boasted as he pointed at Xu Nian.

    Suddenly, all eyes fell on Xu Nian, everyone pondering over which significant figure he might be.

    Even Murong Xue looked at Xu Nian in surprise, curiosity filling her eyes.

    Meanwhile, Xu Nian rolled his eyes, cursed inwardly at Chen Wudi''s knack for landing his allies in trouble.

    Though he had wanted to confront Qin Hen eventually, he hadn''t planned to act so soon. However, with Chen Wudi''s instigation, it seemed he had no choice but to engage now.

    Sure enough, upon hearing Chen Wudi''s remark, Qin Hen fixed his gaze on Xu Nian and scoffed, "So it was you, my dear brother. I didn''t expect you to turn the tables one day. What, feeling confident enough to challenge me now?"

    My dear brother?

    As Qin Hen spoke those words, everyone''s eyes again settled on Xu Nian, suddenly realizing his identity.

    Xu Nian''s story had spread throughout Qinglin Academy, turning him into a legendary figure. At first, people hadn''t made the connection, but Qin Hen''s words had fully awakened them.

    Murong Xue also looked at Xu Nian in astonishment, her curiosity piqued.

    She had heard of Xu Nian''s tales—how his Dantian had been destroyed, how he was expelled from his family, and inexplicably his Dantian recovered, allowing him entry into Qinglin Academy with Emperor Level cultivation. Truly, he was a legendary figure.

    But what intrigued her the most was the sudden, mysterious sense of familiarity and closeness she felt when she first saw Xu Nian.

    Xu Nian glared back at Qin Hen, his eyes filled with endless killing intent.

    He was initially upset at Chen Wudi''s meddling, but when Qin Hen spoke up, he suddenly felt grateful for Chen Wudi''s initiative.

    Killing intent surged like a flood, unstoppable once unleashed!