Chapter 6: The Enigmatic Rival on the Rooftop

As the final curtain descended on the competition, Ouyang Xiyue found himself alone, making his way to the rooftop of the teaching building. Gazing upwards, he saw the cherry blossom tree, a vision of ethereal beauty, its branches laden with blossoms that burst forth in a riot of pink, like a fairy draped in silken robes, creating a scene both dreamlike and illusory. A genuine smile, as warm and gentle as the first ray of spring sunshine, quietly bloomed upon his face.

A gentle breeze, akin to a tender caress, swept past Ouyang Xiyue. His long, silver hair, luminous as moonlight, was gently stirred by the current, swaying gracefully in the air like silk dancing in the wind, smooth and ethereal.

Concurrently, the breeze carried a flurry of cherry blossom petals, detached from their branches, which fluttered down like a host of pink pixies, delicately brushing against Ouyang Xiyue’s exquisitely handsome face. At this moment, Ouyang Xiyue, with an appearance so delicate he might be mistaken for a young maiden, slowly closed his eyes, allowing himself to be fully immersed in the unique tranquility, feeling as if he had become one with the entire world.

“Clap, clap, clap. ‘How truly beautiful,’ a voice remarked. ‘This scene is nothing short of a living painting; I almost can’t bring myself to disturb such tranquility.'”

The voice emanated abruptly from behind Ouyang Xiyue.

Ouyang Xiyue’s heart jolted with surprise. ‘When did she arrive?’ he wondered internally. ‘I had been so absorbed in calming my somewhat turbulent emotions that I hadn’t sensed her presence at all.’

With that thought, he swiftly leaped backward, creating a significant distance between himself and the young woman who had materialized behind him.

Upon closer inspection, he saw a young woman with long blue hair styled into a neat braid.

“‘Oh? It’s you, Ye Xuehui. Is there something you need from me?'”

Ouyang Xiyue’s gaze sharpened, wary of the strikingly handsome young woman before him. After all, she was renowned as the academy’s strongest, and currently, his most formidable rival.

“‘Intriguing, truly intriguing,’ Ye Xuehui began, her tone chilling. ‘Not only is your appearance exceptionally beautiful, but your strength is also remarkably potent. I sought you out precisely to inquire: what is your ultimate objective in so boldly challenging the academy’s various clubs? You would do well to answer me truthfully, or else…'” Her face remained impassive, radiating an icy indifference that seemed to push all others a thousand miles away.

Observing Ye Xuehui’s perpetually frigid demeanor, Ouyang Xiyue shook his head in exasperation. ‘Doesn’t she ever get tired of wearing such a stern expression all day?’ he couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

“‘Purpose?’ Ouyang Xiyue responded with a detached air. ‘What purpose could I possibly have? And even if I did, I hardly feel obligated to disclose it to you, do I?'” Having delivered his retort, he began to turn, intending to depart.

However, the moment he pivoted, Ye Xuehui suddenly advanced, pinning him against the wall in a swift ‘kabedon’ maneuver. Though Ouyang Xiyue outwardly maintained his composure, he had never once encountered such a situation. For a moment, he was utterly bewildered, finding himself only able to stare blankly at Ye Xuehui before him.

“‘Hey, what do you think you’re doing, suddenly acting like this? Let go of me!'” Ouyang Xiyue exclaimed, a hint of panic in his voice.

“‘Hmph, I can release you,’ Ye Xuehui purred, ‘but only if you answer my previous question. Otherwise…'” As she spoke, she extended her other hand, delicately tilting Ouyang Xiyue’s chin upwards, a subtly wicked smile playing on her lips, before slowly leaning her face closer to his.

In such matters, Ouyang Xiyue was as guileless as a child untouched by the world. Panic immediately seized him, and his cheeks rapidly flushed a brilliant crimson, mirroring the vibrant hues of a sunset streaking across the sky.

“‘Stop… please, stop… I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you…'” Desperate to safeguard his virtue, Ouyang Xiyue reasoned that since she was so keen to know, he might as well tell her; it wasn’t a matter of grave importance, after all.

Upon hearing Ouyang Xiyue’s capitulation, Ye Xuehui released him, though not without a lingering, gentle stroke against his cheek.

“‘Hmph, what a truly adorable fellow,’ Ye Xuehui murmured, her voice a low, magnetic hum. ‘His face is flushed like a ripe apple; it makes me want to take a bite.'”

Ouyang Xiyue immediately shielded his face with his hands. The instant his palms made contact, he was astonished to find his cheeks burning so fiercely they felt as though they might emit steam.

“‘That scoundrel, Ye Xuehui!’ Ouyang Xiyue fumed inwardly. ‘How has she become a completely different person? Her current roguish charm is a stark contrast to her earlier icy aloofness… No, what am I even thinking about?'”

“‘It’s no matter to tell you,’ Ouyang Xiyue stated, taking a deep breath and striving to calm his racing heart. ‘I simply intend to defeat the main clubs of Saint Sea within a week. My objective is quite straightforward: to become stronger.'”

“‘Oh, so that’s the case. You truly are an interesting fellow,’ Ye Xuehui remarked. With that, she instantly shed her roguish smile, her features reverting to their usual expression of cool indifference.

Witnessing Ye Xuehui’s astonishing transformation, Ouyang Xiyue inwardly grumbled, ‘Does she think she’s performing a magic trick, changing expressions so rapidly? Honestly!’ As Ye Xuehui’s retreating figure, a silhouette against the distant corridor, vanished from sight, Ouyang Xiyue was left in thoughtful silence.

He understood clearly that the current opponent was merely an appetizer, a minor test of strength. The truly formidable adversary was the young woman so recently lauded as a veritable prodigy. Just how powerful was she, truly? Ouyang Xiyue’s thoughts drifted, unbidden, into the distance.

After a period of idle contemplation, Ouyang Xiyue made his way back to his dormitory.

“‘Lord Xiyue, you were absolutely magnificent!’ Shangguan Yun exclaimed excitedly from her bed, propped up on one elbow, a manga comic held in her other hand. ‘I knew the Princess’s judgment wouldn’t be mistaken!'”

“‘Thank you for the compliment,’ Ouyang Xiyue replied softly.

Noticing Ouyang Xiyue’s unusual quietness, Shangguan Yun presumed something was amiss. ‘Could it be that he’s been separated from the Princess for too long, which is why… ehehehe,’ she mused mischievously to herself.

“‘Speaking of Ye Xuehui, Shangguan Yun, how much do you actually know about her?’ Ouyang Xiyue suddenly inquired.

“‘Ye Xuehui?’ Shangguan Yun’s eyes glazed over, a lovesick expression spreading across her face, her voice practically dripping with adoration. ‘Oh, she’s… incredibly handsome, absolutely my goddess, ehehehe!'”

Ouyang Xiyue gazed at Shangguan Yun with utter helplessness, unable to stop himself from exclaiming, “‘Hey! Can you possibly refrain from being so utterly infatuated at a time like this?'”

“‘Ahem, ahem,’ Shangguan Yun cleared her throat, ‘My apologies, Lord Xiyue. Whenever Ye Xuehui is mentioned, I can’t help but recall her coolly captivating face—it’s truly a beauty so striking it ought to be illegal!'” Having said this, Shangguan Yun even let out an exaggerated squeal.

“‘Ye Xuehui, cold?’ Ouyang Xiyue pondered, a flicker of doubt in his mind. ‘But the way she was just now… Which personality is the real her, that scoundrel?'”

“‘Hey! That’s quite enough from you!'” Ouyang Xiyue was utterly exasperated. While that person was undeniably handsome, her true personality remained infuriatingly inscrutable.

Recalling the recent encounter, a surge of indignation welled within him. ‘What that scoundrel just did to me is utterly unforgivable!’ he seethed.

“‘Lord Xiyue?'”

Shangguan Yun’s voice gently tugged Ouyang Xiyue back from the labyrinth of his thoughts.

“‘Ah? *Cough*. My apologies, I suddenly got lost in thought about something else. Please, continue,’ Ouyang Xiyue said, a touch of awkwardness in his tone.

“‘Mhm, mhm,’ Shangguan Yun affirmed. ‘When it comes to Ye Xuehui, one thing is absolutely undeniable: she’s ridiculously strong, practically a monster. I recall a time when she sparred with a formidable teacher from the academy, and Ye Xuehui emerged victorious without even breaking a sweat. That incident remained pinned at the top of the academy’s online forum for an extended period, though it was recently supplanted by news of your own exploits,’ Shangguan Yun recounted with great animation.

“‘Huh? Me? But I haven’t done anything worth mentioning,’ Ouyang Xiyue said, looking utterly bewildered.

“‘Lord Xiyue, I must tell you, you’ve only been at the academy for a few days, yet the top five posts on the forum are all about you! Who can blame them when you’re so incredibly charming? Even I, a girl myself, can’t help but feel a pang of envy.'” Shangguan Yun regarded Ouyang Xiyue with a look that was a charming blend of melancholy and grudging admiration.

“‘Hey, you’re getting off topic,’ Ouyang Xiyue said with a wry smile. ‘They’re merely captivated by my appearance. If they knew I was actually a boy, they certainly wouldn’t be reacting this way.'”

“‘Tsk, tsk, tsk, I won’t talk about you anymore, or I’ll lose all confidence,’ Shangguan Yun declared, then continued, ‘Ye Xuehui is fifteen this year. She’s the eldest young master of the Ye family from the Radiant Moon Continent, and also their heir. Her strength is unfathomable; she consistently achieves first place in every exam. Most importantly, she’s incredibly handsome, and currently serves as the Student Council President. She defeated the previous president in a challenge match, successfully securing that position.'” Shangguan Yun spoke with an air of triumphant pride, as if she were praising herself.

‘Student Council President… my greatest enemy, tsk, this doesn’t bode well,’ Ouyang Xiyue mused internally. ‘However, her true strength remains unknown. I’ll have to witness it firsthand during the competition. Though victory is still uncertain, I have considerable confidence in myself.’

“‘I think I understand now. Thank you, Shangguan Yun. And the Ye family… I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere before,'” Ouyang Xiyue said.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him, bringing Ling’er’s words to mind. ‘The Ye family… I remember now. It’s that incredibly powerful Ye family. Ling’er said that if possible, I should try not to provoke Ye Xuehui. So that’s it. No wonder she’s the Ye family’s heir…’

“‘Of course! Throughout the entire world, there’s probably no one who hasn’t heard of the Ye family from the Radiant Moon Continent. After all, the current Ye Family Head is known as the Demon King of Radiant Moon,'” Shangguan Yun stated.

“‘Thanks, Shangguan Yun, I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight,'” Ouyang Xiyue said, settling into his bed.

‘Demon King, huh?’ he silently pondered.