Shield of Radiance (I)

Li Xin said viciously, "Last time? You still have the nerve to bring up last time? If my dad and Uncle Lin hadn't arrived so quickly, I would've cut her down with one sword."

Lin Jialu sneered. "If Dad hadn't protected you, I would've frozen you into an ice sculpture last time."

Li Xin said disdainfully, "If you've got the guts, don't use any Magic Equipment."

Lin Jialu said contemptuously, "If you've got the guts, don't summon that unicorn of yours."

Li Xin's anger was clearly about to break loose. With a flick of her wrist, she drew one of the twin swords from her back. "Come on, let's take this outside. Today, I won't summon Rose. Let's see what you can do to me."

Lin Jialu handed the Magic Staff in her hand to the warrior attendant beside her. "Fine, then I won't use my Magic Staff either. Let me show you this young lady's casting speed."

"Young ladies, the Governor and the Chief have said that if you two fight again, you'll both be confined." Sweat had already broken out on the foreheads of the two warriors, who stood between the girls with bitter, helpless smiles.

At the words "confined," both Li Xin and Lin Jialu visibly stalled. Then, with perfect tacit understanding, they snorted angrily at the same time.

Lin Jialu sneered. "You got lucky."

"I got lucky? This young lady is already a seventh-rank knight, while someone is still only a sixth-rank mage. Who exactly got lucky? Aren't we forbidden from fighting? Fine! Lin Jialu, do you dare make a bet with me?"

Lin Jialu gave a huff. "What are we betting on?"

Li Xin pointed at Long Haochen, who had already risen to stand behind her. "This is my little brother. I'll have him fight for me, and you can send someone out too. If we don't fight ourselves, we won't be confined."

Li Xin had been blocking Long Haochen from view until now. Only after she moved aside did Lin Jialu see him. Her eyes immediately lit up. Long Haochen's exquisite, nearly perfect face, his rare and uniquely clear pale-gold eyes, and the intangible air about him all left her astonished.

After looking at Long Haochen, then at Li Xin, Lin Jialu lowered her voice and asked, "Is he a girl disguised as a boy too, like you?"

The muscles on Long Haochen's face twitched at once, and black lines filled his head. Frowning, he said, "I'm a man."

Can you two not do this? Why does everyone who sees me think I'm a woman? Can't they see I have an Adam's apple? Don't they have any common sense?

Li Xin said smugly, "What do you think? My little brother is handsome, right? Have you ever seen such a handsome little guy?"

Lin Jialu curled her lips. "So you have that kind of hobby. You like young boys. But you're far too much older than him, aren't you? Have you no shame?"

"You..." Li Xin snapped, "Just tell me, do you dare bet or not? Let me tell you, my little brother is also from our Haoyue Branch Temple. He only joined today."

Lin Jialu froze. "Are you mistaken? You're letting him fight? How old is he? Is he even fifteen?"

Li Xin said, "That's none of your business. Just say whether you dare or not. If you don't, then get lost already. Don't ruin this old lady's mood for eating."

"Who are you calling an old lady? Fine, I'll bet. Isn't he just a little boy? Xu Tiankong, you go." For some reason, Lin Jialu and Li Xin simply rubbed each other the wrong way. Neither could withstand the other's provocation.

Li Xin said, "We'll fight outside. Don't affect their business. And since it's a bet, we need stakes."

Lin Jialu said, "What do you want to wager?"

Li Xin had clearly thought out the stakes long ago. She took a white crystal from her chest and said, "I'll wager this magic crystal from a fifth-rank light-element Magic Beast, a Golden Flame Tiger, against the Shield of Radiance in your family's shop."

Lin Jialu's expression shifted slightly. "Are you crazy?" She vaguely sensed that something was off. Golden Flame Tiger magic crystals were exceedingly rare and ranked among the most valuable magic crystals from fifth-rank Magic Beasts. Though the Shield of Radiance was good, its value alone did not compare to this magic crystal. Was she really that confident?

Li Xin tossed the magic crystal in her hand and sneered. "If you don't dare, then get lost already. Remember to take a detour whenever you see me in the future."

"What's there to be afraid of? Fine, we'll bet." In a rush of impulse, Lin Jialu agreed outright.

Long Haochen had remained silent at the side. Though he did not know what conflict existed between Li Xin and Lin Jialu, he could tell that although they bickered and quarreled, they still watched their words. They were not truly enemies. Li Xin had always treated him well. He could not refuse to fight for his sister.

The group left the restaurant together. Li Xin held Long Haochen's hand and whispered, "Little brother, I'm really sorry. You haven't even eaten yet, and I'm already making you fight. But you have to do your best! Your sister has a reason for doing this, so you must win."

Long Haochen clearly saw a trace of slyness in Li Xin's eyes. He nodded. "Sister, I'll do my best."

On the other side, Lin Jialu was also encouraging her attendant. "Xu Tiankong, that little boy probably has some skill, but you must win. If you win this wager, I'll give you a good sword when we get back. But remember, don't really hurt him."

Xu Tiankong said helplessly, "Miss, then let's agree on this: once the wager is over, no matter who wins or loses, don't make trouble with Miss Xin'er again, all right? Otherwise, I'll have to report it to the Governor."

Lin Jialu said impatiently, "I know."

In front of the restaurant was an open area specially used for parking carriages. There were not many carriages at the moment, leaving just enough room for their wager.

Long Haochen had already stepped out with his heavy sword in hand. When Xu Tiankong stepped out from the other side as well, Long Haochen instead said to Lin Jialu, "Sister Lin, I've never fought a mage before. Could I ask for your guidance?"

"Hmm?" Both Li Xin and Lin Jialu froze.

Li Xin hurriedly said, "Little brother, don't fool around." She had seen Long Haochen fight and knew that he had decent practical combat experience. His spiritual energy cultivation level from the earlier test had not been low either. Lin Jialu's two guards had only just broken through to the third rank. Without the support of holy light skills, it would be difficult for them to defeat Long Haochen. But Lin Jialu was different. She was the genius girl of Bright Moon City, as famous as Li Xin herself.

Long Haochen said seriously to Li Xin, "Sister, my father told me that practical combat experience is often more important than cultivation level. I want to try fighting a mage."

Lin Jialu walked over to the somewhat dazed Xu Tiankong and asked doubtfully, "Little boy, you want to fight me? Then your Sister Xin'er is guaranteed to lose."

Long Haochen slowly raised the heavy sword in his hand and shook his head. "Not necessarily. Sister Xin'er, is that all right?"

Looking at the composure and determination that did not match Long Haochen's age, Li Xin smiled faintly. "Good. You truly are my little brother. Let her see how formidable you are. Lin Jialu, don't cry if you lose."

"I'll lose?" Lin Jialu rolled her eyes at Li Xin. Without even retrieving her staff, she faced Long Haochen empty-handed. "Then come on."

"Sister Lin, please." As he spoke, Long Haochen lightly tapped his right shoulder with the heavy sword in his hand and performed a knight's salute. Then, with the tips of his feet touching down, he launched a Charge at Lin Jialu.

Clear, chilly syllables rapidly spilled from Lin Jialu's lips. She did not retreat. A layer of faint blue light rippled out from her body. With a point of her right hand, an ice sphere shot toward Long Haochen like lightning. The whole process took less than a second.