A Dream

Seeing Yang Yi again was at another basketball game. This was an invitational match hosted by Polytechnic University. Ostensibly, it was meant for the two schools' basketball teams to interact and improve, but everyone knew it was actually Polytechnic University's chance to get revenge.

Since Eldest Brother was playing, Xiao Xiao and the others naturally followed him to Polytechnic University to cheer for him and their school's basketball team.

Stepping through the gates of Polytechnic University again, crowds of students bustled on both sides. Xiao Xiao heard their laughter and cheers, but it was as if he were hearing it from a distance. His thoughts had already uncontrollably drifted back to that alleyway.

After agreeing to Ling Yao's proposal to eat monsters, Xiao Xiao naturally couldn't stay put and watch Ling Yao devour a monster that was a whole size larger than itself.

The Gu雕 began to struggle again. The last thing Xiao Xiao saw before turning away was its pair of stubbornly insane vertical pupils, narrowed to a fine needle. Within their rich, scarlet depths, a dull, despairing black seeped out, yet it was resolute, as if determined to destroy everything.

Xiao Xiao didn't look any longer. He knew that no matter how much the Gu beast erupted with its inner power, it was already beyond saving.

"Tap~ tap~"

Xiao Xiao slowly stepped out of the dim alleyway and into the gentle, bright daylight.

He leaned lazily at the alley entrance, supporting his forehead with one hand, his soft fingertips massaging the throbbing ache.

He could already foresee how miserable he would be for a long time to come.

Ling Yao's meal didn't take much time. As Ling Yao disappeared, Xiao Xiao felt a sudden sensation, and a voice in his consciousness made him pause. So advanced, it can even 'telepathically communicate'?

Xiao Xiao tilted his head and looked into the depths of the alley. Even though his eyesight had been greatly enhanced, he couldn't see through solid objects. All he could see was a stone wall.

Xiao Xiao couldn't quite understand the point of him staying behind.

After all, any monster he summoned would naturally disappear with a mere thought or a pre-given command.

Besides, ordinary people couldn't see them. This indeed provided him with much convenience in his actions.

It must be the headache, so he needed to rest.

Ignoring the slight annoyance in his heart, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but bang his head back against the wall. The external stimulation slightly lessened the internal pain.

His hand grew warm, a familiar sensation that made Xiao Xiao immediately raise the hand holding the Monster Compendium. The black cover faintly displayed intricate, strange patterns that shifted and swirled. Silver light flowed, tinged with wisps of crimson. Whether it was his imagination or not, the crimson seemed to deepen, lively as if it were a living creature, weaving through the silver glow.

A warm current slowly flowed through Xiao Xiao's entire body. Most of it entered his brain, while the rest was distributed to his limbs and bones, his eyes, and even his ears were not missed.

Xiao Xiao felt as if he were soaking in an open-air hot spring, his whole body languid and comfortable, almost making him want to close his eyes and sleep.

He tilted his head slightly, the soft sunlight enveloping his entire body. His sensitive, thin eyelids covered his eyeballs, and a warm airflow circulated between them. Was it the sunlight, the warm current within him, or a combination of both?

In any case, Xiao Xiao felt as if every cell in his body was cheering and rejoicing like never before.

It was a mesmerizing and addictive feeling.

Xiao Xiao maintained his posture until all sensations had completely vanished before slowly, somewhat reluctantly, opening his eyes.

The world before him had not changed in the slightest, yet Xiao Xiao felt as if he were seeing a new world.

With his senses sharpened, he could better appreciate the beauty of this world he had long taken for granted.

"Tsk, it's so bright." Xiao Xiao didn't squint but instead widened his eyes, joyfully observing everything within his sight.

Bright radiance shone into his heart, melting away his previous gloom, leaving only clarity and warmth.

The basketball arena was packed, and the roar of the crowd was deafening.

Taking advantage of Eldest Brother's status, Xiao Xiao and the others secured good seats in the front row under the guise of the basketball team.

"There are so many people!" Zhao Luzheng exclaimed, looking around.

"Hmph, you just want to see our school lose? Dream on! Don't come crying when you lose again!" Zhuge Yun was quite indignant.

Fortunately, the stands were filled with Yan University students. Otherwise, Xiao Xiao truly doubted if they would be able to leave Polytechnic University after Zhuge Yun's outburst.

"Second Brother," Zhao Luzheng said helplessly. It's fine to say such things within our own school or just think them, but is it really okay to be so arrogant on their turf?

"I'm just stating facts!" Zhuge Yun crossed his arms, looking disdainful.

This idiot, Xiao Xiao thought, speechless yet also amused.

"Yes, exactly!"

"That's right! Do these Polytechnic University guys really think they can win just because they're on their home court?"

"Who's afraid of who? Let's crush them!"

Clearly, Zhuge Yun's words were met with agreement from the surrounding Yan University students, who chimed in with their support.

Zhuge Yun looked smug, and in his spitting enthusiasm, he quickly bonded with the people around him.

Xiao Xiao didn't join them. He stood up and walked to the railing, his gaze sweeping towards the opposing team's bench below.

Yang Yi stood out from the crowd as usual, catching the eye immediately.

It seemed as if he truly believed everything that had happened was just a dream and had moved past the influence of that event.

...This human can see monsters because of the Gu Diao. If the Gu Diao dies, he won't be able to see monsters anymore..." Ling Yao's parting words echoed in his mind.

Xiao Xiao had left Yang Yi in the alley. After hearing Ling Yao's words, he felt it would be best for them not to have any further contact.

Later, Yang Yi came to Yan University again. Unfortunately, he didn't know Xiao Xiao's name. Perhaps he hadn't taken Xiao Xiao seriously during their previous meeting, or he had simply forgotten. In any case, he had never asked for Xiao Xiao's name, nor had Xiao Xiao offered it.

Therefore, Yang Yi, who only knew Xiao Xiao's appearance but not his name, spent considerable effort to find him.

When faced with Yang Yi's questions, Xiao Xiao naturally denied everything.

"No, I only saw you at the basketball game last time."

"I haven't seen you anywhere else."

Of course, this was flawed. Yang Yi's roommates had seen him and knew he had come looking for Yang Yi.

So, he had originally planned to never set foot in Polytechnic University again.

However, he couldn't just skip Eldest Brother's game.

Because Eldest Brother had performed exceptionally well in the previous match against Polytechnic University, he had since received focused training from the school team. This time, Eldest Brother naturally had a chance to play.

As a good brother, how could he not come to cheer him on without a valid reason?

Xiao Xiao hesitated for a long time, but ultimately, he came.

In reality, he didn't care if Yang Yi considered the past period a dream. After all, no matter how interested Yang Yi was, if he couldn't see it, it was all for naught.

Xiao Xiao was just trying to avoid trouble.

Thinking this way, Xiao Xiao felt at ease and, without any reservations, returned to the Polytechnic University basketball arena, where, as expected, he saw Yang Yi again.

In fact, no matter what Yang Yi thought, he could only consider that period of time and the Gu carving as a dream.

This was the only and best choice.

"Beep~" The game began.