The sky was still dark when the bells of Douluo Hall began to ring.
Their deep Bell Chimes rolled down the mountainside, waking half of Spirit City—and Bai Jin, who had only just fallen asleep.
He sat on the edge of his bed, his silver-white hair impressively disheveled, and stared at the blue-gray sky outside. For a long moment, he seriously considered whether leaving Spirit City right now would count as desertion before battle.
Someone knocked on the Gate three times.
"If you're awake, open the Gate." Qian Renxue's voice came from outside.
Bai Jin opened the Gate. Qian Renxue had already changed into a gold-and-white formal gown, her long hair tied back with an angel-feather ornament. She looked him up and down, one brow lifting slightly.
"Are you planning to wear pajamas to Douluo Hall?"
"I think they'd better express a Titled Douluo's freedom."
Qian Renxue shoved the formal clothes draped over her arm into his hands. "Five minutes."
Bai Jin glanced down at them, then back at her. "The young mistress brought me clothes herself. I'm a little touched."
"Four minutes."
The Gate closed in his face.
When Bai Jin emerged dressed, Qian Renxue smoothed his collar. Her fingers accidentally brushed his Adam's apple, and her hand paused for the briefest instant. Bai Jin lowered his gaze to her, a smile already tugging at his lips.
"Don't say anything," Qian Renxue said first.
"I haven't said a word."
"Your face said it all."
By the time they reached Douluo Hall, dawn had just cleared the ridge.
The hall Gates stood wide open. The names of generations of Titled Douluo ran along the stone walls into its depths. Members of the Elder Hall and the Worship Hall stood in ranks on either side. Qian Daoliu stood at the far