A devoted male lead

News of the Royal Academy's recruitment spread throughout the Venus Empire, quickly drawing the attention of the major powers in all three nations.

Along the way, Dongfang Minghui saw many people traveling just as they were. Most came in large groups, and judging by their clothing, they were people of considerable standing.

"Seventh Sister, Qing Yan from the Azure Mist Sect saw both of us before. Will we really be all right?" Although Mu Qing had been blasted to ashes by lightning, she still felt uneasy.

Dongfang Wanyu took a sip of water and gazed at the lush grass outside. "The Azure Mist Sect's reach doesn't extend into the Royal Academy. Once we become its students, we'll receive a certain degree of protection from the academy. Besides, when he saw you, you were still dressed as a young man."

Dongfang Minghui touched her face. She thought there must be something wrong with people's eyesight in this ancient world. Could changing into women's clothes really keep anyone from recognizing her?

"If you're still worried, I'll give you a Disguise Pill when the time comes. It'll alter your appearance a little." Dongfang Wanyu realized that her once overbearing ninth sister was growing increasingly timid.

Hearing that, Dongfang Minghui felt half her worries melt away.

After resting briefly, the two continued on their way.

Dongfang Wanyu resumed driving the carriage, while Dongfang Minghui sat inside pondering what The Female Lead had just said. Although entering the Royal Academy would earn them its protection, its admission requirements weren't something just anyone could meet. The Female Lead had her cheat abilities. What did she have?

She still had no answer by the time they reached Snow Capital, the capital of the Venus Empire.

"Ninth Sister, we're here. Get out first."

Snow Capital was a sprawling city, bustling and prosperous, with grand, elegant architecture. In the distance, an ivory tower stood at the city's highest point, solemn and majestic.

"What are you looking at? You're completely transfixed." Dongfang Wanyu assumed that, since this was her first time away from home, she was having trouble adjusting to such a large city.

In truth, Dongfang Minghui knew from the book that the ivory tower at the highest point was their destination: the Royal Academy.

"Ninth Sister, I'll go take care of the carriage first. Wait here for me," Dongfang Wanyu instructed.

"All right, Seventh Sister."

Holding her bundle, Dongfang Minghui watched the endless stream of people and the noisy bustle around her. She couldn't help thinking of her little companion. If Little Color were here, she probably wouldn't feel so lonely.

She walked into the small shop nearest to her. Its displays were unremarkable. Weapons hung on one wall and lay on the tables as well. The counter, however, was covered with medicinal herbs, all of them low-grade. Pills were stored inside the counter, which was made of transparent crystal resembling the material of a magical core.

"Miss, is there anything I can help you with?"

Dongfang Minghui looked around but saw nothing she particularly wanted. Instead, she recalled what had happened in the Magical Beast Forest.

"Do you sell Spatial Rings?"

Understanding what she wanted, the shopkeeper laid out all the Spatial Rings in his shop on the counter. "These are all our Spatial Rings. It depends on how many cubic meters you need."

Dongfang Minghui scratched her head. She only wanted a Spatial Ring to hold miscellaneous belongings. Throughout their journey, she had noticed that she was the only one carrying a bundle, while everyone else traveled empty-handed. It gave her the odd feeling of being a country bumpkin visiting the city.

"You can judge a Spatial Ring's capacity by the intricacy of its pattern. The more complicated the pattern, the more cubic meters it holds. This is the smallest model, with a simple design. It can hold about five cubic meters of items." The shopkeeper explained everything to Dongfang Minghui with great patience and enthusiasm.

Just as she hesitated, unsure which one to choose—

“This isn't the kind we need. Shopkeeper, do you have Spatial Rings that can hold living things?” Dongfang Wanyu put back the Spatial Ring in her hand.

“Seventh Sister, have you finished everything?” Dongfang Minghui didn't understand what The Female Lead intended, but a Spatial Ring that could hold living things sounded pretty good too. Next time, she could put Little Color inside and let her little companion experience what it was like.

The shopkeeper hurriedly gave a rueful smile. “Miss, this is only a small business. We really don't carry high-grade Spatial Rings. My apologies.”

Dongfang Wanyu nodded and pulled her out of the shop.

“I told you to stay where you were. Can't you do as you're told?” Dongfang Minghui said angrily. She had lost sight of her in the blink of an eye.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Dongfang Minghui didn't argue. She lowered her head and stared at her shoes.

“Let's go.” Seeing her look like an aggrieved little wife, Dongfang Wanyu couldn't bring herself to say any more.

They walked onward, one behind the other. As they passed a dark alley, they heard voices coming from within.

"Be a good girl and let me have my fun, and I'll have them let your crippled brother go. How does that sound?"

“Lu Peng, you beast! You'll die a horrible death!”

Sounds of struggling and curses kept coming from the alley, but not a single plea for mercy. It seemed the girl had a fierce temper too.

Dongfang Wanyu listened for a moment and continued walking, only for Dongfang Minghui to grab her wrist.

“Seventh Sister, let's help her.”

If they hadn't witnessed it, they could have ignored it. But now that they had stumbled upon it, she felt she would probably have nightmares if she stood by and let the girl suffer.

Besides, Lu Peng's name—hah, she remembered it. Another cannon fodder character being used as someone else's pawn. But this minor character came from an extraordinarily powerful family.

They would offend him sooner or later anyway, so they might as well go all the way.

Dongfang Wanyu raised an eyebrow at her. Seeing that The Female Lead remained unmoved, Dongfang Minghui found a stick nearby and weighed it in her hand. A blow to the back of the head should knock that creep out.

There was a ripping sound as clothing tore.

"You beast!"

"Be good, little beauty. Soon, you'll experience the ultimate pleasure. Come here."

Dongfang Minghui was creeping into the dark alley step by step when someone suddenly pulled the stick from her hand. A few screams like those of a pig being slaughtered rang out from the alley.

She glanced around and realized how secluded this place really was. Even with the people inside screaming like that, no one heard them.

After a brief rustling inside, two people soon emerged. One was a girl biting her lip, her eyes slightly red. Most of her clothes had been torn apart. She covered her chest with one hand while desperately smoothing her trousers with the other.

"Thank you for saving my life."

Dongfang Wanyu nodded without saying much.

Feeling terribly sorry for her, Dongfang Minghui took a men's outer robe from her bundle and gave it to her. “Put this on, quickly.”

"Thank you."

The girl quickly put it on. Since her build was similar to Dongfang Minghui's, it fit perfectly. She lightly wiped the corners of her eyes. “It looks like you two have just arrived in Snow Capital.”

“How did you know?” Dongfang Minghui blurted out.

Dongfang Wanyu shot her a displeased glance.

The girl smiled bitterly and pointed at the unconscious man inside. “Everyone in Snow Capital knows that Young Master Lu Peng isn't someone you can afford to offend. His men are guarding the alley entrance. Although you helped me today, you've also offended one of Snow Capital's major powers. I'm sorry. I've dragged you into this.”

Dongfang Minghui blinked, then blinked again. She pitifully caught Dongfang Wanyu's sleeve. “Seventh Sister, this is all my fault.”

"I hit him from behind. He probably doesn't know it was us. Let's go. We still need to find somewhere to settle in for today." Seeing her pitiful expression, Dongfang Wanyu couldn't help chiding her.

Hearing that they needed somewhere to stay, the girl kindly offered, "You two helped me today. If you don't mind, there's an empty room in my humble home where you can spend the night. I can also lead you out through the alleys so you won't run into Lu Peng's men."

Dongfang Minghui had no objections. She looked at Dongfang Wanyu with wide, blinking eyes and tugged her sleeve, making it perfectly clear that she wanted to go.

"All right. Sorry for the trouble tonight."

The girl's name was Nan Nan, and she lived in a remote part of the city. Both her parents had died, leaving only her and her older brother, Nan Fei, whose legs were paralyzed.

Along the way, the three briefly introduced themselves. Dongfang Minghui and Dongfang Wanyu both used aliases: Qian Minghui and Qian Wanyu, respectively.

Dongfang Minghui couldn't help grumbling inwardly that her own surname, Dongfang, sounded better. Sharing The Female Lead's surname somehow felt strange.

"Minghui, Wanyu, could you keep what happened today a secret for me?" Nan Nan stopped a few hundred paces from her home and asked quietly.

The two exchanged glances. Guessing that she didn't want her older brother to worry, they nodded in agreement.

Nan Nan's home stood in a secluded place, without a single neighbor for a hundred miles around. The family had next to nothing, and the surroundings were sparse, but the interior had been made very cozy.

Nan Nan looked a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry. It's already late, so please make do here for tonight."

"It's fine." Dongfang Wanyu didn't mind. Her former quarters in the Dongfang Family hadn't been much better than this.

"Is that you, Nan Nan?" A gentle voice came from inside. There was a touch of huskiness to it that sounded rather alluring.

"Yes, Big Brother. Wait a moment. Two friends have come over, so I'll see to them first." In her room, Nan Nan quickly tidied up her disheveled appearance, changed her clothes, and tied up her hair until nothing looked out of the ordinary.

Dongfang Minghui and Dongfang Wanyu waited outside. Both were a little surprised when she emerged. Nan Nan had composed herself so well that she looked nothing like a girl who had nearly been violated.

Nan Nan smiled at them, then entered her brother's room and wheeled him out. "Big Brother, these are the friends I made today. This is Qian Minghui, and this is Qian Wanyu."

Nan Fei had a handsome face that was impossible to forget. He wore a faint smile and looked gentle and courteous. Like his voice, his presence was as soothing as a spring breeze. His complexion was somewhat pale, probably because he rarely saw sunlight. Even seated in a wheelchair, he carried himself with such distinction that they found it hard to believe the siblings came from a poor family.

"Minghui, Wanyu, this is my older brother, Nan Fei."

Dongfang Minghui marveled inwardly. Another devoted male lead.