Pei Ye turned back to look at Yang Yan. Color visibly rose in the boy's cheeks. "All right, all right, let's go."
Taking their leave of Zhang Dingyun, the two headed outside.
"I really didn't think to ask before, but why are you entering the Martial Competition?" Pei Ye asked. "You shouldn't be eligible for the Divine Capital Martial Exam."
"...I'll take the prize and leave," Yang Yan said. He was currently using the "clean identity" he had always carefully protected. For a short time, this identity could still openly appear before anyone.
Pei Ye glanced at the boy beside him, who seemed to have shed his color and sharp edges along with his disguise. He had yet to speak of the crushing burden of blood feuds and injustice he bore, and naturally had things of his own he wanted to do.
Seeing the boy's demeanor and realizing that further questions might put him in a difficult position, Pei Ye let the subject drop. They were passing the West Courtyard just then, and Pei Ye turned his head and waved to the girl inside.
With that, they left the Changdao Martial Arts School.
Li Piaoqing lowered her hand after returning his greeting and withdrew her gaze, still speaking.
"...Shang Huaitong always has at least one seventh growth with him, but often it isn't the same person. So we suspect there are two seventh growths, taking turns handling other matters to ensure that at least one stays beside Shang at all times," the girl said slowly.
"Then there's that eighth growth. We haven't seen any trace of him, but according to you, he'll definitely come."
"He definitely will."
"Mm. Then there's the one upstairs." Li Piaoqing looked toward the three-story building. "The elder who's due to teach in a couple of