Chapter Fifty-Three: Refusal

Repeated deception, time and again—when expectations vanish, the boundless trust left behind collapses in an instant.

Perhaps the dream she had just now left her uneasy, or perhaps knowing that the other couldn’t see her face at this moment made her feel safer; Lu Yalan suddenly wanted to have a calm conversation with her fourth sister. Without anger as fuel for courage, without needing to compete or prove herself, she could simply express her thoughts, unhesitating, unconcerned whether the words were pleasing to others, and without uttering rash things she would regret later.

Certain words simply came naturally.

Lu Yalan gazed at Lu Yahe under the moonlight. The silver glow draped her in a thin veil, her lips pursed high; her still-childish features clearly revealed—

After the audition ends, the results won’t be announced right away, nor will they be declared on the spot.

If the original Nie Zong had already filled him with terror, making him utterly unwilling to provoke, the current Nie Zong felt capable of bringing the sky crashing down with a wave—his own world, the entire Invincible Clan, trampling famous names and conquering the enemy’s guild, the whole realm of Wei.

She easily understood why Bai Yi declined the organizer’s invitation. Now Bai Yi has been nominated for Best Actor and will compete for the crown. At the National Drama Awards, he attends simply as an actor—not as a guest performer, much less as a musician.

The identity of the popular newcomer is already clear: renowned music composer Bai Yi, also known as Young Master Bai.

This is what I meant when I said his work no longer matches the salary he receives. Of course, if he were less principled, he could have kept collecting his paycheck and muddled through, but he didn’t—which proves he’s a decent person.

Lin Ke glanced at his own inventory and found he had gathered quite a few fragments of Sacred Paradise.

The brothers in the courtyard were trusted confidants cultivated over many years. To lose even one would be heartbreaking—let alone for all to be captured at once.

Looking at the drafty thatched hut with walls letting in the wind, the broken wooden table missing a leg, and several pieces of still-fresh, unidentified fish meat, this was the “distinguished guest” treatment Zhang Yifeng and Xing Wuming now enjoyed.

The little boat stopped precisely at Zhang Yifeng’s feet. As the mist on the chessboard cleared, the red and blue pieces formed the character for “please.”

Back in Hengdian, the two nearly lost control and caused a disaster. Now, both are much more restrained about the matter.

Tong Mei was startled, about to scold, when a dull thud sounded outside, as if something had fallen to the ground. Immediately, a twisted, furious roar echoed outside, making both women cover their ears.

“Go!” Not long after, a layer of stone defenses appeared within Old Nine’s view. The leader of the grave robbers shouted, quickly clearing the center; Old Nine, who had been waiting, thrust his spear with all his might.

Su Mu looked pale and weak, breathing heavily; he tried to move his limbs, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t lift them.

“When we pass by here later, we must remember not to look back. Dying over something like this would be far too humiliating!” Mo Yuqing said, still shaken. If he hadn’t kept his cool, his instinctive reactions earlier could have cost him his life.

Even Zhang Chengsheng learned of the news, borrowed a car from Wang Erniu next door, and rushed overnight to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, catching the last flight to Sanya.

The arena had been abandoned for years, likely once used for training and duels when the Sand Iron Gang flourished. It was less than twenty meters long and wide. Ye Ge stood five meters away, calmly watching Ying Lei.

Su Mu interrupted Ma Tian’s words, speaking aloud Ma Tian’s innermost thoughts. Ma Tian was instantly shocked, his face pale, and he retreated several steps.

The time Bu Qianhuai loved most was sunset—a beauty beyond words. Sunset is the last glow cast upon the earth, its colors the most tragic and beautiful in the mortal world.

As he spoke, he finally smiled. Though she could say little about recent events, given the current situation, even if things continued as they were, he could only go and see for himself, lest greater trouble arise later.