Volume One: When Youth Blossoms Chapter Sixteen: The Calm Before the Storm

Huo Ye and Alice climbed up to the top of the wall. Huo Ye turned to Alice and said, “Xiao Ai, when the fighting starts, stay behind me and make sure to watch my back.”

Alice replied with a quiet “Okay.” She was a sharpshooter, never meant to fight on the front lines. Her role was clear—to provide cover fire for Huo Ye, supporting him as best as she could. For over a decade, they had trained together in this cooperative style. Today would be a rare, perhaps unique, opportunity to put their practice into real action.

The assault from the Calamity was fierce, but breaking through the force field would still take at least half an hour—Huo Ye was certain of that. With this in mind, he began to walk along the city wall. He noticed that some students had already started to cluster together, forming small groups.

He felt a bit puzzled. Just as he was about to turn and ask Alice about it, he spotted someone lurking in a corner, watching him furtively—Jiang Feng!

Huo Ye frowned at Jiang Feng, then crooked his finger, unambiguously signaling, “Come here.”

Jiang Feng’s hair stood on end at the gesture. Boss, really? That look—are you about to hit me or something? With a massive threat looming, you don’t need to kill your own, do you? I’m not even worth the trouble—I’m just cannon fodder here!

But whatever he thought, Jiang Feng obediently walked over to Huo Ye, nodded respectfully, and greeted him, “Brother Huo, you needed me?”

“Brother Huo?” Huo Ye’s brows drew together. “At the gathering last night, you weren’t this humble. What’s brought this on?”

Jiang Feng hesitated, then explained, “Well, you probably know what I do here. I’ve got eyes everywhere in this academy. I heard that this morning you… well, you fought with Flame Demon Hall, and afterwards, they said… they said…”

“What did they say?” Huo Ye asked, raising an eyebrow.

“They said you’re a terrifying monster. That’s when I knew you must be one of the top talents in the academy,” Jiang Feng finished timidly.

Huo Ye stroked his chin and muttered, “Looks like I gave them a psychological shadow. Mission accomplished!”

Jiang Feng felt a chill run down his spine. He knew exactly what had been at stake in that wager between Huo Ye and Flame Demon Hall: after their defeat, they were forbidden from approaching Alice. Only an insanely confident, overprotective brother would make a move like that. But now, Huo Ye, you’ve traumatized me too!

Huo Ye glanced askance at Jiang Feng and, without explaining that his grudge was only with Flame Demon Hall, asked directly, “I heard them introducing themselves, but I don’t recognize any of them. Why are they gathering in groups at a time like this?”

Jiang Feng, the intelligence broker, didn’t even mention a fee. He explained without hesitation, “Oh, that. It’s nothing major—it’s just tradition. During a defensive battle, everyone forms their own teams, with up to ten per group. They work together, and whatever merit is earned gets split evenly among them. People usually team up with others whose abilities complement their own. Working together is just more efficient than fighting alone.”

Huo Ye made a sound of acknowledgement. Since he had come with Xiao Ai anyway, he might as well form a team himself and see what other top talents the academy had to offer. He asked, “Then tell me, among those still without a team on the wall, who stands out? I won’t ask for free—how much do you want?”

Jiang Feng waved his hands quickly. “No, no, please, Brother Huo. You want to know who’s strong, right? That guy—see the one who can’t sit still? That’s Lu Dingyuan, fire-type ability user. His power is at least equal to Flame Demon Hall’s, maybe even stronger in terms of explosive bursts.”

Huo Ye followed Jiang Feng’s gaze. The young man in question was stylish—newsboy cap, white T-shirt, a light brown coat draped over his shoulders. His appearance was pleasing, and his features were quite attractive. But, as Jiang Feng said, he couldn’t seem to focus—glancing here, looking there, his curiosity was almost like that of a child visiting a grand palace for the first time.

Huo Ye chuckled. “He’s certainly easier on the eyes than Flame Demon Hall. From what you say, he ought to be one of the academy’s best fire users. Why isn’t he the top one?”

Jiang Feng took a breath, searching for the right words. “Well, strength has many facets. In terms of abilities, Lu Dingyuan is extremely strong. But in other areas… to be honest, his mind works in strange ways. He’s not stupid, just… his thinking is unique. He rarely takes things seriously, and he can derail a conversation so badly you end up speechless.”

Huo Ye’s eyes lit up, as if he’d found a kindred spirit. “Interesting.” Without further ado, he walked up to Lu Dingyuan and greeted him, “You must be Lu Dingyuan. Hello.”

Lu Dingyuan looked at Huo Ye, confusion all over his face, and asked, “What’s good about me?”

Er—what goes around comes around. Huo Ye instantly understood how Flame Demon Hall had felt the night before, when he’d left them speechless. But there was a difference—where Huo Ye had deliberately provoked Flame Demon Hall, Lu Dingyuan’s question was transparent, his puzzlement genuine, as if he truly wondered what could be good about himself. Huo Ye immediately categorized him: either completely naive, or completely unfiltered.

Steadying himself, Huo Ye replied, “Just a simple greeting, that’s all.”

Lu Dingyuan seemed to realize, apologetic. “Oh, right. Just call me Six—everyone does.”

“Six? Because your surname is Lu? Interesting. I’m Huo Ye,” he introduced himself.

Jiang Feng, off to the side, was amazed. Brother Huo truly was extraordinary—barely a second’s pause, and he was able to keep the conversation moving smoothly. No wonder he’d once thrown out, “Give me a smile,” without missing a beat. His composure was something else.

Huo Ye chatted with Six for a few moments, soon bringing up his intention to form a team. Six agreed without hesitation. From their brief conversation, Huo Ye was certain: this was a straightforward, guileless man—almost as if he was missing a nerve, easy prey for anyone offering a morsel of meat. Yes, he was that type—the classic happy-go-lucky companion.

Alice had been watching quietly the whole time, neither speaking during Huo Ye’s talk with Jiang Feng nor his exchange with Six. In daily life, her brother always deferred to her wishes, but outside, she was accustomed to following his lead, happy just to help out as needed. Still, she was curious—weren’t two enough for a team? Why look for more?

She gently poked Huo Ye’s back and whispered, “Brother, what are you up to?”

Huo Ye replied just as softly, “Nothing much. Just want to see if we can find a few more top talents.”

Alice looked skeptical but let it go. Just then, she spotted a familiar face—Shangguan Yudie.

“Hey, Xiao Yu, over here!” she called, running over and pulling Yudie by the arm.

Shangguan Yudie’s bright eyes were a bit lost. She was actually quite shy. She’d noticed Huo Ye and Alice as soon as they had arrived at the wall, but before she could greet them, Huo Ye had already started talking to two strangers. She’d thought it best to wait.

Now, pulled over by Alice, Yudie glanced nervously at Six, whom she didn’t know at all, her expression uncertain and shy.

Sensing her discomfort, Huo Ye spoke up about the team. “For this defensive battle, I’d like to form a team—me, Xiao Ai, Lu Dingyuan here, and if you join, that makes four.”

Yudie’s eyes flickered, but after a moment, she nodded in agreement.