"Senior Brother Zhou, you're here!"
"Senior Brother Zhou, you're finally back!"
As soon as Zhou Xianzong arrived at the Qingyang Sect, a group of lackeys immediately swarmed around him.
Zhou Xianzong asked one of them, "Have you seen Le'er?"
"Yes, yes, yes, Senior Brother Zhou! Senior Sister Luo is practicing her swordsmanship at the martial arts arena," the lackey replied.
Oh? At the martial arts arena?
Zhou Xianzong raised an eyebrow. The martial arts arena was a great spot—lots of people around.
Once Xiao Potian finds out, how could he possibly hold back?
The thought of Xiao Potian fearlessly stepping in to protect Luo Le'er in front of everyone made Zhou Xianzong think, *Even a heart of stone would be moved by that, right?*
With that in mind, he hurriedly dashed toward the martial arts arena.
From a distance, he spotted Luo Le'er practicing her swordsmanship on an open patch of the arena.
A crowd of fellow disciples was watching her.
You had to admit, Luo Le'er was indeed the Qingyang Sect's number one beauty.
Even just practicing her sword moves, she was a sight to behold.
And her talent was exceptional, too—not to mention her father was the sect leader.
She'd been guided by many elders, and her cultivation was improving by leaps and bounds.
"Little Sister Le'er!"
Zhou Xianzong called out, then ran over with his "carefully prepared" wildflowers.
Hearing his voice, everyone in the martial arts arena turned to look at him.
"Whoa, no way! Is Senior Brother Zhou going to confess to Senior Sister Luo *again*?"
"Wow, Senior Sister Luo!"
"If it were me…"
The arena erupted into a buzz of excitement.
When Luo Le'er saw that Zhou Xianzong had actually shown up, she—uncharacteristically—flashed a faint smile.
What?
What's going on with this ice queen?
She's actually smiling?
Holy crap, I must be dreaming!
No, no—she's the one dreaming, right?
Honestly, this was the first time Zhou Xianzong had ever seen Luo Le'er smile.
If it weren't for…
Maybe…
"Xianzong, what brings you here?"
Luo Le'er's tone was no longer icy; it was almost gentle.
"This…"
The onlookers were stunned.
To be honest, Zhou Xianzong wasn't just handsome and rich—he was also the prince of the Zhou Dynasty.
With all those qualities, he was practically every girl's dream prince.
"You called me what? Xian… Xianzong?"
Zhou Xianzong froze on the spot, staring at Luo Le'er like he'd seen a ghost.
What's going on? Is something wrong with this woman?
Why is she acting like this?
Shouldn't she be telling me to get lost in disgust?
This whole scene completely threw Zhou Xianzong off.
The lines he'd memorized so well…
"Xianzong, you're not here to confess to me, are you?"
Luo Le'er stepped closer, her beautiful eyes locked onto him.
Honestly, saying those words gave her goosebumps.
As expected, Xiao Potian arrived at the martial arts arena at that moment and saw everything.
He had come to play the hero and save the day, to stop Zhou Xianzong, that beast.
After all, based on past events, Luo Le'er would surely reject and resist him.
But he never could've imagined that Luo Le'er would suddenly change her tune.
Since she wasn't resisting, he couldn't exactly jump in and start a fight, could he?
Zhou Xianzong was equally baffled.
He couldn't help but wonder if Luo Le'er's brain had short-circuited.
Big sister, those words aren't meant for *me*!
They're supposed to be for Xiao Potian!
But now, he was in a tough spot.
Zhou Xianzong stepped forward, wrapped his arm around Luo Le'er's slender waist, and said with deep affection, "Little Sister Le'er, my love for you is as clear as the sun and moon!"
The moment Luo Le'er was embraced, her entire body trembled.
In all her life, she'd never been this close to a guy.
Let alone being hugged like this.
Her mind went blank.
But in her heart…
Xiao Potian was watching from the side.
This was her chance to shake off Xiao Potian and change everything.
She had to make Xiao Potian give up.
"I… I accept!"
Luo Le'er nodded.
What the hell?!
Zhou Xianzong's jaw nearly hit the ground in shock.
He no longer doubted it—this ice queen was definitely broken.
This was bad. What was he supposed to do now?
Xiao Potian's heart was probably shattered into pieces.
I'm the big villain!
How could I steal the female lead?!
The plot isn't supposed to go like this!
Zhou Xianzong roared internally.
But things had already gone this far, and Luo Le'er had spoken.
If he didn't react, it wouldn't fit his simp persona.
The female lead's character had gone completely off the rails.
If he went off-script too, the plot would be truly doomed.
Thinking of this, he closed his eyes, puckered his lips, and leaned in to kiss Luo Le'er.
But seeing this, Xiao Potian couldn't hold back anymore.
He was screaming inside.
Since Luo Le'er wasn't resisting, he had no reason to act.
She could tolerate accepting Zhou Xianzong.
She could even tolerate being hugged in front of everyone.
But now, she couldn't take it anymore.
"You shameless lecher!"
Luo Le'er's anger flared, and she shoved Zhou Xianzong away, drawing her sword and thrusting it at him.
Holy crap!
This unexpected turn made Zhou Xianzong curse out loud.
Sensing the glint of the sword, he dodged with a flash.
But inside, he was thrilled.
Thank goodness!
At the last moment, the ice queen returned to normal.
The plot was finally back on track.
Xiao Potian, who had been waiting with dry eyes, seized the moment Luo Le'er attacked.
He decisively jumped in.
"Zhou Xianzong, as the prince of the Zhou Dynasty, you dare to harass a virtuous woman in public? Today, I'll take you down in the name of justice!"
Seeing Xiao Potian charge at him, Zhou Xianzong dodged the attack.
According to the plot, he just needed to let Xiao Potian shine.
No need to take a beating.
"Xiao Potian, you poor nobody, you dare ruin my plans? You're courting death!"
Zhou Xianzong roared, feigning rage.
But inside, he was delighted.
Luo Le'er, see that? I forced Xiao Potian back with ease.
With such a badass chosen one, what are you waiting for? Seize the moment!
"Hmph, you're nothing but my defeated foe. Le'er would never fall for you!"
Xiao Potian glared fiercely at Zhou Xianzong, pointing at him angrily.
"A despicable coward who can't face me head-on and only resorts to dirty tricks behind my back—do you think you're worthy of Le'er's love?"
What the hell? What's he talking about?
Who's using dirty tricks behind your back?
I didn't do anything!
Why are you accusing me of foul play?!
Zhou Xianzong was dumbfounded.
"I'm asking you—was it you who sent someone to ambush me last night?!"
Xiao Potian demanded, grinding his teeth.
Hearing this, Zhou Xianzong glanced at Xiao Potian's swollen, pig-like face.
It suddenly clicked.
So this kid got beaten up last night and thought it was me.
Fine, great.
Next time, you won't even need to suspect.
Yes, it was all me.
All the dirty tricks and schemes—yep, all me.
I'm the big villain, after all.
Just as Zhou Xianzong was about to admit it, another voice cut him off.
"Xiao Potian, don't talk nonsense! That was me, not Zhou Xianzong!"