Taking advantage of a gap in the opening ceremony, Tian Xi slipped into the backstage dressing room, changing out of the luxurious and complicated dress that hindered movement, into battle attire which had been prepared in advance.

The form-fitting battle armor perfectly outlined her tall and slender figure. Her waist was cinched with a belt made of special scales, her knees and wrists were adorned with armor, and on her left chest, she wore a protective heart mirror close to her skin.

The trial is meant to push one’s limits and thus is always dangerous. No one can guarantee that nothing will go wrong, so ample protection is necessary each time one enters.

These armors were crafted from special materials, adaptable between human and beast shape, capable of protecting crucial parts in times of danger.

"His Highness Xing Ye, you can’t come in!" An attendant’s anxious voice tried to stop him from outside, but it was evidently in vain.

The curtain was lifted, and a tall and slender figure walked in.

Tian Xi turned around, startled, "Why are you here?"

Xing Ye looked deeply at her, his tone somewhat somber, "I missed you, wanted to see you."

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, as he said with a pleading tone, "It’s been half a month since we last met... I just wanted to say a few words to you, may I?"

Xing Ye seemed to have a lot to say, but Tian Xi just took a step back, shook her head, and said, "Before you left last time, I made it very clear, I won’t see you in private anymore, why do you still come looking for me?"

She whispered softly,

"It’s over between us."

Xing Ye stepped forward, clenched his hands, his eyes slightly red with suppressed pain, "I... Xi’er, you know I love you, I want to be with you."

Tian Xi seemed to be holding back tears, raised her hand to wipe her face, and turned away from him, "Xing Ye brother, I love you too... but we’re not suited."

Her voice was choked, as if she were trying hard to suppress her emotions, "The tribe has already arranged it; after this competition, I am to marry a noble male from our tribe. Don’t look for me anymore—ah!"

Before she finished speaking, she was pulled into a tight embrace by the young man.

Xing Ye cupped her face, lowering his head to kiss her forcefully on the lips, a kiss filled with pain, like a venting of emotions.

Tian Xi hurriedly pushed him away, her cheeks flushed, and looked at the attendants outside. They all had their heads lowered, pretending not to have seen anything.

She quickly wiped her mouth, backing several steps, and looking at Xing Ye’s gloomy face, said both angrily and anxiously, "You—what are you doing! I said it’s impossible between us, don’t let others know you’re still looking for me..."

Listening to her distant words, Xing Ye felt even more troubled, "What do you want me to do, so I won’t leave?"

"But it was you who left first." Tian Xi looked at him, teary-eyed, like an abandoned puppy, sadly saying, "To you, the throne is always most important, I’ve never been your first choice."

Suddenly she gave him a bright smile, saying,

"Brother Xing Ye, if you really loved me, there wouldn’t be a chance without fate between us."

This sentence was like a heavy hammer striking the heart.

Xing Ye froze on the spot, standing rigidly, breathing rapidly as he looked at her, as if wanting to argue, "I..."

Yet, Tian Xi voluntarily stepped forward, giving him a gentle hug for the last time, kissed his cheek, pulling away like a dragonfly touching water lightly.

"Let’s part ways here, forget all the memories of before."

With that, she picked up the sword on the table and turned to leave.

Xing Ye watched her back, "Xi’er..."

He wanted to chase after her, to stop her, but her last words kept echoing in his mind, his feet felt nailed to the ground, unable to move.

He touched his face where warmth still lingered, lowered his hand in despair, his clenched and unclenched hands beside him, revealing immense struggle and pain.

Finally, he took a deep breath and slowly followed behind.

Lu Xiao noticed Shen Tang in a daze, waved his hand in front of her, amusedly asking, "What are you looking at so intently?"

"Hehe, your sister sure has Prince Xing Ye thoroughly captivated~" Shen Tang had the expression of enjoying juicy gossip.

"Hm?" Lu Xiao followed her gaze, quickly understanding.

Tian Xi emerged from backstage in a smart, stylish combat outfit, and before long, a despondent Xing Ye also followed out.

Even as the future heir of the Rift Sky King, at this moment, His Highness Xing Ye seemed no different from those ordinary young males who have experienced a setback in love.

Lu Xiao chuckled, "Love at first sight is also fate, regardless of the outcome, a first love is always beautiful."