Chapter 654: Chapter 157: Good Dreams Are the Easiest to Wake From; Since Ancient Times, Joyous Gatherings Lead to Bitter Partings [Ten Thousand Words]

She hesitated for a moment, finally saying, "What do you see in the Leader?"

Zhou Mei’er’s eyes turned cold, and she replied coldly, "What’s wrong with the Leader?"

"Originally, you’re from two different worlds, Meimei," Wu Lianlian said earnestly, "The Leader’s appearance... alright, let’s not talk about appearance. Just consider his demeanor, speech, manners, and character..."

"Lacking in demeanor, crass in speech, uneducated, no manners, vile character, and so ugly; every word out of his mouth is vulgar, his habits... eh..."

As Wu Lianlian continued speaking, she noticed Zhou Mei’er’s gaze growing colder and quickly fell silent.

Zhou Mei’er said calmly, "Lianlian, is the Leader really that worthless in your eyes?"

Wu Lianlian was stunned.

After thinking a bit, she couldn’t help but sigh.

Zhou Mei’er said, "He may not be good-looking, but you can’t say he’s lacking masculinity. On the contrary, he exudes masculinity. He’s strong and unyielding, always fighting with all his might. Without relying on anyone, he confronts danger alone, never backing down. Can’t you see that kind of fierceness and wisdom?"

"Our Shi Family, though not large, ranks middle to lower tier in the capital city. Even if we are not considered mainstream, when have we ever paid attention to the subordinate sects? When we first arrived, we didn’t take him seriously at all. But when he brought out the Yin Shen Palace to scare people, who was he scaring? Was it us?"

"No. He was intimidating those like Liu Hanshan. Because they are from the subordinate sects and operate in this region, scaring them was enough. As for us proud noble sons and daughters, he didn’t even consider us. He only needed to intimidate Liu Hanshan, whose cultivation was higher, and that was enough."

"Because he believed that just by himself, he could subdue us all! Now, think back. Didn’t he do exactly that?"

"He later indeed pressured and manipulated, threatened and intimidated them, acting lawlessly. So..."

"Since we came here, have we ever seen him get any help? We’re tired, but he struggles for survival every day in a desperate situation. Didn’t you see that? Not to mention the Headquarters, who among those so-called young talents we’ve met there could achieve this?"

Zhou Mei’er said calmly, "He might lack formal education and the heritage of a noble family; his rough aura is evident; yet he is a genuine person. He’s cunning, ruthless, and defiant, with a violent streak and a love for killing, all true. But once he acknowledges us, he strives to protect us. He instinctively rejects all enemies and instinctively protects all those he considers his. Being by such a person’s side feels safe and reliable."

"You say he has no charisma, I disagree! Every time he comes around, have you noticed? Whether standing, sitting, or walking, every posture has a natural aura of dominance. Who else can achieve that?"

"That night, the Yemo Sect attacked. I was certain to die, but he risked a cut to himself, dashing down from the sky to save me, killed the assailant, and then charged back into the fight... At that moment, when he pushed me aside and I fell to the ground, watching his back as he turned to leave, I fell for him!"

"It’s so secure!"

"With him around, even when death is imminent, there’s no fear. Do you understand that feeling, Lianlian?"

Zhou Mei’er’s eyes shone brightly.

Wu Lianlian sighed.

How could she not understand?

That night, she was also someone whose life was saved by the Leader. Seeing that blood-soaked figure crazily rushing to rescue her, then getting up fiercely without saying a word, in that instant, she felt the same way as Zhou Mei’er.

Speaking ill of the Leader earlier was already against her conscience.

Now, to continue, she truly couldn’t find the words.

"But, Meimei, it’s impossible."

Wu Lianlian said anxiously.

"I know it’s impossible."

Zhou Mei’er said calmly, "So, I’m just here having the most beautiful dream of my life, that’s all." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She turned to look out the window, whispering, "When I return, I’ll forget."

Wu Lianlian sighed wistfully.

Forget?

That you could forget even a moment of this until the day you die, I don’t believe!

...

In the hall.

Zhao Wushang and others stood in front of the Starlight Master, all looking grave: "Leader, what shall we do?"

Starlight Master looked puzzled: "Do what?"

"People from the Yixin Sect are coming," everyone felt aggrieved, faces filled with resentment and gloom.

"Isn’t this a good thing? They’re coming, you’ll get training. Once that’s done, I assume your orders to return will follow. Then you can leave this dangerous place, return to your family to enjoy a leisurely life, get promoted and make money, climb the ranks slowly... isn’t that great? Isn’t this what you’ve all been looking forward to?"

Starlight Master frowned: "Why is it that when a good thing comes, you all seem dissatisfied?"

"We don’t want to leave."

Zheng Yunqi said quietly, head down.

"Do you think you can stay?"

Starlight Master let out a cold laugh and waved them away like chasing off ducks: "Go, go, stop bothering me here."

"Leader, we... hey; can we have some drinks tonight?"

"If you want to drink, drink. What’s the problem? I’m not joining you anyway."

"..."

Suddenly.

Starlight Master remembered something and said, "When the Yixin Sect comes tomorrow, I’ll teach you a way to vent."

"What way?" Everyone’s eyes lit up.

"Use the harshest, strictest methods for training, exams every day, constant drills, making them shiver with fear whenever they think of you for the rest of their lives."