Lillie huffed. "Senior Brother's mistaken. It was 229-200 in my favor."

Han Taiyi's respect for Death faltered. ​​

Death spluttered, not expecting his Junior Sister to deny him glory and face. "I-I was—I was going easy on you!"

"Yeah right." Ethan scoffed.

Death's eyebrow twitched, deciding to ignore Ethan's retort. "I demand a race then! Right now." He stomped his foot, nose flaring in determination to regain his abused ego. "If I win, you'll give me your wine—"

"I refuse."

"...?!" Death stumbled at Lillie's sharp and unhesitant answer.

"But, but..."

"We've wasted time as it is. Also, I see nothing of benefit if I agree to your trivial challenge." Lillie folded her arms in resolute.

"But wouldn't you like to see how much things have change? I heard they've added traps now! And, and, uh...oh! To make things more excited, the Academy concocted a little game for everyone." Death ran after her when he realized that he was left alone and they continue walking towards the gondola station.

"Wait, wait! Aw, come on, Junior Sis! Give me a chance to reclaim my face, d*mn it!" He pulled the hem of her baggy shirt childishly. "Okay, okay, it's not a race anymore and I won't try to take your wine. We'll just look around so that your boy to—ehem, your husband...can see the beauty of the forest."

"Beauty?" Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng parroted incredulously.

Yeah, the forest is a beauty alright. A deadly one, that is. You might have a chance to enjoy what mother nature has to offer in this forest of death only if you're crazy and skilled as this pair of sibling disciples.

"Please be reminded that we are accompanied by my new friends, Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng," The two Sun students took this as an opening to finally acknowledge the white-haired man.

Bowing curtly with their hands over their chest, greeting him with a palm-hold-fist salute.

He's still a Grand Disciple—even if he acts like a toddler high in sugar—and thus, they are inclined to treat him consistently.

Though, Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng were not apologetic in unsubtly ignoring him.

He's practically everywhere in the Academy. Every students had caught glimpses of the white-haired man numerous times that they've grown used to him already.

So, no one could really blame them if they're no longer fascinated in the face they see almost everyday.

And when Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng were Sky students, he was the Immortal student responsible to mentor their class for two months, once every week.

At first, they saw Death as a beacon of light. They placed him on a high pedestal, expecting to learn great things from him.

Huh! If you call someone napping while leaving his students to self-study a mentor, then Han Taiyi would like to apply!

But they weren't quick to judge his odd method. Han Taiyi, Chu Lizheng, and the rest of their class, in the beginning, thought that Grand Disciple Death was teaching them patience and independence, or that they need to do something to prove that they were worthy of his time.

Oh, how they were wrong.

After several times, they ultimately realized that he was using their time—with the pretense of giving them lessons—to slack off!

Nope, they weren't ignoring him because they held a grudge. Nope, they weren't being petty, not in the slightest!

"I'm certain they're eager to reach the Academy to receive their points and relax after their mission endeavors." Lillie justified wisely.

Sigh, Grand Disciple Life is so considerate; a total opposite of her Senior Brother.

"Brrr..." Death shivers and narrowed his eyes at them. "Someone was dissing me just now. Step forward, whoever you are!"

Lillie sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Fortunately, Ethan was by her side and held her securely by her arm.

She absentmindedly nestled closer, the comfort his mere presence radiates uncoils the tension in her head.

Ethan was itching to snide Death at every chance he gets, but choose otherwise. His wife's warning before they left Tranquil Villa was clear as day. Furthermore, he wouldn't want to irritate her and add himself in her hit-list.

At the gondola station was another queue so Lillie and co had to wait again for their turn. While they patiently stood—under the shade this time, thank goodness—along with the students they came with in the ship, an idea suddenly emerged in Death's mind.

Luckily for him, his target was behind him. In their group, Lillie was in front. Behind her was Ethan, then him, Han Taiyi, and Chu Lizheng.

Inching backwards to Han Taiyi, he stealthily whispered, "You idolize her, don't you? The forest is like an obstacle course and this is the perfect opportunity for you to see Shengming in action."

"Parkours, beating animals twice her size. Generally being badass than Bruce Lee—and Bruce Lee is my idol."

Death's whispers were like the devil's voice tempting her to be his instrument to make Lillie agree to his demands.

No, no, no! She would not allow herself be allured by this delicious temptation! Shengming seemed to be adamant in making it at the Academy soon.

"You would want to see that, would you?"

Perspiration garnered on her forehead before it streamed down to her chin. Her throat bobbed up and down as she gulped.

Chu Lizheng sensed something was wrong so he placed a hand on her shoulder. His hunch was proven true when he felt her jolt from his touch.

"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly. When he stepped forward to check up on her, he noticed the sweat glistening her face. "Is the heat getting into you? Don't worry, we're almost there."

Lillie and Ethan heard Chu Lizheng. They whirled their heads to look at the cause of concern.

Death clicked his tongue. D*mn, he might've gone overboard and gave the girl too much bait for her to swallow.