Chapter 133: Split Personality (VIP Release Notice)

Hua Yin, who was forced to cut short his attempt to continue boasting about his glorious achievements to Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu, frowned impatiently. Yet, he did not make a scene; instead, he followed the crowd’s gaze.

A man dressed in magnificent attire walked out. Upon seeing him, the crowd automatically parted to make way, falling silent and treating him with great deference.

Noticing the puzzled expressions on Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu’s faces, Hua Yin laughed triumphantly. "You wouldn't know, would you? I can tell at a glance that you are rogue cultivators traveling from afar. See that? That man is Li, the Chief Strategist to the Clan Leader! He is incredibly resourceful, and his wisdom is truly admirable! I never expected that Li himself would personally preside over this selection process!"

Although Hua Yin’s words were useful to Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu, his incessant chatter was quite a headache. It was hard to believe that such a person was the second-greatest genius of the Nine-Tailed Fox clan, surpassed only by Mei. How could his personality be so ridiculous?

Looking up at the man in fine clothes, Yin Yao noted his perfect, gentle smile. If not for Hua Yin’s previous description, Yin Yao might have taken him for a humble gentleman; his temperament was indeed remarkable. He appeared harmless, but as the clan's chief strategist, it was clear that this person was far from simple.

Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu observed Li calmly. Li, in turn, surveyed the surroundings to gauge who had arrived for the selection. The warriors to be chosen this time were not merely for the Clan Leader’s personal guard; they were destined for far more significant tasks.

Seeing these two little rogue cultivators ignore him to stare at Li, Hua Yin felt indignant. These two were truly ignorant; he had kindly identified the man for them, yet they didn't even offer a word of thanks. Once they were done with him, they cast him aside—truly ungrateful!

Hua Yin’s twisted psyche caused his expression to shift, and the sound of his teeth grinding became audible. Those around him, sensing his sudden outburst of anger, were baffled but dared not provoke him, as Hua Yin was the second-greatest genius of the clan, second only to the Young Master.

Naturally, there were two people nearby who remained entirely unaffected: Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu. They continued to observe the scene and the Chief Strategist while communicating via soul transmission, so immersed that they failed to notice Hua Yin’s shifting mood.

Li glanced toward the trio and spotted a familiar face, though today that face seemed to be in a foul mood. Beside him were two strangers he had never seen before. However, the fact that they could stand beside someone as erratic as Hua Yin suggested they were anything but ordinary.

"Hua Yin, long time no see! You’re here!" Li walked toward Hua Yin, flashing a wide smile. Compared to his earlier polite mask, his expression now seemed much more vivid and sincere.

Hearing his name, Hua Yin looked at the newcomer with a slightly delayed reaction. Oh, wasn't this the "Chief Strategist Li" he had just been talking about? Why was he calling him?

"Hey, what do you want?" Hua Yin asked, completely disregarding Li’s status, his eyes narrowed in disdain.

Seeing this reaction, a line of black veins seemed to cross Yin Yao’s forehead. This fellow had just been praising Li as the clan's top strategist, yet now he was acting with such contempt, showing none of the previous respect. What a strange person!

Li, seeing Hua Yin’s reaction, merely rubbed his nose and smiled faintly. "Haha, Brother Hua Yin, don't you remember me?"

"How could I forget? You're the Chief Strategist, aren't you?" Hua Yin maintained his haughty attitude.

"Haha, alright, Hua Yin. And who are these two young friends beside you?" Li decided not to dwell on it; knowing Hua Yin, the man was likely having one of his "episodes" again. He chose to be the bigger person.

Hua Yin looked at his two companions and smiled, gesturing to them. "This slightly shorter one is named Yao, and that one, who is about my size, is Yu. Take a look—these two are quite impressive."

Watching Hua Yin completely ignore Li’s status, Yin Yao truly wondered if the man was missing a screw; otherwise, how could he act this way? It was truly bizarre.

"Oh, so you are Yao and Yu. Pleased to meet you, I am Li." Li extended a hand in friendship. He did not emphasize his title, which immediately earned him their favor.

Since the Chief Strategist had offered a gesture of goodwill, Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu naturally could not refuse. They exchanged greetings and considered themselves acquainted. However, in Li’s eyes, their desire to keep things simple suggested they were not the type to cling to power or status. Their intent to prove themselves through their own strength earned them even more of Li’s favor, and he found himself increasingly curious about them.

"Let’s go inside together. I believe that if you have earned Hua Yin’s approval and can stand by his side, you must be extraordinary. So, please, follow me." Li bowed slightly and extended his right hand, acting like a perfect gentleman.

"Then we shall trouble you," Yin Yao said with a smile and a fist-and-palm salute. Ji Xuanyu also thanked him with a smile.

Hua Yin, with his thick-skinned nature, strode directly inside without caring who was in charge. Yet, Li did not show the slightest bit of anger; instead, he laughed, as if this was the only "normal" way for Hua Yin to behave.

This left Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu puzzled. When Hua Yin first appeared, he was perfectly normal, but once the bystanders left and he opened his mouth, he ruined his own image. Later, he had been introducing the Chief Strategist, yet when Li spoke to him, he lost that respectful tone and became dismissive. Their dynamic was truly intriguing.

Hua Yin walked ahead with long, swift strides, leaving Yin Yao, Ji Xuanyu, and Li trailing behind.

"My friends, Hua Yin’s personality must have given you quite a headache, hasn't it?" Li looked at Hua Yin ahead and turned to the two.

"Cough." Li turned suddenly, and Yin Yao, caught off guard, stopped in her tracks, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Young Master Hua Yin’s personality is quite fine. What does Young Master Li mean by that? Is there something wrong with his personality?" Ji Xuanyu responded quickly with a gentle smile, as if he were the composed man he had been before meeting Mei.

Seeing the sincerity in the man called Yu, Li laughed and shook his head. "Little brother, you must have only recently met Hua Yin, right?"

"Yes, that’s correct. Why do you ask, Brother Li?" Ji Xuanyu nodded.

"That explains it. Haha, if you spend enough time with him, you’ll understand. Hua Yin is a very interesting person! I am sure you will come to like him." Li covered his mouth as he chuckled, his laughter genuine.

"Haha, perhaps," Ji Xuanyu replied with a nod.

"Hua Yin’s personality is quite interesting. Perhaps, as Brother Li says, we might come to like him. I think Hua Yin is a good person!" Yin Yao added with a smile.

"Little Brother Yao is right. Hua Yin is a good person at heart. He only has one flaw, but that is something you will have to discover for yourselves in time," Li said with a mysterious, inscrutable smile.

For some reason, Yin Yao felt that Li’s smile was a bit chilling. She had a bad feeling about it, though she hoped she was just overthinking.

When they reached the seats nearest to the ring, Hua Yin had already claimed their spots. As for Li, he did not need to claim a seat, as he was the host and had his own reserved place.

"Yu, Yao, why were you so slow? I’ve been waiting forever! Sit here. Oh, right, Li, do a good job presiding over the event, and watch how I take first place!" Hua Yin sat at the end of the row with a gentle, refined smile—the very same image he had projected when he first appeared.

And there was one thing that could not be ignored: his tone toward Li was now completely different! It was as if they were two old friends talking. Could this really be the same Hua Yin as before?

Yin Yao was deeply suspicious, but they hadn't taken their eyes off him for a second because of the dense crowd. It was impossible for someone to have swapped places with him. Yet, if that were the case, how could this happen?

Ji Xuanyu felt the same doubt. The two distinct personalities were so different that it felt like dealing with two different people, even though Hua Yin remained kind to them in both states.

"Alright, Hua Yin, take good care of these two young friends. They seem to be rogue cultivators and likely here for the first time. Explain things to them properly. I have work to attend to, we shall gather later." Li waved a hand, signaling Hua Yin to rest assured, and left.

Li’s reaction was puzzling; he did not seem surprised by Hua Yin’s state, but rather accustomed to it, as if this was how Hua Yin was supposed to be.

Hua Yin watched Li leave with a smile and reminded Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu to get seated. His mannerisms were completely different from the ridiculous, clownish persona he had displayed earlier.

Yin Yao and Ji Xuanyu nodded and sat down, though their eyes were now filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

One moment a gentle, refined gentleman, the next a ridiculous youth...

A term suddenly flashed through Yin Yao’s mind:

Split personality.