If it weren't for the rules, I'd want you to carry me while skating.

"Ah, Little Yu is so fast already?" Huang Nuanyan was stunned. She wanted to pick up speed too, but there were always others on the path, and whenever she got distracted, her pace slowed.

Still, Huang Nuanyan refused to be discouraged. "I can't lose either."

She continued practicing her skateboarding techniques, gradually accelerating—only to wipe out when she hit an obstacle on the road.

Huang Nuanyan got back up and kept going. "This is harder than I thought."

The other participants were also starting to find their rhythm, their speeds increasing, yet none could close the gap with Little Yu.

......

Su Luo, meanwhile, glided along unhurriedly, now at the very back of the group.

But there was no need to worry—this race wasn’t particularly difficult, and the time limit was generous. There was no rush at all.

Then, someone tapped his shoulder.

"What are you doing back here?"

Li Siyi slid up beside him on the water.

"My shift’s over. Now it’s playtime."

"Is that allowed?"

"Mm, I checked. I wanted to try water-skating too."

Of course, Li Siyi’s performance wouldn’t count in the competition—if someone like her participated, it’d be no different from handing her the championship outright.

"If you wanted to experience it, why not charge ahead? Little Yu’s already in first place."

"Eh, this is fine too. I don’t mind skating with you. If not for the rules, I’d even ask you to carry me."

Su Luo and Li Siyi were the odd ones out in this race—not only were they not sprinting, but they also seemed completely relaxed, as if they had no pressure at all.

Still, the people around them were surprised to see Li Siyi with someone.

She wasn’t as famous as Lin Xuan, but she had her own reputation.

Yet no one would guess Su Luo’s identity.

Except for one person.

Lin Xuan had been observing the skaters, commenting on their techniques and singling out the best for praise.

Then he noticed Li Siyi skating side by side with someone.

Who?

After asking around, he learned the person’s name was Su Yu.

Ah, now he knew.

So Su Luo had come here too.

Maybe to unwind?

Fair enough—he deserved some relaxation. Still, Lin Xuan couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Last time, they hadn’t managed to wipe out the Heavenly Demon Sect completely.

Perhaps he should spice things up a little, give Su Luo something special to enjoy?

......

Watching the others surge past them, Li Siyi sighed. "You really don’t like competing, do you?"

"I’ve outgrown that phase."

"We’re the same age."

"Not mentally."

"Then how about a little childish fun?"

Li Siyi sent a signal into the sky.

Suddenly, the entire city echoed with music—strings, drums, pipa—all blending into an exhilarating melody.

It was downright epic.

"Hehe, what do you think? I arranged this just for today."

Su Luo couldn’t help but smile. It had the right vibe.

"Only you would think of this."

She’d even added a BGM.

"I learned from you." Li Siyi had seen Su Luo sometimes play music during his fights.

She figured he must enjoy it.

But that was a misunderstanding—Su Luo only did it on rare whims. Normally, he wouldn’t bother.

Listening to Li Siyi’s carefully prepared soundtrack, though, he felt like he’d be letting her down if he didn’t pick up the pace.

"Guess I have to speed up now."

"Yep. And I added some special items too."

"Feels like you’re setting me up."

"Not at all."

"Then what’s this?"

Su Luo picked up an item and activated it.

His speed skyrocketed, far beyond the skateboard’s normal limits.

Whoosh—he shot forward.

With quick reflexes, Su Luo elegantly dodged obstacles and other racers.

Only when the item’s effect wore off did he slow down again.

His flashy moves were instantly caught by the commentators.

"Wow! Su Yu’s technique just now was incredible! Maintaining control at that speed is no small feat. Staying so far back must mean he’s been hiding his skills."

Su Luo didn’t mind the attention, but Li Siyi had really gone all out. If anyone else had picked up that item, they’d have crashed instantly, their skateboards shattered, disqualifying them on the spot.

These items were specially prepared for Su Luo—along with a few others—just to give him a unique experience.

"So? Exciting?"

"Thanks a lot. Let’s see what else you’ve got."

Su Luo picked up another item.

.......

Meanwhile, Little Yu surged ahead, still in the lead.

No one else could maintain top speed the entire way.

But many were hot on her heels.

"I swear on my decade-plus of water-skating experience—I’ll catch up to her," vowed one competitor who’d grown up in the Water City.

"I’ve grabbed a few items. Once I reach her, I’ll knock her right off," muttered another with ill intent.

If he couldn’t overtake her, he’d at least take down those around him. If he couldn’t get first, second would have to do.

"Who is she? I’ve never heard of her before," someone else marveled.

Little Yu ignored them all, keeping her speed unrelenting.

But ahead lay the high-difficulty track.

The other racers were already murmuring in disbelief.

"Hey, hey—that’s a series of sharp turns up ahead, with obstacles too. She’s not slowing down?"

"Can she really make it through safely at that speed?"

"If she wipes out, we’ll have our chance to pass."

Little Yu took the turns at full speed.

Seeing this, some behind her tried to mimic her—only to flip over instantly, forcing them to proceed at safer speeds.

The spectators erupted at her display.

"This kid’s something else!"

"In all my decades, I’ve never seen a youngster this skilled. Impressive, truly impressive."

"This year’s dark horse!"

"Don’t celebrate too soon. These early races are just warm-ups. In the end, it’s about raw strength, and hers doesn’t seem that high." Even as he said this, the man couldn’t suppress a grin. It had been too long since he’d seen such a spectacle.

This was great!

In the end, the winner was clear—Little Yu, without a doubt.

Not bad, she thought. A decent experience.

Then she waited for Su Luo.

The full race was quite long—normally taking half an hour.

Little Yu had finished in just a quarter of that, an astonishing feat.

As time passed, more and more participants crossed the finish line.

Huang Nuanyan made it too, though not without a few spills along the way.

"Little Yu, I heard—you came in first! Amazing!"

She thought back to her own race, full of stumbles and close calls.

"It was alright."

"Where’s Su Yu?"

"Probably still taking his time."

"Ah, I thought he’d be as good as you." Huang Nuanyan had assumed that since Little Yu was so skilled, Su Luo must be too.

"Well, if he took it seriously, he’d be even better than me."

"What? He’s that good? You’re both so incredible—I feel silly for showing off the other day."

"Don’t worry. This race isn’t about cultivation level—just how well we control our spiritual energy."

After hearing Little Yu's explanation, though it made perfect sense, Huang Nuanyan would no longer underestimate her.