Reincarnated Rock Prince, you're saying this is Douluo Continent?

Chapter 116: Stars in the Sky, Moon in the Water
"Barbatos, it's been a long time!"

Xiao Xiao's face was flushed, and the tips of her ears were slightly red. She lowered her head, but her gaze was not on her toes. Instead, she used the corner of her eye to look at "Barbatos".

As the saying goes: "When you look down, you can't see your toes; that is the most beautiful sight in the world."

Wang Dong'er, who was standing to the side, twitched slightly at the corner of her eye upon seeing this.

Well... well done, Xiao Xiao!
Xiao Xiao often mentioned "Barbatos" in front of her best friend. She thought that the other party only admired "Barbatos"'s talent. Little did she know that Xiao Xiao was actually lusting after "Barbatos"'s body!
Pah! You idiot!

Wang Dong'er glanced at "Barbatos," a handsome young man with the air of a martial god. His every move was natural and skillful, like a seasoned veteran.

It's quite strange that someone so young would behave like this...

If you didn't know better, you'd think "Barbatos" was a war god in disguise!

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Xiao Xiao."

Zhongli nodded and said to Xiao Xiao.

What's wrong with this girl?

Why do you react like this when you see him?

Could it be that you are sick?

Xiao Xiao: "..."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Xiao Xiao's eyes. She leaned closer to "Barbatos" and said, "Barbatos, you came to Star Luo City to watch the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, right?"

"Have you bought your tickets yet?"

"If I couldn't get a ticket, I... I have extra tickets here!"

After saying this, Xiao Xiao looked at her "good sister," who naturally didn't have any extra tickets.

But my best friend has one!
Wang Dong'er may be young, but she's not stupid. Xiao Xiao's single glance chilled her to the bone!

She really is Wang Dong'er's best friend, betraying her own people like this!
The ticket—isn't it all about the ticket she's wearing?

"Hello Barbatos, my name is Wang Dong'er, and I'm Xiao Xiao's best friend."

"I happen to have an extra ticket here. If you haven't bought a ticket yet, I'll give it to you."

Wang Dong'er's ticket was next to Xiao Xiao's; for her best friend's "happiness," she was willing to skip the game.

Hearing this, Zhongli shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, ladies. I have already purchased the tickets, so I won't trouble you two any further."

There are no tickets for Zhongli.

But as a representative of Liyue, why would he need to buy a ticket to enter the Soul Arena?
"That's such a pity..."

Wang Dong'er said it subconsciously, but after she finished speaking, she realized something was wrong.

How can it be a pity that Barbatos has tickets?
She glanced at "Barbatos" and, sure enough, the other person was looking at her with a puzzled expression.

She glanced at Xiao Xiao again. The other girl's face was flushed with embarrassment. Her hands were behind her back, and her index fingers were constantly twirling. She looked very shy and timid.

"Um, I mean, that's great."

"I misspoke just now because I spoke too quickly."

Wang Dong'er quickly said, afraid that "Barbatos" would misunderstand.

However, she had no idea that Zhong Li wouldn't care about such a trivial matter; she was simply puzzled as to why Wang Dong'er would say such a thing.

Xiao Xiao gritted her teeth, as if she had made up her mind, and said, "Well... Barbatos, you probably aren't very familiar with Xingluo City, right? Would you mind if we showed you around?" Hearing this, Zhong Li stroked his chin and cupped his hands, saying, "Then thank you both very much."

He had no other thoughts in his mind.

Besides, Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong'er are just twelve or thirteen-year-old children, what bad intentions could they possibly have?
Seeing that Barbatos only thought about it briefly before agreeing to his "colleague's" request, Xiao Xiao was overjoyed.

Wang Dong'er pursed her lips, thinking that Xiao Xiao was probably obsessed with "Barbatos".

He only resembled the God of War by a third, and it's unclear whether he genuinely liked him or simply found a "substitute."

If a "substitute" is found, how pitiful "Barbatos" is, actually becoming a substitute. Even if it's the substitute of the God of War, it's still extremely pitiful.

"When we have time, we should ask more questions. My best friend can't be like this..."

Wang Dong'er thought to herself that even if her best friend wasn't someone of high status, she should still be of noble character and remain virtuous from beginning to end.

How could someone do something like finding a body double?
This is extremely unfair to "Barbatos," and it's also a form of "thank you for reading" to the God of War. (Intentionally misspelled)

The three of them strolled around the streets, occasionally sampling local delicacies and admiring ancient buildings.

As for expenses, Xiao Xiao would always insist on paying for them.

The three parted ways as night fell.

"Xiao Xiao, tell me, do you like Barbatos as a person, or is it because he looks a bit like the God of War, and you like him because of him?"

Wang Dong'er grabbed Xiao Xiao and asked.

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao blushed slightly, not expecting Wang Dong'er to be so direct.

After tidying up her words slightly, Xiao Xiao said, "Dong'er, what I like is Barbatos as a person."

"When I first met him, I was interested in him because his appearance and demeanor were very similar to those of the God of War."

"But as we spent more time together, I was drawn to his talent..."

"Brother Martial God, even if I have some thoughts, they are like stars in the sky or the moon in the water, something I can only look at but never reach."

“Barbatos is different. Our identities and strengths are similar, but not drastically different. We share common interests…”

Xiao Xiao spoke very directly and clearly.

It's true that she once liked Zhongli, but that liking has turned into respect and love over time.

Unlike Barbatos, both are young people and are "well-matched".

She wouldn't sacrifice her entire life's happiness for an unrealistic fantasy.

"I see."

Wang Dong'er suddenly realized that Xiao Xiao had fallen for this "Barbatos"!

"Xiao Xiao, you are exceptionally talented, a peerless genius who appears only once every thousand years. At this age, you should focus on your cultivation so that you may have a chance to be with the person you love in the future."

Wang Dong'er knew that Xiao Xiao possessed twin martial souls, because Xiao Xiao had not hidden it from her.

No matter how small the Xiao family is, it is still a family.

With Xiao Xiao's talent, how could the Xiao family possibly agree to her being with a bard?
Therefore, in order to be with "Barbatos", Xiao Xiao still needs to improve her strength!
"I will work hard to cultivate. If Barbatos also likes me, even if my family objects, I will... I will disregard my family's advice and share joys and sorrows with him!"

Don't let Xiao Xiao's seemingly easy-to-bully appearance fool you; she is extremely determined, and once she's made up her mind, nothing can sway her.

(End of this chapter)