When Huo Yuhao's expression subtly changed, Nana quickly tried to explain, "I haven't killed or committed arson! It's just some small matters—I've never hurt anyone…"
Nana looked anxious, afraid that Huo Yuhao would think she was some heinous criminal. But Huo Yuhao observed her expression closely. With his level of spiritual power, even the subtlest shifts in her demeanor couldn't escape him. She truly seemed sincere.
In his spiritual sea, he asked, "Teacher, what do you think?"
Electrolux was silent for a moment before replying, "Her soul doesn't show any fluctuations—she doesn't seem to be lying. Go ahead and agree to help her, Yuhao. I'm quite curious about this organization that manipulates souls. I want to see how this world studies the soul."
The Ice Empress said, "I don't think the girl is lying either."
Bing Di didn't voice an opinion. Compared to Electrolux and the Ice Empress, her knowledge about spirits and souls was clearly less extensive. "Since the seniors say to help her, then help her," she said.
None of the three had objections. So unless Nana was some master-level deceiver who managed to fool even Huo Yuhao and the three brilliant minds in his head, what she said had to be true.
Seeing that Huo Yuhao was still thinking it over, Nana bit her lip as if she'd made a difficult decision. She looked at Huo Yuhao and said, "As long as junior Yuhao is willing to help me, I'll do anything in return! Even if it means becoming your servant or your maid, I'll accept it!"
Her sudden declaration startled Huo Yuhao, who immediately waved his hands in a panic. "No… no need! Senior Sister, there's no reason to degrade yourself like that."
"That's right. In these troubled times, a girl should respect and cherish herself…"
A strangely accented voice interrupted from the doorway. Both Huo Yuhao and Nana looked toward the sound. The door had been opened, and Jiang Shengyu and Xiao Hongchen stood there.
The voice just now had come from Jiang Shengyu.
"Cousin!"
"Lord Jiang!"
Huo Yuhao and Nana greeted Jiang Shengyu in unison.
Standing beside Jiang Shengyu, Xiao Hongchen narrowed his eyes and asked, "So I'm too dark-skinned to be noticed, is that it? Why did you only greet him and not me?"
"Senior Hongchen!" Huo Yuhao and Nana quickly added, addressing him as well.
But it was too late.
Xiao Hongchen's mood plummeted instantly.
Leaning against the doorframe, he stared up at the ceiling and sighed about the misfortunes of life.
Jiang Shengyu entered the room and said to Nana, "You don't need to offer anything in return. Your dignity is your own—no one can take that from you. As for that evil soul master organization you mentioned, I've already investigated them. When we return, we'll wipe them out completely."
From behind, Xiao Hongchen added, "Correction: We have already investigated them."
"You two… how?" Nana looked at Jiang Shengyu and Xiao Hongchen in disbelief. She had never told anyone about this—how could they have uncovered the details of that evil soul master organization?
"We noticed something off about you during the very first team gathering," Xiao Hongchen said, still leaning against the doorframe. "So I had Shengyu look into it—and he found everything."
"And it just so happens that I've been wanting to cause that evil soul master group some trouble anyway," Jiang Shengyu added with a smile. "So, there's no need for you to give up your dignity. We'll deal with them regardless. It's late now—go get some rest."
Overcome with emotion, Nana couldn't hold back her tears. She wept as she thanked Jiang Shengyu and Xiao Hongchen, then took her leave and returned to her room.
Jiang Shengyu patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder, clearly approving of his judgment. "It's getting late—you should turn in as well."
"Mm." Huo Yuhao nodded and watched as they left.
With Nana's situation resolved, the tournament still had two more days of elimination matches. However, teams that had already qualified had no scheduled matches, leaving the team members with plenty of free time.
Though the Sun Moon team had been repeatedly reminded by Gu Lingjun and their instructors to limit their outings, Jiang Shengyu and Xiao Hongchen were not the types to sit around quietly in a hotel. There was no way they could stay cooped up for long.
The two of them roped in the obedient Huo Yuhao and snuck out together without reporting it to anyone.
On the streets, Xiao Hongchen stretched and said, "Staying in the hotel all day makes my bones go stiff! A walk is just what I needed. Star Luo City may be old and worn out, but at least it's got some historical charm you won't find in Mingdu."
Huo Yuhao walked between them. Suddenly, he frowned and looked back. "Someone's following us."
"Probably people sent by the Duchess of the White Tiger." Jiang Shengyu didn't seem surprised. "What's their level?"
"I can't sense their exact strength, but based on their aura, they're all around the three-ring level," Huo Yuhao replied.
Jiang Shengyu nodded. "Let's find a place to teach them a lesson."
He and Xiao Hongchen were immediately on the same page. Together, they dragged along the ever-obedient Huo Yuhao and veered off the crowded main streets, entering a narrow alleyway. With Huo Yuhao's simulation-type soul skill, they concealed themselves.
When the three pursuers entered the alley and saw it was empty, they immediately turned to flee. But Jiang Shengyu and Xiao Hongchen appeared from the shadows, blocking them from both ends.
Jiang Shengyu casually twirled his Twilight Sword, smiling. "Since you've been working so hard tailing us, we'll be generous and give you a little 'gift.' Want to take it standing or kneeling?"
The three men exchanged glances and immediately charged at Jiang Shengyu.
They hadn't watched the tournament matches, but the Duchess had made it clear they were to tail members of the Sun Moon representative team. Since Huo Yuhao had yet to reveal himself, the three naturally chose to go after the younger-looking Jiang Shengyu instead of Xiao Hongchen.
But who said the younger ones were easier to deal with?
With a flourish of his sword, a crescent moon appeared behind Jiang Shengyu. One purple and three black soul rings rose from beneath his feet. The deep black aura of his soul rings radiated the oppressive force of the ten-thousand-year level, making the charging men falter.
What shocked them wasn't the ten-thousand-year rings themselves, but that there were three of them—on a four-ring Soul Ancestor!
Jiang Shengyu had already caused a stir during the earlier elimination matches. But since the locals of Star Luo City weren't keen on glorifying a Sun Moon Empire genius, his fame hadn't spread far.
The three attackers hesitated—but Jiang Shengyu didn't.
As soon as he revealed his martial soul and soul rings, he burst forward with lightning speed. With one slash of his Twilight Sword, a flash of light cut across the alley—and in the next moment, the legs of the three pursuers were frozen to the ground, completely immobilized.
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