"Well done, Wang Yan."
Hearing Elder Xuan's praise, Wang Yan lowered his head somewhat bashfully and replied, "I didn't really do anything, Elder Xuan. You flatter me."
Elder Xuan gave him another reminder, "Speak with the younger students—tell them to stop harboring hostility toward Jiang Shengyu. Let them interact with him more. Show them the tolerance and goodwill of Shrek Academy."
Wang Yan nodded. "Yes, Elder Xuan."
When Jiang Shengyu and the others returned to the hotel, they spotted the Duchess in the lobby. However, upon seeing the three of them, she seemed uneasy and avoided their gazes. Standing beside her was a tall, imposing man—
The White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao.
Jiang Shengyu immediately sensed the emotional surge in Huo Yuhao's expression. Xiao Hongchen placed a hand on Huo Yuhao's shoulder to calm him, speaking softly, "It's not time yet, Yuhao."
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand. I won't be reckless."
One day, he would stand proudly before Dai Hao—and with his own strength—shatter everything Dai Hao stood for.
Dai Hao had noticed the trio as well. Bringing the Duchess with him, he approached.
"You three must be from the Sun Moon Empire's representative team? I am the White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Hao. I've been waiting to meet you," he introduced himself calmly.
Even though these three were from the Sun Moon Empire—and the very ones responsible for putting Dai Huabin into a coma—Dai Hao maintained his composure.
That was the bearing of a true leader.
The trio nodded and introduced themselves. Then Jiang Shengyu asked, "Is the White Tiger Duke here to flex his authority on us juniors, or…?"
"Don't misunderstand. I came to apologize," Dai Hao said, shaking his head.
He glanced at the Duchess behind him, then continued, "My wife, driven by a mother's love, acted improperly. I ask your forgiveness."
"A dignified duke, personally offering an apology over this matter?" Jiang Shengyu looked at Dai Hao with genuine surprise.
"You're far more reasonable than she is," Xiao Hongchen remarked.
Dai Hao chuckled softly and nodded. "Naturally. Though you are citizens of the Sun Moon Empire, this matter isn't truly your fault. It was Huabin who initiated the conflict. Given the upheaval in our household, he acted impulsively."
Upon hearing him defend Dai Huabin, Huo Yuhao stared at him and suddenly spoke, "The Duke certainly loves his son deeply."
"Of course. He's my child—how could I not?" Dai Hao replied without hesitation.
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly, nodding. "I see."
But only Jiang Shengyu and Xiao Hongchen could sense the bitter resentment laced within those words.
Jiang Shengyu glanced at Huo Yuhao, then said to Dai Hao, "If the Duke is here to apologize, then we accept your apology. But we still have things to attend to, so if you'll excuse us."
Dai Hao didn't try to make them stay. He nodded and said, "Very well. As the official in charge of this tournament, I look forward to seeing your performance on the battlefield."
Jiang Shengyu gave a brief reply and left with Xiao Hongchen and Huo Yuhao, heading upstairs.
As he watched them go, Dai Hao muttered, "Such talent… what a shame they aren't part of the Star Luo Empire. But that youngest one—why does he look at me with such coldness and subtle hostility?"
"You're the White Tiger Duke. Plenty of people from the Sun Moon Empire hate you," the Duchess commented from the side.
Dai Hao nodded slightly. "True… Still, today was just a warning. Next time, don't act so recklessly. Talents like them—unless we're prepared to eliminate them fully, making enemies is not a wise move."
"I understand," the Duchess nodded obediently.
Back in the lounge, Huo Yuhao finally let out a long sigh of relief. Xiao Hongchen clapped him on the shoulder and said, "If you're still feeling pent-up, we can go find someone to spar with. That should help."
"Thank you, Senior Hongchen. I'm alright," Huo Yuhao shook his head, assuring him there was no need to worry.
Not long after, Jiang Qingtong arrived carrying the Soul-Devouring Blade and handed it to Huo Yuhao.
"Cousin? This is…" Huo Yuhao looked at her in surprise. He had heard her clearly during the auction—she said she was buying it to return to the Sun Moon Empire. So why…?
"I saw during the auction how much you wanted it. That whole 'return it to the Empire' thing? Just a cover story. This is my gift to you," Jiang Qingtong said with a smile.
Xiao Hongchen overheard and tilted his head. "But didn't you use Shengyu's money?"
"Between the two of us, there's no need to draw such clear lines," Jiang Qingtong and Jiang Shengyu replied in unison.
"Tch…" Xiao Hongchen clicked his tongue and shook his head but said nothing more.
Meng Hongchen, Tang Ya, and the others chatted with Jiang Qingtong for a bit longer. Around dinner time, she finally returned to Shrek Academy's lounge.
That night, under Electrolux's guidance, Huo Yuhao began the purification process on the Soul-Devouring Blade.
The next morning, on the first day of the round-robin matches, the Sun Moon and Shrek Academy teams descended from upstairs at the same time—running into each other in the lobby.
In Shrek's lineup was a new face—an ice-blue-haired girl Xiao Hongchen and the others had never seen before.
"She must be the one replacing Dai Huabin. Is she a regular member of their team?" Xiao Hongchen asked Jiang Shengyu quietly, eyeing the newcomer.
Jiang Shengyu nodded. "Ling Luochen. Shrek Academy's inner court student. Five-ring Soul King. Martial soul: Ice Element."
"Ice Element?"
Upon hearing that, everyone from the Sun Moon team was shocked. None of them had ever encountered a soul master whose martial soul was a pure elemental affinity.
Only Shrek Academy could recruit someone like that.
After Elder Xuan's instructions the night before, Wang Yan had reminded his students not to show open hostility toward the Sun Moon team anymore.
When the two teams crossed paths in the lobby, they exchanged polite greetings.
Even Bei Bei and the others, though still harboring resentment, held it in check under Wang Yan's orders. Together, both groups made their way to the competition venue.
After the elimination rounds, the remaining teams would now face off in various match formats. Rankings would be determined through a point-based system to decide the top four, followed by the final championship matches.
But no one had expected this:
In the very first match of the round-robin… Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy were drawn to face each other.
—
Soon, it'll be Jiang Shengyu versus Jiang Qingtong!
PS: Access advance (100+) chapters at