After Mu Ye finished his explanation, he left, probably going to drink with his circle of friends.
Before leaving, he had specially invited Zhou Haoyu, but Zhou Haoyu had decisively refused.
Rather than drinking and boasting with a bunch of rich brats, it was better to stroll and enjoy fine food with Grand Duke Ayleen.
"Sorry for holding you up just now," Zhou Haoyu said apologetically.
"No problem."
Ayleen shook her head, smiling. "I haven't been this happy in a long time. Thank you for letting me taste Chinese cuisine. I hope there will be another chance in the future."
"There definitely will be."
Zhou Haoyu nodded solemnly.
Ayleen smiled gently, exuding an innate nobility that invigorated the spirit.
"We're heading to the next training point tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you in Venice."
"Trust me, I'll definitely surprise you then."
____
"Honey, when are we returning to the National Team? It's already been two months since we left."
After the Tianshan journey, Mu Ningxue's temperament had improved significantly, radiating an unmatched cold elegance, like a solitary snow lotus atop the Tianshan peaks.
But in front of Zhou Haoyu, she showed a bit more warmth and liveliness.
By now, Mu Ningxue was accustomed to calling him 'Honey,' sometimes even using other endearing terms.
"I've already asked Ai Jiangtu. Their next training point is in Peru. We'll head directly there to meet up with them."
Mu Ningxue had no objection to Zhou Haoyu's plan.
The two did not delay; that morning they boarded a plane to Peru.
Zhou Haoyu remembered correctly: in Peru, there was a secluded small city where the Time-Space Divine Eye was located.
If he could obtain this Time-Space Divine Eye, his power would increase dramatically.
This would greatly aid his plans for the remaining Hades Authority.
The two flew all the way to Hami City in Peru.
As soon as he got off the plane, Zhou Haoyu felt the almost skin-burning heat.
Fortunately, beside him was an ice beauty, ready to cool him at any moment with her proximity.
For Zhou Haoyu treating her like a personal freezer, Mu Ningxue merely rolled her eyes.
"Xue'er, your ice magic is now High-Tier Level 2, right?" Zhou Haoyu suddenly asked.
Mu Ningxue slightly nodded. The special environment of Tianshan was very favorable for ice magic cultivation.
"No wonder."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Zhou Haoyu shook his head. His Void White Flame stirred slightly, clearly wary of Mu Ningxue's ice power.
Compared to Profound Yang Golden Thunder, the Void White Flame was slightly weaker in level.
Profound Yang Golden Thunder was already approaching its full potential; perhaps after absorbing one more supreme soul Seed, it could advance to Sub-Heaven class.
Of course, Zhou Haoyu's fire magic was far from weak, especially with Flame Belle, the Elemental Saint Spirit.
After absorbing the Eight Desolation Ash Fire, Flame Belle not only advanced to Commander Level but also possessed two types of soul Seed: her own Calamity Flame and the Eight Desolation Ash Fire.
As long as Little Belle possessed him, Zhou Haoyu could simultaneously wield three types Soul Seed fire, potentially surpassing Profound Yang Golden Thunder.
However, once Profound Yang GoldenThunder ascended to Heaven class, no matter what, three soul seed fires still couldn't match Heaven class.
"No way, Brother Yu, you were supposed to just handle a task back home. How did it take two months? You haven't gone soft and forgotten the team, have you?"
In the tavern, Zhao Manyan hooked his arm around Zhou Haoyu's shoulder, winking mischievously.
With a goddess-like girlfriend by his side, who would willingly endure suffering with them?!
Zhou Haoyu pushed Zhao Manyan's arm away, scanning the tavern. "Where's Old Ai and the others?"
Besides Zhao Manyan, only Jiang Yu, Nan Rongni, and Mu Tingying were familiar faces in the tavern.
Mu Tingying was staring at Mu Ningxue with envy, jealousy, and admiration.
It had only been two months, yet this white lotus seemed transformed—stunningly beautiful beyond words.
Nan Rongni, however, remained calm, likely due to past lessons in Sea Battle City, her gaze fixed directly on Zhou Haoyu rather than Mu Ningxue.
"Oh, they went to investigate that Gobi Valley. Now the whole city's mages are spreading rumors about treasures inside."
Zhao Manyan explained casually. As the second son of the Zhao family, he had no shortage of resources.
But most others felt resources were insufficient.
In a team, competition brings pressure; no one wanted to be at the bottom.
Being at the bottom meant always risking being kicked out.
"Treasure?"
Zhou Haoyu raised an eyebrow. Behind the Gobi Valley were indeed treasures, and the most valuable ones.
However, these treasures weren't for High-Level Mages to covet.
Besides the Time-Space Divine Eye, the Time Liquid was also a valuable treasure, useful for Little Flame Belle.
After some idle chatting, a group of young people gradually entered the tavern—it was Ai Jiangtu and the others.
"Captain?"
Nan Jue, Jiang Shaoxu, Mu Nu Jiao, and the others all showed expressions of surprise, clearly not expecting Zhou Haoyu's sudden arrival.
"Captain, long time no see."
Ai Jiangtu smiled and gave Zhou Haoyu a brief hug; he had already received the message Zhou Haoyu had sent.
"Thanks for keeping things secret for me during this time."
Zhou Haoyu patted Ai Jiangtu's shoulder. He had already planned to teach Ai Jiangtu the Curse Borrowing Technique, but not yet.
At least not until after the World College Tournament.
"Uh~~"
Ai Jiangtu looked slightly embarrassed, apologetically saying, "Captain, actually a month ago, the instructors already knew you had left the team."
Zhou Haoyu's smile immediately stiffened. He glanced at the others uncertainly, but everyone nodded.
"Forget it, I've already considered this possibility."
Zhou Haoyu sighed. There was no avoiding Feng Li's future lectures.
At the back of the team, Mu Nu Jiao looked at Zhou Haoyu with a complicated expression.
Just thinking about possibly serving Zhou Haoyu alongside Mu Ningxue in the future made her embarrassed and unsure how to face him.
Only Mu Nu Jiao would be so conflicted. If it were Nan Rongni, she would have jumped to make her feelings clear immediately.
"Zhao Manyan said you went to investigate that Gobi Valley. How did it go?"
Zhou Haoyu changed the topic.
"The situation was a bit troublesome. Many earth-element creatures inhabit the area; a single misstep could have led to being surrounded."
Nan Jue said seriously.
"It might have been troublesome before, but now that the Captain is back, why should we fear them?"
Jiang Shaoxu casually hooked her arm around Zhou Haoyu, her firm chest constantly stimulating his senses.
Because of the hot weather, Jiang Shaoxu dressed lightly in shorts and a short-sleeved top exposing her navel.
For some reason, she wasn't dressed excessively revealing; at least her full chest was firmly covered.
As Jiang Shaoxu got close to Zhou Haoyu, Lu Yilin in the back narrowed his eyes, a trace of resentment glinting in them.
.....
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