"Common Alliance's Tian Meng—victorious!"
In the Awkward Hotel, Ye Yulin announced the winner.
A smile spread across Huo Yuhao's face.
Upon hearing the result, An Litong, head of the Alto Merchant Guild, immediately beamed at Shangguan Wei'er, offering congratulations as if his guild hadn't just stabbed her in the back earlier.
The Xi Shui Alliance members' faces turned stormy. Not only had they been desperate to win the Sun-Moon Divine Needle prize, but this champion—and Common Alliance's Ye Guyi—had slaughtered many of their prized disciples during the tournament. Their hearts bled!
And Ye Guyi? She bore the Angel Martial Soul—a thorn in their side.
Why was she still here?
After joining Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ye Guyi had thrown caution to the wind. With no plans to stay in the Sun Moon Empire, she'd seized every chance to eliminate evil soul masters.
Thus, she'd fully exposed herself to them.
Now, Nan Gongwan and Dark Lightning Douluo of the Xi Shui Alliance radiated palpable malice, eyes fixed on Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi like they wanted to flay them alive.
Ye Yulin bristled.
Though Tian Meng's martial soul was merely a mutated Ice Silkworm (and an external one at that), his soul engineering mastery was top-tier. Combined with his spirit-attribute martial soul, he'd surely become a Grade 9 soul engineer—Sun Moon Empire's future pillar!
How dare these evil soul masters threaten him?
Ye Guyi too deserved protection.
If a Super Douluo-level evil soul master were present, Ye Yulin might hesitate—but none were here.
Hmph!
His cold snort boomed like thunder.
Nan Gongwan and Dark Lightning Douluo instantly reined in their killing intent, pupils contracting as if nothing had happened.
The arena froze in tension—until Ye Yulin spoke again: "Come forward, champion. Claim your glory and rewards."
Before Huo Yuhao lay treasures:
- Tons of rare metals
- A Grade-9 fixed-load soul engineering artillery shell
- The satellite-grade Sun-Moon Divine Needle: two rods—one golden (1.5m diameter), one silver (1m)—etched with profound runes, radiating terrifying power.
Ye Yulin's gaze was approving. "The Sun-Moon Divine Needle requires a Soul Douluo to wield. Without sufficient soul power, it'll shatter you. Don't attempt to dissect it—you'll be pulverized." He paused. "But if you become my disciple, I'll teach you its secrets once you reach Grade 9."
Gasps rippled through the three factions. This kid's luck is unreal!
Yet—
"Thank you, Starry Sky Douluo," Huo Yuhao bowed respectfully, "but I already have a teacher."
Stunned silence.
Ye Yulin sighed. A polite refusal. His "teacher" mattered little—but he pressed a card into Huo Yuhao's hand. "If you need help—or want to discuss soul tools—find me."
"Understood," Huo Yuhao pocketed it.
An Litong sidled up to Shangguan Wei'er, smiling thinly. "Your champion's got spirit! Others beg to study under Starry Sky Douluo, yet yours refuses due to 'existing teachers.' Where'd you find such a prodigy?"
"I wouldn't know," Shangguan Wei'er deflected smoothly. "Common Alliance trains women, not men. Tian Meng and this Angel Martial Soul miss sought me out. Our partnership is… transactional."
"Is that so?" An Litong's eyes gleamed. Could I recruit them?
Shangguan Wei'er's whisper carried to Ye Yulin, Nan Gongwan, and Dark Lightning Douluo—three minds racing.
Soon, the crowd dispersed. Ye Yulin left hurriedly, sensing impending chaos.
As Huo Yuhao and Ye Guyi parted ways with Common Alliance, two figures emerged in the distance.
"We follow them," Nan Gongwan hissed, ready to move. Eliminating them would remove future threats and secure the Sun-Moon Divine Needle.
But Dark Lightning Douluo blocked him. "Leave them to me, brother." He nodded eastward. "Don't forget your task tonight. Time's up."
"Right," Nan Gongwan agreed, trusting his comrade's strength. "I'll go ahead." He vanished.
Unseen, Dark Lightning Douluo didn't pursue Huo Yuhao. Instead, he waited—then headed east himself.
—
"Brother Junting."
From the shadows, Huo Yuhao spotted three figures. Still disguised, he called out cautiously.
"You're here," Chen Junting stepped into dim light, Gu Tianchen and Dugu Xin behind him. "How was the match?"
Huo Yuhao grinned. "Mission accomplished. Miss Ye's back at the hotel with Xiao Tian."
"Good." Chen Junting nodded toward the palace. "Now we wait for their signal."
Huo Yuhao activated Spiritual Detection Sharing, scanning a nearby courtyard. Suddenly, he remembered something. "By the way—how'd your mission go?"
"Our mission?" Chen Junting's smile eased the tension. Dugu Xin recounted their granary infiltration—making it sound like casual chatter.
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