Reason for Joining Mingde Hall

"After entering the White Tiger Duke's mansion, we cultivated every day, but our cultivation didn't improve one bit. At the time, we all thought we were abandoned by our parents because of our lack of talent.

It wasn't until the White Tiger Duke's second young master, Dai Huabin, awakened his Martial Soul and gained some influence in the mansion that things changed. He had been eyeing us since we first arrived at the White Tiger Duke's mansion, so the first thing he did after awakening his Martial Soul was to find us, wanting us to become his exclusive servants."

At this point, Lin Muxue's eyes were filled with disgust. "Heh, what a nice way to put it, 'exclusive servants.' If he hadn't been incapable back then, he probably would have pounced on us already.

That day, we fought back and refused to yield, even to the death. How could three Soul Masters with Innate Full Soul Power be defeated by one Soul Master at Innate Level Seven? Not long after we defeated Dai Huabin, the Duke arrived. He saw our talent and wanted to nurture us, but that was his own son, so he would naturally favor him.

At Dai Huabin's persistent pleading, he agreed to let Dai Huabin take us as concubines. Even though Dai Huabin dared not do anything to us due to the Duke's orders, he harassed us every day for the past six years. Every night, we had to take turns keeping watch, and the next day, we not only had work but also needed to cultivate. I don't want to continue living like this anymore."

As she spoke, Lin Muxue's cheeks were already wet with tears. With a "plop," Lin Muxue and the other two knelt before Yue Hongchen. "We are already twelve years old. We temporarily left because of the Shrek enrollment, but at the end of this semester, we will be forcibly called back to marry Dai Huabin, so... please!"

The last few words were almost cried out by Lin Muxue. Seeing the three kneeling before him, Yue Hongchen quickly helped them up.

If what they said was true, then letting them join Mingde Hall would be no problem. But what if this was a play orchestrated by the White Tiger Duke himself?

"Why would the White Tiger Duke let you join Shrek? If he intended to take you as concubines, wouldn't it be better to keep you confined in the mansion?"

"Because he saw our talent. Even though we weren't working every day, we still reached over level twenty by the age of twelve. He said that even concubines shouldn't be too weak, so he sent us to Shrek."

"Then why didn't you seek help from Shrek?"

Lin Muxue shook her head dejectedly. "This is a private matter within the Duke's mansion; the academy can't interfere."

Hearing this, Yue Hongchen smiled. "Are you so sure Mingde Hall can interfere?"

Lin Muxue lowered her head. Of course, she didn't know if Mingde Hall would intervene if they joined, but this was their last hope.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Let me consider this matter. Come to the assessment area tomorrow, and I'll give you my answer."

After speaking, without waiting for Lin Muxue's reply, Yue Hongchen walked towards the location of the fourth district.

"So, Yiren, are you going to help them?"

Yue Hongchen nodded. "Send someone to investigate later. The White Tiger Duke is rarely in the mansion, so we should have news within a night. If their story is true, then we'll help them. After all, these are three future Titled Douluo."

Innate Full Soul Power meant they would be Titled Douluo at the very least, barring any unforeseen circumstances. This was a very profitable deal.

As for whether the White Tiger Duke would agree? Heh, when over a dozen Level Nine Soul Tools are pointed at his White Tiger Duke's mansion, he'll have to agree whether he wants to or not.

After receiving Meng in the fourth district, Yue took her to the eighth district. Ning Tian and Wu Feng didn't follow; they planned to return to the dormitory to consolidate their thoughts.

They didn't wait long in the eighth district before seeing Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong emerge, accompanied by a cute black-haired girl. The three were chatting and laughing.

"Huh? Brother Yue! Long time no see!" Huo Yuhao spotted Yue Hongchen from afar and waved, quickly approaching with Wang Dong and the girl.

"Long time no see, Yuhao. How's the competition progressing?"

Before Huo Yuhao could speak, Wang Dong, standing beside him, interjected, "What do you think? With me here, how could those opponents possibly defeat us!"

As he spoke, he swung his fists at the air.

"That impressive?! Then I hope to see you in the finals!" Yue said with a mischievous smile, looking at Wang Dong.

Upon hearing this, Wang Dong immediately became meek. "Brother Yue, let's forget about that."

Her contrasting behavior amused everyone, and they burst into laughter.

"Oh, right, Brother Yue, this is a member of our team, Xiao Xiao." Huo Yuhao then looked at Xiao Xiao. "Xiao Xiao, this is the classmate Yue I told you about. He's the same age as us but is already close to becoming a Soul Ancestor. He's very strong."

"Hello, Brother Yue." The young girl appeared very shy, her small face slightly flushed with embarrassment.

"Hello, hello. Such a beautiful girl, you should be more confident. No need to be shy. Yuhao and I are old friends."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao's cheeks turned even redder, but she still nodded and bravely raised her head to look at Yue Hongchen.

"By the way, Brother Yue, what did you come to find me for?"

"This..." Yue Hongchen pulled Xiao Ka, who was standing behind him, forward and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "My Xiao Ka wants to eat grilled fish, so... you understand."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "No problem, Brother Yue. Xiao Xiao also wants to try my grilled fish. We were just about to go to the cafeteria to buy fish."

Seeing Huo Yuhao agree, Yue, along with Xiao Ka and Meng, followed Huo Yuhao towards the cafeteria. Huo Yuhao bought his fish from the academy's cafeteria every day.

Xiao Xiao slowly followed behind them, her gaze fixed on Yue Hongchen, lost in thought.

Meng Hongchen noticed Xiao Xiao walking alone behind them, let go of Yue's hand, and went to her side to chat.

Yue glanced back but said nothing, continuing to listen to Wang Dong's bragging with Huo Yuhao.

After buying the fish, the group went to the wilderness. Huo Yuhao skillfully started a fire and prepared the fish.

Before long, an enticing aroma began to tantalize everyone's taste buds.

Once the grilled fish was ready, Wang Dong impatiently grabbed one and shoved it into his mouth. "My goodness, this is so fragrant!"

Seeing him cover his cheeks with a look of enjoyment, Yue Hongchen couldn't help but smile. He never expected the eldest daughter of the Clear Sky Sect to be so easily won over by Huo Yuhao's grilled fish.

He first gave Meng and Xiao Ka a piece of grilled fish each before picking up one for Xiao Xiao. "Try this. Yuhao's grilled fish usually only sells twenty portions a day; many people want it but can't get it."

Xiao Xiao took the grilled fish and softly said, "Thank you." Under Yue Hongchen's gaze, she took a small bite.

Instantly, her shy expression vanished, and her eyes lit up. "This is delicious!"

"Didn't I tell you!"

"Mhm, I didn't expect the class monitor's cooking to be so good!" Xiao Xiao nodded as she ate, quickly finishing the entire grilled fish.

Huo Yuhao's hands never stopped. He couldn't grill fast enough to keep up with how quickly they were eating.

As the sun prepared to clock out, everyone was thoroughly satisfied with their meal.

After helping Huo Yuhao clean up the mess, Yue Hongchen patted his shoulder and encouraged him, "Good luck in tomorrow's competition!"

With that, he led Meng and Xiao Ka towards his own small courtyard. He lived outside, while Huo Yuhao and the others resided within the academy, so their directions home differed.

As for why he hadn't invited Huo Yuhao to his courtyard to grill fish... well, he'd forgotten.

Only after Yue Hongchen's figure disappeared did Xiao Xiao's gaze shift away from the direction he had left.