"But after we entered the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, we trained every day, yet our cultivation didn't improve at all. Back then, we all thought our parents had abandoned us because we lacked talent.
"Then the White Tiger Duke's second son, Dai Huabin, awakened his Martial Soul and gained some standing in the mansion. He'd had his eye on us ever since we first arrived. So, once he'd awakened his Martial Soul, the first thing he did was come to us and demand that we become his personal servants."
At that, Lin Muxue's eyes filled with disgust. "Ha! What a lovely way to put it. 'Personal servants'! If he'd been capable of it back then, he probably would've pounced on us.
"That very day, we refused him to the death and fought back. How could three Soul Masters with Innate Full Soul Power lose to one with innate rank-seven soul power? Not long after we defeated Dai Huabin, the duke arrived. He saw our talent and wanted to train us, but Dai Huabin was his own son. Of course he'd take his son's side.
"After Dai Huabin begged and pleaded, the duke agreed to let him take us as concubines. Even though Dai Huabin didn't dare do anything to us because of the duke's orders, he's harassed us every day for the past six years. We have to take turns keeping watch every night, and the next day we have work as well as training. I can't go on living like this."
By then, tears had soaked Lin Muxue's cheeks. With a thud, she and the other two girls dropped to their knees before Yue Hongchen. "We're already twelve. We were able to leave temporarily because we enrolled at Shrek, but once this semester ends, they'll force us to return and marry Dai Huabin. So... please!"
Lin Muxue could barely get the last words out through her tears. Seeing the three kneeling before him, Yue Hongchen hurried to help them up.
If what they said was true, there'd be no problem with letting them join Mingde Hall. But what if it was all a scheme arranged by the White Tiger Duke?
"Why would the White Tiger Duke let you enroll at Shrek? If he wants you as concubines, wouldn't it be better to keep you locked up in his mansion?"
"He saw our talent. Even though we had to work every day, we still reached rank twenty-something by the time we were twelve. He said that even concubines couldn't be too weak, so he sent us to Shrek."
"Then why didn't you ask Shrek for help?"
Lin Muxue shook her head sadly. "This is a private matter of the duke's household. The academy can't get involved."
Yue Hongchen smiled. "You're so sure Mingde Hall can?"
Lin Muxue lowered her head. Of course she didn't know whether Mingde Hall would intervene if they joined, but it was the last lifeline they had.
"All right, I won't tease you. Let me think it over. Come to the testing area tomorrow, and I'll give you an answer."
Without waiting for Lin Muxue to reply, Yue Hongchen headed toward Area Four.
"So, Yiren, are you going to help them?"
Yue Hongchen nodded. "Send someone to look into it later. The White Tiger Duke is away from the mansion most of the time, so we should have news by tomorrow. If things really happened as they say, we'll help them out. After all, these are three future Titled Douluo."
With Innate Full Soul Power, they were all guaranteed to reach at least the Titled Douluo level, barring any unexpected setbacks. It was a good deal.
Whether the White Tiger Duke agreed or not? Heh. Once a dozen or so Level Nine Soul Tools were aimed at his mansion, he wouldn't have a choice.
After meeting Meng in Area Four, Yue led her toward Area Eight. Ning Tian and Wu Feng didn't come along; they were going back to their dorm to reflect on what had happened.
They hadn't been in Area Eight long when Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong came out, accompanied by a cute black-haired girl. The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked.
"Hey! Brother Yue! Long time no see!" Huo Yuhao spotted Yue Hongchen from a distance and waved with a smile. He brought Wang Dong and the girl over at a brisk pace.
"Long time no see, Yuhao. How are the matches going?"
Before Huo Yuhao could answer, Wang Dong jumped in. "What do you think? With me around, how could those opponents possibly beat us?"
As she spoke, she threw a few punches at the air.
"That good, huh? Then I hope to see you in the finals!" Yue said with a mischievous grin.
At that, Wang Dong immediately backed down. "Brother Yue, maybe not."
Her sudden change of attitude made everyone burst into laughter.
"By the way, Brother Yue, this is Xiao Xiao, a member of our team." Huo Yuhao then turned to Xiao Xiao. "Xiao Xiao, this is Yue, the classmate I told you about. He's our age, but he's already close to becoming a Soul Ancestor. He's really strong."
"Hello, Big Brother Yue," the girl said, looking rather shy. Her cheeks reddened slightly, and she seemed embarrassed.
"Hello, hello. A pretty girl like you should be more confident. Don't be shy. Yuhao and I have been friends for ages."
At that, Xiao Xiao's cheeks turned even redder, but she nodded and bravely raised her head to meet Yue Hongchen's gaze.
"By the way, Brother Yue, did you come looking for me?"
"Oh, that." Yue Hongchen brought Xiao Ka, who had been standing behind him, forward and gently placed both hands on her shoulders. "My Xiao Ka wants grilled fish, so... you know what that means."
Huo Yuhao smiled. "No problem, Brother Yue. Xiao Xiao wanted to try my grilled fish too, and we were just about to go buy some fish at the cafeteria."
With Huo Yuhao's agreement, Yue brought Xiao Ka and Meng along with him to the cafeteria. Huo Yuhao bought the fish he sold each day from the academy cafeteria.
Xiao Xiao followed behind them at an unhurried pace, her gaze fixed on Yue Hongchen. No one could tell what she was thinking.
Meng Hongchen noticed Xiao Xiao walking by herself at the back. She let go of Yue's hand, went over to her, and struck up a conversation.
Yue glanced back but said nothing. He continued listening to Wang Dong brag as he walked with Huo Yuhao.
After buying the fish, the group headed out into the open. Huo Yuhao skillfully started a fire and prepared the fish.
Before long, an enticing aroma began to tempt everyone's taste buds.
Once the fish were grilled, Wang Dong eagerly grabbed one and stuffed it into her mouth. "Oh my god, it smells amazing!"
Seeing her cover her cheek and savor the fish, Yue Hongchen couldn't help smiling. Who would've thought the young miss of the Clear Sky Sect would fall for Huo Yuhao's grilled fish?
He gave one grilled fish each to Meng and Xiao Ka, then picked up another and handed it to Xiao Xiao. "Try it. Yuhao only sells twenty grilled fish a day, and lots of people can't get any."
Xiao Xiao took the fish and softly said, "Thank you." Under Yue Hongchen's watchful gaze, she took a small bite.
Her shy expression vanished, and her eyes suddenly lit up. "It's so delicious!"
"I told you!"
"Mm-hmm! I had no idea our class monitor was such a good cook!" Xiao Xiao nodded as she ate, quickly finishing every last bite.
Huo Yuhao's hands never stopped moving. He couldn't grill the fish fast enough to keep up with everyone's appetite.
As the sun prepared to call it a day, everyone finally ate their fill.
After helping Huo Yuhao clean up, Yue Hongchen patted him on the shoulder in encouragement. "Good luck in tomorrow's match too!"
With that, he took Meng and Xiao Ka back to his little courtyard. He lived outside the academy, while Huo Yuhao and the others lived inside, so they were headed in different directions.
As for why he hadn't invited Huo Yuhao to grill fish at his courtyard... well, he'd simply forgotten.
Only after Yue Hongchen had disappeared from sight did Xiao Xiao finally look away from the direction he'd gone.
Before you continue