Everyone Gathers

Heaven Dou City, Outer City.

The Outer City was exceptionally lively today, with many residents gathered at the city gates, looking out beyond them.

On the main roads inside and outside the city gates, numerous Martial Soul Hall guards in Silver Armor were strictly managing the scene to maintain public order.

Before long, a carriage convoy escorted by knights appeared at the end of the road outside the city and sped towards the gates of Martial Soul City.

Seeing this, the Martial Soul Hall guards outside the city gates immediately changed formation. A few guards in Golden Armor, riding tall horses, rode out from the convoy and met them at the forefront.

The carriage convoy soon arrived at the city gates. Two Knight Officers from the convoy rode their horses forward, took out their passes and documents, and handed them over.

Two Golden Armored guards from Martial Soul Hall reached out to receive them. After verification, they guided the carriage convoy into Martial Soul City.

This convoy was naturally the one from the Heaven Dou Empire, here to participate in the finals of the Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition.

Because they were ambushed by a team led by a Martial Soul Hall Elder midway, although there were no casualties, it was still a terrifying experience, leaving everyone in the convoy with grim expressions.

Following the guidance of the Martial Soul Hall guards, the carriage convoy did not stop in the Outer City but proceeded directly into the Middle City.

The convoy finally stopped outside a hotel. After Martial Soul Hall left some guards behind, the rest retreated back into the Inner City.

The participating teams disembarked from their carriages and entered the hotel to find their rooms. Most of the knights who had escorted them also entered the hotel, but two were still left to guard the hotel entrance.

Inside a restaurant opposite the hotel, Yu Xiaogang had just finished breakfast. He then got up and left the restaurant, walking towards the hotel across the street.

He had learned the whereabouts of the participating teams several days ago and had specifically rushed here early today, eager to reunite with the Shrek Academy group.

Arriving at the hotel entrance, Yu Xiaogang took out a Black Token from the Soul Tool on his wrist and handed it to the two knights guarding the entrance.

This Black Token was the proof of identity issued by the Heaven Dou Empire. It had been distributed to the participating academy teams half a month ago, and Yu Xiaogang naturally had one as well.

The knights took the token and, upon seeing the Shrek Academy emblem on it and verifying its authenticity, returned the token to Yu Xiaogang, saying, "Shrek Academy's rooms are on the Third Floor."

"Thank you."

Yu Xiaogang expressed his thanks, then entered the hotel and went straight to the Third Floor.

In the lobby on the Third Floor, the Shrek Academy group was discussing room assignments. Liu Erlong, in particular, seemed somewhat distracted. She turned her gaze towards the Staircase Entrance, hoping to see the figure she was thinking about.

It was just a casual glance, but at that moment, the figure she had been thinking about actually appeared before her eyes, making Liu Erlong momentarily disbelieve her own eyes.

"Xiaogang...!"

Liu Erlong tentatively called out. Yu Xiaogang, who had just walked onto the Third Floor, immediately nodded. Liu Erlong's eyes then became slightly moist, and she flew into his arms.

Hearing the commotion, everyone from Shrek Academy turned to look behind them. Upon seeing Yu Xiaogang, smiles appeared on their faces.

Flender smiled and said, "Well done, Xiaogang, you're here quite early!"

Seeing everyone looking over, Yu Xiaogang patted Liu Erlong's back. Liu Erlong understood, immediately let go of Yu Xiaogang, and walked to the side to hold his arm.

Yu Xiaogang then smiled and replied, "Didn't I miss everyone? So I inquired about the location a few days ago, and as soon as the team entered the city this morning, I rushed over."

Everyone laughed when they heard this. Flender continued, "Alright then, everyone will check into the rooms just assigned."

The students dispersed upon hearing this, heading towards their respective rooms.

When Flender saw the students leave, he walked up to Yu Xiaogang and smiled, "As for your room, Xiaogang, let Erlong take you. Your rooms are right next to each other."

Flender patted Yu Xiaogang's shoulder, then walked into the corridor with Zhao Wuji and Dugu Bo. The three of them then entered their respective rooms.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Liu Erlong beside him. Liu Erlong's emotions had calmed down considerably, and her eyes had recovered.

"Come on, follow me."

Liu Erlong tugged at Yu Xiaogang's arm and walked towards the depths of the corridor.

When they reached the room door, Liu Erlong took out a key to open it, then pushed Yu Xiaogang inside before entering the room herself, closing the door and locking it.

The entire sequence of actions was so smooth that Yu Xiaogang was stunned.

Liu Erlong then turned her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yu Xiaogang, scrutinizing him up and down.

Her footsteps advanced, step by step, approaching him with full force.

Seeing that she meant business, Yu Xiaogang immediately wanted to say something to ease the atmosphere.

However, before he could speak, a dark shadow lunged at him, pinning him against the wall.

"Tell me, what did you do after meeting that woman!"

Liu Erlong propped herself against the wall with her left hand, pressing on Yu Xiaogang's chest with her right, her beautiful eyes staring intently into his.

Overbearing CEO Falls in Love with Me!

Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but complain in his heart. Then, seeing Liu Erlong's eyes slowly drift downwards, his legs involuntarily tensed, and he immediately said, "Hey... no, really, there was nothing. I asked her about the Twin Martial Souls this time, and she didn't tell me anything either."

"Really?"

Liu Erlong looked back into Yu Xiaogang's eyes, suspicion in her gaze.

"Really."

Liu Erlong stared for a long time, then her gaze gradually softened, becoming as gentle as flowing water.

She lowered her hands, then pulled Yu Xiaogang to sit on the bed. Resting her head on his shoulder, she said, "I'm sorry, Xiaogang. I haven't been able to control myself these past few days, worrying about you while also overthinking."

Yu Xiaogang patted Liu Erlong's back and smiled, "It's okay. From now on, let's try not to be separated."

Liu Erlong nodded, then as if remembering something, she said, "Oh right, Xiaogang, Xiao Wu broke through the Level 40 bottleneck on the way. I took her to obtain her Fourth Soul Ring midway."

"It's just that the process of obtaining the soul ring was a bit strange. We were scattered by a powerful soul beast after entering the forest. When we regrouped, Xiao Wu had already obtained her Fourth Soul Ring."

"According to her, she found a severely injured soul beast in the forest. This child's luck is truly incredible."

After Liu Erlong finished speaking, a smile unconsciously appeared on her face, though she still felt some confusion in her heart.

Yu Xiaogang listened, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke, "Erlong, do you still remember what I told you about Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts?"