Top-Tier Lineup! Senior Sister Leads the Team, and Elder Mu Brings Up the Old Betrothal Again
(Let me post a picture; it's been a while since I've included any illustrations.)
Ma Xiaotao leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, and suddenly spoke as if she remembered something:
"By the way, Huabin, Lulu, you two should continue your seclusion. There'll be a surprise for you when you emerge."
Dai Huabin was inspecting the prayer cushion when he heard this and turned around. "What surprise?"
Ma Xiaotao tilted her head, her lips pouting noticeably beneath the red veil. "You'll know when you and Lulu; you'll definitely like it."
Dai Huabin frowned.
He didn't like the feeling of being kept in suspense.
Based on his understanding of the original plot, he really couldn't have guessed what could excite Ma Xiaotao so much at this point in time.
What you like?
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore!
"Okay, I'll wait."
Ma Xiaotao nodded in satisfaction.
She heard the news from her teacher Yan Shaozhe.
Mu En personally appointed Zhang Lexuan, the chief Grandmaster of the Inner Academy, as the team leader for this continent-wide advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. He also arranged Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo to be teaching assistants.
This lineup is practically the entire elite younger generation of the Inner Academy.
Ma Xiaotao knew very well that her Grandmaster was the core member of the champion team in the previous Soul Fighting Tournament, and now she had reached the Soul Douluo level, with unfathomable strength.
With her leading the team, this competition is sure to be a lot of fun.
Moreover, Ma Xiaotao felt somewhat saddened when she thought about what happened between Zhang Lexuan and Bei Bei.
That guy Bei Bei has been completely focused on Tang Ya from the Outer Academy. Grandmaster has waited for him for so many years, but in the end, she never even turned back.
Never mind, it's not her business.
"I'll be going now." Ma Xiaotao waved to the two of them. "Don't stay in seclusion for too long. We still have to practice together before the competition."
After saying that, she turned and walked out.
Dai Huabin looked at Ma Xiaotao, still unable to figure out what was going on.
Seeing Dai Huabin in a daze, Zhu Lu immediately called out softly:
"Huabin?"
Dai Huabin snapped out of his thoughts and turned to look at Zhu Lu. She was already seated on the prayer mat, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, quietly waiting for him.
"Stop guessing, we'll know once we get out of the pass," Zhu Lu said with a smile.
Dai Huabin walked over and sat cross-legged on the futon next to her:
"Yes, let's focus on our cultivation first..."
Zhu Lu smiled and said, "Okay."
Dai Huabin reached out and closed the wooden door of the secret room from the inside. The heavy door panel closed tightly, instantly isolating the outside world from sound.
(Zhu Lu thought for a moment and then chose the comic book illustration.)
On the other side, Ma Xiaotao walked briskly along the path at the base of the Golden Tree.
She paused as soon as she rounded the corner.
A white figure was walking towards them on the stone path ahead.
The woman was dressed in a plain white robe, with long black hair that reached her waist. Her features were delicate and beautiful, and her overall demeanor was aloof and dignified.
His pale silver eyes were calm and undisturbed, and his pace was unhurried, each step carrying an innate elegance.
Ma Xiaotao immediately stood up straight. "Grandmaster, what brings you here?"
Zhang Lexuan stopped and nodded slightly. "Xiaotao."
Her voice was soft and gentle, with a feeling as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Ma Xiaotao swaggered around the Inner Academy, fearless of anyone, except in front of Zhang Lexuan, where she would consciously put away her carefree attitude.
It wasn't fear, it was respect.
Grandmaster was adopted by Mu En when she was young, took on the responsibility of being the chief of the Inner Academy when she was a teenager, and reached the cultivation level of Soul Douluo when she was in her twenties.
In terms of both ability and character, he is a role model for everyone in the Inner Academy.
Moreover, the Grandmaster is charitable and generous in the Inner Academy, helping many students Inner Academy.
Apart from the accident in the Star Dou Great Forest, Grandmaster has never made a mistake.
And that time was also because...
Why!
Zhang Lexuan spoke up, "Mu En asked me to lead the team in this Soul Fighting Tournament and asked me to come and meet the Reserve Team members."
Ma Xiaotao suddenly realized:
"I see. However, the Reserve Team's captain, Dai Huabin, and vice-captain Zhu Lu, have just entered the Golden Tree for meditation and probably won't be out for a while."
Zhang Lexuan frowned slightly. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, I just went in a little while ago," Ma Xiaotao added. "But the others should be in the Outer Academy. Should I call them over for you?"
Zhang Lexuan shook her head. "No rush. Since the captain isn't here, there's no point in seeing the others first."
She paused, then turned and walked back the way she came. "Then I'll go see Mu En first, and come again another day. Goodbye, Xiaotao."
"Goodbye, Grandmaster," Ma Xiaotao replied respectfully.
Only after Zhang Lexuan's white figure disappeared at the end of the passage did Ma Xiaotao breathe a sigh of relief and pat her face.
"I get nervous every time I see Grandmaster ..." Ma Xiaotao muttered to herself, and quickly walked towards the Outer Academy.
In front of the Sea God Pavilion.
Mu En sat in the old bamboo chair, the teapot beside him already cold. He half-closed his eyes, looking as if he were dozing, but in reality, his spiritual power was constantly enveloping the entire Sea God Island.
The sound of footsteps grew louder as they approached.
Mu En opened his eyes and saw that familiar white figure.
"Mu En." Zhang Lexuan approached and bowed slightly.
A smile appeared on Mu En's face, "Lexuan, you're here. Have a seat."
He pointed to the stone bench next to him.
Zhang Lexuan sat down as instructed, maintaining proper posture.
"The tea's gone cold, I'll have someone brew a fresh pot," Mu En said, getting up to stand.
"No need, Mu En." Zhang Lexuan stopped him. "I came to ask about the specific arrangements for the competition. The captain of the Reserve Team went into meditation at the Golden Tree today, so I couldn't see him."
Mu En leaned back in his chair and nodded. "No rush. That child just broke through and needs to consolidate his progress. Once he emerges from seclusion, you'll have plenty of time to work together."
Zhang Lexuan responded.
The two remained silent for a moment.
Mu En suddenly spoke up, "Lexuan, have you heard about Bei Bei's matter?"
Zhang Lexuan's fingers stiffened slightly.
"He took leave and went to Heaven Dou City with Tang Ya." Mu En's tone was very calm, as if he were talking about something insignificant.
Zhang Lexuan was silent for two seconds. "I know."
Mu En sighed.
He looked at the girl he had raised. From the time he rescued her at the age of twelve to her current position as the top student in the Inner Academy at twenty-five, Zhang Lexuan had never caused him any worry.
But the thing about Bei Bei was the most despicable thing he had ever done in his life. And it was this incident that made Mu En feel guilty.
Back then, seeing Zhang Lexuan's outstanding talent Soul Master, and considering that his great-grandson Bei Bei also possessed exceptional talent, he decided to bring them together.
This move not only brought back a Soul Master genius to the academy, but also protected Bei Bei. Mu En then made Zhang Lexuan Bei Bei's child bride.
Zhang Lexuan immediately agreed; she valued her promises and kept them in her heart.
But Bei Bei fell in love with Tang Ya.
A girl from the Outer Academy, with mediocre cultivation, whose only special feature was her Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
Mu En wasn't unaware of young people's feelings, but he felt even more sorry for Zhang Lexuan's years of forbearance.
"Lexuan." Mu En sat up straight, his tone becoming serious.