Seeing Hu Liena's embarrassed state, with even her neck flushed red, Bibi Dong shook her head irritably.
"Since you don't want to use such methods, wipe away those tears.
"You are the dignified Martial Soul Hall Saintess and the owner of the Demon Fox martial soul. Are you really afraid of a little girl who just arrived at Spirit Hall when it comes to attracting men?"
Hu Liena froze for a moment, then bit her red lip as fighting spirit rekindled in her eyes.
"Teacher is right. I'm not afraid of her!
"In terms of looks and talent, how am I inferior to her?"
Despite saying that, Hu Liena still remembered the "secret room" Huang Yan Bibi Dong had just mentioned.
If it really came down to it...
Even if she could not win Huang Yan's heart, she would still have to win his body!
"That's more like it."
Bibi Dong waved her hand as though shooing away flies.
"You will both be teammates representing Spirit Hall in the tournament. You'll be seeing each other every day.
"Don't you understand the principle of taking advantage of proximity?
"If you want to win back his heart, think of a way yourself.
"Don't come running to me in tears every time something happens."
"I understand. Thank you, Teacher!"
Hu Liena wiped away her tears, turned around fiercely, and strode out of the Pope Palace.
Elsewhere, outside the exclusive training grounds.
Huang Yan and Shui Bing'er had just finished half a day of practicing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill together.
Holding hands, they were preparing to head to Spirit Hall's dining hall for lunch.
But halfway there, a tall, curvaceous figure blocked their path.
It was Hu Liena, who had returned after leaving.
Her gaze fixed itself on their tightly clasped hands. After taking a deep breath, she forced herself to assume the Saintess's aloof demeanor.
"Huang Yan, I didn't expect you to get together with her so quickly."
Seeing Hu Liena like this, Huang Yan naturally knew what she had come for. Smiling, he squeezed Shui Bing'er's hand and said calmly,
"Nana, mind your position. We are only teammates.
"You've crossed the line."
Hu Liena let out a delicate snort.
She even deliberately used the seductive qualities of her Demon Fox martial soul.
But Huang Yan and Shui Bing'er were already practically inseparable, so such a little bit of seduction had no effect whatsoever.
"Shui Bing'er!"
Seeing that it had not worked, Hu Liena became somewhat embarrassed and angry.
"You should know that Huang Yan and I have known each other for twelve years.
"How long have you even known Huang Yan?
"I hope you understand your place..."
Shui Bing'er saw through Hu Liena's hostility at a glance, but she did not retreat. Instead, she smiled gracefully.
"Your Highness the Saintess, do you know something?
"Huang Yan mentioned you when he was chatting with me before."
"He mentioned me?"
Hu Liena raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of provocation.
"What did he say about me?
"Did he say that we grew up together as childhood sweethearts?"
Shui Bing'er's expression did not change, and her voice remained gentle and calm.
"Huang Yan said that Your Highness the Saintess is exceptionally talented and a rare genius of Spirit Hall.
"However..."
Shui Bing'er paused slightly, leaning closer to Huang Yan with a soft laugh.
"Huang Yan also said that my Ice Phoenix martial soul has an extremely high compatibility with his martial soul.
"We just tried out our Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and its power was indeed quite good.
"In the future tournament, we will have to rely on Your Highness the Saintess's guidance."
What Shui Bing'er did not say was this.
Last night, when ice and fire intertwined and Phoenixes in Harmony sang together...
Shui Bing'er had also asked Huang Yan what he thought of Hu Liena.
Huang Yan had not answered then. Instead, his "offensive" had become even fiercer.
Her words were gentle yet firm.
She had directly brought up the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Hu Liena's most painful sore spot.
Hu Liena ground her teeth in secret, then let out a cold snort.
"So what if you have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?
"The tournament depends on the teamwork of seven people, not just the two of you showing off.
"With Soul Power barely above rank forty, you could at most be considered substitutes on our Martial Soul Hall Team!"
Shui Bing'er merely smiled without saying anything.
While you were still jealous over Huang Yan and silently regretting it...
I had already been in a room with Huang Yan, singing Phoenixes in Harmony and reaching the deepest depths of each other's souls.
"Nana, that's enough."
Huang Yan spoke up at the right time to interrupt her.
"I know Bing'er's strength best. She is more than qualified to be a main member."
Seeing Huang Yan actually defend Shui Bing'er, Hu Liena felt bitterness surge within her, and her eyes began to redden again.
"You... you only know how to protect her!"
"Enough. Stop throwing a tantrum."
Huang Yan smiled helplessly and took the initiative to offer her a way out.
"We were just about to eat. You just ran to the Pope Palace to complain, so you should be hungry too, right?
"Want to come with us?"
Hu Liena had wanted to refuse proudly, but seeing how well matched Huang Yan and Shui Bing'er looked standing together, alarm bells immediately rang in her heart.
If she left, would she not be giving them a chance to be alone together?
"Fine, let's eat!"
Hu Liena quickly stepped forward and squeezed herself onto Huang Yan's other side, shooting Shui Bing'er a provocative look.
"I'm the Saintess. I want the most expensive food!"
At the dining table, Hu Liena had completely abandoned her earlier angry and flustered appearance.
She constantly found topics to talk to Huang Yan about, even taking the initiative to serve him food and pour him water.
She tried to close the distance between herself and Huang Yan again through this sort of relentless pestering.
Faced with Hu Liena's somewhat deliberate actions, Shui Bing'er remained extremely calm. She simply ate elegantly on her own, completely unconcerned.
"Bing'er, aren't you jealous?"
Taking advantage of the moment Hu Liena went to urge the kitchen to add more dishes, Huang Yan leaned close to Shui Bing'er's ear and teased her with a soft laugh.
Shui Bing'er rolled her eyes at him lightly, her tone calm yet filled with absolute confidence.
"What is there to be jealous about?
"While in the Martial Soul Fusion Skill state, our souls and origins have already merged together.
"This level of compatibility cannot be faked.
"In this world, I believe the bond between us is the strongest. No one can come between us."
Huang Yan had already ridden her, while Hu Liena could only stare helplessly.
Compared to that, Shui Bing'er found Hu Liena's frantic attempts to approach Huang Yan utterly absurd and laughable.
With that, Shui Bing'er smiled faintly.
"Since she wants to follow us, let her. After all, we'll be teammates on the same team in the future."
After hearing that, Huang Yan could not help smiling as he squeezed her palm.
That night.
After having another deep exchange and cultivation session with Shui Bing'er...
Huang Yan settled Shui Bing'er in her room to meditate and cultivate, then left their residence alone.
He headed straight to the Worship Hall.
Third Offering Azure Luan Douluo stood in the center of the great hall with his hands behind his back. Hearing the footsteps, he slowly turned around.
"Teacher."
Huang Yan stepped forward and respectfully bowed.
Azure Luan Douluo swept his gaze over Huang Yan. Sensing the more solid Soul Power fluctuations within him, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad. You have finally perfectly resolved the problem of the Evil Fire backlash in your body, and you can use it to greatly improve your cultivation efficiency.
"I heard that you and that girl from Skywater Academy successfully unleashed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill as well?"
"Yes, Teacher."
Huang Yan nodded in reply.
Before you continue