The Guardian of Aaru Village

Sethos thought it over. Since he only had to act as a guide, he didn't refuse again.

As for cultivating feelings or anything like that, Sethos had never had any such intentions.

Qian Renxue spoke up as well. "Teacher, why don't I guide Sethos with Rongrong? It would be more appropriate, since little sister Rongrong has never been a guide before."

"Mm. Qinghe, I'll leave it to you, then."

It was already late, and the Sky Screen had stopped updating for the day. Xue Qinghe arranged a place for Sethos to stay. As for the Shrek crowd, they naturally slunk back to Blue Tyrant Academy.

Because of Xiao Wu, Tang San and Xiao Wu had stayed at Blue Tyrant Academy the whole time.

Tang San could tell that Xiao Wu was afraid, but he didn't know what she was afraid of.

Xiao Wu was naturally afraid that the Sky Screen would expose her. Though she was certainly unlikely to make the current young powerhouses ranking, who knew what else the Sky Screen might reveal later?

If she made the list, what would await her? Just thinking about it terrified her.

No matter how much Tang San tried to comfort her, he couldn't dispel that fear.

The next day, the Sky Screen began updating again.

[Rank 7: Candace]

It was another unfamiliar name. Meanwhile, Qian Renxue was having breakfast with Ning Rongrong and Sethos.

"Sethos, is this Candace also from your academy?"

"More or less. She's the guardian of Aaru Village and a true descendant of the Scarlet King. She's a very kind person, as long as you don't touch the things she protects.

If you dare touch them, you'll find out just how terrifying she can be. Personally, I wouldn't want to get punched by her."

The Sky Screen showed an image of Candace. She held a spear and shield, and an eye-shaped symbol adorned her purple hair.

She was also dressed very lightly, and her eyes were different colors. She had a striking, beautiful appearance.

"Gorgeous!"

Ning Rongrong couldn't help exclaiming at the sight of Candace on the Sky Screen.

Qian Renxue compared herself to Candace in her mind. Though she didn't want to admit it, the two were evenly matched.

In Star Dou Forest, at the Lake of Life, and at the Akademiya's main campus, Dehya and Candace were together.

"Candace, there must be countless people marveling at your beauty right now. There probably aren't many people in all of Sumeru prettier than you."

"You're exaggerating. Miss Nilou, the first person to make the list, is just as beautiful as I am."

"That's different. The two of you have completely different styles. Still, once you're out there, you'll both be superstars adored by thousands."

"You're one to talk. You should be ranked ahead of me, and I'm a little unconvinced."

"Our strength is probably about the same. Maybe the Sky Screen ranked me ahead of you because I have a bit more combat experience. After all, I'm a mercenary."

"That could be it! With all these revelations from the Sky Screen, the Grand Sage must already be making arrangements for the Akademiya to enter the world."

"With the Grand Sage making the arrangements, we can relax. Once the Akademiya is up and running, we'll be free to pursue the things we like."

Candace nodded, but the thought that their ages would be revealed next made her a little unhappy. After all, a woman's age was a secret.

But there was nothing she could do to stop the Sky Screen.

[Affiliation: Akademiya]

[Age: 26]

[Martial Soul: Scarlet Heron Shield]

[Soul Power Level: 94]

[Identity: Heir of Al-Ahmar]

The Sky Screen had gone out of its way to highlight [Identity: Heir of Al-Ahmar], sparking another round of discussion. If the Sky Screen had singled it out, it had to be something special.

With Sethos beside her, Qian Renxue naturally asked him for an explanation right away.

"Didn't I tell you? Candace is a descendant of the Scarlet King. The Scarlet King is Al-Ahmar, the god worshipped by the people of the desert."

Hearing the word "god" again, Qian Renxue instinctively asked, "Was this Scarlet King also a god?"

"Yes. He was the god of the desert, but he has already fallen. The desert is now under the care of Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"Can gods fall, too?" Ning Rongrong asked innocently.

"Of course. Gods can fall, too. Many gods fell in the Archon War back then."

"The Archon War? Why is there no record of it in Spirit Hall? Could it have happened before the Divine Ancestor became a god?" Qian Renxue wondered to herself, but she changed the subject without betraying anything.

"Could Hermanubis also be a god?"

"How should I put it? Hermanubis is indeed revered as a god, but he was actually one of the Seven Sages under the Scarlet King. Strictly speaking, he wasn't a god."

"I see."

Qian Renxue nodded to show she understood, thinking of Hermanubis as a divine attendant like Qian Daoliu.

Just then, She Long came over and whispered a few words to Qian Renxue.

"Mm. I understand."

"Did something happen?"

"Tighnari has arrived in Heaven Dou City. He's being detained by my uncle and my spoiled younger brother."

"Tighnari's here? Then he might be looking for me. We should hurry and see him."

"Mm!"

Tighnari really was having trouble coping with Prince Xue Xing's enthusiasm. Prince Xue Xing had once done Dugu Bo a favor, so Tighnari didn't feel he could say anything.

After all, Prince Xue Xing was only trying to give them a proper welcome.

But rather than be smothered with hospitality, Tighnari would much rather reunite with Sethos as soon as possible and complete the task assigned by the Grand Sage.

Watching Tighnari and Prince Xue Xing spar with words, Collei could only think how impressive they were.

At last, Tighnari saw Sethos hurrying over and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tighnari, Collei, what are you doing here, too?"

"We came at the Grand Sage's command to find you."

"The Grand Sage's orders! We can't waste any time, then. Let's find somewhere to talk in detail."

Prince Xue Xing seized the opportunity to say, "In that case, I've already prepared a private room to welcome you all. How about it?"

"Uncle, these people are my guests. There's no need to trouble yourself."

At the sound of Xue Qinghe's voice, Prince Xue Xing's face turned cold. Then, in an instant, he switched to a smile—he was a master of changing expressions.

"Ah, Qinghe! How could you call it trouble? Lord Tighnari has come all this way. It's only right that I show him some hospitality as the host."

Just as Qian Renxue was about to get into a war of words with Prince Xue Xing, Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke up. "Look, the Sky Screen has updated again."

Everyone looked up at the Sky Screen. Sure enough, it showed Candace in battle.

Candace was surrounded by a group of people in the desert. She held a shield in one hand and a spear in the other, water flowing between them. Every strike she made was imbued with Hydro.

"If you want to protect what's precious, a shield alone won't suffice. So I took up a spear. Hear my battle prayer!"

A surge of Hydro burst out from around her, sweeping outward and knocking down every enemy.