Guardian of Aaru Village

Sethos thought it over; since it was merely acting as a guide, he saw no reason to refuse.

As for cultivating any sort of relationship, that thought had never once crossed Sethos's mind.

Qian Renxue spoke up at this moment: "Teacher, why not let me take Ning Rongrong to act as a guide for Sethos? It would be more appropriate, after all, Ning Rongrong has never done such a thing before."

"Very well, Qinghe, I will leave it to you."

The day had grown late, and the Sky Screen had ceased its updates. Xue Qinghe helped arrange lodging for Sethos, while the Shrek group naturally slunk back to the Blue Tyrant Academy.

Because of Xiao Wu, Tang San and Xiao Wu had remained at the Blue Tyrant Academy.

Tang San could actually sense that Xiao Wu was afraid, yet he did not know what she was afraid of.

Xiao Wu was naturally terrified that she would be exposed by the Sky Screen. Although she was certain she wouldn't make the current list of young powerhouses, who knew what else this Sky Screen might reveal later?

If she were to appear on the list, the thought of what might await her was enough to make her tremble.

No matter how Tang San tried to comfort her, such fear could not be dispelled.

By the next day, the Sky Screen resumed its updates.

[Rank 7: Candace]

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

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

"In a way. She is the guardian of Aaru Village and a true descendant of the Scarlet King. She is a very kind person, provided you don't touch what she protects.

If you dare to touch what she guards, you will learn of her terror. In any case, I have no desire to taste her fists."

At this moment, the Sky Screen displayed an image of Candace. She was seen holding a long spear and a shield, her purple hair marked with an eye emblem.

Her attire was quite revealing, and her heterochromatic eyes gave her a stunning, beautiful appearance.

"So beautiful!"

Seeing Candace displayed on the Sky Screen, Ning Rongrong could not help but exclaim in admiration.

Qian Renxue compared herself to Candace in her heart; though she was loath to admit it, they were evenly matched.

In the Star Dou Forest, at the Lake of Life, within the main branch of the Akademiya, Dehya and Candace were together.

"Candace, there must be countless people marveling at your beauty right now. I doubt there are many in all of Sumeru more beautiful than you."

"It's not as exaggerated as you say. Miss Nilou, who appeared on the list first, is no less than me."

"That's different. You two have completely different styles. But once you both go out there, you'll surely be superstars sought after by thousands."

"Aren't you the same? Your ranking should be even higher than mine; I'm actually a bit unconvinced."

"Our strength should be about the same. Perhaps because I have more practical combat experience, the Sky Screen ranked me ahead of you. After all, I am a mercenary."

"That is a possibility! With this exposure from the Sky Screen, the Grand Sage must already be arranging for the Akademiya to manifest in this world."

"With the Grand Sage in charge, we can rest easy. Once the Akademiya is on the right track, we can go do the things we enjoy."

Candace nodded, though she felt a bit unhappy thinking about the upcoming age reveal; after all, a girl's age is a secret.

But there was no helping it; she could not 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 specifically highlighted [Identity: Heir of Al-Ahmar], sparking further discussion. Anything marked so specially by the Sky Screen was certainly not simple.

With Sethos present, Qian Renxue naturally sought the answer from him immediately.

"Didn't I say? 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 pressed, "Is this Scarlet King also a deity?"

"Yes, he was the god of the desert, but he has already fallen. Now, the desert is under the management of Lesser Lord Kusanali."

"Can gods fall too?"

Ning Rongrong asked naively.

"Of course. Gods can fall. During the Archon War, many deities perished."

"Archon War? Why is there no record of this in the Martial Soul Hall? Could it be that this happened before the Ancestor God became a god?"

Qian Renxue muttered to herself, though she shifted the topic smoothly on the surface.

"Is Hermanubis also a deity?"

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

"So that's how it is."

Qian Renxue nodded in understanding, interpreting Hermanubis as a divine servant similar to Qian Daoliu.

She Long walked over at this moment and whispered a few words to Qian Renxue.

"Mm, I understand."

"Has something happened?"

"Tighnari has arrived in Heaven Dou City, and he is currently being pestered by my imperial uncle and that playboy younger brother of mine."

"Tighnari is here? Then he might be looking for me. Let's go take a look quickly."

"Mm!"

Tighnari was indeed finding it hard to endure Prince Xue Xing's enthusiasm. Since Prince Xue Xing had once done a favor for Dugu Bo, he found it difficult to step in and say anything.

After all, Prince Xue Xing only wanted to treat them well.

Yet, compared to being enthusiastically entertained, Tighnari wanted to reunite with Sethos as soon as possible to complete the mission entrusted to him by the Grand Sage.

Collei watched as Tighnari and Prince Xue Xing parried each other with words, feeling that they were truly impressive.

Finally, Tighnari saw Sethos running over and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Tighnari, and Collei, why have you two come here as well?"

"We are here under the orders of the Grand Sage to find you."

"The Grand Sage's orders! Then we cannot delay. Let's find a place to discuss this in detail."

Prince Xue Xing seized the opportunity to interject: "In that case, I have already prepared a private room to host a welcoming banquet for you all?"

"Imperial Uncle, these people are my guests, so there is no need to trouble yourself."

Upon hearing Xue Qinghe's voice, Prince Xue Xing's expression turned cold, but he immediately replaced it with a smile, proving himself a master of changing faces.

"Ah, it's Qinghe. How could this be considered a trouble? Since His Excellency Tighnari has come from afar, it is only right that I fulfill my duties as a host."

Just as Qian Renxue was about to engage in 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, and sure enough, images of Candace in battle appeared.

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

"To protect what is precious, a shield alone is not enough. Thus, I have taken up the spear. Listen to my battle prayer!"

An explosion of Hydro energy radiated from her body, knocking all of her enemies to the ground.