The first rays of dawn broke in front of the military camp's main tent.
Lin Ciyan and Zhang Lexuan stood side by side, their hands naturally clasped together.
The silver outfit and white long robe swayed gently in the morning breeze, a strikingly harmonious combination.
Behind her, Ma Xiaotao bit her lip, forcing herself to look away.
Ling Luochеn lowered his eyes, his icy blue pupils revealing an unreadable emotion.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao stood in the reserve team, their eyes sparkling as they watched the two figures ahead.
"Master and Senior Sister Lexuan are such a good match..." Xiao Xiao muttered softly.
Wang Dong nodded, his handsome face beneath his light blue short hair showing agreement. "Only Master can control Grandmaster's aura."
Huo Yuhao stood to the side, but his mind was not on what was ahead.
His gaze was fixed intently on the main tent...
That man is inside.
Soon, the curtain of the large tent was lifted.
A tall figure strode out.
With bronze skin, long blonde hair, and a bare upper body with sculpted muscles that exude explosive power, his entire physique is breathtaking.
His azure eyes gleamed, and his sweeping gaze carried an air of iron-blooded authority.
Duke of White Tiger, Dai Hao.
"Welcome, everyone from the Shrek Academy," Dai Hao said in a deep voice.
His gaze swept over the crowd, pausing briefly on Zhang Lexuan.
The aura of an 87th-level Soul Douluo should not be underestimated.
Then he saw Lin Ciyan.
And... their hands clasped together.
A hint of surprise flashed in Dai Hao's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
He had long heard that there was a genius boy in Shrek Inner Court who was already Soul Emperor before the age of sixteen and was also Mu En's closed-door disciple.
Unexpectedly, this genius has such a close relationship with the teacher leading the Shrek Academy team this time.
"Your Grace." Zhang Lexuan nodded slightly, released Lin Ciyan's hand, and stepped forward.
"I was ordered to lead the team to Star Luo City to participate in the competition, and we have caused quite a bit of trouble while passing through this area."
"You're too kind." Dai Hao smiled. "It's an honor for our army that Shrek Academy could come."
He turned his gaze to Lin Ciyan: "This must be my Lin Ciyan? I've heard so much about you."
Lin Ciyan nodded lazily. "Greetings, Your Grace."
Their attitude was casual, even somewhat perfunctory.
The expressions of the guards behind Dai Hao changed slightly.
This kid really doesn't respect the Duke at all!
Dai Yueheng quickly tried to smooth things over. "Father, Ci Yan is our team's captain this year, his strength..."
"I know." Dai Hao raised his hand to interrupt his son, looking at Lin Ciyan with great interest.
"It's good that young people are ambitious and proud. However..."
He changed the subject. "Young friend, it seems you have some issues with me?"
The room fell silent upon hearing this.
Everyone looked at Lin Ciyan.
Lin Ciyan smiled.
He crossed his arms and tilted his head to look at Dai Hao.
That look in his eyes seemed to be as if he were examining something interesting.
"I wouldn't call it an opinion," he said casually.
"I just feel that... the Duke's persona as an 'imperial hero' is a bit untenable."
"Insolence!" one of the guards finally couldn't hold back and shouted.
Dai Hao raised his hand to stop him, his eyes deep. "Oh? I'd like to hear more."
Lin Ciyan shrugged. "Alright, since you want to hear it, I'll just say a few words."
He took two steps forward and stood in front of Dai Hao... He was half a head shorter than Dai Hao, but his aura was in no way inferior.
"First, your title of 'Iron-Blooded War God' is built on the bones of countless soldiers. Of course, it's normal for people to die in war, but your speeches after every major victory, like 'It is an honor to be loyal to the empire,' just sound fake."
Dai Hao frowned slightly.
"Secondly, you are strict in disciplining your troops and demanding of your subordinates, yet you live in a luxurious tent. Don't tell me about 'sharing weal and woe with your soldiers.' It's true that you built that bronze physique in the military, but the mattress you sleep on every night is probably more expensive than an ordinary soldier's annual salary."
The guards clenched their fists.
"Third..." Lin Ciyan paused, his gaze sweeping over Dai Hao's back, where Dai Yueheng stood.
"And that's the most ridiculous point."
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"You publicly proclaim that you 'only married one wife in your life and are self-disciplined,' cultivating an image of a good husband and father. But what is the reality? You neglect your illegitimate children, letting them suffer all kinds of bullying in the house. Your 'only wife' turns a blind eye to this, and you pretend not to know anything about it."
"Is this self-discipline? This is hypocrisy."
After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
Huo Yuhao's body trembled violently as he stared intently at Lin Ciyan's retreating figure, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Elder Lin... how... how did he know?
Dai Hao's expression finally changed.
A fierce glint flashed in those deep blue eyes, and a faint aura of power at the level of Soul Douluo was emanating from them.
The air in front of the main tent seemed to freeze, making it difficult for the lower-level reserve team members to breathe.
"Young man," Dai Hao said in a low voice, "There are some things you shouldn't say carelessly."
"Am I talking nonsense?" Lin Ciyan remained unchanged, and he even yawned. "If Your Excellency is not convinced, you can investigate the affairs of the manor. Don't think that what you did in the past can be completely covered up."
Upon hearing Lin Ciyan's words, Huo Yuhao's face turned deathly pale, and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He didn't know how Elder Lin knew, and he certainly didn't expect her to point it out in such a subtle way.
Dai Hao lowered his head in thought, a complex emotion flashing in his deep blue eyes.
Memories, surprise, doubt, a hint of... bewilderment.
He was clearly thinking of Huo Yun'er from the past.
"Father..." Dai Yueheng wanted to say something.
Dai Hao raised his hand, his gaze returning to Lin Ciyan: "Young friend, do you know the consequences of saying these things?"
"Consequences?" Lin Ciyan smiled, and behind him, the phantom of the Holy Radiance Qilin slowly emerged.
The Soul Ring Configuration rose up, Sixth Soul Ring, with their deep red color and flowing seven-colored aura, caused everyone's pupils to contract.
"Your Highness intends to make a move?"
He spoke in a relaxed tone, as if he were asking, "Have you eaten yet?"
"I am an inner disciple of Shrek Inner Court, Sea God Pavilion Reserve Member, and Mu En's closed-door disciple. My master is Limit Douluo, my grandfather is an elder, and my girlfriend has already begun assisting Dean Yan in managing the academy."
Lin Ciyan counted on her fingers, and finally looked up at Dai Hao.
"Oh, right, there's something else I forgot to mention. Your Xu Jiawei, you must have heard the name ' Lin Ciyan ' mentioned to you, right? His sister and I are... friends, I suppose."
Dai Hao's body jolted violently.
He remembered!
Several months ago, Emperor Xu Jiawei did send him a message mentioning that Lin Ciyan of the Shrek Academy had a close relationship with Princess Jiujiu, and that he should pay attention to this person, but not provoke him easily.
At the time, Dai Hao simply assumed that Princess Jiujiu had met some genius boy again and didn't pay much attention.
But now...
"You... you are..." Dai Hao's voice was a little hoarse.
"Yes, it's me." Lin Ciyan put away his Martial Soul, clapped his hands, and said, "So, Your Grace, shall we continue discussing the 'consequences'?"
Dai Hao fell silent.
Behind him, the angry guard was about to say something, but he stopped him with a look.
After a long silence, Dai Hao took a deep breath and nodded slightly to Lin Ciyan: "I've learned a lot."
These three words carry Qian Jun weight.
Everyone, including Zhang Lexuan, watched this scene in astonishment.
The mighty Duke of White Tiger, Marshal of the Star Luo Empire, actually yielded to a sixteen-year-old boy?