Xiao Hongchen and Lin Ciyan

Dai Yueheng's steps slowed by half a beat, and the expression on his face visibly tightened.

His father was watching from up ahead. The weight of that father-son relationship made him straighten his back unconsciously. His chest rose and fell once as he drew a deep breath.

He quickly returned to normal and continued forward with the team.

Yet just a few steps behind him, someone else reacted entirely differently.

Huo Yuhao's gaze also fell upon Dai Hao, but it moved away after only an instant.

He lowered his head, letting the loose strands over his forehead conceal his eyes. His expression was calm—the deliberate calm maintained through forceful suppression. His fingers curled slightly within his sleeves, his knuckles turning white.

No one noticed anything unusual about him. The cheers were too loud, and everyone's attention was focused on the young man with short golden-white hair at the very front.

"Carefree Qilin!"

"Lin Ciyan!"

"Shrek!"

The waves of sound came one after another, shaking all of Star Luo Square faintly.

Countless people in the stands waved their arms. Some shouted until their faces were flushed red, some wept with excitement, while others held banners bearing the words "Carefree Qilin" high overhead, waving them wildly in the wind.

"That's him! The one who protected the entire arena by himself on the day of the finals!"

"The Five-Colored Divine Light! I saw it with my own eyes! The moment that five-colored light appeared, the protective barrier stopped shaking!"

"I heard he's also Mu En of Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion's final disciple! He's only sixteen or seventeen and already a Soul Emperor!"

"A Soul Emperor? At the very least, he's a Soul Douluo! Look at his performance in the finals—could an ordinary Soul Emperor possibly fight like that?"

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