Speeches, Awards!

Xiao Hongchen spoke solemnly, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"I'll investigate. I'll find out where this Dark Badge came from, who made it, and what their purpose was. If I uncover any leads, I hope Captain Lin can help."

Lin Ciyan looked at him and nodded.

"I am indeed very interested in the Dark Badge. Count me in on this."

As he said this, his gaze inadvertently swept over Meng Hongchen beside him once more.

Meng Hongchen sensed that gaze falling on her. Her lashes trembled, and her ice-blue eyes shifted slightly, yet she did not look away. She merely bit her lower lip gently.

Then Lin Ciyan's voice rang out again, calm as though he were merely commenting on the pleasant weather.

"Xiao Hongchen, although your body has been eroded by the Dark Badge and your martial soul has been damaged, recovery is not impossible."

At the word "recovery," Xiao Hongchen's pupils abruptly widened.

An unbelievable light burst forth from his sunken eyes on that pale face. His lips trembled violently. He wanted to say something, but not a single word came out.

Meng Hongchen suddenly lifted her head, delight flooding her ice-blue eyes like a burst dam.

She instinctively stepped half a pace forward. The hem of her plain white dress drifted lightly with the movement, revealing a section of fair calf.

Her lips moved, her voice filled with urgency and gratitude.

"Really? Captain Lin, is that true? My brother's martial soul... can it still recover?"

Lin Ciyan did not answer.

Because Dai Hao's voice had already risen from the front of the ceremonial platform.

"Distinguished guests, dear audience members..."

The Duke of White Tiger's deep, authoritative voice spread across all of Star Luo Square through a sound-amplifying Soul Tool, and the clamor of hundreds of thousands of spectators