A sly glint crossed Ye Yunxi's eyes. She cleared her throat, then spoke in a soft, teasing voice that cut through the din and drifted onto the arena:
"Little Tang San, are you really that nervous about fighting the Royal Academy's second team? If you lose, you won't get another chance to spend time with me, you know."
The moment her words fell, the arena descended into chaos.
Dai Mubai was just about to unleash White Tiger Protection Barrier when he heard her. His foot slipped, and he nearly fell off the edge of the arena.
Ma Hongjun had been gathering Soul Power to spew out Phoenix Fire Line, but he choked and broke into a fit of coughing, throwing his Soul Power out of whack.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass vines were just about to burst from the ground when he suddenly froze. His ears flushed bright red, and his movements grew sluggish.
The Royal Academy's second-team students seized the fleeting opening and charged forward with a roar.
Their leader went straight for Tang San with his third Soul Skill, leaving the Shrek Seven Devils scrambling in disarray.
[ Ding! Mission complete! Rewards have been issued! ]
A warm current coursed through Ye Yunxi's limbs, and her Soul Power steadily rose by one level. In high spirits, she leaned lazily against Qian Renxue's shoulder, smiling with her eyes curved into crescents.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to keep growing like this until she reached level one hundred and became a god?
Qian Renxue glanced at the chaos on the arena, then at the mischievous little fox beside her. She helplessly pinched Ye Yunxi's cheek.
"You're always causing trouble."
"I'm just cheering them on."
Ye Yunxi stuck out her tongue, then turned her eyes back to the arena. As she watched Tang San struggle to control his Blue Silver Grass, the amusement in her eyes deepened.
Yu Xiaogang's face in the stands had turned livid. The veins stood out on his clenched fists as he glared daggers at Ye Yunxi. If they hadn't been in public, he would probably have charged over to confront her.
Ning Fengzhi, meanwhile, looked toward Ye Yunxi and smiled.
"Just one sentence from the Imperial Concubine, and Shrek was thrown into disarray. Her charm is truly extraordinary."
The fight on the arena grew more intense, but most of the spectators' eyes had settled on Ye Yunxi and would not leave her. It was as though the Imperial Concubine, rather than the competing teams, was the star of the day.
The white-haired man seated at the far left looked at Ye Yunxi with some puzzlement. But one glance at her profile was enough to make the old man blush.
He was Salas, the Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall.
He had heard before that the Imperial Concubine was said to be the most beautiful woman in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Seeing her today, he knew the rumors had not exaggerated.
Noticing Salas's gaze, Ye Yunxi turned her head and smiled at him.
Salas couldn't withstand that smile at all. He immediately looked away, but still couldn't help sneaking glances at Ye Yunxi.
"I'm a Platinum Bishop, for heaven's sake. How can I not even resist one woman's smile?"
Qian Renxue took it all in. Salas might have been Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishop, but he was still right there. If she weren't here, would this little fox be even more brazen?
"Imperial Concubine, show some restraint. At least have a little consideration for me."
"Hm? Is the Crown Prince asking me? If you're asking, I suppose I could show a little restraint."
Ye Yunxi gave her a coy smile. She propped an arm on the armrest, rested her chin in her hands, and shot Qian Renxue a flirtatious look, letting a touch of her charm seep into it.
Qian Renxue usually managed to hold back, but this time Ye Yunxi used her charm, and Qian Renxue couldn't keep her composure. Her cheeks instantly reddened.
She swallowed the reprimand on the tip of her tongue and merely said, "Put away that damned charm of yours. And you're not allowed to use it on anyone but me. Got it?"
"How can I do that? What if some kidnappers tie me up one day? I could use it to escape." Ye Yunxi smiled.
"Is that what I meant? I said not to use it on other men. If kidnappers tie you up, that's an exception. Besides, can't I, the Crown Prince, protect you?"
Qian Renxue clenched her teeth, itching to lose her temper. But all eyes around them were on Ye Yunxi, so she couldn't make a scene. She could only swallow her complaint.
Ye Yunxi didn't say anything more. Instead, she looked toward the arena, where the match was nearly over.
To Shrek Academy, Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team was just an appetizer.
The matches ahead would be the real challenge.
As expected, Shrek Academy swept Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team with ease.
Many spectators were astonished. Even Emperor Xue Ye was a little surprised that they had defeated Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team so quickly.
"Let's congratulate Shrek Academy on a resounding victory in their first match!"
When the referee's voice rang out, many people cheered, and Ye Yunxi's voice rose above the rest.
"Little Tang San, great match! I believe in you. Keep it up!"
Ye Yunxi's voice wasn't loud, but every person there heard it clearly.
Seeing Ye Yunxi cheering him on, Tang San's cheeks turned faintly red. The rest of Shrek Academy, however, were envious—though their jealousy outweighed their envy.
Why did the Imperial Concubine keep cheering for him and not for us?
After the first match ended, Ye Yunxi wanted to stroll around the area, but Qian Renxue immediately pulled her somewhere deserted.
"Imperial Concubine, there are so many people at these matches. You'd better show some restraint. If you cause trouble again, believe me, I'll spank you."
Furious, Qian Renxue pressed Ye Yunxi against the wall.
"Crown Prince, don't blame Yunxi. Yunxi only wanted to help you save face."
Ye Yunxi immediately put on a pitiful expression, her eyes reddening. She threw herself into Qian Renxue's arms and lightly pounded her chest, explaining in a wounded voice.
"Everything Yunxi does is for you, Crown Prince."
With her cheeks flushed, Ye Yunxi released the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox. Along with her natural charm, it made Qian Renxue swallow the words she'd been about to say.
"Why are you doing this again? Don't use your charm on me. I don't like it."
Ye Yunxi sniffled and trailed her fingers back and forth across Qian Renxue's chest, complaining,
"You're the one who said I couldn't use my charm on anyone else. If I can't even use it on you, what's the point of my Martial Soul? It might as well be a decoration."
"I said not to use your charm right now. I'm talking to you about something serious." Qian Renxue enunciated every word.
But to Ye Yunxi, she seemed not to understand a thing.
"Your Highness~"
Ye Yunxi wrapped both arms tightly around Qian Renxue's waist, tears in her eyes.
"Don't bully Yunxi. Yunxi understands. I won't do it again next time."
"See that you don't."
Of course, Qian Renxue didn't believe a word Ye Yunxi said. Not one word out of her mouth could be trusted.
There was no need to stay angry, so Qian Renxue took Ye Yunxi's hand and led her back toward the crowd.
Then a familiar voice suddenly called out,
"Hm? Isn't that the Imperial Concubine? What a coincidence!"