The Incapable Ye Guyi

At the very beginning, Meng Hongchen had actually stood on Ye Guyi's side.

After all, she and Ye Guyi already had a decent relationship.

Moreover, Xu Tianzhen had announced her pursuit of her brother so high-profilely right from the start that it felt somewhat aggressive.

But unfortunately, Xu Tianzhen's mouth was just too sweet, constantly calling her "Sister Meng."

On top of that, their personalities were both inclined toward being lively, and in many instances, their opinions on Xiao Hongchen were surprisingly consistent.

"Xiao Hongchen looks like he's putting on an act, but he's actually incredibly narcissistic to the bone."

"Exactly, exactly!"

"And he loves to intentionally annoy people."

"That's right!"

"The most hateful thing is that he's clearly a flirt, yet he pretends to be innocent."

"I know, right!"

In just a few days, their relationship heated up rapidly, reaching the point where they were calling each other sisters.

Watching this, Ye Guyi was left speechless, and she silently added a small note to her mental ledger against Meng Hongchen.

Meng, how could even you betray me?

At the fixed dining table by the window in the cafeteria, the seating arrangement had quietly changed.

Xiao Hongchen sat in the middle, with Xu Tianzhen on his left and Meng Hongchen on his right.

Ye Guyi, meanwhile, could only sit alone on the opposite side, separated by the entire width of the table.

Ye Guyi lowered her head and silently shoveled food into her mouth, though her eyes would occasionally lift to sweep gloomily across the table before quickly retracting, much like an impotent wife...

Especially when she watched Xu Tianzhen practically leaning against Xiao Hongchen's shoulder.

The spoon in her hand would pause involuntarily, yet she had no standing to criticize anything.

This sense of stifled frustration made Ye Guyi train with her Holy Sword even harder than before over the past few days.

As for Xiao Hongchen, it was impossible for him not to notice Ye Guyi's little moods.

On the contrary, he saw them clearly, and even felt a bit like laughing.

Because Ye Guyi was far too comfortable staying by his side.

So comfortable, in fact, that she hadn't even realized the problem herself.

She wasn't in a hurry at all, always maintaining a restrained and reserved distance.

It was as if she believed that as long as she stayed by his side, her position would never change.

But how could that be?

Xiao Hongchen leaned back in his chair and took a slow sip of water, his mood quite good.

Competition brings pressure, after all; the little angel was just too proud.

She always thought about taking things slowly.

But when it came to feelings, if you weren't proactive, your position really could be snatched away by someone else.

Therefore, in his view, Xu Tianzhen's appearance was actually a good thing; it provided just the right amount of stimulation for Ye Guyi.

Thinking of this, Xiao Hongchen couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

Proud little angel. Hurry up and set aside your pride, and throw yourself into your Brother Xiao's embrace.

As for the age difference?

Ye Guyi was indeed older than him, but titles could be flexibly adjusted depending on the situation; that was perfectly reasonable.

Beside him, Xu Tianzhen was chattering away non-stop with Meng Hongchen.

She had no idea that in someone's plan, she had been quietly categorized as a "tool."

If she knew what Xiao Hongchen was thinking right now, she would probably flip the table on the spot:

"So I was just a part of your little game all along?!"

The news traveled even faster than anyone had anticipated.

From the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy to the streets and alleys of Ming Capital, and then to the various banquets and tea parties within the noble circles, it inevitably reached the Sun Moon Imperial Palace as well.

Finally, a summons was issued from the palace, calling Xu Tianzhen back.

Sun Moon Imperial Palace, Main Hall.

Beneath the towering dome, gilded pillars stood in silent vigil.

A middle-aged man sat upright upon the dragon throne.

His face was pale, and his brow carried the gloom and exhaustion of a long-term illness, yet his eyes remained deep and sharp. When they occasionally swept across the room, one could still feel the oppressive presence of the iron-blooded emperor he had once been.

He was none other than the current Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Guoren.

In his youth, Xu Guoren was the most ruthless hegemon in the entire Sun Moon Empire. To seize the throne, he slaughtered his own brother's entire lineage, stepping over rivers of blood to ascend to power.

Yet, time eventually wears some things down.

Now, as his health declined year by year, he had gradually tempered his former sharpness, becoming composed and reserved, possessing a bit more of what could truly be called "benevolence."

Before summoning Xu Tianzhen, he had already finished investigating all the information regarding Xiao Hongchen.

On the desk, a thick stack of files lay open.

"Three-Legged Golden Toad martial soul, reached the Soul King realm at thirteen and a half..."

"Defeated Ma Rulong."

"Participated in the research and development of the Sealed Milk Bottle, co-first author."

"Frequent visits to the Worship Hall, receiving personal guidance from Elder Kong."

The more Xu Guoren read, the deeper his gaze became.

If it were only a matter of talent, he might not have attached such importance to it.

But the most terrifying thing about Xiao Hongchen had never been just his cultivation speed.

It was what he had displayed in the field of Soul Engineering.

Therefore, before officially summoning Xu Tianzhen, Xu Guoren specifically summoned Elder Kong for a meeting.

"Elder Kong," he said, getting straight to the point, "what do you think of this person, Xiao Hongchen?"

"His attainments in both Soul Tools and his martial soul have already far surpassed his peers."

He paused, carrying a certain conviction:

"Given time, this child will certainly be able to surpass me."

Xu Guoren's pupils shrank abruptly.

Even with his level of composure, a massive wave rose in his heart at this moment.

Who was Kong Deming?

He was the person closest to a Level 10 Soul Engineer on the entire Douluo Continent.

And now, this man, the true number one Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire, had personally said that someone would be able to surpass him in the future.

"Surpass you..."

Xu Guoren repeated slowly.

"Doesn't that mean the Sun Moon Empire has a chance to produce a Super Douluo-level Soul Engineer in the future?"

"More than that."

Kong Deming looked at him and said, word for word:

"I believe he even has a chance to touch level ninety-nine."

The air seemed to go quiet for a moment.

Xu Guoren was silent for a long time.

Level ninety-nine.

Limit Douluo.

That was already the level standing at the very pinnacle of the continent.

And if that were combined with the Soul Engineer system to achieve the rank of Level 10 Soul Engineer.

Thinking of this, even Xu Guoren's breathing grew slightly heavier.

If he could truly grow to that point.

Then the three nations and Shrek, which had been pressing down on the Sun Moon Empire for hundreds of years, would have their balance completely shattered.

Even the Holy Spirit Cult, the thorn that had always been stuck in his heart, would no longer be worth fearing.

As long as this person had no ulterior motives, he could protect the Sun Moon Empire for two hundred years, or even longer.

Xu Guoren slowly closed his eyes, and it was a long time before he opened them again.

"Elder Kong."

"Are you certain?"

Kong Deming merely glanced at him indifferently.

"I have lived for so many years."

"I do not speak words I am not sure of."

Xu Guoren was silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a soft laugh.

It seemed that his daughter, who had always been willful, had truly picked out someone extraordinary this time.

He lowered his head, reopened the files on Xiao Hongchen on the desk, and read through them from the beginning, the corners of his mouth relaxing slightly without him realizing it.

"Someone," he raised his head and called out toward the hall, "summon the Princess for an audience."