Ye Guyi's Incompetence

At first, Meng Hongchen had actually been on Ye Guyi's side.

After all, she and Ye Guyi had always gotten along well.

Besides, Xu Tianzhen had boldly announced she was pursuing her brother the moment she arrived, which had been rather aggressive.

But Xu Tianzhen was just so sweet, always calling her "Sister Meng."

On top of that, they were both rather lively by nature, and often had surprisingly similar opinions about Xiao Hongchen.

"Xiao Hongchen looks so pretentious, but he's actually incredibly narcissistic."

"Exactly!"

"And he loves deliberately getting on people's nerves."

"That's right!"

"Worst of all, he's really good at flirting, but pretends to be innocent."

"Totally!"

In just a few days, the two had grown close at lightning speed, to the point where they were calling each other sister.

Ye Guyi was left speechless. She silently added another tally to the little score she was keeping against Meng.

Meng, how could even you betray me?

The seating arrangement at their usual table by the cafeteria window had quietly changed, too.

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

Ye Guyi could only sit by herself across from them, with an entire table between them.

Ye Guyi silently lowered her head and shoveled food into her mouth. Every so often, her eyes would sneak up to glance at them across the table, then quickly dart back down, like an ineffectual wife...

Especially when Xu Tianzhen was practically pressed against Xiao Hongchen's shoulder.

The spoon in Ye Guyi's hand would pause without her realizing it, but she had no grounds to criticize them.

That pent-up frustration had made Ye Guyi train with the Holy Sword even harder than usual over the past few days.

Xiao Hongchen, of course, couldn't have failed to notice Ye Guyi's little moods.

Quite the opposite—he saw them perfectly clearly, and even found them a little amusing.

Because Ye Guyi was just so comfortable around him.

So comfortable that she hadn't even realized there was a problem.

She wasn't in the least bit anxious, always keeping a restrained and reserved distance.

As if, as long as she stayed by his side, her place would never change.

But how could that do?

Xiao Hongchen leaned back in his chair and took an unhurried sip of water, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Competition bred pressure, after all. His little angel was just too proud.

She always wanted to take things slow.

But with feelings, if you didn't take the initiative sometimes, someone else really could steal your place.

So, in his eyes, Xu Tianzhen's arrival was actually a good thing. It was just the right push to get Ye Guyi moving.

Thinking of this, Xiao Hongchen couldn't help feeling a little smug.

Proud little angel. Hurry up and let go of your pride. Throw yourself into your Brother Xiao's arms.

As for their ages?

Ye Guyi was indeed older than him, but forms of address could change depending on the situation. That was perfectly reasonable.

Beside them, Xu Tianzhen was chattering away with Meng Hongchen.

She had no idea that, in someone's plans, she had quietly been assigned to the "useful pawn" category.

If she knew what Xiao Hongchen was thinking right now,

she probably would have flipped the table on the spot:

"So I'm just one part of your little game?!"

The news spread even faster than anyone had expected.

From the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy to the streets and alleys of Ming Capital, then to all kinds of banquets and tea parties in noble circles, it inevitably reached the imperial palace as well.

At last, an imperial summons came from the palace, calling Xu Tianzhen back.

Sun Moon Imperial Palace, main hall.

Beneath the lofty dome, gilded pillars stood in silent rows.

A middle-aged man sat on the imperial throne.

His face was pale, and the space between his brows bore the gloom and weariness of a man who had been ill for a long time. Yet his eyes remained deep and keen. When they swept across the hall, one could still feel the oppressive presence of the iron-blooded emperor he had once been.

He was Xu Guoren, the current emperor of the Sun Moon Empire.

In his youth, Xu Guoren had been the most ruthless warlord in the entire Sun Moon Empire. To seize the throne, he had wiped out his elder brother's entire line, climbing to the throne over countless corpses.

But time inevitably wore some things away.

His health had grown worse with every passing year. Gradually, the sharp edge of his youth had dulled, and he had become more steady and reserved, with a little more of the "benevolence" his name implied.

Before summoning Xu Tianzhen, he had already had every detail about Xiao Hongchen investigated.

A thick stack of dossiers lay open on the desk.

"Three-Legged Golden Toad Martial Soul, entered the Soul King realm at thirteen and a half..."

"Defeated Ma Rulong."

"Participated in the development of the Sealed Milk Bottle; joint first author."

"Frequently visits the Worship Hall and receives personal guidance from Kong Deming."

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

If Xiao Hongchen had merely been gifted, Xu Guoren might not have given him such serious consideration.

But the most frightening thing about Xiao Hongchen wasn't just his speed of cultivation.

It was what he had shown in the field of Soul Tools.

So, before officially summoning Xu Tianzhen, Xu Guoren had made a point of summoning Elder Kong.

"Elder Kong," he asked bluntly, "what do you think of Xiao Hongchen?"

"His attainments in both Soul Tools and Martial Souls have already far surpassed those of his peers."

He paused, speaking with a certain conviction:

"Given time, this young man will undoubtedly surpass me."

Xu Guoren's pupils abruptly contracted.

Even with his composure, he felt a huge wave of emotion rise within him.

Who was Kong Deming?

The person closest to becoming a Level 10 Soul Engineer on the entire Douluo Continent.

And now, the foremost Soul Tool master in the Sun Moon Empire had personally said that someone might surpass him in the future.

"Surpass you..."

Xu Guoren slowly repeated the words.

"Wouldn't that mean the Sun Moon Empire might one day have a Super Douluo-level Soul Engineer?"

"More than that."

Kong Deming looked at him and spoke each word distinctly:

"I think he even has a chance of reaching Level 99."

The air seemed to fall silent for a moment.

Xu Guoren remained silent for a long time.

Level 99.

A Limit Douluo.

That was the pinnacle of the continent.

And if he also reached Level 10 as a Soul Engineer...

At the thought, even Xu Guoren's breathing grew slightly heavier.

If Xiao Hongchen truly grew to that level,

then the Three Kingdoms and Shrek, which had loomed over the Sun Moon Empire for hundreds of years, would see their balance of power shattered completely.

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

As long as this young man remained loyal, he could protect the Sun Moon Empire for two hundred years, perhaps even longer.

Xu Guoren slowly closed his eyes. A long while passed before he opened them again.

"Elder Kong."

"Are you certain?"

Kong Deming only glanced at him calmly.

"I've lived a long time."

"I don't say things unless I'm sure."

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

It seemed his usually capricious younger daughter really had picked someone extraordinary this time.

He lowered his head and reopened the dossiers on Xiao Hongchen, reading them through from the beginning. Unconsciously, the corners of his mouth softened.

"Guards," he called, lifting his head toward the doors of the hall. "Summon the princess."