"We won! He really won!"
A few seconds later, a thunderous roar of cheers erupted from the stands.
"This is unbelievable! A forty-two-rank Soul Ancestor defeated a fifty-three-rank Soul King!"
"I witnessed a legend! That was absolutely the most exciting match in the Soul Fighting Arena this year!"
The girls cried with excitement, hugging each other in celebration. "We won! Big Brother won!"
"He's amazing! I'm going to be a fan of this duo!"
The young wives smiled with satisfaction, nodding as they chimed in. "He really didn't disappoint. That strength, that face—his future is full of promise!"
The host, Doudou, was so excited she could barely get her words out. "A miracle! This is a miracle! Let's remember this name: Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero! With flawless tactics, he's given us a textbook example of an underdog challenging someone far stronger!"
In the stands, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing hugged each other excitedly. Ning Rongrong even cried tears of joy.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exchanged smiles, their eyes full of shock and delight.
They immediately sent all four videos they'd recorded to the group.
[I Am Not Yanzi: @everyone, come see immortals clash! The Group Owner won! That little pink-haired Martial Soul was amazing!]
[Pagoda Suppresses River Demon: @everyone, the Group Owner's live debut! So handsome! Mimi is super cute too!]
As soon as the videos appeared, the group erupted. Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan quickly realized the other was posting videos too—and was at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena as well.
[Pagoda Suppresses River Demon: @I Am Not Yanzi, you're there too?]
[I Am Not Yanzi: Yeah! You're there too? What a coincidence!]
[Begonia Blossoms: What a coincidence! We came to try our luck too. Never thought we'd actually catch the match. Mimi is so cute, and she's fierce in battle too!]
[No Petting Cats: Mm. Mimi is strong.]
The other members of the group were already thoroughly stunned by the videos.
[I Am Not Swallow: Aaaah! The Group Owner is so handsome! That face—I'm dead! Mimi is so cute too! I love them!]
[Heavenly King Covers Earth Fox: Purple-purple-black-black Soul Ring Configuration... My goodness, teacher, is this real? And that Martial Soul—it looks like a little pink bunny, but it's terrifyingly strong?]
[Most Beautiful Pope: A solid foundation, keen battle instincts, and a flawless sense of timing. That Martial Soul is very special. It seems weak, but its potential is limitless. This young man's future is boundless.]
[6G Sky Wing: His strength is passable. He barely qualifies to catch my eye. The pink Martial Soul's ice damage is rather interesting.]
[I Am Not Swallow: So handsome! From today on, I'm the Group Owner and Mimi's dog!]
[Everyone: ...]
Ye Qiong stepped down from the arena, collected his one million Gold Soul Coins in winnings, and took a glance at the group chat.
Seeing the Emotion Points skyrocketing in the background—and his handsome face becoming known to everyone—he merely smiled calmly.
It felt pretty good to make his first impression.
It was just that Bai Chenxiang's outrageous comment left him at a loss for words.
Damn it, had he become Kamisato Ayaka?
He shook his head speechlessly, then started back toward the stands to meet up with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Just then, a middle-aged man with a steady presence suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his way.
Ye Qiong's heart tightened. He instantly went on guard.
The man's aura was incredibly powerful!
Far stronger than any opponent Ye Qiong had faced before. He looked like trouble.
"Who are you, senior?"
The middle-aged man remained expressionless, his voice steady. "My master sent me to bring you to him. He said he has important business with you."
Ye Qiong followed the mysterious middle-aged man through the Soul Fighting Arena's corridors and into a lavish VIP room.
The man respectfully opened the door and gestured for Ye Qiong to enter. He stayed outside, standing guard without following him in.
Ye Qiong stepped into the room, and the door slowly closed behind him.
The room was decorated lavishly, but only one person was inside.
The man stood with his back to Ye Qiong in front of a huge viewing window. He wore an elegant blue robe, and his long golden hair was tied up with a small purple-gold crown. His figure was slender, his bearing graceful and dignified.
Even from behind, he exuded an innate air of nobility.
"You're Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero, Ye Qiong?"
The man slowly turned around, revealing a handsome face with pale skin and fine features. His jade-green eyes were as still and unfathomable as a lake.
A warm smile touched his lips. It wasn't distant, but neither was it overly friendly.
"I am Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."
At the name, Ye Qiong's heart jolted. So it was Qian Renxue.
Heh. Just as expected of her. That acting, that disguise—what a waste if she didn't win an Oscar for Best Actor.
Ye Qiong grumbled inwardly, but his face showed just the right amount of surprise and flattered disbelief.
"So you're the Crown Prince. I am Ye Qiong. Greetings, Your Highness. May I ask why you summoned me?"
Xue Qinghe smiled warmly at Ye Qiong. "There's no need to be so formal. I was simply interested in your match and wanted to invite you for a chat."
"It was only luck. I'm not worthy of such attention, Your Highness," Ye Qiong replied modestly.
"Heh. A forty-two-rank Soul Ancestor with a heaven-defying purple-purple-black-black Soul Ring Configuration defeated a fifty-three-rank Battle Soul King of the Power Attack System with the optimal Soul Ring Configuration. That wasn't something you could accomplish through luck."
Xue Qinghe's gaze seemed to see right through Ye Qiong.
"To be honest, I've always sought talented people from across the land to help me govern the empire. At such a young age, you already possess such strength and composure. Your future is boundless. Would you be willing to join the Crown Prince Residence as a guest adviser and serve me?"
Here came the recruitment.
Ye Qiong understood Qian Renxue's purpose perfectly well, but pretended to hesitate and said nothing.
Seeing him fall silent, Xue Qinghe didn't press him. A glint flickered deep in those jade-green eyes.
He was waiting for Ye Qiong to let something slip.
A brief silence settled over the room, and the atmosphere grew subtly tense.
At last, Xue Qinghe was the first to lose patience.
He waved his hand, dismissing She Long and Pufferfish, who had been guarding him in secret.
Only the two of them remained in the VIP room.
"All right, you can stop pretending."
The smile vanished from Xue Qinghe's lips, replaced by a condescending scrutiny.
"Galaxy Baseball Bat Hero—or should I say, Group Owner?"
Ye Qiong raised an eyebrow, his expression showing just the right amount of surprise.
"Your Highness, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"You don't understand?"
Xue Qinghe chuckled.
"You're in that Chat Group. You can foresee the future, see through the past, and wield incredible powers. As the Group Owner, when you heard my name, Xue Qinghe, are you really telling me you had no idea who I was?"
"I don't believe that."
Before you continue