"Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, what brings you here?" Bai Luo asked softly.
"Don't you need to stay with the others from Shrek Academy?"
"No."
Ma Xiaotao waved a hand dismissively.
"We only came to compete. Outside the matches, our time is our own. We can go wherever we want. No one gets to tell us otherwise."
The person Ma Xiaotao meant by "no one" was, without a doubt, Xuanzi, the teacher leading their team.
She didn't think Xuanzi had the nerve to tell them what to do anymore.
He couldn't even keep his students alive, yet he wanted to control where they went?
"Where are you staying, Xiao Luo?"
Ma Xiaotao's crimson eyes flickered as she asked, trying to sound casual.
Bai Luo had no reason to hide it and answered frankly.
"The Star Luo Grand Hotel."
"Princess Xu Jiujiu and His Majesty booked the whole hotel. We're staying there for now."
Xu Jiawei, standing nearby, smiled and explained softly.
"Divine Doctor Bai is an honored guest of the Star Luo Imperial Family. Naturally, we must offer him the finest hospitality."
"The Star Luo Grand Hotel was originally meant for the other competing teams, but I changed my mind and arranged for them to stay elsewhere."
Xu Jiawei's words made clear how much he valued Bai Luo.
He had given Bai Luo and his companions exclusive use of the hotel meant for all the competing teams. What better way for the Star Luo Emperor to show how highly he regarded them?
Xu Jiawei was a shrewd man.
What sounded like a simple explanation had also won him a little more of Bai Luo's goodwill.
After all, everyone liked being valued.
Bai Luo understood exactly what Xu Jiawei was thinking.
But he didn't mind.
Xu Jiawei genuinely bore him no ill will.