Though the students were busy dealing with the Azure-Winged Bird's corpse, they could not help frequently turning back to look.
In the end, under the dean's low bark of an order, they could only obediently withdraw their gazes and focus on the task at hand.
After glancing over, Cinderella withdrew her gaze and looked back at Pinocchio and Levin.
She did not beat around the bush and directly voiced the small curiosity in her heart. "After the Soul Master Tournament, how did Dai Weisi let you go so easily? With your talent, he shouldn't have been willing to let you slip away."
At her words, Pinocchio immediately rolled his eyes, his expression like he had just recalled something unpleasant.
"Tut, tut, tut, don't mention it." He planted his hands on his hips, his tone carrying a touch of exaggerated resentment.
"That guy came looking for us the moment the Soul Master Tournament ended. He was so enthusiastic. He said a whole pile of nice things—pillars of the empire's future, the towering supports of Star Luo Empire... I got goosebumps all over."
He imitated Dai Weisi's tone, lowering his voice and deliberately drawing out the final syllables, perfectly mimicking that high-and-mighty attempt at recruitment.
"As long as you are willing to pledge loyalty to me, in the future, within Star Luo Empire, you will stand above all but one. Resources, fiefs, status—you will have everything you could desire.
Tut, tut, tut. As if we cared about any of that."
Hearing his tone, Cinderella could not help curling her lips slightly. "So you refused?"
"Of course we refused." Pinocchio patted his chest righteously.
"I've hated having my hands and feet tied my whole life. If he'd brought it up somewhere without people around, I would've run off on the spot.
What he