Ju Zi rattled off a long opening address from atop the raised platform.
Nearby, teams from other academies and sects watched curiously, their voices buzzing with discussion.
"Those three are the Abyss Cult? Where did they come from?"
"I heard they only have three people competing."
"Only three, and they still dare enter the Continental Tournament?"
"I heard they won the last tournament alongside Sun Moon Academy."
"They rode someone else's coattails, and now they dare put together their own team?"
Lu Yuan was already yawning as he listened.
Seeing this, Xiao Xiao asked wistfully, "Brother Lu Yuan, did you bully Sister Qiu'er again last night?"
"What do you mean, again? When have I ever bullied her?"
Lu Yuan flatly denied it, pointing a finger at Xiao Xiao's nose. "Xiao Xiao, don't talk nonsense, or you'll have a bitter taste of trouble later!"
"Bleh, bleh, bleh!"
Xiao Xiao stuck out her tongue and made a face at Lu Yuan.
"Brother Lu Yuan, you're a big meanie!"
"Do you often sneak off with Sister Qiu'er to eat tasty things?"
Gu Qiu'er sat beside them, her lovely face faintly flushed as she gazed at the cloudless blue sky.
Her long, shapely legs were crossed, swaying gently.
Lu Yuan looked puzzled. "When have I done that? When have I ever had a meal without bringing you?"
Xiao Xiao planted her hands on her hips and demanded, "Then what's this about soybean juice? I keep hearing you tell Sister Qiu'er to catch it properly and not spill any. How do you explain that?"
"!!"
Lu Yuan and Gu Qiu'er looked at each other, their faces reddening with embarrassment.
Gu Qiu'er stammered, "Xiao Xiao... th-this soybean juice isn't something you should drink..."
"Why? Sister Qiu'er, do you want to keep it all for yourself?"
Xiao