Canghui withdrew from the tournament

Seeing Ye Mengyao's worried expression, Ning Rongrong immediately went to her side and asked,

"Aunt Ye, what's wrong?"

Ye Mengyao shook her head slightly, then looked around at everyone in the room and said,

"No need to prepare to go on stage. The referee team just sent an official notice that Canghui Academy has forfeited."

Tang San frowned, somewhat puzzled.

"Withdraw? Have you admitted defeat?"

Ye Mengyao walked to the chair and sat down:

"Not only did they forfeit today's match, they withdrew from the competition altogether."

It is said that the team Shi Nian, Teacher Shi Nian, suddenly fell ill, leaving the students leaderless. They voluntarily withdrew from all subsequent selections for the competition and have already left Heaven Dou City by carriage.

The people inside the room looked at each other in bewilderment.

Tai Long scratched his head, looking dejected, and sat back down in his chair.

"What the hell?! I was all set for a big fight, and they just ran away in the middle of the night? That's such a coward!"

Jing Ling snorted coldly from the side:

"He probably knew he was outmatched, so he withdrew to save face."

Lin Xuan, sitting in the main seat, remained calm and composed, taking a sip of the warm water on the table.

Did he suddenly fall ill that Shi Nian?

That old man's ashes were even scattered; what kind of acute illness could he possibly have?

The students from the Canghui Academy had clearly noticed the slightest movement.

Without the support of a level 72 Soul Sage, it would be strange if they weren't feeling insecure.

For those young people, withdrawing from the competition and running away is indeed the smartest way to save their lives.

Lin Xuan put down his water glass, clapped his hands, and the crisp applause drew everyone's attention back.

"Alright, forget about why Canghui Academy withdrew from the competition and why our opponents forfeited. It's good that we secured one spot."

Lin Xuan stood up and stretched.

"Since we've won for free and don't have to step onto the stage today, let's take a day off, explore the city, and relax our tense nerves."

Upon hearing the word "holiday," Xiao Wu was the first to jump up, grabbing Lin Xuan's arm and clinging to him.

"Great! I don't have to sit in the lounge in the stuffy wind anymore!"

Ning Rongrong cheered along, quickly walked over, took Xiao Wu's other hand, and proposed with great enthusiasm:

"Since we have a holiday, we must have a good lunch!"

Don't try to take it from me today! We're going to Seven Treasure Hotel for lunch. Order whatever you want, it's all on me!

Tai Long's eyes lit up.

"Miss Rongrong is so generous! I've been craving steamed dragonfish and braised beef for so long, I'm definitely going to eat three big plates of them today!"

Ning Rongrong glanced at him with disdain:

All you ever do is eat meat, you might as well stuff yourself to death.

Then, Ning Rongrong turned around, jogged over to Ye Mengyao, affectionately took the beautiful woman's wrist, gently shook it, and started her coquettish mode:

Aunt Ye, why don't you come along too!

You haven't been back to the clinic for days; you've been taking care of us in the team. You absolutely must sit in the head seat at noon today and try the top-tier hotel run by our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

Ye Mengyao was somewhat overwhelmed by Ning Rongrong's enthusiasm. She raised her hand to tidy Ning Rongrong's bangs, which had been ruffled by the wind, and smiled gently:

"You young people go out for meals and have fun, why should an old person like me join in?"

"I'm not old at all!"

Ning Rongrong nestled her head against Ye Mengyao's shoulder, her words dripping with sweetness.

"Aunt Ye, if you walk down the street, people will definitely think you're my older sister! Besides, I haven't seen Lingling for days."

She's training with the Imperial Fighting Team. Why don't you call her out today? It's been so long since we've gotten together to study Martial Soul Fusion."

Upon hearing her daughter's name, Ye Mengyao's expression softened considerably.

After Ye Lingling left Blue Tyrant Academy and returned, the mother and daughter had indeed not sat down for a proper meal for quite some time.

Lin Xuan then stepped forward and offered a word of advice:

Aunt Ye, Rongrong is right.

Thanks to your Meridian-Protecting Medicinal Bath, everyone's muscles and bones have become so strong lately.

Since there's no match today, let's treat this as a small team get-together. If it's convenient for Lingling, we can pick her and Yan up too, so everyone can have a good time together.

Seeing that Lin Xuan had also spoken, Ye Mengyao stopped refusing and nodded gently in agreement:

"Alright, then I'll go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy myself later and ask Lingling and Yan to take a day off."

"That's awesome!"

Ning Rongrong was very happy. She turned around, grabbed Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's sleeves, and walked out.

"Come on, come on! It's only 10 a. m., let's go for a stroll around the Treasure Pavilion first, then lunch will be served on time!"

Tai Long, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and the other boys quickly followed behind, while Tang San lagged half a step behind and whispered to Lin Xuan whether they should go to the Blacksmith Shop in the South City to pick up a batch of newly arrived Refined Iron.

Lin Xuan patted Tang San on the shoulder, smiled, and shook his head:

"We've been under so much pressure for so long, let's put the iron down for now and get some rest."

Upon hearing this, Tang San relaxed his shoulders. He hadn't been able to relax lately, and he breathed a sigh of relief, saying to Lin Xuan,

"How could we dare disobey the Vice Sect Master's command?"

Lin Xuan laughed heartily, never expecting Tang San to make such a joke now.

The group walked out of the Great Soul Arena's passageway, chatting and laughing.

As soon as I stepped out of the side door, a cool breeze of early winter blew in my face. The streets were bustling with traffic, still as vibrant as ever.

Ye Mengyao was just about to set off for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy outside the city when Ning Rongrong skipped over there in two steps.

"Aunt Ye, let me go with you! I know the Royal Academy well, and I can arrange the best carriage for you."

Ye Mengyao stopped, smiled, patted her fair hand, and declined:

"You silly girl, you finally get half a day off, why are you coming back and forth with me?"

You girls should rest well and buy some trinkets you like. Aunt Ye can take the bus by herself. Go and have fun!

Seeing that Ye Mengyao's attitude was clear, Ning Rongrong obediently spoke up.

"Aunt Ye, please drive carefully. We've reserved the best private room at the Seven Treasure Hotel for you!"

"Okay, whatever you say."

Ye Mengyao straightened her skirt, turned around, and left the alley.

After seeing Ye Mengyao off, Ning Rongrong immediately turned around, put her hands on her slender waist, and looked around at the remaining people with a smug expression.

"Alright! Aunt Ye is gone. Now you're all at my beck and call!"

She grabbed Xiao Wu's arm with one hand, pulled Zhu Zhuqing over with the other, and waved to Jiangzhu beside her.

"Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Jiangzhu, let's go to the Treasure Pavilion to shop! I heard a batch of pearl hairpins just arrived from the East China Sea yesterday!"

After arranging the girls, Ning Rongrong turned to Lin Xuan, grabbed his sleeve, and pulled him forward half a step.

"Lin Xuan, don't even think about sneaking away today. You're going to be her protector!"

Xiao Wu chimed in from the side, pressing herself against Lin Xuan's shoulder and playfully rubbing her arm against his.

"That's right, Lin Xuan has to come with us! He promised to come with me to buy roasted chestnuts!"

Zhu Zhuqing stood to the side, not saying a word, but clearly agreeing with the suggestion.