Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen

Xu Tiance gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Seeing this, Jing Hongchen immediately let out a long sigh of relief, and that old fox's smile returned to his face.

In truth, Jing Hongchen was extraordinarily excited. Kong Deming's breakthrough not only meant that the Sun Moon Empire finally possessed the strength to contend with a Limit Douluo, but also pointed the way forward for veteran Level 9 Soul Engineers like them.

And for Jing Hongchen, whose soul power level had already reached ninety-four, becoming a Level 10 Soul Engineer... was no longer a distant dream!

Of course, that was only Jing Hongchen's own opinion.

In Kong Deming's eyes, the Sun Moon Empire's Level 9 Soul Engineers actually had little chance of becoming Level 10 Soul Engineers. Jing Hongchen was already among those with the better prospects.

Even if Jing Hongchen were given an immortal herb to help him break through to level ninety-five, he might not be able to achieve life-bound fusion with his soul tool. After all, Kong Deming had tailored the Silver Moon Divine Light Shield to the characteristics of his own martial soul. The Red Dust Protection that had made Jing Hongchen famous could not even begin to compare with it.

Even if Jing Hongchen broke through to level ninety-five and achieved life-bound fusion with his soul tool, his actual combat strength would still fall short of a Limit Douluo's. At most, he would be the equivalent of a level 98 Super Douluo.

And in Kong Deming's eyes, that could only count as a Level 9-and-a-half Soul Engineer at best, not a true Level 10 Soul Engineer.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce him to you, junior brother. This is Lin Jiayi, the Director of Instruction at our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. If you need anything in the future, feel free to go to him."

As Jing Hongchen spoke, Lin Jiayi hurriedly offered Xu Tiance a fawning smile, the fat on his face quivering twice with the movement.

Xu Tiance inclined his head slightly in greeting.

Following Jing Hongchen into the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Xu Tiance gradually took in the academy's full layout.

"I've seen Shrek Academy with my own eyes, so I can say with confidence that the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is even larger. It's divided into three main areas: the teaching area, the dormitory area, and the Experimentation Zone. Naturally, junior brother, you can visit the teaching area or not as you please, but if you have some free time, the Experimentation Zone is worth a look."

As he spoke, Jing Hongchen took a token from inside his clothes and pressed it into Xu Tiance's hand. "With this token, you can enter and leave the Experimentation Zone freely. No one will be foolish enough to bar your way."

With Jing Hongchen explaining things along the way, Xu Tiance and his two companions gradually reached the dormitory area.

Eight tall buildings came into view. Six of them were the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's student dormitories, divided according to the academy's six year groups. Students in their fourth year and below shared rooms in pairs, while fifth- and sixth-year students had single rooms.

Xu Tiance looked around with interest, then his gaze settled on the foot of the second-year dormitory building.

A boy and a girl stood there.

Judging by their appearances, the two looked about his age, though both were much shorter than him. The boy had delicate, almost feminine features and was already strikingly handsome at his young age, with skin as fair and smooth as a girl's. The girl had exquisite features, clearly a beauty in the making, and long hair in an exceptionally rare wine-red shade, gleaming faintly like rich, mellow grape wine.

At that moment, the two seemed to be arguing about something beneath the dormitory building, completely unaware of Xu Tiance's group approaching.

Jing Hongchen also seemed rather surprised to find the siblings there, and a slightly awkward look appeared on his face. "Junior brother, these are my grandson and granddaughter. They're currently second-year students at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. I have no idea why they're here."

Hearing this, Xu Tiance raised his head slightly. A faint smile remained on his face, but inwardly, he could not help grumbling.

You had no idea Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen would be here?

Who the hell are you trying to fool?

Despite his inward grumbling, Xu Tiance did not expose him. He merely adopted a slightly surprised expression. "Oh? They're your grandson and granddaughter, senior brother? Then... wouldn't they have to call me great-uncle master?"

As his words fell, the corners of Ye Guyi's mouth lifted slightly as she walked beside him, while Jing Hongchen's expression stiffened a little.

But Jing Hongchen reacted swiftly and immediately cleared his throat twice. "Your Highness, there's no need to apply the same seniority to every relationship. My grandson and granddaughter are about your age. Perhaps you could even become friends?"

The moment I called myself Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's great-uncle master, Jing Hongchen stopped wanting to call me junior brother!

Xu Tiance laughed inwardly and nodded gently. "You have a point, senior brother. Having a boy and girl my own age call me great-uncle master would feel a little awkward to me, too."

Their voices drew Xiao Hongchen's and Meng Hongchen's attention.

Xiao Hongchen looked toward Jing Hongchen, but Meng Hongchen's gaze went straight to Xu Tiance, a flash of admiration appearing in her eyes.

Her grandfather had only told them that the Sun Moon Empire's current Crown Prince would be visiting the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy today. He had never mentioned that the Crown Prince was so handsome! She had originally thought he would be a young man much older than them, or even a fully grown adult!

Those looks, that figure... he's exactly my type!

Meng Hongchen's eyes sparkled as she hurried over to Jing Hongchen in a few quick steps and spoke sweetly. "Hello, my name is Meng Hongchen."

As she spoke, Meng Hongchen held out a small, fair hand with easy familiarity.

Although Xiao Hongchen lagged a step behind Meng Hongchen, he still walked up beside her, curiosity in his eyes. "I'm her older brother, Xiao Hongchen."

Seeing this, Xu Tiance could not help finding it amusing. So Meng Hongchen had been a full-fledged sucker for good looks since childhood?

Then again, Meng Hongchen had grown up alongside Xiao Hongchen. Even if she claimed she did not think Xiao Hongchen was handsome, he had long since spoiled her standards. It was hardly surprising that she had favored good looks since childhood.

Xu Tiance reached out and gently shook Meng Hongchen's hand, then said softly, "Xu Tiance."

Ye Guyi hesitated briefly beside him, but still gave her name.

Throughout it all, Ju Zi stood behind Xu Tiance with her eyes lowered in deference, never volunteering a single word.

Ju Zi had a very clear understanding of her place.

Since Xu Tiance had already said that she would be his maid from now on, she would keep to a maid's duties and never overstep by so much as half a pace.