Bootlicking

Everyone, Hu Liena included, felt the fog lift from their minds after hearing Xu Xiaonian's explanation.

So in the eyes of the big shots, their Graduation Exam was just a meal that might or might not taste good!

Although that sounded a little unpleasant, they also knew this was a fine opportunity to show what they could do before all the major powers.

If they performed well, they might even make a name for themselves and earn some title like "the continent's number one Soul Grandmaster/Soul Elder."

After Xu Xiaonian's explanation, everyone on the team finally understood the nature of this Graduation Exam. They also learned one important lesson.

Never question the captain. Just listen to him. The captain was right!

Among the team members, Hu Liena looked at Xu Xiaonian with a newfound sparkle in her eyes. To her, his explanation was every bit as good as the one her teacher had given her.

It was even better in how vivid and easy to understand it was.

At such a young age, he already understood the ways of the world so deeply, and his talent for cultivation was absurdly good to boot. He was simply outstanding.

Just then, Hu Liena suddenly remembered something her teacher had told her:

"Nana, this child Xu Xiaonian's talent may extend beyond what we've seen. Because of my personal feelings... it's difficult for me to win him over. You must help me bring him to our side."

Her teacher's eye for talent was as sharp as ever!

"Then what's the point of having people from the Angel Legion come?" Xu Yu asked in confusion.

"Think about it!" Xu Xiaonian looked exasperated at his failure to catch on. "What kind of woman attracts men the most? One with big breasts and a perky butt, of course. Those are a woman's valuable assets."

"What are Spirit Hall's assets? Its powerful army of Soul Masters, of course!"

"When a woman shows off her assets over a meal, the man has to start considering what price he'll have to pay and what bargaining chips he'll need to pursue her."

"Oh, oh!" Understanding dawned on Xu Yu. "So showing off the Angel Legion is a way to catch a white wolf bare-handed and get benefits out of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Star Luo Imperial Family?"

"You catch on pretty well!" Xu Xiaonian began to see Xu Yu in a new light. "Who knew? You look like you're short on brains, but you're actually pretty clever."

Wait!

Why did his back suddenly feel chilly?

Xu Xiaonian looked at Xu Yu again and saw terror on his face. He slowly turned around, only to find Hu Liena, Xu Xiaotang, and Zhang Ping blushing furiously as they rubbed their fists and flexed their wrists.

Xu Xiaotang narrowed her eyes. "You're so young, yet instead of learning anything good, you're learning about big breasts and perky butts, with piles of twisted logic to go with it. Looks like I need to teach you a proper lesson on Mom and Dad's behalf."

"Exactly." A lingering blush still colored Hu Liena's fair cheeks as she said in irritation:

"If he knows this much about women at his age, won't he turn the world upside down when he grows up? How many young girls will he ruin? As your senior, I have to straighten out your thinking."

Zhang Ping's concern was different from theirs. She snapped, "Who says only women with big breasts are attractive?"

"Small ones are cute too, okay!"

Xu Xiaonian was not the least bit afraid of their fierce-sounding but hollow threats to beat him up. Instead, he rolled his eyes at Zhang Ping and glanced disdainfully at her barren chest.

"That's just what you think. Only people who don't have any would say that."

"You!" Zhang Ping went red with fury. "I'll fight you! Aah!!!"

Just three minutes later.

"Had enough?"

Xu Xiaonian looked down from above at Ping, who lay on the ground with a bruised, swollen face, groaning helplessly.

"You! Boohoo! This little brat is bullying me! Boohoo! Nana, hurry up and beat him for me! We're best friends!"

Hu Liena hesitantly stepped forward and tried to persuade him. "Xiaonian, you went a little too far. How about giving Zhang Ping a little apology?"

As soon as she said that.

Zhang Ping looked at Hu Liena in utter disbelief, betrayal written all over her face, and cried indignantly:

"So that's how it is, Nana! Boys before friends! I got beaten this badly, and all you want him to do is apologize? Where's the justice?"

"Sorry, Ping." Xu Xiaonian added, "A reminder: use my title when we're working."

In truth, he had barely used any strength. Zhang Ping's injuries looked awful, but they were only superficial. One glow from Xiaotang's Nine Heart Begonia would heal them in no time.

"All right, all right. Stop fooling around, you lot."

Before long, Xu Xiaotang healed Zhang Ping and put an end to the farce.

"I don't care! To make it up to me, you have to treat me to a feast, Captain!"

Zhang Ping really did have an easygoing personality and did not keep dwelling on the matter.

"Fine, fine, fine. My treat." Xu Xiaonian sighed helplessly. Looks like the Soul Master allowance I just received this month is going down the drain.

Time flowed like water, passing without a sound.

The day of the Graduation Exam arrived.

A temporary arena had been built on the sports field, and the stands were packed with representatives from various powers and spectators from Spirit City.

At the very front of the stands.

The rugged-faced Ghost Douluo turned toward Azure Luan Douluo, who sat beside him with an elegant bearing and handsome features, and spoke with a hint of respect:

"Third Offering, they're here."

As his words fell.

Three figures with exceptional bearing appeared on Azure Luan Douluo's side: Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe, and Ning Rongrong.

On Ghost Douluo's side, a Prince of the Star Luo Empire appeared, accompanied by Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi.

"Azure Luan Douluo, Ghost Douluo, I've long admired your illustrious bearing. Now that I've met you, I see your reputations are well deserved."

The handsome Xue Qinghe clapped appreciatively, sparing no words of praise.

Is he trying to win Azure Luan Douluo over through flattery? Believing he had seen through Xue Qinghe's intentions, Ning Fengzhi inwardly shook his head. How could Azure Luan Douluo possibly be won over so easily...

Suddenly.

"Hahaha!"

Azure Luan Douluo looked at Xue Qinghe, his laughter clear and bright and his expression gentle.

"You flatter me, Your Highness Xue Qinghe. I see fortune behind you like a reclining dragon and a crouching tiger. With someone to give you a push, you might well attain the majesty of an emperor. Hehe..."

Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened slightly, shock filling his heart.

That actually worked?!

Flattery on such a paltry level... and Azure Luan Douluo had already fallen for it.

That didn't seem very reasonable, did it?

Gui Mei and the Star Luo Prince were also astonished. They wondered whether Azure Luan Douluo had spent so long cultivating diligently in the Worship Hall, keeping his heart pure and his desires few, that the slightest flattery could breach his composure.

The Star Luo Prince pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Azure Luan Douluo, your features are handsome, your bearing refined, and your cultivation grows ever more unfathomable. It seems only a matter of time before you advance further in the offerings' rankings!"

After saying this, the Star Luo Prince felt rather pleased with himself. Now that flattery hit the mark. After all, what offering doesn't value strength or want to rise further in the rankings?

Unfortunately, things did not go as he wished.

Hearing this, Azure Luan Douluo turned to glance at the Star Luo Prince and said flatly:

"Do I know you that well?"

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This newbie author would love some votes from you esteemed readers~~