Pope Bibi Dong had expressly ordered Xu Zi to become a starting member of the first team.
Huang Ying also knew full well that if Xu Zi truly joined the first team, he would certainly displace one of its regular members. As one of the three substitutes, and having lost to Xu Zi before, she probably would not even have a chance to show her face on the field during these ranking matches.
If that really happened, her chances of remaining within the Holy City's establishment after graduation would become exceedingly slim, and all the painstaking effort her family had invested in her would go straight down the drain.
That was why Huang Ying had gone so far as to plead with him in public before he joined the team.
Naturally, she therefore thought Xu Zi had bypassed the first team to join the second because her plea had worked and softened his heart.
But Xu Zi merely smiled faintly and said casually, "You've misunderstood, senior. I joined the second team simply because its members are easier to control than those of the first."
Huang Ying gently shook her head, looking as though she understood perfectly.
She added, "Actually, Huang Su from your second team is my eldest uncle's son-my younger cousin."
"Hmm?" Sipping his tea, Xu Zi nodded and gave another "Mm," clearly having guessed this already.
But Huang Ying continued on her own, "I'm also very grateful that you didn't kick my cousin off the team because of that business with the Golden Crocodile Family."
"After all, in this generation of our Huang family in the Holy City, only A Su and I have distinguished ourselves. If we lose either pillar of support, it'll be difficult to maintain our businesses in the city in the future."
Xu Zi had originally wanted to say, Actually, I wanted to keep someone as a substitute so we could swap in members with different attributes when facing different enemy lineups. Of course, it also makes it easier for me to slack off.
But seeing how Huang Ying seemed utterly convinced of her own guess, Xu Zi offered no further explanation.
Soon, all the food arrived.
Thanks to the tip last time, he had left a deep impression on the proprietor, who personally served their dishes this time.
After getting a clear look at Huang Ying's face, the proprietor shot him an admiring glance, then led his staff away from the table, leaving the two some space alone.
"Mm! The filling in these meatballs is really authentic." Huang Ying suddenly pointed at the first dish, then picked up a meatball herself and brought it to Xu Zi's lips.
Should I accept it?
The question surfaced in his mind.
Clearly, Xu Zi was no longer young and naive. He could naturally understand what Huang Ying's gesture... truly signified.
Looking straight into her expectant eyes, Xu Zi did not disappoint her and accepted the bite she offered.
The rest of the meal was very pleasant. Huang Ying's voice truly was like an oriole's or a magpie's. Whenever she discovered a new flavor in the dishes on the table, she would let out a delighted trill.
She was like a little bird that had found fresh wheat, humming aloud with joy.
They sampled the dishes and drank three cups of tea.
Xu Zi could not help suggesting, "Senior, you don't actually have to stick exclusively to the path of a Soul Master and Soul Fighting. You could sing your heart out."
"Choose the path you like and pursue cultivation alongside it, just like the Tianshui Girl Group."
But Huang Ying shook her head. "Although I'm at the same level as Shui Bing'er, our Huang family isn't Skywater Academy. We can't recruit talented people under the Golden Crocodile Family's shadow."
Xu Zi understood. As a member of the imperial family, he was naturally no stranger to the arena of fame and fortune, and could appreciate Huang Ying's difficulties all the more.
But he still said, "Senior, rather than having you treat me to a meal, I'd prefer to hear you sing."
Huang Ying froze, her hand stopping as she wiped her lips.
Only after a long while did she reply, "Here?"
"Then... shall we go to my place?" Xu Zi blurted out, but on reflection, that seemed inappropriate, so he immediately corrected himself. "You decide, senior."
Huang Ying's large eyes shifted, and a trace of a smile appeared on her lips. "How about we go to..."
"Go where?"
A slender young woman with an upright waist and a distinctly angular face walked in through the door.
It was Zhang Ping, the Golden-Waisted Flying Swallow Soul Master and a starting member of the first team.
Following closely behind a server collecting the dishes, Zhang Ping approached, braced both hands against the edge of the table, and said to Huang Ying, "I was wondering why I couldn't find you anywhere. So you came here to..."
As she spoke, Zhang Ping stole a glance at Xu Zi, a trace of wariness flashing through her eyes. Then she returned to the subject. "We're facing the runners-up from the Star Luo Division tomorrow. Ours is the first match."
"Remember to come to the usual place tonight, or Sister Nana won't look kindly on it."
Huang Ying answered softly and saw Zhang Ping off.
Xu Zi noticed the regret in her eyes.
He offered, "Senior, I came to join our academy in such a hurry that I didn't get to take in the Holy City's sights along the way. Why don't you take a walk with me?"
"But..." Hesitation filled Huang Ying's eyes.
Clenching a fist against her chest, she pondered for a long time before saying, "You injured my cousin a few days ago, and our Huang family belongs to the Golden Crocodile Family's supporters, so my family won't allow me to get too close to you..."
"So that's it." Understanding dawned on Xu Zi.
The Golden Crocodile Family's influence was deeply rooted and intertwined throughout Martial Soul Holy City. If someone saw Huang Ying out on the streets with Xu Zi, she would certainly have bitter fruit to swallow.
Looks like hearing her sing has run aground, Xu Zi thought regretfully.
"I'm sorry." Huang Ying lowered her face, her golden eyes brimming with apology.
"It's fine. There'll be opportunities in the future," Xu Zi consoled her.
"Opportunities? What opportunities?" A familiar birdlike cry rang out.
Ribbons of flowing flame descended from above, and a woman in red entered through the shop's glass door.
-It was Ling Yuan.
Xu Zi's head instantly felt bigger than two heads put together.
The first thing Ling Yuan Douluo saw upon entering was Huang Ying seated across from Xu Zi. Molten lava seemed to flow beneath the surface of her red eyes.
"E-Elder Ling Yuan?" Unaware of Xu Zi and Ling Yuan's relationship, Huang Ying greeted her as usual.
"Mm." Ling Yuan Douluo responded coldly, then tossed a rolled sheaf of white papers into Xu Zi's arms.
"There's been a problem with the ranking match schedule. You'll have to compete again tomorrow."
Xu Zi frowned. "What problem?"
At the same time, he unrolled the documents in his arms.
Ignoring Huang Ying, Ling Yuan plopped down beside Xu Zi and explained, "Blazing Fire Academy withdrew from the tournament and exploited a loophole in the rules. Three of their members temporarily joined Godwind Academy, forming the Wind Fire Team. The crucial point is that Her Holiness tacitly approved it."
"Because of this development, the Heaven Dou Royal Team, which lost today, followed suit and sent four people to join the Thunder Team, forming..."
While Ling Yuan spoke, Xu Zi's gaze had already fallen on the white scroll.
Right at the top stood the name: Heaven Thunder Team.
Yu Tianxin, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan...
Xu Zi frowned. "After a move like this, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect still dares to call itself neutral? They're not even pretending anymore."
First, they had sent their future young sect master to study at Heaven Dou Royal Academy and lead its team into this Soul Master Tournament.
Now Thunder Academy, which belonged to the sect, had accepted the Heaven Dou Royal Team into its ranks. This was openly siding with the Heaven Dou Empire.
"You-ahem!" Noticing Huang Ying was present, Xu Zi switched to a respectful form of address. "You were in such a hurry to find me because our second team is facing this... tomorrow?"
Ling Yuan Douluo nodded. "That's right. Tomorrow, you'll be facing this Heaven Thunder Team."
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