Pope Bibi Dong had expressly ordered that Xu Zi be made a starting member of the first team.
Huang Ying also knew full well that if Xu Zi really 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 get a chance to appear in these ranking matches.
If that really happened, her chances of staying on within the Holy City's establishment after graduation would become exceedingly slim, and that would directly send all the painstaking investment her family had made in her down the drain.
That was why Huang Ying had gone so far as to plead in public before Xu Zi joined the team.
So she naturally assumed that 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 only joined the second team because its members are easier to control than the first team's."
Huang Ying shook her head gently, looking as though she understood perfectly.
She added, "Actually, Huang Su on your second team is my eldest uncle's son-my younger cousin."
"Hmm?" Xu Zi sipped his tea, nodded, and gave another "Mm," having clearly 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 over that business with the Golden Crocodile Family."
"After all, in this generation of our Holy City's Huang Family, only A Su and I have shown outstanding talent. With even one less 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 switch in members with different attributes against different enemy lineups. Of course, it also makes it easier for me to slack off.
But seeing how certain Huang Ying looked of her own guess, Xu Zi did not try to persuade her further.
Soon, all the food had arrived.
Thanks to the tip last time, he had left a deep impression on the owner, who personally served them this time.
After getting a clear look at Huang Ying's face, the owner gave Xu Zi an admiring look, then disappeared from the table with the staff, leaving them space to be alone.
"Mmm! The filling in these meatballs is really authentic." Huang Ying suddenly pointed at the first dish, 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... represented beneath the surface.
Looking straight into the anticipation filling her eyes, Xu Zi did not disappoint her and accepted the mouthful she offered.
The rest of the meal was pleasant. Huang Ying's voice really was like an oriole's or a magpie's; whenever she discovered a new flavor among the dishes, she would let out a delighted chirp.
She was like a bird that had found fresh wheat, so happy that it sang out loud.
After five flavors of dishes and three cups of tea, they had eaten their fill.
Xu Zi could not help suggesting, "Senior, you don't actually have to devote yourself solely to being a Soul Master and Soul Fighting. You could go sing your heart out."
"Choose the path you like while continuing your cultivation, just like the Tianshui Girl Group."
But Huang Ying shook her head. "Though I'm at the same level as Shui Bing'er, our Huang Family isn't Skywater Academy. We can't recruit talent beneath the Golden Crocodile Family's shadow."
Xu Zi understood. As a member of the imperial family, he had naturally never lacked exposure to the arena of fame and fortune, and could appreciate all the more how difficult things were for Huang Ying.
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 pausing as she wiped her lips.
Only after a long while did she reply, "Here?"
"How about my place?" Xu Zi blurted out, but on reflection felt that was inappropriate, so he immediately corrected himself. "You decide, senior."
Huang Ying's large eyes shifted, and a trace of a smile appeared at her lips. "Why don't we go..."
"Go where?"
A slender young woman with an upright waist and sharply defined facial bones walked in through the door.
It was Zhang Ping, the Golden-Waisted Flying Swallow Soul Master and a regular member of Spirit Hall's team.
Zhang Ping followed close behind the waiter clearing the dishes, then braced both hands on 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 matter at hand. "We're facing the Star Luo Division's runner-up 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 took the initiative. "Senior, I came to join our academy in such a hurry that I haven't had a chance to enjoy the Holy City's sights along the way. Why don't you take a walk with me?"
"But..." Hesitation showed in Huang Ying's eyes.
Clenching a fist against her chest, she deliberated for a long while before saying, "You injured Jin Yu a few days ago, and our Huang Family supports the Golden Crocodile Family, so my family won't allow me to get too close to you..."
"So that's why." Understanding dawned on Xu Zi.
The Golden Crocodile Family's influence was deeply rooted and tangled throughout Martial Soul Holy City. If anyone saw Huang Ying out on the streets with Xu Zi, she would certainly suffer for it.
Looks like listening to her sing has run aground. Xu Zi, too, felt regret.
"I'm sorry." Huang Ying lowered her face, her golden eyes brimming with apology.
"It's fine. There'll be opportunities later," Xu Zi consoled her.
"Opportunities? What opportunities?" A familiar cry rang out.
Wisps of flowing flame descended from the sky, and a woman in red entered through the shop's glass door.
It was Ling Yuan.
Xu Zi's head instantly felt twice its size.
The first thing Ling Yuan Douluo saw was Huang Ying sitting across from Xu Zi. Lava seemed to flow beneath the surface of her crimson eyes.
"E-Elder Ling Yuan?" Huang Ying did not know about Xu Zi and Ling Yuan's relationship, so she greeted her as usual.
"Mm." Ling Yuan Douluo responded coldly, then tossed a roll of white paper into Xu Zi's arms.
"There's a problem with the ranking matches. You'll have to compete again tomorrow."
Xu Zi frowned. "What problem?"
At the same time, he opened the rolled documents in his arms.
Ignoring Huang Ying, Ling Yuan plopped down beside Xu Zi and explained, "Blazing Fire withdrew, then exploited a loophole in the rules to form the Wind Fire Team. The crucial thing is that Her Holiness tacitly approved it."
"Because of this change, six members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, which lost today, have joined the Thunder Team to form..."
While Ling Yuan was speaking, Xu Zi's gaze had already fallen on the white sheet.
Right at the top were the prominent words: Heaven Thunder Team.
Yu Tianxin, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Osler...
Xu Zi frowned. "After a move like this, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect still dares 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 in this Soul Master Tournament.
Now Thunder Academy, which belonged to their sect, had fully welcomed the Heaven Dou Royal Team into its ranks. They were openly siding with the Heaven Dou Empire.
"You- ahem!" Xu Zi noticed Huang Ying was present and 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. You're facing the Heaven Thunder Team tomorrow."