Qian Renxue snatched the tea from Xuan Ming's hand, drank it down in one gulp, and glared at him through gritted teeth.
Xuan Ming was somewhat speechless and chose to ignore it again. "Also, I plan to switch with the Imperial Fighting Second Team, giving them the seeded team spot, and I'll take the Imperial Fighting First Team through the procedures."
If he goes straight to the finals, there will only be two or three matches, and the opponents will be too strong. Once he makes a move, Ning Rongrong and the others will become mere accessories, and there will be no chance for them to demonstrate their strength.
Moreover, his matter also needs to be resolved.
"You're quite the player, aren't you?" Qian Renxue said through gritted teeth.
"Your Highness, I'm talking about serious business now," Xuan Ming said helplessly.
"I'm talking about serious matters!" Qian Renxue said.
"Then let's talk about my business first, and then yours, shall we?" Xuan Ming asked.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath. "Okay."
"Can you arrange what I just mentioned?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Okay," Qian Renxue said.
"Perfect timing. The old emperor intends for me to be the leader of the Imperial Fighting Team. These things were originally my responsibility to arrange."
Xuan Ming raised an eyebrow slightly, "The old emperor still doesn't intend to sever ties with me?"
Qian Renxue her eyes at Xuan Ming, "You underestimate your importance in the old emperor's eyes. Even after things have come to this, he still wants to do his best to protect you."
Xuan Ming's current situation is indeed dangerous, but it is not truly hopeless. As long as the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect join forces, they will be able to stabilize the situation, and the Seven Great Families will also give the Royal Family face.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family, having resolved this major problem, incurred a great favor upon Xuan Ming!
In the future, the relationship between Xuan Ming and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will naturally become closer. As long as Xuan Ming can grow up, he can at least ensure the stability of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family for a hundred years!
A century of peace and stability for the Heaven Dou Empire!
How much value is this?
The final moment hasn't arrived yet; the old emperor won't easily give up this hope.
Xuan Ming nodded slightly, gaining a clearer understanding of the old emperor's plans. "In that case, the Imperial Fighting Team will proceed according to my plan. However, since the old emperor values me so highly, I must reciprocate in kind."
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. "What do you plan to do?"
"Invite any of those disobedient nobles to the finals. I'll take care of them all then," Xuan Ming said.
"I'll take the blame, and you can then legitimately give other nobles a warning and strengthen the centralized power of the royal family."
Qian Renxue was taken aback. "You're going to handle this? Are you serious?"
"You'll find out when the time comes. Just bring the people over," Xuan Ming said.
"Whether it's poisoning or dirty tricks, I always find a way to do it."
Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, then said, "I will convey this to the old emperor."
"Oh, by the way, there's something I need to tell you: Yu Tianheng has left the Imperial Fighting Team."
Xuan Ming nodded. "I understand. He'll probably go to Shrek."
Qian Renxue was taken aback. "Aren't you going to ask why?"
"I know the reason," Xuan Ming said.
He crippled Yu Luomian, thus forging a blood feud with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He just returned yesterday and then attacked Yu Xiaogang. Under these circumstances, how could Yu Tianheng possibly continue to stay in the Imperial Fighting Team?
If Yu Tianheng hadn't known the absolute gap between them, they probably would have fought him to the death.
"Then I'll take my leave." Xuan Ming stood up.
"Wait!" Qian Renxue grabbed Xuan Ming.
"Now that you've finished with your business, it's my turn to talk about mine."
Xuan Ming was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "We are not on the same path."
Qian Renxue's hand froze instantly. "Anyone on the same path? What do you mean by 'anyone on the same path'? You and she are on the same path, but I'm not?"
"There are some things I shouldn't say, and you wouldn't believe me anyway," Xuan Ming said.
But we can't."
Qian Renxue took a step forward, almost touching Xuan Ming, "Why?"
"Because of her? Or because I'm her daughter?"
"They include all of them, but not only that," Xuan Ming said.
"We can be friends who respect each other, so there won't be so many conflicts. But if we get too close, you won't be able to stand me, and I won't be able to stand you."
"So, between her and me, you chose her?" Qian Renxue stared intently at Xuan Ming.
"This isn't a multiple-choice question," Xuan Ming said.
Qian Renxue's eyes reddened slightly, and her voice trembled a little, "So you were the only one who decisively rejected me? Am I that bad?"
"You're good, but I'm doing this for your own good," Xuan Ming said.
Qian Renxue sneered, "You hurt me, and you're doing it for my own good?"
"If I reject you, you'll have a legitimate reason to hate me in the future," Xuan Ming said.
"I know all too well what it feels like to be caught in a dilemma. I used to have no choice, but now you do. You don't have to fall into this vortex."
Tears welled in Qian Renxue's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. She bit her lip, her voice choked with sobs. "Hate you? Why should I hate you? Just because you didn't choose me? Xuan Ming, who do you think you are, worthy of my hatred, Qian Renxue?"
Xuan Ming looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "Whether you hate her or not, it's your choice."
Qian Renxue looked up, tears finally streaming down her cheeks. "Excuses, all excuses! What 'for my own good,' what 'not wanting to involve me,' you just don't care about me at all."
" Xuan Ming, look at me. Tell me, don't you really feel even the slightest bit of attraction towards me?"
"..."
"Yes," Xuan Ming said.
Upon hearing the word "yes," Qian Renxue paused slightly, her tears seemingly freezing for a moment. Her initial resentment and grievance wavered slightly at that instant. "If you do have it... why are you so cruel as to reject me?"
"Being moved is just being moved," Xuan Ming said.
"You can do whatever you want because you are Qian Renxue, you have the right to do so, but I can't."
"And what about her?" Qian Renxue's tears rolled down like broken beads. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard not to cry out loud.
Xuan Ming sighed softly, "She's not like you."
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth, "Different? How are they different? What she can do for you, I can do too!"
Xuan Ming looked at Qian Renxue, "We've both embarked on a path of no return, but you can live in the light and enjoy the glory and honor that belongs to you."
Qian Renxue sneered, "Light? Do you think I live in the light right now? From the moment I was born, my life has never been truly free or happy."
" Xuan Ming, do you think rejecting me is for my own good? You're wrong. It will only make me suffer more."
Xuan Ming was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Pain is only temporary; time heals all wounds."
You will meet the person who is truly right for you. He will give you the life you want and let you forget all your troubles and pain.
Qian Renxue glared angrily at Xuan Ming, "The right person for me? I don't want anyone but you!"
" Xuan Ming, don't think you can get rid of me so easily. I won't give up!"
Chapter 229 The Lovesick Heartbreak Red Flower
Shrek Academy.
With the Soul Master Tournament just around the corner, it should be a time of joy, but Shrek is anything but happy at this moment.
The original Shrek Team can now be described as having fallen apart.
Not only did Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's departure cause the Shrek Team to lose two key Soul Ancestor, but their sudden departure also caused the Shrek Team's morale to plummet.
"Dean, do we really still want to participate in this year's competition?"
With only a few days left before the start of the competition, Shrek held its final training session, mainly consisting of Yu Xiaogang explaining the important points of the competition and some rules and schedules.
After Yu Xiaogang finished explaining, Oscar, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up and asked a question.
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the room immediately became somber.
"Well, I didn't mean anything by it, it's just... given our current state, it seems unlikely we'll achieve any good results, right?" Oscar said with a wry smile.
Originally, the Shrek Team had three Soul Ancestor: Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. However, due to the departure of the other two, Shrek now only has Dai Mubai as a Soul Ancestor.
Although the Shrek Team is still quite strong, the sudden departure of a player so close to the competition is a huge blow to their morale.
Not to mention, they also know why those two people left.
Ning Rongrong's departure was something everyone was somewhat prepared for, given that her relationship with Grandmaster had always been very tense, and her relationship with Captain Dai Mubai was equally abysmal. During group Soul Fighting training, Ning Rongrong was even unwilling to buff Dai Mubai.
But Zhu Zhuqing, to put it bluntly, was forced out!
If it weren't for the Grandmaster constantly trying to help Dai Mubai win back Zhu Zhuqing, they would all have realized that Zhu Zhuqing originally had no intention of leaving. She was very cooperative in her training, and even with Dai Mubai, her only conflict was over the matter of the Hell White Tiger.
The Shrek Team's morale is currently low. Although the official reason is the departure of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, the real reason is Grandmaster!
" Oscar, the Soul Master Tournament is not just an honor for you, but also a form of training," Flender said.
"Of course, if you don't want to participate, I won't force you."
"Dean, it's not that I'm unwilling to participate, it's just that I feel that since we're participating, we definitely need to achieve good results, otherwise it would be a disgrace to Shrek Academy," Oscar said.
Liu Erlong sighed, a hint of weariness on his face. " Boss Fu, Oscar has a point. Those kids are still young. Even if they wait until the next Soul Master Tournament, they'll be more than capable. With their talent, they'll achieve even better results then."
"No, we can still achieve good results by participating in this year's competition." Yu Xiaogang looked towards the woods.
" Tian Heng, come here."
As Yu Xiaogang finished speaking, a figure slowly emerged from the woods; it was Yu Tianheng.
His face showed a complex expression and obvious weariness, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept well for the past few days.
"I know you left the Imperial Fighting Team for some reason, but Shrek Academy's doors will always be open for you," Yu Xiaogang said.
Yu Tianheng remained silent for a moment, then nodded firmly, " Grandmaster, I am willing to Shrek Team and fight for the tournament."
"Good, with Yu Tianheng joining us, our strength has increased to another level." Flender clapped his hands and laughed, the gloom on his face vanishing.
"Next, what we need to do is adjust our tactics, re-establish team cohesion, and be in the best possible condition for the competition."
Although Oscar and his group were still a little confused, Yu Tianheng's addition undoubtedly gave the Shrek Team a shot in the arm.
Although they lost two Soul Ancestor, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Tianheng's strength should not be underestimated. His addition ensures that the Shrek Team will not fall too far behind in terms of Soul Power Level.
The training meeting didn't last long. Everyone dispersed, but Yu Xiaogang kept Yu Tianheng, Tang San, and Xiao Wu behind.
Yu Xiaogang looked at the three people in front of him with a serious expression and slowly said, "Half a year ago, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing suddenly experienced a surge in Soul Power. Now that I think about it, it's really too strange."
"That kid Xuan Ming acts strangely. I suspect they used the same evil magic as Xuan Ming to achieve such a huge improvement in such a short time."
Tang San frowned slightly. Although he had some doubts about his teacher's words, he did not immediately refute them.
Xiao Wu's eyes widened, and she said angrily, " Grandmaster, how can you say that! Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's advancements were all aboveboard, and Xuan Ming cultivated it on his own! How could it be an evil technique!"
Yu Xiaogang remained expressionless. "Then why have they suddenly made such great progress? This doesn't make any sense."
" Xiao Wu, you've been getting so close to them, haven't you ever had any doubts?"
Yu Tianheng suddenly spoke up, " Grandmaster, actually, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling also experienced a sudden increase in Soul Power before. I also found it strange at the time, but I didn't think about it being related to evil magic."
"Moreover, Dugu Yan's Martial Soul also suddenly evolved into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor at that time."
" Soul Master cultivate step by step. If they didn't use evil magic, how could they suddenly improve so much?" Yu Xiaogang said.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu became even more indignant. " Grandmaster, that's prejudice! Everyone's Soul Power has increased for a reason; it's not some kind of evil magic at all."
As she spoke, Xiao Wu took out a vibrant, fresh flower from her bosom—the very same Lovesick Heartbreak Red that Xuan Ming had given her.
"This is the source of everyone's increased Soul Power!" Xiao Wu said proudly. "These are treasures given to us by Xuan Ming. Each one has miraculous effects. Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling all greatly increased their Soul Power because they consumed the Immortal Herb that suited them."
The moment Tang San saw the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, his eyes lit up instantly. "This is... the Lovesick Heartbreak Red! The legendary king of immortal Immortal Herb, I never thought it actually existed!"
" Immortal Herb?" Yu Xiaogang was taken aback. "What is that?"