Huo Yuhao had recognized the old man's identity long ago, so he stepped forward and bowed to him.
"During the match, we had no choice but to give it our all for the rankings. Fists and feet have no eyes; I hope Elder Xuan will not take offense."
Xuan Zi gave him a meaningful look. He was no fool himself. He had been here since the match began—how could he have missed the verbal clash between Huo Yuhao and Cheng Chang'an's team at the start?
"Let this be the last time. Otherwise, hmph! Little girl, come here. Let this old man inspect your third soul ring."
Huo Yuhao and the others immediately understood. Xuan Zi had clearly taken a liking to Cui Yajie's talent. Coupled with Xie Huanyue's standing in the eyes of Shrek's upper ranks, that was why he had not pursued the heavy blows Huo Yuhao's team had dealt during the match.
"If this old man asks where your soul ring came from, remember to explain it using the story I taught you," Huo Yuhao transmitted to Cui Yajie beside him.
Cui Yajie nodded without changing her expression, but for the first time, a trace of disgust toward the academy arose within her. She had already prepared herself to bear the blame alongside Huo Yuhao, yet the outcome was exactly as he had predicted. Seeing their potential, the academy had simply decided not to hold it against them.
What if their positions had been reversed? If Cheng Chang'an's group had suffered severe injuries in the match yet received no satisfactory explanation, how would they have felt then?
Those worth cultivating were put on a pedestal, while those without value were cast aside at will. Shrek's fine tradition: only nurture monsters, never ordinary people!
Under Xuan Zi's relentless questioning,