Inside Huo Yuhao's room.
Meng Hongchen lay quietly on the bed, her long eyelashes resting gently on her eye bags, her beautiful face resembling a living Sleeping Beauty.
Ma Xiaotao reached out and hooked Meng Hongchen's chin, scrutinizing her closely, and chuckled, "Lord Shadow, so she knows your identity, huh?"
"Hmm? Ahem, tell me about it."
Huo Yuhao coughed awkwardly and turned his back to Ma Xiaotao.
Looking at Huo Yuhao's slightly broad back, Ma Xiaotao thought to herself, " Shadow must be testing my observation skills. This is a good opportunity to show off."
"I suppose Lord Shadow will spend more time with me then."
Ma Xiaotao released her hand from Meng Hongchen's face, her eyes clear and bright. She clenched her fists respectfully and said, "According to the Garden records, you met him once during the Dou Ling Festival, sir."
"During the conflict at the hotel entrance, the master intentionally used the ' Hongchen ' he had obtained to make the other party suspect the master's identity."
"And since she's been coming to see Lord Shadow lately, she must have already guessed Shadow identity."
Huo Yuhao looked out the window, raised his right hand, and with a flick of his fingers, the teapot not far away flew up, a stream of clear water flowing in the air, the sound of the water clear and melodious, and he leisurely took a sip.
Seeing that Huo Yuhao still hadn't replied, Ma Xiaotao quickly added, "From this, I can boldly guess that she must have been completely captivated by the adult's charm, just like us!"
After saying this, Ma Xiaotao blushed, closed her eyes shyly, placed one hand on her stomach, and covered her mouth with the other hand in a coy manner.
The water flow in the air suddenly stopped, then splashed onto the floor, the water droplets being absorbed by the carpet.
Huo Yuhao covered his twitching lips and slowly turned around, saying, "Since that's the case, you will take her with you in the academy from now on. I believe in your 'anger'."
I believe you are angry.
I trust you.
Believe in you
Huo Yuhao's words echoed in Ma Xiaotao's mind, filling her with immense joy.
Lord Shadow said he trusts me! Since Lord Shadow trusts me so much, I definitely can't let him down!
Overjoyed, Ma Xiaotao nodded repeatedly, patting her chest with emotion, and replied, "Don't worry, Lord Shadow."
Huo Yuhao nodded, raised his right hand again, and a dark purple light shone from his fingertips. Then, it floated out, turned up and down in the air, and landed on Meng Hongchen's brow.
The dark purple energy easily seeped into Meng Hongchen's body.
"Hmm~"
With a soft murmur, Meng Hongchen's pretty face flushed unconsciously. Her lips parted slightly, her breath sweet as orchids, her chest heaving. Her hands instinctively reached out from under the covers, pulling them taut, revealing a captivating hint of spring beneath her collarbone.
Huo Yuhao immediately looked away, waved to Ma Xiaotao, and said, "The rest is up to you. I've already removed the flaw in her Martial Soul."
Ma Xiaotao immediately pulled the blanket up for Meng Hongchen, covering up her burgeoning spring-like state.
After doing all this, Ma Xiaotao came to Huo Yuhao's side and said, "Sir, aren't you going to give her a code name?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head, feigning profundity. "The cause arises from the heart; the time is not yet ripe..."
Ma Xiaotao didn't ask any more questions. She understood that Huo Yuhao had his own plans, and mentioning it once was enough; there was no need to ask further.
She then nodded to Huo Yuhao, picked up Meng Hongchen along with the blanket, and carried her out of the room.
The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament has concluded, and Star Luo City has gradually returned to peace.
Beneath this calm surface, undercurrents are surging. Whether they will sink into the turbulent vortex or stir up the storm unscathed remains to be seen.
Since the championship prize had not yet been awarded, the Shrek team was not in a hurry to leave.
At least for now, they are safe in Star Luo City; those hiding in the shadows won't make a move in the open.
Zhou Yi stood by the conference room window, looking at the peaceful scenery outside, and then quickly drew the curtains shut.
Her face showed worry, and she sighed helplessly, "There are so many more eyes watching from the shadows now; Dean Yan is probably in for a tough time."
Yan Shaozhe took a sip of tea, put down his cup, and said, "It's alright. Xuan Zi Xuan Zi already on his way. He should arrive around the same time we leave."
Hearing Yan Shaozhe's words, the Shrek members felt much more at ease.
Before receiving their rewards, they were all forbidden from leaving the room at Zhou Yi's instruction and mostly stayed in the conference room.
Even Meng Hongchen, who was still unconscious, was placed here.
In this environment, everyone felt somewhat depressed and could only numb themselves through cultivation.
In the midst of this somber atmosphere, a low knock broke the silence.
Yan Shaozhe calmly, "Since you're here, please come in and have a chat."
This was clearly meant for the person behind the door.
Without hesitation, the person behind the door turned the doorknob downwards, and with a creak, a middle-aged man entered.
The man was probably in his forties, not tall, but broad-shouldered.
He had a head of reddish-brown hair that didn't match his temperament, which covered his short, thick neck, making him look rather odd.
"I didn't know the Illustrious Virtue Hall had graced us with his presence. What brings you here?" Yan Shaozhe with a sharp gaze, still smiling slightly.
Upon seeing Jing Hongchen, who bore a slight resemblance to Meng Hongchen, Yan Shaozhe naturally guessed her identity.
"Oh? What is it? Surely Shrek doesn't know?"
Jing Hongchen snorted coldly, her already small eyes narrowing into slits.
His eyes darted around and he spotted his granddaughter lying next to Ma Xiaotao.
Ma Xiaotao narrowed her eyes slightly, meeting Jing Hongchen's gaze without fear, and said, " Hall Master Hongchen, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Jing Hongchen waved his hand, pulled out a chair, and the chair legs scraped against the floor with a screeching sound. The force caused even the sturdy conference room to tremble slightly.
He immediately sat down, gritting his teeth, and said, "What a sharp-tongued girl!"
Dai Yueheng and the others stared at the aura emanating from Jing Hongchen. Undoubtedly, he was also a Titled Douluo, and for a moment they did not dare to directly confront him.
Ma Xiaotao sneered, showing no fear, and said, "Yes, I'm sharp-tongued. If you want a fight, Jing Hongchen, I, Ma Xiaotao, am ready."
As soon as he finished speaking, the temperature in the room suddenly rose by about five degrees.
Jing Hongchen looked at the flames flickering in her eyes, narrowed his eyes slightly, and remained silent.
" Xiaotao."
Yan Shaozhe took a leisurely sip of tea, and a ray of light spread out in the conference room.
The flames that were about to erupt within Ma Xiaotao were finally subdued.
Of course, Ma Xiaotao didn't listen to Yan Shaozhe's words.
With so many people watching, and Huo Yuhao calmly observing her from the side, she had no choice but to stop channeling her Soul Power.
Furthermore, she could sense that Jing Hongchen had no intention of making a move, which is why she withdrew her sharp edge.
Otherwise, she really wouldn't recommend fighting him; she was confident that victory would be hers.
Then, Yan Shaozhe warmly offered him a cup of tea, as if nothing had happened, and said, "What brings you here, Hall Master Hongchen Shrek haven't offended you in any way, have we?"
"By the way, that's a major competition. Don't worry, Master, Shrek will do everything in its power to help your beloved grandson recover."
Jing Hongchen took the tea, his face darkening. " Bright Phoenix Douluo, Yan Shaozhe, let's just call you that for now. All this beating around the bush is pointless. I didn't expect I'd fallen for your tricks."
Yan Shaozhe gestured for him to enter, "What the hall master says is absolutely right."
"I'm here to discuss a deal with you. Just tell me what I need to do so that my granddaughter can be safe and sound," Jing Hongchen said, getting straight to the point.
Yan Shaozhe said without any politeness, "Since the Hall Master understands, then I won't waste any more words. Two Level 9 Soul Tool blueprints, plus our safe return to Shrek."
Jing Hongchen firmly refused, saying, "Impossible! I can only agree to escort you."
"Aside from my Sun Moon Empire, the sheer number of people eyeing Shrek is already an enormous risk."
Just as Jing Hongchen was strongly refusing, Yan Shaozhe was about to speak, an unfamiliar voice rang out in the conference room.
" Jing Hongchen, this is a notification from Shrek, not a discussion..."
"Who!"
Jing Hongchen turned his head and saw an old man dressed in a gray-white robe, holding a wine pot in one hand and a large chicken leg in the other, sitting leisurely at the door.
" Xuan Zi!"
The Shrek members shouted in surprise.