Sun and Moon Empire.
Mingdu.
Inside a lavish, luxurious hotel.
Countless teams were entering in succession, completing their registration under the pens of several sweet-faced attendants at the front desk.
"Star Luo Sect team, captain… Xu Jiujiao."
When a stunningly beautiful girl dressed in court attire softly spoke those words, even the attendants paused in surprise.
The surrounding teams also cast curious glances—some with pity, some with envy, and some with contempt, especially those from the original continent's sects.
"To become dogs of the Sun and Moon Empire, they've even abandoned the legacy built by their ancestors…"
Xu Jiujiao's lovely face remained calm. She glanced indifferently at the speaker.
"Oh? And who might you be? Ah, the Hao Tian Sect, is it? After what happened three years ago, it's surprising any of you are still alive to compete."
"You—!!"
A youth in dark blue sleeves turned red with fury, glaring at Xu Jiujiao.
But someone stepped in front of him to block him.
"Don't be rash."
Tang San smiled gently.
He looked at Xu Jiujiao with some emotion in his eyes.
"To think… one of the three great nations of the original continent, once part of the plan to encircle and suppress the Sun and Moon Empire, has now… If your ancestors in heaven could see this, I wonder what they would feel."
The clash between the two teams immediately drew the attention of nearby teams.
They were all very interested in this drama.
After all, Star Luo had once been extremely powerful. But now, its emperor Xu Jiawei had surrendered the nation—he even sent the princess to the Sun and Moon Empire, seemingly as a gift. The contrast was staggering and made people sigh.
"Relying on the strong—that's an eternal principle."
Xu Jiujiao chuckled softly.
"We of the Star Luo Sect never claimed to be strong, so it's only logical we chose someone to depend on. Besides… even though we are weak, to me, your Hao Tian Sect is no different from us."
"Just how strong do you think you are, really?"
Her elegant tone made one Hao Tian disciple scoff.
"The Hao Tian Sect doesn't stir up trouble, but we're not afraid of it either. Do you really think we're as soft as you—just anyone's punching bag?!"
He took a step forward, and a powerful Soul Sage aura suddenly erupted from his body—
Sweeping through the entire lobby.
The display of strength shocked everyone present.
On the official registration, only the age and identity of contestants were listed—not their strength.
So when the Hao Tian Sect concealed their aura, no one had noticed. In fact, because of what happened three years ago, many felt a bit of pity for both Hao Tian and Shrek Academy, assuming their strength had declined.
After all, these once-great sects were crushed by the Sun and Moon Empire, and many believed traditional Soul Master sects were doomed, choosing instead to join the empire.
But now…
"Soul Sage?!"
An elderly white-bearded professor from Qingshui Academy widened his eyes and exclaimed.
A Soul Sage!
In previous All-Continent Soul Master Tournaments, if even one Soul Sage appeared, it meant the competition was loaded with hidden dragons and geniuses. But now, in Hao Tian Sect—this person didn't even seem to be their leader, just a regular main team member—and he was already a Soul Sage?!
That meant Hao Tian Sect likely had at least two, maybe even three or more Soul Emperors!
How were other teams even supposed to compete?!
"Hao Tian Sect… are they already guaranteed to win first place in the tournament?!" the Qingshui elder muttered, visibly shaken.
Even most of the team supervisors from other schools weren't Soul Sages. So if Hao Tian had even two Soul Sages, their victory was basically guaranteed.
"Heh, Xu Jiujiao, comparing us Hao Tian Sect folks to your kind… isn't that a bit insulting?"
Tang San smiled faintly and placed a hand on the shoulder of the Hao Tian disciple, his face filled with contempt.
"Insulting or not… we'll see after the battle."
Xu Jiujiao's face remained expressionless as she led the Star Luo Sect team upstairs to their hotel room.
"..."
Soon after—
This news spread like wildfire throughout the hotel.
In other words, every team participating in the tournament heard it.
Why? Because it was simply too shocking.
Some on-site experts even claimed that the Hao Tian disciple's strength had reached the peak of Soul Sage—far beyond an ordinary Soul Sage. If he weren't delayed by the tournament, he might already have broken through to Soul Douluo!
"The whole hotel's buzzing about this now…"
Xu Jiujiao spread her hands.
She turned toward Xu Cheng, dressed casually yet still elegant and heroic, her beautiful eyes playfully affectionate.
Three years had passed.
She and Xu Cheng had long since crossed that line.
Behind this was the Star Luo Sect's surrender, her brother Xu Jiawei's submission—especially after she had visited the Temple of Destruction and witnessed Xu Cheng's abilities and potential. Xu Jiawei became completely loyal.
Her path of love was now smooth and unimpeded.
But she also harbored ambitions in politics.
"What's on your mind?" Xu Cheng smiled, gently wrapping his arms around her soft waist, lowering his head and whispering.
"Will this… cause a certain level of panic in the tournament?"
Xu Jiujiao's cheeks flushed slightly. Lying in her lover's embrace, she spoke softly.
"Don't worry about it." Xu Cheng waved his hand.
"The more arrogant they are, the more they reveal. Not that it matters to me anyway. Besides, once the Sun and Moon Empire Royal Team appears, they'll experience a real shock."
"So… are you going to compete?"
"Maybe… I suppose. I don't really feel the motivation." Xu Cheng leaned into the soft couch, his expression a little wistful.
"A'Xiao is enough to handle them."
"That's true…" Xu Jiujiao drew circles on Xu Cheng's chest with her delicate finger. She loved the scent of his body—or more accurately, she loved him. Lying in his arms allowed her to shed the burdens of being a princess, making her feel intoxicated and blissful.
"Oh right, this is a gift my brother asked me to bring you."
Xu Jiujiao grabbed Xu Cheng's naughty hand, her cheeks turning red.
"But first… let's catch up a little?"
Xu Cheng grinned.
"No… mmph…"
Xu Jiujiao's beautiful eyes widened as her lips were sealed. Her gaze, locked onto the face just inches away, flickered with both embarrassment and anger—
But quickly gave way to pure bliss.
"..."
"Huff…"
Xu Jiujiao exhaled softly like an orchid, gasping like a fish out of water.
Her gorgeous face flushed pink.
Savoring the afterglow.
Her beautiful eyes glanced at Xu Cheng, and she gently bit his neck…
"What are you doing?" Xu Cheng blinked in surprise, holding beauty in his arms.
"Biting you! Leaving my mark on you!" Xu Jiujiao narrowed her eyes with a mischievous smile.
"Oh."
Xu Cheng nodded slightly.
"So… where's the gift from your brother?"
(End of chapter)