Salas opened his mouth as if to speak, but in the end, said nothing.
Emperor Xue Ye smiled and said, "The promotion tournament will be held in one month. I hope you all can make progress during this time. I trust that smart people like you will make the right choices."
After finishing, Emperor Xue Ye looked toward Platinum Bishop Salas, who stood nearby.
Salas's expression darkened even further. Though clearly displeased, he still didn't act out.
Not far away, Xue Qinghe quietly stood with a faint smile at the corner of her lips, as if everything was under her control. After all, having Zhang Fan meant she possessed the strength to defeat all geniuses.
So naturally, she didn't need to do anything—she was full of confidence.
Then Emperor Xue Ye turned and left, accompanied by high-ranking imperial officials.
The other guests also began to leave.
"Zhang Fan!"
Zhang Fan turned upon hearing Huo Wu's voice. Dressed in a fiery red dress, bold and elegant, Huo Wu approached with her curvy figure drawing attention.
"What is it?"Zhang Fan asked calmly.
Standing half a meter away, Huo Wu stared seriously at him. "Do you have the guts to fight me? With martial spirits?"
"I can beat you without even using my martial spirit. Do you think you'd win just because I used mine?"
Zhang Fan found Huo Wu kind of cute. Could she really not figure that out?
What a little fool.
"Oh… that's true!"Huo Wu nodded at his words, realizing she had been a bit silly.
"If you're free, come to Shrek. We can spar—without martial spirits too!"Zhang Fan smiled at her.
"Really?!"Huo Wu's heart nearly melted seeing his smile. She hadn't expected him to invite her to Shrek Academy.
She was so excited she almost jumped up.
"Alright then, we're heading off!"Huo Wu ran joyfully to her brother.
"Satisfied now?"Huo Wushuang hadn't expected Zhang Fan to invite Huo Wu to Shrek Academy, let alone want to spar with her. Was it because she confessed to him in front of so many people earlier?
"Of course I'm satisfied! I'm in such a good mood!"Huo Wu practically skipped away with the rest of the Blazing Academy team like a cheerful little sprite.
Zhang Fan and his group also headed out.
From the side came Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er of Tianshui Academy.
"Hi Zhang Fan! Thanks for saving us earlier!"Shui Yue'er, lively and innocent, ran over with a bright smile.
"Yeah, thanks!"Shui Bing'er, on the other hand, was calm and composed, not easily showing emotion. Still, a seed of love had already sprouted in her heart.
After all, she had kissed Zhang Fan before.
That was her first kiss.
Gone—just like that.
So when she looked at Zhang Fan's handsome face, her heart beat a little faster.
"Mm. No need to thank me."Zhang Fan shrugged.
They then left the area and returned to Shrek, heading off to rest.
The next day, they resumed their cultivation.
One month later…
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament Promotion Matches began.
The promotion matches were divided between the two empires.
Thirty-five teams that made it through the preliminaries competed within their respective empires.
After a half-month break, the final tournament would be held at the border between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.
The Shrek group arrived at the competition camp.
"Your Excellency, please rest early. The promotion matches officially begin tomorrow. At that time, someone will guide you to the match venue. The outcomes will be judged jointly by officials from the Empire and the Spirit Hall for fairness."
Roxon said.
"Thank you, General!"Liu Erlong replied with a smile, followed by Flender and the others.
"I take my leave!"Roxon, slightly flustered by their respect, bowed and left. He was a level-44 Spirit Master and captain of the third battalion of the Royal Knights.
Liu Erlong assigned rooms to the group.
Everyone moved into their quarters.
Ning Fengzhi and a young man walked over from the side.
"Xiao Fan, I came with the Crown Prince to see you!"Ning Fengzhi said with a smile. Xue Qinghe also smiled warmly, her gaze filled with subtle affection.
It felt like a few days apart had been like years.
"This time, I was fortunate enough to come with Father to watch the promotion matches, so I wanted to visit you!"
Xue Qinghe smiled gently.
"Ah, I see. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."Zhang Fan shrugged.
"Then I'll go find Rongrong. You two have your chat!"Ning Fengzhi laughed and walked off.
"Dad!"Ning Rongrong came over, her delicate figure both lively and elegant.
"Why are you here?"Ning Rongrong threw herself into Ning Fengzhi's arms.
"I missed my little sweetheart, so I came!"Ning Fengzhi said dotingly.
(The latest novel is first released on 69shu.com)
Meanwhile, Zhang Fan brought Crown Prince Xue Qinghe to his room.
Once inside, Xue Qinghe suddenly hugged Zhang Fan.
"Uh... Your Highness, what are you doing?"Zhang Fan pretended to be startled, though he certainly noticed the warmth—and softness—in front of him.
He couldn't help but grin mischievously.
"I really missed you!" The next moment, Xue Qinghe deactivated a soul bone skill and transformed into Qian Renxue. "Actually, I'm Qian Renxue, daughter of the Pope of Spirit Hall! Now that you've seen the real me, do you regret it?"
"Ah..."Zhang Fan pretended to be shocked and stepped back. "Then... the real Xue Qinghe?"
"Dead long ago! I came to the Heaven Dou Empire to dominate it, to make it part of the Spirit Hall!"Qian Renxue's eyes were full of tenderness as she stared at Zhang Fan.
"Oh! So that's how it is!"Zhang Fan nodded.
"Now that you know who I am, are you still willing to support me?"Qian Renxue bit her lip, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"Of course I am!"Zhang Fan nodded.
"Why are you willing?"Qian Renxue hadn't expected that. She thought he'd reject her, yet he agreed immediately.
"Because the way you look at me—it's full of affection!"Zhang Fan said with a mischievous grin.
"Tch!" The next moment, Qian Renxue leaned in and kissed Zhang Fan.
After all, she hadn't expected him to support her so firmly.
Naturally, she had to reward him.
So she gave him her first kiss.
Zhang Fan hugged her tightly in return.
Such a stunning beauty—hugging her just felt right.
And he didn't let her go right away.
He kept kissing her.
After a while, feeling her legs go weak, he finally let her go.
Still grinning mischievously.
Qian Renxue was flushed with embarrassment.
She hadn't expected this bold Zhang Fan to be so... daring.
"Young Mistress, how could you reveal your identity to him! And even… that!"Elder Shemou sent a voice transmission, exasperated. His mistress was being far too reckless!
"This is none of your business. You should understand what gaining Zhang Fan means for the future! I'm thinking about my future!"Qian Renxue replied seriously through the voice transmission.
"But how am I supposed to explain this to Her Holiness the Pope and the Grand Worshipper?"Elder Shemou groaned in his mind.
"Just act like you don't know anything. It's not like you can be by my side every moment anyway."Qian Renxue rolled her eyes at him.
(End of Chapter)