Chapter 104: Xu Jiawei, the Round Robin Ends
Star Luo Imperial Palace.
Inside the vast, brightly lit hall, the figure standing with hands behind his back in front of the imperial throne cast a long shadow.
Tiansha Douluo Huang Jinxu stood respectfully in the center of the hall, head bowed in solemn silence, as he recounted everything he had seen and heard today.
"...Lang Ya and Yu Tao of the Body Sect did indeed seek out that Lin Xuan."
"It was in the alley next to the Star Emperor Hotel; I saw it with my own eyes..."
Xu Jiawei did not speak, merely listening quietly, his fingers lightly tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the throne.
After a moment, Huang Jinxu finished his report, but Xu Jiawei remained silent, his fingers tapping the armrest once more.
"...A 100,000-year-old Soul Bone."
After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice deep.
"Seeing things through from beginning to end."
"Debts of gratitude must be repaid."
He nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"Very good. I didn't expect this little brother, who seems so indifferent, to be such a man of sentiment and righteousness."
Princess Xu Jiujiu, standing to the side of the throne, couldn't help but be slightly moved upon hearing this. She then spoke softly,
"Brother is right, but what surprised me most was his eloquence. With just a few words, he made those people from the Body Sect, who have always been overbearing, stop and think. That's not something an ordinary person can do."
Xu Jiawei glanced at her and nodded slightly, then raised his hand and waved.
"Jinxu, you may withdraw."
"Yes."
Huang Jinxu bowed in salute, and with a flash of his figure, he disappeared from the hall.
In the empty hall, only the siblings remained. Xu Jiawei turned to look at Princess Xu Jiujiu, his gaze making her heart skip a beat for some reason.
"Jiujiu."
"Your sister is here."
"What do you think... of this Lin Xuan?"
Princess Xu Jiujiu was slightly stunned. Looking into her brother's deep eyes, she instantly understood the meaning behind his words.
He wasn't asking for her opinion on Lin Xuan; he wanted to play matchmaker for her and Lin Xuan.
She pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and remained silent for a moment.
"...This Lin Xuan, in terms of talent, temperament, appearance, and bearing, fits my requirements very well."
Princess Xu Jiujiu paused, her voice dropping a few notches.
"But right now, I don't have those thoughts."
Xu Jiawei's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"Furthermore..." Princess Xu Jiujiu looked up at her brother, a complex expression in her beautiful eyes,
"There is still a problem before me that hasn't been resolved. If something goes wrong with that... I'm afraid I won't have the time to think about other things."
Before she could finish, Xu Jiawei's expression darkened instantly, his tone extremely serious,
"You won't be in any danger. Doesn't Fallen Heaven want that 100,000-Year Spirit Beast Embryo?"
"Then give it to him!"
Princess Xu Jiujiu's heart jolted.
"Brother..."
"I don't care if he's a Titled Douluo or a Super Douluo." Xu Jiawei interrupted her, his voice cold as a blade,
"If he wants something, I can give it to him. But if he dares to play any tricks..."
He paused, his presence suddenly surging. The majesty and dominance belonging to an emperor were fully revealed at this moment.
"I will make him understand why the Star Luo Empire has been able to exist until now."
Looking at her brother's cold face, Princess Xu Jiujiu felt a sudden surge of panic. She subconsciously recalled that white-haired, blue-eyed figure from that night, the hand that had pinched her cheek, and that cold yet teasingly smiling gaze.
Seeing the panic in Princess Xu Jiujiu's eyes, Xu Jiawei's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but recall what Tai Long had reported to him a few days ago.
Jiujiu... she wouldn't really...
Xu Jiawei didn't want to think about it further. "Cough, but since Lin Xuan is of such character, I think we can add one more thing to the auction."
Princess Xu Jiujiu was startled, snapping back from her panic.
"What do you mean, Brother?"
The corners of Xu Jiawei's mouth curled up slightly into a meaningful smile.
"Doesn't he value favors? Then we'll make him owe us one, too."
"Shrek wants to tie Lin Xuan down with just one 100,000-year piece? Hah, sorry, the price of a genius isn't that low."
...
The Round Robin continued. In the following four matches, the opponents Shrek Academy faced were, without exception, completely crushed just like Zheng Tian Academy. They eventually advanced as the top of their group with a record of six wins and one loss.
Advancing alongside Shrek Academy was Zheng Tian Academy, who had lost to them.
Although Shrek seemed to be on an upward trajectory, by this point, everyone realized that something must have gone wrong with Shrek, preventing the official team members from taking the field.
Otherwise, unless Shrek Academy had gone mad, it would be impossible to exploit the Reserve Team members like this.
At this point, the number one seed teams from the four great Empires all had the same thought: Win the championship!
If they couldn't even defeat the current Shrek, then they might as well stop competing and just go study at Shrek; after all, they could win the championship even with a few dogs.
A total of sixteen academies advanced from the elimination rounds, making up the Top 16 of this Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition.
Next, after four more rounds of competition, the final champion would be decided.
The top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel.
The long dining table was covered with delicacies, the wine glasses were filled with amber wine, and the warm yellow light cast a faint blush on everyone's faces.
This was a Celebration Banquet specially arranged by Wang Yan.
Reaching the Top 16 and coming out first in their group was already far beyond expectations for a team primarily composed of reserves.
Wang Yan stood up and raised his glass, his gaze sweeping over every young face present.
"This glass is a toast to everyone."
Having said that, he tilted his head back and drained it in one gulp.
Everyone raised their glasses, and the sound of crisp clinking echoed in the private room.
"Especially Lin Xuan. On this journey, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have made it this far. In the first elimination match, you swept all seven opponents, carrying Shrek's banner. During that incident with the Death God Messenger, you saved everyone's lives."
"In the subsequent Round Robin, you were the pillar in every match. I, Wang Yan, have led teams for many years and seen countless geniuses, but someone like you..."
He paused, seemingly unable to find the right words.
"Come, this glass is a toast specifically for you."
Wang Yan filled his glass again and drained it. Lin Xuan nodded slightly and also raised his glass to drink.
"Teacher Wang, you overstate it. Since I'm on the field, I should win."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Sanshi jumped up.
"Well said! Come, come, come, I'll toast you too!"
He carried his glass around half the table and leaned in next to Lin Xuan with a fawning expression.
"Lin Xuan, oh Lin Xuan, you're my idol! As long as you don't mind, I'll be following you from now on!"
Bei Bei rolled his eyes from the side. "Can you have some dignity?"
"Can dignity be eaten?" Xu Sanshi said righteously. "A man's knees are worth gold, and now is the time to cash them in!"
Amidst the laughter, Dai Yueheng also stood up, walked to Lin Xuan with his glass, and looked solemn.
"Junior Lin Xuan, this glass is a toast to you on behalf of us Official Members."
He paused, his tone a bit guilty. "It was us who held you back."
Lin Xuan glanced at him. "The injuries weren't something you wanted. There's no need to blame yourselves."
Chen Zifeng also leaned over, patting Lin Xuan's shoulder. "Junior's words make me feel even more ashamed. Come, come, drink, drink!"
For a while, glasses clinked and the atmosphere was lively.
Beside Lin Xuan, two figures, one on the left and one on the right, sandwiched him in the middle.
On the left was Ma Xiaotao. This Inner Court Big Sister was wearing a form-fitting red dress tonight, making her already bright face look even more radiant.
After a few drinks, an intoxicating flush appeared on her cheeks, and her pink eyes stared straight at Lin Xuan. Under the table, her feet were subtly and gently rubbing against Lin Xuan's calves.
On the right was Ling Luochen. The Ice Beauty had also had a few drinks tonight, which was quite rare.
Her usually frost-like cheeks were now stained with a faint crimson, and her ice-blue eyes were watery and shimmering. She lacked her usual coldness and had a rare touch of softness.
She leaned in slightly, whispering something in Lin Xuan's ear. Her voice was too low for others to hear.
But Ning Tian, sitting opposite, clearly saw that when Ling Luochen spoke, the look in her hazy eyes was anything but proper.
Ning Tian bit her lip. She was supposed to sit next to Lin Xuan, but Ma Xiaotao had squeezed in directly, pushing her aside.
Now she could only watch from across Ma Xiaotao as those two older women sandwiched Lin Xuan from both sides.
She picked up her glass and took one moody gulp after another.
Ma Xiaotao glanced at Ling Luochen, her eyebrows arching. "Ling Luochen, what were you just saying to Lin Xuan?"
Ling Luochen didn't look at her, just lowered her head, her voice three shades softer than usual. "I asked him... to come to my room later to help me with some more treatment."
"Pfft—!"
Xu Sanshi sprayed a mouthful of wine, and Ma Xiaotao's eyes instantly widened.
"Treatment?!" Her voice suddenly rose. "Aren't your injuries already healed? What else is there to treat?!"
Ling Luochen looked up, a provocative light flashing in her hazy ice-blue eyes.
"Some places... haven't fully healed yet."
"Bullshit!" Ma Xiaotao blurted out. "Where are you not healed? Say it and I'll take a look for you!"
Ning Tian couldn't sit still either. She stood up abruptly, her small face flushed red. "Senior Ling! You... you're going too far!"
Ling Luochen glanced at her indifferently, her tone still soft, with a faint, lingering smile at the corners of her mouth.
"Junior Ning Tian, why are you so agitated?"
Ning Tian was so angry she couldn't speak. She could only glare at her fiercely. However, being the youngest, she was ultimately outmatched in presence and soon lost ground in the back-and-forth between Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen.
She sat down aggrievedly, picked up her glass, took another moody gulp, and then stole a glance at Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan sat there with a normal expression, as if the open and hidden struggles around him had nothing to do with him. He just picked up his glass and took a shallow sip, his dark eyes as calm as a bottomless ancient well.
Seeing this, Ning Tian's gaze became even more aggrieved.
Xu Sanshi leaned into Bei Bei's ear and whispered, "Look at Lin Xuan's expression. Doesn't he look like a little lamb being targeted by two tigresses?"
Bei Bei glanced at him. "Are you sure he's a little lamb?"
Xu Sanshi thought about the scene of Lin Xuan taking on six opponents on the Soul Dueling Platform and silently shut his mouth.
Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng exchanged a look, their faces filled with envy.
Wang Yan smiled and shook his head. "It's good to be young."
Bei Bei suddenly nudged Xu Sanshi with his elbow and pointed with his chin. Xu Sanshi followed his gaze and saw Jiang Nannan sitting not far away, holding a glass of juice, her gaze falling on him seemingly unintentionally.
Seeing him look over, she immediately looked away and curled her lip.
Xu Sanshi's heart tightened, and he immediately stood up, approaching her with a forced smile.
"Nannan, are you drinking juice? Do you want to try this wine? It's delicious..."
Jiang Nannan didn't even turn her head, saying coldly, "No."
"Then should I get some food for you?"
"Not hungry."
"Then I..."
"Just stay away from me."
Xu Sanshi's smile froze on his face, while Bei Bei was already doubled over with laughter in the back.
Amidst the laughter and joking, the banquet gradually came to an end.
Ning Tian propped up her head, her eyes hazy with drink. Her small face was flushed, her gaze was scattered, and she was mumbling something under her breath.
Lin Xuan glanced at her and then stood up. "I'll help her back to her room to rest first."
As soon as he said this, every gaze at the table fell squarely on him.
Xu Sanshi was the first to jeer, "Oh helping her back? Brother Lin, I'm drunk too, why don't you help me back to my room too"
Bei Bei suppressed a laugh and kicked his leg, signaling him to show some restraint. Dai Yueheng and Chen Zifeng looked at each other and silently picked up their glasses, pretending they knew nothing.
Ma Xiaotao bit her lower lip, hesitating to speak, while Ling Luochen lowered her eyes, her expression unreadable.
Lin Xuan ignored those gazes, simply walking to Ning Tian's side and gently supporting her shoulders.
"Let's go."
Ning Tian looked up dizzily. Seeing it was him, a silly smile blossomed on her face.
"Lin Xuan... hehe..."
She stood up unsteadily, leaning her whole body against Lin Xuan. Then Lin Xuan supported her as they walked out of the private room.
The corridor was very quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing softly.
The warm yellow wall lamps cast their long shadows, overlapping together.
Ning Tian walked unsteadily, with most of her body leaning against Lin Xuan. She emitted a faint scent of wine mixed with the unique fragrance of a young girl, lingering around Lin Xuan's nose.
"Lin Xuan..." she suddenly spoke, her voice slurred.
"Hmm?"
"Look... the clouds in the sky... so pretty..."
Lin Xuan glanced out the nearby window, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.
"Yes, they are pretty."
"And that... that flower... so red..."
"Mm-hmm."
She mumbled, her voice getting lower and more slurred. "And... and..."
...
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan returned to the private room. As soon as he pushed open the door, Xu Sanshi jumped up.
"Yo! That was fast!"
At these words, the faces of several girls turned red simultaneously.
Ma Xiaotao glared at Xu Sanshi fiercely, but when her gaze fell on Lin Xuan, she subconsciously scanned him from top to bottom.
Seeing that his clothes were neat and his expression was normal, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Xuan gave Xu Sanshi a look of annoyance. "Can't you put something useful in your head?"
"Hehe, just a joke, just a joke." Xu Sanshi sat down sheepishly.
Lin Xuan returned to his seat. Just as he sat down, Wang Yan tapped a stack of exquisite invitations on the table.
"The Starlight Auction House just sent someone to deliver these."
Wang Yan said, "They said they're holding a Top-tier Auction tonight and invited us to attend."
He paused and continued, "And the other party specifically stated that there will definitely be something Shrek Academy is interested in at today's auction."
Lin Xuan's gaze fell on the stack of invitations, his eyebrows arching slightly as he felt a bit of interest.
Did the Star Luo Empire... find a treasure to replace the Snow Empress Embryo?
Or... are they still going to put the Snow Empress Embryo on the auction stage?
If it's the former, then naturally everyone will be happy.
If it's the latter... then tonight, he might have to go out with a different identity again.
Lin Xuan picked up his glass, took a shallow sip, and then asked,
"What time?"
Wang Yan replied, "Eight o'clock tonight."
Lin Xuan nodded.
"Then let's go take a look."
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