Seeing Zhu Zhuqing silent, Xiao Tianyang smiled and asked, "Any other concerns now?"
Zhu Zhuqing gave a slight nod.
Then, as if steeling herself, she exhaled deeply and spoke in a low voice, "There's one more thing I need to tell you."
"Go ahead. I'm listening." Xiao Tianyang's expression remained unchanged—he even leaned slightly toward the bed.
"The truth is, I'm from the Star Luo Empire. In my family, the children are destined to marry into the royal line, generation after generation."
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze deepened as she looked at him. "And the reason I came here in the first place was to meet my betrothed—someone I've never even seen before."
"I know." Xiao Tianyang nodded without hesitation.
"You… know?" Zhu Zhuqing hadn't expected this response. She froze momentarily. "Since when?"
"From the very beginning." A faint smile curled at the corner of Xiao Tianyang's lips. "Though Dai Mubai tries his best to play the role of a playboy, the air of nobility he occasionally lets slip isn't something he can hide."
"Add that to the reluctance in his eyes during training, combined with his White Tiger martial soul—it wasn't hard to piece things together."
Zhu Zhuqing sighed, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling. "Since childhood, the elders have drilled into us that family comes first—that we must sacrifice everything for its sake."
"I never agreed with it then… and I still don't now. Because I'm a person—a living, breathing human—not some commodity to be traded at their whim."
"And yet, on top of that, they demand the power to decide life and death for me. Why? Just because they gave me life?"
Xiao Tianyang shrugged. "Every life is independent once born. It doesn't belong to anyone, nor is it a bargaining chip."
"You're right—at least in principle. But besides you, who else thinks that way?"
Zhu Zhuqing gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
"Xiao San, Xiao Wu… even Dai Mubai shares your view."
Xiao Tianyang chuckled. "The weight he carries might even be heavier than yours even if he acted like a coward before. After all, he's the one born directly into royalty."
"And isn't he already striving toward the future you want?"
"Because of you, the two of us have taken different paths." Zhu Zhuqing stepped closer, her piercing eyes locking onto his. "He has his duty and I have my choice."
"Do you really think a marriage contract between two strangers can ever lead to a real relationship?"
Xiao Tianyang leaned back slightly, offering a wry smile. "So, are you asking for my help in making a decision… or just my opinion?"
"I've already made my choice." With that, she turned to leave, tossing back a single, quiet word: "Good night."
Xiao Tianyang blinked, then called out, "Wait."
"What now?" She didn't turn around—her hands were trembling, her face flushed.
"Don't climb out the window. The door's right there." He grinned. "Unless you want to run into the dean and make things awkward."
Zhu Zhuqing shot him an exasperated glare over her shoulder—but in the end, she left through the door.
The moment it clicked shut, Xiao Tianyang's expression turned pensive.
He wasn't naive about his bond with her, and Zhu Zhuqing knew it.
Yet despite that, she had laid everything bare before him… and left him with those loaded final words.
"Things just got a lot more interesting." Xiao Tianyang flexed his fingers absently, a smirk playing on his lips. "Really… quite interesting."
…
Next Morning
Early the next day, a notice from Yu Xiaogang was posted on their dormitory door.
Two key points: First, they had the day off. Second, details about the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament were outlined.
By morning, everyone except Dai Mubai and the other two (still nursing hangovers) was up early.
Xiao Tianyang, in a rare gesture, prepared an elaborate breakfast—along with three bowls of hangover soup.
After all, showing up before Yu Xiaogang in such a state would only invite a scolding… and he'd be the one to suffer for it.
As for Zhu Zhuqing? She behaved no differently than usual—though the light in her eyes seemed brighter than before.
After the meal, the group gathered at the Yu Xiaogang's quarters.
Upon arrival, Tang San introduced the three reserve team members waiting there to Xiao Tianyang: two men and two women, all slightly older than the main team.
Huang Yuan, Tai Long, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu.
Two assault types, one agility attacker, and one healer.
Before Tang San and the others arrived, these four had been the academy's undisputed geniuses.
And they still were—but as the saying goes, "Ignorance isn't the problem—comparison is."
Huang Yuan and the others were talented… but next to Tang San's team, they paled.
Especially with Xiao Tianyang's support, the main team's growth was explosive—visible almost daily.
The reserves had joined later, and while they benefited from the same "fertilizer," the results weren't as immediate.
Once introductions were done, Ning Rongrong asked with a smile, "Grandmaster, will Tianyang be training with us these next few days?"
"No. The experience you've accumulated is enough for what's ahead. Yu Xiaogang's gaze swept over them. "As for Tianyang… you know his strength better than anyone."
"Ask yourselves—what happens if he takes the stage? The answer? He crushes everything in his path."
"But if that happens, what meaning does this competition hold for the rest of you?"
Ma Hongjun frowned. "What are you saying, Grandmaster?"
"Unless absolutely necessary, Tianyang will not participate."
Silence fell. Even Huang Yuan and the others—who'd only just arrived—understood Xiao Tianyang's reputation.
The fact that Tang San's group held him in such high regard spoke volumes.
Rumors circulated that the Shrek Seven Monsters' rapid growth owed much to him—an open secret in the academy.
If Yu Xiaogang himself was calling Xiao Tianyang's combat power "unfathomable," the implication was clear.
After a pause, Tang San spoke up. "Teacher, isn't this unfair to Brother Tianyang?"
"I've already discussed this with him." Yu Xiaogang glanced at Xiao Tianyang, who coughed and took over.
"Honestly, fame like that means nothing to me. As for rewards? Even less."
"Besides, someone of my caliber—overpowered, impossibly talented—is already on the Spirit Hall's radar. Laying low is the smart move."
"And let's not forget my devastating looks. If I draw hordes of admirers, how will you all win your glory?"
Yu Xiaogang: "..."
Everyone Else: "..."
The first half had been reasonable—but what was that last part?
Sure, it was also true… but saying it so shamelessly?
…
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