Xie Yue and Yan hurriedly left the courtyard, circulating their soul power and running towards the academy gate at top speed.
But they hadn't run far when they suddenly stopped.
Ahead of them, a graceful figure gradually approached in the dim light.
"Nana!" Yan exclaimed joyfully.
Xie Yue breathed a sigh of relief, the anxiety on his face fading considerably, though some worry remained.
It was already dark; who knew what Hu Liena had experienced outside?
"Nana, why are you so late?"
Yan asked as soon as Hu Liena approached, reaching out to grab her.
Hu Liena subtly avoided Yan's hand.
Ever since discovering Yan's interest in her, she had kept her distance, never letting him touch her.
"Nana, where did you go?" Xie Yue asked.
Hu Liena replied, "Nothing much, just had dinner with friends."
Hearing this, Xie Yue and Yan relaxed.
"Brother, let's go inside and talk," Hu Liena said.
"Okay."
The three returned to their secluded courtyard.
As the three geniuses of the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall Academy, they enjoyed the highest treatment within the academy, not having to share dormitories with other students. The three lived in a small courtyard.
There was a three-story building in the courtyard; Yan lived on the first floor, Xie Yue on the second, and Hu Liena on the third.
The third floor was Hu Liena's private sanctuary; neither Xie Yue nor Yan had ever been there.
Back in the first-floor hall, the three sat down.
Yan gave Xie Yue a wink, and Xie Yue nodded slightly, asking, "Sister, you said today that you met Ao Tian and those guys by chance. I see that you get along quite well with them. Why haven't I heard you mention them before?"
"Brother, they had no connection with you before, so I haven't mentioned them to you," Hu Liena said.
"Which family or power does Ao Tian belong to?" Xie Yue continued to ask.
"Brother, why are you asking this?"
Xie Yue said earnestly, "I'm just afraid you'll make bad friends and get scammed."
"Brother, you're overthinking it. Ao Tian and the others aren't bad people; they won't lie to me," Hu Liena said.
Xie Yue's face darkened, and his voice became stern. "Then tell me their identities. If you're afraid to tell them, are their identities something to be ashamed of?"
How could Hu Liena dare to reveal Ao Tian and Xiao Wu's identities? Even if she did, Xie Yue and Yan probably wouldn't believe her.
Moreover, once revealed, the Pope's dignified image might collapse.
After all, no one could believe, nor wanted to believe, that the Pope had a man.
Hu Liena's heart stirred. "They came to Wuhun City this time at my teacher's invitation to join the Wuhun Hall Academy."
"So, they're not from Wuhun City?" Xie Yue asked.
"No, they only arrived in Spirit City today."
Yan frowned and asked, "What are their abilities? How did they manage to receive an invitation from His Holiness the Pope?"
Hu Liena said, "They are all geniuses among geniuses, and my teacher has also decided on something."
Hu Liena paused here, preparing to discuss the team change with Xie Yue.
"What did the Pope decide?" Xie Yue asked.
Although Hu Liena felt a little reluctant, she still said, "My teacher said that our original team for the Spirit Master Competition is disbanded, and another team will represent Spirit Hall Academy in the Spirit Master Competition."
As soon as Hu Liena finished speaking, Xie Yue and Yan froze, both falling silent, unable to accept the news.
They had worked hard for this Soul Master Competition for several years, the sweat and toil they had poured in unimaginable.
With their current strength, winning the Soul Master Competition was a sure thing, not only bringing glory to the Spirit Hall but also to themselves.
Taking first place would be unparalleled honor.
However, all of that was about to be lost; their years of effort would be in vain, and the fruits of their victory would be taken by someone else.
Neither Xie Yue nor Yan could accept it, their anger burning fiercely.
"Nana, what you just said is true?" Yan's voice trembled slightly, barely able to contain his rage.
Hu Liena sighed, "It's true. Tomorrow, the teacher will send someone to announce the disbandment of our team."
Xie Yue was equally furious, but he thought more deeply, asking, "The team you mentioned that will replace us, isn't that the group of friends you met today?"
Yan paused, looking at Hu Liena, his gaze gradually sharpening.
Hu Liena said, "Yes, it's them. And the teacher asked me to join their team to participate in the Soul Master Competition."
*Bang!
* Yan slammed his fist on the table, furious. "This is outrageous! What right do these outsiders have to steal our things?"
Xie Yue's face was ashen;
he remained silent. Hu Liena, seeing Yan's fury, could only sigh. "The teacher has already made his decision; no one can change it. Someone will announce it tomorrow."
"No! I'm going to confront the Pope!" Yan said, turning to leave.
"Sit down! Don't go!" Xie Yue shouted.
"Brother Xie Yue!" Yan turned back and yelled.
"Sit down!" Xie Yue roared.
Yan could only reluctantly sit down.
"What is the Pope's status? And what is yours? If you go like this, you'll probably be killed on the spot by the Temple Knights!" Xie Yue said.
Although he was equally angry, he wasn't as reckless as Yan.
"Then what can we do? Are we just supposed to watch helplessly as what belongs to us is stolen by others?" Yan shouted.
Xie Yue gradually calmed down and said, "It's late at night, what's the use of being anxious? Let me think of something tonight. I don't want to lose my chance to participate in the Soul Master Competition either."
Hearing Xie Yue say this, Yan, no matter how unwilling he was, could only wait.
Hu Liena had been silent for a while. Seeing that Xie Yue and Yan's anger was gradually subsiding, she said, "Brother Yan, there's something I want to talk to you about."
"What is it?" Yan asked.
Hu Liena hesitated for a moment, but still decided to speak, saying, "My friend Ao Tian, there's nothing between us. I hope you won't bother him."
Yan's anger had just subsided, but upon hearing Hu Liena's words, it surged again.
He had seen Hu Liena's attitude towards Ao Tian all day, and it had been bothering him ever since. Hearing Hu Liena say this now, he could no longer tolerate it.
"Nana, did that kid drug you? Otherwise, why would you protect him like this?" Yan's words already had a hint of accusation.
Hu Liena shook her head, saying, "Brother Yan, you're overthinking it. Ao Tian and I are really just friends."
"Just friends? Then why did you blush when he talked to you? Nana, do you like that pretty boy?" Yan asked loudly.
Xie Yue frowned, somewhat displeased with Yan's questioning of his sister, but didn't stop him, because he also wanted to know if his sister liked Ao Tian.
Looking at Yan's somewhat crazed expression, Hu Liena sighed deeply, saying, "Brother Yan, I know your feelings for me, but I've always only ever considered you my brother."
"Besides, I told you not to provoke Ao Tian for your own good. I wasn't protecting him, I was protecting you."
...
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(End of Chapter)