The others stared at her in horror—Don't say her name!!!—
An unfamiliar voice suddenly echoed through the garden.
"My apologies for interrupting your pleasant conversation," the voice drawled with faint amusement. "But this Qian Renxue must truly be impressive, considering how mentioning her name instantly silenced the champions of the last Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament."
All five froze.
Jiang Mo turned around, expression flattening into the deadpan look of a man whose troubles had just tripled.
Walking toward them was an eighteen-year-old young man with striking white hair, sharp eyes, and a confident smirk—Feng Xiaotian.
Behind him followed two red-haired siblings—one a tall, handsome young man of eighteen, the other a fiery, beautiful fourteen-year-old girl. Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu.
And trailing slightly behind were two more girls:A calm fifteen-year-old with ocean-blue hair, her steps gentle and composed, and a bubbly fourteen-year-old with bright green hair and curious eyes that scanned every detail of the garden. Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.
Jiang Mo stared blankly at the incoming group.
'This… is another headache that Renxue left for me.'
The memory rose sharply in his mind:
---
"Among the present top academies," Qian Renxue had said, her golden eyes gleaming with quiet ambition,"the Blazing Academy, Godwind Academy, and Skywater Academy are all neutral. They lack powerful political backing. If cultivated properly, their young talents could become powerful assets."
She tapped her fingers lightly.
"Elephant Armored Academy has already surrendered to Bibi Dong. Thunderclap Academy has backing from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Only these three remain without deep-rooted allegiances."
She looked straight at him."Uncle She Long and Ci Xue will speak to their deans. They'll propose joint training with our Spirit Hall's most talented young masters."
Her voice softened—only slightly.
"But for any of this to work… you need to win the Continental Tournament first."Her eyes narrowed."And then evaluate whether any of these so-called geniuses are worthy of joining the Hermit Order."
----
Jiang Mo let out a long, internal sigh.
'So this is the aftermath. As expected of you, Renxue… you move, and I get buried under the consequences.'
Feng Xiaotian folded his arms confidently."So, champions of Spirit Hall… does someone want to introduce us? Or should we start with a spar?"
Huo Wu smirked."I like the second option."
Jiang Mo rubbed his temples.
'Renxue… I swear, when I see you next, I'm making you deal with every single one of them.'
Feng Xiaotian repeated his question, tone sharpened by curiosity,"So, can you finally tell me who this Qian Renxue is?"
The others—Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er—leaned in slightly.Even the wind seemed to pause, waiting for the answer.
Jiang Mo finally snapped out of his thoughts. A faint grin curved on his lips—half pride, half helplessness.
"Before I answer that," he said, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve, "tell me—how strong do you think I am?"
Feng Xiaotian didn't even hesitate.His gaze sharpened like a blade.
"You're strong," he said seriously. "Strong like a monster. A single person who can suppress an entire soul master team. Someone who shouldn't even exist at our age."
The others nodded in agreement.Even Huo Wu—usually openly competitive—did not refute the statement.
Jiang Mo chuckled, the sound low at first… then rising into a laugh.
"Heh… heh… heh…"
Then he leaned slightly forward, eyes bright.
"Then you wouldn't believe me if I told you… there is a monster among monsters. Someone our age who could play with me—and the entire Spirit Hall tournament team—like a cat toying with mice."
Silence.
Stunned, absolute silence.
Feng Xiaotian blinked.He opened his mouth… then closed it again.
Even Huo Wushuang, who prided himself on not being easily shaken, was at a loss for words.
Huo Wu finally snapped out of it and asked, voice tinged with disbelief,
"Someone that strong… why didn't she participate in the tournament? The honor of being champion is something all geniuses fight for."
Before Jiang Mo could respond, Shui Bing'er spoke softly, her tone calm and level—
"We cannot judge another person's decisions. Strength isn't always shown through titles."
Her gentle voice carried a quiet maturity that made even Jiang Mo glance at her appreciatively.
Huo Wu exhaled sharply, fists clenching in front of her chest.Her red eyes burned with pure fighting spirit.
"But that's exactly why tournaments exist—to test one's talent! To prove ourselves against the best!"
Tian Yue snorted and grinned, slamming one fist into her palm.
"I already like this girl."
Her eyes gleamed like a battle-hungry wolf's.
"If Qian Renxue heard someone like you exists, she might actually feel excited. She complains we're too weak to keep her entertained."
However, before Tian Yue could leap up and declare a challenge, another voice cut through the air:
"Hey guys! Did you start a party without me?"
The cheerful tone instantly soured the atmosphere.
Lin Yuan walked into the garden with a swagger that Tian Yue found personally offensive.Behind him were Jun Wuhen—calm, elegant, unreadable—and Chu Yue, who seemed to be enjoying the drama far too much.
Lin Yuan sauntered straight toward Tian Yue.
"Come on, share the fun. What were you all discussing so enthusiastically?"
Tian Yue's expression twisted.For a moment, everyone genuinely believed she might bite him.
Lin Yuan instinctively took two steps back, hands raised.
"Oi—don't look at me like that. I was your teammate during the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament, remember?"