Bai E had already stepped onto the competition stage, standing opposite Ye Wuqing, the captain of the Zheng Tian team, at the lottery box.
"Hello, my name is Bai E. It's an honor to compete against you."
Bai E greeted him with a bright smile, a habit he'd developed ever since being greeted like that by Situ Yu, the captain of Yunluo Advanced Soul Master Academy, during his first match.
In Bai E's view, this was just a competition; showing his skills was enough, there was no need to fight to the death.
Ye Wuqing subconsciously touched his right eye, a smile playing on his lips.
"Of course, it's also an honor to fight you, Bai E."
Bai E's blue eyes narrowed sharply. Although some teased him for being a country bumpkin, no one denied he was a qualified warrior.
His warrior's intuition instantly connected this man to the Gehrman bandit gang he'd encountered in the Mingdou Mountains.
Many of the bandits in the Mingdou Mountains had made this gesture during their battles, and this man's smile was identical to theirs!
Bai Er's throat bobbed, a sharp glint in his azure eyes.
"The Gehrman Bandit Gang?"
He lowered his voice, so the referee wouldn't hear.
The referee assumed it was just a routine pre-match exchange; after all, many academies had grudges, and captains would usually trash-talk each other before a match.
It'd become a classic scene, only prestigious schools would maintain a semblance of decorum.
The referee had never seen anyone greet him like Bai Er did before, not even at every match.
"Oh? You recognized me."
"Looks like I left a good impression on you back in the Mingdou Mountains."
"I said we'd meet again soon."
"Isn't this fate? Next up is a duel between our two academies."
"Last time I was bothered by your elders, this time I can finally have a proper fight with you."
"Bai'e, don't get beaten to a pulp."
Bai'e ignored Amon's words.
He remembered what Wang Yan had said about Zhengtian Academy's recent change in playing style. His eyes were unfriendly as he said,
"What did you do to the members of the Zhengtian team?"
Ye Wuqing smiled and looked at him, saying,
"How interesting." "
Instead of worrying about yourself, you're concerned about these complete strangers."
"You don't need to worry about them.
They're sleeping soundly right now."
"They're probably having some sweet dreams. If you're interested, I can let you see what they're dreaming about."
"Oh, by the way, don't lose. If you lose, you'll end up like them."
"I'll eat you all."
Ye Wuqing said with a smile, uttering something extremely terrifying. Bai E's gaze sharpened, and he whispered,
"Aren't you afraid of being discovered by the Star Luo Royal Family?"
"Evil Soul Master!"
Ye Wuqing shrugged and said cheerfully,
"If I were afraid, I wouldn't have come to you."
"And who would believe me?"
"Among everyone here, no more than three people can see through my trickery."
"They won't reveal my existence; it's tacit approval."
"Besides them, whoever comes to check us is a member of the Zheng Tian team, no doubt about it."
"Little savior, let me see how you perform."
"I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll look like after I eat you."
"Next up is a team battle; I'm letting you know in advance."
Bai E stared intently at the fearless Ye Wuqing ahead, his azure eyes seemingly burning with the sun.
He couldn't imagine his companions being eaten by the opponent.
"Both team captains, please draw the match rules together!"
At the referee's command, Bai E and Ye Wuqing exerted their strength simultaneously, and the lottery box in the sky spun rapidly.
Just as Ye Wuqing had said, a small red ball fell from it.
The referee raised the ball and shouted,
"Red, team battle!"
"Shrek Academy vs. Zheng Tian Academy, team battle! Teammates, please prepare!"
Bai E returned to the waiting area, his gaze serious.
Ti Bao, seeing this, asked in confusion,
"Bai, what's wrong?"
Bai E didn't hide anything and told everyone,
"Ye Wuqing from Zheng Tian Academy is a bandit from the Gehrman Bandit Gang we saw in the Ming Dou Mountains last time."
"No, it should be that the unknown entity behind the Gehrman Bandit Gang has possessed their bodies!"
"It's highly likely that the entire Zheng Tian team has been controlled by the other side."
Wang Yan was shocked upon hearing this. He had personally witnessed the strangeness of the Gehrman Bandit Gang and hurriedly said,
"No!"
"They are too dangerous! I must report to the organizers first and have them thoroughly investigate the Zheng Tian team!"
"How can we let an evil soul master infiltrate the Continental Advanced Soul Master Competition?"
Aglaia and Na Ke Xia, however, remained calm.
Huo Yuhao had already informed them of the situation beforehand and knew that the person above was that person's child and wouldn't do anything outrageous.
"Calm down."
"Bai'e, you're the captain. What do you think? Do you want to participate in this competition or forfeit?"
Bai'e glanced at his teammates and said seriously,
"I want to participate!"
"I cannot tolerate this!"
Bai E could not tolerate anyone threatening his companions! He had once sworn to bring the destructive sun to all enemies!
Amon had grasped this very psychology of Bai E. He didn't know Bai E's specific personality, but he believed that how could a being of ultimate light tolerate someone like him threatening another's companions?
Bai E would definitely accept his challenge.
After listening, Madmos came to Bai E's side and said,
"Since it's decided, then fight them!"
All the members of the main team, including Wang Dong, stepped forward to prepare to go on stage.
Ling Luochen stopped Wang Dong and said,
"I'll go on stage in Wang Dong's place."
"Last time, my soul ring and soul skill were stolen by them.
This time, I want to get my revenge."
Wang Dong hesitated for a moment, then nodded and returned to the waiting area, where Ling Luochen took her place.
Mainly, she knew her own limitations; her raw strength was far weaker than Ling Luochen's, who was a Soul King.
Seeing this, Wang Yan sighed and said,
"Alright, you guys keep fighting."
"I'll immediately notify Elder Song through the magic network, and then report it to the Star Luo Royal Family."
"We can't let evil soul masters run rampant here!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Yan quickly left, and Bai E led the main team onto the competition stage.
Ye Wuqing and the Zheng Tian team also happened to arrive at the other side of the competition stage.
The seven of them not only stood in unison, but even their expressions were exactly the same.
They didn't say a word the entire time, and a silent and eerie atmosphere filled the arena.
Bai E and the others suddenly felt an inexplicable pressure, and all seven of them looked solemn.
"Huh? Strange!"
"These seven people are not right!"
Gu Qiu'er, sitting in the audience, widened her bright red eyes. She gripped the railing tightly and looked down at the competition arena, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She hadn't been there for the previous Zheng Tian Academy match and hadn't noticed anything unusual about Zheng Tian Academy.
"What's wrong, Sister Qiu'er?"
"Is something wrong?"
Ilya and Emiya Miyu stood on either side of Gu Qiu'er and asked in confusion.
A third eye appeared on Gu Qiu'er's forehead, radiating a rose-gold light, and a mysterious fluctuation emanated from it.
"Fate!"
"The fates of those seven people are so strange! It's like they've been twisted and covered by something!"
"This is impossible!"
"How could something possibly invade someone else's fate?!"
Gu Qiu'er couldn't believe her eyes. As an Imperial Beast, she knew just how mysterious fate was!
Even she could never twist and invade fate to this extent!
At most, she could only see the future's direction through fate's favor, a kind of epitaph.
Ilya's red eyes widened, her delicate, doll-like face showing surprise and worry.
"Isn't Sister Qiu'er an Imperial Beast?"
"Even Sister Qiu'er finds it terrifying, then aren't Brother Bai'e and the others in danger?"
Gu Qiu'er hadn't hidden her identity from Ilya and Emiya Miyu at school, openly admitting that she was a Soul Beast.
In her view, one must be sincere to one's friends! Sincerity is the ultimate weapon! Deceiving friends will never earn you true friendship.
Illya and Emiya Miyu were among her few friends, and the three of them had always been close.
Especially Emiya Miyu; without her tutoring, Gu Qiu'er simply couldn't keep up with the pace of the other students in her class who were so academically gifted.
A while ago, she even invited Illya and Emiya Miyu to visit her hometown, the Lake of Life, during the summer vacation.
She even offered to catch twin Cyclopes and roast their brains for them.
Miyu excitedly agreed; she had always wanted to see what new species existed in the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest, and what exactly existed there that could nurture so many Beast Kings.
Of course, Di Tian knew about this, and after hesitating for a moment, he tacitly approved of Gu Qiu'er's actions.
After all, they were Qiu'er's good friends. During this time, he had thoroughly studied the "Parenting Handbook" on the Magic Network and even watched some educational live streams.
It all emphasized the importance of children's social development, and in Di Tian's eyes, Illya and Emiya Miyu were both quite good children, suitable friends.
Especially Emiya Miyu—good grades, warm-hearted—he had no reason to refuse such an excellent student being friends with Gu Qiu'er.
Since they're Qiu'er's good friends, let them go in and play. Two weak humans won't cause any trouble.
Old Father Di Tian has been working tirelessly for Qiu'er's education.
Of course, since Ilya and Miyu are both members of the old Xiru City's Yellow and Purple Banner, and her brother and father are even members of the Passionate Roots, they naturally know Bai E, a famous figure in Xiru City.
Bai E and his group even played with them when they returned to Xiru City from Shrek Academy.
Gu Qiu'er said solemnly,
"Hmm!"
"Danger!"
"No one connected to fate is simple!"
"Fate is a force more mysterious than time and space!"
(End of Chapter)
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