When Chu Chengzhou returned to the Great Spirit Arena, the second round of the preliminaries, which was expected to have started in the morning, had yet to officially begin.
At this moment, tens of thousands of spectators sat in utter silence, and the solemn, dignified voice of Emperor Xue Ye echoed above the arena through soul-powered amplifiers.
"The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is a grand event for the soul master world. Its primary purpose is to discover outstanding young soul masters across the continent.
However, just last night, a most disgraceful incident occurred.
Some faction had the audacity to dispatch assassins to infiltrate Lanba Academy and attempt to murder outstanding contestants during the night. This not only disrespects the organizers of the tournament but is a blatant provocation against the empire's authority.
The empire will pursue this matter to the very end.
I, Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, hereby warn any and all scheming villains lurking in the shadows: do not attempt to challenge the empire, or you will pay a bloody price."
As he spoke, Emperor Xue Ye cast a glance at Salas beside him.
After a brief pause, the emperor continued:
"To prevent such vile acts from happening again, the empire will dispatch a special force consisting of ten royal guests and a hundred soul masters above Rank 60, along with 20,000 royal knights, to patrol Heaven Dou City day and night, ensuring the tournament proceeds smoothly. All participating academies may rest assured."
With his warning complete, Emperor Xue Ye returned to his seat.
Then the master of ceremonies announced:
"Next, the second round of the preliminary matches will begin. Will the first ten academy teams please enter the stage in an orderly fashion."
Seeing that Lanba Academy wasn't among the ten teams called to the stage, Chu Chengzhou headed to the rest area.
"Brother, you're back!"
As soon as Xiao Wu saw Chu Chengzhou, she rushed over, but after a few steps, remembering that he secretly got together with her best friend, she pouted and returned to her seat with a sour face.
"Ahem... Xiao Wu, who are we facing today?"
Although the matchups had already been drawn yesterday, Chu Chengzhou hadn't paid attention and genuinely had no idea who their opponent was.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Wu responded with a cold snort.
"You're the captain, yet you don't even care about the matches! We're facing Oakland Academy this time.
Oh, and our lineup's already been arranged. As for you—go wherever and stay out of the way!"
Liu Erlong, nearby, shot Chu Chengzhou a dissatisfied look.
Whether she was upset about him not fulfilling his responsibilities or because he was a shameless womanizer, it was hard to say.
Chu Chengzhou didn't argue. He plopped down beside Xiao Wu, pulled her into his arms, and drew her consciousness into an illusionary realm.
"???"
As Xiao Wu lost consciousness, Liu Erlong, Flender, and Zhao Wuji nearby all looked puzzled, sensing the spiritual fluctuations.
Inside the illusion—
"What are you doing?"
Xiao Wu glared and slapped at Chu Chengzhou in annoyance.
"What do you think?"
Chu Chengzhou didn't bother with words—he knew actions spoke louder.
Xiao Wu: "..."
Half-resisting, half-accepting, the two... got busy.
In the real world, seeing Xiao Wu mentally absent, Ning Rongrong blushed deeply, guessing exactly what was going on.
"Scumbags never change! And at a time like this too—shameless!"
"Rongrong, what's wrong with your face?"
Zhu Zhuqing, noticing her blushing cheeks, asked curiously.
"Uhh… nothing!"
Ning Rongrong waved her hand, too embarrassed to say someone was "farming" in dreamland nearby.
The Lanba Academy vs. Oakland Academy match was scheduled for the second group.
Half an hour later, the tournament staff came to lead the ten teams of the second group to the stage.
"Xiao Wu, wake up—it's time for the match!"
Not knowing the situation, Liu Erlong nudged her gently.
Since Chu Chengzhou had missed the initial lineup, adjustments had been made. The team would now be represented by four substitutes—Tai Long and the others—along with Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Dean Erlong, Xiao Wu's not feeling well. Let someone else go."
Still "plowing" in the illusion, Chu Chengzhou split a bit of consciousness to speak up.
Their opponent, Oakland Academy, was a cannon-fodder team with not even one Soul Sect (four-ring soul master). Neither he nor Xiao Wu needed to bother fighting—it was a guaranteed win.
"She's not feeling well?"
Liu Erlong blinked, then nodded. "Fine. Dai Mubai, go take Xiao Wu's place."
So Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and the four substitutes followed the staff to the stage.
Just as they left, a middle-aged man Chu Chengzhou didn't recognize also followed behind.
This man exuded strong spirit power—Chu estimated he was likely a seven-ring Soul Sage.
"Dean Erlong, who's that guy?"
Chu Chengzhou asked curiously.
"He says he's here under Emperor Xue Ye's orders. Until last night's incident is fully resolved, he'll stick close to Dai Mubai."
Liu Erlong responded, a little exasperated.
"Under Xue Ye's orders?"
Chu Chengzhou was briefly stunned, but quickly figured it out.
Lanba Academy was attacked by so-called "assassins from the Star Luo Empire." Even if Star Luo didn't do it, they'd never admit it—especially with the domineering White Tiger Dai Clan.
But with Dai Mubai—a Star Luo imperial prince—in Heaven Dou's hands, that changed the game.
If Star Luo refused to own up, then Heaven Dou could make Dai Mubai pay. Even if he was a sidelined prince, he was still the emperor's biological son, and Star Luo couldn't just abandon him.
In short, with Dai Mubai in their grasp, Heaven Dou had leverage.
If Star Luo really denied responsibility? No problem. Heaven Dou could foot Lanba Academy's losses, and "reap compensation" by... having Dai Mubai mass-produce heirs.
Top-tier beast martial soul bloodlines? Not a bad deal for Heaven Dou at all.
Hmm… come to think of it, maybe Dai Mubai himself would prefer his dad didn't take responsibility?
Meanwhile—
Noticing that Chu Chengzhou didn't show up on stage, Salas, seated in the VIP row, raised an eyebrow.
"Sect Master Ning, Chu Chengzhou wasn't injured last night, was he? Why isn't he participating?"
Salas asked Ning Fengzhi, who had just arrived.
"Heh, Salas, you seem awfully concerned about my good nephew?"
Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile.
"As a committee member of the tournament, it's only natural to care about the participants."
Salas replied earnestly.
"Then, Salas, what's your opinion on last night's attack?"
Emperor Xue Ye suddenly asked from the center.
"I have already reported the matter to the Pope. Our Spirit Hall will never tolerate the perpetrators behind the attack."
Salas declared righteously.
His tone and demeanor were so convincing, it would fool anyone into thinking he personally wanted to drag the attackers to justice.
"Very good. Salas, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will not tolerate a repeat of such incidents. If it happens again, we will take appropriate measures."
Ning Fengzhi said coldly with narrowed eyes.
'Next time, watch your back!'
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, beside him, transmitted a message into Salas' mind.
Though Spirit Hall was strong, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wasn't easy prey. If they targeted Salas alone, neither Heaven Dou's sanctuary nor Spirit Hall could save him.
As long as they left no proof, who would care if Salas ended up dead?
No one wanted open war—not even Spirit Hall, unless Pope Bibi Dong went mad.
That is—if Salas kept asking for death.
Hearing the threat in his mind, Salas' pupils contracted.
"Sword Douluo, what do you mean by this?"
Face dark, Salas demanded.
"What do you mean, Salas? Did I say anything to you?"
Chen Xin feigned ignorance with a blank look.
"Hmph!"
Seeing Chen Xin play dumb, Salas could only snort coldly.
"Hmm? Salas, you're just a Platinum Bishop, and you dare to act arrogantly in front of this Douluo? Did your Spirit Hall Pope never teach you the meaning of respect?"
As he spoke, Chen Xin released the full pressure of a Titled Douluo upon Salas.
"I am a Titled Douluo. Even Bibi Dong has to treat me with courtesy. You—a mere Platinum Bishop—think the Spirit Hall badge lets you stand as my equal?
Daring to throw me attitude—you clearly don't understand why Titled Douluo are addressed as 'Your Excellency!'"
Under the crushing spiritual pressure, Salas' face turned purple like pig liver. If Chen Xin had gone full force, or if the chair weren't sturdy, he'd already be lying on the floor.
"Heh, Uncle Jian, no need to be angry. I'm sure Salas meant no offense."
Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.
"Sect Master Ning is right. Sword Douluo, for my sake, if Salas offers an apology, let's consider the matter resolved."
Emperor Xue Ye chimed in pleasantly.
They were the "civilized ones"—Chen Xin played the bad cop, now it was time for them to smooth things over.
"Fine, I'll give His Majesty this face."
Chen Xin nodded, pretending to yield reluctantly.
"Salas, what do you say?"
The Emperor looked at Salas, whose face had turned the color of pig liver from rage.
Watching the three— Emperor Xue Ye and company—act in concert, Salas, under immense pressure, felt a burning fury in his heart with nowhere to vent it.
If he could, he would love nothing more than to challenge Ning Fengzhi and the Snowy Night Emperor to a noble one-on-one duel.
Why not Chen Xin?
Damn it~ He's a Title Douluo! As an eight-ring Support-type Soul Douluo, there's no way he could beat him.
After a long silence, seeing that Salas still hadn't responded, Chen Xin lightly slapped his forehead, pretending he just remembered something, and said, "Look at me, I almost forgot—someone with only eight rings of soul power can't even speak under the pressure of a Title Douluo like me."
As he spoke, Chen Xin temporarily withdrew the soul power pressure he was exerting on Salas.
"You—!"
As the pressure was lifted and he could move again, Salas pointed at Chen Xin in indignation.
"Hm?"
Seeing this, Chen Xin frowned slightly, his gaze toward Salas growing more dangerous.
Meeting Chen Xin's eyes, Salas couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine. That earlier feeling of his life not being in his own hands had been terrible. He had no desire to experience that again.
Taking a deep breath and forcefully suppressing his anger, Salas lowered his head and said, "Elder Sword, it was my fault earlier. I hope you can forgive me."
Chen Xin wasn't wrong—Salas was merely an eight-ring Soul Douluo. Even if he held the positions of Platinum Bishop and Head of the Heaven Dou Temple, in terms of rank, he was still beneath Chen Xin.
After all, Chen Xin was both the Guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall.
Among the six symbols on the Pope's decree, the sword represented none other than Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword spirit.
Whether honorary or official, an elder of the Spirit Hall held a status above that of a Platinum Bishop.
At this moment, Salas addressing Chen Xin as "Elder Sword" rather than "Sword Douluo" was a move to preserve the Spirit Hall's dignity.
As a high-ranking official of the Spirit Hall, Salas understood: he could bow to an honorary elder of his own faction, but he could never lower his head to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Sword Douluo. Even if he got through this situation, his superior, Bibi Dong, would never tolerate such a spineless subordinate.
"Very well, since you've sincerely apologized, I, as a magnanimous Title Douluo, will let you off this time! But remember what I said!"
With that, Chen Xin didn't forget to warn Salas once more.
On the arena—
Unsurprisingly, Blue Tyrant Academy had decisively defeated their opponents from Auckland Academy.
After all, Auckland Academy didn't even have a single Soul Ancestor (four-ring); the seven who took the stage were all three-ring Soul Experts. Meanwhile, Blue Tyrant Academy had three four-ring Soul Ancestors. Even if their teamwork was less than perfect, the outcome of the match was never in question.
To be honest, facing three Soul Ancestors, the fact that Auckland Academy didn't surrender right away already showed they had spirit.
After stepping off the competition platform, Ma Hongjun and the others headed to the stands to watch the next matches, while Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing returned to the rest area.
When the two girls got back, they found that Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu had just finished an enjoyable training session and exited the illusion.
"Huh? Where's Dean Erlong and the others? Is it our turn to go up?"
Seeing only the two girls in the rest area and no one else, Xiao Wu temporarily set aside her irritation and asked Chu Chengzhou.
"Uh, well… our match is already over."
The cheers from the spectators when Blue Tyrant Academy won had been loud—even from the rest area, Chu Chengzhou had heard it.
Xiao Wu: "…"
"This is all your fault!"
Xiao Wu punched Chu Chengzhou in annoyance.
"Yes, yes, it's all my fault! Xiao Wu, you and Rongrong are close sisters—and you're the elder sister, she's the younger one. You need to be the big sister and get along well from now on!"
Under Zhu Zhuqing's shocked gaze, Chu Chengzhou took one of Xiao Wu's hands and one of the confused Ning Rongrong's hands, speaking earnestly.
Zhu Zhuqing: What is going on here?
"Huh? Zhuqing, do you want to join in too?"
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing stunned on the side, the ever-reckless Chu Chengzhou tried to probe further.
Bang—
Before Zhu Zhuqing could respond, a fierce right hook landed squarely on Chu Chengzhou's left eye socket, creating a perfect match with the already swollen right eye.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but admire Chu Chengzhou—when it came to digging his own grave, no one could beat Scumbag Chu.
Even Big Sis Xiao Wu hadn't fully accepted her as a second sister, and now this guy wanted to pull in a third?
"Xiao Wu, go ahead and hit me! I'm tough and can take it—and every punch you land on me is filled with your deep love!"
Sporting twin panda eyes, Chu Chengzhou said tenderly.
Hearing this cheesy line, Xiao Wu couldn't help but twitch her lips.
How had she not realized before that this guy could be so shameless?
"Hmph!"
Still fuming, Xiao Wu snorted and turned her head.
You can't show kindness to shameless scoundrels like this—give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
Right now it was just one extra sister—Ning Rongrong—and maybe Zhu Zhuqing on the radar. With so many beautiful female soul masters in the continent, if she let this go, wouldn't all of them end up as "sisters"?
"Still mad, Xiao Wu? Let's not be mad, okay?"
Chu Chengzhou reached out to touch the rabbit ears on Xiao Wu's head.
"Ugh, you annoy me!"
Xiao Wu slapped his hand away.
Chu Chengzhou wasn't offended. He gently cupped Xiao Wu's cheeks in his hands, leaned in, and kissed her lips.
Trying to push him away but failing, Xiao Wu, still furious, bit down hard. Blood instantly oozed from Chu Chengzhou's lips.
Though his lip was bleeding, Chu Chengzhou didn't let go. A little bite was nothing—as long as the "fish" in his "pond" could coexist peacefully, it was worth it.
After a long time, when Xiao Wu's lips went numb, he finally let her go.
"Still mad?"
Chu Chengzhou licked the blood from his lips and asked.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Wu snorted coldly again.
Though she had partly accepted the idea of having another sister, she knew she couldn't let this go easily. If she gave in now, there would be more "sisters" than she could count.
"Mm mm mm!"
The next second, Chu Chengzhou kissed her again.
Mad? Then I'll kiss you until you're not mad.
When the fear of being kissed outweighs the anger, things will settle down.
After all, Douluo Continent doesn't enforce monogamy. It's common for men to have many wives and concubines—unlike Chu Chengzhou though, most of those men's wives were just pretty faces.
Of course, there was another method: keep doing "fun" things. Once Xiao Wu realized she couldn't handle it all by herself, she might not mind sharing anymore.
But considering their age, the "real thing" was still a bit inappropriate.
Over and over again, until around noon when the second round of the preliminaries ended and the spectators began to leave, Xiao Wu finally gave in.
At this point, her lips had swollen noticeably, turning her once-rosy cherry mouth into a sausage.
She had resisted at first, but although she had higher soul power than Chu Chengzhou and even an extra soul ring, her physical strength was no match for his—she simply couldn't break free.
Of course, Chu Chengzhou didn't escape unscathed—his lips were covered in bite marks, blood seeping from multiple wounds.
"Still mad?"
Chu Chengzhou asked again.
"Nn-oh mnot m-mad…"
Xiao Wu shook her head vigorously, voice slurred from her swollen lips—she was genuinely scared of being kissed anymore.
Although they had been officially together for a while now, in her view, all the kisses they had ever shared combined didn't add up to what had happened today.
"Then… is Rongrong your sister for life?"
Xiao Wu hesitated, but seeing Chu Chengzhou's head leaning in again, she quickly nodded like a pecking chicken.
"And will you two get along from now on?"
Xiao Wu still nodded fearfully.
"What about Zhuqing?"
Chu Chengzhou tried again.
"Go die, bastard!"
This was truly pushing it.
In a fury, Xiao Wu lifted her long leg clad in crystal heels and kicked Chu Chengzhou straight into the wall.
Bang—!
The sturdy wall of the lounge shook. Chu Chengzhou, now imprinted against it in the shape of the character "太" (too much), slowly slid down, completely limp.
Ning Rongrong: "…"
Zhu Zhuqing blinked. Why did Senior Chu bring me up?
Could it be… one "boat" wasn't enough—he wanted to stand on three?