"This Heart of Fire Teacher is so high-profile? The Holy Maiden has to wait this long?"
"Can't he correct student assignments later?"
"And what about two ladies being ahead of us? We arrive, and we still have to wait in line?"
"This Offering will see which fool dares to queue in front of us!"
Demon Subduing Douluo's voice carried growing impatience as he paced beneath the cherry blossoms. Each step disturbed the fallen petals, scattering them slightly across the stone ground. His temperament was clearly not suited for waiting, especially in a place where he believed his status should grant immediate access.
Qian Renxue patiently savored the cherry blossom tea on the stone table, breathing in the fragrant air. This scent reminded her of the time under the Angel White Orchid tree when she and Teacher fell in love at first sight… ahem, it was the scene of becoming a disciple at first sight. Her whole body felt somewhat warm.
The thought made her expression soften slightly, though she quickly composed herself. The warmth spreading through her chest was unfamiliar yet not unpleasant. The tea's fragrance, mixed with drifting cherry blossoms, seemed to blur the boundary between memory and present, pulling her thoughts briefly away from the academy's current tension.
Demon Subduing Douluo, on the other hand, paced back and forth under the cherry tree. After waiting for a moment, his patience began to wear thin.
He quickly strode past the small stone mountain spring in the center of the plaza and looked proudly at the other table of guests.
However, when Demon Subduing Douluo's gaze fell upon the two beautiful women, he froze for a moment, the arrogance on his face slowly receding as he slightly cupped his hands:
"Excuse me."
His tone shifted noticeably. The earlier impatience was replaced with cautious restraint. Even someone as proud as him could recognize when the situation demanded restraint, and the identities of those seated ahead of them were clearly not ordinary.
Immediately, the beautiful woman gently waved her hand, and Demon Subduing Douluo wisely retreated, muttering:
"How did even this one from the Supreme Pontiff Palace come? What in the world is going on?"
His voice was low, almost instinctive, as if the situation was rapidly exceeding his expectations. The presence of multiple high-status figures gathering in one place was unusual enough, but the calmness with which they interacted suggested something far more layered beneath the surface.
"What's wrong? Seventh Offering?" Qian Renxue only then recovered from the tea's fragrance and asked Demon Subduing Douluo.
Demon Subduing Douluo took a deep breath:
"Holy Maiden, you should go see for yourself. I believe you'll also be greatly surprised."
His tone was no longer arrogant, but slightly restrained, as though even he was unwilling to interpret what he had just seen too quickly.
"Is that so?"
Qian Renxue stood up, treading on the cherry petals on the ground, and walked behind the stone spring mountain. She looked at the two women, and indeed, a hint of surprise appeared on her face:
"It's you."
Her gaze sharpened for a moment, recognition flashing through her calm expression. The gentle atmosphere from earlier faded slightly, replaced by a more alert awareness.
"Why are you here too?!"
Their eyes met, and both sides were a little stunned.
The air between them subtly shifted. The falling cherry blossoms seemed to slow, as if even the environment was momentarily affected by the sudden tension. Neither side immediately acted hostile, but the mutual recognition alone was enough to make the atmosphere feel heavier.
However, Qian Renxue quickly calmed down. The Soul Master Competition finals were held in the Supreme Pontiff Palace, so it was normal for Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong to know Teacher.
She just didn't know why they were here.
Her thoughts quickly reorganized the situation. While unexpected, it was not entirely illogical for figures of such standing to appear in relation to Teacher Xin. Still, the coincidence felt too precise to be entirely casual.
Seeing Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong was also a little surprised, but she quickly understood:
"It seems the person who had Gold Crocodile Offering come to the Supreme Pontiff Palace to support Teacher Xin back then was actually you."
Her tone carried a quiet certainty, as though piecing together a puzzle that had long been partially visible. The implication behind her words was subtle but sharp, suggesting prior intersections that had not been fully acknowledged at the time.
"That's right, after all, I'm not like some people whose judgment is poor, making everything they do futile. They even sent people to ambush and kill those good students from Heart of Fire Academy. It's truly magnanimous of Teacher to still allow you in."
Qian Renxue's voice remained calm, but every word carried deliberate weight. The contrast between politeness and underlying accusation was unmistakable. The cherry blossoms drifting between them only deepened the stillness of the moment, as if the academy itself was quietly observing the unfolding exchange without interference.
...
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