"Yes, young master."
Shui Lingguang took the medicine bottle from Su Yu and vanished.
Wang Dong'er stuck out her tongue and whispered, "Did I go too hard?"
Su Yu shook his head. "It's not your fault. In battle, you're supposed to give it your all."
"If you don't, you're the one who gets hurt."
"You didn't mean to injure anyone, so you can't blame yourself."
That's how battles are—both sides go all out, and it's normal to lose control.
After several rounds, many contestants had been injured due to accidents.
It was all reasonable losses.
It's not like the Holy Spirit Sect, who fought just to kill. That's a whole different matter.
"Oh~"
Wang Dong'er nodded, then obediently leaned into his arms.
Su Yu rubbed her head and quietly watched the matches.
...
Bright Moon, Mingyue Hotel.
Night fell, blackness covering the city.
Lights shone in every house, neon lights glowing beautifully.
Su Yu silently appeared in a dark corner. Opposite him, a graceful figure approached.
Her long black hair flowed, features delicate, bright eyes like autumn water, skin as pale as snow.
She was tall and curvy; even in the darkness, her beauty was clear.
"So late and you wanted to meet me—what's up?"
Su Yu looked at Juzi and spoke coolly.
During today's match, Juzi had discreetly contacted him.
That's why he was out so late.
Juzi walked up and, under the faint light, carefully examined Su Yu's face—his eyebrows, nose, lips—memorizing his handsome features.
Her eyes sparkled with hope and longing.
Su Yu frowned slightly. "Juzi, did you call me out just to waste time?"
Juzi snapped back, pouted, and softly complained, "Why are you so fierce?"
Su Yu sighed, "Just say what you need to. If you delay too long, aren't you afraid of being exposed?"
Juzi giggled, "You care about me?"
"What if I got exposed?"
She stared at Su Yu, eyes bright.
Su Yu replied, "If you do, then you're dead."
"Wow, you—!"
Juzi puffed her cheeks and pretended to be angry. "Do you have no conscience? I've thrown everything away to join you, and you treat me like a discardable chess piece?"
"Do I have no human rights at all?"
She acted indignant, complaining, "You're too heartless. I quit being your spy!"
"I want to join Holy Slayer Palace. Being your spy is too dangerous."
Juzi made a scene, clearly hinting at her true intent.
Su Yu narrowed his eyes, instantly understanding her meaning.
He was surprised at her resolve.
If she joined Holy Slayer Palace, that would mean cutting all ties with Xu Tiannan.
Using the Sun Moon Empire's power to attack the Star Luo Empire for revenge would be impossible.
He'd thought that, even if she agreed to work for him, she'd never give up on Xu Tiannan so easily.
But Juzi was more decisive than he'd thought—not even a trace of hesitation.
But he had to admit, her attitude pleased him.
With a softer look, Su Yu said, "Alright, stop fooling around."
"For now, stay by Xu Tiannan's side a bit longer—you're still useful there."
"As for your safety, don't worry. I never abandon my own."
"As long as you're loyal, I'll never leave you behind."
"Really?"
Juzi's eyes widened.
Su Yu nodded. "I don't lie about things like this."
"And we're friends, aren't we?"
"Friends?"
Her look grew complicated. Forcing her to defect—was that what friends did?
Or did she only become his friend after choosing his side?
It was probably the latter.
When she spoke her true feelings, Su Yu's gaze softened.
Su Yu seemed kind, but only to his people.
He clearly distinguished between close and distant.
If she'd tried to play both sides and stayed ambiguous, he really could have abandoned her at a crucial time.
Su Yu tolerated no ambiguity.
"This is for you."
Su Yu's words brought her back.
She looked at the jade token he handed her, puzzled. "What's this?"
Su Yu explained, "It's an inner disciple token for Holy Slayer Palace."
"Every inner member gets one. This one's yours; it has your info. Show it to any Holy Slayer Palace member, and they'll help you."
"Don't say I didn't give you a way out. I don't kill loyal dogs after the hunt."
Juzi grinned, feeling officially recognized.
With this identity, she had a backup plan.
Even if exposed, she could rely on this for protection.
"This token is special. You can fuse it with your soul power and hide it in your body, so you don't have to worry about exposure."
Su Yu explained.
Juzi fused it as instructed; the jade token vanished from her hand.
When she wanted, she could summon it back at will.
She tried twice, delighted. "So convenient!"
She looked at Su Yu with admiration, "Your soul tool skills are amazing."
She meant it—she envied Su Yu's talent.
She was in her twenties, worked hard for years, yet was only a level-five soul engineer.
She couldn't even pass the Illustrious Virtue Hall exam.
But Su Yu, at only seventeen, was already level-eight—a genius.
This was another reason she so decisively joined his side.
Su Yu smiled faintly, "Alright, enough flattery."
"Juzi, you called me here for a reason?"
She turned serious.
She looked at Su Yu, "Be careful these days."
Su Yu raised an eyebrow. "Xu Tiannan wants to act against me?"
Juzi shook her head. "I'm not sure, but I wouldn't put it past him to plot something."
"You don't know, but Xu Tiannan has already made contact with the Holy Spirit Sect—you know them, right?"
Su Yu nodded.
She continued, "He and the Holy Spirit Sect reached some kind of deal—planning something big during this tournament."
"What deal?"
She shook her head. "I'm not sure; Xu Tiannan didn't bring me."
"I just know they're plotting against the tournament participants."
"How exactly, I don't know."
Su Yu thought for a while, then smiled, "So Xu Tiannan doesn't fully trust you yet."
Juzi rolled her eyes. "That guy only trusts himself, never anyone else."
"Anyway, no true schemer is ever not suspicious."
"Would you completely trust others?"
Su Yu replied instantly, "Of course."
For those truly in his heart, he always trusted them.
Juzi was stunned, then her look grew complicated.
She glanced at him, forcing a smile: "That must be Miss Meng and Miss Wang Dong'er, right?"
Su Yu didn't answer.
A flash of jealousy crossed Juzi's eyes but quickly disappeared.
She knew, even as one of his own, Su Yu could never fully trust her.
"Anything else?" Su Yu asked.
She shook her head. "That's it. Just be wary of Xu Tiannan and the Holy Spirit Sect."
"I understand."
He patted her shoulder, "Thanks. If nothing else, you should go back before Xu Tiannan gets suspicious."
"And… remember to protect yourself. If it's impossible, you can abandon the mission and come back."
"Okay."
Juzi felt warmth in her heart, glanced back at Su Yu with some reluctance, then left.
Su Yu watched her go, thoughtful.
So, his hunch was right.
Xu Tiannan and the Holy Spirit Sect still wanted to cause trouble.
But it made sense.
Holy Spirit Sect, suppressed by the Ice God Palace, their double Ultimate Douluo defeated, in need of outside support.
Xu Tiannan, in an awkward situation, also needed outside support to win the throne.
So their alliance made perfect sense.
Their targets, Su Yu guessed, were probably not the Ice God Palace (too dangerous while Haibodong was present), but Shrek Academy and… others.
"A psycho and a bunch of rats—can't sit still, huh?"
Su Yu sneered, a cold flash in his eyes.
He'd see what tricks they could pull.
With hands behind his back, Su Yu faded into the darkness.
...
After the elimination rounds, the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament finally entered the round-robin stage.
After three knockout rounds, twenty-one teams advanced directly.
The other eleven were the highest-scoring losing teams from the third round.
There were thirty-two teams in the round-robin.
The rules were different from the knockout rounds.
Thirty-two teams, divided into four groups of eight.
Each team played the other seven in their group. The top two from each group would make the quarterfinals.
In the penthouse villa.
Su Yu returned with the results of the draw.
"How'd we do? Who did we get?"
Wang Dong'er ran up, curious.
"Your luck is as bad as ever,"
Snow Empress took the lot, glanced at it, and sighed.
This group was full of hidden dragons.
Besides their own Holy Slayer Palace, there were Shrek Academy and Star Luo National Academy teams.
All three had the potential to make the top eight.
But now, they were all in the same group—if that was a coincidence, it was too much.
Wang Dong'er peeked, then her eyes widened.
"Shrek Academy, Star Luo National Academy—they were both top-four last time! Is this for real?"
She cried out, wondering if the draw was rigged.
"Only two can advance. So, among us, Shrek, and Star Luo, one will be eliminated."
Jiang Nannan frowned, "The Sun Moon Empire is playing dirty—trying to eliminate rivals early."
"Not just that—they're trying to weaken us. Both Shrek and Star Luo are tough opponents."
Snow Empress said coldly, "They want to make trouble before the finals."
"And maybe even sow discord."
"After all, Su Yu has good relations with both Shrek and Star Luo."
The girls all chimed in, getting worked up.
"I wonder which group Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy is in?"
Snow Empress asked.