"So far, the Body Sect hasn't appeared," Han Ruoruo mused.
From the first knockout match until the top eight, the Body Sect hadn't shown up at all—suspicious.
"So, maybe the Body Sect is hiding within one of the eight remaining teams?" Wu Ming's eyes lit up.
Su Yu gave her an approving look. Not too bad.
"So which team are they hiding in?"
Han Ruoruo narrowed her eyes, analyzing: "Now there are eight teams left—two are ours. That's impossible."
"The Sun Moon Empire and the Body Sect are mortal enemies, so that's out."
"So, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and Radiant Soul Engineer Academy can be excluded."
"The Holy Spirit Cult are all evil soul masters, and the Body Sect wouldn't fall that far."
"So, only three possibilities left: Heavenly Dragon Sect, Ao Jian Sect, and Snow Demon Sect."
Zhang Lexuan added: "Ao Jian Sect is from the Star Luo Empire—not very likely."
"Only Heavenly Dragon Sect and Snow Demon Sect are from Heavenly Soul Empire."
"Of those, Heavenly Dragon Sect is a long-standing, prestigious sect. I've observed their captain—over level 65 soul power, powerful aura, likely Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul."
"The team members all admire him sincerely—a cohesive team, unlikely to be hiding Body Sect members."
"Only Snow Demon Sect..."
She paused, voice heavy: "Only this sect is unknown, yet made the top eight."
"I'd never even heard of them before."
"If the Body Sect is hiding in a team, Snow Demon Sect is the most likely."
After hearing the analysis, the Shrek team fell silent.
Wu Ming's face turned bitter: "So, drawing Snow Demon Sect was the worst draw?"
Han Ruoruo was silent. Maybe it was.
If the Body Sect were hiding in the Snow Demon Sect, their strength would be terrifying.
"It's not necessarily the worst," Su Yu said quietly. "The others are no weaker than the Body Sect."
Shrek, as a second-place group, would have to face a first-place team.
Other than Holy Slayer Palace, who were the other three?
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Holy Spirit Cult, Snow Demon Sect (Body Sect).
No matter who they drew, it was tough.
At least the Body Sect wouldn't kill recklessly, unlike the Holy Spirit Cult.
"Su Yu, why do I feel like you're gloating?" Wu Ming pouted, glaring at Su Yu.
He laughed, "Sister Wu Ming, don't make baseless accusations. I might sue you for slander~"
"Hmph."
Wu Ming snorted and turned away.
"Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, Holy Spirit Cult, Body Sect," Han Ruoruo muttered with a wry smile. "Su Yu's right, none of them are easy."
"Whoever we draw, it's a tough fight."
"But, Su Yu, thanks for the tip. If we'd run into the Body Sect unprepared, we'd be in trouble."
She looked grateful.
Su Yu smiled, "One more reminder for you."
"There's a real Soul Sage in that Body Sect team."
"Soul Sage?"
Wu Ming's face changed, and Han Ruoruo's expression grew grim.
A Soul Sage was far stronger than a Soul Emperor, with the powerful Martial Soul True Body.
Especially a Body Sect Soul Sage—their Martial Soul True Body was even more terrifying.
Troublesome.
The atmosphere cooled instantly—Su Yu's words hit like a bomb.
The Body Sect had a Soul Sage?
Only those under twenty could compete. That meant they had a genius who became a Soul Sage before twenty.
That was rare. In all of Shrek's history, only Zhang Lexuan has managed that.
Wu Ming and the others grew serious, and the Shrek students looked tense.
Seeing their nervousness, Su Yu smiled slightly.
Already panicking?
If he told them all four first-place teams had Soul Sages, would they still sit still?
He recalled how confident Wu Ming and the others were before—now his gaze was a bit strange.
If Shrek didn't even make the top four, that would be amusing.
...
At the Bright Moon Hotel's top floor, the teams parted ways. Su Yu led his group back to the No. 1 villa.
With the quarterfinals tomorrow, Su Yu didn't drill them—he let the girls rest and recover.
...
...
The next morning.
Before dawn, the citizens of Radiant flocked out of the city with food and water, ready to spend the whole day outside.
With the quarterfinals, every team was much stronger, and the battles would be all the more intense.
No one wanted to miss such an event.
As the sky brightened, the eight teams, escorted by soldiers, headed out of the city.
When Su Yu led Holy Slayer Palace to the rest area, several teams had already arrived.
Zhang Lexuan led Shrek Academy, standing quietly outside the VIP lounge.
She wore a black fitted coat, her long hair flowing, her beauty pure and cold, noble and aloof.
With a silver crescent moon mark on her brow, she looked like a moon goddess.
Noticing Su Yu's gaze, she turned, her eyes softening with a gentle smile.
Su Yu smiled back, nodded, and glanced at Shrek's team.
Behind Zhang Lexuan and Wu Ming, Beibei now led the team, having replaced Xu Sanshi.
Su Yu paused, then moved on. Bei Bei's injuries must have healed.
With Bei Bei back, Shrek's strength was higher.
Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou—three Soul Emperors.
A strong lineup, but maybe still no match for the Body Sect.
With that thought, Su Yu and his group entered the rest area.
Soon, Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy arrived.
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen came straight toward Su Yu.
Meng Hongchen's eyes were bright as she gazed at Su Yu, her pretty face glowing with a sweet smile.
Su Yu beckoned her over and sat her beside him.
"Yu~"
Meng Hongchen smiled at Su Yu, overjoyed.
Su Yu stroked her hair, amused at Xiao Hongchen's affected posture.
"In such a good mood—ate honey?"
"You're the one who ate honey."
Xiao Hongchen retorted, then sidled over with a grin.
"Hey, brother-in-law."
He rubbed his hands together, winking.
Su Yu's eyelid twitched. "If you've got something to say, spit it out."
Xiao Hongchen grinned. "Then I'll be frank—brother-in-law, I'll be in your care from now on."
Su Yu: ??????
He looked at Meng Hongchen, wondering what nonsense Xiao Hongchen was up to.
Meng Hongchen explained, "Yu, here's the thing."
"Grandpa thinks my brother is too pampered and needs some toughening up. He wants him to train with you for a while."
"With me?"
Su Yu was stunned.
Why? Can't Illustrious Virtue Hall teach him? Does he need me?
Meng Hongchen continued, "Grandpa said he's had it too easy, not enough hardship, can't handle pressure. So he wants you to toughen him up and also give you a helper."
"Whatever you want him to do, he'll do."
Su Yu finally understood why Xiao Hongchen was being so obsequious.
Was this an early allegiance pledge?
He was still confused: "Why did the Hall Master suddenly decide this?"
Meng Hongchen shook her head. "We don't know—Grandpa just suddenly said so. Not just my brother, but me too. Grandpa wants me to learn from you wherever you go."
Su Yu narrowed his eyes.
Was Jing Hongchen sensing something, sending his precious grandchildren over?
Was this an early entrustment?
Surely not.
Would the Sun Moon Empire target Jing Hongchen for no reason?
Probably not.
Su Yu pondered.
"Yu?"
Meng Hongchen waved her hand in front of him.
He came back to himself and grabbed her hand.
"Alright, from now on you'll both follow me."
Whatever Jing Hongchen was thinking, he just wanted Su Yu to protect them.
Such a small matter—Su Yu couldn't refuse.
"Really?"
Meng Hongchen was delighted.
"Of course. Would I turn you away?"
He pinched her nose.
She smiled sweetly.
Su Yu stroked her hair and looked at Xiao Hongchen. "I heard you'll do whatever I say, right?"
Xiao Hongchen's smile froze. He stepped back warily. "Brother-in-law, what are you planning?"
Su Yu smiled kindly. "Oh, nothing."
Xiao Hongchen shivered.
Nothing?
Yeah right.
He felt dejected—falling into Su Yu's hands, his future looked bleak.
Grandpa, you set me up.
Seeing his troubled look, Su Yu chuckled and started chatting with Meng Hongchen.
After half an hour, all the teams had arrived.
Although there were fewer teams, the atmosphere was heavier.
There was a sense of rivalry between the teams.
On the podium, Xu Tiannan had arrived and was enjoying tea handed to him by Juzi.
Juzi stood quietly behind, glancing at the rest area.
Seeing Su Yu and Meng Hongchen talking and laughing, her eyes flashed with envy.
"Hall Master Jing, what do you think of today's matches? Can Radiant Academy beat Holy Slayer Palace?"
Xu Tiannan asked Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen thought for a moment. "It's difficult, Your Highness. The difference in strength is too great."
Xu Tiannan nodded. "You're right—the gap is indeed large. Nothing to be done, your students are just too good."
Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes. "Your Highness flatters me. Su Yu's achievements are his own."
"And as the Ice God Palace's heir, he is remarkable."
"Heh, true…"
Xu Tiannan smiled thinly.
He changed the subject: "What about Shrek Academy vs. Snow Demon Sect? Your opinion?"
Jing Hongchen replied, "Shrek Academy is the continent's top school, with outstanding students. They should have a good chance."
"But Snow Demon Sect is not famous for nothing. They're strange."
"In the end, who wins is hard to say."
"That's your view. But I think Shrek may lose."
"Like you said, Snow Demon Sect is very mysterious..."
Xu Tiannan's eyes flickered, and Zhongli Wu's gaze also grew deep.
Jing Hongchen's face didn't change, but his eyes flashed coldly.
Some people thought they hid well, but in truth, those who should know already knew.
Trying to fool everyone was not that easy.