Yueguan, who appeared here without any warning, watched as Flame hugged Evil Moon tightly, and his eyes underwent a subtle change...
"Evil Moon, Flame, what are you two doing, hugging each other like this? Could it be, you have that kind of preference?"
Upon hearing this, Evil Moon and Flame shuddered and immediately pushed each other away...
The former was the first to clasp his fists, "Elder Ju is joking. Even if I liked men, I wouldn't choose this guy!"
The latter's forehead throbbed with veins as he retorted, "Evil Moon, get lost. You make it sound like I like men!"
Then, he hurriedly explained, "Elder Ju, we were just joking around just now!"
Yueguan rolled his eyes, scolding, "I have eyes, I can obviously tell you're joking. Otherwise, I'd have to report it to His Holiness the Pope!"
Such actions between two boys were truly indecent!
Both Evil Moon and Flame responded with an awkward yet polite smile...
If this really were reported to His Holiness the Pope, their reputations would probably be completely ruined!
Taking advantage of the situation, Hulena asked, "Elder Ju, may I know the reason for your sudden visit? Is it to convey an order from His Holiness the Pope?"
Yueguan glanced at her, "Can't I just come to see how you're training? Although I am indeed here to convey an order from His Holiness the Pope!"
Xu Sheng again asked, "Elder Ju, may I know what message you are here to convey from His Holiness the Pope?"
Yueguan covered his mouth and coughed, "It's about the friendship match happening in a few days!"
"Right, Xu Sheng, since you haven't been with Martial Soul Hall for long, you probably aren't aware of this matter, let me explain in detail..."
Xu Sheng promptly interrupted, "Thank you, Elder Ju, but that won't be necessary. Evil Moon and the others have already told me about it!"
Yueguan nodded, "I see, then I won't say more. The representatives fighting for Martial Soul Hall this time are Evil Moon, Flame, and Hulena!"
Honestly, he had initially thought that His Holiness the Pope might kick one of them out in favor of Xu Sheng!
Apparently, the list of participants hadn't changed at all!
Evil Moon looked delighted, "Just as Xu Sheng said, His Holiness the Pope wouldn't agree to have him join the friendship match. Everything will proceed as originally planned!"
Flame was moved to tears, "This is wonderful, all my preparation for this friendship match hasn't been in vain!!"
Hulena breathed a sigh of relief internally, "Worthy of a teacher, there was no intention to use Xu Sheng for this friendship match!"
"However... does this also imply that the teacher has high expectations for us, believing that even without Xu Sheng, we can defeat the other academies!"
The pressure suddenly became much greater!
Having never sparred with students from the other academies, losing would mean losing the dignity of Martial Soul Hall!
Catching these words, Yueguan earnestly replied, "Nana, you're right. His Holiness the Pope places great importance on this friendship match. Even without Xu Sheng's participation, she does not wish to see you lose!"
"Therefore, in this friendship match, you can only win, not lose. Have you all understood?"
If they lost the match, His Holiness the Pope might have to re-select the members of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation!
Even stripping Hulena of her goddess title wasn't out of the question!
Coming back to their senses, the trio of Evil Moon responded in unison, "Understood!"
Yueguan nodded contentedly, "Very well, then prepare well in these next few days. I'll take my leave now!"
Once he had left, Xu Sheng couldn't help but look toward the restless Hulena, consoling her, "What's wrong, Nana, feeling pressured?"
Being greeted so affectionately, her ears turned red hot as she whispered, "Yes, after all, the other academies are fielding geniuses. If we were to lose..."
Flame, full of combat intent, rejected the notion with disbelief, "Nana, the spar hasn't even started yet, how can you speak such defeatist words!"
"No matter what, we won't know until after we fight!"
Evil Moon, rarely in agreement, echoed, "That's right, Nana, you don't need to be under so much pressure."
"According to His Holiness the Pope, the overall strength of the members of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation is stronger than that of students from other academies!"
"Our chances of winning are very high!"
Hulena's fighting spirit surged as well, her expression complex as she said, "Flame, big brother, you... I understand now!"
"We will definitely win this friendship match."
...
Upon hearing Yueguan's return, Bi Bidong opened her beautiful eyes and asked indifferently, "You've already notified everyone about the roster for the friendship match, haven't you? What was Evil Moon and the others' reaction?"
Yueguan nodded affirmatively. "Yes, Your Holiness, but it seems that Evil Moon and the others were not that surprised, as if they knew ahead of time that Xu Sheng wouldn't participate!"
Bi Bidong expressed her surprise, "Is that so? That's somewhat unexpected."
"That child Flame is placing great importance on this friendship match! With Xu Sheng's emergence, he should be worried about whether he can participate. It's unexpected that he could remain calm."
Perhaps all of this has something to do with Xu Sheng!
At that moment, Yueguan suddenly asked, "Your Holiness, truthfully, I also don't understand why you wouldn't let Xu Sheng participate. If he were here, other academies would have no chance of winning, right?"
Bi Bidong did not deny it. "Indeed, with Xu Sheng taking part, our chances of winning would be a hundred percent!"
"But I do not wish to use this trump card so early!!"
That Sword Douluo from the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, when he broke into the Pope Hall, had seen through Xu Sheng's true strength!
However, it seems that news has not spread elsewhere!
Otherwise, someone as talented as Xu Sheng would certainly become the target of those powers!
Upon hearing this, Yueguan spoke again, "But the other academies are fielding geniuses as well, and even with Evil Moon and the rest, it's not guaranteed..."
Bi Bidong glanced at him, "What? You think Evil Moon and the others cannot achieve the final victory?"
Yueguan hurriedly shook his head and explained, "Your Holiness, that's not what I meant; I'm just... just a bit worried, that's all!"
"After all, this matter concerns the dignity of the Martial Soul Hall."
Bi Bidong, however, smiled slightly and with a tone full of trust she said, "Don't worry, Evil Moon and the rest, as they are now, are much stronger than the geniuses from the other academies—not by a small margin either!"
This response only made Yueguan more confused...
"Your Holiness, what makes you say that? The participants from the various academies should be close in age and soul power rank!"
Bi Bidong did not provide a specific answer but waved her hand and said, "Yueguan, it seems you have not noticed the changes in Evil Moon and the others!"
Yueguan was stunned, and he began to recall...
Before long, he displayed an expression of sudden realization...
"Change? That's to say... Evil Moon and the rest have clearly gained a lot more practical experience; it's as if they've been through specialized training!"
"Could it be that all this is Xu Sheng's doing!!"
...
...