"Your brother and the others are here."
Hearing this, Hu Liena gently squeezed Zhou Chen's hand and said softly, "I'll help you cover; just act naturally."
"Don't worry."
Zhou Chen squeezed her warm, jade-like hand in return. Acting and bluffing were his specialties.
Soon, footsteps approached, followed by a gentle knock on the suite's door.
"Knock, knock!"
Upon hearing the knock, the three of them rose together, with Hu Liena stepping forward to open the door.
As the door swung open, two young men entered.
The other twenty or so soul masters did not enter; instead, they took positions around the floor, securing the area.
Both young men wore white robes, each with a purple badge shaped like a book on their left chest.
One of the men was tall and bore a strong resemblance to Hu Liena.
Clearly, he was Hu Liena's older brother, Xie Yue, the strongest of the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
The other man had fiery red hair, with red markings extending below his neck, and even his eyes were a deep crimson.
Zhou Chen's gaze flickered—this unconventional red-haired youth must be Yan, one of the Golden Generation trio, possessing the Flame Lord spirit.
In the original storyline, Yan was even one of Hu Liena's suitors.
"Sister, have you confirmed the Blood Soul Masters' situation?"
As soon as he entered, Xie Yue didn't bother with formalities and got straight to the point.
"Confirmed. Their headquarters is in the southwest part of the city," Hu Liena replied with a smile.
"That's good."
Xie Yue nodded, then turned his gaze to Zhou Chen and Zhu Zhuqing, asking blandly, "And who are these two?"
"They're my friends. Brother, Yan, let me introduce you," Hu Liena smiled and pointed at Zhu Zhuqing, introducing her: "This is Sister Zhuqing; she's from the Zhu family of the Star Luo Empire."
"Netherworld Civet Clan?"
Xie Yue raised an eyebrow, having certainly heard of this illustrious family closely tied to the Star Luo royal family.
Out of courtesy, the two men nodded in greeting to Zhu Zhuqing, who returned a cool nod.
After introducing Zhu Zhuqing, Xie Yue and Yan turned their attention to Zhou Chen. Upon seeing Zhou Chen's face, they were momentarily dazzled.
This guy is too handsome!
Seeing their gazes, Hu Liena fixed her soft, alluring eyes on Zhou Chen's profile and introduced warmly, "Brother, Yan, this is Ji Chen. I recently recruited him as my personal guard."
Instinctively, Hu Liena reached for Zhou Chen's hand, indicating Xie Yue and Yan in turn, and said playfully, "That's my brother; the redhead is my friend, Yan."
Noticing Hu Liena's tone and actions, Xie Yue and Yan exchanged a glance, both registering the surprise in each other's eyes.
Having grown up with Hu Liena, they naturally picked up on her small peculiarities.
As the next designated Pope, Hu Liena was proud and rarely gave men the time of day, let alone voluntarily held a man's hand.
However, her current demeanor was entirely that of a girl in love, lacking any of the Holy Maiden's dignity.
If Xie Yue was merely surprised, Yan's gaze towards Zhou Chen was filled with hostility.
He now felt like there was a constant green light above his head.
At this moment, Hu Liena hadn't realized that her expressions and subtle actions had been completely seen through by the two who knew her so well.
"Brother, Ji Chen comes from a soul master family in the Balak Kingdom. He's sixteen years old and already a level 40 soul master."
Hu Liena linked her arm with Zhou Chen's, praising him according to the script they had agreed upon.
"Oh, really?"
Upon hearing this, the two men were taken aback.
Xie Yue scrutinized Zhou Chen, a hint of skepticism in his eyes.
The young man before him looked at most fifteen or sixteen; to be level 40 at such a young age was comparable to their own exceptional talents. After all, they were the most outstanding among the tens of thousands of young soul masters in Spirit Hall!
Yan, however, was less reserved than Xie Yue.
He stepped forward and coldly challenged, "Nana, if you say this Ji Chen is level 40 at his age, his strength must be remarkable. Why not let me spar with him?"
"That's not a good idea, Yan. Calm down."
Hu Liena frowned, knowing full well how strong Zhou Chen was.
Yan wouldn't last a single move against Zhou Chen.
As someone who grew up with them, Hu Liena didn't want him to be too humiliated.
However, Yan, blinded by jealousy, misunderstood Hu Liena's attempt to dissuade him, thinking she was afraid he would hurt Ji Chen, the pretty boy.
Thus, he looked directly at Zhou Chen and provocatively said, "Kid, are you scared?"
Hearing this, Zhou Chen was immediately displeased.
A simp who can't win over his goddess and takes out his anger on me? Is there no justice?
With this thought, Zhou Chen coldly looked at Yan and said in a chilling tone, "Young man, don't overestimate yourself. I'm just worried that if I accidentally kill you, I won't know how to explain it to Nana."
Zhou Chen's words left Yan momentarily stunned, but then an uncontrollable fury surged into his mind!
"Ji Chen, you're courting death!!"
With a wild roar, scorching flames erupted from Yan's body. His form swelled rapidly, and behind him appeared a fiery demon with horns, its body flowing with molten lava!
This was Yan's spirit, the Flame Lord.
"Yan, what are you doing?"
Hu Liena moved to block Zhou Chen, her face filled with anger.
"Nana, don't stop me! This kid dared to insult me; I must teach him a lesson!"
Upon hearing Yan's words, Hu Liena's eyes turned icy.
She coldly said, "Yan, you're going to fight over a few words? Where's your brain?"
Seeing Hu Liena's icy gaze, Yan was taken aback. She had never treated him with such an attitude before.
This made Yan hate Zhou Chen even more!
Seeing Yan was determined to fight, a flash of disappointment crossed Hu Liena's eyes. She pursed her lips and said, "Yan, don't blame me for not warning you; you'll bear all the consequences."
With that, Hu Liena stepped aside, leaving Zhou Chen and Yan facing each other.
Seeing Hu Liena step aside, Yan, whose mind was consumed with anger, held nothing back.
Instantly, five soul rings rose from his body. Recently promoted to Soul King, he unleashed an overwhelming aura!
"Fourth Soul Skill—Lava Surge!"
He shouted, his fourth soul ring glowing brightly. The next moment, a massive, blazing white fireball appeared out of thin air, hurling towards Zhou Chen!
Not only that, but Yan stomped the ground, launching his massive body like a cannonball, following the lava ball to slam into Zhou Chen fiercely!
Facing such a powerful attack, Zhou Chen remained motionless, even curling his lips into a slight smirk.
The next moment, he stretched out his left hand and commanded, "Sword, come!"
"Zheng!!"
With a resonant hum, a golden, ancient long sword plummeted from the sky, piercing through the hotel's roof and embedding itself before Zhou Chen!
"Boom!"
As soon as the golden sword struck the ground, it unleashed a powerful golden shockwave. The shockwave instantly shattered the lava ball and continued to fling Yan away!