"Prince Ancestor, there is no need to trouble this girl," Xino said coldly, taking a large step forward to shield her behind him. "I was the one who called her here. If you ask her, you will get nothing worthwhile. You might as well ask me directly."
Huh?
Mu Qingyun's heart skipped a beat. Wait—this person from the military academy is currently disguised as a duke. Where did he get the audacity to go head-to-head with a prince?
"Xino, who gave you the courage to speak to me like that?" Yin's smile remained, but his right hand curved like a claw, and a faint sigil began to flicker in his palm.
"Do not be hasty." Xino tilted his head slightly and placed a hand on the mask covering his face. After a brief hesitation, he removed it.
"Hey!"
Seeing his action, Yi Beixuan panicked and instinctively called out, but Xino had already taken off the mask.
The familiar yet strikingly handsome face beneath the mask stunned Yin.
It was not the face of Duke Xino at all—it was... Su Qiluo, the top commander of the military academy!
"Su Qiluo?" Yin's smile vanished immediately, and a flash of murderous intent filled his eyes. The sigil in his palm grew even more distinct, not fading but intensifying.
Who? Su Qiluo?
Upon hearing this familiar name, Mu Qingyun's heart jumped. She reached out and forcefully turned Su Qiluo around by the shoulder.
This was her first time—both hers and the original host's—seeing the commander of the academy in person.
His features were… seductive. Thick brows, sharp eyes, finely sculpted features, and a strong jawline. While there was an undeniable sense of righteousness in his expression, his face just screamed villain.
He looked like the type who worked in the shadows, masterminding everything from behind the scenes, reaping all the rewards when the time was right—a calculating, manipulative schemer.
Although people say not to judge by appearances, she honestly could not associate that face with justice.
How did his fangirls ever think this guy radiated righteousness? He looked like someone who could destroy the world with a snap of his fingers.
"I know I'm handsome, but this is not the time to stare," Su Qiluo said with a grin before turning to face Yin. A soft glow shimmered in his left hand.
"I will give you two choices: One, cooperate with me. Two, I will destroy you." His smile remained gentle, but there was no warmth in it. "I am not unreasonable, so I will give you ten seconds to consider."
So arrogant.
Mu Qingyun looked at the man standing protectively in front of her, her eyes drifting curiously to the glow in his left hand.
Light powers. Those could enhance her own plant abilities.
Thinking this over, she glanced at her own left hand. Perhaps light could help her train. If she could convince Su Qiluo to practice together, it might double her efficiency—and she could absorb a bit of his light energy.
"You can try, then," Yin sneered. "I really would like to see whether you have what it takes."
As the words left his lips, the sigil burst fully from his palm and his body launched forward like a projectile, sharp fingers aimed straight at Su Qiluo's heart.
Su Qiluo calmly put his mask back on and casually said, "Protect her," before charging forward to meet the attack.
He did not use his light power. Instead, he casually pulled a few laser bombs from his storage pouch, simultaneously clashing with Yin hand-to-hand while throwing the bombs to disrupt him.
Why was he still not using his light power?
Mu Qingyun stood beside Yi Beixuan, watching closely. Her eyes remained fixed on Su Qiluo's left hand, but even after all this time, he continued to fight using only physical attacks.
"Do not worry. He will not lose to Qiluo," Yi Beixuan said gently, assuming her intense gaze was out of fear.
Well, maybe she did look a little too focused.
"Yo, why are you two fighting?"
A sudden voice rang out. Both Su Qiluo and Yin immediately paused and turned toward the sound with calm expressions.
Prince Leicester had walked in, and he clearly had not expected to witness this scene.
How amusing. His subordinate duke was fighting with Ancestor Yin—and not even losing.
Tsk. Perhaps Ancestor Yin had truly declined over the centuries. Was his strength now regressing instead of improving?
"Xino, really now—you are being quite disrespectful. How can you raise your hand against Prince Ancestor?" Prince Leicester said with a chuckle. Though his words seemed to scold, his expression held a trace of glee.
When did this worthless fool get the right to speak?
Su Qiluo's gaze turned cold. He had some respect for Yin, but this backstabbing gossip who never did anything productive? He could not stand him.
In fact, from the investigations over the past few days, it was confirmed: those scumbags who had harmed the girls? They were all under Prince Leicester's command.
Without a word, Su Qiluo glanced at Yi Beixuan.
Yi Beixuan understood instantly. His right hand glowed as his ability activated. The previously sunny weather outside suddenly turned into a violent storm, lightning and thunder rumbling with such intensity it made people anxious.
Thinking the sun was gone, Leicester moved to pull open the curtain to take a look outside.
"This damn weather, what in the wor—"
CRACK!
"Ah—heavens!"
As soon as he drew the curtain, a bolt of lightning struck directly toward him, making his heart leap.
"Heh." Yin let out a cold laugh. "Prince Leicester, you really should go out for some fresh air more often. Otherwise, you might lose face in front of your own men."
Tsk.
Mu Qingyun glanced at Yin with interest. She already knew Yi Beixuan's power was electricity, but she had not expected him to be this strong—able to control the weather in a localized area.
No wonder Su Qiluo chose him over her. Now that she thought about it, he had probably never revealed his true strength during training.
As for why he was eliminated from the trial, it was likely due to encountering an exceptionally powerful virtual creature.
She turned to glance at Prince Leicester, whose face was red with frustration but had nothing to say in return. A slight smile tugged at her lips.
This guy had shown up just in time—now they could use him to redirect the heat.
"Why don't we find another place to talk? You two should not be fighting like this, all right?"
She looked up at Su Qiluo, then turned toward Yin, her expression all wide-eyed innocence and cautious submission.
Her voice instantly irked Leicester.
How dare a slave interrupt their conversation?
"I am sorry, I—"
"Speak if you must, but do not shout at her."
"Prince, you should head back. The storm is getting worse. Be careful not to get frightened to death."
Since the fight had started over her, and no victor had been decided yet, neither side was willing to let this troublemaker keep running her mouth.
"You—"
CRACK!
Before Leicester could say anything, a fresh burst of thunder roared overhead, successfully silencing him once again.