Chapter 21 Preparation for the Battle Soul Master Competition_2

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Kong Deming's voice was still echoing in Jing Hongchen's ears when the man himself vanished.

Jing Hongchen caught on to the situation and left the laboratory with some excuse.

Seeing this, Qin Xiao couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.

This transmission was truly superfluous.

After all that effort, hadn't every word still reached her own ears?

And that medicinal pill, too.

Why not just hand it to her directly?

That would have cut out Jing Hongchen, the middleman...

Even more redundant.

...

Elsewhere.

Hongchen Clan.

In a spacious courtyard, a handsome young man sat by a long table, wiping a soul tool on it.

Noticing someone's approach, he looked up and saw a girl entering the courtyard. A doting expression appeared in his eyes, "Meng, you're back?"

"What did Grandpa want to talk to you about alone today?"

As he spoke, he was even more curious, placing the soul tool on the table and waiting for Meng Hongchen's reply.

Meng Hongchen pursed her lips tightly and said nothing.

Xiao Hongchen clearly saw Meng Hongchen's fists clench and her delicate body tremble.

Xiao Hongchen's face immediately changed, "What on earth did Grandpa tell you?

Tell me quickly."

He appeared very anxious.

Like an ant on a hot pan.

"Brother, I won't be able to go to school with you anymore..."

Meng Hongchen finally spoke.

"What?"

Xiao Hongchen felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

"Why is that?

Grandpa isn't the type to favor boys over girls, is he?

Could it be because you are getting older, and Grandpa or the clan has decided you should find someone to marry?

Worried you'll end up an old maid?

But I think it's still early for you, really, it's too early."

Xiao Hongchen stroked his chin, endlessly speculating.

However, he didn't notice Meng Hongchen's complexion had changed.

It was very unsightly.

As if she had eaten a dead fly.

No, more accurately, as if she had eaten half a fly.

"Xiao Hongchen, are you seeking death?"

She was furious.

Who was he calling an old maid?

She was clearly as lovely as a flower!

Moreover.

Just ask around Mingdu, which of the many powers wouldn't want to send their youngest and most outstanding disciples to marry her, the proud daughter of the Hongchen Clan?

Without any exaggeration, if she announced her desire to marry today, the queue of suitors circling Mingdu would stretch three rounds plus a detour.

"Do I look like someone who can't get married?

In your eyes, am I some desperate bride-to-be?"

Meng Hongchen couldn't hold back any longer, feeling the need to vent her frustration.

She pulled out two soul laser guns from the Spatial Soul Guidance Device and aimed at Xiao Hongchen, firing wildly.

Luckily, Xiao Hongchen's reflexes were quite fast, so much so that he sensed the impending danger in advance and brought out a defensive soul tool.

With a whoosh, a Soul Force Barrier appeared in front of him, blocking Meng Hongchen's attacks.

"Little sister, calm down.

I might have said the wrong thing just now, but wasn't that because I care too much?"

Meng Hongchen ignored him and continued firing.

"Okay, okay, I'm admitting my mistake, isn't that enough?

It's my fault for speaking without thinking, all the blame is on me, miss. Please, no more anger, I beg you."

Xiao Hongchen wore an expression of helplessness.

He felt like a victim of unwarranted disaster.

If he could turn back time, he swore he'd never meddle in Meng Hongchen's affairs again.

But his apology seemed to have worked.

Meng Hongchen slowly lowered the soul laser guns.

Her expression had visibly softened.

"Hehehe,"

Xiao Hongchen snickered.

"Hmph, you still find this funny. I was only going to joke with you, but now I'm not in the mood,"

Meng Hongchen pouted, "Luckily from tomorrow, I won't have to see you anymore. I'm so happy."

"Where are you going, exactly? Are you still going to study?"

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"Of course, why wouldn't I learn?"

Meng Hongchen spread her hands, "Let me tell you, I not only want to learn, but I'm also going to a better place, and then I'll firmly trample you underfoot and give you a good beating."

Huh, the little girl has quite the ambition... Xiao Hongchen sneered inwardly, but he knew he couldn't say that out loud. He simply thought it to himself, knowing that if he did say it, Meng Hongchen would become as irritable as a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Where do you want to go for your studies?"

"To Xuan Ziwen's place."

"Huh?" Xiao Hongchen raised his eyebrows upon hearing this, "Sister, you're not taking a shortcut, you're heading down a dead-end road.

Isn't it much better to learn with our current teacher, and occasionally get pointers from grandpa than to follow Xuan Ziwen?"

"Heh, that's what you don't understand."

Meng Hongchen gave a cold laugh.

Could there be some unknown secret? Xiao Hongchen muttered to himself.

But Meng Hongchen, with a smile yet silent, left him feeling quite uneasy.

It was as if an invisible hand was stirring his heart.

So he put on a smile, "Hehe, my dear sister, can you tell me what's really going on?"

However, Meng Hongchen deflected with another question, "Brother, do you remember a few days ago at the auction, I had my eye on something?"

Great, she's trying to milk me?

Does she take me for a fool?

Xiao Hongchen knew all too well.

Eventually, he gritted his teeth, "Isn't it just 30,000 golden soul coins?

I'll pay for it!"

"Teehee, I suddenly feel much better. Now I'll tell you what's really going on." Meng Hongchen happily recounted Jing Hongchen's instructions to Xiao Hongchen.

Xiao Hongchen was shocked after listening!

"What the hell?

Grandpa actually sent you to be a detective?

Just by keeping an eye on that person, you'll be greatly rewarded?"

Xiao Hongchen was stunned, "Who is this person of such importance? What's his name? What's his identity? Tell me, quick!"

"Brother, to be honest, I also took a fancy to another item at the auction, it's just a bit more expensive..."

Meng Hongchen said, making a gesture of rubbing her hands together.

Xiao Hongchen immediately understood what his sister meant.

She just wants more money, huh?

Does this girl really see me as a cash cow?

"Bro, having spent 30,000 golden soul coins, are you still balking at this little extra?"

After hearing Meng Hongchen's words, Xiao Hongchen felt there was some reason to it, "Fine, I'll give you another 30,000 golden soul coins."

"Another 30,000 golden soul coins isn't enough... If you want to know the information, you need to pay more..."

"Don't be too greedy."

"I want 40,000 golden soul coins."

"You're extorting me at a time of crisis!"

"I want 50,000 golden soul coins."

"No, 40,000 golden soul coins, I'll give it to you right now..." Xiao Hongchen immediately caved in.

It must be said, in front of Meng Hongchen, he felt he was completely grasped in her hands.

"Teehee." Meng Hongchen contentedly took the Black Card that Xiao Hongchen handed over and then slowly disclosed the matter regarding Qin Xiao.

Xiao Hongchen listened intently.

After a long while, as Meng Hongchen finished speaking, she didn't forget to add a word of caution, "Grandpa has instructed that the matter regarding Qin Xiao must not be leaked, you must remember that."

"What are you doing then?"

"I don't consider you an outsider." Meng Hongchen's face had an expression that suggested it was only natural.

Xiao Hongchen curled his lips.

Tsk.

She just wants to con money out of me, doesn't she?

She's already gone ahead and done it, so why not admit it?

"However, this Qin Xiao is indeed interesting, such talent at such a young age, his future is limitless."

He was very interested in Qin Xiao.

He wore an air of elderly pride.

This behavior earned him a big eye roll from Meng Hongchen, "You can still laugh about it?

He has only been in the academy for how long, and he's already a Second-level Soul Master. At this rate, it won't be long before he surpasses you."

Xiao Hongchen replied casually with a twist of his mouth, "Do you think your brother is scared?

The stronger Qin Xiao is, the more excited I get.

You should know, I'm only one step away from becoming a Fifth Grade Soul Master.

Looking around, there isn't a single person among the younger generation of the entire Sun-Moon Empire who can match me.

Not a single one.

I've been lonely for a long time.

You probably don't know that I dream of having a strong rival, to crush me down hard."

As Xiao Hongchen spoke, a domineering aura inadvertently emanated from him.

"Keep pretending." Meng Hongchen rolled her eyes again.

Xiao Hongchen put his hands behind his back, "To stand at the very top and overshadow all the small mountains is something you'll never understand in your entire life."

"Invincible... so lonely."

Meng Hongchen earnestly hoped someone would come along and take down Xiao Hongchen's arrogance, "If you're so confident, why don't you compete with Qin Xiao tomorrow and see who is better!"