Celebration

Zhang Zhenpeng, initially perplexed, now comprehended why Long Huantian had predicted their failure. The martial soul fusion skills of the two students from Eastsea Academy proved more compatible than those of Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er.

Unaware that Long Huantian had deduced Anping and Gu Yuena's strength from a conversation with Shen Yi, Zhang Zhenpeng, upon investigation, discovered that the duo merely suffered from a backlash. With relief, he looked at Anping and Gu Yuena, exposed to the martial soul fusion technique, and stated coolly, "They're fine. Nothing serious. Otherwise..."

Under his Soul Emperor-level pressure, Anping and Gu Yuena swayed briefly but were not overwhelmed.

A gentle voice interrupted Zhang Zhenpeng, "Otherwise, what are you going to do?" The voice, though gentle, exerted immense pressure. Turning slowly, Zhang saw a woman in her twenties behind Anping and Gu Yuena.

Wearing a pale red dress with a beautiful appearance and long red hair, the woman placed her hands on their shoulders, creating a harmonious picture.

As the woman appeared, Anping and Gu Yuena felt light on their bodies, turning to see Leng Yaozhu. In unison, they exclaimed, "Master, why are you here?"

Leng Yaozhu smiled, "I haven't been busy, so I came to watch your game. Winning the championship at your age in the Skysea alliance Competition shows dedication in your cultivation."

Although Zhang Zhenpeng found the woman familiar, he couldn't remember where he had seen her. Ignored by the three, he insisted, "Are you their master? Your disciple injured mine. As their master, should you explain?"

Leng Yaozhu calmly replied, "In a game, injuries are normal. What explanation do you seek?"

Unrecognizable to Zhang Zhenpeng, Long Huantian, the dean of Skysea academy, recognized her as Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, the Spirit Pagoda's deputy master. He hurriedly approached, saluted, and said, "Long Huantian, president of Skysea Academy, meets Your majesty Heavenly Phoenix. Zhenpeng has misjudged; please forgive him."

Zhang Zhenpeng bowed, "I've seen Your highness Heavenly Phoenix, I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me."

Seeing an opportunity to connect with the Spirit Pagoda, Long Huantian suggested, "The youth group competition is next. To avoid disruptions, please move to the VIP box."

Leng Yaozhu naturally understood Long Huantian's subtle intentions and said with a smile, "No need. I came to Skysea City this time in a private capacity, mainly to see my apprentice."

"Well, Skysea City welcomes your arrival at any time," Long Huantian spoke respectfully, though a tinge of disappointment lingered in his words.

Having nothing wrong with her own apprentice, Leng Yaozhu couldn't engage in further argument with Zhang Zhenpeng. She led Anping and Gu Yuena out of the gymnasium. As they walked, she remarked, "Let's go. To celebrate your championship win, I'll treat you to a meal. Fellow students, join us."

Observing the trio heading towards the Class 0 team, Long Huantian signaled the referee to announce the result. He then patted Zhang Zhenpeng on the shoulder and remarked, "Fortunately, Heavenly Phoenix Douluo didn't argue with you, or else you'd be in trouble."

Zhang Zhenpeng wiped cold sweat from his forehead and expressed sorrow, "Who would have thought a student from Eastsea Academy would be Heavenly Phoenix Douluo's disciple?"

"Alright, take your students back quickly. It's time to work on that temper of yours," Long Huantian sighed, turned, and descended from the ring.

Leng Yaozhu guided Anping and Gu Yuena to the waiting area. In order to come up, Xu Xiaoyan, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie looked at Leng Yaozhu with curiosity, as they hadn't heard what transpired on the ring and were eager to know.

Looking at the three curious individuals, Leng Yaozhu smiled and explained, "I am the master of Anping and Gu Yuena. Congratulations on winning the Skysea Alliance competition championship. To express my gratitude for your care during this time, I'd like to treat you to a meal. Are you up for it?"

Xie Xie humbly acknowledged, "The two of them are much stronger than us. They don't need us to take care of them; they could win the championship even without us."

Xu Xiaoyan and Tang Wulin nodded in agreement. As for the meal, they had no objections. Under Leng Yaozhu's arrangement, the group headed to a well-attended restaurant.

When ordering, Xie Xie suggested, "Why don't we order a bottle of wine to celebrate the championship?"

As he spoke, Xie Xie glanced at Leng Yaozhu, considering her position as a guest and the master of Anping and Gu Yuena.

Leng Yaozhu smiled and replied, "Of course you can, but you're still young, so drink moderately."

The restaurant's service was swift, and the ordered dishes arrived promptly. Leng Yaozhu uncorked the wine bottle and poured everyone a glass. Raising her crystal-clear wine glass, she proposed, "To celebrate your victory in the league competition, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Several heads were raised simultaneously, glasses clinked, and they sipped.

Suddenly, a loud thud drew everyone's attention.

Anping was sprawled unconscious on the table. Gu Yuena, closest to Anping, prodded his arm with her hand, but he showed no response.

Xie Xie exclaimed in surprise, "One drink, and this guy is out? Can someone be that weak in holding their liquor?"

Leng Yaozhu stood up and approached Anping to check. Indeed, he was intoxicated. She shook her head slightly, realizing her apprentice's poor tolerance for alcohol.

Attempting to use her soul power to expel the alcohol, Leng Yaozhu was surprised to find it ineffective. Despite being a ninety-ninth-level titled Douluo, her efforts had no impact. It seemed her disciple harbored a secret.

Smiling at the group, she remarked, "I didn't anticipate Anping's weak drinking capacity would spoil the fun. Feel free to eat; I'll cover the bill and take him back to the hotel to rest."

With that, she lifted Anping and left. Naturally, the others had no objections, understanding the importance of caring for their apprentices.

Gu Yuena rose and said, "Master, let me accompany you."

Leng Yaozhu nodded, and the three exited the private room.

Once they were gone, Xie Xie asked curiously, "Xiaoyan, you're usually quite lively. Why didn't the master say a word when seeing Anping and Gu Yuena today?"

In response, Xu Xiaoyan said, "Don't you find Sister Nana's master somewhat familiar?"

"Familiar? You mean we've met before? This is our first meeting, right?" Tang Wulin was also intrigued by Xu Xiaoyan's comment, so he swallowed his food and inquired.

Xie Xie, struggling to recall, felt a sense of recognition but couldn't pinpoint it. Frustrated, he said, "If you know, just tell us. Don't keep us in suspense."

Xu Xiaoyan looked at them seriously and said, "Haven't you watched TV? If I recall correctly, she should be the deputy tower master of the Spirit Pagoda, the Four-Word Battle Armor Master, Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu."

Tang Wulin, not an avid TV watcher, was surprised,"Deputy Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda? Four-Word Battle Armor Master? Is that for real?"

Xie Xie, recalling seeing her on Soul Guidance TV, expressed shock, "I never expected Heavenly Phoenix Douluo to invite us to dinner. No one would believe it if I told them."

Xu Xiaoyan added, "I was surprised too. They say Sister Nana and Anping are Heavenly Phoenix Douluo's disciples. In the future, if we need soul guidance, we might get more suitable guidance by asking Sister Nana."

"Well, your words might be true, but Wulin and I probably won't be treated the same way. Our relationship with them is only average." Xie Xie sighed as he spoke.

Tang Wulin nodded in agreement. Almost a year had passed, and Gu Yuena had maintained a consistently distant attitude. His relationship with Anping was only average, formed when they entered junior academy.