Chapter 26: Yi Luren's Breakdown, Willow Sways in the Northern Wind

The male and female bald instructors' mouths twitched. If the entire Leopard Hunting Team wanted Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi to be their captains, why were they even asking? 

Could they even stop them from applying if they disagreed? And besides, the application process was just a formality! No one would bother to stop them unless the highest command or the city lord specifically decided to revoke the application.

"Ahem!" The male bald instructor cleared his throat under the hopeful eyes of the Leopard Hunting Team, saying, "For the remainder of this month, the Leopard Hunting Team will have Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi as captain and vice-captain!"

The team cheered joyfully upon hearing this!

The youth training camp contractors were dumbfounded. Why were the former captain and vice-captain so happy about being replaced? 

It seemed Xiao Ye had left them far behind, now leading veteran warriors!

Yi Luren was consumed with envy and jealousy. Xiao Ye had actually become the captain of the strongest seventh-rank hunting team, the Leopard Hunting Team!

Retake student Jing Ran patted his chest with relief, thinking it was wise not to oppose Xiao Ye constantly. Xiao Ye was the kind of person who should be a big brother, not an adversary! He vowed to seize any chance to ally with Xiao Ye!

"Coach! I want to join the Leopard Hunting Team too!" Nangong Siyao eagerly jumped in, her innocent eyes blinking as she made her request.

The male bald instructor flatly refused, sternly saying, "Nonsense! You haven't even formed a contract. Stay in the youth training camp and train!"

Cheng Bingxi pouted and said, "Coach! I'm now the vice-captain of the Leopard Hunting Team, and I agree to Nangong Siyao joining the team!"

Xiao Ye nodded, "As captain, I agree too!"

Nangong Siyao cheerfully hugged Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi's arms, saying, "The captain and vice-captain of the Leopard Hunting Team agree, coach, what do you think?"

The bald instructor's face darkened, his voice firm, "No means no! Nangong Siyao, you're still a trainee here. For this month, I'm responsible for your management and training!"

As the city lord's daughter, Nangong Siyao's safety was a priority he had to oversee.

Yi Luren chuckled to himself, sensing an opportunity. With Nangong Siyao staying in the camp and away from Xiao Ye, he might have a chance!

Great, just great! Fate seemed to be favoring him—his white moonlight was returning!

The bald instructor turned to the Leopard Hunting Team members, asking, "Can you tolerate a girl without a contract joining the team?"

In unison, the Leopard Hunting Team replied, "Yes!"

"What?" The bald instructor's smile froze, incredulous. "Say that again, can you?"

Once more, the team shouted, "Yes!"

The bald instructor twitched, hastily stepping aside to call the city lord. A steady voice answered, "Hello!"

"City Lord, Nangong Siyao wants to join the Leopard Hunting Team. What do you think?"

The city lord asked, "What does the team captain say?"

The instructor felt a bad premonition, "The entire team just requested a change in leadership; now Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi are the captains, and Xiao Ye agrees!"

"Then let Siyao join!" The city lord laughed heartily.

The bald instructor was stupefied, finding it incredible. "Are you serious, City Lord?"

"Truer than gold! That's settled then, goodbye." With that, the city lord hung up.

Holding the disconnected device, the bald instructor stared blankly for several seconds before sighing deeply and returning to the group.

"From now on, Nangong Siyao is no longer a youth training camp trainee. She joins the Leopard Hunting Team under Captain Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi's supervision. Dismissed!"

"Yay!" The fruit girl exclaimed, jumping into Xiao Ye's arms.

The Leopard Hunting Team's smiles grew even broader. This was the summoner of a divine dragon!

A golden divine dragon with supreme bloodline—what's a noble Jiao compared to that?

It was a day to celebrate, with two SSS-ranked summoned beasts joining their ranks.

As the crowd dispersed, Yi Luren, watching Nangong Siyao clinging to Xiao Ye and Cheng Bingxi, anxiously called his father, the head of the military pavilion:

"Old Yi! I've got a big problem here."

Military Pavilion Head: "A big problem? Yes, indeed, there's an important issue concerning you!"

Yi Luren felt elated, convinced his father was looking out for him. Surely, he knew about Nangong Siyao joining the Leopard Hunting Team!

"Then what are you waiting for? Order Siyao to leave the team and return to the camp!" Yi Luren's heart raced with anticipation.

"Uh!" The military head paused, sighing as he realized he had to break the news about Nangong Siyao and Xiao Ye's contract.

"Yaoyao has restored her SSS-ranked summoned beast template."

"What?" Yi Luren was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed. "That's great news! You're saying I should form a contract with Siyao, right? I agree!"

Before her failed awakening, their families had intended for them to form a contract, but it hadn't worked out. Now, with her template restored, things seemed possible again.

"Then let Siyao leave the team and contract with me!" Yi Luren was ecstatic, barely able to contain himself.

Hahaha! Xiao Ye, you already have a contractor—my white moonlight is coming back to me!

"Sigh!" The military head sighed, recognizing his son's immaturity. But boys must grow up eventually, Yi Luren needed to mature.

Just as Yi Luren reveled in his excitement, the military head intervened: "Son! Nangong Siyao has already formed a contract!"

Still lost in his fantasy, Yi Luren absentmindedly said, "Great, forming a contract is good..."

"What? What did you say?" He froze, his body turning to ice as reality set in.

Old man, are you joking with me?

"Nangong Siyao has already contracted with someone—Xiao Ye! Forget about her from now on!"

"Boom!"

The words hit Yi Luren like a bolt from the blue, shattering his heart.

His gaze turned vacant, murmuring:

Siyao's contracted... with Xiao Ye...

With Xiao Ye...

With Xiao Ye...

"No!!" Yi Luren collapsed under the willow tree, a breeze stirring the branches as the northern wind howled.

Falling to his knees, he raised his head, crying out:

"Ah!"

"My white moonlight, my Siyao!"

At this moment, a flamboyant figure avoided the cameras, approached him, and patted his shoulder, saying: