Qin Xiao's words rang out at the doorway, and in the hall, Ye Qinghuan and Lu Chengxiao turned their heads at the same time.

The two had different expressions: Lu Chengxiao was surprised and astonished, while Ye Qinghuan was clearly delighted.

She was so surprised that she didn't hesitate and stood up to hug Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao was completely dumbfounded. He never expected that Ye Qinghuan, who was usually quite rational and indifferent, would suddenly be so enthusiastic.

Could this little girl know something about her mother and be giving me a knowing look on her face?

Feeling the deathly gaze coming from behind him, he broke out in a cold sweat.

He stiffly patted Ye Qinghuan's shoulder and back, "Qinghuan, look who this is?"

Ye Qinghuan turned her head and saw Ye Qingya standing at the entrance, changing her shoes, looking at her with a half-smile.

In an instant, her face flushed red, and she immediately released Qin Xiao as if she had been startled.

Ye Qinghuan stammered, as if she had done something shameful, making Qin Xiao inwardly cry out that he had been wronged.

"Mom, Mom, why are you here? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Ye Qingya took off her shoes, took out her own slippers from the shoe cabinet, and put them on.

"What's wrong? Do I have to report everything to you? Oh, you've gotten more temperamental now that you're in college."

Ye Qingya's tone was sarcastic, which made not only Ye Qinghuan a little scared, but also Qin Xiao's eyelids twitch.

Qin Xiao immediately interrupted to change the subject.

"Hey, I just heard you guys talking about me. What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Ye Qingya took two steps forward and pinched Qin Xiao's lower back hard with her fingers, making him wince in pain.

Ye Qinghuan also breathed a sigh of relief, "Um, we were just watching that video, and someone publicly challenged you."

Qin Xiao quickly moved a few steps and sat down on the sofa to escape Ye Qingya's torment.

"What's going on?"

Lu Chengxiao crossed his legs and poured him a cup of tea.

"Hey, it's an exchange team from Japan. One of the bastards in there sent a video saying he wants to challenge you, telling you not to be a coward and to come out and face him head-on..."

Qin Xiao was completely dumbfounded and utterly confused.

"An exchange team?"

"Ah, the international exchange team, it's kind of a tradition. Actually, they're here to gather intelligence for the World Youth Championship."

"After all, you ranked first in the college entrance examination league and have confirmed your participation, so it's natural that the other side is curious."

"How can you be so rude?"

"Hey, Japan, you know, they've inherited that bit of arrogance and conceit."

"diamond?"

"No, he's a Platinum-level talent, but he's a genius, only 19 years old this year."

Qin Xiao looked completely bewildered.

"Twenty years old, Platinum rank, genius? Then what am I, an 18-year-old Platinum rank expert? A prodigy? Pshaw~"

Qin Xiao chuckled, feeling somewhat amused and exasperated.

How dare he? A Platinum-ranked player dares to jump in my face? Didn't you watch the college league?

Although Lu Chengxiao agreed with Qin Xiao's words, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"That's why they don't believe you. Aren't they here to challenge you? Just tell me if you're going to be a coward or not."

Lu Chengxiao looked at him leisurely, with a hint of anticipation, as if he were watching a good show.

Fight! Fight! She wants to see rivers of blood!

Qin Xiao had this feeling for no apparent reason.

Ye Qingya subconsciously sat down next to Qin Xiao, with Ye Qinghuan following behind.

After sitting down, they seemed to feel uncomfortable and deliberately moved away from each other.

"Qin Xiao, I think it's better not to respond for now. There's something strange about this matter, let's not talk about intelligence secrecy."

The opponent is a Platinum-ranked individual. Based on the information you've already revealed, they've already assessed your combat strength. The fact that they still dare to come suggests they have something to rely on.

Qin Xiao frowned. There was some truth to what Qingya said. Maybe that little dog was up to something.

"However, not showing up to respond isn't an option either. This time, they came prepared; besides the freshmen, their team also includes..."

There are also five athletes participating in the World Youth Championships. If you don't step in, the academy's reputation will be ruined.

Lu Chengxiao said quietly, and Qin Xiao understood what he meant.

The opponent should first send out a freshman to challenge him, the freshman king, if someone else steps forward.

First, they lack the status of new students and are suspected of bullying the weak.

Secondly, we still have to face the players from the upcoming World Youth Championships, and we are not confident.

"What about the other World Youth Championship contestants from our college? I remember there were three senior students who were at the Diamond level, right?"

Qin Xiao asked curiously.

Lu Chengxiao shook his head. "Those three senior students are rarely in the academy, and we can't find them right now."

Well, they've been forced into this situation, but they probably came here because they've got their eye on Qin Xiao.

Ye Qinghuan looked at him and thought for a moment, "How about I go and fight? If the other party is not convinced and tries to bully the weak, I will admit defeat. That way, it won't be considered a loss of face for the academy."

Qin Xiao glanced at Ye Qinghuan, "Forget it, that freshman probably has some tricks up his sleeve, it's too dangerous."

"It's just a challenge. I'll see what's going on tomorrow. Let's skip it today and rest first."

As Qin Xiao spoke, he stood up and stretched.

"Oh right, when I received the skill beads as a reward from the academy, there was one that would be perfect for you. I forgot to give it to you. Take a look."

Qin Xiao suddenly remembered something and took out a bead from his spatial storage.

I was supposed to give her this before, but I forgot. I said I'd give it to her when I got back.

He tossed the bead to Ye Qinghuan, who caught it instinctively.

Lu Chengxiao, that little money-grubber, immediately moved closer, his eyes widening even more than the skill orb.

"Holy crap! A golden skill orb! Qin Xiao!!!"

The other party shouted, and Ye Qinghuan was so startled that she quickly stuffed the bead back into Qin Xiao's hand.

"This is too precious, Qin Xiao, you should take it back."

Qin Xiao chuckled, "Since you were chosen because you were deemed suitable, you can give it a try. It's no use giving it to me."

The skill is called Flame Burst, a fire-type skill, which I think matches your Fire Fox's Flame Mimicry skill very well.

Looking at the skill bead in her hand, Ye Qinghuan felt uneasy and subconsciously glanced at Ye Qingya.

"mom...."

Ye Qingya looked at Qin Xiao with a half-smile, "Take it. Since they've already given it to us, what are we afraid of?"

Ye Qinghuan was in a state of confusion and did not notice the unusual tone in her mother's voice.

Lu Chengxiao, however, seemed to have made some discoveries.

She looked at Ye Qingya with a puzzled expression; these words didn't match the elegant and graceful image she had of Ye Qingya.

However, the bead was so precious that her attention was drawn to it.

"Quickly, try to absorb it. If it works, it will be amazing!"

Golden skill orbs—the reason these things can stay in the inner treasury is not only due to their compatibility, but also because of their immense value.

Amidst everyone's anticipation, Ye Qinghuan took a deep breath, her expression towards Qin Xiao revealing an indescribable emotion.

"Thank you, Qin Xiao."

Qin Xiao nodded, but suddenly felt a gaze glaring at him.

He looked at Ye Qingya with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Hey sis, I'm just getting something nice for our daughter, why are you still upset?

You can get jealous over this?

It can only be said that Qin Xiao was too clueless; he didn't figure out whether Ye Qingya was jealous or angry.