Everyone watched from the sidelines, especially Zhuge Changdeng, whose eyes were fixed on the person lying quietly on the bed.

After a long while, Qi Rong withdrew her spiritual power, her expression somewhat grave.

Zhuge Changdeng hurriedly asked, "What exactly happened to my father?"

Qi Rong looked at him and said, "His soul has been sealed by some kind of magic, making him look like a dead person."

"Spells? What spells?"

Qi Rong: "Soul-Locking Technique."

Everyone was shocked. Although they had never heard of the Soul-Locking Technique before, just from the name they knew it was a kind of evil art. Judging from Qi Rong's expression, breaking the Soul-Locking Technique would probably not be an easy task.

Qi Rong continued, "In this world, there are very few people who know about the Soul Locking Technique, and even fewer who are proficient in it. Dean Zhuge is highly skilled and was able to control him and seal his soul silently without alerting anyone. This shows that he is very powerful and has excellent skills."

At this moment, Zhuge Changdeng didn't care who cast the spell; he only cared whether the soul-locking technique could be broken. He hurriedly asked, "Can you unlock the soul-locking technique?"

Qi Rong paused for a moment, then said, "It can be solved, but it will take time."

As he said this, Liu Yuntai looked at Qi Rong with a hint of speculation and scrutiny in his eyes.

Zhuge Changdeng grabbed Qi Rong's arm as if he had found a savior, and kept saying, "No problem, there's plenty of time. Just focus on breaking the seal, and don't worry about anything else."

Qi Rong avoided his hand and said, "Don't worry."

Luo Fan sighed and said, "With this unexpected turn of events and Master's current state, I'm afraid the recruitment fair can't be held. Master was really looking forward to this fair. Alas."

"No, the admissions ceremony must be held as scheduled." Qi Rong said, "Since someone is determined to sabotage it, we cannot let him have his way. Firstly, it can lure out this person, and secondly, it will not be in vain for those cultivators who have traveled thousands of miles to Tianqi Academy to participate in the competition."

“But,” Luo Fan said, “if Master can’t preside over the meeting, who can take his place?”

After a brief silence, everyone looked at Zhuge Changdeng, who was sitting by the bed.

He held up a finger and pointed at himself. "Me?"

Everyone nodded.

"All I know is fighting and slashing people; I'm not good at hosting conferences or anything like that."

The crowd: "We believe in you."

"Are you serious?"

Everyone nodded again.

"..."

After much deliberation, he finally agreed, "Alright, I'll go along with the will of the people. If I do anything wrong, Junior Brother Luo, you'll have to help me."

Luo Fan smiled and said, "No problem."

After leaving the medicine hall, Luo Fan arranged rooms for everyone to stay in. Qi Rong and Qing He's rooms were closest to the medicine hall so that they could help Zhuge Hongming break free from his spell.

On the way, Liu Yuntai chatted with Li Jiang and casually asked, "That young master Qi Rong is very knowledgeable. May I ask what his background is?"

Li Jiang's gaze shifted slightly. "What, are you afraid of being outshone?"

Liu Yuntai smiled, his already handsome appearance making even the heavens and earth pale in comparison. "How could I think that way? It's just that when you're traveling, it's good to make some friends."

Li Jiang: "Actually, I don't know his background. I only know that he and my junior sister are in love. Judging from his character and movements, he doesn't seem to be a heretic or evil person, so I accepted him as my brother-in-law."

Liu Yuntai lowered his eyes: "So that's how it is. They are both exceptionally talented and beautiful, truly a perfect couple."

Li Jiang: "Speaking of which, someone as outstanding as you, I wonder if you have a girl you like?"

Liu Yuntai smiled faintly and said, "My mind is entirely focused on cultivation, and I have no interest in romance."

Li Jiang patted his shoulder and said, "Once you get involved in the love between men and women, you will find it sweet and delightful. You should really give it a try."

Liu Yuntai looked at him and said, "From what Brother Li said, it seems that you know a lot about love and affection."

Li Jiang cleared her throat and said seriously, "That's right. In all my years of wandering the world, I've made countless female friends. I guess you could call me a playboy."

Liu Yuntai said admiringly, "Brother Li is handsome and knowledgeable. It's normal that so many women like him. Unlike me, I stay in the family all year round and never get to see the outside world."

Seeing that he looked a little dejected, Li Jiang patted his shoulder to comfort him, and then changed the subject, saying, "I've heard that the library of Tianqi Academy has a lot of books. Shall we go and take a look?"

"good."

Shortly after the two left, a person appeared where they had just stood. He was dressed simply and had an ordinary face.

Only those eyes were brimming with autumn water, with a blue-black starlight flowing within them before disappearing.

"Playboy? Soulmate? Hmph, it's been so long, your ability to lie has certainly improved."

A smile played on her lips, giving her otherwise unremarkable appearance a slightly sinister charm.

"Hey, why are you running around like that! I've been looking for you everywhere."

Mi'er walked over from a distance, carrying her sword, and looked at her with disdain. "A burden is a burden. You're a piece of trash with no cultivation at all. If Miss hadn't entrusted you to me, I wouldn't have bothered with you."

Seeing that Hongxi was looking straight ahead and had no intention of paying attention to her, ignoring her words, she couldn't help but feel annoyed. She then scolded, "Do you know where this place is? How dare a piece of trash like you set foot here? I really don't know what Miss likes about you and insists on bringing you along. Let me tell you, you'd better not cause trouble for Miss. If you delay Miss's competition, I won't let you off the hook."

Hongxi then turned to look at her, the faint smile on her lips and the beautiful peach blossoms behind her making her look both eerie and ethereal.

For some reason, Mi'er's hands trembled slightly, and she suddenly felt afraid, especially when she saw those tearful eyes, this feeling intensified.

"What... what are you looking at? Look again and I'll gouge your eyes out." She tried her best to maintain a fierce expression and tone, but to little avail.

Just as the taut string in her mind was about to snap, someone passed by and saved her life.

It's them.

Li Jiang and Liu Yuntai returned and happened to run into two people.

Hong Xi glanced at Li Jiang out of the corner of her eye, then concealed the starlight in her eyes and returned to her previous composed demeanor.

Mi'er snapped out of her daze, not knowing why she had been so afraid, but now was not the time to investigate. She just said fiercely, "Useless trash, hurry up and go! Don't keep Miss waiting."

Hongxi followed behind Mi'er, and as she passed Li Jiang, her eyes flickered like shimmering starlight.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Liu Yuntai paid them no mind. Turning to look at Li Jiang, he noticed he seemed lost in thought and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Li Jiang: "I don't know why, but I feel like I've seen her somewhere before."

Liu Yuntai looked at the two men again, "The one with the sword?"

"No, it's the girl following behind her." He thought for a long time but still couldn't figure it out, so he simply said, "Forget it, let's see if she's someone important. Let's go."

The four people left in different directions, and their conversation drifted to Hongxi's ears on the wind.

Hongxi raised an eyebrow and smiled, then composed herself and followed Mi'er away.