That sounds a bit ambiguous.
But to be honest, Qian Yuelong was a little tempted.
Since she was new to the area, it would save her a lot of trouble if there were older residents who had been there for a long time to answer her questions.
Just as she was about to agree, Yu Yaya pushed past Chen He with disdain, moved closer to Qian Yuelong, and said with a wary look on her face, "Strange guy, get away! You want to charge for such a cute little sister? Don't pay attention to him. He's just greedy. If you want to team up or challenge someone, I can take you, for free!"
Feeling his business stolen, Shen He stared at Yu Yaya. Yu Yaya met Shen He's gaze without flinching, her eyes revealing a deeper meaning than the wariness on her face.
Having figured it out, Shen He pursed his lips and stood aside without saying anything more about promoting himself.
Yu Yaya turned around with a smile, her gaze falling on Qian Yuelong's shoulder, and asked, "Yuelong, how does your shoulder feel? Do you need me to treat it again?"
Qian Yuelong shook her head: "No need, Sister Ya Ya. I was already healed by a healing soul skill in the treatment room."
As she spoke, she stood up, bowed to Guan Feng and the others, and said, "Thank you all for letting me join today. I fought a wonderful battle. I'd like to buy something later, so I'll take my leave now." She tilted her head to look at Chen He:
"Brother Chenhe, how about a two-on-two Soul Battle tomorrow? How about a 50/50 split of Gold Soul Coins this time?"
Shen He, who was surprised that Qian Yuelong would challenge him to a soul duel, paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, that's fine."
Hearing this, Guan Feng sighed and put his hand on Shen He's shoulder, laughing and scolding, "We've fought side by side with each other, and you're still charging me, Xiao He? You've seen Yue Long's strength today, you know it well, why are you being so polite?"
"It's alright, Brother Guan Feng, I know the rules! Soul Masters with low soul power who join a team of Soul Masters with higher soul power levels have to pay a 'deposit.' If they lose the soul battle, the 'deposit' is considered a penalty for the higher-level Soul Master team. The money and goods are settled, I understand." Qian Yuelong smiled with her eyes curved, her sweet voice and gentle tone seemingly close, yet she shrewdly maintained an appropriate distance in her friendship.
The "deposit" rule that Qian Yuelong mentioned exists, but it is a "rule" established for two unfamiliar Soul Master teams to work together, in order to reduce potential conflicts that may arise from collaboration among Soul Masters.
The other members of the Black Chess team exchanged glances. Even the seasoned veteran Guan Feng understood Qian Yuelong's meaning. He smiled helplessly, patted Chen He on the shoulder, and exclaimed, "Alright, Xiao He, you've struck gold. You'd better work well as a partner."
Shen He glanced at Guan Feng, and true to his taciturn nature, silently accepted the weight on his shoulder and hummed in agreement.
Yu Yaya feigned disappointment and dragged out her words, "Oh, I never expected that such a beautiful woman like me, who is loved by everyone, and a free-to-play healing-type soul master, would not have caught Yue Long's eye. Shen Gongji, you are really lucky."
Qian Yuelong quickly brought over some water and said, "No, it's not true, Sister Ya Ya. This is only my first day here. I noticed during the team battles that I lack synergy with my partner or other teammates. I'm fine fighting alone, but I need time to get used to protecting people and partnering with other Soul Masters."
"If Brother Guan Feng hadn't reminded me that I could cooperate with Sister Lan Shu using our soul skills, we probably would have been locked in a stalemate for a while longer. Besides, although the teacher threw me here, he also gave me enough living expenses, so I can splurge a little."
Her sly tone kept the atmosphere light.
A smile flickered in Yu Yaya's eyes, and a slight smile played on her lips as she let Qian Yuelong go: "Alright, then I'll wait for little Yuelong to grow stronger before protecting me~"
"Definitely, definitely." Qian Yuelong generously offered her a promise.
After bidding a friendly farewell to the members of the Black Chess Team, Qian Yuelong wandered back to her hotel residence through a maze of twists and turns. She summoned the Soul Guards who were secretly protecting her and instructed them to pay close attention to their surroundings before she eagerly entered a state of cultivation.
Buying things is just an excuse.
The real reason she was in such a hurry to leave was because she felt that the bottleneck she had been stuck at level 27 for more than three months was finally loosening.
Indeed, real combat is the fastest way for a Soul Master to become stronger.
That saying is truly well-deserved.
As evening approached, a sudden surge of soul power spread throughout the room.
The golden mist, like a moist rain, landed on Qian Yuelong's long eyelashes and finally merged into her body.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Saintess!"
Yunyi and Fangyi slipped into the room, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully.
The fluctuations in soul power completely subsided.
Qian Yuelong opened her eyes, hummed in response, and asked if there had been anything unusual during her cultivation.
The two shook their heads to indicate that nothing was amiss, and then asked considerately, "Is the Holy Maiden worried that members of the Black Chess Team might secretly follow you and try to dig up your personal information?"
Upon hearing this, Qian Yuelong knew that everything that had happened in the Martial Soul Arena that day had been under their surveillance.
Although it was infuriating to be monitored in every move, Qian Yuelong felt more helpless, knowing that it was her grandfather Qian Daoliu's idea.
The only saving grace is that they are all absolutely loyal to the Spirit Hall and Qian Daoliu, and can be considered trustworthy people.
"A little. Mainly, after interacting with him today, I found Guan Feng, the captain of the Black Chess Team, to be a bit of a surprise. Although he concealed his aura very well, thanks to my teacher's training, I am still very sensitive to changes in a person's aura." Qian Yuelong said thoughtfully.
Yun Yi and Fang Yi exchanged a glance, and the former said knowingly, "Holy Maiden, are you referring to the bloodlust on that man named Guan Feng? If it is him, the reason you feel this way is because his hands should be stained with blood."
"Hmm, is it that easy to tell?" Qian Yuelong, who already knew that Guan Feng had blood on his hands, asked this seemingly unrelated question.
Yun Yi replied without hesitation, "It's not easy. But no matter how friendly his appearance may seem, over time, those who have been involved in killing and have personally experienced it will be able to tell the difference in his eyes." Not to mention the Soul Guards who are often dispatched to work in the gray area.
"If you are curious, your subordinates will immediately investigate this person's background."
Of course, even without Qian Yuelong saying anything, the two Soul Guards mainly responsible for Qian Yuelong's safety had already ordered people to collect information on each member of the Black Chess Squad, but they didn't tell Qian Yuelong.
Qian Yuelong waved her hand: "No need for that, I was just a little curious. You can all leave now. I'll continue cultivating for a while. I probably won't be sleeping tonight. If I'm still cultivating at 8:30 tomorrow morning, wake me up."
The two lowered their heads: "Yes."
—A side note—
There will be two more updates today. I'll take a break now and release more later.
[While reading the comments, I saw a suggestion from a lovely reader: If you're getting stuck on a rut, the early game is indeed a slow-paced development. Do you guys prefer to see more outfits released for fun, or are you going to wait for them to be released gradually? I'm torn. I've been sitting at my computer for three hours and still haven't finished writing the rest. So frustrating! I wanted to ask for everyone's opinion first. I still owe two chapters today. I'll get up and work on them after I wake up and the results are out.]
—The part in parentheses is a later addition and is not included in the charge.
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