The Sun Moon Team's forfeit sent shockwaves through the audience.
In their eyes, retreating without a fight was pure cowardice.
The team representing imperial dignity had surrendered so meekly—if not for the heavy military presence, enraged spectators would have stormed the arena. Curses and jeers filled the air.
Xiao Hongchen and his team walked away under this torrent of abuse, carrying Shi Xing's body in a soul tool container, their departure shrouded in desolation.
But none of this concerned Chen Junting's group anymore.
The Continental Youth Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament continued, yet the brutality of Round Three's eliminations stunned many. Desperate to secure spots in the upcoming round-robin stage, teams fought with bloodshot eyes.
By the end of Round Three—excluding Holy Spirit Church casualties—six competitors had died, and over twenty lay gravely wounded.
Many teams lodged formal complaints with the organizing committee, fiercely questioning the referees' ability to control matches. Yet the Sun Moon authorities merely issued a statement, taking no real action—and seemed quietly pleased by the chaos.
Soon, Round Three concluded.
With time still manageable, the round-robin draw would be held the next day. Coincidentally, this was also the official start date for the underground tournament.
But before that, Chen Junting followed Huo Yuhao down a street bathed in crimson light—a stark contrast to Mingdu's usual districts.
"Yuhao," Chen Junting's eye twitched as he surveyed the street. Every shopfront featured alluring courtesans, and the sign above read: "Crimson Lane." He tugged his hood lower, trying to hide his face completely. "You're trying to ruin my reputation!"
"Brother Junting, I didn't want to come here either!" Huo Yuhao grinned sheepishly. "Among the three major underground factions, the Xi Shui (Duskwater) Alliance is too powerful—I couldn't infiltrate it. The Alto Chamber of Commerce is tied to the military; no entry there. Only the Common Alliance was accessible."
Of Mingdu's underground triad, the Common Alliance sounded the most mundane—but it controlled the city's entire entertainment and partial dining industries, making it the most surface-level underworld power.
Compared to the Duskwater Alliance and its ally the Alto Guild, the Common Alliance's backing was fragile. Though noble families appeared formidable, Xu Tianran's recent crackdowns had left them powerless—barely clinging to survival.
Thus, Huo Yuhao had chosen the Common Alliance from the start—and earned the trust of its leader, Shangguan Wei'er.
Ignoring the calls of street vendors, the two arrived at an ornate pavilion. A plaque declared: "Qili Garden."
As they approached, two seductive women greeted them, making Huo Yuhao flinch. He quickly produced a token, halting their advances.
"I'm here to see Alliance Leader Shangguan."
The women froze, instantly recognizing them as esteemed soul engineers. They bowed deeply, shedding their flirtatious airs, and ushered the pair inside.
Apparently, Shangguan Wei'er had given prior orders—another woman soon appeared to guide them. She was even more enchanting than the doormen, yet carried less of the street's vulgar aura.
Chen Junting remained silent, trailing behind.
They soon reached a private chamber. After brief confirmation, the guide let them enter.
"You've come."
Inside, Shangguan Wei'er stood by the window.
Noticing their arrival, she turned slowly, her gaze settling on them as she glided forward.
She wore a striking crimson gown, her beauty radiant even from afar. Chestnut hair coiled into an elegant cloud-bun, her steps swayed with hypnotic grace—yet her face bore an almost sacred purity. Truly a celestial temptress.
"Young Master Haoyu," she addressed Huo Yuhao with a smile, then turned to Chen Junting. "And who might this gentleman be?"
Neither Chen Junting nor Huo Yuhao was fooled by her charm.
A woman who'd built an underworld empire backed by noble clans? She was no pushover.
This "simple" question was really a rebuke: Why did you bring a stranger?
Before Huo Yuhao could answer—
"Shangguan Wei'er, I'm here to discuss cooperation."
The moment the words left his mouth, garments hanging in the room fluttered violently—as if struck by gale-force winds. Shangguan Wei'er's face paled instantly.
As a formidable expert herself, she knew this wasn't wind—it was pure killing intent.
And terrifyingly potent—surpassing even the Grade 9 soul engineers she'd encountered!
The hood blew off, revealing an unremarkable middle-aged man's face.
"I'm here to propose a partnership," he repeated flatly.
Shangguan Wei'er's heart skipped—then soared.
Allying with such a powerhouse would be invaluable for the Common Alliance!
And after all…
The wise adapt to circumstances.
Her demeanor softened instantly. "Your Eminence, this humble one would be honored to hear your terms."
"Good." Chen Junting nodded, satisfied.
His current appearance was crafted via a personal illusion array. As for the overwhelming aura? With Snow Empress and Mad King as his soul spirits, wasn't this natural?
"This partnership won't disadvantage your alliance. Your tasks are simple…"
He outlined the request. Once the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect fully withdrew from Sun Moon, who better than the Common Alliance—which operated entertainment venues tied to nobility—to gather intelligence?
Much like ancient teahouses (and some brothels).
Of course, this initial cooperation was superficial. Deeper ties would require time to cultivate.
"How about it? Can you manage this?"
Chen Junting handed her a storage-type soul tool, openly displaying its contents.
One glance—and she was stunned by the sheer generosity.
"Absolutely!" Shangguan Wei'er agreed without hesitation.
The requested tasks fell within her alliance's normal operations. Why refuse when she could both forge ties with a powerhouse and profit?
Even if she suspected ulterior motives…
So what?
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