"You two actually got engaged privately?"
When they learned this news, Ning Bowen and the others were immediately shocked. This was too sudden! But when they learned that the engagement rings on Chen Junting and Ning Tian's hands were given by the Yearning-Heartbroken Red that they had caused to bloom together, they immediately accepted everything.
In their eyes, the two should have reached the point of marriage long ago, so getting engaged now was normal. The only thing that slightly dissatisfied Ning Bowen and the others was that the engagement ceremony hadn't been held yet.
A young sect master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a future Grand Elder—if they didn't hold a grand engagement ceremony and celebrate with the sect disciples, how could that be justified?
Thus, under the decision of Ning Bowen, who held dual identities as sect master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Ning Tian's father, an auspicious date was set: in two months, a grand ceremony would be held.
Regarding this, the two naturally had no objections.
And starting from today, the entire sect became lively. The news of Chen Junting and Ning Tian's engagement spread, and in less than four or five days, it was learned by the various major powers.
This made many powers start racking their brains, thinking about what congratulatory gifts to send. After all, besides the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind them, Chen Junting and the others had also saved the lives of many disciples from various powers. This congratulatory gift was also an expression of gratitude.
But little did they know, the date of Chen Junting and Ning Tian's engagement actually collided with Sun-Moon Emperor Xu Tianran's wedding.
When that time came, the awkwardness on that side would be obvious.
However, Xu Tianran, who learned this news, was not annoyed. Although he appeared extremely furious on the surface, he was constantly sneering in his heart, repeatedly thinking to himself that this date was well chosen.
When that time came, with two eye-catching ceremonies taking place, who would suspect that the Holy Spirit Cult and their Sun-Moon Empire were launching a soul hunt?
This way, not only might they be able to exterminate the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Shrek Academy, but they could also severely damage the various major powers within the three great empires, completely turning their disadvantage around!
And all of this, Chen Junting and the others knew nothing about.
Because the soul hunting operation two months later was only known to a handful of people: Xu Tianran, Kong Deming, Zhongli Wu, Ye Xishui, plus the Demon Empress and Evil Emperor at the end... perhaps the Holy Emperor statue could count as one. Besides these, there was no one else, to ensure that the top secret would not be leaked, especially on the Holy Spirit Cult's side!
After all, regarding the previous incident where evil soul masters attacked the soul engineer legion, the Holy Spirit Cult's response was that they had been controlled.
Although Xu Tianran remained half-convinced and half-doubtful in his heart, on the surface he acted as if he completely believed this. So to avoid similar incidents happening again, the Holy Spirit Cult decided that for any important matters, they would not notify in advance. Instead, they would hide the final purpose from the relevant personnel—preparations would still be made as usual, but the truth would only be revealed when the time came.
Just as Ning Bowen and the others were busy arranging the engagement ceremony, and Xu Tianran and the others were busy preparing for the soul hunting operation two months later, Chen Junting, as the person involved, was not idle either.
Right now, besides calling Ning Tian, he also summoned the other five official team members who participated in the Spirit Fighting Tournament, as well as the relatively outstanding Ji Juechen, Ye Guyi, and Nan Qiuqiu.
At this moment, they were gathering toward a basement.
This was newly opened up by the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Not only were the highest-level Yuan Gathering Arrays inscribed on all sides, but it was also located beneath the Golden Tree, making it an excellent cultivation location.
"Brother Junting, why did you have us come here?"
Huo Yuhao, who arrived first, looked around. Although he asked this, he already had a guess in his heart. However, Chen Junting didn't respond to him immediately, instead asking a question in return.
"Where's Dong'er?"
"Dong'er is preparing to return to the academy."
Huo Yuhao scratched his head, his expression showing some reluctance. After all, recently, with the help of the Yearning-Heartbroken Red, their relationship had become extremely passionate, just like when they first confessed.
And now they had to part so soon...
The reluctance was certain!
"Alright. Since you're reluctant, then go see her off."
Unexpectedly, Chen Junting waved his hand grandly, "This is a closed-door cultivation session, meant to utilize the remaining ten-thousand-year Profound Ice Essence. But since you already have it, there's no problem if you don't come. And this works out perfectly, saving you from competing with them."
"Ah! So that's it!"
Huo Yuhao suddenly realized upon hearing this.
Indeed, if he were to absorb the ten-thousand-year Profound Ice Essence, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to stay here. However, absorbing the energy of the ten-thousand-year Profound Ice Essence... the others didn't have ice attributes.
"Brother Junting, if it's not ice attribute..."
Just as Huo Yuhao was about to speak, he saw Chen Junting continuously sketching in the void. Array patterns danced between them, and an array he had never seen before took shape before him in no time.
After finishing all this, Chen Junting took out the ice beads compressed from the remaining ten-thousand-year Profound Ice Essence and threw them toward the array.
In the next second, the array began to operate.
The originally pervasive cold was gradually filtered out, leaving behind the pure heaven and earth origin energy of the ten-thousand-year Profound Ice Essence.
Chen Junting made a grasping motion with his large hand. Under the array's operation, the filtered cold gathered again, reforming into an ice ball. Although this was useless for their cultivation, it couldn't be wasted either—using the terrifying cold to attack enemies would be perfect.
After putting away the ice ball, Chen Junting then looked at Huo Yuhao.
"Yuhao, what did you want to say?"
"N-nothing." Huo Yuhao recovered from his daze, then pointed toward the basement exit, "Since there's nothing for me to do next, Brother Junting, I'll be leaving first."
"Go."
Chen Junting didn't turn his head, continuing his arrangements.
But he said, "You should also make a trip to Shrek Academy. When you went to pick up Dong'er, the news of the Duchess's death hadn't arrived yet. But now, Dai Huabin should know."
Upon hearing this, past memories surfaced in Huo Yuhao's mind.
He understood what Brother Junting meant.
Thus he nodded, "I'll handle it well."
"Mmm."
Chen Junting responded and said no more.
Seeing that his Brother Junting had no further response, Huo Yuhao didn't disturb him further, carefully exiting the basement.
But as soon as he left, he ran into Wu Feng and the others.
"Yo! Isn't this Yuhao? Where are you going?"
Wu Feng was carefree, throwing an arm around Huo Yuhao. Then, as if familiar with the routine, she pressed her fist against Huo Yuhao's head and twisted. She called it: this is the big sister's affection for her little brother!
"Ouch—Sister Feng, that hurts!"
Huo Yuhao grimaced, which finally made Wu Feng let him go. Just as he was rubbing his head, Wu Feng asked, "Didn't that sword guy tell us to gather downstairs? Why are you going out?"
"Me? I already have what's down there. So Brother Junting had me see Dong'er back to the academy. It just so happens, I also have some personal matters to handle." When he spoke the last part, Huo Yuhao's tone became somewhat heavy, which made Wu Feng detect a hint of something unusual.
Although she was rash, she wasn't stupid.
Combining what had happened in recent days, she immediately guessed what these so-called personal matters were.
Thus she patted his shoulder and said, "Then go, teach that scum Dai Huabin a good lesson. If you suffer any grievances, tell this old lady later, and I'll help you beat him up!"
"I'm not like that sword guy, only blocking people."
"Wu Feng!"
As soon as Wu Feng's voice fell, Chen Junting's voice came from the basement. Although his tone was flat, there was also some helplessness.
Regarding this, Wu Feng also rarely gave an embarrassed laugh.
Being heard by the person involved was indeed somewhat awkward.
"Alright, we should go."
Beside them, Gu Tianchen, who had been silent, spoke, "Don't make Old Chen wait too long."
"Fine then."
Wu Feng shrugged, leaving Huo Yuhao with the words "Call me if anything happens," then followed Gu Tianchen toward the basement.
Afterward, not long after Huo Yuhao left, Ji Juechen, Dugu Xin, and Xiao Xiao arrived one after another, while Ning Tian led Ye Guyi and Nan Qiuqiu.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, including Chen Junting himself, a total of nine people arrived at the basement. As soon as they entered, they were completely shocked by the dense heaven and earth origin energy here.
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