The injuries on Xu Guang's body were not severe, but they carried a strange force, as if some power was tearing at his Divine Soul and flesh.

Yuan Shuang was somewhat surprised; her Daoist Technique couldn't seem to dispel this force.

"Is this the disciple of the Heavenly Martial True King?"

Yuan Shuang looked at Huan Songzi.

Huan Songzi nodded, "He joined last year, and ranked first in the Grand Competition with a Third Grade Realm."

After a pause, he added, "He broke through during the competition and fought Ning Zhiqiu to a draw."

In the final battle between Xu Guang and Ning Zhiqiu, everyone thought Ning Zhiqiu held back, but no one knew why. However, the momentum generated by their clash made others wary, and many believed that even if they met again, it would likely end in a draw.

Yuan Shuang knew Ning Zhiqiu, as her mother valued him, and she had taken care of Ning Zhiqiu before, so she understood his strength.

Upon hearing Huan Songzi's words, she showed a hint of surprise, "I didn't expect such a prodigy to emerge in the Northern Emperor Academy after I haven't returned for several years."

Huan Songzi chuckled sheepishly.

Xu Guang's amazing talent was widely known in Jizhou, otherwise, the Heavenly Martial True King would not have taken him as a disciple in public.

Yuan Shuang was not concerned, but she became more curious about Xu Guang. Placing first in the Grand Competition was a solid achievement, and being accompanied by a Demon Beast from the Ancient Elephant Clan and valued by the Heavenly Martial True King spoke volumes of his talent.

So, she couldn't help but probe him with her Divine Thought.

Her expression became increasingly peculiar.

"Is he a Qi Refiner?"

Huan Songzi was taken aback, looking at Zhuge Wuliang and Jin Buhuan.

Jin Buhuan knew a bit, but was not sure if Xu Guang also practiced Qi Refining; he only knew Xu Guang could perform Alchemy and was learning to draw talismans.

Bai Xiaozhu, who had been quiet throughout, stepped forward proudly, "My boss practices both Daoist and Martial Dual Cultivation. He also excels in Beast Taming, Alchemy, talisman drawing, and Artifact Refining. He's a rare genius!!"

Yuan Shuang's eyes brightened slightly, then she looked at Huan Songzi.

"Senior Sister, you..."

Huan Songzi was puzzled and a bit uneasy. This senior sister didn't have the best temper, and she didn't know if asking for her help was bothersome.

"Xiaosong, your strength is a bit lacking to be a Guardian. Go tell the Heavenly Martial True King that I will be his disciple's Guardian."

Huan Songzi: ???

I asked you for help, and now you're eyeing my job?

But seeing Yuan Shuang's negotiable expression and her threatening look,

he wisely said,

"Senior Sister is right; protecting the True King's disciple exceeds my capabilities. If Senior Sister is willing to assist, Huan Songzi would be incredibly grateful and ready to follow any future instructions."

Yuan Shuang raised an eyebrow and gave Huan Songzi an approving look, quite satisfied with his understanding.

Jin Buhuan, standing to the side, greatly admired Huan Songzi. Truly, he was adaptable, and even though someone took his task, he acted like it was done out of goodwill, something worthy of learning.

The Jianghu is not just about fighting but also about human relationships.

Huan Songzi demonstrated this thoroughly.

However, it was not his place to speak now, and not even Zhuge Wuliang had much say in front of these two.

Zhuge Wuliang looked at Yuan Shuang, a trace of doubt in his eyes.

He vaguely felt that this Eldest Sister of the Xuan Zhen Institute was somewhat unreliable, seeming like she was here for Xu Guang.

But...

Forget it, neither he nor Xu Guang were ones to court trouble.

…

A day later.

Xu Guang slowly woke up.

He shook his head, pondering all that happened when he emerged.

Passing through the bronze blood gate shouldn't have made him unconscious or injured; rather, he was ambushed on his way out, and he hadn't even seen his attacker's appearance. He could only vaguely sense that the opponent's strength wasn't very high.

But there was a strange force in the attack, somewhat similar to the power controlling the Divine Souls on Da Xue Mountain.

Could there still be living beings in that ominous Da Xue Mountain?

"You're finally awake?"

A female voice sounded beside him.

"Who?"

Xu Guang turned around abruptly, looking at Yuan Shuang with a face of unfamiliarity. Upon sensing the aura from the other, he immediately became cautious.

The intensity of the Source Qi on her…

The fourth Secret Realm, or is it the fifth Secret Realm Divine Palace?

What has she come for?

His first thought was suspecting that he wasn't in Jizhou, since despite Jizhou being mainly populated by Martial Artists, a Qi Refiner as young and highly cultivated as Yuan Shuang seemed exceptionally rare.

His first reaction was that the entrance and exit of the bronze blood gate weren't fixed.

However…

His connection with General Wei hadn't been severed, and the distance was close. No, this must be Jizhou.

Yuan Shuang huffed softly, looking at Bai Xiaozhu, who was sitting in a corner like a quail.

At first, Bai Xiaozhu didn't respond, until Yuan Shuang moved a stream of ice-attributed Source Qi over him, giving him a shiver and awakening him. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Boss, this is Yuan Shuang, Eldest Sister of the Xuan Zhen Institute. She will be your Guardian from now on."

Upon hearing this, Xu Guang relaxed slightly, though confusion floated beneath his eyes. Wasn't Huan Songzi supposed to be the Guardian for him and Senior Brother Zhuge?

Nonetheless, he clasped his hands in respect.

"Greetings, Eldest Sister Yuan Shuang."

Seeing Xu Guang's confusion, Yuan Shuang cleared her throat, "Huan Songzi's cultivation isn't adept. I've already sent him back to the mountain to train. I'll be handling the following matters myself."