Chapter 177: Meng Hongchen's Recruitment, Jiang Nannan's Alertness
The award ceremony concluded, and the audience gradually dispersed under the guidance of the soldiers.
Meng Hongchen once again ran to the rest area of the Star Luo Royal Academy.
The moment she saw the golden-haired beauty standing beside Ling Shuang, behaving closely and intimately with him, a flicker of emotion flashed across her red eyes—but it was quickly concealed.
"Ling Shuang!"
Meng Hongchen approached Ling Shuang, her hands clasped behind her back, body leaning forward slightly. Her red eyes narrowed with a charming glint, and a radiant smile bloomed on her fair face.
Jiang Nannan, who had just been speaking to Ling Shuang with a sweet smile, immediately detected a subtle shift. A trace of vigilance surfaced in her eyes as she looked at Meng Hongchen.
She had noticed this white-haired girl from the Sun Moon Empire during the match.
With those undisguised stares and that infatuated expression, it was impossible for Jiang Nannan not to sense this girl's feelings toward her boyfriend.
Although Jiang Nannan had already accepted Xue Di, that didn't mean she wouldn't get jealous.
She had her own selfish side and naturally didn't want too many girls getting close to Ling Shuang.
Her gaze drifted toward the Snow Empress standing nearby.
The Snow Empress stood on the other side of Ling Shuang, arms crossed and face frosty. She didn't react at all to Meng Hongchen's approach.
Seeing this, Jiang Nannan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
If the Snow Empress were willing to intervene, handling the girl from the Sun Moon Empire would be a trivial matter.
But clearly, the Snow Empress didn't take Meng Hongchen seriously and simply didn't care, leaving Jiang Nannan quite disappointed. In the end, the responsibility fell to her.
The Snow Empress might not care but Jiang Nannan did.
She didn't possess the same unshakable confidence as the Snow Empress.
To Jiang Nannan, the girl before her was a very real threat not a trivial one. Identity, temperament, and appearance all were top-notch. Aside from being a lovestruck girl, there was nothing wrong with her at all.
In fact, Jiang Nannan judged that her threat level wasn't any less than Princess Xu Jiujiu's.
No, perhaps it was even greater!
Xu Jiujiu, after all, had withdrawn somewhat after learning of Ling Shuang's identity and the fact that he already had a girlfriend.
Although Jiang Nannan knew Xu Jiujiu wasn't one to give up so easily, at least she showed some restraint.
But Meng Hongchen? She didn't seem to care at all even though Ling Shuang's girlfriend was standing right here.
For that reason alone, Meng Hongchen's threat level had surpassed Xu Jiujiu's.
And the girl's appearance…
Back when she and Ling Shuang exchanged letters, Jiang Nannan had learned many of his preferences.
One, in particular, stood out clearly in her memory.
When Jiang Nannan had asked Ling Shuang what kind of girls he liked, he replied that he liked girls with white hair and red eyes would be a bonus.
Wasn't that exactly how Meng Hongchen looked?
With that realization, Jiang Nannan's alertness reached a peak. She silently raised Meng Hongchen to the top of her "high-threat" list.
A girl who fit Ling Shuang's aesthetic perfectly and was extremely forward—this was a threat of the highest order!
"Xiao Shuang, who is this?"
Jiang Nannan hugged Ling Shuang's arm and looked at Meng Hongchen as she asked, staking her claim.
Weren't you watching the match?
Ling Shuang was a little speechless at Jiang Nannan's question.
He was the one who fought Meng Hongchen. The referee, Heavenly Fiend Douluo, had clearly announced, "Star Luo Royal Academy's Ling Shuang versus Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's Meng Hongchen"—her identity couldn't have been more obvious.
Still, Ling Shuang wasn't the kind of person who would say something so bluntly at a moment like this.
"Meng Hongchen, a contestant from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy," Ling Shuang said, cooperating with Jiang Nannan as he introduced her identity.
"And this is Jiang Nannan my girlfriend."
That was precisely what Jiang Nannan had been waiting for.
She slightly lifted her white chin and glanced at Meng Hongchen.
See? This is her boyfriend and he's standing on her side!
However, Meng Hongchen's expression didn't change in the slightest in response to Jiang Nannan's declaration.
Having spotted Jiang Nannan earlier, she had already anticipated this confrontation.
She smiled and greeted her, "Hello, Sister Nannan!"
No pressure at all?
Meng Hongchen's composed response only made Jiang Nannan feel more threatened.
This type was the hardest to deal with.
Yet with the other party acting so graciously, Jiang Nannan couldn't respond with hostility.
She forced a bright smile and took the little hand that Meng Hongchen extended.
The two beautiful girls exchanged smiles, each more dazzling than the other.
Xiao Hongchen, who had followed behind his sister, involuntarily shivered and tightened his clothes.
Why did it suddenly feel so cold?
The short confrontation ended for now. Meng Hongchen then turned her gaze back to Ling Shuang.
"Ling Shuang, what are you planning to do next? Will you stay in Star Luo Royal Academy?"
Even though it was the Star Luo Empire, not the Sun Moon Empire, basic intelligence wasn't lacking.
Meng Hongchen had already done her research.
Ling Shuang had been a student at Shrek Academy all along he'd only recently appeared at Star Luo Royal Academy.
Though the specifics weren't clear, Meng Hongchen could deduce one thing:
Ling Shuang was only representing Star Luo Royal Academy in this tournament due to some special circumstances.
In other words, he likely wouldn't remain here long-term.
Because of that, Meng Hongchen had an idea:
Recruit him!
Not only was it driven by her own personal motives, but it was also for the future of the entire Sun Moon Empire.
Through this Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, Ling Shuang's world-crushing talent had become widely known.
If she could recruit him to the Sun Moon Empire, she would not only get closer to her male god, but the empire would gain immeasurable benefit.
Public and private interests aligned—Meng Hongchen felt this was worth the effort.
"If Ling Shuang hasn't made a decision yet, how about coming to our Sun Moon Empire? As long as you're willing, we'll provide treatment that absolutely satisfies you!"
Meng Hongchen extended an olive branch.
Even though she hadn't discussed it with anyone in the empire, she believed firmly:
If Ling Shuang was willing to join, the royal family definitely wouldn't hesitate.
Even if they did she'd go straight to the Illustrious Virtue Hall!
If Grandpa didn't agree, she'd cry until he did!
Although Xiao Hongchen had long given up trying to control his sister's romantic whims, he still supported this decision.
If they could recruit Ling Shuang, that would be ideal.
Maybe he could even exchange training experiences with Ling Shuang and elevate his own cultivation level.
As for comparing himself to Ling Shuang Xiao Hongchen had long abandoned that thought.
He just wanted to grow stronger now.
"Miss Meng, don't you think that's a bit inappropriate?"
Before Ling Shuang could respond, a gentle yet proud and slightly hostile voice sounded from nearby.
She stepped forward slowly, a trace of coldness in her beautiful eyes.
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(End of this chapter)