Old Master Li's grip tightened around the delicate porcelain as he fought to contain his emotions. Tears rimmed his weary eyes, though he made no effort to blink them away. Ling Li had always been the apple of his eye among his four children—his pride, his legacy, his most treasured creation.

He knew he was biased, terribly so.

But he didn't care.

Old Madam Li smiled softly, reaching over to lay a gentle hand atop his own, their fingers linking in quiet understanding.

As the live broadcast continued, their aging hearts beat in sync with the anticipation thousands of miles away.

Their daughter's destiny was about to change forever.

Back at Camp Blaze, the atmosphere was charged with reverence.

Three thousand soldiers, dressed in their full military uniforms, stood tall and proud. Their formation was flawless, a testament to their loyalty and discipline. They weren't merely attendants — they were witnesses to their Supreme Master's pivotal moment.

The tension peaked.

Every breath in the pavilion seemed suspended, every heartbeat syncing to the same rhythm of anticipation.

At any moment now, Ling Li would arrive.

And the world would never be the same.

Ling Li's car approached the grand pavilion, her sharp eyes catching sight of the soldiers lined up in two perfect rows stretching over a kilometer. Their formation was impeccable, swords gleaming under the torchlight, reflecting the night sky like celestial blades.

Her gaze shifted, and she spotted Old Tutor Chen and Old Tutor Ma entering the ceremonial path between the soldiers. The moment they stepped forward, the soldiers raised their swords high in a synchronized motion, creating a formidable archway of steel and honor.

Ling Li blinked.

".…"

Her lips curled into a smirk as she clicked her tongue. 'What a splendid entrance,' Ling Li mused, unable to deny the impressive display.

The car rolled to a stop, and Butler Peng swiftly stepped forward, opening the door with practiced precision. Ling Li barely had time to process the grandeur before Wushing extended a hand, ushering her down with respectful formality.

The Camp Commander was already waiting. He stepped forward and bowed lightly. "Welcome, Supreme Commander. We are honored by your presence."

Ling Li took a measured glance at the soldiers standing tall before her.

"Are all the soldiers lined up?" She asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Yes, Supreme Commander," the Camp Commander replied.

Ling Li raised a brow. "All three thousand of them? And I have to walk through all of them?"

Her tone was neutral, but internally, she bristled. She shifted her weight slightly, feeling the sharp point of her stiletto heels pressing against the ground. 'What the hell is Pharsa thinking?' She cursed inwardly, already imagining the endurance test she was about to face.

"Madam, please," the Camp Commander gestured toward the entrance.

Ling Li exhaled sharply, shaking her head before stepping forward.

The soldiers, dressed in flawless military uniforms, radiated eagerness as they raised their swords higher, their disciplined stance unwavering. Their excitement was palpable — this was not just a formal procession. It was an acknowledgment of their Supreme Commander's might, an unspoken vow of loyalty.

Ling Li moved swiftly, keeping her pace brisk. She wasn't one for ceremonial grandeur, especially not when she had to navigate it in heels. However, she suddenly frowned, recalling that Old Tutor Chen and Old Tutor Ma had entered ahead of her. By all calculations, she should have caught up to them by now.

Yet, they were nowhere in sight.

Something was off.

Unknown to Ling Li, the two elderly tutors had unknowingly become part of a grand scheme. The moment they had entered the corridor of soldiers, Mushu and Pharsa had been waiting just ahead, concealed in the shadows.

With swift and merciless efficiency, the two figures lunged, gripping the elderly scholars by the arms before soaring into the air.

Old Tutor Chen and Old Tutor Ma barely had time to gasp before the ground disappeared beneath them.

Air rushed past them, their robes violently flapping as they soared toward the grand pavilion at an alarming speed. Neither of them was a martial artist. Scholars, intellectuals, men of knowledge, yes. But fighters? Certainly not.

"W-We're going to die!" Old Tutor Ma finally found his voice, his eyes squeezed shut in sheer terror.

Old Tutor Chen, despite his panic, still had the presence of mind to curse through gritted teeth. "Damn that Shi Min!"

Their landing was abrupt.

Mushu and Pharsa released their grips, and both elderly tutors stumbled, barely catching their footing before colliding with the floor.

They stood frozen for a moment.

Then, realization dawned… both of them were pale, their long beards and mustaches in complete disarray. They looked utterly miserable, their scholarly dignity reduced to a pitiful mess.

"!!!!"

Ren and Lily, upon seeing the disaster that had befallen the two elders, hurriedly stepped forward to assist. Their hands hovered uncertainty.

"...."

Ren and Lily exchanged a look.

'But how could we tidy their beards? Can we touch them casually?'

Their silent dilemma stretched between them, unspoken yet understood.

Shi Min sighed, shaking his head before stepping forward to spare his sisters from their internal agony.

But before he could speak, Old Tutor Chen turned to him with unbridled indignation, his mustache quivering as he scolded, "Shi Min! How could you torture us two old bones like this!"

His voice trembled with fury, but his limbs remained stiff—he was still too shaken to express his rage properly.

Meanwhile, Old Tutor Ma remained entirely dazed, his wide eyes unfocused.

"Hmph!" Old Tutor Chen huffed dramatically, though his posture betrayed his weakness.

Old Tutor Chen flicked his sleeves with practiced elegance, his steps purposeful as he strode toward the other guests. His presence was commanding, a pillar of wisdom amid the grand pavilion's growing anticipation. Old Tutor Ma, his expression distant, followed behind like a shadow, as though pulled by an unseen force.

Suddenly, Mushu's voice cut through the murmurs, firm yet urgent: "Madam is coming."

A breathless hush settled over the gathering. The dim lights flickered and, without warning, plunged into absolute darkness. A collective gasp filled the room. The shift was so abrupt that even the steadiest hearts pounded with unease, especially Four Eyes.

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