Ye Guyi's astonishing breakthrough this time was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of ripples in everyone's hearts.
This once again strengthened the determination of Long Aotian, Xiao Hongchen, and the others to become even stronger.
Not just them, but Xu Tianzhen, Nana, and Meng Hongchen also secretly vowed in their hearts to redouble their cultivation efforts, refusing to be easily left behind.
Xu Tianhao looked at the high-spirited Ye Guyi with a sincere smile on his face, stepped forward slowly, and said gently:
"Congratulations, Nickname. By absorbing a spirit ring this time, you've directly surpassed us. You truly didn't disappoint."
Xiao Hongchen and Long Aotian also set aside the slight bit of unwillingness in their hearts, stepped forward, and cupped their hands with smiles:
"Congratulations! Now, the little bit of level advantage the two of us had left has completely vanished before you."
Ye Guyi's face was brimming with a radiant smile, her heart filled with joy and gratitude. She responded to everyone's blessings one by one, saying sincerely:
"All of this is thanks to everyone's care and help. If it weren't for you all, I wouldn't have had such an amazing improvement. I won't forget this kindness."
Speaking of this, Ye Guyi looked at Xu Tianhao beside her, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, her eyes carrying a bit of bashfulness and seriousness as she continued softly:
"I am incredibly satisfied with this fourth soul ring. Thank you so much, Tianhao. This little girl has no way to repay you, so I can only..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the quirky Meng Hongchen beside her narrowed her eyes and interrupted with a mischievous look, teasingly laughing:
"Forget it, Nickname. Tianhao doesn't need you to work like a beast of burden for him. You'd better stay and work like a beast of burden for us instead!"
Hearing this, Ye Guyi was stunned for a moment before realizing Meng Hongchen was intentionally making trouble. She immediately became embarrassed and annoyed, giving a huff.
Ye Guyi lunged directly at the giggling Meng Hongchen, reaching out with both hands to tickle her vigorously, scolding while tickling:
"You and your big mouth! See if I don't tickle you to death for talking nonsense!"
At this moment, Ye Guyi was both embarrassed and anxious, thinking to herself: When did she ever want to say she'd work like a beast of burden?
What she originally wanted to say was to devote herself to him!
For other members of the opposite sex who had done her a kindness, she could certainly repay them by working like a beast of burden.
But for Xu Tianhao, this feeling had already surpassed ordinary companionship; it was a hundred and twenty percent recognition and infatuation.
She naturally wanted to repay him in the most sincere way. How could working like a beast of burden compare to that?
Speaking of which, devoting herself to him wouldn't be considered repaying kindness with enmity, because Ye Guyi felt that her talent, appearance, and Spirit were not bad, and she was more than enough to be a match for Xu Tianhao.
Looking at Ye Guyi and Meng Hongchen, who were messing around and laughing together.
Xiao Hongchen couldn't help but lean toward Xu Tianzhen and ask in a low voice:
"Tianzhen, aren't you going to do something about them? If they keep making a scene, they might attract unnecessary trouble."
Xu Tianzhen gave Xiao Hongchen a sidelong glance and said knowingly, "They're just being jealous. That's how girls' minds work. If you want to deal with it, go ahead, but I'm too lazy to interfere."
Hearing this, Xiao Hongchen was momentarily speechless and shook his head with a wry smile. "If even you, their sister, won't step in, how would I dare?"
"If I accidentally provoke them, I'll be the one suffering later."
As his voice fell, another burst of cheerful laughter rang out in the cave, and a warm and lively atmosphere filled every corner.
The exhaustion from the group's travels and hunting Spirit Beasts also dissipated completely amidst the laughter.
The setting sun filtered through the layers of leaves, casting fine golden specks that were exceptionally beautiful.
Inside the cave, the bonfire crackled, and the dancing flames cast flickering light and shadows on the rock walls.
The roasted meat on the fire sizzled with oil, and the fat dripped onto the charcoal, releasing bursts of enticing aroma.
Everyone sat around the bonfire, playing and laughing, very happy.
It was already evening, and the group was in no hurry to rush back, so they rested in the cave for another night.
This also gave Ye Guyi more time to stabilize and adapt to her current cultivation level.
Although Ye Guyi's foundation remained solid, she still needed some time to adapt to her surging strength.
So, after everyone had rested, they directly entered Xu Tianhao's moon reading space.
To help Ye Guyi quickly adapt to her strength, the three girls—Xu Tianzhen, Meng Hongchen, and Nana—joined forces to attack Ye Guyi.
Xu Tianhao, Long Aotian, and Xiao Hongchen became the cheering squad, rooting for the girls.
Later, when the girls got tired of fighting, they mercilessly began to gang up on Xu Tianhao and the other two.
In short, there were no rules; they fought however they wanted. Anyway, time didn't pass inside the moon reading space.
...
The night passed in an instant, and as the horizon turned pale, the first ray of dawn pierced through the clouds and shone upon the Huiyin Mountain Range.
The group walked out of the cave in high Spirits and moved slowly along the mountain path. The moment they stepped out of the Huiyin Mountain Range, the scene before them suddenly opened up.
The outline of Xinyue City appeared in the distance, with its high walls and wide-open gates. Pedestrians came and went in an endless stream, all with relaxed smiles on their faces.
Compared to the panic and chaos when the Evil Soul Masters were rampant a few days ago, Xinyue City had now restored its former prosperity.
The altars set up by the Evil Soul Masters in the surrounding villages had been completely cleared.
The places originally polluted by evil energy had also been cleaned up using specialized spirit tools.
"The Crown Prince's efficiency is really fast," Nana couldn't help but exclaim as she looked at the scene before her.
"In just two days, Xinyue City and its surroundings have been restored."
Xu Tianhao also nodded. "Big brother's way of doing things is increasingly showing the style of a monarch."
The group arrived at the City Lord's Mansion in Xinyue City. Xu Tianhao represented the royal family and Crown Prince Xu Tianran to come forward and reassure the people.
At the city gate, Xu Tianhao was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, standing tall with a handsome face.
Standing on the high platform, his voice was gentle yet full of power: "Citizens of Xinyue City, I am Xu Tianhao."
"The Evil Soul Masters who were rampant some time ago have been completely wiped out by us! From now on, no more evil will threaten your safety."
"The Empire will surely protect the safety of every citizen. Please live in peace and do not panic."
As his voice fell, thunderous applause instantly erupted from below the stage.
The Sixth Prince personally leading people to suppress the Evil Soul Masters was, to these ordinary people, no different from a god descending to save them.
In their eyes, shouldn't princes all live in luxury and fine food?
Now that the Sixth Prince was willing to personally brave the danger, it undoubtedly made these ordinary people feel at ease.
The people cheered and jumped for joy, the fear in their eyes completely dissipating, replaced by gratitude and trust toward the Empire and the royal family.
Xu Tianhao looked at the people's reactions, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly, his eyes full of gratification.
With Xu Tianhao, the Sixth Prince, coming forward to reassure them, it was far more effective at winning the people's hearts than an official announcement.
After reassuring the people, the group did not stay for long.
After bidding farewell to the City Lord, Xu Tianhao took his companions and set off on the journey back to the Bright Capital.