164: Chapter 164 A Long-Awaited Reunion, No Spots Available
It was clear that Zhou Bai's performance at the World Martial Arts Competition had completely spread.
Even those who harbored the strongest opinions against Zhou Bai felt their blood boiling after witnessing that incredibly passionate One-vs-Seven.
Furthermore, this World Martial Arts Competition was not only about national honor but also concerned the distribution of resources belonging to a top-tier secret realm.
Zhou Bai had tangibly helped Xia Country secure immense benefits.
Zhou Bai nodded in acknowledgment to the many martial artists present, then followed Guan Ping to the reception hall of the University Alliance.
Soon, Zhou Bai arrived at the reception hall.
Inside the hall, a girl of pure and breathtaking beauty, dressed in a white JK uniform, was waiting.
Who else could this girl be but Zhao Shiyu?
"Junior!"
This time, Zhao Shiyu seemed to sense Zhou Bai's approach. She quickly turned around and then flew into his arms.
Zhou Bai also stepped forward and embraced Zhao Shiyu.
Although they had often met inside the virtual reality pod, those were ultimately just meetings of consciousness.
Now, holding Zhao Shiyu in his arms, Zhou Bai truly experienced the feeling of a reunion after a long separation.
"Senior, I'm back!"
Zhou Bai gently stroked Zhao Shiyu's cheek and spoke softly.
Zhao Shiyu didn't speak, just nestled in Zhou Bai's embrace, enjoying the warmth he brought.
"Junior, you were absolutely amazing!"
After a long while, once her emotions had settled, Zhao Shiyu spoke with a sigh of admiration.
Zhao Shiyu had never imagined that Zhou Bai would reach such heights in such a short time, becoming the Champion of the World Martial Arts Competition.
She had lost count of how many times she had rewatched the video of him winning the championship. Thinking that Zhou Bai, who was like an invincible god of war, was her own man filled her with heartfelt pride.
The decision she made back then was truly the right one.
"How is our baby doing?"
Zhou Bai didn't dwell on the World Martial Arts Competition matters. Instead, he asked about the child in Zhao Shiyu's womb.
"The baby is doing well. Our baby is truly an angel, not making me uncomfortable at all and growing very healthily!"
Hearing Zhou Bai's words, Zhao Shiyu touched her lower abdomen and smiled happily.
Zhao Shiyu was already almost two months pregnant. Although there weren't any particularly obvious signs yet, she could feel a little life growing inside her.
"That's good. You must take good care of yourself. You're not alone anymore!"
Zhou Bai gave a slight smile and said to Zhao Shiyu.
"Mhm, of course I know that!"
Zhao Shiyu raised her pink fist slightly and smiled.
"Zhou Bai, Zhou Bai, have you signed a contract with the Beiming Sacred Hall?"
At that moment, a clear, cold, and urgent voice came from outside the reception hall.
A woman wearing a red long dress, with exquisite features and a graceful figure, hurriedly entered the reception hall.
When Mu Qinghuang saw Zhou Bai and Zhao Shiyu embracing, she froze for a moment, seeming somewhat dazed.
"She... she... who is she?"
Watching the two of them embracing happily, Mu Qinghuang asked subconsciously, a faint surge of emotion stirring in her heart.
"Senior Mu, this is my wife, Zhao Shiyu!"
Zhou Bai said slowly, then simultaneously introduced Mu Qinghuang's identity to Zhao Shiyu.
"Your wife... you're really already married?"
Hearing Zhou Bai's words, Mu Qinghuang felt a sense of loss, speaking somewhat distractedly.
Before, she had vaguely heard some rumors, but she thought they were nothing more than gossip.
After all, in today's Xia Country, an era of free speech, such baseless fabrications were rampant.
Even she herself, due to her powerful talent, strength, and appearance, had been the subject of many such fabrications.
But, Zhou Bai...
"Yes, after I awakened my talent, I married Shiyu. She's even carrying my child now!"
Zhou Bai was silent for a moment before speaking to Mu Qinghuang.
The two of them had some history during the World Martial Arts Competition. Zhou Bai didn't want to deceive her.
He just hadn't expected Mu Qinghuang's reaction to be so uncharacteristically shaken.
After all, this was Mu Qinghuang, the peerless, aloof fairy who never seemed to care about anyone.
"Married... and already with a child?"
Mu Qinghuang's heart grew even more sour and astringent, as if something was churning inside.
But her pride wouldn't allow her to show any emotion.
"I see."
A moment later, Mu Qinghuang took a deep breath, suppressing the tumultuous emotions that had almost overwhelmed her heart.
Her face once again wore that icy coldness that seemed to have been frozen for countless years.
Zhao Shiyu, by Zhou Bai's side, remained silent. She naturally sensed that something was off between the two.
"Student Zhou Bai, have you signed a contract with the Beiming Sacred Hall?"
Mu Qinghuang then asked with extreme coldness, her gaze fixed intently on Zhou Bai.
"No. A Beiming Sacred Hall elder came to see me earlier, but I didn't sign."
Zhou Bai said slowly, telling Mu Qinghuang directly.
"Why didn't you sign?"
Mu Qinghuang was stunned, speaking with disbelief.
That was one of the Four Great Sacred Halls. Although the Beiming Sacred Hall was relatively weaker among them, it was still one of Xia Country's top four powers.
Mu Qinghuang truly couldn't understand why Zhou Bai hadn't signed...
When she learned that a Beiming Sacred Hall elder had gone to see Zhou Bai, she had almost assumed he had already signed.
"While at Xuanhuang Fortress, Grandmaster Feng Xiang approached me. He promised me a True Disciple contract. But the Beiming Sacred Hall elder who came to see me today was only willing to offer a standard disciple contract. Plus, his attitude was rather condescending... so I refused..."
Zhou Bai thought for a moment but still told Mu Qinghuang the truth.
Hearing Zhou Bai's words, Mu Qinghuang fell silent. She hadn't expected this twist.
"Senior, is there something else going on?"
Seeing Mu Qinghuang's troubled expression, Zhou Bai then asked.
"The recruitment for the Four Great Sacred Halls has concluded. Each Sacred Hall has taken on two disciples."
Mu Qinghuang sighed, then spoke with a somewhat dejected tone.
"Ye Wushang, Ling Xiao, Qin Hao, myself, Chu Lingyan, and Gu Yu were all selected by the Four Great Sacred Halls..."
"I think the other two are prodigies who didn't participate in the World Martial Arts Competition..."
"If the Beiming Sacred Hall didn't sign you, that means there are no spots left."
"I thought for sure you had already signed with the Beiming Sacred Hall..."
Mu Qinghuang's voice grew increasingly downcast as she sighed.
Zhou Bai not having a contract with any of the Four Great Sacred Halls completely defied Mu Qinghuang's expectations.
After all, Zhou Bai's performance in this World Martial Arts Competition was far too stunning for anyone to ignore.
To single-handedly defeat the entire M Country team... For such a prodigy to be unable to secure a contract with any of the Four Great Sacred Halls, Mu Qinghuang truly couldn't fathom what kind of rubbish filled the heads of the Sacred Hall elders.
If Zhou Bai isn't qualified to enter the Four Great Sacred Halls, then who is?