Ace arrived shortly after, with Shan Yifeng trailing behind him.
Ahead, Liu Mei and Icehart were locked in a heated argument, their voices sharp. But the moment Liu Mei turned and saw Ace, her demeanor changed in an instant.
"Master!" she cried, her earlier smugness vanishing as she rushed toward him, arms outstretched.
Ace caught her effortlessly, lifting her up before pulling her into a hug.
"Liu Mei, who's this? Your friend?" he asked, glancing at Icehart.
"What?!" Liu Mei recoiled in horror, as if the very suggestion was an insult. "I'm friends with no monkey!"
Ace nearly choked. What the heck? He barely stopped himself from saying it out loud.
On the other side, Icehart stiffened, his eyes flickering to his escort for support. The imposing figure of Elder Lukas stepped forward, his expression calm but his presence heavy.
With a warm yet subtly chilling smile, he addressed Ace.
