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*****
With Dai Weisi's departure, and after Yu Tianheng and the others had recovered their soul power, Qin Ming led the group back to Heaven Dou City.
Throughout the journey, Yu Tianheng remained sullen, his head hanging low as he brooded over the earlier battle with Dai Weisi. He wasn't the only one—Dugu Yan and the others were equally disheartened. One by one, they had all been completely crushed by Dai Weisi, to the point of mental shutdown.
Seeing everyone's gloomy faces and listless demeanor, Qin Ming looked thoroughly disappointed and scolded them loudly, "Pull yourselves together! Look at the sorry state you're in! Do you still look like elite students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy?
Yu Tianheng, you are the young clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! Dugu Yan, you're the direct granddaughter of the Poison Douluo! Ye Lingling, your martial soul is hailed as a miracle among all martial souls!
So what if you lost once? Is that enough to break you like this? Remember, failure is nothing to fear! What matters is learning from it, growing stronger, and avoiding the same mistakes in the future!"
"But teacher, Dai Weisi is just too freakish—he's practically a monster!" Yu Tianheng said dejectedly. "In three years, we won't just be facing Dai Weisi. We'll be up against the entire Star Luo Royal Academy, led by him and filled with powerful fighters!
I even heard the Star Luo Royal Family has a powerful martial soul fusion technique called the Netherworld White Tiger. Once unleashed, they could even challenge someone far stronger than themselves! We...
Can we really beat opponents like that?"
Originally, Yu Tianheng had only regarded the Spirit Hall team as their real rivals. As for Star Luo Royal Academy, he believed that with his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and Dugu Yan's potent poison, they would be more than a match.
But now, Dai Weisi alone had utterly dismantled them. Yu Tianheng had lost all confidence in defeating Star Luo Royal Academy.
"Hm… That's true. Dai Weisi's fourth soul skill is indeed very formidable. And I could tell—he wasn't even fighting at full strength. But that doesn't mean his fourth soul skill is impossible to counter."
After a pause, Qin Ming continued, "Let's hurry back to the academy. Once we return, I'll begin special training for all of you. As long as you follow through, his fourth soul skill won't be able to harm you."
"Really, teacher?" Yu Tianheng's eyes lit up. If he could overcome Dai Weisi's fourth soul skill, then he could regain his fighting spirit and confidence.
Qin Ming smiled. "Of course it's true. As long as you learn to use soul power to protect your internal organs, you can significantly reduce the damage from White Tiger Heaven-Shattering Roar."
Just earlier, Qin Ming had stood beside Dai Weisi and had also been affected by the roar's shockwave. But he had promptly channeled his strong internal soul power to shield his eardrums. While it was still noisy, it no longer caused him pain.
"That's great, teacher! Let's hurry back and start the training!" Yu Tianheng said with a grin. "Three years from now, I want to give Dai Weisi the shock of his life!"
Seeing the team's morale reignite, Qin Ming smiled slightly, then pulled Dugu Yan aside and asked, "Yan Yan, are you feeling unwell at all right now?"
"Huh?"
Dugu Yan blinked, not understanding why Qin Ming would ask that. She shook her head at once. "No, not at all. I feel fine. Why do you ask, teacher?"
Qin Ming glanced at the girl's green eyes—clearly not something a human should have—and sighed. "Just now, Prince Dai Weisi told me you've been poisoned, and the toxins have already invaded your muscles…"
He repeated Dai Weisi's warning, also explaining the unique ability of the Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul to see through meridians. Dugu Yan frowned slightly as she listened.
"Teacher, I don't feel any discomfort right now. That probably means there's nothing wrong, right?"
"This kind of thing—better safe than sorry. When you get back, tell your grandfather about it. If there's no poison, that's the best-case scenario. But if there is, make sure he detoxifies you immediately."
"Alright, I understand. Thank you for the reminder, teacher," Dugu Yan nodded. Better safe than sorry—her life was on the line, and she couldn't afford to take chances.
"Haha, no need to thank me. I don't have that kind of skill. If you're going to thank someone, thank Prince Dai Weisi," Qin Ming chuckled. "Dai Weisi is a formidable opponent. Once you're back, all of you must work hard in your cultivation."
"I will, teacher."
With that, the group made their way quickly back to the Heaven Dou Empire.
After a week of travel, Dai Weisi finally returned to Star Luo City with Zhu Zhuyun and the others. As soon as they arrived at the Zhu family estate, they spotted three young women standing at the front gates.
From a distance, Dai Weisi immediately recognized them—they were his teammates from Star Luo Royal Academy.
The three girls were dressed in the academy's uniforms, their figures alluring and full of charm. Their assets were no smaller than Zhu Zhuyun's, with flowing hair and fair, radiant skin.
While not as stunning as Zhu Zhuyun, they were still top-tier beauties.
"Huh? Isn't that Dong Hui, Yang Mingxin, and Tang Hongning? What are they doing here?"
Seeing the three girls, Zhu Zhuyun was momentarily surprised. They were her classmates and close friends, and in three years, they would also be her teammates in the Soul Master Tournament.
Among them, Dong Hui and Yang Mingxin both possessed the Shang Shan Ruo Shui martial soul, and were auxiliary-type Soul Elders at Rank 32.
The Shang Shan Ruo Shui martial soul had a single ability: rapidly restoring soul power.
To maintain the Netherworld White Tiger fusion technique, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun would inevitably consume a large amount of soul power. Their martial souls would be perfect for replenishing it.
Tang Hongning, on the other hand, had the Fierce Thunder Jackal martial soul and was a Rank 37 agility-attack Soul Elder.
As Dai Weisi and the others' carriage approached, the three girls waved excitedly and came forward, smiling brightly. "Big Sis, Captain—you're finally back! We've been waiting for you at your place for ages!"
Originally, the three had come over to ask Zhu Zhuyun to go shopping with them—after all, girls love a good shopping trip. But the estate's maids told them she had reached Rank 40 and gone to the Star Dou Forest to obtain her fourth soul ring.
Upon learning Zhu Zhuyun had become a Soul Ancestor, the girls were overjoyed. That meant Star Luo Royal Academy had one more powerful member on their tournament team.
Zhu Zhuyun asked in surprise, "Girls, what brings you here?"
Zhu Zhuqing also greeted them with a sweet smile, "Hello, big sisters."
"Hehe, hi there, little Zhuqing~"
The three girls quickly greeted the sisters. At first, they were wide-eyed at how close Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing had become.
They knew all too well about the strained relationship between the sisters and couldn't understand how they suddenly seemed so affectionate. But after clearing the air, the five of them quickly hit it off.
Pretty girls are welcome everywhere, and the three older girls naturally took a liking to the adorable Zhuqing.
Dong Hui grinned, "Big Sis, we heard you went to the Star Dou Forest and got your fourth soul ring! So, what's your fourth soul skill?"
"Haha, Xiao Hui, my fourth soul skill is pretty amazing!" Zhu Zhuyun giggled, then explained the ability in detail, leaving the three girls wide-eyed with admiration.
"It's a percentage-based amplification skill? Wow—congrats, bestie! We now have two Soul Ancestors. With this lineup, we're definitely beating Heaven Dou and winning the championship in three years!"
"Giggle giggle…"
As soon as the Heaven Dou Academy was mentioned, Zhu Zhuyun suddenly burst into laughter, leaving the three girls puzzled.
Yang Mingxin tilted her head. "Big Sis, what's so funny all of a sudden?"
"Haha, let me tell you the truth—they're nothing! The Heaven Dou Royal Academy team is utterly useless!" She then recounted how Dai Weisi had taken on all seven of them alone.
Upon learning that Heaven Dou Royal Academy's main team wasn't even a match for Dai Weisi, everyone's faces lit up with excitement.
Tang Hongning gave Dai Weisi a hearty slap on the shoulder and laughed, "Not bad, Captain! Who knew you'd become this strong already?"
As she spoke, she made no attempt to hide the admiration and affection in her eyes. In her heart, Dai Weisi was the future emperor of Star Luo. And since when did emperors have only one woman?
She knew she wouldn't be the empress, but as long as she could become a consort and stay by the side of the man she liked, that would be enough.
And it wasn't just her—Dong Hui and Yang Mingxin shared the same thoughts.
Zhu Zhuyun (green glow overhead): ???
I treated you all like sisters… and you're all trying to seduce my man?!
Alright, alright. So much for "sisters connected heart-to-heart"—you girls are just playing games with mine, huh?
(End of chapter)