"Spirit-type?"
"Spirit-type, truly?"
Spirit-type soul martial souls are extremely rare, even in Shrek Academy, so Jiang Qingtong's peer Jiang Nannan was also surprised to see her.
They'd been roommates for a while, but this was the first time she'd seen Qingtong fight so swiftly and decisively. Could she really be just twelve?
"Class monitor, Qingtong is amazing!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed to Wang Dong as Qingtong calmly approached Xu Sanshi.
Wang Dong was silent, acknowledging Qingtong's strength. But he didn't panic—his pride wasn't tied to fighting ability.
Qingtong stopped before Xu Sanshi and spoke firmly: "From now on, if I ever hear you mess with my senior again, I'll punch you every time. Understood?"
Xu Sanshi frowned: "You..."
"Go ahead, try to beat me!" Qingtong shot back, glaring him down.
Jiang Nannan stepped forward, standing beside Qingtong. She said to Xu Sanshi: "Xu Sanshi, stay away from me from now on. You disgust me."
With that, she turned and walked away with Qingtong. Someone tried to help Xu Sanshi up, but he barked: "Get lost! I'm not disabled, I can get up myself!"
"Senior's not okay," Xiao Xiao whispered to Wang Dong.
Wang Dong nodded: "Losing is fine. Dumping anger on others doesn't make a hero. If he's got the skill, he can win next time."
Xu Sanshi heard them and glared in their direction, but Wang Dong met his gaze without flinching. He replied: "Senior, you need something?"
Xu Sanshi clenched his fists, his chest heaving. After a moment, he shook his head: "No…"
"Let's go, Xiao Xiao." Wang Dong led his friend away, leaving Xu Sanshi trudging off alone, dejected.
---
Walking back to the dorm, Jiang Nannan said with surprise: "Qingtong, you're incredible! I never expected your spirit-type soul martial soul, and both of your first two spirit rings are millennium-grade! That's talent even many inner campus seniors don't have."
"I like being low-key," Qingtong smiled.
Nannan nodded. After breaking things off with Xu Sanshi, she was in a better mood. "But after today's fight, you're definitely going to be famous!"
"We'll deal with that later. Right now, senior feels better." Qingtong replied with a smile.
Nannan took a deep breath, "That's good. Let the past go and focus on moving forward."
Ahead in the dormitory square, an old man sat in a recliner in the sun. He waved at them: "Girl, come here."
Nannan looked at Qingtong: "He's calling you."
Qingtong nodded: "Yes. Senior, you go ahead—I'll talk with him."
"Okay then." Nannan left for the dorm, trusting Qingtong.
---
Qingtong walked over to the old man and cupped her fists politely: "Greetings, senior."
Mu En chuckled: "You already know I'm senior, hmm?"
His eyes were clear and bright as he watched Qingtong. "Girl, when you used spirit perception back at the Sea God Pavilion, you sensed me, didn't you?" He believed she had detected him – not knowing she isn't actually part of this world.
Qingtong didn't confirm or deny. She asked: "Did you need to see me, senior?"
Mu En's gaze sharpened. "You used two soul martial souls in your fight with Xu Sanshi, right?"
Qingtong remained calm and gave him a thumbs-up: "Sharp-eyed senior."
He truly is an Extreme Douluo, she thought – she had only used a bit of her ultimate fire power to break through Xu's turtle shell but he noticed.
Mu En smiled, seeming a bit wistful: "Girl, what a pity you were born in the Sun-Moon Empire."
Qingtong retorted: "Senior, that sounds wrong. What's wrong with the Sun‑Moon Empire? Isn't it part of Douluo Continent?"
He nodded thoughtfully: "You are clever."
Then he added: "Do you want to stay here?"
Qingtong frowned slightly.
Mu En continued: "You have twin soul martial souls. I'm not sure what your second one is yet, but it's definitely a powerful attack-type. Spirit-type controls, second attacks—your talent surpasses anyone I've seen. The Sun‑Moon Empire is too shallow for you."
So he's recruiting her, she realized, and smiled: "Senior, the Sun‑Moon Empire is my homeland. If we're making a deal, need a raise."
Mu En heard the joke and laughed. "If you stay, I guarantee Shrek Academy will focus on grooming you. You'll get at least one hundred‑thousand‑year ring for each soul martial soul, and Sea God Pavilion will reserve a spot for you."
This is a huge offer from Shrek Academy. A seat in Sea God Pavilion—many crave that power.
Mu En seemed proud of himself. Qingtong nodded and declined: "Senior, thank you, but I refuse."
Mu En raised an eyebrow, eyes sharp: "You refuse? Such promises alone don't move you? Why?"