The inner courtyard's combat training arena was massive, with facilities far superior to those in the outer courtyard—capable of withstanding far more powerful attacks without sustaining damage. Some inner court students who had planned to train that day quickly noticed something odd.
When did three little brats show up in the inner courtyard?
Over in one corner of the arena, Jiang Qingtong, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao were huddled together, discussing their coordination strategy for the upcoming arena-style freshman assessment.
"My martial soul is the Three Lives Soul-Suppressing Cauldron, a mutated version of the Soul-Suppressing Cauldron," Xiao Xiao began, explaining her martial soul and soul skills. "It's capable of both control and offense. I also have a second martial soul—Nine Phoenix Melody Flute. It currently only has one soul ring, and its soul skill, Lethargy, reduces the opponent's movement speed by 20%."
When Wang Dong heard she had a second martial soul, his eyes widened in shock. "You're a twin martial soul holder?!"
"Yup. What's the big deal?" Xiao Xiao replied with a blink and a nod.
Wang Dong shook his head, somewhat deflated. He had thought he was the "special one," but apparently not.
After Xiao Xiao finished, Wang Dong explained his own martial soul. "Mine is Goddess of Light Butterfly—a typical power-attack type. My first soul skill is Winged Guillotine, and the second is Butterfly God's Light. I'll take care of offense during battle."
Then they both looked at Jiang Qingtong. "Your turn," Wang Dong said. "Your martial soul's called Mirror in Bloom, right? I've never heard of it before. What type is it?"
Jiang Qingtong smirked. "It can be whatever type you want it to be."
"Cut it out. No more being all mysterious," Wang Dong scoffed. "We're teammates now—don't hold back."
"Alright, let me give you a taste." Without further comment, Jiang Qingtong summoned Mirror in Bloom. As the sigil of the Spirit Eye lit up, her eyes began to glow gold. A wave of spiritual energy instantly linked the three of them.
In the next moment, everything within a hundred-meter radius became crystal clear in their perception.
"Huh… this is your soul skill? So it's really a spiritual-type martial soul?" Wang Dong gasped. "This is amazing!"
Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up in surprise. "With a skill like this, it's like we're fighting with a full map view while our opponents are blind!"
Still awestruck, Wang Dong suddenly recalled something. "Wait! I remember in your fight with Xu Sanshi, you broke through his defense with a punch. Can a spiritual-type martial soul even do that?"
"That's a secret. My trump card," Jiang Qingtong replied playfully, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me it was a soul tool?" Xiao Xiao guessed. She didn't suspect a twin martial soul; instead, she remembered rumors that Jiang Qingtong had many soul tools.
At the mention of soul tools, Wang Dong frowned. "Isn't the use of soul tools prohibited by the Academy?"
"The rules were changed for us. Since we're facing off against all the other freshmen, there won't be any restrictions. But I don't plan to rely on soul tools anyway," Jiang Qingtong said with a shrug.
Wang Dong nodded slightly but added a warning: "Soul tools are still external. Your own power is what truly matters. With your talent, don't follow the example of some in the Sun-Moon Empire—taking drugs to forcibly raise their cultivation and ruining their potential."
"Relax. I know full well that true power must come from within," Jiang Qingtong nodded seriously. She understood her priorities.
Just then, someone approached. The moment he saw Jiang Qingtong's twin thousand-year soul rings, his eyes widened in shock. He stepped forward and introduced himself. "I'm Dai Yueheng, a student from the inner courtyard. Are you all from the outer courtyard?"
"Greetings, senior," Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao greeted politely.
Jiang Qingtong looked him over. "Senior Dai, is there something we can help you with?"
Dai Yueheng smiled and shook his head. "Oh no, nothing like that. I just had a question. According to the Academy rules, outer courtyard students aren't allowed in the inner courtyard. How did you three get in?"
Jiang Qingtong's training under Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier hadn't been publicized in the inner courtyard. The Academy was clearly trying to keep her profile low. After all, if Jiang Qingtong ever returned to the Sun-Moon Empire and people found out that Shrek Academy had trained her, it'd be quite the scandal.
"I have a pass to the inner courtyard," Jiang Qingtong replied simply.
Dai Yueheng was clearly surprised. He studied her again, eyes lingering on the two thousand-year rings. Then his expression softened as if he suddenly understood everything.
"I'm the eldest son of the White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire," he said warmly. "Are any of you from the Star Luo Empire?"
All three shook their heads.
Jiang Qingtong was from the Sun-Moon Empire—the Star Luo Empire's sworn enemy. Wang Dong hailed from the Heavenly Soul Empire, and Xiao Xiao was from the Douling Empire. Between the three of them, not one had ties to the Star Luo Empire.
Even so, Dai Yueheng showed no awkwardness. He simply smiled and said, "No worries. If you ever visit the Star Luo Empire and need anything, just find me. As your senior, I'll help however I can."
As the White Tiger Duke's son, Dai Yueheng understood the potential a true genius held. The moment he realized Jiang Qingtong's extraordinary talent, he wasted no time extending a hand.
"Thank you, senior," the three responded politely. They understood his intentions but didn't point them out.
"Dai Yueheng!" Just as he was about to continue, a sharp voice called out. All four turned toward the sound.
A flash of red streaked across the courtyard, a faint wave of heat trailing in its wake.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao reflexively took a small step back. Only Jiang Qingtong remained unaffected—after all, she'd gotten used to seeing Ma Xiaotao.
Ma Xiaotao greeted the trio, then glared at Dai Yueheng. "Dai Yueheng, are you trying to recruit students inside the Academy?"
"Of course not. You and I both know the Academy's rules. I wouldn't do something like that. I was just having a friendly chat. Besides, if they ever visit the Star Luo Empire, I can offer them some help. That's within my rights, isn't it?" Dai Yueheng replied with a smile, giving her no leverage.
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