"All full of flaws…"
Yu Tianheng never expected that in Fang Ling's eyes, he would be judged so harshly.
"All full of flaws",this meant that in close combat, it was like fighting without any defense at all. His ranged soul skills were dodged by teleportation soul skills. Didn't that mean he had absolutely no way to fight back?
Yu Tianheng's eyes flickered. In the end, he let out a quiet sigh.
"It's still because I'm too weak."
Even though he was five years older, his cultivation level was far behind.
He had already decided that after this, he would take leave to return home and focus on his training.
And no matter what, he would ask his grandfather for help.
Otherwise, if he kept losing to the same person, not only would his confidence suffer, but watching someone weaker than him surpass him,it was truly a terrible feeling.
"Tianheng, you're not actually weak, it's just," Fang Ling tried to comfort him.
"No, it's because I've been too complacent over the years. That's why you were able to surpass me," Yu Tianheng raised a hand to stop Fang Ling.
"In any case, I won't pursue Yan Zi anymore. Thank you for letting me see that there's always someone stronger."
He spoke like someone who had suddenly seen the light:
"The glory of my sect blinded me. A relatively smooth life since childhood made me lazy. I exhausted myself daily, but not for cultivation."
"So despite having good talent, I'm seventeen and only at level thirty-six."
"After this, I'll take a long leave to return to my clan for seclusion. Fang Ling, see you next time."
Yu Tianheng swept his gaze over the crowd, apologized briefly to Teacher Qin, and left without looking back.
He had come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy solely for Dugu Yan, to win Dugu Bo's support.
Now Dugu Yan was someone else's girlfriend. He couldn't even hold onto the captain's position due to insufficient strength, and he'd given it up with as much dignity as he could.
For someone from a direct line of one of the upper three sects, there was no more reason to remain at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Better to return home and cultivate properly.
"Tianheng, remember to come back for team training later. We still need you for the tournament!" Fang Ling shouted at his back.
Yu Tianheng waved his hand but didn't reply, leaving only the image of his gradually fading figure.
Qin Ming felt some regret, but the academy had no authority over disciples from titled Douluo-backed families like the upper three sects.
Besides, Yu Tianheng had a legitimate reason for his leave, so they couldn't stop him.
"Why are you all staring at me? Get back to training," Fang Ling instructed the still-shocked group.
"Tianheng has decided to return to his clan for intensive cultivation. None of you are allowed to slack off. Since I've taken over as captain, I have a responsibility!"
His firm tone made their expressions change.
But seeing that Fang Ling only had their best interests at heart, no one could object.
They were all geniuses. If Yu Tianheng had been humbled, they weren't invincible either.
What, were they going to let Fang Ling, who was even younger, carry the whole team?
The Soul Master Tournament was a team competition. If they really let Fang Ling go one-on-seven, wouldn't that mean even a dog could qualify?
They didn't want to be deadweight.
Seeing Fang Ling start warming up, Qin Ming walked over, full of anticipation.
"Fang Ling, no need to rush into training just yet. Come with me to the Academic Committee."
Team members taking long leaves needed to report it to the committee.
When returning from leave, they had to go back to the committee to sign off too.
"Alright. Yan Yan, you two help them warm up. I'll go with Teacher Qin to sort out the paperwork."
Fang Ling gave instructions to the others and followed Qin Ming.
As they walked, Qin Ming suddenly asked,
"By the way, I just realized,I don't even know your soul power level. Based on my senses, it doesn't seem like you're just a newly promoted Soul Ancestor."
Fang Ling smiled slightly.
"No, I'm not. But let's talk when we get to the committee. I promise you'll be shocked."
They arrived at the Academic Committee office,it was still the same single-story domed building, similar to the one used by the Spirit Hall.
Yu Tianheng had just finished submitting his leave paperwork and was walking out.
When he saw them, his stiff expression forced a smile.
"Fang Ling, good luck. Be a great captain."
Fang Ling immediately replied,
"Tianheng, come back as soon as you reach the Soul Ancestor level. The team still needs you."
Yu Tianheng nodded slightly, patted Fang Ling on the shoulder, said goodbye to the both of them, and walked away with a faintly sorrowful air.
Fang Ling only watched briefly, then turned his focus forward. He was led into a spacious, minimalist office.
Qin Ming quickly left.
Fang Ling's soul power level was so astonishing, the next Soul Master Tournament might feature a Soul King as team leader. Their chances of winning the championship would skyrocket.
This was a good opportunity for the three committee members to see for themselves.
Having heard the news from Qin Ming, the three arrived in a hurry.
In the middle was a very thin, white-haired elder, lean but energetic and glowing with health. He had a very kind aura.
Next to him was a plump man with a constant gentle smile. His body shook with each laugh.
The last man looked ordinary but had an extraordinary gleam in his eyes.
All three were stunned by Qin Ming's report. They wore formal robes,black with golden embroidery,uniforms issued by the Spirit Hall, reserved for very important occasions.
This showed how seriously they took Fang Ling's visit.
And it made sense.
When he first joined, he was just a minor soul master recommended by a noble. But now, he was the disciple,and likely future grandson-in-law,of His Grace Bi Lin. This was not to be taken lightly.
Seeing the trio enter, Fang Ling immediately stood and respectfully saluted.
"Fang Ling, agility-type battle Soul Ancestor of level forty-six from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, greets the three committee members."
Since they had shown him so much respect, he would return the gesture.
The thin elder, Meng Shenji, had originally wanted to say something polite like "a young hero," but after hearing Fang Ling's self-introduction, his eyes lit up, and he instinctively blurted out:
"How much?"
"Forty-six," Fang Ling answered calmly.
The three committee members had already been stunned upon hearing that he was a twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor with a ten-thousand-year spirit ring. Now their pupils contracted sharply.
Bai Baoshan, who had seen Fang Ling before, showed clear disbelief in his tiny eyes.
Back when Fang Ling first arrived, his soul power was only twenty-three. Now it was forty-six? A jump of twenty-three levels?
Even fallen soul masters weren't this outrageous.
And the clarity in Fang Ling's eyes, combined with the fact that he was Bi Lin's disciple, made it impossible for him to be a fallen soul master.
Even the usually composed control-type soul master, Zhi Lin, had his thoughts shaken.
How could someone have such an astounding level of talent?
"A once-in-a-lifetime genius… truly a peerless genius! One the world has never seen," Meng Shenji exhaled slowly, clicking his tongue in amazement.
If you want to read 40 advanced chapters and 3 new chapters daily, please subscribe to my : patreon.com/Moorowkeel