Qian Renxue was, of course, completely unaware of these trivial matters.
Hearing how Fang Ling missed his chance with the Spirit Hall made her heart tighten. She silently cursed those three for their stupidity.
To think they let such a genius slip through their fingers, allowing him to join the Heaven Dou Empire. Now she had to go through all this trouble just to approach him.
She decided that once she returned, she would definitely issue a reprimand.
However, when she heard Fang Ling's final words and saw the sincere smile on his face, she reconsidered and chose to let it go.
Offering a reward was a small matter, but it might yield great benefits in the future.
Fang Ling's golden eyes seemed to shine brightly:
"Between life and death, after enduring countless hardships, I finally managed to kill that fallen soul master. Then I discovered that my soul power was circulating at an unusually fast rate, as if guided by some innate intuition."
"After graduating from the primary academy, I went to the War King Academy, known for its battle training. There, I met my first respected teacher and his wife. Later, with the help of my grandmaster, I managed to enter the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
After a brief reflection, he continued, "In the Vic Icepeak City's Great Soul Arena, I confirmed that under the intense pressure of death, my cultivation speed increased significantly."
Of course, this was a lie.
Apart from a little bit of soul power gained through persistent meditation, most of his upgrades came from stat points added through his system.
Still, his explanation matched his usual character setting.
It also aligned with the trait of the Warrior's Will,greatly speeding up soul power circulation.
"After coming to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, I experienced even more battles and realized it wasn't that I needed life-or-death situations,it was that my previous opponents weren't strong enough."
"As long as I go through battles strong enough and feel intense enough pressure, my cultivation speed increases."
"This is my unique simulated training environment!"
"These past two years…" Qian Renxue's heart trembled slightly.
A flicker of unease passed through Fang Ling's eyes:
"My teacher and I sparred. I meditated under soul power suppression so intense it was almost unbearable, soaked in medicinal baths after exhausting myself, and recovered through Lingling's healing. I've persisted like this all the way until now."
"This is my cultivation method. Anyone who can persist like I do will surely grow into a powerful soul master."
From the soul power radiating off Fang Ling, everyone could feel his fierce fighting spirit.
Qian Renxue's eyes burned with desire,she wanted to seize him and never let go.
A true genius,an unparalleled one!
Even if there were some sort of lucky chance involved, his sheer willpower alone made him worthy of that fortune.
Chen Xin couldn't hide the look of regret on his face. For such an exceptional talent to be taken by that mismatched, poisonous old man…
"It sounds easy when said, but actually doing it is unimaginably difficult," Ning Fengzhi said, shaking his head.
What Fang Ling described,faster soul power circulation during battle,was a simulated training environment unique to him and nearly impossible for others to replicate.
Healing could be handled,even without someone as powerful as Nine-Heart Begonia, using a Soul Emperor or Soul King might work too.
Soul power suppression was easy as well,Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had plenty of Soul Saints and Douluos.
But the real challenge was the persistence and hardship in training.
This was the barrier most soul masters could never cross.
Everyone, being human, inevitably develops laziness in spirit.
Fang Ling smiled slightly. "It's not difficult. In adversity, people often unlock unimaginable potential. With conviction in your heart, anything is possible."
"If there's laziness, then either someone needs to supervise strictly, or accompany them in training…"
"Yan Yan and Lingling both wanted to give up at times, but under my urging, they never did."
The two girls shyly smiled as they felt everyone's gaze.
"Their levels?" Gu Rong's eyes suddenly narrowed.
Even Elder Zhi Lin from the academy could roughly sense Tang San's soul level without him releasing it. With Gu Rong being a level 95 titled Douluo, he could surely sense it even better.
"Senior's perception is indeed sharp. Yan Yan has broken through to the Soul Sect and is currently at level 41. Lingling is slightly weaker, but also a level 35 Soul Elder," Fang Ling said with a nod.
"With someone guiding and urging consistent training, plus medicinal baths, soul power rises rapidly."
"Old Poison, did you develop some kind of miracle medicine?" Chen Xin asked after pondering for a moment.
What was most unbelievable was that Fang Ling's immense willpower made it sound completely plausible.
"No miracle medicine. I just have a soul pearl formed during my breakthrough to Titled Douluo," Dugu Bo sneered, then spat out a round bead from his mouth.
"It can autonomously gather some of the world's spiritual energy,not much, useless for a Titled Douluo like me,but suitable for the two of them."
Qian Renxue recognized the item,Dugu Bo had used it when fighting Yue Guan.
After showing it off briefly under everyone's curious gaze, he put it away and smirked at Gu Rong:
"I heard dragonkind can condense dragon pearls. Aren't you a Bone Dragon Martial Soul? Go make one yourself."
Gu Rong's face turned black. That kind of thing? Impossible.
But Ning Fengzhi actually looked at him. What did that mean?
"Fengzhi, that's not something that can be made," Gu Rong had to explain.
If he had such a thing, he'd have given it to Rongrong long ago for cultivation.
Ning Fengzhi sighed and, under everyone's curious eyes, slowly spoke:
"My daughter Rongrong has excellent talent,born at level 9,but her personality is unruly. She's only one year younger than Fang Ling, yet still only a Grandmaster Soul Master."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Yan became alert.
Ye Lingling no longer showed any respect either. Her beautiful eyes locked sharply onto Ning Fengzhi.
Fang Ling's mouth twitched. So Ning Fengzhi failed with one plan and now was trying another?
He vaguely remembered that Ning Fengzhi once had this idea with Tang San too.
Sure enough, Ning Fengzhi said:
"When I saw how Fang Ling was training his teammates, I thought of sending my daughter to him, to temper that unruly nature."
That excuse about "correcting her personality" was just a front. The real plan was clearly a beauty trap.
Such impure motives!
Both girls instinctively tightened their grip on Fang Ling's arms.
Fang Ling didn't fall for the beauty trap. Under their satisfied gaze, he tactfully declined:
"This may sound a bit presumptuous, but I suggest that Sect Master Ning not let your daughter rush into cultivation too quickly."
Under Ning Fengzhi's puzzled gaze, Fang Ling added regretfully:
"If she cultivates too fast and then hits a wall during her prime years, it would be quite a cruel fate."
"Just like Elder Gu said, geniuses have their own personalities. Rebelliousness is only temporary. She'll come around eventually."
"Instead of forcing her to cultivate, it might be better to let her enjoy life and make some happy memories."
For example, in the original storyline, through the soul hunting operation, Ning Rongrong grew up quickly.
Sadly, she was a filial daughter,and in the end, only Ning Fengzhi remained to bury the bodies of Sword and Bone Douluo.
Ning Fengzhi was stunned. He didn't expect Gu Rong's sarcastic remark to rebound onto him like that.
Chen Xin agreed wholeheartedly:
"This kid's got a point. Rongrong doesn't need to rush cultivation. We can protect the sect. She just needs to enjoy life."
Gu Rong also nodded in agreement.
Ning Fengzhi could only smile wryly.
Every time he tried to be stricter, it ended the same way. The two pillars of the sect had watched Rongrong grow up and simply couldn't bear to discipline her.
After that, the group had a brief and friendly chat before leaving, saying they didn't want to disturb the team's training.
Qian Renxue truly seemed to just be here for a look. She didn't say a single word about recruiting.
She only spoke gently about how, because of Fang Ling's talent, the empire would extend grace and protection to any friends or family who had helped him in the past at the slaughterhouse.
That did show some lingering attachment.
Fang Ling expressed his thanks but could only sigh inwardly,she truly was worthy of being the Crown Prince for so many years.
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