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In the afternoon, golden sunlight spilled onto the ground, casting dappled light and shadow on the smooth surface. Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling led Feng Xiao, one on each side, through the central square, their three shadows intertwining in the sunlight.
"Ahead is the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's exclusive training ground," Dugu Yan said, pointing to a magnificent building in the distance. Ye Lingling quietly followed beside them, her silver hair gently swaying in the breeze.
What came into view was a training ground the size of a standard fighting arena. Various spirit tools were embedded in the surrounding walls, the central area was paved with special elastic flooring, and various training equipment was neatly arranged in the corners. What was surprising was that with such complete training facilities, only a few people were using them at the moment.
"Such a good training ground, yet it's quite deserted," Feng Xiao murmured, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the Fuxi Zither in his arms.
Dugu Yan snorted, her emerald-like long hair swaying slightly with her head shake: "At this hour, those noble scions are either listening to music at tea parties or admiring the scenery in the garden." She pouted, "The training ground, to them, is just a place to get through classes."
Ye Lingling suddenly added softly: "Except for our Huang Dou Battle Team." Her voice was as clear as a spring, "Teacher Qin requires us to train here every afternoon."
Dugu Yan nodded, then turned to Feng Xiao with a bright smile: "Since the three deans have entrusted you to Teacher Qin's guidance, from today on, you are a member of our Huang Dou Battle Team." She winked slyly, "Be prepared, Teacher Qin's special training is no joke."
Feng Xiao's lips held a gentle smile as he nodded slightly. Sunlight streamed through the training ground's dome, casting a faint golden glow on his handsome profile.
"They should be arriving soon," Ye Lingling's voice rang out like a clear spring, her silver hair gently fluttering in the breeze.
Before long, the training ground's large door was pushed open. Yu Tianheng walked in first, followed by several unfamiliar faces. When he saw Feng Xiao standing beside Dugu Yan, a trace of impatience flashed in his azure eyes, and his brow furrowed unconsciously.
"Yo, Yanzi, who is this..." A young man with short golden hair quickly stepped forward. He was well-proportioned, with a pair of nimble eyes that darted around, and his whole demeanor exuded a devil-may-care attitude.
The Huang Dou Battle Team members' gazes all fell on Feng Xiao, or more precisely, on the ancient Fuxi Zither in his arms. The dark patterns flowing on the zither's body shimmered faintly in the sunlight, emanating a mysterious aura.
Dugu Yan cleared her throat: "This is Feng Xiao, a new team member. The three deans specifically arranged for him to be guided by Teacher Qin." Her emerald-like long hair swayed gently as she turned, "From now on, everyone will train together."
Feng Xiao bowed gracefully, his moon-white robes fluttering slightly in the wind: "Please guide me." His voice was as clear as a zither's note, but it made Yu Tianheng's frown deepen.
"This lively one is Feng Yao," Dugu Yan said, pointing at the golden-haired youth, then pointing at a silent figure in the shadows, "that quiet one is Oslo." Her gaze turned to the two burly youths standing nearby, "These two are the Shi Brothers, Stone Ink and Stone Ink."
Everyone nodded in greeting. Just in this brief exchange, a dark figure appeared like a Ghost Leopard before them.
"Good afternoon, everyone." The man in black stood with a smile, his tight-fitting attire outlining his lean physique. He appeared to be just over thirty, with an ordinary face, simple black hair, simple and plain clothing, and a profound light in his bright black eyes.
A trace of reverence flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes: "Feng Xiao, this is Qin Ming Teacher." Her voice unconsciously lowered a few decibels, "Currently the youngest Spirit Emperor strong person on the continent."
Feng Xiao bowed solemnly, his fingertips unconsciously brushing the zither strings: "Greetings, Teacher Qin."
Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his lips, his gaze like a torch as he looked at Feng Xiao: "The deans have already thoroughly introduced your situation to me, Feng Yao." His voice was steady and powerful, "The Huang Dou Battle Team welcomes your addition."
Feng Xiao bowed slightly, his fingertips gently stroking the zither strings: "Teacher Qin flatters me, I am unworthy."
"Is this your Spirit?" Qin Ming's gaze fell on the Fuxi Zither in Feng Xiao's arms, and a hint of inquiry flashed in his eyes. The ancient patterns on the zither's body flowed with a mysterious luster in the sunlight, clearly not an ordinary item.
Feng Xiao nodded in affirmation, and two bright yellow spirit rings slowly rose from beneath his feet, emitting a soft glow. His slender fingers gently plucked a string, and a visible sound wave ripple spread out from him, precisely avoiding everyone present, creating a faint echo on the walls around the training ground.
"What exquisite control!" A glint flashed in Qin Ming's eyes, and he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. But then his expression turned serious, and his tone became stern: "However..." He looked around at everyone, "Team training emphasizes teamwork and discipline. All members must strictly follow a unified training plan." His gaze returned to Feng Xiao, "Feng Yao, you should understand this, right?"
Feng Xiao met Qin Ming's gaze, and in the lingering sound of the zither, his voice was as clear and refined as jade: "Teacher Qin's guidance is correct." But in his deep eyes, a thoughtful glint flashed.
Feng Xiao's fingertips gently caressed the zither strings, and after a moment of contemplation, he looked up and said: "Teacher Qin, my cultivation method is somewhat special. May I be allowed to arrange some personal training myself?"
"No." Qin Ming shook his head decisively, his voice steady and powerful, "Feng Yao, individualism will destroy team tacit agreement. The Huang Dou Battle Team is strong precisely because of our unity and cooperation."
Silence fell upon the training ground for a moment. Yu Tianheng leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, a faint sneer playing on his lips, and a look of anticipation in his azure eyes.
Feng Xiao looked around at everyone, then suddenly smiled, a smile like a spring breeze: "Since that's the case, how about Teacher Qin and I make a bet?" His slender fingers gently plucked a zither string, producing a clear, trembling sound, "Let me choose one person from the team to fight. If I am fortunate enough to win, then please allow me to arrange my personal training. Of course—" He paused, his gaze sincere, "I will attend all team training on time."
"This..." Qin Ming's gaze lingered on Feng Xiao's two bright yellow spirit rings for a moment, and his brow furrowed slightly, "Feng Yao, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Naturally." Feng Xiao nodded calmly, the Fuxi Zither in his arms glowing with a gentle luster in the sunlight.
A hint of interest flashed in Qin Ming's eyes; he was actually quite curious about this new team member's strength. After a moment of contemplation, his lips curved slightly: "Alright, excluding the support system Ye Lingling, you can choose your opponent."
Feng Xiao's gaze slowly swept over everyone, finally settling on the silent figure in the corner. "Then... Oslo Tongxue it is." He smiled slightly, his voice as clear as a spring.
Oslo, whose face had been stern, couldn't help but frown slightly upon hearing this. A trace of displeasure flashed in his sharp, black leopard-like eyes—he felt as if he had been underestimated by this newcomer.
"What? Choose Oslo?" Feng Yao couldn't help but exclaim, his eyes widening under his golden hair. All the Huang Dou Battle Team members, except Dugu Yan, showed surprise on their faces. One must know that Oslo's Ghost Leopard Spirit, in short-distance bursts, was so fast that even Captain Yu Tianheng could barely fully track his figure. Even he could only defeat Oslo by utilizing his flying advantage.
Feng Xiao walked unhurriedly to the center of the field and bowed gracefully to Oslo: "Please enlighten me." His movements were fluid, with an indescribable composure.
Seeing the other party's serious attitude, Oslo's tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed slightly. He slowly stepped forward, his voice low: "I will go easy on you." As he spoke, three spirit rings slowly rose from beneath his feet.
"Thank you." Feng Xiao's lips curved slightly, the Fuxi Zither in his arms glowing with a gentle luster in the sunlight.
Without needing words, the Huang Dou Battle Team members tacitly retreated to the side of the field, leaving enough space for the two. Yu Tianheng stood in the front row with his arms crossed, a scrutinizing light in his eyes; Ye Lingling unconsciously clutched the corner of her clothes; Dugu Yan, on the other hand, smiled, her emerald-like eyes full of anticipation.
A cold light flashed in Oslo's eyes, and spirit power surged around him, a completely black leopard shadow appearing behind him. He said in a deep voice: "Oslo, Spirit: Ghost Leopard, thirty-fifth level agility-attack system Spirit Elder." The yellow, yellow, and purple lights were particularly striking in the training ground.
Feng Xiao unhurriedly caressed the zither case, his fingertips lingering on the ancient patterns, and said softly: "Feng Xiao, Spirit: Fuxi Zither, twenty-seventh level Spirit Grandmaster."
His self-introduction was somewhat simple, because his abilities and the Fuxi Zither in his hand were truly difficult to define with conventional Spirit Master classifications. Where the zither's sound reached, it could transform into a sharp attack, build an invisible barrier, or even make one forget pain and boost morale—attack, defense, and support in one, this was the unique aspect of his Spirit. Whether it was attack, defense, control, or support abilities, he had dabbled in them all.
"Match begin!"
With Qin Ming's command, Oslo instantly completed his Spirit possession. Three spirit rings burst forth with dazzling light around him—the yellow, yellow, and purple spirit ring configuration displayed his strength as a core member of the Huang Dou Battle Team.
"Whoosh—"
Only an afterimage was left in the air as Oslo's true body disappeared from its original spot like a Ghost Leopard. The terrifying speed granted by the Ghost Leopard Spirit allowed everyone present to only catch a blurry trajectory.
"This guy, he's going all out from the start," Feng Yao couldn't help but gasp, his eyes wide under his short golden hair.
In a flash of lightning, Oslo had already closed in on Feng Xiao. Sharp claws gleamed coldly, just an inch from Feng Xiao's throat. The strong wind ruffled the fringe on Feng Xiao's forehead, revealing his calm, placid eyes.
Just at this critical moment—
"Zheng!!!"
A piercing zither note suddenly exploded. Feng Xiao's first spirit ring burst forth with dazzling light, his slender fingers heavily strumming the strings, and a visible golden sound wave spread out like ripples. Where the sound wave passed, the air itself twisted.
"Thud!"
Oslo's charging figure suddenly froze. The triumphant smile on his face had not yet faded, but his eyes had already rolled back. To everyone's shocked gaze, this agility-attack system Spirit Elder, known for his speed, simply fell straight to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The training ground was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Yu Tianheng's azure pupils contracted violently. He instinctively took half a step forward, but he couldn't understand what had just happened. As the inheritor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, he had completely failed to capture the trajectory of Feng Xiao's move.
Dugu Yan's emerald-like eyes sparkled with triumph, while Ye Lingling lightly covered her red lips, her lavender eyes filled with disbelief.
At this moment, all the Huang Dou Battle Team members realized—this seemingly gentle and elegant zither player's strength was probably far beyond their imagination.
Qin Ming's figure flashed, instantly appearing beside the unconscious Oslo. He reached out and pressed his hand to Oslo's neck, and after confirming his condition with the flow of spirit power, the shock in his eyes deepened: "This is... a mental shock? No..." He suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze fixed on Feng Xiao, "You can actually control sound waves to such an exquisite degree?"
Feng Xiao's slender fingers gently caressed the zither strings, bringing forth a faint, lingering sound, and he said softly: "Just some insignificant trick, I've made Teacher Qin laugh." He looked at Oslo with an apologetic gaze, "Please rest assured, Oslo Tongxue will wake up within a quarter of an hour and will not suffer any after-effects."
Qin Ming shook his head with a wry smile, his eyes filled with both admiration and a hint of helplessness: "Alright, from now on, you can arrange your personal cultivation yourself. However..." His expression turned serious, and he solemnly added: "At least three team combined training sessions per week. This is the bottom line, and it's also an opportunity for you to understand each other."
"Thank you, Teacher Qin, for your understanding." Feng Xiao bowed gracefully, his moon-white robes swaying gently with his movements. As he looked up, his gaze inadvertently met Yu Tianheng's—the contempt in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon successor's eyes had vanished, replaced by unprecedented solemnity and scrutiny. Feng Xiao understood that this battle had helped him establish a preliminary foothold in the Huang Dou Battle Team.
"Well done!" Dugu Yan had somehow moved to his side, her warm breath brushing his ear. Her emerald-like eyes sparkled with cunning: "But..." Her voice dropped even lower, "Does this move work on Tianheng too?"
Feng Xiao's lips curved slightly, and his fingertips gently plucked a zither string, producing a meaningful tremor: "Well..." He deliberately drew out the sound, a hint of mystery flashing in his eyes, "That's a secret."
Qin Ming stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze gently fixed on Feng Xiao: "Alright, after Oslo wakes up, you can proceed with your daily training together." He paused, a hint of expectation in his tone, "As for Feng Yao, I wonder if you would mind letting me observe your training method? Perhaps I can give you some suggestions."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiao's lips curved into a humble smile. He elegantly caressed the zither body, his fingertips producing a clear, trembling sound on the strings: "Of course, it would be my honor." Sunlight streamed through the dome, casting a faint golden glow on his handsome profile, "To receive guidance from Teacher Qin is precisely what this junior desires most."