Afternoon, third training ground in the main campus.
When Lin Yang and Dugu Yan arrived, two figures were already standing on the training ground—Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling.
"Yan'er, why didn't I see you in class today…"
When he saw Dugu Yan, a rare look of joy appeared on Yu Tianheng's usually cold and proud face. Just as he was about to ask, his gaze fell on the brand-new badge on her chest. The words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.
"Heaven Dou Class?"
He looked as if he had been struck by lightning, staring wide-eyed and frozen in place.
Two months ago, Dugu Yan had only been at twenty-seven levels. How had she reached thirty levels now?
After his crushing defeat in the Great Soul Arena last time, he had returned to his family to train in seclusion. He had worked himself to the bone and was only at twenty-nine levels now—still a step away from thirty. Yet Dugu Yan had now surpassed him?
This was unreasonable!!!
Dugu Yan didn't pay much attention to Yu Tianheng's thoughts. She gave a slight nod as greeting, then turned to Ye Lingling.
"Lingling, long time no see!"
Ye Lingling was much the same as before, her face veiled in gray gauze. She seemed out of place with the entire world, filled with loneliness and desolation. When facing Dugu Yan's greeting, Ye Lingling still raised her head and gave a slight nod in response.
Dugu Yan didn't mind. After all, she had been like this for a long time, and everyone was used to it.
Not long after the two stood still, Qin Ming strode over. He swept a glance over the four and, without much preamble, said,
"Alright, no more nonsense. Today, your battle team reserves will gain one more member."
His gaze landed on Lin Yang. "Lin Yang, you're the new member. Introduce yourself first."
Lin Yang stepped forward. With a flash of black light, "Hizama" appeared in his hand. Two yellow and one purple soul rings rose beneath his feet.
"Lin Yang, thirty-three-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder, martial soul Nichirin Blade."
Even though he knew of Lin Yang's terrifying talent, a trace of surprise still flashed in Qin Ming's eyes. He had reached thirty-three levels so quickly?
Yu Tianheng beside him was even more incredulous. He stared at Lin Yang and the martial soul in his hand.
Nichirin Blade? This guy was the Blade Demon from before?
Thinking of the humiliation of being slapped away back then, Yu Tianheng unconsciously clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking.
Of course, what made him feel even more stifled was that this guy was extremely close to Dugu Yan, and Dugu Yan's attitude toward him was clearly very different.
He hadn't forgotten why he had come to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was one of the Upper Three Sects, the Clear Sky Clan was now in seclusion, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had two Title Douluos—Sword and Bone. In contrast, their clan only had Clan Head Yu Yuanzhen as a Title Douluo.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan appeared glorious on the surface, but in reality it was already outwardly strong but inwardly weak, on the dangerous edge of having no successors. Otherwise, as a direct descendant, he wouldn't have come to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy instead of his own Thunder Academy.
His goal was to get close to Dugu Yan and then find an opportunity to win over Dugu Bo, the Title Douluo. Previously, he had been certain he could win Dugu Yan, but now… it seemed there were variables.
At this time, Qin Ming looked at the others. "Report your soul power levels too. Let's see how much progress you've made in these two months."
Dugu Yan stepped forward gracefully, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, her tone gentle.
"Dugu Yan, thirty-three-level Control System Battle Soul Elder, martial soul Jade Phosphor Poison Dragon."
Qin Ming nodded slightly. He had already known about this, so he wasn't surprised.
According to the Poison Douluo, Dugu Yan had inherited a secret technique from the Dugu family. Her martial soul had undergone some mutation, which was why her soul power had increased so dramatically.
But Yu Tianheng beside him seemed to crack again. His mind was in chaos. Only one thought echoed in his head.
Dugu Yan at thirty-three levels? Her martial soul seemed to have changed significantly too. So what exactly had happened outside during the two months he had been training in seclusion?
Next was Ye Lingling. Her expression remained unchanged from beginning to end. She simply summoned her martial soul, and her clear, cold voice rang out.
"Ye Lingling, twenty-six-level Support System Tool Soul Elder, martial soul Nine-Hearted Begonia."
Whew—!
Yu Tianheng let out a long breath. The stone that had been hanging in his heart finally landed. Thank goodness, thank goodness. Lingling hadn't undergone any shocking changes—she had only increased by one level.
But soon, his face turned completely black. He, a twenty-nine-level Great Soul Master, had become second-to-last among everyone.
"Tianheng? Tianheng!!!"
Qin Ming frowned and looked at Yu Tianheng, unconsciously raising his voice, which finally snapped the distracted Yu Tianheng back to attention.
Yu Tianheng jolted and immediately said, "Yu Tianheng, twenty-nine-level Power Attack System Great Soul Master, martial soul Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"
After Qin Ming nodded, he said, "It seems no one slacked off during the holiday. Your soul power has all improved. However, you are the members representing Heaven Dou Imperial Academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Soul power cultivation is only the most basic foundation. The most important thing is still actual combat…"
With that, Qin Ming stomped once. Five soul rings—two yellow and three purple—appeared beneath him. A surging wave of soul power pressure surged toward the four like a tide.
Except for Lin Yang, the other three all showed slight changes in expression.
"Qin Ming, fifty-nine-level Power Attack System Battle Soul King, martial soul—Mutated Blazing Fire Gray Wolf!"
Dugu Yan quietly explained to Lin Yang in a low voice, "Teacher Qin doesn't like textbook-style teaching. He prefers practical combat guidance. Don't be careless—Teacher Qin is really strong. It's said he has the potential to become one of the youngest Soul Emperors on the entire continent!"
Lin Yang nodded slightly. A fighting spirit gradually rose in his black eyes. What was the point of bullying weak opponents? Challenging powerful soul masters or soul beasts was what he looked forward to.
As punishment for being distracted earlier, the first to go up was Yu Tianheng. His Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul was indeed very domineering, but the soul power gap was too large. He couldn't gain even the slightest advantage against Qin Ming.
Qin Ming also pointed out Yu Tianheng's shortcomings during the fight. After punching Yu Tianheng away, Qin Ming frowned and shouted sternly,
"Tianheng, today your fighting was full of mistakes—worse than before. In this state, what are you going to use to fight in the Continental Elite Tournament?"
Yu Tianheng's mouth twitched as he forced out a smile. "Sorry, Teacher Qin. I… wasn't in good condition today."
Qin Ming glanced at him and didn't say anything more. He naturally knew why Yu Tianheng had lost his composure, but what could he say about this matter? This was the Dugu family's secret technique. If you have the ability, have your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan produce one too, so others can envy it.
Ye Lingling, being a support system, was skipped. Next was Dugu Yan.
After possessing her martial soul, Dugu Yan attacked Qin Ming without a word. Qin Ming remained at ease, commenting as he fought.
"Not bad. Your evolved martial soul is indeed stronger, Yan'er. But your advantage lies in various poisons. Close combat has instead become your weakness."
"Then try this move of mine, Teacher Qin."
Dugu Yan laughed lightly. Her third soul ring glowed brightly with purple light. A one-finger-long emerald crystal spike suddenly condensed and was instantly flung from her tail. Like a meteor streaking across the sky, it dragged a sharp, piercing sound as it flew toward Qin Ming.
Qin Ming's eyes narrowed. Vast soul power instantly condensed into a protective barrier in front of him.
Puff—!
The emerald crystal spike actually pierced straight into the barrier, embedding half an inch deep. What powerful penetration!
A trace of surprise flashed in Qin Ming's eyes. Immediately after, with a muffled bang, the crystal spike exploded. A cloud of emerald-green poisonous gas instantly spread out.