"Among them, Elite Class One is our Spirit Hall Academy team. Including the three reserve members, there are ten people in total."
"Then, Uncle Qiangu," Yin Zhang asked, "who's the strongest person in the Elite Class? I heard before that the strongest student in our academy is already a Soul King."
As he spoke, Yin Zhang noticed Qiangu Yuan's expression turn a little strange.
"Mmm, there is one," Qiangu Yuan replied with a hum.
"What, you want to challenge a Soul King directly?"
"Yes. I've thought about it."
Yin Zhang nodded lightly, but immediately noticed that Qiangu Yuan looked like he was holding back laughter.
He frowned in dissatisfaction.
"Uncle Qiangu, what do you mean by that? Are you looking down on me?"
Qiangu Yuan burst into laughter and waved his hand.
"Xiao Zhang, I admit you're a once-in-a-generation genius. In my memory, you're already the youngest Soul Elder, and I'm afraid in the future you'll keep breaking records for the youngest Soul Ancestor, Soul King, Soul Emperor… maybe even the youngest Titled Douluo. But right now, defeating a Soul King is impossible for you—let alone…"
"Let alone what, Uncle Qiangu?" Yin Zhang cut in. "Since you don't believe me, I'm determined to beat her! Tell me about her—don't tell me she's already in her fifties?"
As soon as he said that, Yin Zhang's stubborn nature flared up.
With the equipment he now had, his overall strength had increased tremendously, not to mention his complete set of soul skills.
More importantly, this was also a requirement of the mission he had chosen.
Challenging the Elite Class monitor, becoming the strongest student in Spirit Hall Academy, and securing a spot in next year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament—this was his first objective after returning to the academy.
Qiangu Yuan coughed lightly.
"Since you insist on challenging her, I'll be honest. That Soul King is named Qiangu Yunying."
"Qiangu?"
Yin Zhang froze. "Uncle Qiangu… don't tell me this Qiangu Yunying is related to you?"
"Nonsense. I already told you—her surname is Qiangu. Of course she's related to me."
Qiangu Yuan chuckled and took another sip of tea. Feeling refreshed, he continued.
"She's my youngest daughter. There's no problem telling you about her. Ever since she was six years old, Yunying has been the most treasured genius of the Qiangu family."
"Her martial soul is a mutated form of our family's inherited martial soul, the Coiling Dragon Rod—the Flame-Plundering Spear, named for 'using fire as the tassel, moving like a flame-plundering spear.'"
"Yunying is nineteen this year—nine years older than you. Although her cultivation speed isn't as outrageous as yours, her soul power has already reached Rank 53. She is the only Soul King in Spirit Hall Academy!"
"Mm, she did mention that there's another boy in her class who's close to breaking through to Soul King. But until he does, Yunying remains the academy's sole Soul King."
"If you said you wanted to challenge a Soul Ancestor, I might believe you could win. But against my youngest daughter? I'm afraid you'll lose so badly you won't even have underwear left! Hahaha!"
Qiangu Yuan laughed heartily. After spending these days with Yin Zhang, he finally felt a rare sense of satisfaction.
Yin Zhang coughed again.
"Then, Uncle Qiangu, would it be convenient for you to tell me more about Yunying? What are the effects of her five soul skills?"
Qiangu Yuan shot him a look. "Don't think I don't know what you're planning, brat. I'm not telling you!"
"Tch. Stingy," Yin Zhang muttered. "And you're the vice dean of Spirit Hall Academy—aren't you afraid people will laugh at you?"
Feeling bored, Yin Zhang stood up and stretched.
Just as he was about to walk out, Qiangu Yuan's voice came from behind him.
"Go back to Intermediate Class One first. Come to my office this afternoon—I'll introduce you to Yunying. After that, you can decide whether you still want to challenge her. As for entering the Elite Class, that won't be a problem."
Yin Zhang nodded. "Got it, Uncle Qiangu. My goal won't change. I'm determined to become number one in Spirit Hall Academy!"
Clatter—
Bang—
Watching Yin Zhang leave and close the door, Qiangu Yuan leaned back in his comfortable fur-covered chair and stared at the white ceiling, lost in thought.
Yunying is only nineteen. According to the new rules jointly set by Spirit Hall and the two great empires, participants must be under twenty-five. And the Elite Tournament is held once every four years.
That means if Yunying competes next year, she'll still be eligible to compete again four years later.
By then, she might already be a Soul Emperor… and there's also this kid, Yin Zhang.
He's only ten this year. Even if he isn't ready to compete next year, he could still participate in three Elite Tournaments before turning twenty-five. Hah…
If you look at it that way, Spirit Hall Academy should dominate the Elite Tournament champion titles for the next several years, shouldn't it?
With that thought, Qiangu Yuan finished the tea in his cup, stood up, and walked out in another direction.
"Still need to find that old fellow and explain the situation. I know he'll agree… but just seeing that old face annoys me. Sigh."
—
On Yin Zhang's side, following the familiar route from memory, he arrived at Intermediate Class One.
Knock, knock—
Seeing that the teacher and students were still in class, Yin Zhang gently knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
The teacher opened the door and saw Yin Zhang standing there. Instantly, exclamations rang out across the classroom.
Yin Zhang is back!
Yin Zhang nodded with a smile in acknowledgment and returned to his seat.
The lesson continued. The teacher's lecture on martial souls and spirit beasts was fairly interesting.
However, Spirit Hall Academy followed the same rules as other academies on the continent—you didn't have to focus too much during class, but cultivation outside of class was mandatory.
After class ended, Yin Zhang was immediately surrounded by classmates asking questions. Only then did they learn that he would be leaving again that afternoon, and many of them felt reluctant.
Someone joked that once Yin Zhang became a top-tier powerhouse on the continent, they'd have something impressive to brag about. The classroom atmosphere quickly grew lively again.
Yin Zhang, however, didn't feel any sadness at parting. From the day he entered Intermediate Class One, he knew he wouldn't stay here long. As a result, his relationships with his classmates never went beyond polite familiarity.
As he stood up to leave, someone asked,
"Yin Zhang, are you heading to Advanced Class One later?"
Before he could answer, another student spoke up.
"Definitely not Advanced Class One! Class One is full of those kinds of—"
Yin Zhang didn't bother listening. He simply smiled faintly and left the classroom.
The moment he stepped outside, he saw a familiar figure running toward him.
"Brother Zhang! You're finally back!"
Yin Zhang turned his head—it was Hu Liena.
With a bright, happy expression, Hu Liena opened her arms and ran straight toward him.