Soul Land—Chapter 9: Family, I Found a Cat, She Wants to Go Home with Me
How can Zhu Zhuqing, who has been trained by Ling Qianyao, compare with her past self? Almost every attack is directed at her opponent's weak points. The continuous onslaught forces Feng Huolun to sweat as he can only parry, unable to mount a counterattack.
"Stop! I give up!" After witnessing Zheng Kai being knocked down by Ling Qianyao, terror gripped Feng Huolun's heart. He knew he was no match for Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing, so he decisively chose to surrender to avoid further humiliation.
Meanwhile, Dai Gonggong was still wrestling with Fei Guigui. The two were flushed, panting, with blue veins bulging on their faces.
Dai Gonggong relied on the powerful strength of the White Tiger Martial Soul, while Fei Guigui depended on the defensive power of the Mammoth Martial Soul to resist desperately. It was reminiscent of two foolish kids fighting.
As Dai Gonggong's humiliation intensified, Fei Guigui finally couldn't stand it anymore and spat at him. This action completely enraged Dai Gonggong. He roared, his strength surging, and pushed Fei Guigui hard, making him stagger back.
Suddenly, the scene became uncontrollable. The two wrestled together, exchanging punches and kicks, completely losing their decorum.
Despite their efforts, Dai Gonggong and Fei Guigui were finally pulled apart, but both were already bruised and swollen, in a pitiful state.
"Fuck your uncle, Turtle Man! You don't have the strength to push!"
"Fuck you, useless father-in-law! Can you even do it?"
The two continued hurling insults at each other, disregarding the spectators around them. Finally, the college instructor stepped in, speechless, and escorted Dai Gonggong and Fei Guigui away from the scene, taking them to the infirmary for treatment.
"Ahem."
In the somewhat awkward atmosphere, the instructor announced that Ling Qianyao and his team had won and secured first place.
The dean personally approached the three of them, standing in front of Ling Qianyao and saying solemnly, "Student Ling Qianyao, can you show me your martial soul?"
Ling Qianyao nodded, utilizing his Star Hiding skill, which transformed the appearance of his Star Breaking Sword. It was no longer just an ordinary iron sword; now it bore a faint starlight mark on the sword guard.
"This..." The dean stroked his beard, nodding. "No wonder, no wonder. The soul master who awakened your martial soul must not have looked carefully. Your martial soul is not an ordinary iron sword."
"It must have mutated positively after formal training. There are such examples on the mainland. No wonder your training speed is so fast; you have risen to level 4 in just four months and reached the realm of quasi-soul master."
The stars on your sword frame resemble those on the legendary Star Crown martial soul. It would be better to call it the Star Sword."
Ling Qianyao replied, "I call it the Star Breaking Sword."
"Oh?" The dean nodded. "What a good name."
He sighed suddenly, "Ah—the amazing talents of this world are like crucian carp crossing the river; they never stop. Countless geniuses are born among the common people. Although there are spirit halls all over the continent to help awaken martial souls, there will always be people who are hindered by a useless martial soul.
Fortunately, you are not among those unrecognized talents."
He smiled at Ling Qianyao and took out the prize for this competition from his robes. "This is a ring-type storage soul guidance device, your reward for the individual competition. The internal space is not large, only 2.5 cubic meters, so don't be disdainful.
There are also 3,000 gold soul coins as rewards for your team battle."
Ling Qianyao touched his chin and smiled. "Dean, is this the original reward?"
In this Douluo Continent, before the research on soul guidance devices began, storage soul guidance devices must have been much more valuable than these 3,000 gold soul coins, right?"
The dean blinked. "Yes, of course."
Ling Qianyao shrugged and accepted the prize. "Thank you, Dean."
He was confident that this was the additional investment made by the dean after recognizing his outstanding talent. The original symbolic reward was most likely discarded.
The dean smiled slightly as if he saw through Ling Qianyao's thoughts but chose not to point it out. He patted Ling Qianyao's shoulder gently and said earnestly: "Student Ling Qianyao, while talent is important, hard work and opportunity are also essential. The academy hopes you can maintain this spirit, win glory for the academy in the future, and contribute to the peace of the mainland. If you need anything, I can help you."
"Really?!"
"Of course!" The dean smiled, adjusting his beard.
"I want a single dormitory," Ling Qianyao said shamelessly. "Or can I rent a house and attend school next semester?"
"No problem," the dean agreed readily. Although, in principle, working students cannot have this privilege, that's only a guideline.
Soul masters are still expected to protect the people of the mainland.
"Do you need me to help you get a soul ring?"
Ling Qianyao nodded. "Then I'll trouble the dean, but I want to do so after I come back from the holiday to save some time. Anyway, my soul power will increase even without getting the soul ring."
The dean nodded in understanding. "Okay, you have learned the basic theory well, so it's a deal. Just come to my office after you return from the holiday."
After seeing off the dean and a group of teachers, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze shifted from the fangirl who had approached Ling Qianyao to Zhu Zhuqing herself.
As the three of them walked along the academy's bluestone road, Dai Gonggong asked, "Soul power increases even if you don't get soul rings? How come I didn't know that?"
"This is part of the basic theory, but many people tend to overlook it. Why, don't you think knowing this makes me a master of theory?"
Dai Gonggong felt a bit embarrassed and chuckled. "Haha, I thought so just now."
Yes, another guy was easily fooled by Yu Xiaogang.
After splitting the 3,000 gold soul coins equally, Ling Qianyao looked at the other two. "I'm going home. See you in a month."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, looking conflicted.
Dai Gonggong had originally planned to talk about making money in the future but, upon noticing Zhu Zhuqing's expression, waved his hand cheerfully. "Brother, see you later." As he walked away, he shot Ling Qianyao a knowing glance.
"Do you have something to tell me?" Ling Qianyao asked, crossing his arms and looking at Zhu Zhuqing with interest.
"Hmm," Zhu Zhuqing's fingers unconsciously rubbed the corners of her clothes as she gritted her teeth. "I want to go home with you. I know this request may be sudden, but I want to continue practicing with you during the holidays. Some things are happening at home recently, so I don't want to go back for the time being."
Ling Qianyao frowned slightly upon hearing this. He could sense the hidden meaning in Zhu Zhuqing's words, but he didn't press further. Instead, he whispered, "Zhuqing, will your family agree? After all, you are from the Star Luo Zhu family. If you don't go home during the holidays, won't the elders hold you accountable?"
Zhu Zhuqing laughed helplessly, recalling what Zhu Zhuyun had said to her a few days prior. She shook her head. "No, they don't care where I go at all."
"Oh?" Ling Qianyao narrowed his eyes, glancing away thoughtfully.
He smiled and said, "Okay, since you have no issues with this, I'll kindly take you in for a while."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled back. "Thank you."
On the way, Ling Qianyao noticed Zhu Zhuqing's ears turning red. His mind raced with possibilities. Could it be that Zhu Zhuyun was acquiescing while exerting her pressure?
"Is she testing me?"
In Ling Qianyao's memory, Zhu Zhuyun had never held any deep-seated hatred for Zhu Zhuqing. Otherwise, she wouldn't have sent her away to the Heaven Dou Empire.
Would his presence attract the attention of this sister who had been observing from the shadows?
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(End of this chapter)