Emerging from a whirlwind of interactions with the women, Qian Ran finally sorted out the arrangements for Juzi, Dream Hongchen, and the others at Shrek Academy.
As for whether Juzi and Dong'er's groups could get along in the long run, that wasn't something Qian Ran planned to micromanage.
"If I have to handle everything personally, I'll work myself to death."
Juzi was intelligent and resourceful. With her mediating, the integration process should go smoothly.
Returning to Shrek Academy felt like a breath of fresh air for Qian Ran. There was always something special about this place that set it apart from anywhere else.
That evening, Qian Ran headed to Yan Shaozhe's home, a place he was now quite familiar with.
Even before entering, Qian Ran sensed a powerful aura. Suddenly, Yan Shaozhe appeared before him.
"It's been a while, kid. I wonder how much stronger you've gotten. Come, let's spar," Yan Shaozhe said, throwing a punch toward Qian Ran as he spoke.
Over the past year, Qian Ran's cultivation had advanced at an astonishing rate, leaving even the most seasoned experts dumbfounded.
He was now close to reaching the Soul Emperor level and would likely break through in a week or two.
When he first arrived at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Qian Ran had only been at the Soul Ancestor level.
In just over a year, he had climbed nearly twenty ranks.
Such progress was unprecedented across the entire continent. Even top-tier experts like Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier were worried about Qian Ran's rapid breakthroughs compromising his foundation.
While most people lamented slow progress, Qian Ran's mentors were concerned he was advancing too quickly.
Yan Shaozhe had suppressed his cultivation to the Soul Sage level, yet even so, his combat power remained formidable.
"Dean Yan, are you seriously challenging me?"
"You're advancing too fast; we're worried your foundation isn't stable," Yan Shaozhe said earnestly. In Shrek Academy's long history, no one had ever cultivated as quickly as Qian Ran.
When Yan Shaozhe had been at Qian Ran's current level, he could at most advance four or five ranks in a year. How could Qian Ran be so much faster?
"But why suppress your level to a Soul Sage? I haven't even broken through to Soul Emperor yet," Qian Ran quipped.
"Eh... stop with the chatter, kid," Yan Shaozhe replied, slightly embarrassed. Could he admit he was worried about losing to Qian Ran?
Everyone in Shrek knew Qian Ran was virtually invincible against peers of the same rank. Even Soul Sages or Soul Douluos couldn't take him lightly.
Yan Shaozhe wasn't foolish enough to make things hard for himself.
It was common knowledge among Shrek's elders: Qian Ran was a peerless talent in same-rank combat.
Although Qian Ran had yet to reach Soul Emperor, Yan Shaozhe dared not underestimate him. Suppressing his power to Soul Sage was both a precaution and an acknowledgment of Qian Ran's strength.
However, using Soul Douluo-level power against a junior in front of witnesses like Cai Meier, Xian Liner, and Qian Duoduo? That would be too humiliating for someone of Yan Shaozhe's status.
Boom!
Qian Ran unleashed his Golden Dragon martial soul and countered Yan Shaozhe's punch with his own.
The collision of their fists sent both of them retreating several steps.
Even though Yan Shaozhe had suppressed his cultivation to the Soul Sage level, his physical body was still that of a bona fide Super Douluo. While his soul power was limited, his physical resilience wasn't.
Yet even with this advantage, Qian Ran's punch left Yan Shaozhe momentarily stunned.
"What the hell is your fist made of?" Yan Shaozhe muttered, his lips twitching as he eyed Qian Ran's gleaming golden fist in disbelief.
"Dean Yan, my physical strength has already reached the level of a Titled Douluo. And the Golden Dragon martial soul specializes in raw power," Qian Ran explained, amused.
The Golden Dragon martial soul was unparalleled in strength. Even the Clear Sky Hammer paled in comparison when it came to brute force.
Against an ordinary Soul Sage, Qian Ran's punch would have caused severe injuries.
"I didn't expect your martial soul to be this powerful," Yan Shaozhe said, his expression serious. Until now, the academy had focused more on Qian Ran's Six-Winged Angel martial soul.
The Six-Winged Angel had long been recognized as one of the most powerful martial souls, dominating the soul master world under the rule of the Spirit Hall. Furthermore, Qian Ran's Six-Winged Angel had fused with the power of an evil soul master, granting it both holy and dark forms.
For the most part, Qian Ran had relied on the Six-Winged Angel in combat.
The Golden Dragon, which had evolved from the Ice Dragon martial soul that once controlled Ultimate Ice, was a relatively recent addition to his arsenal. Since Qian Ran rarely used it in battle, Yan Shaozhe and the others hadn't paid it much attention—until now.
"Again!" Yan Shaozhe said, unleashing stronger soul power as he charged at Qian Ran.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two exchanged over a dozen blows, with Qian Ran holding his ground every time.
Although Yan Shaozhe had limited his cultivation to the Soul Sage level, his physical strength and combat experience allowed him to exert power comparable to a Titled Douluo.
For Qian Ran, this was the perfect opponent to test his limits.
Among his peers, no one could withstand even a single punch from him. Only veterans like Yan Shaozhe posed any challenge.
Finally given the chance to spar seriously, Qian Ran relished the experience.
"Huff."
"Qian Ran's actual combat power is already at the Titled Douluo level. Against a typical Titled Douluo, he'd likely gain the upper hand due to underestimation," Qian Duoduo said, visibly stunned.
As Shrek's deputy dean for the Soul Engineering faculty, Qian Duoduo excelled in using soul tools. Among the four deans, he was the only one who hadn't surpassed the Super Douluo level.
Seeing Qian Ran hold his own against Yan Shaozhe left Qian Duoduo dumbfounded.
He had initially planned to tease Yan Shaozhe, but now he was too shaken to care. Qian Ran's performance was almost on par with his own. Was he about to become the first dean surpassed by this rising star?
"Ordinary Titled Douluos underestimate Qian Ran due to his age. Even if they give him some credit, they'd probably only suppress themselves to the Soul Sage level. That would spell disaster," Xian Liner remarked.
She hadn't expected Qian Ran to reach this level so quickly. His rapid growth was simply too shocking.
Titled Douluos were notoriously proud. Few would ever use their full power against a junior. Yet without doing so, they'd risk serious injury from Qian Ran's devastating strikes.
Qian Ran's youthful appearance was deceptive, hiding combat power that could match or even surpass many seasoned Titled Douluos.
(End of Chapter)