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The next morning, at the center of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's First Team training grounds—
A black-haired, plainly dressed man in his thirties stood before Team One. "Ye Lan, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Qin Ming, the leader of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's First Team."
"Teacher Qin, hello," Ye Lan replied.
"No, no, I can't accept that. You are the 'Scholar' recognized across the entire continent. How could I presume to be the teacher of a man the world calls 'Master'?"
Just yesterday, Qin Ming had heard from the three elders of the Student Council that the Scholar, Ye Lan, had officially joined Team One. He also learned that this youth, at merely rank twenty-four, had defeated the rank-thirty-eight Yu Tianheng and had become the new captain. This news had made Qin Ming realize that Ye Lan's reputation was by no means undeserved.
"Teacher Qin, there's no need to be so formal. Titles are just titles. I am a student of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and you are one of its elite instructors. Naturally, I should call you Teacher Qin," Ye Lan said, unconcerned with such formalities.
Although Qin Ming was from Shrek Academy, Ye Lan had a good impression of him. In any era, a person who values loyalty and righteousness is rarely of bad character.
"Very well, then I shall reluctantly accept the honor of being the 'Scholar's' teacher." Qin Ming's impression of Ye Lan improved even further. He had originally assumed this 'Scholar' would be an arrogant master, but instead, Ye Lan was completely unpretentious, as if the title of the continent's foremost theorist meant nothing to him.
Afterward, Qin Ming began to summarize the recent combat performance of the First Team.
Today, however, Dugu Yan did not stand beside Ye Lan. Instead, she hid behind Ye Lengleng, unable to meet his eyes. That morning, when she awoke, she remembered that she had actually gotten drunk the previous night!
Dugu Yan had never realized how little resistance she had to "flower wine." Last night she had hugged a large tree, mistaking it for her idol Ye Lan, and kissed it wildly! If Ye Lengleng hadn't used the Nine-Heart Begonia in time to sober her up, Dugu Yan dared not imagine what disgraceful scene might have followed.
Sensing her unease, Ye Lengleng gently squeezed Dugu Yan's hand to comfort her, pulling her forward.
Watching Dugu Yan's flushed face and strange behavior, and recalling that she and Ye Lan had gone to Heaven Dou City the day before, bitterness rose in Yu Tianheng's heart.
Did Ye Lan do something to her? Why is her face so red that she can't even look him in the eye?
The Shi brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, were dutifully listening to Qin Ming's summary, their heads bowed as they considered how they could improve in future battles. Oslo, on the other hand, was laughing and chatting with Yu Feng about the senior and junior girls at the academy.
When Qin Ming finished his summary, Ye Lan had already formed a preliminary evaluation of his teammates.
In the absence of Spirit Hall's teams, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's First Team was nearly unbeatable in a seven-on-seven duel.
Whether it was Dugu Yan's poison or Yu Tianheng's lightning, both were abilities other Spirit Masters dreaded. Beyond them, the Shi brothers' Xuanwu Tortoise spirits were of exceptional quality, reaching the level of top-tier spirits. Their synergy as brothers made them a highly dependable frontline.
Yu Feng possessed a rare flying-type spirit, allowing him to harass opponents the team would otherwise struggle with. As for Oslo, his Black Panther spirit was superior to Zhu Zhuqing's Nether Civet in terms of raw potential. However, since Zhuqing had received Ye Lan's guidance and focused on pure speed, her speed and combat effectiveness would likely surpass Oslo's once she reached rank thirty.
Finally, there was Ye Lengleng with her Nine-Heart Begonia, the embodiment of ultimate vitality. Although the Begonia had no offensive skills, her group healing meant that as long as her spirit power was not depleted, Team One never had to fear injury. They could adopt a strategy of trading injury for injury and still emerge victorious.
This was Ye Lan's preliminary assessment. If he were to command this team, it would be exceedingly difficult to lose a seven-on-seven match.
After his review, Qin Ming announced the day's training: "Today's training will be as usual—no spirit power. You will run laps around the grounds while carrying weights! I want to see you all drenched in sweat. Especially you, Oslo! If I catch you wandering near the girls' dorms again, you can forget lunch and dinner—I'll keep you training here under my watch all day!"
Oslo grimaced. Who could resist when the girls were so enchanting? With their cheering, he couldn't concentrate on training.
After laying out the plan, Qin Ming turned to Ye Lan. "Ye Lan, what are your thoughts? Do you have a better suggestion for my training regimen?"
Instantly, all of Team One looked to Ye Lan with eager eyes. This was the 'Scholar' himself, the man who had published the 'New Core Spirit Theory'!
"Captain Ye!! You must have a special training method, right? I'm so sick of running laps!" Dugu Yan spoke up, hoping Ye Lan would forget her embarrassing actions from yesterday.
"Lord Ye Lan!! You have to say something to Leader Qin! I can't stand this weighted running for another day! The sight of the junior girls on the sidelines completely distracts me!" Oslo wailed in exaggerated despair.
Ye Lengleng watched Ye Lan quietly, also curious to hear his opinion.
Since Qin Ming had asked directly, Ye Lan didn't need to be the bad guy. Regarding the weighted running, it was just as expected of a teacher from Shrek Academy. The training was the same old routine: spiritless running plus combat matches. As captain, Ye Lan would not allow his team to waste time on such an outdated method. Spiritless weighted running was a massive waste of time that yielded half the results for double the effort.
"Teacher Qin," Ye Lan said, "I must respectfully disagree with your training plan. This spiritless weighted running method comes from Shrek Academy, does it not?"
Qin Ming's eyes widened. "Ye Lan, how did you know this method is from Shrek Academy?"
"I spent some time in Soto City," Ye Lan explained. "Two of my students happen to be from Shrek Academy, and they told me about their training program."
"I see… I never expected your students to be from my alma mater." A look of reminiscence softened Qin Ming's resolute face as he thought of Shrek.
"!!! Captain Ye, you actually have two students!?" Dugu Yan exclaimed in astonishment.
(End of Chapter)