The golden rooster crowed.
The golden sun rose.
Bibi Dong quickly finished preparing breakfast before calling out to Su Linfeng and Hu Liena.
"You two, come eat."
"Teacher."
Not long after, Hu Liena emerged from her room, still rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Isn't Brother Su up yet?"
"Mm."
The corner of Bibi Dong's mouth twitched, her expression slightly unnatural.
"He hasn't come out yet."
Sleeping in?
That didn't match Brother Su's character at all.
For years now, Su Linfeng had always been the most diligent one. As Yan often teased, he might be a bit of a "sister-con," insisting on sleeping with Teacher every night, but at dawn, he was always the first to rise and train. Why would he be late today?
Hu Liena couldn't figure out what was wrong with his martial soul.
Even though he worked harder than the Golden Generation, his soul power advanced at a snail's pace, as if it were leaking away.
But how could she know—
It wasn't that Su Linfeng's soul power was leaking. The real problem was that standing right in front of her every day was a vampire.
Just then—
Su Linfeng stepped out of his room.
His face was still faintly flushed. He glanced once at Bibi Dong before quickly averting his gaze toward Hu Liena.
"Nana, did you sleep well last night?"
"Heehee."
Hu Liena giggled shyly, scratching her cheek as she answered, "Good morning, Brother Su!"
Why's this brat blushing?
He really seemed too hung up on what happened earlier…
That in turn made Bibi Dong feel even more flustered. This atmosphere is unsettling me too…
"All right."
At last, Bibi Dong steadied her breathing and said, "Come eat, both of you. Afterward, go train with Lordia in the combat simulations. The finals of the Elite Spirit Master Tournament are only a month away. I expect you to bring me back the championship!"
Su Linfeng and Hu Liena exchanged a look, then both gathered at the table.
The three of them began eating breakfast.
"Don't worry, Teacher."
Hu Liena said while chewing, "If you don't trust us, at least trust Brother Su, right?"
Bibi Dong turned to look at Su Linfeng.
After a moment of silence, she said, "You two should understand what the first Continental Elite Spirit Master Tournament means to Spirit Hall. You must claim the championship to intimidate the younger generation of the entire Douluo Continent.
"Although your talent is exceptional, you cannot afford to underestimate your opponents.
"Because of the tournament's age limit of twenty-five, many participants will have higher soul power than you."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Pay special attention to Star Luo Royal Academy's Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. He's eighteen, already ranked 44. She's sixteen, rank 42. They also possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Together, they are enough to pose a real threat."
Dai Weisi? Zhu Zhuyun?
Is their talent that good?
Indeed, the Star Luo royal family's resources were impressive.
Su Linfeng raised an eyebrow. If he recalled correctly, five years later, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun would only be ranked 49 and 47. Had they really grown five levels in just five years?
On second thought, it made sense.
After all, cultivation slowed the further one progressed. And Dai Weisi was entangled in royal power struggles, which would only hinder his training.
Still, the two were worth paying attention to.
"And there's more."
Bibi Dong continued analyzing, "Tian Dou Royal Academy's Yu Tianheng and Thunderclap Academy's Yu Tianxin must also be watched. They hail from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Both are already ranked 41st in Soul Sects. They won't be an overwhelming threat, but don't forget—there's also Dugu Yan, who was personally trained by Linfeng."
As she spoke, she didn't forget to give Su Linfeng a pointed look.
How's that my fault?
Su Linfeng spread his hands innocently. Weren't you the one who made that deal with Dugu Bo?
Besides, trading a little Soul Sect for a Titled Douluo wasn't a loss. And even though Dugu Yan was competing under Tian Dou Royal Academy, she would inevitably belong to Spirit Hall in the future.
So there was no need to dwell on which side she represented in this tournament.
Still—
These three might not threaten the Golden Generation, but they'd certainly be troublesome.
"And then there are the so-called extreme schools—Godwind, Blazing Fire, Tianshui, and Elephant Armored Academies. Their soul levels should still hover around 35 to 38. They won't pose much of a threat."
"And finally…"
Bibi Dong set down her chopsticks and fixed her eyes on Su Linfeng.
"This individual competition—you were the one who suggested it. Now the real trouble comes.
"In this year's preliminaries, the Barak Kingdom produced a dark horse—Shrek Academy's Qin Ming. Twenty-five years old. Rank 55 Soul King!"
"The only one capable of contending with you for the individual championship."
"Rank 55 Soul King?!"
Hu Liena gasped, eyes widening as she instinctively turned to Su Linfeng. Worry was plain on her face.
Twenty-five years old, already ranked 55.
That was a true genius.
Of course, she believed she could one day reach that level too—but not now. The tournament was right around the corner, and Brother Su… he was only rank 49.
A Soul Sect versus a Soul King. One soul ring short, and a huge power gap. The tournament wouldn't wait ten years for him to catch up.
Qin Ming, huh?
Su Linfeng's lips curled slightly. He had guessed as much.
In truth, this was why he had suggested adding the individual competition. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been a single opponent worth facing.
He simply hadn't expected Qin Ming to already be rank 55.
That was surprising.
No wonder he would reach rank 62 by the age of thirty, becoming the first true monster of Shrek Academy, the second youngest Soul Emperor in the entire continent's history. His level suited both his title and martial soul.
Qin Ming's martial soul was the Blazing Fire Wolf, a mutated variant. Unlike ordinary wolf martial souls, usually ice-aspected, his mutation gave him fire affinity. Offensively, fire was far superior.
In close combat, Qin Ming's speed was blistering, his explosive strength tremendous. His path was one of extreme penetration and defense-breaking.
I wonder how his flames compare to mine.
With that thought, Su Linfeng put down his chopsticks.
"I understand, Big Sis."
Breakfast finished.
Preparations made.
Hu Liena also set down her bowl, rising together with Su Linfeng.
"Good. As long as you're mentally prepared."
Bibi Dong nodded, then got up to start clearing the dishes.
"Go train."
"Mm."
Su Linfeng kept his head lowered, avoiding her eyes as he turned to leave—only to almost bump right into her.
Su Linfeng: "!!"
Bibi Dong: "…"
"I—I'll clean these up first." Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed faintly as she carried the dishes.
"Ahaha, Big Sis, you go on ahead." Su Linfeng scratched his head awkwardly.
"You little brat!"
Bibi Dong snorted softly, then raised her hand to smack the back of his head. "You don't understand a thing. Remember to come back early tonight—I want to have a good talk with you."
Talk again?
Hadn't she said that eight years ago?
Now she was saying it again?
Su Linfeng grinned helplessly, nodded, and walked toward the door.
Hu Liena: "…"
Something's not right… Both Teacher and Brother Su are acting strangely today. Did something happen?
Brother Su, wait for me!