Two days later, the academy teams returned to the grand plaza. Under Xue Ye's gaze and the watch of the officials, the thousand-strong procession set out in grand fashion.
The journey was long. To allow the competitors to rest and cultivate more effectively, the Empire had equipped the carriages with simple Soul Tool technology. With excellent shock absorption and soundproofing, the students could cultivate Soul Power and discuss tactics without disturbance.
Yang Yunhai sat quietly inside one of the carriages, cultivating together with Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing.
With his cultivation speed, if nothing unexpected happened, he would reach soul rank 50 within half a month. By rights, he could already head out to find the Blue Silver King and obtain his soul ring. Though the exact location wasn't determined, he had already calculated the approximate area using Spirit Hall's maps. With Yiner's Blue Silver Grass sensing ability, he could search mountain range by mountain range. There was more than enough time.
But considering his Martial Soul's second awakening form might still change, and Yiner's disguise ability might not be able to fool someone like Bibi Dong—who carried a God inheritance—he had to be cautious. Moreover, there was also Qian Daoliu, who might secretly observe the tournament. At his age, breaking through to Soul King was no longer genius—it was monstrous. He couldn't be certain what thoughts Bibi Dong might harbor.
Therefore, he decided to wait until after the Continental Soul Master Tournament. By then, he could also test luring the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan into action.
---
Meanwhile, in the Godwind Academy carriage.
"Feng Xiaotian." Huo Wushuang called from outside.
Soon, the curtain lifted, and Feng Xiaotian poked his head out, puzzled. "Wushuang, what's the matter?"
"My sister wants to discuss something with you." Huo Wushuang nodded.
Feng Xiaotian grew even more confused.
He didn't believe Huo Wu had suddenly changed her mind. From how she had privately met with Yang Yunhai before, and her small actions against him during the tournament, it was obvious she had some feelings for Yang Yunhai. The one involved might not see it, but as an outsider, he was sure he wasn't mistaken.
After all, he had pursued her for so many years.
'Could this be about the finals?' he speculated inwardly, then nodded slightly. "Alright."
He dropped the curtain, stepped out of the carriage, and followed Huo Wushuang away.
Before long, at Huo Wushuang's indication, he boarded the Blazing Academy carriage alone. His teammates were outside, leaving only Huo Wu inside.
"Huo Wu, you wanted something from me?" Feng Xiaotian sat opposite her and asked.
It seemed Feng Xiaotian had truly moved on. Relieved, Huo Wu let out a silent sigh. He had always treated her well, but feelings couldn't be forced. Perhaps it was because they were simply too familiar.
Thinking this, she nodded slightly.
"Brother Feng, I'll speak directly."
Her expression grew serious. "Do you think, with the strength of our teams, we can defeat Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Spirit Hall Academy?"
Feng Xiaotian gave a bitter smile. "I'm afraid that will be very difficult."
"Not difficult—impossible." Huo Wu frowned. "You must have noticed it too. Dugu Yan has only used her fourth soul skill once. Zhu Zhuqing hasn't used hers at all. Clearly, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is hiding its strength. And Yang Yunhai—do you really think he isn't hiding anything? I don't believe it!"
"Since the qualifiers, how many surprises has that guy brought?"
"As for Spirit Hall, they likely have a Soul King. Their other members are certainly all at least soul rank 45."
Feng Xiaotian sighed. "Huo Wu, after losing to Yang Yunhai, I already stopped thinking about the championship. Heaven Dou Royal Academy has six Soul Ancestors and Ye Lingling as their powerful support. With Yang Yunhai's control and command, their strength far surpasses ours. For me, the finals are just a trial."
"That may not be so!" Huo Wu shook her head. "We still have a chance. That's why I called you here. Brother Feng, I want Blazing Academy to give up our finals qualification and merge with your Godwind Academy to form a new team."
Feng Xiaotian hadn't expected such resolve from her. His expression showed surprise, then he frowned. "Huo Wu, isn't that… inappropriate? We represent different elements. The committee might not allow it."
"Why not?" Huo Wu raised a brow. "The rules forbid swapping members midway, but they don't forbid already-registered students from transferring to another academy. This isn't explicitly stated."
"If it's not stated, it isn't a violation."
"That… is true." Feng Xiaotian was slightly shocked. It was a loophole.
"But what if Spirit Hall makes things difficult by changing the rules?" he hesitated. After all, the champion's prize was three soul bones. Who wouldn't want them? Why would Spirit Hall allow an extra opponent?
"Ha! Why would they?" Huo Wu sneered. "Heaven Dou Royal Academy is clearly their biggest threat. If another strong team suddenly appears to block them and test their strength, Spirit Hall would be delighted. Why would they refuse? Brother Feng, surely you don't believe Spirit Hall plays fair?"
Feng Xiaotian was stunned, then nodded with a sigh. "After all, the champion's reward is three soul bones."
Huo Wu nodded. "That's why Spirit Hall will definitely approve and even arrange for us to face Heaven Dou Royal Academy early. But so what?" Her eyes gleamed.
"Facing them sooner or later—what difference does it make? As long as our strength is enough, we'll fight our way through. And fighting strong opponents only makes the trial better."
"Besides, Brother Feng, don't you want to face Yang Yunhai again in the upcoming matches, to defeat him personally and wash away the shame?"
'That's part of your purpose, isn't it?' Feng Xiaotian sighed inwardly, knowing Huo Wu's competitive nature.
'But I feel the same.' His hands clenched slightly, eyes burning with battle intent. He nodded firmly. "Of course I want to."
"That's enough!" Huo Wu smiled. "Leave the rest to me. Please persuade your teammates and teacher. Blazing Academy is willing to give up our honor this time, temporarily transfer to your Godwind Academy, and compete under your name. As for the soul bones, if we truly win, the head bone can be decided in a friendly duel—the loser gets 500,000 gold soul coins as compensation. The other two soul bones, each of us takes one suited to our attributes."
Though unlikely, she thought it best to make things clear in advance.
"Alright." Feng Xiaotian nodded seriously without hesitation.
Huo Wu continued, "Brother Feng, we don't have much time. Just these twenty days on the road. You need to decide quickly. If there are no issues, we'll start training tonight."
"Shrek Academy and Canghui Academy could develop a Seven-in-One Fusion Skill. Perhaps we can too. With wind fueling fire, if we succeed, our power won't be any weaker."
"Alright, I'll speak to my teacher and teammates." Feng Xiaotian stood.
With Huo Wu's mastery of her Martial Soul and her Fusion Ring ability, plus his own strength, twenty days might be enough. Godwind Academy had already started experimenting, with some progress made. Even if they failed, combined techniques through teamwork would still be formidable.
Just as Huo Wu said—wind fuels fire. Their two teams were naturally compatible.
"Mm." Huo Wu nodded, watching him leave.
When the curtain dropped, her gaze turned toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy's carriages. Clenching her fist, she snorted coldly. "Yang Yunhai, next time we face each other, I'll make sure you pay!"
Being defeated by him again and again left her unwilling. And she was still vexed—she, a great beauty, had taken the initiative to kiss him, only to be rejected. Just thinking about it made her angry. How was she any worse than Zhu Zhuqing or Dugu Yan? This time, she would defeat both on the battlefield!
Girls always have a heart for rivalry.
---
That night, when the convoy stopped and set up camp, Yang Yunhai extended his Blue Silver Grass to sense the area.
'Hm? Blazing Academy and Godwind Academy… they've teamed up just like in the original?' he murmured inwardly. He clearly 'saw' their members gathering together in an open space.
On the Shrek Academy side, Liu Erlong and Tang San were absent. Even at the plaza earlier, they hadn't shown up. His brows furrowed.
He didn't need to guess. Tang San must have gone hunting soul beasts again to cultivate.
Yu Xiaogang was also absent—likely gone to find Bibi Dong.
"That Tang San must have gone hunting soul beasts." In the soul bone space, Yiner had sensed it too, her voice carrying anger.
'Tang Hao, in the finals, we'll see whether my lightning strikes faster than you can save him.' Yang Yunhai's eyes turned cold.
After dinner, he trained and cultivated with his teammates until near midnight before sleeping.
The next morning, the convoy continued its journey.
The road was smooth, without obstacles. Time passed day by day.
On the tenth day, at dusk—
"Dean, I broke through to soul rank 40." Xiao Wu stepped off the carriage and found Flender.
"Good, good, good!" Flender's eyes lit up. Xiao Wu's breakthrough to Soul Ancestor was a tremendous boost to the team. He quickly turned to Qin Ming and Zhao Wuji, lowering his voice. "Qin Ming, Zhao Wuji, keep a close eye on the team."
Then, looking back at Xiao Wu, he whispered, "Too many eyes here. I'll take you out later."
"Alright." Xiao Wu nodded obediently.
For revenge against those who hurt her, and for her Third Brother, she had trained diligently.
"Boss Dai, still ten days left." Ma Hongjun whispered beside Dai Mubai. "Shall we look around? Not many female soul masters are in the tournament, but most are beauties. Especially Skywater Academy—they're top tier. Don't tell me you're not interested." He nudged him.
"Let's bring the brothers along for some eye candy."
"Yeah, stuck in the carriage every day is boring." Oscar muttered.
"Heh." Dai Mubai gave them a disdainful glance, then turned back and said faintly:
"Alright, let's go stretch our legs."
After the humiliation of having his hair burned by Blazing Academy, he hadn't dared to go out, especially not in front of girls. But now his hair had grown back. He was itching to go out again.
So Dai Mubai took Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and dragged Yu Tianheng along to stroll around the nearby camps.
"Hmph." Ning Rongrong pouted, saying nothing, and continued chatting with Jiangzhu.
After days together, she had convinced Jiangzhu to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan after graduation.
As for the others in the team, she wasn't interested in recruiting them. Their foundations were damaged, their futures uncertain. Not worth it.
She even worried they'd bring bad influence into her clan.
Elsewhere, Shui Yue'er, bored, dragged her teammates to Heaven Dou Royal Academy's camp. She had long admired Yang Yunhai's strength and charm.
When a group of beautiful girls approached, Yu Feng was startled. He turned to Yang Yunhai with eager eyes. "Captain, I think tonight we can cultivate a bit later."
The single brothers all turned to look as well.
Yang Yunhai twitched his mouth, then finally nodded. "Alright, but behave yourselves. Don't scare anyone."
"Got it!" Yu Feng and the others immediately straightened their clothes and sat upright.
Dugu Yan hooked her arm through Yang Yunhai's, while Zhu Zhuqing held his other. They didn't need to guess—Skywater Academy had come for him. Especially Shui Yue'er, whose eyes looked ready to turn into hearts.
"Xiao Hai, you're amazing…" Shui Yue'er's cutesy voice rang out across the clearing.
Dai Mubai's face darkened as he watched Yang Yunhai surrounded by beauties, Zhu Zhuqing smiling sweetly beside him.
Under the warm candlelight, Zhu Zhuqing's beauty glowed even brighter. Anger surged in Dai Mubai's chest, veins bulging on his forehead.
Yu Tianheng, meanwhile, glanced at the now more mature and curvy Dugu Yan, his face filled with sorrow.
Glug, glug!
Ma Hongjun swallowed hard, eyes glued, filled with jealousy.
"Mm?" Yang Yunhai turned his head, golden lightning flashing in his eyes—strikingly bright in the night.
Ma Hongjun's scalp tingled. His neck shrank, and he quickly lowered his head to stare at his feet.
"Let's go somewhere else." Oscar whispered. That look confirmed it—Yang Yunhai was not to be trifled with.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, nodded, and turned away, his teammates following.
"Xiao Hai, your eyes just now were so pretty." Shui Yue'er's voice chimed again.
'Girl, your tea skills need some work.' Yang Yunhai smiled, answering easily.
Occasionally, Shui Bing'er asked cultivation questions, and he offered appropriate advice. She was intelligent and rational.
'Why is her younger sister so boy-crazy though?'
The brothers couldn't withstand Shui Yue'er's cutesy voice either, and turned to chat with the other Skywater girls. Compared to Shui Yue'er, the others were calmer, polite, and knew how to keep conversation flowing. Yu Feng and the rest were soon brimming with confidence, talking more and more.
Time passed quickly as they chatted at length.
"Captain, I think my love has arrived." Yu Feng sighed as the Skywater girls walked away.
'No, I think you need to splash cold water on your face.' Yang Yunhai nodded solemnly. "Then you'd better work hard!"
"Everyone, back to cultivation." Smiling, he pulled his wives back toward the carriage.
"..." The air was thick with the sour stench of envy.
(End of Chapter)
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