Chapter 238: Returning to the Royal Fighting Team, Relaxed Daily Life
Lin Qingmo and Ah Yin shared the same martial soul origin and bloodline. Long ago, they had already developed a tacit understanding that outsiders could never comprehend.
Even though Ah Yin could now only exist in the form of Blue Silver Grass and could not speak, he could still understand the emotions hidden in her every movement and feel the feelings concealed within her leaves.
"I've been in seclusion for a month and a half. It's about time I go back and take a look."
"I wonder if Xiao Wu and the others have been training properly and whether they've caused any trouble."
And Teacher Liu Erlong as well.
For this entire month and a half, she had come every single day to guard the outskirts of the back mountain, afraid that someone might disturb his seclusion.
Every day, a domineering aura of soul power lingers near the mountain entrance yet never steps any closer for fear of interrupting his meditation.
That was Liu Erlong's aura.
As for Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others, they also came near the back mountain from time to time to cultivate.
Everyone tacitly maintained a sufficient distance and never disturbed him in the slightest.
"Let's go, Ah Yin. We're heading back."
…
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, the Royal Fighting Team's exclusive training grounds.
The floor of the training grounds was paved with sturdy black stone capable of withstanding the full-force bombardment of Soul Ancestor-level experts.
Soul tools used for measuring soul power stood around the area, while all kinds of training equipment were arranged neatly in place.
Liu Erlong crossed her arms over her chest and stood at the edge of the training grounds, staring fiercely toward the center.
Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Zhu Zhuqing were currently conducting two-versus-two sparring matches inside the arena.
"Ning Rongrong! Keep your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda support up; don't just focus on dodging!"
Liu Erlong's voice boomed like thunder, filled with authority.
"Xiao Wu! Your close-combat attacks have too many openings. Stop charging forward blindly and use your brain!
She paused before roaring again.
"Zhu Zhuqing, you haven't fully utilized your speed advantage. Don't clash head-on with Dugu Yan; circle around her! Dugu Yan, your poison mist coverage is too rigid; leave yourself a way out!"
The four immediately adjusted their tactics upon hearing her instructions.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul in Ning Rongrong's palm instantly lit up as two amplification beams accurately targeted Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu's figure flashed as she avoided the poison mist Dugu Yan had scattered, instantly circling behind her while unleashing an explosive kick.
Yu Feng and Ye Lingling stood at the edge of the field, their eyes fixed intently on the sparring match.
Right then, the training ground doors were gently pushed open.
Lin Qingmo's figure appeared at the entrance.
The moment he appeared, the entire training grounds instantly fell silent.
The four sparring in the center stopped simultaneously as everyone's eyes locked onto him.
The next second, Xiao Wu let out an excited cry and charged toward him like a little rabbit.
"Ah Qing! You finally came out of seclusion!"
Lin Qingmo smiled and extended his arms, steadily catching the girl who threw herself at him.
"I'm back."
"You finally came back!"
Xiao Wu climbed out of his embrace and looked him up and down repeatedly, concern filling her voice.
"How is it? Did the breakthrough succeed? You were in seclusion for so long. Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? You must be starving, right? I'll head to the cafeteria and get you food right now!"
She turned around as she spoke, already about to run toward the cafeteria.
Lin Qingmo quickly grabbed her arm, unable to stop himself from laughing.
"Don't panic; I'm fine."
"The breakthrough succeeded, and my soul power is stable too. No rush to eat. Let's talk with everyone first."
"The breakthrough succeeded?!"
Xiao Wu's eyes instantly lit up like stars as she jumped up and waved her fist.
"That's great! I knew Ah Qing would definitely succeed!"
The worry hanging over her heart for the past month and a half finally disappeared.
She had known Lin Qingmo the longest.
For this entire month and a half, she had run to the outskirts of the back mountain twice every single day, only willing to leave after confirming nothing unusual had happened.
Now, seeing him return safely and even break through to rank 50, the joy in her heart simply could not be suppressed.
"Oh? So our great captain is finally willing to crawl out from that pile of Blue Silver Grass on the back mountain?"
Ning Rongrong slowly walked over with crossed arms, teasing at the corners of her lips, though the concern in her eyes could not be hidden.
"I thought you were planning to live there until the end of the year."
Dugu Yan walked over, swinging her long pale legs, her face filled with shock.
"Twelve years old and already Rank 50. Your cultivation speed… forget Heaven Dou City; there probably isn't a second person like you in the entire Douluo Continent, right?!"
She clicked her tongue twice. "I used to think my cultivation speed was already fast enough, but compared to you, I'm basically crawling."
Zhu Zhuqing walked over last and stopped a few steps away without approaching. Her gaze simply rested on Lin Qingmo as she gave a slight nod.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough."
Her voice was cool and clear yet carried genuine congratulations.
Lin Qingmo nodded toward her as well and smiled.
"Thanks. You haven't been slacking during this time, right?"
A faint curve rarely appeared at the corner of Zhu Zhuqing's lips.
"You can test it yourself."
"Hey hey hey, don't start arranging fights the moment you come back!"
Yu Feng quickly rushed over, face filled with misery.
"Captain, you finally came out of seclusion!"
"While you were gone for this month and a half, Teacher Erlong made us do extra training every single day. I'm practically losing a layer of skin from all the training. You finally came back to save us!"
Ye Lingling also walked over.
The Nine Heart Begonia in her hand emitted a soft white glow. Her words sounded cold and detached, yet her tone remained gentle.
"Captain, if your body still feels uncomfortable anywhere, or if your soul power is unstable, I can help you adjust it at any time."
"Thank you all for your concern."
Lin Qingmo smiled toward the two of them.
"I'm fine, and my soul power is very stable."
Then he turned toward Liu Erlong and thanked her sincerely. "Teacher Erlong, thank you for your hard work during this time as well."
"What's there to thank me for? I'm your teacher. This is naturally what I should do."
Liu Erlong strode over, her large fan-like hand slamming heavily onto Lin Qingmo's shoulder, though she held back most of her strength for fear of shaking his freshly stabilized breakthrough.
Her hearty laughter echoed throughout the entire training grounds.
"Good brat. You really didn't disappoint me."
Lin Qingmo immediately bowed deeply, his tone respectful.
"Thank you, Teacher Liu, for guarding the back mountain during this time. I've troubled you greatly."
"Why are you being polite with me?"
Liu Erlong waved her hand, her eyes widening.
"You're a student under me, Liu Erlong. If I don't protect you, who else would I protect?"
"Besides, being able to possess such talent and break through to rank 50 so quickly is because you worked hard yourself. It doesn't have much to do with me."
There was both helplessness and sincerity in her words.
Naturally, Liu Erlong also hoped Lin Qingmo was truly a student she had personally raised.
But unfortunately, Lin Qingmo's growth had nothing to do with her.
After all, she had only taken over the Royal Fighting Team not long ago.
"Teacher Erlong, you're far too modest."
Ning Rongrong grinned as she cut in. "For this entire month and a half, you went to guard the back mountain before dawn every single day. We all saw it."
"Exactly, exactly!"
Dugu Yan secretly leaned over and whispered to Xiao Wu in a lowered voice.
"Yesterday, Teacher Erlong even told me that Qingmo is her student, so it's only natural for her to pay extra attention to him~."
Liu Erlong's hearing was incredibly sharp, and she instantly caught it.
She turned around and glared at Dugu Yan, pretending to be angry.
"You little girl, always gossiping about me behind my back! Today's training volume is doubled!
"Ah?"
Dugu Yan's face instantly collapsed as she let out a miserable wail.
"Teacher Erlong, I was wrong! I won't dare do it again!"
The entire group immediately burst into laughter.
The previously serious training grounds were now filled with lively cheer.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, falling upon the group of young people, brimming with vibrant youthful energy.
—
End of Chapter
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