Chapter 130: Joining the Emperor Team
When Shrek Academy settled into Blue Tyrant Academy, Luo Ling also returned to Heaven Dou City. As soon as he entered the city, he happened to run into Poison Douluo and Dugu Yan, who were just returning as well.
"Xiao Ling!" a bright voice called from behind. Turning around, Luo Ling saw Dugu Yan running toward him.
"Yan Yan… and Old Poison too. You've just come back to Heaven Dou City?" Luo Ling asked, stopping in his tracks.
Looking around and not seeing Ning Rongrong, he asked, "Where's Rongrong?"
"Rongrong went to Blue Tyrant Academy. I heard that everyone from Shrek Academy joined there," Dugu Yan replied directly.
Luo Ling nodded. So far, events were still following the same path as the original story.
"Kid, you chat with Yan Yan. I'm heading back to study your Hundred Solutions to Hidden Weapons," Dugu Bo said hastily before turning away.
The manual contained a wealth of information on poison techniques—something the old poison master evidently valued highly.
Luo Ling simply shook his head and said nothing, walking side by side with Dugu Yan along the busy street.
"Xiao Ling, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament is next year. Are you going to compete?" Dugu Yan whispered near his ear.
Her pleasant fragrance lingered in the air, making Luo Ling feel oddly relaxed. He gave her a sidelong glance. "I might participate."
"Then how about joining our Emperor Team? Since Yu Tianheng went to Shrek, we're short one person!" Dugu Yan said eagerly.
Luo Ling thought for a moment.
With his current power, participating in the tournament would be meaningless. He alone could crush every team in the competition.
If he did compete, he would likely represent Spirit Hall Academy. But even without him, Spirit Hall's team was now strong enough not to lose to Tang San again—especially since they had claimed all the immortal herbs that Tang San never got his hands on.
"Hmm… joining the Emperor Team isn't out of the question," he finally said after a moment.
Spirit Hall's team no longer needed him to secure the championship. Joining the Emperor Team would allow him to confront Tang San on the battlefield earlier—and perhaps provide some mild entertainment.
"Really?" Dugu Yan said excitedly upon hearing his answer.
"It's possible," Luo Ling smiled faintly, "but I have two conditions."
"First, I won't stay at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for training. I'll only show up when the tournament begins and you need me."
Dugu Yan looked troubled. "Xiao Ling, do you have some urgent matter? You can't stay for training?"
"I'm Rongrong's guardian now, so naturally, I need to stay with her," Luo Ling said with a shrug.
Dugu Yan pouted slightly, jealousy evident in her tone. "Rongrong's not a child anymore. Do you really need to keep watching her?"
Luo Ling chuckled and shook his head. Staying near Ning Rongrong wasn't because he wanted to watch her—it was to keep an eye on Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
After all, his mission to gain ten thousand followers depended on those two.
"Anyway, that's my first condition," he continued. "The second is that when the Emperor Team faces Spirit Hall in the finals, I won't participate."
Dugu Yan blinked but quickly understood.
Luo Ling was the Holy Son of Spirit Hall—it made sense that he wouldn't fight against his own organization. Besides, with his strength, defeating Spirit Hall's team alone wouldn't be difficult, and that would be a bit too extreme.
"Those are my only two conditions. If you agree, I'll join the Emperor Team," Luo Ling said evenly.
Dugu Yan bit her lip after thinking for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Alright! I agree! But Xiao Ling, you'll have to come with me to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to explain it yourself."
"The academy won't allow a student to skip training without reason. You'll have to demonstrate your strength and convince the instructors," she added.
Luo Ling nodded. "That's fine."
…
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Not long after, Dugu Yan brought Luo Ling to meet the three deans.
When they heard her request—to let Luo Ling join the Emperor Team but exempt him from training—the three deans all frowned.
"So, you're Luo Ling?" one of them asked. "If you wish to join the Emperor Team to prepare for next year's tournament, you'll naturally need to train with the others."
"You must understand—the strength of a team doesn't come from individual power but from teamwork," said Meng Shenji with a tone of instruction.
"You're absolutely right, Dean Meng Shenji," Luo Ling said lightly, completely unfazed. "So, what do I have to do to not participate in training?"
Meng Shenji frowned deeper. He could tell at once that Luo Ling was extraordinary—Dugu Yan had introduced him as a genius from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
But arrogance was dangerous, even for prodigies.
He sighed slightly, intending to lecture further, but Luo Ling spoke first.
"How about this—let me fight the current Emperor Team. Since Yu Tianheng left for Shrek, that means there are six members left. If I beat all six of them alone, let me move freely."
At his words, the entire hall fell silent.
Except for Dugu Yan, everyone looked at Luo Ling in shock.
After a few seconds of silence, Meng Shenji's impression of him worsened considerably.
His tone cooled as he said, "Very well, as you wish."
He had already decided to have the Emperor Team teach this arrogant boy a painful lesson.
Dugu Yan, however, could only smile wryly. She knew full well what Luo Ling was capable of. Their Emperor Team couldn't possibly win against someone like the sinister and unpredictable Luo Ling.
"Young man, let me remind you," Meng Shenji said sternly, "if you lose, you will obey every rule of our academy from that day on."
"As a member of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, your status is not low. I will personally report this matter to Sect Master Ning."
A rebellious student was no problem—after all, youth could be molded. This one simply needed to be humbled.
"No problem at all," Luo Ling replied calmly.
Meng Shenji shook his head helplessly at his attitude.
"By the way, I haven't asked yet—what is your martial soul, and what's your spirit power level?" Meng Shenji asked.
Luo Ling smiled. "Luo Ling. Martial soul: Phantom Scythe. Spirit rank—level 51, a Power Attack–type Soul King."
He deliberately hid his true strength.
To go from his last known level to anything higher in such a short time would be too absurd to explain.
Meng Shenji's eyes widened. "You're a Soul King?"
"Is that a problem?" Luo Ling answered coolly.
"You're really thirteen years old?" Meng Shenji pressed.
Luo Ling nodded.
(END CHAPTER)
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