Time flowed like water, calm and steady. On this day, Li Mansion welcomed a familiar guest—Qin Ming.
Qin Ming had now become a core member among the teachers at Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, deeply appreciated by Chief Meng Shenji, and was the actual instructor of the Royal Fight Team. His visit was marked by sincerity and respect, with a clear purpose.
In the drawing room, the fragrance of tea wafted gently.
"Lord Li, Nephew Marco, I apologize for the abrupt visit today, but I have a request to make," Qin Ming set down his teacup and spoke respectfully. Facing Li Zhaoyan, a Titled Douluo, he used the highest honorific title in the Soul Master Realm for peak experts.
Li Zhaoyan nodded slightly, his expression calm. "Teacher Qin, there's no need for formalities. Please, speak freely."
Qin Ming turned to Marco, his gaze filled with admiration and a touch of gravity. "It's about those kids in the Royal Fight Team. According to academy tradition, and to prepare for the next Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, I plan to take them on a journey to temper the team through real combat. The first stop is set in Suotuo City of the Barak Kingdom."
Marco listened quietly, already understanding Qin Ming's intention. Suotuo City—that was where Shrek Academy was located.
Qin Ming continued, "Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, the Shimo and Shimó brothers, Yu Feng, Osler (who has already been selected for the Royal Fight Team), and Ye Lingling—these children all have good talent, but they're still young and lack true life-and-death experience. The Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena is quite large and makes for a good training ground. However..." He paused, his tone turning serious. "The journey is not short, and Suotuo City is a mixed bag. Although I am already a Soul Emperor, protecting seven children simultaneously, especially during cross-level spirit battles or potential emergencies, might be beyond my capabilities. Therefore, I would like to request that Nephew Marco accompany us, with the main responsibility of assisting me in ensuring their safety and overseeing this journey."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhaoyan looked at Marco, leaving the decision to him.
Marco pondered briefly before nodding in agreement. "Teacher Qin, you're too kind. Lingling and Osler are both my younger siblings and friends, and I'm acquainted with the others in the Royal Fight Team as well. Safety is the priority on this trip, and I will do my best. Moreover, traveling abroad is also a form of cultivation for me." He happened to want to see for himself the Suotuo City where storms were gathering and the legendary Shrek Academy. As for Lu Zhou, due to his solitary nature and dislike for group activities, coupled with his obsession with cultivating the Way of the Blade, he did not join this trip and remained at Li Mansion for secluded training.
Qin Ming was overjoyed and bowed again to Li Zhaoyan. "Thank you, Lord Li, for your consent! With Nephew Marco accompanying us, I am completely at ease! His exceptional strength and rich experience ensure this journey will be foolproof!"
Thus, the matter was settled. Before departure, Marco specifically brought along the young girl Qiu Yao. Qiu Yao had now become a Great Spirit Master, with the Mental Power of her Brain Soul Spirit growing rapidly. Her first Spirit Ability was "Mind Control," and she had just obtained her second Soul Ring from...
A thousand-year plant-type Soul Beast with mental attributes had gifted her an extremely practical Spirit Ability: "Mental Detection"! This ability allowed her to extend her Mental Power in a fan-shaped or linear direction, detecting Soul Power fluctuations, life signatures, and even terrain outlines within a certain range. The detection scope expanded as her strength grew, playing a crucial role in early warning and reconnaissance during team operations. Bringing her along greatly enhanced the team's safety.
More importantly, over the years, Qing Yu—the Qingluan Soul Beast that had followed Marco since childhood—had been carefully tended and fed by Qiu Yao, and the two had developed a deep bond. Bringing Qiu Yao along would also give Qing Yu a companion.
Speaking of Qing Yu, it had undergone a significant transformation over the past two years. About a year ago, while Marco was distracted, it accidentally consumed a green-fruited Immortal Herb and fell into a deep slumber, enveloped in a soft cyan light as if cocooned. This sleep lasted an entire year! During this time, its aura fluctuated between strong and weak, causing everyone great concern. Until a few months ago, the cyan cocoon shattered, and Qing Yu emerged, flapping its wings. Though its size hadn't increased much, its feathers had become more jade-like and radiant, shimmering with a subtle glow. Its eyes were sharp as lightning, and its aura had remarkably reached the level of a three-thousand-year Soul Beast! At full speed, it could even rival some ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts known for their swiftness! It had become an indispensable partner and aerial scout for Marco.
Three days later, outside the East Gate of Heaven Dou City.
A group of ten had assembled. The team included instructor Qin Ming (a level 62 Soul Emperor) leading the group, Marco (a level 62 Soul Emperor) responsible for security and support, and the seven members of the Royal Fight Team: Captain Yu Tianheng (a level 39 Battle Soul Venerable, Strong Attack System), Vice-Captain Dugu Yan (a level 42 Battle Soul Venerable, Control System), the brothers Shímò (level 38 Battle Soul Venerable, Defense System) and Shímó (level 38 Battle Soul Venerable, Defense System), Yu Feng (level 38 Battle Soul Venerable, Agile Attack System), Osler (level 41 Tool Soul Sect, Agile Attack System), and Ye Lingling (level 43 Tool Soul Sect, Healing System). Accompanying them was Qiu Yao (level 21 Battle Soul Master, Control System). The lineup was nothing short of luxurious.
Some rode horses, while others traveled by carriage (Qiu Yao and Ye Lingling inside). Marco alternated between horseback riding and low-altitude flight using his flame wings, enjoying the scenery along the way. The Qingluan Soul Beast, Qing Yu, soared freely in the sky, responsible for high-altitude vigilance. The team departed from Heaven Dou City, heading southwest toward the Barak Kingdom.
The journey wasn't solely about haste. Whenever they passed through a moderately sized city, Qin Ming would lead the team to the local Soul Fighting Arena for practical combat. Under Qin Ming's guidance and Marco's covert protection, the Royal Fight Team members experienced one real battle after another. Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul exuded overwhelming Haki, Dugu Yan's Muddy Earth Poison Serpent provided fierce control and keen vision, Shímò and Shímó's Black Tortoise Turtle defenses stood firm as mountains, Yu Feng's Wind Chime Bird moved with agile swiftness, Osler's Nether Panther assaulted with ferocity, and Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia offered timely healing. Team coordination was continuously honed and improved through these practical exercises. Marco mostly observed quietly, ensuring safety, and occasionally pointed out key issues after battles. His insights were precise and hit the mark, greatly benefiting Yu Tianheng and the others, who grew increasingly respectful of him.
After a journey of training and advancement, traversing vast plains and crossing rolling hills over nearly a month, a magnificent city no less grand than Heaven Dou City finally appeared on the horizon. Its towering walls and ceaseless flow of people showcased the city's prosperity and importance.
Qin Ming pointed ahead and said to the group, "That is Barak Kingdom's most important city and our destination—Suotuo City. Rest well tonight, for tomorrow we head to the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena."
Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted, especially the members of the Royal Fight Team, their eyes filled with anticipation and fighting spirit. Suotuo City would be a crucial test of their training progress during this period.
Marco gazed at the approaching city, his eyes profound. Suotuo City had arrived, which meant that the academy that only accepted monsters and those "monsters" themselves should already be here. The corner of his mouth lifted in a barely perceptible curve. This journey, ostensibly for protection, seemed to be growing more and more interesting.