Elder Qin of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect

Teak Spirit Vines could not grow on their own. They had to rely on trees to support their growth.

Han Yu naturally had no trouble finding a suitable soul ring for Ye Lingling from these plant-type soul beasts that possessed no combat strength.

"Teacher Han, why are you being so cautious?" Ye Lingling could not help but find Han Yu's guarded posture amusing.

Han Yu spread his hands. "I'm a fire-attribute soul master. If I fail to control my flames and accidentally kill other Teak Spirit Vines, that would be one thing. But if I start a forest fire, that would be troublesome."

Forest fires were often accompanied by Beast Tides. He was not foolish enough to dig his own grave.

Besides, whether for human soul masters or soul beasts, the healing abilities of these Teak Spirit Vines were useful. Leaving them here was far more valuable than clearing them out.

Perhaps one day, if he was injured in the forest, he might even be able to rely on these Teak Spirit Vines to heal his wounds.

Ye Lingling gave a soft laugh, then sat down cross-legged and began absorbing the soul ring.

During that time, some soul beasts came here seeking treatment.

Upon seeing Han Yu and Ye Lingling, they did not attack, as though this place were their sacred ground.

As the sun dipped westward, the absorption of the soul ring also neared its end.

Han Yu stood up and stretched.

"I wonder if I'll be able to find a suitable soul ring in the Mixed Zone."

Rustle~

Suddenly, a disturbance came from the surrounding undergrowth.

"Fire Cloud Staff!"

It would be fine if they were soul beasts, but if they were humans, there might be trouble.

In the Star Dou Great Forest, humans posed far greater threats than soul beasts.

Most soul beasts possessed low intelligence and acted only on instinct. Humans, however, were capable of schemes and tricks.

"Elder Qin, according to the news from the sect, the Teak Spirit Vine gathering area is just ahead."

"Hahaha, good. It seems you little ones are in luck today."

Three young men dressed in matching white robes emerged from the undergrowth. The moment they saw Han Yu, they immediately became wary.

"Who are you?" A black-robed elder stepped out from behind the three youths, watching Han Yu vigilantly.

Seeing the glazed pagoda insignia on the youths' chests, Han Yu asked tentatively, "Are you people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"You've got good eyes, boy. I am Qin Li, an outer sect elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. We don't wish to make enemies of anyone. If you stay put here and behave yourself, I can pretend I never saw you."

The Teak Spirit Vines had no offensive capabilities, so there was no danger in letting the three youths hunt soul beasts on their own. The elder only needed to keep an eye on Han Yu.

Ye Lingling was currently absorbing her soul ring, and Han Yu did not want to fight either. For a brief moment, the two sides maintained a harmonious standoff.

Until—

"Nine Heart Begonia! That's the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul! Elder Qin, act quickly!" one of the youths shouted the moment he saw the Martial Soul in Ye Lingling's hand.

Although Han Yu did not know the relationship between them, it was obvious that the other side intended to make a move.

Picking up the Fire Cloud Staff standing before him, Han Yu tested the waters. "I don't want to resort to violence. Don't push people too far."

Elder Qin stepped forward several paces. A Firebird Martial Soul suddenly appeared behind him, and six soul rings—two yellow, three purple, and one black—appeared beneath his feet.

"Boy, be sensible and step aside. This is a grievance between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Nine Heart Begonia Soul Master. As long as you move aside, I won't make things difficult for you." Relying on his sixty-seventh-level Soul Power, the elder spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal.

At that moment, Ye Lingling finished absorbing the soul ring.

When she saw the soul masters with Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagodas before her, her eyes dimmed slightly.

"Teacher Han, you're no match for him. Hand me over."

Han Yu had only four soul rings. Although one of them was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, there was still an enormous gap between him and a Soul Emperor.

"Hand you over?"

Han Yu shook his head. "I can't do that. I'm a teacher. No teacher would flee at the last moment when their student is in danger."

Though he had not seen Han Yu's soul rings, the elder knew that his Soul Power had only just reached level fifty.

"Heh. Opposing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? You're courting death."

"Third Soul Skill, Flying Bird Flame Strike."

A phantom Firebird rapidly condensed in Elder Qin's palm. The dense fire-attribute aura made the surrounding trees sway continuously.

Han Yu did not want to destroy this place, so he grabbed Ye Lingling's hand and swiftly ran toward the outer edge of the forest.

However, in Elder Qin's eyes, this was merely a sign of weakness.

"Provide me with buffs! Buff each other, then chase them!"

"Teacher Han, I'm sorry. I dragged you into this." Ye Lingling spoke dejectedly as they ran.

"Student Lingling, it seems you've forgotten about your teacher's flames. Do you think that old fellow's flames can do anything to me?" Han Yu said with a smile.

Ye Lingling raised her slender brows. Remembering the temperature of Han Yu's flames, she immediately felt more confident.

Only after they had put enough distance between themselves and the Teak Spirit Vine gathering area did Han Yu stop.

"Why did you stop running? Boy, I don't care which academy you teach at. As long as you hand over the Nine Heart Begonia Soul Master, I'll let bygones be bygones."

"Running?" Han Yu rolled his neck. "I simply didn't want to ruin that patch of pure land. As for this place, let it be your burial ground."

"Hahaha, ignorant brat. I'll show you what the power of a Soul Emperor truly is."

Soul Power surged around Elder Qin. Powerful fire-attribute energy gradually condensed around him, and the massive phantom of a Firebird slowly emerged.

The black soul ring in the sixth position suddenly lit up.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Flying Bird Fire Profound Hunt!"

"So this is your move? I'm so scared." Han Yu sneered.

The next moment, he lowered the Fire Cloud Staff in his right hand and lightly snapped his fingers.

Snap~

"Ahh—" Elder Qin's face instantly turned deathly pale. He clutched his chest with both hands, and the phantom behind him shattered at once.

"Elder!" The three youths were horrified and hurried forward to support him.

"Boy, what did you do to me?!" Elder Qin was terrified.

He vaguely felt that something was on his heart, yet he could do nothing about it.

Han Yu feigned surprise. "Nothing. I'm just standing here. How would I know what fit you're having?"

"Pfft~" Ye Lingling could not hold back her laughter.

"Boy, you've completely enraged me! Buff me! Even if I have to throw away this old face today, I'll tear you to pieces!"

The three youths understood at once. Two yellow soul rings instantly appeared beneath each of their feet.

Having multiple Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul skills affect one person would not produce additional effects. Therefore, the three stood in a line, channeling their Soul Power into one of them, who then provided Elder Qin with buffs.

"All flash and no substance."

Still, Han Yu had not gained nothing from this.

At the very least, it seemed that Yu Xiaogang's seven-man fusion technique had largely been derived from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Yet that fellow had shamelessly claimed all the credit for himself.

It was fortunate that Ning Fengzhi did not know about Yu Xiaogang's claims. Otherwise, he likely would not have cooperated with Blue Tyrant Academy.

Snap~

Han Yu snapped his fingers again.

This time, Elder Qin was not so fortunate.

His entire body spontaneously combusted. Amid a miserable scream, he turned into nothingness.

PS: The protagonist will have other Martial Souls later on. If there are any Martial Souls you readers would like to see, the author can arrange them.

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