Just Because You're So Stubborn, Huh

That afternoon, Xiao Han went to see Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue's disguise technique was formidable.

Two years had passed, and Xue Qinghe's appearance, as impersonated by Qian Renxue, had changed somewhat with age. He looked more mature now, like a man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

Qian Renxue was delighted to see Xiao Han again.

From their first meeting until now, Xiao Han's appearance had continued to change. The childishness had gradually faded from him, and he was becoming more and more like a real man.

"Greetings, Crown Prince."

"No need for such formalities. Xiao Han, we have known each other for years. You need not be so restrained with me in the future. Just call me Brother Xue."

"Alright, Brother Xue."

Xue Qinghe smiled and nodded.

"You came at just the right time. I had been planning to seek you out as well."

"Brother Xue, what did you want to see me about?"

"Today, your Skywater Academy Team's performance on the central arena amazed everyone present. Naturally, I was shocked as well. I know that they owe their current strength entirely to you. If I am not mistaken, they have all consumed your Immortal Herbs."

Xiao Han did not deny it and nodded.

"Brother Xue, did the Profound Fragrance White Angel I gave you last time help improve your Soul Power after you consumed it?"

"Of course it did. Otherwise, how would I have known they had consumed your Immortal Herbs? Oh, and I must thank you as well. That Immortal Herb helped me break through my bottleneck, and it increased my cultivation speed considerably."

"That's good."

Qian Renxue did not mention her exact level, but Xiao Han guessed she was referring to the bottleneck at level sixty.

Having infiltrated the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace for so many years, Qian Renxue could not focus wholeheartedly on cultivation. Not only did she have to devote a great deal of energy to maintaining her disguise, but she also had to study the ways of rulership and plan for the future.

Otherwise, with her innate full Soul Power of level twenty, she would not have only broken through level sixty by now.

"Brother Xiao Han, what did you come to me for?"

"Brother Xue, I have an impertinent request."

"There are no outsiders here. Speak freely."

"Our Skywater Team's performance has been too eye-catching. It may arouse Dugu Bo's suspicions, so..."

Qian Renxue smiled faintly, already knowing what Xiao Han wanted to say.

"We were thinking the same thing. I had been meaning to discuss this with you too."

"Really?"

"Yes, so don't worry. This is Heaven Dou City. Even if Dugu Bo grows suspicious, he cannot do anything to you here. Besides, I have already sent people to protect you in secret."

Only then did Xiao Han feel somewhat relieved.

"Brother Xue, thank you for your trouble."

"It is nothing. You are the Heaven Dou Empire's strongest team, and you may even have a chance of winning the Soul Master Tournament championship and bringing glory to the empire. Naturally, the empire will do everything it can to ensure your safety."

Whether in the name of the empire or in her own name, Qian Renxue could not allow Skywater Academy, this enormously promising prospect, to suffer any losses.

"Brother Xue, with your word, I can rest assured."

"Mhm. Just focus on the competition. I know an even more astonishing spectacle is yet to come—when you take the field. By the way, what level are you now?"

"Level fifty-five."

Qian Renxue nodded, her eyes filled with approval.

"At just sixteen, you have reached level fifty-five. Among all the Soul Masters I know, you are the fastest to have achieved this. Your future accomplishments will be immeasurable. Keep working hard. The future belongs to you."

"Mhm, I will."

Xiao Han chatted with Qian Renxue for a while longer before leaving the imperial palace.

Over the next few days, every team that faced the Skywater Academy Team raised the white flag and conceded before their matches even began.

As a result, not only Xiao Han, but even Shui Bing'er and the other girls had no opportunity to display their strength.

That day, they finally encountered a stubborn opponent—Elephant Armored Academy.

Lin Zhiruo said:

"The Elephant Armored Academy Team is the strongest team we have faced so far. They have already lost to Shrek, Thunder, and Divine Wind. If they lose a few more matches, they likely will not be able to enter the top five, so they have no choice but to face us."

Shui Yue'er said excitedly:

"Isn't that great? We finally have a chance to show what we can do."

Lin Zhiruo nodded and cautioned them:

"Elephant Armored Academy is not weak. The Elephant Armored Sect behind them ranks sixth among the Seven Great Sects. Those seven main members are all direct descendants of the Elephant Armored Sect, and their Martial Souls are all Diamond Mammoths with the strongest defenses. Three of them have reached above level forty, while the other four are close to level forty as well. They can be called the new generation of elites of the Elephant Armored Sect."

Shui Bing'er's gaze was resolute.

"Dean Lin, no matter what kind of opponent we encounter, I believe we can achieve victory. They call themselves the strongest defense. The chance to test our strength has arrived."

"Mhm, of course I believe in you too. Xue Wu will be competing today as well. You will all be fielding your main lineup."

"Alright."

The girls all looked toward Xiao Han.

Yu Hairou teased:

"A foe on the level of the Elephant Armored Sect does not warrant our junior brother's intervention yet. Xiao Han, don't get impatient."

"I want to compete alongside you, but I should still follow Dean Lin's arrangements."

Lin Zhiruo looked at Xiao Han and said:

"Xiao Han, Thunder Academy has always been our nemesis. When we face them, I will let you compete."

"Mhm."

"Alright. Go get ready. You will be taking the field shortly. Bing'er, do not use the Martial Soul Fusion Skill unless absolutely necessary."

"Alright, I understand."

Before long, the match began.

As the most closely watched team, the Skywater Academy Team was, unsurprisingly, assigned to the central arena.

The moment the girls stepped onto the arena, they sparked thunderous cheers, all in support of them.

"The Skywater Academy Team has finally met a worthy opponent. I'm looking forward to their performance."

"The Elephant Armored Academy Team has already lost three matches. Now that they have encountered the even stronger Skywater Team, they are probably finished this time too."

"Look, Skywater Team seems to have changed members. That girl with long black hair has not appeared before. She might be an even stronger member."

On the central arena.

Skywater Team formed a one-five-one formation. Shui Bing'er stood at the very front of the team, while Xue Wu stood at the very back.

The Elephant Armored Academy Team, meanwhile, formed a simple straight-line formation, with all of them standing in a single row.

All seven were exceptionally burly. Even the shortest was over two meters tall, while the tallest exceeded two and a half meters.

Their weights were equally astounding. The lightest one appeared to weigh over three hundred jin, while the heaviest likely weighed more than five hundred.

In previous matches, the Elephant Armored Academy Team's strategy had been to use their overwhelming defenses to exhaust their opponents' Soul Power, then use the formidable strength of their Martial Souls to force them off the arena.

Even knowing that the Skywater Academy Team was powerful, they had not chosen to concede.

That was because the competition arena was only thirty meters in diameter, which gave them an advantage.

They had previously lost to Shrek, Divine Wind, and Thunder because their opponents' attacks had been too fierce for them to withstand.

In their previous matches, all of Skywater Academy Team's opponents had withdrawn voluntarily. The girls had only displayed their Martial Souls and Soul Rings, and had yet to reveal their offensive power.

Therefore, they believed their team had the strength to clash with those girls from Skywater.