Death Camp

Another three years passed.

On the largest arena of Spirit Hall Academy stood a youth about four feet seven inches tall. The soul rings circling his body were extraordinarily one yellow and two purple. Joy filled his face as he raised a golden longbow high in his left hand.

"Congratulations, Qian Yuxi. From this day onward, you are the academy's senior disciple!" A Platinum Bishop with the cultivation of a Spirit Douluo rose from the stands and nodded at the child approvingly.

"Greetings, Senior Brother!" The disciples below all lowered their heads and bowed respectfully to Qian Yuxi.

"Hehe... All right, today's assessment ends here. Children, go back!" The Spirit Douluo bishop waved his hand, signaling for the students to disperse.

Some youths who had wanted to build connections with him could only leave first as well.

Only two people were soon left on the stage. The Spirit Douluo bishop walked to Qian Yuxi's side, patted his shoulder, and smiled. "Child, Lord Radiant Feather will be here to pick you up shortly. Come with me first."

"All right, Headmaster."

The old man and the child arrived at the headmaster's office. The Spirit Douluo bishop went to a desk, picked up three thick volumes, and handed them to Qian Yuxi. "Within a week, memorize the contents inside, more or less."

Qian Yuxi took them and saw the titles on their covers: "Spirit Beast Forest Survival Guide," "Spirit Beast Encyclopedia," and "Personal Conduct and Team Awareness."

Qian Yuxi casually flipped through them. Each was at least two inches thick, and he could not help feeling puzzled. "Headmaster, what are these for?"

The Spirit Douluo bishop took a sip of tea, his expression solemn. "To tell you the truth, Lord Radiant Feather signed you up for Spirit Hall's Death Camp three years ago. It takes exactly a week by carriage to get from the academy to Death Camp, so... your graduation mission is to come out of Death Camp alive and place at least among the top three. Otherwise, forget about getting your graduation certificate!"

"This... Headmaster, what kind of place is Death Camp?" Qian Yuxi frowned. He had never heard that Spirit Hall had such a place before.

"It is where Spirit Hall takes in orphans with Soul Power and trains geniuses. It can be said that anyone who comes out alive will become talent highly valued by Spirit Hall. But coming out alive is not so easy. In fact, if Lord Radiant Feather had not been reluctant to let you go, you would have entered three years ago. Many children inside have not even reached rank seven Soul Power. It is simply that their training is not as intense as that of Soul Masters."

"The most important thing about Death Camp is that it tempers a genius's character. Every genius who comes out of there is decisive in killing and resolute in character. One of them can match three others; they are far beyond those geniuses cultivating in the academy."

The Spirit Douluo headmaster sighed as he spoke. "Three years ago, the person in charge of registration allowed you to postpone your entry as an exception only because of Lord Radiant Feather."

Qian Yuxi nodded gravely and asked one final question. "Headmaster, can you tell me more about Death Camp?"

The Spirit Douluo headmaster raised one finger. "One sentence: do not easily trust anyone. Always remain vigilant, even toward the teammates assigned to you by the instructors!"

Qian Yuxi silently committed it to memory. Though he was confident in his own strength, he would not be arrogant. He understood very well how easily one could stumble in a ditch.

After bidding farewell to the Spirit Douluo bishop and storing the three books in his storage Soul Tool, Qian Yuxi left the headmaster's office. The moment he stepped outside, his master, Radiant Feather Douluo, was already waiting there.

"Master, you're here."

Radiant Feather Douluo had unusually put away his smile. Taking Qian Yuxi's little hand, he unfurled his Ice Crystal Wings and led him flying toward the northern gate of Spirit Hall Academy.

"Little Xi, I know your cultivation has gone smoothly these past years. No one of the same rank has been your match. Sending you into Death Camp this time is also to help you understand that there is always someone stronger, so that you can become even more powerful. And..."

Radiant Feather Douluo paused, then said gravely, "This trip to Death Camp can only be a success if you want to win everyone's recognition! The Grand Elder's god-grandson is the future Second Young Master of Spirit Hall."

"Rest assured, Master. Your disciple understands." Qian Yuxi smiled faintly, and the golden wings on his back beat faster once more.

Outside the northern gate stood a group of Soul Masters wearing Spirit Hall's standard gray robes, all with cultivation above five rings.

The master and disciple flew extremely fast, arriving in mere seconds.

"Greetings, Lord Radiant Feather!"

Everyone bowed in unison to Radiant Feather Douluo, their attitudes humble.

"Mm... I'll leave my disciple to you."

Radiant Feather Douluo smiled faintly, then released Qian Yuxi's hand. The latter took a deep breath and followed a black-clothed Soul Master at the Spirit Saint level toward a carriage.

"Wait, Little Xi."

Whoosh!

Radiant Feather Douluo threw out a bracelet strung with a golden feather. Qian Yuxi caught it with a raised hand, and the familiar aura made him tremble.

"The Young Master is in seclusion and cannot come for now. He asked me to bring this to you." There was reluctance in Radiant Feather Douluo's voice, but his eyes gleamed sharply.

"Go. Remember... be careful in everything!"

"Yes!"

Qian Yuxi solemnly put it away and turned to board the carriage.

Once Radiant Feather Douluo left, the expressions of these black-clothed Soul Masters immediately turned cold and stern. The Spirit Saint responsible for escorting Qian Yuxi began driving, and before long they had reached the northern gate of Spirit City.

On the mountainside of Six-Wing Mountain, three generations of the Qian family, along with Golden Crocodile Douluo, gazed into the distance.

"Grandfather, are you really letting Little Xi go?" Qian Renxue clenched her fists, still somewhat reluctant.

At twelve years old, her graceful figure was just beginning to blossom. Her soft golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her long dress fluttered in the wind, making her as pure and untainted as an Angel.

"Little Xue, don't you want Little Xi to become stronger?" Qian Daoliu asked in return.

"Of course I do."

Qian Xunji folded his arms and said calmly, "Little Xue, you must remember: if one's strength does not match one's status, then no matter how lofty the position, it cannot be held for long..."

"Father, I understand."

Qian Xunji reached out and lifted his daughter into his arms again, patting her head. "All right, Little Xue. Come help Father handle the affairs within the Hall. Didn't you like doing that when you were younger?"

"Mm... Father, I want to know, how is that woman doing?" Qian Renxue's expression turned somewhat cold.

At the mention of this troublesome matter, Qian Xunji grew irritated as well. "I heard she is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the rank-ninety Titled level. As for her soul ring..."

"Don't give it to her!" Qian Renxue suddenly became agitated. "I don't acknowledge her as my mother... She doesn't love me at all. I only need Father, Grandfather, and Little Xi..."

Qian Daoliu also hugged his granddaughter, soothing her emotions. "Little Xue, have you truly made up your mind?"

"Mm... The slap she gave me three years ago has completely made me give up..." Qian Renxue bit her lips tightly as tears welled in her eyes.

The father and son exchanged a glance. At last, Qian Daoliu sighed. "Since you have decided, Grandfather will not interfere with your choice. As long as your conscience is clear!"

"Mm..."

The carriage carrying Qian Yuxi had already vanished beyond the horizon. Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke. "I hope my grandson is doing well. Sending this boy there will at least let them look after each other..."

"Second Uncle, what are you worried about? Didn't Little Tian send a letter back yesterday? He said everything is well, and that he successfully broke through to Soul Grandmaster."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's mouth twitched. He took the letter from his robes again and read it:

Grandfather, I broke through to rank 20 a month ago! Over these past three years, I've crippled dozens of people and killed five or six on the life-and-death arena. Oh, right, I've also taken a liking to a little girl. Her character and strength are both quite good, and the two of us have already formed a team. Just wait, Grandfather. Believe that the two of us will definitely pass the final assessment this year. Just wait for your good grandson to return!

—Your wonderful eldest grandson, Jin Yuetian