Meeting Again

Meeting Again

After safely leaving their carriage at a carriage house in the city, the Imperial Dou Team headed straight to a hotel near the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena to check in.

In the hotel lobby, Qin Ming clapped lightly. The crisp sound instantly drew everyone's attention. He looked around and said with gentle authority, "It's still early. You may explore the city freely and familiarize yourselves with Suotuo City's customs and atmosphere." After a pause, he added sternly, "Remember, gather at the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena on time tonight."

"Understood!" everyone answered in unison, their voices echoing through the hotel lobby.

Yu Feng gave an exaggerated salute, then blurred away like the wind, vanishing around a street corner. Watching him leave, Feng Yao asked in confusion, "Where is Yu Feng in such a hurry to get to? He ran faster than the wind."

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes irritably. "Where else could that playboy be going?" Her slender fingers lightly tucked back the hair by her temples. "He's probably off flirting with some noble young lady again."

Feng Yao immediately understood. Meanwhile, the quiet Oslo gave a slight nod and returned to his room alone. The Shi Family Brothers scratched their heads good-naturedly and headed toward the hotel restaurant together.

Just as Dugu Yan was about to invite Feng Yao and Ye Lingling out shopping, Yu Tianheng's voice suddenly came from behind her:

"Yan." He stood three steps away, unconsciously rubbing the edge of his sleeve with his fingertips. "Can we talk alone? There are some things I want to tell you face-to-face." There was an unusual hesitation in his voice.

Dugu Yan pursed her red lips. She had wanted to refuse, but on second thought, perhaps this past relationship deserved a proper ending. She turned to Feng Yao and said softly, "Xiao Feng, you and Ling Ling go take a look around outside first."

Feng Yao and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance. As outstanding students of Moon Xuan, they understood at once. Feng Yao gave Dugu Yan a meaningful look and nodded slightly before leaving side by side with Ye Lingling, giving the two of them space to be alone.

Yu Tianheng stared at Dugu Yan's exquisite profile, illuminated by the light. His Adam's apple bobbed several times before he finally spoke with difficulty. "Yan, during this time, I've kept reflecting. I was too slow to understand your—"

"Tianheng." Dugu Yan gently interrupted him, her emerald eyes reflecting the sunlight. "Let the past stay in the past. I've thought it through these past few days. In the end, we're simply not meant to walk the same path."

Yu Tianheng hurriedly tried to explain, but she stopped him with a raised hand. "You never understood me," Dugu Yan said, gently smoothing the hair at her temples. "Because you never truly treated me as your fiancée. You treated me as a trophy that could be fought over."

"That's not it!" Yu Tianheng's expression changed sharply, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists. "I only—"

"Only what?" Dugu Yan demanded, staring directly into his eyes. When he was left speechless, she shook her head in disappointment. "See? Even you can't explain it. The pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon has blinded your heart. You don't even dare admit it—" She leaned closer slightly. "You're jealous of Xiao Feng."

Those words struck like a bolt of lightning. Yu Tianheng staggered back half a step before finally saying hoarsely after a long while, "Give me another chance, all right? Yan."

"More than a month of cold treatment," Dugu Yan sneered. "That's the 'sincerity' you came up with after weighing everything?" She turned and walked away, her skirt fluttering in the breeze. "Take care, Captain."

Yu Tianheng stood frozen where he was, staring at her resolute retreating figure. His nails dug into his palms until they drew blood.

Night fell, and lights began to glow. Beneath countless lamps, Suotuo City shone brilliantly as the Imperial Dou Team gathered as promised before the towering archway of the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.

Qin Ming handed the gilt invitation to the approaching attendant. The man bowed respectfully and led the way. "Esteemed guests, please follow me."

"Teacher Qin, perhaps I should go to the registration desk first and complete the procedures," Feng Yao said warmly, his long fingers lightly stroking the ancient zither Fuxi in his arms.

Beside him, Yu Feng widened his eyes dramatically. "No way, Xiao Feng? Don't tell me you've never been to a Douluo Stage?"

Feng Yao smiled calmly, his fingertips brushing over the zither case. "Conflict easily breeds violent resentment, which hinders the clarity of one's zither heart. Unless necessary, I would rather use my zither to make friends." He paused. "To my shame, since I began cultivating, the number of times I've fought others can be counted on one hand."

Everyone in the Imperial Fighting Team looked utterly incredulous. Yu Feng held his forehead and sighed. "Xiao Feng, your cultivation is truly going to waste."

"There are countless paths, and everyone has their own understanding." Feng Yao caressed the zither, a gentle glow appearing in his eyes. "To me, Fuxi has never been a weapon for defeating enemies."

Qin Ming asked with interest, "Then what is a Martial Soul to you?"

Feng Yao held the ancient zither closer, his voice as soft as a whisper. "A kindred spirit. A dear friend. What I've pursued has never been the path of slaughter, but reaching a higher realm together with it. As for those combat techniques..." He smiled. "They are merely small extensions of zither artistry."

Qin Ming was slightly stunned. A trace of satisfaction appeared in his deep eyes. "Xiao Feng, it seems you have found your own path." His voice carried the particular praise of a teacher, as well as an emotion he could not conceal.

His words made everyone in the Imperial Fighting Team fall into thought. Yu Feng unconsciously looked at his palm. The fingertips that were always wreathed in wind blades now seemed strangely unfamiliar; rare confusion surfaced on Oslo's cold face; even the usually steady Shi Family Brothers exchanged a glance, seeing the same bewilderment in each other's eyes.

Dugu Yan gently rubbed her fingertips, ripples stirring in her emerald eyes. Ye Lingling quietly stared at her own palm, her lips beneath the thin veil pressed into a straight line.

Where is my path, then?

Like stones cast into a lake, that thought stirred wave after wave in everyone's hearts. Only Feng Yao, holding the ancient zither Fuxi, remained utterly clear-eyed.

Before long, Feng Yao returned gracefully with a brand-new Iron Spirit Badge in hand. The silver-bright badge spun between his slender fingers, gleaming with cold metallic light beneath the lamps.

And so, Feng Yao began his journey with the Imperial Dou Team as a substitute member.

Three days later.

To everyone's surprise, after merely three team spirit battles of adjustment, Qin Ming discovered in shock that this young man, who seemed as gentle as jade, was like a miraculous catalyst that brought a qualitative leap in the entire team's strength.

Feng Yao's unique Martial Soul abilities produced an astonishing reaction with the team. Whether Yu Feng needed greater speed for a surprise assault, the Shi Family Brothers needed defensive support, or Dugu Yan needed assistance controlling the field, he could always strike the zither strings at precisely the right moment, using abilities he had developed himself to create perfect openings for his teammates.

"He is like a puzzle piece custom-made for the Imperial Dou Team. No—he is a universal puzzle piece that could serve a purpose in any team." Qin Ming wrote as much in his tactical notes. Feng Yao's addition transformed the already powerful Imperial Dou Team into a truly seamless whole. His seemingly gentle support and control often turned decay into wonder at critical moments, pushing the battle in unexpected directions.

Teamwork had never been a simple matter—it required years of mutual understanding, complete trust in one another, and deep adjustment to each other's fighting styles. Yet Feng Yao's arrival had rendered all those ironclad prerequisites irrelevant.

His unique zither Martial Soul seemed to have been born for a team. Feng Yao could always play the most suitable melody at the most appropriate moment. His Zither Sound was like an invisible bond, perfectly weaving seven entirely different notes into a marvelous composition.

Even more astonishingly, Feng Yao seemed to possess an innate tactical instinct. Often, before his teammates had even realized what they needed, his support had already arrived quietly, like spring rain carried on the breeze. This nearly prophetic ability to coordinate made the Imperial Dou Team's tactical execution flow like water.

When Qin Ming received the match information once again, a strange look flashed across his face. Dugu Yan keenly noticed her mentor's unusual reaction and quietly stepped forward. "Teacher Qin, is there a problem?"

A sharp glint flashed in Qin Ming's eyes as his long fingers tapped lightly against the crystal tabletop. "This time, I'm afraid you'll be facing a formidable opponent." He took out a parchment scroll with gilt edges and slowly unrolled it. "This is the information on your opponents, just sent over from the City Lord's Manor."

The Imperial Fighting Team immediately gathered around. Dugu Yan read softly, "'Shrek Seven Devils Team, seven members, origins unknown. Originally Iron Spirit Badges.'" She frowned. "Teacher Qin, does an Iron Spirit team really deserve to face us?"

Shrek Seven Devils Team.

Captain: Evil Eye White Tiger. Martial Soul: White Tiger. Level 38 Assault System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Vice Captain: Thousand Hand Asura. Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. Level 32 Control System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Soft Bone Charm Rabbit. Martial Soul: Soft Bone Rabbit. Level 31 Assault System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Evil Fire Phoenix. Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix. Level 28 Assault System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow.

Member: Netherworld Spirit Cat. Martial Soul: Netherworld Spirit Cat. Level 28 Agility Attack System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow.

Member: Sausage Seller. Martial Soul: Sausage. Level 31 Support System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Seven Treasures Glazed Tile. Martial Soul: Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Level 27 Support System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: two yellow.

Qin Ming lightly tapped the document with his fingertip. "A month ago, they really were only an Iron Spirit team." His gaze swept across every member present. "But in these short thirty days, they completed twenty-seven team spirit battles—twenty-seven battles, twenty-seven victories." His voice suddenly deepened. "How long did it take you to qualify for Silver Spirit Badges? One year."

Elsewhere.

As Shrek Team's leader, Yu Xiaogang carefully read through the Imperial Dou Team's information, fierce battle intent ignited in his sharp eyes. Yet when his gaze fell upon the additional note at the end, his pupils abruptly contracted, and he unconsciously crumpled the parchment in his hand.

"Level thirty-four?! That's impossible!" Yu Xiaogang's breathing quickened sharply, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip. In a daze, the tender face of a six-year-old child surfaced before his eyes.

"Xiao San absorbed a Man Faced Demon Spider Spirit Ring beyond the limit and even obtained the External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances. Yet he is only level thirty-two now..." He stared fixedly at the number on the document, a deep furrow forming between his brows.

His pen scratched chaotic marks across the paper as Yu Xiaogang rapidly calculated every possibility. "No, no, no... Even with the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Mimicry Cultivation Environment, only a few short months have passed since enrollment..."

But he soon slumped back down and crumpled the sheet filled with deductions into a ball. Every assumption collapsed under strict logical analysis.

At that moment, the Shrek Seven Devils entered the preparation room one after another. Tang San sharply noticed his teacher's unusually grave expression and stepped forward. "Teacher, what's wrong?"

Yu Xiaogang slowly shook his head and handed over the information. "Focus on the match before you first. This time, your opponents..." He paused, his voice growing even more solemn. "This will be an unprecedentedly difficult battle."

As everyone passed around the information, the entire preparation room fell into dead silence. Even the always arrogant Dai Mubai could not help drawing in a sharp breath, a chill racing up his spine to the back of his neck.

"This is..." When Tang San and Xiao Wu's gazes landed on that familiar name at the bottom of the list, the two exchanged shocked looks. At that moment, Tang San finally understood why his teacher had lost composure earlier—Feng Yao, Level 34 Control System Tool Spirit Master. Martial Soul: Fuxi Qin.

Imperial Dou Team, eight members in total.

Captain: Yu Tianheng. Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Level 39 Assault System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Vice Captain: Dugu Yan. Martial Soul: Jade Phosphorous Serpent. Level 38 Control System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Shi Mo. Martial Soul: Black Tortoise. Level 38 Defense System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Shi Mo. Martial Soul: Black Tortoise. Level 37 Defense System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Yu Feng. Martial Soul: Wind Chime Bird. Level 36 Agility Attack System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Oslo. Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard. Level 36 Agility Attack System Battle Titled Douluo. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Ye Lingling. Martial Soul: Nine Heart Begonia. Level 35 Support System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

Member: Feng Yao. Martial Soul: Fuxi Qin. Level 34 Control System Tool Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: two yellow, one purple.

The Central Main Spirit Arena of the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena was worlds apart from the outer division arenas.

This arena, hidden in the heart of the complex, was only slightly larger than an ordinary division arena, yet every detail displayed extravagance. Instead of noisy open-air stands, thirty-six VIP Boxes encircled the Douluo Stage—each embedded with one-way Soul Guiding Crystal Glass, perfectly concealing the nobles within the shadows.

Here, there were no deafening cheers or shouts. The nobles behind the crystal glass maintained elegant silence, venting their fervor only through Gilt Betting Slips delivered by attendants. After all, the wagers here often exceeded the combined stakes of several division arenas. Concealing one's identity not only preserved one's dignity, but also avoided trouble caused by enormous bets—even if someone lost everything, there was no way to know who their opponent had been.

Beneath the illumination of seven enormous Soul Guiding Chandeliers, the seventy-meter-wide Gilded Spirit Stage gleamed brilliantly. Such a vast space could easily accommodate not merely a ten-person team battle, but even a hundred-man army fighting to the death. The cold light refracted by the crystal glass intertwined with the golden radiance of the Douluo Stage, casting every duel beneath a veil of mystery and danger.