I'm Not Good at Comforting People

What Jiang Ming didn't know was that ever since Yao Haoxuan had been instantly defeated by him, a breath of frustration had been lodged in his chest.

Afterward, Zhou Yi had not only questioned Jiang Ming, but had also deliberately sought out Yao Haoxuan for a talk.

After all, in matters like fighting, it was impossible to listen to only one side of the story.

Then Zhou Yi discovered that Yao Haoxuan's talent actually was not bad at all. Moreover, he was not the type who would take a beating without daring to fight back.

As for why he had not fought back, according to Yao Haoxuan, he had been knocked out of combat by a single punch!

It was utterly ridiculous!

After learning the full ins and outs of the matter, Zhou Yi had also encouraged Yao Haoxuan. Of course, she had also severely criticized him for his habit of getting handsy!

At that time, Zhou Yi had only thought Jiang Ming's cultivation had just broken through to Soul Elder, so she fed Yao Haoxuan a few mouthfuls of motivational soup.

She said that if he cultivated hard, trained bitterly, and worked himself to the bone, fortunes changed with time, and in the future, it was not certain that he would be unable to beat Jiang Ming!

After that, Yao Haoxuan began going all out. Under Zhou Yi's strict teaching, and with his clan's resources tilted toward him, in the short three months since enrollment, his Soul Power had reached Level 29!

Facts proved that some things really could draw out a person's potential! At the very least, some of Yao Haoxuan's had been drawn out.

Of course, even with his strength greatly increased, Yao Haoxuan had no thought of defeating Jiang Ming. Because Zhou Yi had told him that Jiang Ming had already been a Soul Elder when he enrolled.

Before breaking through to Soul Elder himself, it would be far too difficult for him to defeat Jiang Ming! But he took this as his goal, wanting first to last a little longer in a confrontation with Jiang Ming, thinking that even that would count as progress!

But, but—

He had been instantly defeated again!

Yao Haoxuan, who had been sent flying, now lay collapsed on the brick-and-stone ground outside the arena, staring up at the sky, his eyes lifeless.

It was as if some hope, some expectation in his heart, had been completely shattered!

A few minutes later, his two teammates also arrived below the stage. Compared to the matches Jiang Ming and the others had fought before, the entire battle had actually lasted quite a long time.

This was also Jiang Ming giving his classmates some face, not ending it too quickly.

"Class One: Jiang Ming, Ling Luochen win!"

As Referee Teacher announced the victory, Jiang Ming also jumped down from the competition stage and came to Yao Haoxuan's side.

Looking at Yao Haoxuan's utterly hopeless appearance, as though his entire spirit had taken a blow, Jiang Ming crouched down at the corner of his mouth, smiled, and said, "What? Completely crippled? Can't get up?"

Yao Haoxuan glanced at Jiang Ming and said nothing, merely silently turning his body ninety degrees so his back faced Jiang Ming. His figure looked extremely lonely and desolate from behind.

"Yao Haoxuan, I'm not very good at comforting people, but right now, you really are much stronger than you were three months ago."

Jiang Ming stood up, stretched lazily, and said softly, "Before, I only needed half my strength to instantly defeat you. Now, to instantly defeat you, I have to use my full strength. Actually, who knows? If you keep working hard, maybe you'll be able to exchange a few rounds with me."

Listening to Jiang Ming's words, Yao Haoxuan, lying on the ground, only felt as if his little heart was being stabbed over and over. It hurt terribly!

However, the light gradually returned to his eyes.

According to Jiang Ming, at first, Jiang Ming had instantly defeated him with half his strength, but now he needed to use his full strength to instantly defeat him!

That meant he really had improved! He really had closed the gap between him and Jiang Ming!

Maybe, just maybe, in their next fight, he would be able to go a few exchanges with Jiang Ming at full strength. In the fight after that, he would be able to force a draw! In the fight after that, he would be able to win and wash away his former shame!

Thinking of this, Yao Haoxuan immediately felt much better.

A person whose hope had been reignited was filled with fighting spirit!

"You really don't know how to comfort people, but next time we fight, I won't be instantly defeated by you again!"

Yao Haoxuan climbed up from the ground, flames seeming to flicker in his eyes.

"Uh..."

Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow, turned around, waved his hand, and chuckled.

"Fine, then keep working hard."

Watching Jiang Ming's departing back, Yao Haoxuan hesitated for a moment, then frowned and said it anyway.

"I'm sorry!"

Jiang Ming did not speak, merely waved his hand again to show that he had heard.

Both of them knew what that apology was for.

Actually, when it came down to it, aside from being a little arrogant when he first came to Shrek Academy, Yao Haoxuan's later behavior had been quite well-behaved. That was also why Jiang Ming had deliberately come over to "comfort" him.

If Yao Haoxuan were still the same as before, Jiang Ming would not have paid him any attention, and might even have beaten him up again!

"The morning matches are over. I'm leaving first. I'll come back in the afternoon."

Jiang Ming greeted Ling Luochen, who had walked over, then headed straight toward the Soul Tool Department.

He had taken a proper rest yesterday, so today he still had to keep working hard.

Just like that, the whole morning passed. In the afternoon, Jiang Ming's group was still in the first match.

This match was the round of thirty-two advancing to sixteen. Their opponents were indeed much stronger, but they still did not make Jiang Ming use his Martial Soul.

However, based on Jiang Ming's judgment, tomorrow's match would probably require them to use their Martial Souls.

This was Shrek Academy, after all. It gathered the top geniuses from across the entire Douluo Continent, and they could not be underestimated.

The next day, during the round of sixteen to eight, the number of spectators at each arena had increased, and even several teachers had come over.

Clearly, now that the competition had reached this stage, its quality was already extremely high.

The remaining teams were basically fully equipped with Second Ring Soul Masters, and some were even led by Soul Elders.

"Class One: Jiang Ming, Ling Luochen. Versus Class Three: Long Yu, Jiang Miaomiao, Shi Yuan! Competitors from both sides, enter the arena!"

The moment they stepped onto the stage, the three opponents announced their Soul Power Levels.

"Long Yu, Level 26 Assault type Battle Soul Master!"

"Jiang Miaomiao, Level 25 Control Type Battle Soul Master!"

"Shi Yuan, Level 27 Control Type Battle Soul Master!"

Judging purely from their Soul Power Levels, there was no doubt that this team was powerful.

Of course, to Jiang Ming and Ling Luochen, this Soul Power Level held no advantage at all.

"Two Control Types and one Assault type, all Second Rings, and all with Soul Power at mid-stage or above. Mm, looks like I'll have to get serious."

Jiang Ming shook out his wrists, his gaze gradually turning serious.

Their opponents were clearly highly experienced in battle. The instant the referee announced the start of the match, they released their Martial Souls.

Long Yu's Martial Soul was a type of earth dragon called the Rock Armor Dragon. Although its status among dragons was not especially high, the strength of Dragon-type Martial Souls among Beast Martial Souls was something all Soul Masters acknowledged.

"First Soul Skill, Rock Armor Protection!"

As Long Yu charged forward, he directly used his First Soul Skill. Pale yellow, block-like armor plates appeared over his body, protecting most of his entire form, especially his chest!

From the looks of it, they had watched Jiang Ming's previous battles and knew he was an extremely powerful damage-dealing fighter.

As for the two besides Long Yu, Jiang Miaomiao's Martial Soul was a kind of Sea Soul Beast that looked like a mermaid. As her first soul ring flashed, it released wave after wave of intoxicating sound.

Yellow light flickered around Shi Yuan, and a kind of ripple seemed to spread beneath his feet. When it reached Jiang Ming's feet, Jiang Ming suddenly felt as though he could no longer stand steadily.