Confidence in Her Heart

"What empire wouldn't allow it? Shaozhe, you've gained a new disciple the moment you returned. Can't we talk about something happier?" The moment Zhuang Lao entered, he sensed that the atmosphere among the three was somewhat off, so he asked with a smile.

It was both to lighten the mood and to remind them of Jiang Qingtong's presence.

Jiang Qingtong had not caught all of Yan Shaozhe's final remark. She had only vaguely heard that Martial Soul Awakening involved too much and that the empire would not permit it. But even from those two pieces of information, she could guess what it was about.

She also knew that Soul Hall had recently come under investigation by the authorities of the Original Douluo Continent Three Kingdoms.

Yan Shaozhe had been away from the academy lately, likely because of this matter—attending a meeting with some empire to discuss it. Shrek Academy had always considered itself above such things and would not openly support the three kingdoms' purge of Soul Hall. As for what they did in secret, no one could say.

It seemed she would have to tell the people of Soul Hall to be more careful.

Yan Shaozhe's gaze fell upon Jiang Qingtong. After a moment of silence, he said, "Elder Xuan has already sent someone to inform me about your situation. Since it is the Sea God Pavilion's decision, I will naturally abide by it. From today onward, you are my disciple. This is your senior sister, Ma Xiaotao..."

"Dean Yan, I already have a master, so I cannot take you as my master. Please forgive me." Before Yan Shaozhe could finish his last sentence, Jiang Qingtong stepped forward, cupped her hands in salute, and politely interrupted him.

"You already have a master?"

Yan Shaozhe frowned. "Who is your master?"

Jiang Qingtong took a deep breath. "Jing Hongchen, Master of Mingde Hall."

After hearing Jiang Qingtong's words, everyone fell silent. Xian Lin'er said, "I have heard of Jing Hongchen as well. A Rank Ninety-Four Titled Douluo, and his status in the Sun Moon Empire is far from low."

"If that is the case, why did you come to Shrek? With a master like that, the resources you could obtain in the Sun Moon Empire would be greater than those here," Yan Shaozhe asked in a deep voice.

Jiang Qingtong showed no trace of timidity as she replied, "Because I am more suited to Martial Soul cultivation. Therefore, studying at Shrek Academy is more suitable for me."

This was the explanation she had given the other Venerable Elders during the Sea God Pavilion meeting, and there was indeed nothing wrong with it.

After a brief silence, Yan Shaozhe exchanged a glance with Cai Meier and nodded. "Very well. In some time, you can move into the Inner Court. Aside from your regular classes, Meier and I will teach you Martial Soul cultivation."

Having Jiang Qingtong move into the Inner Court would not only allow them to teach her properly, but also better keep track of her movements.

"Yes." Jiang Qingtong nodded.

Yan Shaozhe had Jiang Qingtong leave first. Only after she was gone did he say to the others, "That girl does not act like she is twelve. Facing us, she was not the slightest bit reserved or nervous."

Xian Lin'er said to Yan Shaozhe, "She possesses Rank Nine Soul Tools for defense and escape. In all of Shrek Academy, the only person who can guarantee subduing her is probably Mu En, isn't it? Even Elder Xuan cannot guarantee that he would not trigger her Rank Nine Soul Tools. With such confidence, of course she is sure of herself."

Because Jiang Qingtong was coming to Shrek Academy, Kong Deming had gone to great lengths when selecting her Rank Nine Soul Tools. Every Rank Nine Soul Tool she carried could be activated in tandem. So long as a Limit Douluo did not make a move, she could escape.

"Rank Nine Soul Tools... Just a few Rank Nine Soul Tools can give a little girl confidence comparable to that of a Titled Douluo, or even a Super Douluo."

Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath. "The Sun Moon Empire's creations do have their merits."

Seizing the opportunity, Xian Lin'er added, "Exactly! So your Martial Soul Department should stop competing with our Soul Tool Department for every promising talent! If our Soul Tool Department ever produces a Rank Nine Soul Tool Master of our own, the academy's strength will see a tremendous increase!"

Cai Meier said, "And how long will we have to wait for that day?"

At that question, Xian Lin'er fell silent.

Jiang Qingtong returned to the dormitory from the Inner Court. Not long afterward, she saw Jiang Nannan return from outside with an awful expression. The moment she came back, she curled up on her bed and pulled the blanket over herself.

"Senior sister?"

Seeing Jiang Nannan's unusual state, Jiang Qingtong called out, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Nannan did not answer. Jiang Qingtong continued, "Who upset you? Tell me, and I'll get justice for you!"

"It's fine. I just need some time alone." Jiang Nannan hid beneath the blanket, her muffled voice answering Jiang Qingtong.

Seeing Jiang Nannan like this, Jiang Qingtong stepped forward and asked, "Did you run into Xu Sanshi?"

At Jiang Qingtong's words, Jiang Nannan abruptly sat up in bed. She stared fixedly at Jiang Qingtong, her emotions nearly spiraling out of control. "Y-you... how do you know that name?"

"Everyone at the academy is saying that Xu Sanshi likes you and has been pursuing you, but you have always refused him." Jiang Qingtong showed no panic whatsoever as she calmly said to Jiang Nannan, "So I guessed that perhaps you had run into him again."

Jiang Nannan took a deep breath and only barely managed to calm herself down. She clenched her fists around the bedsheets, not releasing them until a long while later. Then she nodded. "Yes. I ran into him."

"He came to harass you again! Senior sister, don't be afraid. I'll stand up for you. Come on, let's go find him!" Jiang Qingtong immediately grabbed Jiang Nannan's hand, intending to drag her up and go find Xu Sanshi.

Jiang Qingtong was not some saint who loved and pitied everyone, but she was still a decent young person from a new era with normal values.

When she had read the original novel of The Unrivaled Tang Clan, Jiang Nannan's experiences had disgusted her beyond measure, and she had hated Xu Sanshi to the extreme! She loathed even more the twisted Martial Soul requirements of their family!

What need was there for a Martial Soul with such an awakening condition to even exist!

"No! Don't go find him!" Jiang Nannan's expression turned panicked at Jiang Qingtong's words, and she quickly shook her head.

She did not want to face Xu Sanshi!

"Senior sister, although I do not know what you went through in the past, I have something to tell you. Running from the past is not the best solution. If you want nightmares to stop tormenting you, the best way is to shatter those nightmares!" Seeing Jiang Nannan so flustered, Jiang Qingtong gently tried to persuade her.

After saying that, Jiang Qingtong did not force Jiang Nannan. She released Jiang Nannan's hand, sat across from her, and watched her.

Jiang Nannan's heart was locked in fierce conflict. She did not know whether she should listen to Jiang Qingtong, but then she thought of the nightmare that had haunted her every night for all these years. The confusion in her eyes gradually cleared.

"Junior sister Qingtong... let's go!" Jiang Nannan looked at Jiang Qingtong with resolute eyes and said.

Jiang Qingtong smiled and set off with Jiang Nannan to find Xu Sanshi. If I could persuade Jiang Nannan with just a few words, maybe I should become a life coach. Please applaud!