Yu Tianheng's Thoughts

As a support-type Soul Master, Ye Lingling held a high position on the team, second only to Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan.

Ning Rongrong's arrival made her realize that her standing would likely decline.

Though her Martial Soul was powerful, its limitations were too great. It was far inferior to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's all-round support.

Li Xun took in everyone's reactions.

There was no need to mention Yu Tianheng; Li Xun had already seen him at Prince Xue Xing's side.

Ye Lingling's situation, however, left Li Xun somewhat puzzled.

After giving it some thought, and glancing at Ning Rongrong again, he immediately understood.

Li Xun smiled as he sized Ye Lingling up.

I need to find an opportunity to bring her into the sect as well. It would be better for her to shine in the sect than warm the bench on a team.

Although the Nine Heart Begonia overlapped with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in function, its healing abilities were exceptionally strong.

Who would ever complain about having too many talented people at home?

Li Xun felt like a talent scout snatching people up everywhere. Whenever he saw someone with potential, he wanted to pull them into the sect.

He had no choice. The sect was weak, and his teacher loved openly antagonizing Spirit Hall.

"Wow! Are you two really that outrageous? Your Soul Power is already this high at only eight years old?" Dugu Yan said, her face full of astonishment.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Li Xun turned his gaze toward Dugu Yan.

"What are you saying, Sister Yan? At your current level, you're already among the best of your generation on the continent. The Jade Phosphor Serpent is also one of the top-tier Martial Souls."

Dugu Yan laughed so brightly that she swayed with delight, her already well-developed figure impossible to ignore. "There may be some exaggeration there, but I'll take it as the truth."

"Every word I said is true. Even my teacher, Ning Fengzhi, praised the Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul highly whenever he mentioned it. He even told me that once I arrived at the academy, I had to pay my respects to Senior Dugu Bo."

While Li Xun spoke eloquently, Ning Rongrong gave him a puzzled look.

Why didn't she know her father had ever said such a thing?

"Alright, then I'll pass the message on to Grandpa."

Dugu Yan brushed a hand through her hair, in an excellent mood. No one disliked hearing others praise their family, especially when that praise came from the Sect Leader of one of the Upper Three Sects.

Yu Tianheng frowned as he watched the two chatting happily. He keenly sensed that Li Xun was trying to poach someone from him.

Of course, that someone was not Dugu Yan.

An eight-year-old kid whose hair had barely grown in—how could he be thinking about romance between men and women?

Yu Tianheng was thinking of Dugu Bo.

Because Li Xun kept bringing up that name, intentionally or otherwise.

Having grown up amid struggles for power, if he could not even see that much, then he would not be worthy of competing for the future position of Sect Leader.

Everyone at the academy knew that he was pursuing Dugu Yan.

But few knew that his other goal was to win over Dugu Bo.

For members of great clans, marriage was sometimes a bargaining chip as well.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was no longer what it had once been. The addition of a powerful Titled Soul Master would not only strengthen the sect, but could also become crucial support in his future struggle for the position of Sect Leader.

Of course.

If he and Dugu Yan gradually fell in love during the process, that would not be a bad tale either.

At that thought, Yu Tianheng narrowed his eyes, and his expression gradually turned cold.

After Qin Ming's introduction, Li Xun and Ning Rongrong quickly integrated into the team and began training with them.

This kind of training was dull and tedious.

It was either running or physical conditioning. The only time they could relax was probably when meditating in the Simulated Environment.

Li Xun was fine with it. What he truly wanted was to grow stronger; the method of cultivation did not matter much to him.

Ning Rongrong, however, nearly failed to endure it several times. Only with Li Xun and the other team members encouraging her did she slowly adapt.

And so, three months passed.

After three months of grueling training, his Soul Power had reached level twenty. Thanks to Heart Separation Control, his Chakra had also grown significantly.

During this time, he also tried to see whether he could absorb Natural Power in this world.

The result puzzled him. He did not feel as though he were absorbing Natural Power at all; what entered his body was still Soul Power.

After failing repeatedly, Li Xun vaguely grasped a hint of insight, though whether it was correct would require further experiments in the future.

His cultivation had improved, and he had gained quite a bit in his other relationships as well.

During training, Li Xun had become familiar with the other team members. Among them, he was undoubtedly closest to Dugu Yan, and through her, he had met Dugu Bo several times.

He had been studying herbal medicine for the past few years, and the knowledge he had amassed was already extensive. Whenever he intentionally engaged Dugu Bo in conversation, they got along quite well; sometimes, the viewpoints he voiced even left Dugu Bo amazed.

Dugu Bo's knowledge of poisons had also benefited Li Xun greatly, making him feel one step closer to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. There was no helping it—this was all he cared about.

Of course, where there were good things, there were naturally bad ones as well.

For some unknown reason, Yu Tianheng had been giving him strange looks over the past two months, with a chill occasionally flickering through his eyes.

Although there had not yet been any conflict between them, and Yu Tianheng had not deliberately done anything, Li Xun still became wary.

Sometimes, one had to trust one's first instinct.

"Maybe it's because of Dugu Bo and his granddaughter." Having lived two lives, Li Xun only needed a moment's thought to figure out what was going on in Yu Tianheng's mind.

Yu Tianheng was simply too good at holding himself back. Li Xun couldn't exactly go up and beat him up just because the man looked at him unfavorably, could he?

What was he, some Homelander who refused to eat beef?

"Xiao Xun, as a member of the team, we'll have to learn about your Second Spirit Ring sooner or later."

"This time, let me take you to obtain your spirit ring! It'll also be a good chance for the girls to relax." Qin Ming looked at Li Xun with a smile, speaking as though discussing the matter with him.

He was extremely curious about Li Xun's Martial Soul. It was clearly a statue, yet it could control trees—this completely defied everything he had learned.

He had already seen Li Xun's First Spirit Ability.

Qin Ming only wanted to know what changes Li Xun's statue Martial Soul would undergo after he obtained his Second Spirit Ability.

"Come with us, Little Brother Li Xun~ Teacher Qin Ming finally decided to give us a break."

Dugu Yan crossed the distance to Li Xun in two steps and familiarly draped an arm around his shoulders.

Perhaps because he ate too well, Li Xun had grown quickly over the past two years. Though he was not yet nine, he was only slightly shorter than Dugu Yan.

The two were very close.

So close that Li Xun could clearly feel the warm breath Dugu Yan exhaled.

"Brother, I'm coming too."

Ning Rongrong's little face scrunched up. Staring at Dugu Yan's arm, she hurried forward and wrapped her arms around Li Xun's arm.

She felt that Dugu Yan was far too familiar with him.

"Fine."

Li Xun nodded helplessly. If he was going with these people, he would have to make preparations in advance.

He had originally planned to go with Sword Douluo, since the trip there and back would be quick. Who would have thought Qin Ming would insist on leading the team?

Fortunately, he had already notified the people stationed at the foot of the mountain. Sword Douluo should be arriving soon enough; he just did not know where he was at the moment.

"Then let's go to the Soul Hunting Forest. It'll be safer for all of you." Seeing Li Xun relent, Qin Ming clapped his hands and flashed a broad grin.

Just as they were about to set off, Yu Tianheng somehow slipped into the group as well.

Li Xun merely glanced at him before ignoring him again.

He wanted to see just how much longer Yu Tianheng could endure.