Ning Fengzhi Recruits the Lanba Team

"Th-they surrendered already? It hadn't even been a minute. Was that a fixed match?"

"Amazing! They ended the battle in under a minute. Only one member of Blue Tyrant Academy made a move, yet he trapped and defeated Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team."

"Is this the strength of a control-type Soul King?"

"Blue Tyrant Academy's students really are terrifying! I wonder if all of their members possess the strength of Soul Kings?"

"Brother, do you think Soul Kings grow like cabbages? They'd be doing well if they had two or three."

"Two or three Soul Kings is already impressive. This dark horse has emerged in the Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. It looks like this year's championship may very well fall into their hands."

"Third match of the first round of preliminaries: Blue Tyrant Academy wins! Let us congratulate them!" Host Doudou added.

Xue Ye remarked with emotion, "None of Blue Tyrant Academy's other members even made a move. Tang San alone cleanly defeated those children from the second team. I truly want to see whether the other students of the Lanba Team are as outstanding as Tang San."

Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile and said noncommittally, "Your Majesty, you will see."

After the match ended, the Lanba Team members stepped down from the Spirit Fighting Stage. Once they joined up with Ning Rongrong and the others, Qin Ming smiled and said, "Let's head back to the academy first, before we get surrounded by spectators."

"Yes, Teacher Qin."

Within Blue Tyrant Academy, the three deities Huang Tian, Liu Erlong, and Tang Yuehua sat around a stone table in the garden. As they ate fruit and pastries, they watched the match with Soul Power. Seeing Tang San end the battle with one clean move, they immediately lost interest in continuing to watch. Huang Tian said bitterly, "Their strength completely crushed the opposition. They actually agreed to let Tang San fight alone—was that just to let him show off? Don't tell me everyone will be doing this from now on?"

"Little San ended the battle all by himself. Doesn't it feel great to show off? Should I take the next match?" Oscar said eagerly.

"Little Oscar, why are you, a Food Type Soul Master, joining in on this? If anyone goes up, it should be me. I guarantee my Phoenix Cry Sky Strike can burn off their clothes," Ma Hongjun said with a grin.

"Eugh." Everyone shuddered. This fat man was far too lecherous. Burning off other people's clothes and leaving them naked—was that really okay? That would be a massive public humiliation. It would be strange if they didn't fight him to the death!

"Pah, pervert."

"Shameless scoundrel!"

"Disgusting."

"With your sleazy personality, little brother, you still want to pursue your big sister here?"

The four girls all denounced the fat man's words and behavior.

In the garden, Huang Tian heard their conversation and said speechlessly, "That really is what they're thinking."

"Ridiculous!" Liu Erlong slammed her palm against the stone table and said angrily, "We cannot let them keep doing this. Individual heroism is not allowed. This is a team match, and the glory belongs to everyone."

After peeling a grape, Tang Yuehua brought it to Huang Tian's lips and fed it to him. Then she smiled and said, "These children truly have great confidence in their own strength. It doesn't matter much when one person faces seven against weak teams, but if they encounter a strong team, they may end up embarrassing themselves."

"Hmph. Even a food-type Soul Master wants to join in on this nonsense. When they get back, I'm going to give them a severe scolding. In a team match, everyone must participate. I have no idea how Qin Ming manages them," Liu Erlong said indignantly.

"Qin Ming is only a level 63 Soul Emperor. He isn't even as high-level as Ning Rongrong, and the gap between him and those few isn't that great. On top of that, he has not been a teacher for long, so there are likely some areas where he falls short. Erlong, once Qin Ming returns, give him an immortal herb and let him consume it to improve his strength. Also, distribute the original version of the Nine Heavens Profound Technique to the academy's teachers for cultivation. Strengthen them, and no student will dare act out of line in the future."

"Alright, husband, I understand. In my academy, they must learn to respect their teachers and elders. Otherwise, this old lady will teach them exactly how the word 'regret' is written," Liu Erlong said viciously.

Outside Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena, Ning Fengzhi stood with his back to the entrance, waiting there alone ahead of time.

Ning Rongrong spotted her father at once. She ran over and threw her arms around him, asking in surprise, "Dad, when did you come down?"

"Greetings, Sect Master Ning." Ma Hongjun nodded politely in greeting.

"I'm meeting you today as Rongrong's father, as your elder—not as a Sect Master. Just call me Uncle Ning." Ning Fengzhi pulled Ning Rongrong out of his embrace and spoke to the people from Blue Tyrant Academy.

"Tang San, congratulations. You actually possess three ten-thousand-year Soul Rings."

Tang San smiled. "Uncle Ning, you flatter me. Rongrong isn't bad either. She has six Soul Rings, and she's even stronger than I am."

Ning Fengzhi patted Ning Rongrong's head and said with a smile, "That is all thanks to your academy's excellent training. I should be thanking you! Rongrong, go back with your companions, or people will criticize your father for showing favoritism."

Ning Rongrong said angrily, "Let them criticize all they want. We won through our own strength, not through a fixed match."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Before you leave, introduce your new companions to me. I haven't met them before."

Ning Rongrong nodded, then ran over and hugged Jiang Zhu's right arm. "Dad, this is Senior Jiang Zhu, a level 50 healing-type Soul King."

"This is Senior Huang Yuan. His martial soul is Lone Wolf, and he is a level 50 assault-type Soul King."

"This is Senior Jing Ling. His martial soul is Skeleton, and he is a level 50 agility-type Soul King."

"This is Senior Tai Long, from the Strength Clan, a level 50 strength-type Soul King."

The students Ning Rongrong introduced all clasped their fists in greeting. Ning Fengzhi nodded to each of them in acknowledgment.

After finishing those introductions, she skipped over to Xiao Wu's side, wrapped her arms around Xiao Wu's arm, and said with a smile, "Dad, this is Sister Xiao Wu, a level 48 Soul Ancestor. She is the goddaughter Auntie Liu Erlong, our dean, just took in."

"Not bad. To have achieved so much at such a young age, your future prospects are limitless. I wonder if you would be interested in visiting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect someday?" Ning Fengzhi directly extended an invitation.

"I appreciate Sect Master Ning's kind intentions. If I have the chance in the future, I will certainly visit your sect," Jiang Zhu replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Mm, This Seat will await you at any time!" Ning Fengzhi said with a satisfied nod.

"This is Teacher Qin Ming. His martial soul is Blazing Fire Wolf, and he is a level 62 assault-type Soul Emperor. He is a teacher at our academy, as well as our senior. His teacher is Vice Dean Flender," Ning Rongrong said, pointing at Qin Ming standing nearby.

"Qin Ming—I have heard that name before. The second-youngest Soul Emperor on the entire continent. Hello," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile.

"Sect Master Ning, you flatter me. What does my meager strength amount to? With the strength and age of my juniors, they will certainly shake the continent in the future. Becoming Title Douluo is within sight," Qin Ming said as he clasped his fists in salute.

"Haha, Teacher Qin, you overpraise them. You are not bad yourself, so believe in yourself. Alright, it's almost time. I should return to watch the matches. I'll be going now!"

With that, Ning Fengzhi walked into Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena at an unhurried pace.

"Sect Master Ning truly deserves to be called the most graceful man on the continent. He is so elegant—simply too handsome," Jiang Zhu could not help sighing.

"Hm? Senior, don't tell me you've fallen for Uncle Ning? No wonder you don't like me!"

"Little fatty, don't talk nonsense. I was only expressing my admiration. Have you even grown all your hair yet? At your age, what are you talking about love for?"