Winds Stir in Heaven Dou, the Tournament Draws Near

When Qin Mo returned to Myriad Manifestations Academy with the greatly strengthened Zhu Zhuqing, Bing'er, and Yan'er, he found, as expected, that the academy was suffused with a tense yet excited atmosphere unlike anything before.

Outside the academy gates, a long line had formed. They were all young Soul Masters and parents who had come drawn by its reputation, hoping to join Myriad Manifestations Academy. Clearly, after several incidents had fermented—resolving the Black Prison Forest crisis and refusing Blue Tyrant Academy's exchange proposal, among others—the academy's reputation had completely taken off. Especially with the aura of Qin Mo, the mysterious and powerful young dean, its appeal was immense.

Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling were so busy their feet barely touched the ground. They had to handle the new enrollment applications, arrange assessments, and manage the existing students. When they saw Qin Mo return, it was as though they had seen their savior.

"Dean! You're finally back!" Ning Rongrong complained. "If you'd come back a few days later, Lingling and I would've collapsed from exhaustion! There are too many applicants—they're practically trampling down the doorstep!"

Ye Lingling also smiled gently, though a trace of weariness showed between her brows. "Yes, Dean. And recently, many unfamiliar Soul Masters have arrived in Heaven Dou City. They seem to be preparing for the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. The city is filled with all sorts of people, and many factions have set their eyes on our academy as well."

Qin Mo nodded and reassured them, "You've worked hard. It's a good thing that the academy's reputation is rising, but we must still maintain strict standards. Better to lack than to accept the unworthy. As for the tournament..." A glint flashed in his eyes. "This is precisely our chance for Myriad Manifestations Academy to make its name."

When he returned to the Dean's Office, old Master Qin Yuan was already waiting there, his expression even more solemn than before.

"It's good that you're back, Mo'er." Qin Yuan spoke in a deep voice. "There are several urgent matters. First, Spirit Hall. Bishop Salas has been making frequent moves recently, repeatedly hinting in public that Myriad Manifestations Academy may be associated with Evil Soul Masters. Although he has no substantial evidence for now, public opinion is somewhat unfavorable to us. Second, Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire has sent someone with an invitation, asking you to attend the Imperial Banquet three days from now. On the surface, it is to commend us for resolving the hidden danger in the Black Prison Forest, but in truth, he most likely wants to personally probe your background."

"Oh? An invitation from Xue Ye?" Qin Mo accepted the exquisitely crafted invitation, deep in thought. The attitude of the Heaven Dou Royal Family was very important.

"Third, and most importantly," Qin Yuan lowered his voice, "the Preliminary Tournament for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will officially begin at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena in one month! The registration deadline is five days from now! Will our academy participate?"

It had finally come!

Qin Mo had long anticipated this. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was one of the most important plotlines in the original work, as well as the best stage for young Soul Masters to emerge and for academies to gain fame across the continent.

"We'll participate. Of course we'll participate." Qin Mo answered without hesitation. "And not only will we participate, we'll secure a qualifying spot from the Heaven Dou Competition Zone. Our ultimate goal is the championship of the Grand Finals!"

His tone was calm, yet it carried unquestionable confidence.

Qin Yuan looked at his grandson. Though he felt that aiming for the championship was somewhat far-fetched, when he thought of Qin Mo and those little monsters' strength, a surge of bold ambition rose in his heart. "Good! Then I'll prepare the registration immediately! As for the competitors..."

"I already have candidates for the team." Qin Mo was completely confident. "The seven main members will be: me, Bing'er, Yan'er, Rongrong, Lingling, Zhuqing, and... Qian Renxue."

"Qian Renxue?" Qin Yuan froze. "Her... her identity..."

"It doesn't matter." Qin Mo waved his hand. "Since she chose Myriad Manifestations Academy, she is our student. This is a perfect opportunity for her to make a clean break with her past. Besides, with her, our team composition will be even more perfect."

Control-type—Qin Mo. Power attack-type—Bing'er, Yan'er, Qian Renxue. Agility attack-type—Zhu Zhuqing. Support-type—Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling. Such a lineup could only be called dreamlike! In particular, with three Soul Ancestors possessing ultimate martial souls—Qin Mo's strength could not be judged by conventional standards—and two top-tier support members, their strength on paper was enough to crush the vast majority of teams.

"As for the substitute members," Qin Mo considered, "we can select a few outstanding new students to gain experience."

"I understand." Qin Yuan nodded and immediately went to make arrangements.

Qin Mo lightly tapped his fingers against the tabletop as his thoughts raced. The Imperial Banquet, Spirit Hall's covert maneuvers, the approaching Soul Master tournament... Heaven Dou City was destined not to remain peaceful in the days ahead.

And that was exactly what he wanted. Only after being tempered by wind and rain could Myriad Manifestations Academy's golden nameplate truly stand unshaken.

He needed to see Qian Renxue as soon as possible and finalize her participation in the tournament. At the same time, he had to formulate a detailed training plan for the team. Though he had absolute confidence in their strength, tactics and coordination were equally important. After all, some unexpected opponents might appear in the tournament.

Myriad Manifestations Academy's legendary path would officially set sail with this Soul Master tournament that swept across the continent.