Qian Renxue's Relentless Entanglement

"No, I don't think there's any problem."

Luo Li's sudden agreement left Qin Ming, who had already begun doubting himself, momentarily stunned.

The abrupt emotional shift left him somewhat bewildered.

Ignoring his reaction, Luo Li continued, "Spirit duels are indeed a good way for you to improve your combat abilities."

"After all, unlike me, you did not grow up fighting and killing from childhood."

"Though the Spirit Dueling Arena cannot compare to a real battlefield, it is still a good alternative."

"Facing unfamiliar soul masters and experiencing battles against different martial souls and fighting styles can greatly improve you."

Luo Li did not deny Qin Ming's method.

The first time he had rejected Qin Ming's teaching method, he had merely rejected the method itself, not Qin Ming as a person.

Luo Li was not the sort to target Qin Ming without reason.

Therefore, he would not reject a method he considered viable simply because it had been proposed by Qin Ming.

For academy-trained soul masters, spirit duels were one of the few excellent ways to improve their combat abilities.

"Right now, you should be building up genuine combat experience at the Spirit Dueling Arena."

"And that is my plan for the second phase of your training. If you have any thoughts or objections, you may voice them."

"If anyone is unwilling to participate, you can train according to your own plans."

"As soul masters, it is only natural for you to have your own ideas."

"I respect everyone's choices and will not force anyone."

Luo Li believed that, as someone in the role of a teacher, his responsibility was only to propose a training plan.

Yu Tianheng and the others were all mentally mature people. If they had their own ideas, they could naturally act according to them.

Luo Li had always believed that every soul master had the right to walk the path they wished to take.

Even if someone were to forcefully interfere, it should not be him, but their family members or other people close to them.

Without the slightest hesitation.

Yu Tianheng and the others all shook their heads.

They had already become deeply convinced by Luo Li, so naturally, they had no other thoughts.

Walk their own path?

To be honest, they still did not have any especially clear plans for their own paths.

Not everyone was like Luo Li, able to resolutely follow their own path from such a young age.

Academy-trained soul masters were always more accustomed to having others arrange things for them.

Seeing this, Luo Li nodded slightly. "In that case, we will proceed according to my plan from now on."

"For the next period of time, I will take you to Spirit Dueling Arenas throughout the empire to participate in spirit duels."

"You will familiarize yourselves with the Soul Master world's countless strange martial souls and combat methods."

"You need not worry about safety either. As your dean, I will naturally ensure your safety."

Luo Li still spoke with the same calm indifference, yet his words made everyone feel exceptionally reassured.

There should be no problems on Qian Renxue's side for the time being.

Looking across the entire continent, there were only three Limit Douluo capable of firmly suppressing Luo Li.

One remained secluded within Spirit Hall's Worship Hall. Given Qian Renxue's current opinion of him, she certainly would not take action against him on her own initiative.

One was still in the City of Slaughter as the King of Slaughter, his mind unclear.

The last was far away on an island, worshipping the Sea God, and would almost never set foot on the continent.

Other than them, the only person Luo Li was not completely confident he could handle was Bibi Dong.

However, he had no dealings with that woman, so she presumably would not attack him without reason.

With that, Luo Li no longer had any concerns within the human Soul Master world.

When he said those words, he had his own foundation and confidence. He was not merely making empty boasts!

The Imperial Dou Team did not doubt him either.

Looking across all of Heaven Dou, even Seven Treasures Glazed Tile's Sword Douluo might not necessarily be a match for the man before them.

After giving the Imperial Dou Team time to return, notify others, and prepare, Luo Li turned to leave, intending to head back to Luo Manor and inform his parents.

But...

"Brother Luo!"

Just as he was leaving, a gentle voice made Luo Li halt.

He did not even need to think. The moment he heard that form of address, he knew who it was.

With a soft sigh in his heart, Luo Li stopped without turning around, yet he spoke nonetheless.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

The person who had arrived was Xue Qinghe, played by Qian Renxue.

She smiled and waved at Luo Li. "Brother Luo, what a coincidence."

"I came today to see how the academy's reforms were going, and I never expected to run into you here as well."

Qian Renxue was getting better and better at lying with her eyes open.

A coincidence?

This was where the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's core disciples trained, practically a place reserved for the Imperial Dou Team and the others.

Why would Qian Renxue come here for no reason?

This was hardly a coincidence. Someone had clearly arranged it on purpose.

However, Luo Li could not be bothered to expose Qian Renxue.

After so many days, he had more or less grown accustomed to her entanglement.

She came to Luo Manor every few days.

Even for recruitment, this was truly going too far.

Was this how one paid three visits to a thatched cottage?

Didn't a Crown Prince like her care in the slightest about the implications of such behavior?

By now, a rumor had spread throughout Heaven Dou City:

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was secretly in love with King Frost Extreme, his younger sister's fiancé.

Some even speculated that because King Frost Extreme had spent years fighting on the battlefield, his preferences had changed as well.

Because of this, Xue Ke had begun feeling wary of this brother whom she had always thought well of.

Even Luo Li's mother, Chu Wan, had once spoken with him alone, asking whether their relationship truly was as the rumors claimed.

Only after much explanation did Luo Li barely manage to convince his mother that he was innocent.

"What a coincidence..."

Luo Li responded perfunctorily.

Luo Li had never feared anyone in the Heaven Dou Empire, yet he could do nothing about this woman.

If this continued, he felt that his reputation really might be ruined.

Seeing Luo Li's helplessness, Qian Renxue gave an awkward smile.

She had heard some of those rumors herself, more or less, but did not care about them.

A fondness for men?

What kind of joke was that? She was a woman to begin with. Wasn't it perfectly normal for her to like men?

Still, Qian Renxue knew such public opinion was unfavorable to Luo Li, so she could not help but feel somewhat awkward.

But asking her to give up was impossible.

Until she had completely conquered Luo Li, she would never give up!

After seizing the Heaven Dou Empire and earning her mother Bibi Dong's recognition, this was Qian Renxue's only other overwhelmingly powerful obsession!

"I recently found some interesting things. How about I send them to Brother Luo's residence tomorrow?"

Suppressing her awkwardness, Qian Renxue spoke with a smile.

Luo Li's eyelid twitched slightly, and there was a trace of relief in his voice.

Fortunately, he was about to leave Heaven Dou City.

Luo Li had never imagined that one day, he would be glad to leave Heaven Dou City not because of the threat of his achievements overshadowing his lord, but because of a cross-dressing woman's entanglement.

"Tomorrow, I plan to take the Imperial Dou Team to the various Spirit Dueling Arenas to gain experience."

"I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but there is no need to send anything."

Yet Qian Renxue's next words made the usually composed Luo Li's expression stiffen.

"Is that so? Then I'll go with Brother Luo."

"I also want to see the bearing of our Heaven Dou Royal Academy's geniuses."

Qian Renxue smiled brightly.

"Brother Luo, you don't have a problem with that, do you?"