Huangfu Ji's Plan

"By the way, since it's already a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, it should have a name."

Liu Erlong turned back to look at Huangfu Ji. After researching it for so long and finally developing this fusion skill, she felt that its name could not be chosen carelessly.

Huangfu Ji lowered his head in thought, and before long, he came up with a name.

"Let's call it Dragon Descends to the Nine Heavens."

Their fusion skill was similar to the Hell White Tiger of the Star Luo Royal Family and the Hell Dai Clan.

After he and Liu Erlong unleashed their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, their attack power, speed, and defense all increased dramatically.

Once they used the fusion skill, not to mention Soul Grandmasters—even Soul Elders, Soul Ancestors, and even Soul Kings would find it difficult to withstand the dragon formed by their fusion.

Moreover, the lightning around the dragon's body carried a paralyzing effect, something brought about by Liu Erlong's Martial Soul.

"Dragon Descends to the Nine Heavens..." Liu Erlong murmured softly, then nodded in approval of the name.

At that moment, Zhao Yuan jogged over.

Twelve-year-old Zhao Yuan had grown much fatter than before, but he looked honest and simple-minded, giving people the impression that he was a very dependable person. He always wore a smile, and his eyes would sometimes narrow slightly.

At the academy, he had a nickname: Smiling Tiger.

Don't be fooled by the smile he showed everyone—when he struck, he was truly ruthless.

His chubby, harmless appearance was extremely deceptive.

Although his Soul Power Level was not as high as Huangfu Ji's or Liu Erlong's, it had still reached level twenty-three, higher than that of many teachers.

"Your skill is seriously terrifying." Even now, he still felt somewhat afraid. He did not know about anyone else, but he certainly did not want to face the two of them's Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

Their Martial Souls had already been extraordinarily powerful. If dragon-type Martial Souls were not strong, then there would be no powerful beast-type Martial Souls left on the continent.

When two already powerful Martial Souls fused together, the result was far greater than one plus one.

Huangfu Ji smiled. "The efforts of the past few years haven't been wasted after all."

Zhao Yuan said, "When we enter an Intermediate Soul Master Academy or a Senior Soul Master Academy next, we'll be able to swagger around without a care."

"With the Grand Duke leading us, who would dare provoke us?"

"That's right. If anyone refuses to submit, we'll beat them up until they do." Liu Erlong chimed in, her beautiful face carrying a hint of eagerness. The three of them had now graduated.

Next, they would be heading to an Intermediate Soul Master Academy to continue their studies.

That place was far more complicated than a Junior Soul Master Academy.

Cheng Yao belonged to the Loyalty Faction, but the dean of the Intermediate Soul Master Academy did not. He was one of Yuan Hao's people. Now that Huangfu Ji had gradually grown up, there were only a few years left until he came of age.

Naturally, Yuan Hao had to speed up his moves.

Over the past few years, his suppression of the Loyalty Faction had become increasingly severe. If not for a Soul Douluo standing guard, and Yuan Hao's fear that they would fight to the death, coupled with the fact that the Grand Duke was currently with them, the Loyalty Faction would likely have been finished long ago.

Huangfu Ji sat cross-legged, smiling as he looked at the two of them.

"Erlong, don't always be thinking about fighting. Everything about you is good except for that overly fiery temper of yours. Sometimes, it can easily bring unnecessary trouble."

"You should change it."

Liu Erlong curled her lips and retorted somewhat unwillingly.

"I can't change it. This is just how I am. As for offending people, I'm not afraid of that."

"Have I offended few people these past years?"

"Huangfu, on this continent, strength is king. Only when you have strength will others fear you."

"If you don't have strength, then anything you say is pointless."

Then she began trying to persuade Huangfu Ji instead.

"Huangfu, you can't reclaim the power that belongs to you with words alone. You need fists."

"Right?" As she spoke, she stood up and nudged Zhao Yuan beside her with her elbow.

Following his principle of offending neither side, Zhao Yuan nodded with a smile.

"I think both of you make sense. The Grand Duke is, after all, Qingyang's grand duke and the ruler of a nation. When he reclaims his authority and governs the country in the future, force alone won't be enough."

Then he added, "But Erlong isn't wrong either. If we want to seize power from Yuan Hao now, we still need force."

Liu Erlong rolled her eyes. "You really know how to avoid offending either side."

Zhao Yuan smiled awkwardly. What else could he do?

Huangfu Ji was Grand Duke Qingyang, the nominal ruler of Qingyang, and Liu Erlong's relationship with Huangfu Ji was incredibly close, even if they were only friends for now.

But he could see that their relationship was far too intimate. They had even developed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill together. It was only a matter of time before they got together.

So, he would avoid offending either of them whenever possible.

He had not provoked anyone.

At that moment, a teacher came onto the training field.

"Grand Duke, the dean requests your presence."

"Alright, I understand." Huangfu Ji rose and headed toward the teaching building.

Liu Erlong and Zhao Yuan each returned to their dormitories.

The academy was on break now, and all the students had already left. They had graduated as well, but since Huangfu Ji was still at the academy, neither of them had gone home.

Liu Erlong would not be going home until tomorrow, while Zhao Yuan could leave at any time. His home was not far from the Junior Soul Master Academy.

Arriving at the Dean's Office, Huangfu Ji pushed the door open and entered.

Cheng Yao stood by the window and turned to glance at him.

Looking at Huangfu Ji now, his heart was filled with emotion. He could be considered someone who had watched Huangfu Ji grow up with his own eyes.

As he looked at this young Grand Duke of Qingyang, it was as though he saw Huangfu Yunhe from back then.

Unfortunately, that old friend had already passed away, leaving behind only this son who had yet to fully grow up. Fortunately, this son possessed peerless talent and had cultivated to level thirty at the age of twelve.

As long as he obtained his third Soul Ring, Huangfu Ji would become a Soul Elder.

"Time passes so quickly. In the blink of an eye, you've grown this big."

"You're even taller than me."

Cheng Yao was one meter seventy-eight tall. Standing together, Huangfu Ji was just slightly taller.

A gentle smile rested on Huangfu Ji's face.

"Thanks to Uncle Cheng's protection, I was able to grow to this point."

Cheng Yao waved his hand. "I didn't do much. I saw your efforts with my own eyes. I sensed the commotion just now too. It was a very powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill."

He walked up to Huangfu Ji and patted him on the shoulder.

"I can only accompany you this far. From here on, it will depend on you."

He was only the dean of a Junior Soul Master Academy. Now that Huangfu Ji had graduated, he had no reason to continue accompanying him onward. Once he reached an Intermediate Soul Master Academy, he could only rely on himself.

There were no members of the Loyalty Faction there.

Huangfu Ji nodded solemnly. He was not a flower raised in a greenhouse. He would have to walk the road ahead himself.

However, he did not plan to continue studying within the Qingyang Duchy.

"Uncle Cheng, could you discuss it with Uncle Wang and let me temporarily leave the Qingyang Duchy? I want to go to Heaven Dou City and enter the Royal Academy directly."

There was nothing more for him to learn in the Qingyang Duchy, so he had to leave. Studying in Heaven Dou City was undoubtedly the best choice.

Moreover, he had to make a trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and take the herbs there. As for the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber, he did not dare hope for it.

Cheng Yao fell silent.

Going to study in the Empire was somewhat too risky. What if the Empire detained him?

The Empire had long been extremely dissatisfied with its vassal states. If the Four Great Kingdoms did not still possess sufficient military strength, the Empire would likely have moved against them long ago.

If Huangfu Ji went to Heaven Dou City, would that not be like a sheep walking into a tiger's den?