After some joking around, Qin Yuan turned to serious business. "The Three Education Commissioners have decided that the next tournament's Battle Team will be built around you two. So you should travel with the Battle Team to this year's tournament and see what it's like. If a suitable opportunity comes up, take part in a match if you can."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling accepted with solemn expressions.
On the Douluo Continent, every young Soul Master dreamed of competing in the Soul Master Tournament.
A standout performance there would etch their names into the memories of Soul Masters across the continent.
Soul Masters who worked hard at cultivation wanted either fame or gain. What else would drive them to keep going?
But the Fighting Team's situation was unusual. They had been given a direct place in the finals, where competition was fierce and there was no room for error. As a result, they did not even have substitutes.
It would be awkward to insert two people into the team midway through, but Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were talented enough to merit special attention.
Qin Yuan could make that decision himself.
And the Three Education Commissioners would not object.
Next, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling would need a period of intensive training to adjust to the team and the pace of competition.
Once the arrangements for joining the team were settled, Qin Yuan spoke with Dugu Bo alone.
"Brother, I recently heard that the imperial family thinks very highly of you. Emperor Xue Ye even promised you an earldom outright if you agreed to serve them."
"Do you want to join the Heaven Dou Imperial Family? If not, I'll turn aside Prince Xue Xing's attempts to recruit you. If you do, think carefully about whether you'll join Prince Xue Xing's faction or the crown prince's!"
Qin Yuan had never imagined that he, a mere Spirit Emperor, would be valued so highly by the imperial family!
But he would not change his mind. He would never join any faction. He would take payment for work and stay out of the struggles between the great powers.
After hearing his answer, Dugu Bo warned him gravely, "Prince Xue Xing is easy enough to handle, but the crown prince won't be so easily put off."
"Crown Prince Xue Qinghe can hold his own against Prince Xue Xing, whose foundations run deep. That alone shows his skill and ability. More importantly, he became Ning Fengzhi's disciple and learned his teacher's false benevolence down to the marrow."
Of course Qin Yuan knew Xue Qinghe's true identity.
If he made himself known to Xue Qinghe, no one in Spirit Hall would dare touch him. That would give him another measure of protection in the future!
Whichever faction held power within Spirit Hall had nothing to do with him. Still, he could reap benefits from both sides.
Naturally, he needed a firm line he would not cross. He would never help the Worship Hall or the Pope's Hall attack the other. Otherwise, he would end up the scapegoat.
Xue Qinghe moved quickly. Dugu Bo had barely turned aside Prince Xue Xing's attempt to recruit Qin Yuan when Xue Qinghe arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
The Three Education Commissioners were staunch supporters of Xue Qinghe, so of course they seized the chance to show their devotion.
On the way to the audience, Meng Shenji spared no effort in praising Xue Qinghe's kindness and righteousness to Qin Yuan.
Xue Qinghe had been waiting for some time in a reception room of the Education Committee.
After bringing Qin Yuan in, Meng Shenji tactfully withdrew and closed the door behind him.
Like Ning Fengzhi, Xue Qinghe dressed as a scholar and wore a faint smile.
When he saw Qin Yuan, he put on none of the airs of an imperial crown prince. His manner was warm, and his smile felt like a spring breeze.
"I've long heard of you, Mr. Qin. Meeting you today, I see your reputation is well deserved."
Qin Yuan replied in kind. "Your Highness is remarkable yourself. It is an honor to be received by you."
Xue Qinghe was always courteous toward capable people and readily lowered his own standing. "There's no need to be so formal, Mr. Qin. I truly admire you. If you don't mind, simply call me Qinghe."
He meant it from the heart.
Qin Yuan's name had come to Bibi Dong's attention, and his past had long since been investigated down to the last detail.
Xue Qinghe's true identity made him the next leader of Spirit Hall, with access to information channels beyond those of ordinary people.
Someone born with level-five Soul Power had reached Soul King by thirty and become a peak Spirit Emperor today. Such a man must have endured countless hardships before bitter days finally gave way to sweet ones.
If Xue Qinghe had lived Qin Yuan's life, he would probably still be currying favor with the upper crust, rather than having great nobles compete to recruit him.
After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Qinghe came straight to the point.
He did not try to recruit Qin Yuan. Reports obtained by both Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire made it clear that Qin Yuan only liked accepting commissions and would not join any faction.
"I hear that Lei Meng, captain of the Fighting Team, is your student, Mr. Qin. What placing do you think the Imperial Fighting Team can achieve for the empire in this year's tournament?"
Qin Yuan considered for a moment, then gave no definite answer. "At the duke's request, I'll do my utmost to teach Lei Meng well. But I don't have a clear sense of the other Battle Teams' strength, so it's hard to give a precise ranking. I will do everything I can to prepare the Imperial Fighting Team and lead them toward a top-three finish."
Xue Qinghe nodded, then asked with a smile, "Chief Commissioner Meng Shenji told me your commission will end after this Soul Master Tournament. Do you intend to stay in Spirit City and accept commissions for a while, or return to the academy?"
He paused, then added, "Of course, no one can restrict your freedom, Mr. Qin. I was merely curious."
Qin Yuan had no reason to conceal it.
When he had parted from Bibi Dong, she had made it clear that she would hire him to teach Hu Liena Movement Technique.
Hu Liena and her two companions would not compete in this year's tournament, so Bibi Dong was in no hurry.
The finals would be held in Spirit City. Bibi Dong would likely issue the commission after the tournament, and Qin Yuan would then be unable to return to Heaven Dou City with the rest of the group.
Qin Yuan answered frankly, "Your Highness, I simply enjoy accepting commissions."
"I find that different commissions bring different pleasures to life. Working as an ordinary teacher at the academy would offer little challenge."
"There's nothing wrong with a peaceful life, of course. I just prefer challenging work."
"If Spirit Hall needs my services in that regard, I'll stay in Spirit City. But if Your Highness can offer me a challenging commission, I'll give yours priority."
Xue Qinghe took no offense. On the contrary, Qin Yuan's candor raised his opinion of him considerably.
"I have no particular task for you at present, but we'll have a chance to work together someday."
"Please take great care on your trip to Spirit City, Mr. Qin. Some people behave erratically and are difficult to predict. They act on whatever notion strikes them. Be careful not to fall into their traps."
With that, Xue Qinghe rose from his seat. "I should return to my official duties. Visit my residence when you have time, Mr. Qin. And I hope what I've just said will be of some help to you."
Before you continue