Ye Lingling

Plant Junior Soul Master Academy, Academic Affairs Office.

Director Wang looked over Qin Yuan's résumé and was quite surprised. What surprised him even more was that Qin Yuan could answer questions about the curriculum at the Junior Soul Master Academy with ease, and even offered remarkably fresh perspectives.

On top of that, Qin Yuan had the strength of a Soul King—more than enough to teach at an Advanced Soul Master Academy. So why was he so set on teaching at a Junior Soul Master Academy?

Of course, Director Wang was also worried that Qin Yuan might take his job.

Most teachers at a Junior Soul Master Academy were Soul Grandmasters. Director Wang's cultivation as a Soul Ancestor had been essential to securing his position as director of academic affairs.

In response to the questions, Qin Yuan remained calm. "Plant Academy only admits students with plant-type Martial Souls, and mine isn't suitable. A Junior Soul Master Academy teaches only theoretical knowledge, so there's no need to take Martial Souls into account. I believe I can adapt."

"As for why I'm not going to another academy? The reason is simple. I don't have the money for travel, so I can't leave Silvis City for now. The other academies in the city pay too little, and I'm not interested."

That explanation put Director Wang's concerns to rest.

After some thought, he decided, "Here's what we'll do. I can offer you a short-term contract. I'll also report your situation to my superiors. In the meantime, be ready to undergo an evaluation at any time."

"If you pass, you can teach at an intermediate or advanced Soul Master Academy. Of course, when your contract ends, you're free to decide whether to stay or leave."

It was clear Qin Yuan only wanted to earn enough money for the journey.

Director Wang would have turned anyone else away, but Qin Yuan had broad knowledge and unique insights into cultivation. The academy needed teachers like him to broaden its students' horizons.

After signing the contract, Qin Yuan was assigned a room in the teachers' dormitory.

The new term hadn't started yet, and the schedule had already been set. As a teacher who'd joined partway through the term, Qin Yuan was given only a few open classes for now.

To avoid arousing suspicion, he left his luggage in his room, then wandered around the academy with Teacher Zhang from the logistics department.

"The director told me about you, Teacher Qin. You're quite the fine young man." Teacher Zhang was a woman over fifty, and she was always especially warm toward promising young teachers.

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Qin Yuan and whispered, "If there's a young lady you have your eye on, Teacher Qin, come to me. I'll help you decide if she's the right one."

A thirty-year-old Soul King was a rare sight. To ordinary people, he certainly deserved to be called a "genius."

Qin Yuan hadn't forgotten his mission. He smiled and brushed off her teasing with a few words, then got to the point. "I think fourth year is a turning point in the study of Soul Master theory. Teacher Zhang, could you take me to a fourth-year class? Perhaps I'll be able to offer a few useful suggestions."

According to Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling was in Class One, fourth year.

But Teacher Zhang had no idea what he was really thinking, and led him into one fourth-year class after another.

It wasn't until half an hour later that Qin Yuan finally reached Class One.

Class One was for top students, many of whom came from influential families.

With her talent, Ye Lingling was among the very best, far ahead of the other students.

But she didn't like to talk or draw attention to herself. She sat alone in a corner, keeping to herself.

Sitting in the back of the classroom, Qin Yuan couldn't help asking, "What's the story with that student? Why isn't she paying attention?"

Teacher Zhang glanced over and sighed. "That's Ye Lingling. Her background is complicated, and she isn't the outgoing type, so she's always preferred to be alone. But I've heard the teachers say she's always done very well in her studies."

After class, Teacher Zhang introduced Qin Yuan to the students. When they heard that he was a Soul King, they all crowded around to ask him about cultivation.

The students from influential families had naturally met Soul Kings before, but in the Soul Master World, a person's age was always used to judge their achievements.

How could a fifty-year-old Soul King compare to a thirty-year-old one?

By the time Qin Yuan had answered their questions, Ye Lingling had long since disappeared.

Still, little by little, he managed to get the location of her dormitory out of the students.

Later, he asked Teacher Zhang about the academy's layout. Then, late that night, he quietly slipped into Ye Lingling's dormitory.

To get her out as soon as possible, he had to take special measures. He couldn't be bothered with anything else.

Ye Lingling wasn't resting. Instead, she used meditation to cultivate in place of sleep.

The sound of Qin Yuan opening the window startled her out of her meditation.

Ye Lingling's expression changed dramatically. She pulled a dagger from beneath her pillow, ready to fight to the death.

Sensing danger, Qin Yuan quickly lit the oil lamp. He gestured for her to stay quiet and whispered, "Dugu Yan sent me."

Ye Lingling didn't let down her guard. She said nothing, quietly listening to Qin Yuan's explanation.

Only after he told her a number of little secrets that only she and Dugu Yan could have known did she lower her dagger. Even then, she spoke reluctantly. "You can't take me away. Several of the city's major families have their eyes on me, especially the Liu Family. They won't let me go unless Grandpa Dugu comes forward."

Dugu Yan had already gone to Dugu Bo about it.

But although Dugu Bo had broken through to become a Titled Douluo, he'd been gravely injured while being hunted by Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo.

The poison in his body could flare up at any time. He had to rely on the Ice and Fire Spring to suppress it, so he couldn't risk traveling far.

Qin Yuan had expected as much, so he had no intention of using conventional methods.

"Ye Lingling, tell me what you know so I can assess the situation."

According to Ye Lingling, the Liu Family in the city had its sights set on her more than anyone else. Their clan elder was supposedly a Soul Douluo, but he hadn't shown himself in years, and no one knew if he was alive or dead.

Even so, the Liu Family still had a powerful Soul Saint.

Besides them, there was the Silvis Royal Family.

For instance, Ye Lingling's deskmate was a princess of the Royal Family. She kept her identity secret, and few outsiders knew about it.

"Teacher Qin, you may have drawn their attention by coming to the academy. Leave while they still have no suspicions."

Qin Yuan remained unmoved. Instead, he was concerned about Ye Lingling's state of mind.

Ye Lingling wasn't naturally quiet. She'd simply grown up in such an oppressive environment that she couldn't speak freely without revealing what she was thinking.

Just now, Qin Yuan had only managed to bring them a little closer, and she'd already started opening up.

It was no wonder Dugu Yan was so anxious. If Ye Lingling continued living in this kind of environment, it was bound to change her personality.

After a pause, he asked, "I have one last question. If everyone knows your grandfather's influence, why are they still hounding you?"

A Nine Heart Begonia healing Soul Master had extraordinary healing abilities. With Ye Tianxin's skill, countless people across the continent must have owed him a favor. If there was anyone sensible in the Liu Family, they wouldn't have gone after Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling's face darkened, and her expression grew even more despondent. "Something happened to Grandpa..."

Ye Lingling didn't know the details. All she knew was that her grandfather had been attacked by Wolf Bandits while traveling.

Only one member of the group escaped. Afterwards, Spirit Hall sent powerful fighters to search for him, but they found no trace of Ye Tianxin.