Would You Like to Come with Us?

"Third Brother, hurry and try out your third soul skill!"

Tang San had just opened his eyes when he saw Xue Qingxi's smiling face before him, along with the sparkling-eyed pair behind him.

During the time Tang San had spent absorbing the Spirit Ring, Xue Qingxi had taught the two ladies about martial arts—and swords, which were especially difficult to learn but incredibly cool!

Drawn in, the two of them did not dare bother Tang Ling. After watching several of Xue Qingxi's sword techniques, they had become eager to see the different swordsmanship Tang San had learned.

"Sure." Tang San smiled and rose to his feet. He summoned his martial soul, and two yellow and one purple Spirit Rings descended around him. "Third soul skill, Blade Severing Water!"

As the soul skill activated, the Five Elements Faceless Disc floating in the air shone with a sea-blue glow. Moments later, it transformed into a single-edged sword.

Tang San raised a hand and gripped it. Turning with a sweep of his arm, he unleashed a sword aura. A ripple of water slashed forward at high speed, smashing through the ice and sending lake water spraying into the air.

"This looks so much like Sister Lingling's move!" Ning Rongrong stared curiously at Tang San, looking at the simple technique.

"Indeed." Tang San put away his martial soul and nodded. "Qingxi uses a flexible sword.

"The techniques of a flexible sword are flashy and do not appear especially lethal, but their strength lies in catching opponents off guard. I, on the other hand, use a single-edged sword.

"The sword techniques are simple. They draw power from the body, making each strike seem more solid and heavier."

"Come to think of it, Sword Grandfather also seems to use a single-edged sword. That's why his attacks look so unbelievably impactful!" Ning Rongrong fell into thought before nodding in agreement.

"It is powerful in its own way as well." Xue Qingxi chuckled and flicked the sword in his hand before putting it away. "Teacher said that when swordsmanship reaches its pinnacle, one sword can break ten thousand techniques!"

"You're making me want to learn it too!" Listening to him and recalling what she had just seen, Ning Rongrong felt her blood surge with excitement.

Xue Qingxi smiled and turned to her. "Everyone who joins our team has to train their body. If you're interested, you can talk to Teacher about it."

"Will it be exhausting?" Ning Rongrong cautiously glanced behind her at Tang Ling and Tang San, who were talking, then asked in a low voice.

"Of course! And Teacher said that once you start learning the sword, you can't give up." Seeing how furtive she was acting, Xue Qingxi lowered his voice as well.

"Ah!" Ning Rongrong wrinkled her little face, sighed, and waved her hands repeatedly. "Then I won't learn it. Body training is tiring enough already."

"As you wish." Xue Qingxi replied with a chuckle. Yet inwardly, he observed a moment of silence for her. Even if she was a support-type, Teacher would definitely make her learn some techniques—better safe than sorry.

"Children, have you rested enough? It's time to set off." Supporting herself on Tang San's arm, Tang Ling stood and looked at the three chatting animatedly together.

"Yes, Teacher!" Xue Qingxi immediately turned around and nodded. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing nodded as well.

Tang Ling then led the team toward the outskirts, finding suitable Soul Beasts for them to train against.

In less than a month, under a sea of repeated battles, the coordination among Tang San, Xue Qingxi, and Ning Rongrong gradually improved. Ning Rongrong always used her soul skills at the right moments, while Tang San and Xue Qingxi developed excellent rapport.

As time flew by, the group, having gained much, made plans to leave.

The sun was not too harsh, making it suitable for travel. Tang Ling led them out of the Star Dou Great Forest along another easily traversed route.

Once they stepped beyond the forest, two roads leading in different directions appeared before them.

"Zhuqing." After telling the two of them to pack up the carriage, Tang Ling turned and walked toward Zhu Zhuqing, who stood some distance away.

"Sister Ling, is something wrong?" Zhu Zhuqing withdrew her distant gaze, concealing the uncertainty in her eyes as she turned to Tang Ling.

"The two roads before you lead to different places." Standing beside her, Tang Ling pointed behind her. "This road leads to Notting City.

"Notting City is vast and sparsely populated, with a junior Soul Master Academy. I have a good relationship with its dean, Nolan. The Great Tang Merchant Guild also has a branch stationed in the city.

"The other road leads to Suotuo City. It is famous for its intermediate Soul Master Academy and the Suotuo Great Soul Arena. The city is densely populated, with many people coming and going, and its economy is prosperous."

As Tang Ling spoke, she turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing, who tilted her head at her in confusion.

Tang Ling laughed softly, then extended her right hand. "You now have two choices. No matter where you go, you can begin a new and good life.

"But I want to give you a third choice. Are you willing to join us and come with us?"

Zhu Zhuqing froze at once. Looking at the sincerity on Tang Ling's face, she clasped her hand without hesitation. "I'll go with you!"

"Good!" Tang Ling's smile widened, making her look gentler than ever. "Welcome to our team!"

"It's my honor!" A gentle light appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she curled her lips into a smile.

"Hey—Qingqing looks even prettier when she smiles!" A crisp, cheerful voice reached their ears. Looking up, they saw Ning Rongrong, who had no idea how long she had been watching.

"Qingqing, you should smile more from now on, or you'll become the coldest one among us." Ning Rongrong skipped over and smilingly grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hand.

"Alright, I'll listen to you." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her gaze slightly to look at her, then nodded. Ning Rongrong happily rubbed against her arm.

"Welcome, new member! Though Teacher still hasn't named the team yet, haha!" Once they had finished talking, Xue Qingxi walked over with a smile, Tang San close behind him.

"Welcome. From now on, we're family. If you need anything, just say so." Tang San stepped past Xue Qingxi to stand beside Tang Ling and spoke solemnly.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the four people before her and nodded firmly with a smile. Heaven was still fair. It had given her a terrible family, but had made up for it with a better one.

In the carriage bound for Suotuo City, the group had gathered to discuss a name for their team.

Tang Ling told them that the reason it was called a team was because they would indeed form a team with the Soto Intermediate Soul Master Academy team to participate in the National Soul Master Competition.

"Does Teacher know the academy team's name?" Xue Qingxi was the first to speak, looking at Tang Ling as he asked.

"Soto Academy Team," Tang Ling answered. "Originally, we were called the Soto Academy Second Team, but after the headmaster learned more about us,

"he felt that our team was stronger than the first team, so he planned to have us choose another name. We'll compete as the academy's hidden trump card."

"In that case, how about Ace Team?" Ning Rongrong eagerly offered her idea.

"It sounds good, but isn't that name a little too arrogant?" Xue Qingxi raised a thumb in agreement, then looked hesitantly toward Tang San.

Tang San nodded. "Since we're the hidden trump card, we should keep a low profile. The key is catching people off guard."

"I think we could be called the Great Tang Team, using the name of Teacher's merchant guild." Xue Qingxi's eyes shifted as he spoke with a grin.

"No. That makes it sound like my private team." Hearing the name, Tang Ling rubbed her forehead with a headache and decisively rejected it.

"How about Spirit Profound Team?" Zhu Zhuqing, who had been sitting to the side without speaking, offered her suggestion as well.

"That name works! After all, our team is led by Sister Lingling and Third Brother!" Ning Rongrong immediately wrapped an arm around Zhu Zhuqing's arm, her face full of excitement.

"I think it fits too. It's low-key, while still showing that we're a special team led by Teacher." Xue Qingxi analyzed it seriously, then turned to ask Tang San's opinion.

After hearing them out, Tang San looked up to ask Tang Ling what she thought. To have his name appear alongside his senior sister's once more was exactly what he wished for.

Tang Ling pondered for a moment, then looked up at everyone. Seeing that they all agreed with it, she made the decision. "Then it will be Spirit Profound! Soto Academy Spirit Profound Team!"