Time passed quickly. Qin Ming led the Imperial Fighting Team on their journey to Skywater City in the northern part of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Under Qin Ming's plan, they would spend seven days in Skywater City. During that time, everyone except Ye Lingling, who belonged to the Support System, would compete in one-on-one, Two on Two, and seven-on-seven team matches.
However, since Lu Chen was a Soul King, their opponents in the team matches would certainly include Soul King-level experts. They might even have to face several Soul Kings at once.
Skywater City lay at the northern edge of the Heaven Dou Empire, right next to the Far North, a frozen forbidden zone. The entire city resembled a fairy-tale castle carved from ice and snow.
The walls and buildings were covered in interwoven blue and white ice-crystal patterns that shimmered in the sunlight. Rich Water Attribute Energy flowed through the deep-blue stone bricks, and even the air was filled with damp chill.
Many residents here had fair skin and water-blue or silver-white hair. Most of their Martial Souls were Water Attribute or Ice Attribute.
Xiao Wu gazed at the city, which looked as if it had been forged from ice, her eyes shining with curiosity.
A bone-chilling wind swept by. Xiao Wu shivered instinctively, but still asked excitedly, "Is this Skywater City?"
It was the heart of winter, and even Soul Masters couldn't withstand the cold here.
Of the eleven members of the Imperial Fighting Team, only Lu Chen and Qin Ming wore relatively light clothing. The others had bundled up in thick padded coats.
Xiao Wu held Lu Chen's warm hand and looked up at him curiously. "Lu Chen, why are your hands so warm?"
Lu Chen smiled faintly. Ever since undergoing Ice Fire Body Tempering, he had become immune to most cold.
Among those of the same rank, probably only a Soul Master with the Extreme Ice Attribute could pose a threat to him.
Xiao Wu simply pressed herself against his side. There was nothing she could do—Lu Chen was like a little stove.
She had already wanted to be close to Lu Chen, and the winter chill made her even more reluctant to leave his side.
With Xiao Wu "claiming" Lu Chen, Dugu Yan could only huddle together with Ye Lingling and Zhu Zhuqing to keep warm.
Seeing how everyone was faring, Lu Chen took three red, crystal-like fruits from his Storage Soul Tool.
He placed them in front of Zhu Zhuqing and the others. "These are Blazing Grass fruits. Keeping one on you will help ward off the cold."
Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes flickered as she picked up one of the fruits. The biting wind around her immediately eased considerably.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling took the fruits. They were just about to say "thank you" when they met Lu Chen's gaze, and their pretty faces flushed slightly.
Yu Feng edged up to Lu Chen, rubbing his hands with a pitiful look. "Eldest Boss, do you have any more? I'm cold too."
Lu Chen spread his hands. "I only have three."
Yu Feng's face fell. He hid behind Shi Mo and Shi Mo to keep warm.
Yu Tianheng and Aosailuo leaned against each other to share their warmth.
When they reached the City Gate, two soldiers in silver armor stepped forward and stopped them. "Please show your credentials!"
Qin Ming presented the certificate from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The soldiers lowered their weapons and cautioned him, "Honored Soul Emperor, we're sorry to have inconvenienced you and your students. There have been reports of Evil Soul Masters in Skywater City lately, so please be careful!"
A trace of gravity passed through Qin Ming's eyes. "We'll be careful."
The soldier saluted. "Welcome to Skywater City!"
At this, Dugu Yan edged closer to Lu Chen. "There are Evil Soul Masters here?"
Lu Chen and Xiao Wu couldn't help thinking of the Soul King Evil Soul Master they had encountered before.
Lu Chen said gravely, "Skywater City is already rather remote, and the harsh climate doesn't help. The Heaven Dou Empire probably has a hard time keeping an eye on this place."
Yu Feng asked curiously, "Then... what about Spirit Hall?"
Lu Chen shook his head. "Spirit Hall's relationship with the Two Great Empires has grown increasingly tense. Even if they wanted to help, their hands would be tied."
Qin Ming nodded and said sternly, "Once we're inside the city, everyone be careful. After dark, no one is to wander off without my permission!"
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.
Lu Chen entered the city. With rumors of Evil Soul Masters in the area, the streets were deserted, and even ordinary vendors were few and far between.
Qin Ming led them to a hotel that looked fairly clean.
He walked up to the counter and handed the attendant several Gold Soul Coins. "Sorry for the trouble. Please prepare five adjoining double rooms for us."
Heaven Dou Royal Academy was hardly short of money. The academy covered all its students' expenses while they were away, never making them pay out of pocket.
Feeling the imposing aura Qin Ming exuded, the attendant hurried to his feet and respectfully handed him five keys.
Qin Ming looked at everyone. "To ensure your safety, I'll take a room by myself, and the rest of you will share two to a room."
Xiao Wu immediately cheered. "I want to share a room with Lu Chen!"
Qin Ming replied in an unequivocal tone, "Boys with boys, girls with girls!"
Normally, he wouldn't interfere. But with the Soul Master Competition drawing closer, if anything went wrong...
If the championship they'd practically "cooked" flew out of their grasp, he might as well hand in his resignation.
Xiao Wu was about to say something more, but Zhu Zhuqing had already pulled her back. "Xiao Wu, why don't you share a room with me?"
"Zhuqing, you're the best." Xiao Wu threw herself into Zhu Zhuqing's arms and nuzzled against her.
In the end, the rooms were assigned as follows:
Qin Ming took a room alone.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling shared one.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing shared one.
The Shi Mo brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, shared one.
Yu Feng and Aosailuo shared one.
Lu Chen had no choice but to share a room with Yu Tianheng.
Night fell, but the wind remained bitterly cold.
Lu Chen stood alone in the hotel garden, facing the wind as he swung the Asura Demon Sword in his hand.
Inside the hotel room, Ye Lingling watched Lu Chen swing his sword again and again in the cold wind. "Yan Zi, does Lu Chen train like this every day?"
Dugu Yan thought for a moment, propped her right cheek on her hand, and watched Lu Chen's figure reflected in her eyes.
She murmured, "Yes. Whether it's windy or raining, he swings his sword ten thousand times. And once he starts, he never stops."
Ye Lingling's blue eyes shone with curiosity as she gazed at Lu Chen.
In another room, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were watching Lu Chen too. Without realizing it, they had gotten into the habit of watching him practice his sword whenever they were with him.
Xiao Wu stared at Lu Chen without blinking, a sweet smile always on her lips. "What a sword... fanatic..."
Just as Lu Chen completed his final swing, a cold system notification sounded in his mind:
[Host has completed the Daily Ten Thousand Sword Swings Mission. Reward: the ultimate technique of the Great Sumeru Hammer—Exploding Ring!]
In the next moment, a vast body of obscure knowledge poured into Lu Chen's mind. The methods of using Exploding Ring and the characteristics of its power were instantly etched into his consciousness.
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