Dou Hun Training Begins, First Stop Skywater City

Time passed quickly, and Qin Ming led the members of the Imperial Dou Team on their journey toward Skywater City in the northern part of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Under Qin Ming's plan, they would stay in Skywater City for a total of seven days. During these seven days, everyone except for Ye Lingling, who was of the Support System, would have to participate in one-on-one, two-on-two, and seven-on-seven team matches.

However, because Lu Chen was a Soul King, their opponents in the team matches would inevitably be equipped with Soul King-level powerhouses, and it was even possible they would have to deal with multiple Soul Kings at once.

Skywater City was located at the northern tip of the Heaven Dou Empire, bordering the Far North, a forbidden zone of ice and cold. The entire city looked like a fairy-tale castle carved from ice and snow.

The city walls and buildings were entirely covered in interwoven blue and white ice crystal patterns, refracting shimmering light under the sun. Rich water attribute energy flowed through the deep blue bricks, and even the air was filled with a damp chill.

The residents here mostly possessed fair skin and water-blue or silver-white hair, and most of their Martial Souls were also of the water or ice attribute.

Xiao Wu looked at the city that seemed to be cast from ice, her eyes exuding a curious glow.

A bone-chilling wind blew, and Xiao Wu subconsciously shivered, yet she still said excitedly, "Is this Skywater City?"

It was currently deep winter, and even as Soul Masters, they could not fully resist the cold here.

Among the eleven members of the Imperial Dou Team, only Lu Chen and Qin Ming were dressed relatively thinly; everyone else had put on thick cotton clothing.

Xiao Wu grasped Lu Chen's warm hand and looked up curiously, asking, "Lu Chen, why are your hands so warm?"

Lu Chen smiled faintly. Ever since his Ice Fire Body Tempering, he had become immune to most cold.

Within the same tier, he feared that only a Soul Master with an Extreme Ice Attribute could possibly pose a threat to him.

Seeing this, Xiao Wu simply pressed her entire body against his side; there was nothing to be done, as Lu Chen's body was like a small heater.

She had wanted to be close to Lu Chen anyway, and because of the bitter winter, she was even more reluctant to leave his side.

Because of Xiao Wu's "monopolization," Dugu Yan could only huddle together with Ye Lingling and Zhu Zhuqing for warmth.

Watching the group, Lu Chen took three red, crystalline fruits from his storage soul tool.

Lu Chen placed these fruits in front of Zhu Zhuqing and the others, saying, "These are fruits from the Blazing Grass. Keeping them on you has the effect of resisting the cold."

Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes shifted as she took one of the fruits into her hand; the surrounding cold wind immediately weakened by more than half.

Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling took the fruits. Just as they were about to say "thank you," they met Lu Chen's gaze, and their pretty faces couldn't help but flush slightly red.

Yu Feng leaned in toward Lu Chen, rubbing his hands together pitifully, and said, "Boss, are there any more? I'm cold too."

Lu Chen spread his hands and replied, "I only have three."

Yu Feng's expression turned dejected, and he hid behind Shi Mo and Shi Mo to keep warm.

Yu Tianheng, meanwhile, leaned against Aosailuo to keep each other warm.

Arriving at the city gate, two soldiers clad in silver armor stepped forward to stop them. "Please present your identification!"

Qin Ming took out the credentials for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The soldier put away his weapon and warned, "Respected Soul Emperor, I am very sorry for offending you and your students. There have been traces of Evil Soul Masters in Skywater City recently, so please be careful!"

Qin Ming heard this, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes. "We will be careful!"

The soldier saluted and said, "Welcome to Skywater City!"

Dugu Yan heard this and couldn't help but move closer to Lu Chen. "Are there actually Evil Soul Masters here too?"

Lu Chen and Xiao Wu couldn't help but remember the Soul King Evil Soul Master they had encountered before.

Lu Chen said solemnly, "Skywater City is already quite remote, and with the harsh climate, it's probably difficult for the Heaven Dou Empire to manage this place."

Yu Feng asked curiously, "Then... what about Martial Soul Hall?"

Lu Chen shook his head and said, "The relationship between Martial Soul Hall and the two great empires is becoming increasingly tense. Even if they had the heart to help, they would be powerless to do so."

Qin Ming nodded and said seriously, "After entering the city, everyone be careful. Without my permission, no one is allowed to run around at night!"

"Yes!" everyone replied in unison.

Lu Chen walked into the city. Because of the rumors of Evil Soul Masters, the streets here appeared cold and desolate; even the figures of ordinary vendors were rarely seen.

Qin Ming led everyone to a hotel that looked relatively tidy.

Qin Ming walked to the counter, handed several Gold Soul Coins to the waiter, and said, "Please prepare five adjacent double rooms for us."

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy was not short on money at all. All the expenses for students while traveling were covered by the academy; they never let the students pay out of their own pockets.

The waiter behind the counter felt the aura emanating from Qin Ming, stood up hurriedly, and respectfully handed the five keys to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming looked at everyone and said, "To ensure your safety, I will stay in one room alone, and you will stay two to a room."

Xiao Wu immediately cheered, "I want to stay in a room with Lu Chen!"

Qin Ming spoke with an undeniable tone, "Boys with boys, girls with girls!"

He could ignore it under normal circumstances, but now that the Soul Master Competition was drawing closer, if there were any "accidents"...

If the "cooked" championship were to fly away, he might as well hand in his resignation letter himself.

Xiao Wu still wanted to say something, but Zhu Zhuqing had already pulled her back and said, "Xiao Wu, I'll share a room with you."

"Zhuqing is the best." Xiao Wu pounced into Zhu Zhuqing's embrace, acting spoiled.

In the end, the room assignments were settled:

Qin Ming in one room alone, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling in one room, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing shared a room.

Shi Mo and Shi Mo shared a room.

Yu Feng and Aosailuo shared a room.

Lu Chen had no choice but to share a room with Yu Tianheng.

Night fell, and the cold wind remained bone-chilling.

Lu Chen stood alone in the hotel garden, swinging the Asura Demon Sword in his hand against the wind.

Inside a hotel room, Ye Lingling watched Lu Chen, who was continuously swinging his sword in the cold wind. She opened her mouth to ask, "Yan Zi, does Lu Chen train like this every day?"

Dugu Yan thought for a moment, supporting her right cheek with her right arm, her eyes reflecting Lu Chen's figure.

She murmured, "Yes, whether it's windy or raining, he swings his sword ten thousand times. And once he starts, he never stops."

In Ye Lingling's blue eyes as she looked at Lu Chen, there was a gaze filled with curious light.

In another room, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were also watching Lu Chen. In the process of getting along with him, they had unknowingly developed the habit of watching Lu Chen practice his swordsmanship.

Xiao Wu watched Lu Chen without even blinking, a sweet smile always hanging on the corner of her mouth. "What a... sword fanatic..."

Just as Lu Chen completed his final sword swing, a cold system prompt sounded in his mind:

[Host has completed the daily ten thousand sword swings mission. Reward: The mystery of the Great Sumeru Hammer—Exploding Ring!]

The next moment, a stream of obscure and profound knowledge flooded into Lu Chen's mind. The method of operation and the power characteristics of the Exploding Ring were instantly and clearly imprinted in his consciousness.