Farewell, Conversation, Departure (I)

Heaven Dou Royal Academy, training grounds.

"Let's end today's training here. Next, I have something to tell everyone," Qin Ming said to the Imperial Fighting Team.

"After this period of training, our team's coordination has improved greatly, but it is still far from enough."

"For Spirit Masters of the same rank, actual combat experience is the key factor in determining victory or defeat."

"Only by going through countless real battles can you greatly improve your ability to adapt during combat."

"In daily training, everyone is teammates, so no one goes for the kill during sparring. But in a real battle against enemies, they will not show you mercy. One careless mistake could cost you your life."

"Therefore, in order to rapidly improve your combat abilities, I've decided that three days from now, I'll lead you to the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City to participate in Spirit Fighting matches. The arena will be your true classroom."

Qin Ming rattled off Flender's whole spiel from Shrek Academy to the members of the Imperial Fighting Team.

So it was finally happening! Thinking that she would soon meet the Shrek Seven Devils, Xue Ke felt a little excited inside.

"Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shi Family Brothers have already obtained Copper Soul Fighting Badges at the Spirit Fighting Arena in Heaven Dou City. Yufeng, Osler, and Ye Lingling are still at the Iron Soul Fighting Rank. None of you seven have participated in Spirit Fighting matches for quite some time. I hope that during this trip to Suotuo City, everyone can earn a Silver Soul Fighter Badge."

After speaking, Qin Ming looked at Xue Ke. "Xue Ke, have you ever participated in a Spirit Fighting match?"

Although Xue Ke was a "monster" Princess and the leader of the Imperial Fighting Team, Qin Ming believed that, as the princess of a nation who had been pampered since childhood, she might never even have set foot inside a Spirit Fighting Arena.

"Teacher Qin Ming, I have never participated in a Spirit Fighting match," Xue Ke answered truthfully.

As a genius Princess rarely seen in the empire for a century, Xue Ke naturally had numerous "private coaches" in the palace to spar with her. This was also Emperor Xue Ye's way of protecting Xue Ke, as he did not want her abilities exposed to the public too early. Besides, how could the dignified princess of a nation go to a Spirit Fighting Arena to be watched like some performing monkey?

"Everyone, prepare yourselves well. We'll depart for Suotuo City the day after tomorrow."

Just as everyone was about to leave, Xue Ke tugged at Dugu Yan's sleeve and was about to say something when a middle-aged man dressed as an attendant approached from afar. He bowed to Xue Ke and said respectfully, "Greetings, Princess!"

Xue Ke recognized him as a guard from the Prince's Mansion. Puzzled, she asked, "What is it?"

"This is a letter from His Highness the Crown Prince." The guard respectfully held the envelope in both hands and presented it to Xue Ke.

Xue Ke accepted the letter and waved her hand. The guard bowed again before withdrawing.

"Sister Yan, let's talk another day. I'll head back first."

After saying goodbye to Dugu Yan, Xue Ke returned to her dormitory, took out the letter, and began reading it.

Uh... does Qian Renxue miss me? Why do I feel like there's the tiniest bit of danger lurking in this?

Xue Ke thought helplessly. Ever since she had come to study at the academy, she truly had not seen Qian Renxue for a long time. Maybe, perhaps, she was overthinking it. Just in time—before leaving for Suotuo City, she could go say goodbye to Qian Renxue.

Xue Ke arrived at the academy entrance, hired a carriage, and soon reached the Prince's Mansion.

A servant led Xue Ke into the main hall, where a maid said respectfully, "His Highness the Crown Prince is receiving an important guest. Please wait here, Princess."

After Xue Ke waited boredly in the hall for over half an hour, Xue Qinghe finally arrived. Accompanying him was a man who appeared rather young. He had black hair, wore a silver crown, and leaned on a cane as he entered and took his seat alongside Xue Qinghe.

"Xiao Ke, this is my teacher, Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," Xue Qinghe introduced.

Xue Ke rose to her feet and gave Ning Fengzhi a proper noble's salute.

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly and said with a gentle smile, "So this is Princess Xue Ke, the foremost genius of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

Ning Fengzhi's voice was so gentle that it felt like a spring breeze, and coupled with his polished social skills, it was no wonder he got along so well with everyone.

"You flatter me, Sect Master Ning. I'm only a tiny bit more diligent than others," Xue Ke said, still upholding the traditional virtue of "modesty."

"Hahaha! Princess Xue Ke is truly adorable. There's no need to be so formal. I am your Crown Prince Brother's teacher, so you may call me Uncle Ning from now on."

"Alright, Uncle Ning," Xue Ke replied.

"Then I won't disturb the two of you as you catch up." Ning Fengzhi left the Prince's Mansion under Xue Qinghe's escort.

"Brother, why did you call for me?" Xue Ke plunged headfirst into Xue Qinghe's embrace, wrapped her arms around his slender waist, and rubbed her little head against his chest.

"What, does your brother need a reason to see you? Is that the kind of person you think I am?" Xue Qinghe said with deliberate displeasure, casually rubbing Xue Ke's short silver hair as well.

"Of course not! Xiao Ke knows Brother loves me the most! Brother must have missed me, right?" Xue Ke wore an expression that said, I've seen through you.

Seeing Xue Ke's playful appearance, all of Xue Qinghe's complaints and faint anger from the past few days instantly vanished.

"Come, take a walk in the courtyard with your brother."

"Okay!" Xue Ke answered brightly.

The brother and sister strolled slowly through the courtyard planted with all sorts of flowers and plants beneath the warm sunlight. Both of them felt incomparably relaxed.

"How have the past half month or so been at Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Have you been bullying anyone?" Xue Qinghe probed.

"My teachers and classmates are all very nice to me. I even joined the Imperial Fighting Team! None of them are my match. I'm the Big Sister of the team now!"

Xue Ke waved her little fists as she proudly showed off to Xue Qinghe.

"I knew my Xiao Ke would always be this outstanding!" Although Xue Qinghe had long known everything about Xue Ke's life at the academy, he had never been stingy with his praise for her.

"I heard that you and Dugu Yan get along very well, and that you even acknowledged her as your sister. Is that true?" Xue Qinghe finally showed his true colors.

Xue Ke turned to glance at Xue Qinghe, and alarm bells rang wildly in her heart.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

"Yes! Sister Yan is my closest friend at the academy. She takes very good care of me. She even said that if anyone dared bully me at the academy, she would beat them up for me. She's so good to me!" Xue Ke obediently sold out Dugu Yan, muttering inwardly, Sister Yan, I'm sorry. I was forced to do this. I'll still dare to do it again next time.

Dugu Yan: ...So love really can disappear, right?

"Do you know that Dugu Yan's grandfather is Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo who serves the imperial family? With your mischievous personality, what if you accidentally provoke the Poison Douluo? So..."

Xue Qinghe paused, then said with feigned seriousness, "From now on, you are not allowed to randomly acknowledge brothers or sisters outside, understand?"

Xue Ke instantly turned into a nodding machine, terrified that if she agreed even a moment later, Xue Qinghe would subject her to some "inhumane" punishment.