The seven members of the Imperial Fighting Team walked out of the Central Douhun Arena, all feeling a little down.
They knew that if Long Chen hadn't stepped in, they would have ended the match in a crushing defeat.
They had underestimated the strength of the Shrek Seven Devils Team and looked down on that Blue Silver Grass Soul Master.
When they saw Qin Ming, Yu Tianheng said guiltily,
"I'm sorry, teacher. We let our guard down. Although the Soul Fighting match had no result, we were the ones who lost."
"Teacher, I was at fault too. I didn't follow your instructions and used poison against them, only to have it neutralized."
Dugu Yan added.
She hadn't expected that Blue Silver Grass Soul Master to neutralize her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison so easily.
She knew that his Spider Venom was even more potent than her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison.
A sense of defeat welled up inside her, making her lower her proud head.
Qin Ming comforted them.
"All right, there's no need to blame yourselves. You've won your previous Soul Fighting matches far too easily and smoothly, without facing any setbacks. A powerful opponent is the only true test of your strength, so a little setback is a good thing. Learn from this, and don't underestimate any opponent again."
"Teacher, we understand."
Though Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others were proud, they had great respect for Qin Ming.
At just over thirty, Qin Ming had already become a Six-Ring War Soul Emperor. Among the Soul Masters recorded by Spirit Hall, he was the second-fastest to achieve this feat.
They all looked up to him.
Qin Ming said,
"Senior Dugu and Long Chen should be waiting for you by the entrance. Go join them and head back to the hotel. I have something to take care of, so I'll return later."
Dugu Yan suddenly asked,
"Teacher, are you going to find the Shrek Seven Devils?"
Qin Ming nodded.
"You can't keep the truth under wraps forever. Once Long Chen takes part in the Soul Master Competition, he'll reveal his Soul Skills, and they'll find out sooner or later. To be honest, I used to be a student at Shrek Academy. I graduated from there. The Cat Owl Soul Master who just stood on the Soul Fighting Platform was Dean Flender."
The others exchanged glances. Only then did they understand why Qin Ming had told them not to go too hard on the Shrek Seven Devils before the match.
Ye Lingling said,
"Teacher, Brother Chen means them no harm. He just didn't want to see me get hurt."
"Yes, I know how Long Chen feels about you. He's still young, and it's understandable that he acted impulsively in that situation. All right, go on. Don't keep Senior Dugu and Long Chen waiting."
"Okay, teacher. See you later."
After they left, Qin Ming went to find Flender, his feelings complicated.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and the Shrek Seven Devils were discussing something with Ao the Manager.
Ao the Manager had called over a healer to treat Tang San.
Ma Hongjun was furious.
"If an outsider hadn't interfered with tonight's match, we would've won for sure."
"Exactly. Damn it, the win was right in our grasp, and then it slipped away. Who knows which bastard pulled that stunt!"
Dai Mubai was just as indignant.
Ao the Manager sighed and said quietly,
"I don't know who stepped in, but his methods were truly bizarre."
Flender picked up the thread.
"His attack seemed to involve sound waves. He could use music to conjure an illusion and confuse people's minds. He must be a powerful Control System Soul Master."
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"That illusion was the legendary Nine-Tailed Fox, with its extraordinary ability to bewitch people. His Soul Power and spiritual strength must both be far greater than Xiao San's for him to have completely taken control of Xiao San. Manager Ao, you must know a fair amount about the nobles. Can't you think of anyone suspicious?"
Ao the Manager furrowed his brow and thought for a moment.
"A strange man did come to our Soul Arena a couple of days ago. He'd come specifically to watch the matches at the Central Douhun Arena. There were no VIP Rooms available there, but I couldn't afford to offend him, so I made room for him."
Everyone was startled by this.
Tang San's expression darkened as he said,
"Manager Ao, as the manager of the Suotuo Great Soul Arena, you have a vast network of connections. If there's someone even you can't afford to offend, he must have a special identity and an exalted status. Who is he?"
Ao the Manager looked around. Seeing that no one else was nearby, he lowered his voice.
"It's unlikely that the person who attacked you was the man himself, because his Soul Skills are all related to poison."
Yu Xiaogang suddenly jolted as he realized something.
"Related to poison? The man you can't afford to offend, Manager Ao... One of Xiao San and the others' opponents tonight was a poison Soul Master whose Martial Soul was the Green Lined Serpent. Could it be him?"
"Teacher, who is he?"
Tang San asked anxiously.
Yu Xiaogang didn't immediately answer Tang San. Instead, he exchanged a look with Flender beside him.
"Flender, you've figured it out too, haven't you?"
Flender nodded, then turned to Ao the Manager.
"Manager Ao, I know you have your reasons for keeping quiet, but as the dean of Shrek Academy, I can't just stand by while the children suffer this injustice."
Ao the Manager shook his head helplessly.
"Dean Flender, if you've both already figured it out, why make me say it? If you've guessed who it is, you should also know he couldn't have stepped in personally. Although the match had no result, our Soul Arena still managed to minimize its losses. I'll still pay you all the Gold Soul Coins I promised. Do me a favor and let this matter end here. After all, that powerful man is someone neither of us can afford to offend. Why invite trouble?"
"Manager Ao—"
Flender had just started to speak when Yu Xiaogang stopped him.
"That's enough, Flender. We shouldn't make things difficult for Manager Ao."
Ao the Manager nodded at Yu Xiaogang and smiled.
"Thank you for understanding. Remember to collect the Gold Soul Coins I promised you at the front desk later."
With that, Ao the Manager left.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San with concern.
"Xiao San, how are you? Does your body still hurt?"
"Teacher, it still hurts a little, but I'm much better. Don't worry. By the way, who were you talking about? Why is Manager Ao so afraid of him?"
Yu Xiaogang sighed.
"Because he's a powerful Titled Douluo, unmatched in the world when it comes to poison. His methods are ruthless, and he's killed countless people."
"A Titled Douluo?!"
The Shrek Seven Devils exchanged glances.
They knew what the words "Titled Douluo" meant. No wonder Manager Ao had been so reluctant to mention the man's name.
Tang San continued,
"Teacher, does that Titled Douluo have some connection to the Green Lined Serpent Poison Soul Master who was on the field?"
"They're very likely connected. That Titled Douluo's title is Poison. His name is Dugu Bo, and his Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, which evolved from the Green Lined Serpent."
As they were talking, Qin Ming walked over.
"Dean Flender, it's been a long time."
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