Flender and Yu Xiaogang both knew that Dugu Bo himself was unlikely to have acted. They wanted to know whether he had anything to do with it.
Qin Ming took a deep breath and spoke slowly.
"The one who acted was named Long Chen."
"Long Chen? Is he some powerful figure?"
Qin Ming shook his head.
"Long Chen is still young. He's only fifteen this year, so of course you haven't heard of him."
"He's only fifteen?"
Flender and Yu Xiaogang exchanged looks, both finding it hard to believe.
Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others were just as stunned.
They had never imagined that the troublemaker who had suddenly appeared in the Central Douhun Arena tonight was a fifteen-year-old Youth Soul Master.
Among the Shrek Seven Devils, Tang San had relatively strong mental power, but he hadn't been able to resist Long Chen at all.
"Long Chen, I'll remember you!"
Remembering how Long Chen had humiliated him, Tang San seethed with resentment.
He silently swore that one day, he would make Long Chen pay for what he had done tonight.
Dai Mubai also felt a surge of frustration.
Long Chen was even younger than him, yet Dai Mubai knew that Long Chen was far stronger.
Yu Xiaogang sighed softly.
"I never imagined that such a strange power could come from a fifteen-year-old Youth Soul Master."
Flender asked:
"Qin Ming, what's Long Chen's background?"
"Like the seven members of the Imperial Fighting Team, he's one of the main members of the School Team at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"What? Heaven Dou Royal Academy? You mean the team you lead is from Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"That's right. I work at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The members of the Imperial Fighting Team are the academy's best students. They'll represent the academy in next year's Soul Master Competition, and they're the main members of the Heaven Dou team."
Qin Ming's words shocked everyone.
Yu Xiaogang said:
"I never expected Long Chen to be part of the Imperial Fighting Team, too. If he had competed tonight, Xiao San and the others would never have stood a chance."
"That may be true, but it couldn't have happened. Long Chen has never competed in Soul Fighting and doesn't have a Silver Soul Badge."
"How could that be? Isn't he with you?"
"He is one of us, but he didn't enter the academy until he was eleven, so he spent relatively little time training with us. For the past year or so, he's been with Poison Douluo. He only came to Suotuo City and met up with us a couple of days ago."
Tang San suddenly asked:
"Senior, what's Long Chen's Martial Soul? What level is his Soul Power? Does he come from a noble family?"
"I'll tell you everything I know."
Qin Ming paused, then continued:
"Long Chen's Martial Soul is a mutated Wood Lute—the Dark Night Demonic Lute. He had Innate Level 10 Full Soul Power, and his Soul Power is now above level forty. I'm not sure of the exact level, but it should be at least forty-three.
"His Soul Skills are very unusual. He can use the Demon Qin Sound to summon Ferocious Beast Phantoms. His attack, control, and defense abilities are all exceptionally strong.
"He was adopted by Ye Lingling's parents, so he doesn't come from a noble family.
"Ye Lingling is the Nine Heart Begonia Soul Master. She and Long Chen grew up together and are as close as siblings. Long Chen was afraid you'd hurt her, so he attacked you."
After Qin Ming's explanation, everyone finally had a general understanding of Long Chen.
Yu Xiaogang furrowed his brow, his expression grave.
"The Dark Night Demonic Lute Martial Soul. He also had Innate Full Soul Power. No wonder he reached Battle Soul Ancestor level at just fifteen."
"Master, what do you mean?"
"To be honest, two of these children also had Innate Full Soul Power: Xiao San and Oscar."
Qin Ming turned to look at Tang San and Oscar, his eyes full of admiration.
"Dean, Master, with these exceptionally talented children, Shrek Academy is bound to grow even stronger."
Flender shook his head.
"Shrek Academy is about to close. These children will be its final students."
Qin Ming was taken aback.
"Dean, is it because of the academy's funding problems?"
Flender nodded and sighed.
"I don't want to admit it, but it's the truth. We're getting old, too, and we don't have the energy we used to. Once these children graduate, Shrek Academy will become a thing of the past."
Seeing Flender's reluctant expression, Qin Ming said:
"It's a shame. If these junior brothers and sisters weren't Shrek students, I could do my best to get them into Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The academy has the best cultivation resources in the Heaven Dou Empire, with top-tier Mimicry Environments and equipment, as well as a strong teaching staff. These junior brothers and sisters are talented, and their abilities would surely improve much faster in that kind of environment."
Yu Xiaogang suddenly said:
"Qin Ming, even if they're Shrek students, you can still bring them to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Flender's expression changed.
"Xiao Gang, what do you mean? If the children go to Royal Academy, what connection will they have with Shrek?"
"Flender, hear me out."
Yu Xiaogang continued:
"Didn't Qin Ming just mention the Soul Master Competition? If I remember correctly, two teams represent Heaven Dou Royal Academy: the Main Team and the reserve team. Qin Ming, have the reserve team members been decided?"
"Not yet. There aren't many outstanding students at Royal Academy. So far, only the Main Team has been finalized—the Imperial Fighting Team I lead."
Yu Xiaogang smiled slightly.
"That makes things easy. If it works out, we can represent Heaven Dou Royal Academy as its reserve team in next year's Soul Master Competition and win honor for the academy."
"Master, that's an excellent suggestion. Royal Academy has always lacked quality students, and the academy's leaders take that very seriously. Given the junior brothers' and sisters' talent and abilities, they're more than qualified to be on the reserve team."
"However, I have one condition. Shrek's teachers and students will go together, and the students won't be subject to Royal Academy's rules. We'll teach them ourselves."
"Master, I understand. These children will essentially be studying at Royal Academy without formally enrolling. They'll represent the academy in the competition and win it honor, but they'll still graduate as Shrek students in the end, right?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Exactly. Flender, what do you think of my proposal?"
Flender thought it over.
Though he was reluctant, he eventually nodded.
After all, Yu Xiaogang's plan was practically a free ride. They wouldn't lose anything and could even gain quite a bit.
"It's a good idea. It'll help the children grow and give them a better future. It'll also give the academy's teachers a place to retire. Let's do it your way."
Qin Ming was delighted.
"With Shrek's teachers and junior brothers and sisters joining us, Heaven Dou Royal Academy will become even stronger. We've finished our training at the Suotuo Great Soul Arena, so we can return to the academy tomorrow. I'll tell the academy's leaders about your proposal. Wait for good news from me."
After exchanging a few more words, Qin Ming left.
Tang San asked curiously:
"Teacher, Dean, what did you mean when you mentioned the Soul Master Competition?"
"It's a major competition that only Advanced Soul Master Academies are eligible to participate in."
Yu Xiaogang then explained the Soul Master Competition and its rules to the Shrek Seven Devils.
Everyone looked forward to the Soul Master Competition a year from now.
~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere.
Long Chen went to the room Ye Lingling shared with Dugu Yan, intending to give Dugu Yan the Narcissus Jade Skin Bone to consume.
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