"This is the section for the Tiandou Elite Class. Our classroom is the one at the end of the hall."
Qin Ming pointed to a spacious classroom at the end of the corridor, then looked at the two of them.
"It's break time right now, so the students are all in the classroom. I'll take you in and introduce you to everyone."
Chen Jieqi said nothing, only giving a slight nod.
Dugu Yan, on the other hand, was like a child who could barely contain her excitement. Her voice was eager, with a hint of pride.
"Come on, Teacher Qin Ming!
With Xiao Qi joining us, I won't feel out of place on the Imperial Fighting Team anymore!"
Qin Ming shook his head helplessly and replied with a smile. Then he stepped forward, reached out, and gently pushed open the door.
Inside the classroom, the students were gathered in small groups, chatting quietly. Some were discussing bottlenecks they had encountered in their cultivation.
Others were sharing their combat experience, while a few had their eyes closed as they consolidated their Soul Power. The atmosphere was lively and friendly.
At the sound of the door opening, the students turned to look. Their gazes fell in unison on Qin Ming, Dugu Yan, and Chen Jieqi.
The conversations stopped at once, and the spacious classroom fell completely silent.
"Hello, Teacher Qin Ming! Hello, Big Sis!"
Everyone greeted them in unison, their voices full of respect.
Qin Ming was the academy's youngest Soul Emperor instructor, while Dugu Yan was the captain of the Imperial Fighting Team.
She was also widely regarded as their "Big Sis."
Everyone's eyes were now fixed on Chen Jieqi, full of curiosity and scrutiny, along with a hint of something harder to discern.
They were all curious about who this boy was. He wore plain white clothes, had been personally brought here by Teacher Qin Ming, and was standing beside Big Sis.
Qin Ming walked to the center of the classroom and clapped his hands, calling out with a smile,
"Everyone, quiet down. I'd like to introduce a new student."
He stepped aside and brought Chen Jieqi forward, into full view of the class.
"This is Chen Jieqi. He completed his enrollment today and has officially joined the Tiandou Elite Class.
"He'll also be joining the Imperial Fighting Team. From now on, he's part of our big family.
"Chen Jieqi is exceptionally talented—a rare Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power. I hope you'll learn from each other and make progress together."
As soon as he finished speaking, a wave of astonished murmurs swept through the classroom. The students' looks at Chen Jieqi changed at once.
Someone lowered their voice.
"Could this be the genius younger brother Big Sis often talks about?"
"No wonder Teacher Qin Ming brought him here himself, and he can join the Imperial Fighting Team right away. So he's that kind of monster!"
"Judging by his age, he must be quite a bit younger than us. To get into the Tiandou Elite Class, he must be a Soul Elder.
"And to join the Imperial Fighting Team right away, he must be a high-level Soul Elder at the very least!"
Their whispers were filled with surprise, curiosity, and envy.
Chen Jieqi stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Chen Jieqi. I'm glad to join the Tiandou Elite Class and become your classmate, and I'm honored to join the Imperial Fighting Team.
"I hope you'll guide me in my cultivation and studies. Let's work together to reach the peak of the Soul Master world."
Dugu Yan immediately stepped up beside Chen Jieqi and affectionately took his arm. She lifted her chin at the others, her voice edged with pride and protectiveness.
"Everyone, listen up. Xiao Qi is the genius younger brother I told you about!
"He's always cultivated on his own, so he gets lonely and isn't very good at dealing with people. I hope you'll talk to him often. And don't bully him, okay?"
Everyone laughed. Someone teased her,
"Don't worry, Big Sis!
"With a genius classmate like him, we'll be rushing to win him over. Of course we'll talk to him!"
"Exactly! We'll have to ask Classmate Chen for advice on cultivating Soul Power.
"I heard he has Innate Full Soul Power. I'm so curious!"
One compliment after another followed, and the classroom, quiet just moments ago, grew lively again.
The curiosity in their eyes replaced their scrutiny, and their wariness gave way to friendliness.
Looking at the lively scene before him, Chen Jieqi smiled faintly but didn't reply. He thought,
Nothing else matters. Talent and strength are what count. The strong take all!
As the chatter grew louder, Qin Ming cut in.
"All right, that's enough. Break time is almost over. Those of you on the Imperial Fighting Team, come with me!"
"All right, Teacher Qin Ming!"
Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, Osler, the Shi Brothers, and the others stood up. Their gazes turned to Chen Jieqi in unison, tinged with anticipation.
Watching them rise, Chen Jieqi fell into thought.
Originally, Dugu Yan wasn't that far ahead of the others on the Imperial Fighting Team. But my involvement gave her the chance to obtain an Immortal Herb, widening the gap and making her Big Sis in more than name alone!
He glanced at Dugu Yan's slender back.
Before he could think any further, he followed Qin Ming and the members of the Imperial Fighting Team out of the classroom and headed for the private training room next door.
The moment they opened the heavy training-room door, a rich aura of Soul Power swept over them.
Qin Ming looked at the spirited young people before him. A trace of envy flickered in his eyes, along with great anticipation.
"With you all on the team, the Tiandou Royal Academy is sure to make a name for itself at the Soul Master Tournament in a few years!
"That will make up for my regret at not being able to compete in the tournament myself."
Then Qin Ming quickly ushered everyone along.
"To welcome Chen Jieqi to the Imperial Fighting Team, let's introduce ourselves first so we can get to know each other!"
"I'll go first!"
As soon as Qin Ming finished speaking, Dugu Yan stepped forward ahead of the others, wearing a confident smile.
In an instant, her dark orange hair fluttered, and patterns of dark golden dragon scales spread rapidly over her arms. Her Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon Martial Soul appeared.
"Dugu Yan—captain of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Eighteen and a half. Beast Martial Soul: Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon. Level 46 control-type Battle Soul Ancestor. Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple."
Earth elemental energy swirled around her, and her Soul Power was steady and strong. She was no longer the snake-type girl who could only use poison. She had become the undisputed captain of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Yu Tianheng—vice-captain of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Nineteen and a half. Beast Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Level 39 power attack-type Battle Soul Elder. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple."
"Shi Mo—member of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Nineteen and a half. Beast Martial Soul: Black Tortoise. Level 38 defense-type Battle Soul Elder. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple."
"Shi Mo—member of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Nineteen and a half. Beast Martial Soul: Black Tortoise. Level 38 defense-type Battle Soul Elder. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple."
"Yu Feng—member of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Nineteen. Beast Martial Soul: Wind Bell Bird. Level 37 agility attack-type Battle Soul Elder. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple."
"Osler—member of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Nineteen. Beast Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard. Level 37 agility attack-type Battle Soul Elder. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple."
"Ye Lingling—member of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Eighteen and a half. Tool Martial Soul: Nine-Heart Begonia. Level 36 support-type Soul Elder. Soul Rings: two yellow, one purple."
After everyone had introduced themselves, all eyes turned to Chen Jieqi, except for those of Dugu Yan, whom they already knew.
Just how much of a "monster" was the genius younger brother Dugu Yan was always talking about?
Chen Jieqi didn't keep them waiting. The golden mark between his brows suddenly lit up.
The next moment, a translucent golden construct floated before his head. Holy light radiated from it, and warm, surging Soul Power instantly swept through the entire training room.
"Chen Jieqi—member of the Imperial Fighting Team.
"Eleven and a half. Elemental Martial Soul: Heart of the Naaru. Level 43 power attack-type Battle Soul Ancestor. Soul Rings: one yellow, two purple, one black."
As his voice fell, four Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath his feet. The final black Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring stood out, bathing the entire training room in sacred golden light.
"Level 43?!"
Everyone drew in a sharp breath. The training room fell silent, and they barely dared to breathe.
Yu Tianheng's normally booming voice trembled slightly. He stared at the Soul Rings circling Chen Jieqi's waist.
His voice was full of shock and disbelief.
"Y-you have... one yellow, two purple, and one black Soul Ring?!"
Editor's note:
This author did quite a bit of research. According to the original timeline, when Dugu Yan first appeared, she was nineteen years old and level 38, seven years older than Tang San.
Yu Tianheng was set to be a little older than Dugu Yan and was level 39 when he first appeared.
The defensive Soul Masters, the Shi Brothers, have no specified ages. Their Soul Power Levels are listed as 38 and 37, respectively.
The agility attack-type Soul Master Yu Feng has no specified age and is level 36.
The agility attack-type Soul Master Osler has no specified age and is level 36.
The support-type Soul Master Ye Lingling has no specified age and is level 35.
Since the other members' ages weren't specified, the author set them to be around Dugu Yan's age or a little younger.
The author also gave the Imperial Fighting Team members a slight boost in strength. After all, Dugu Yan has been relentlessly pushing them to improve, so it makes sense that the others would work harder, right?