After Ye Lingling's defeat, the Imperial Fighting Team had become the Imperial Insect Team in name as well as reality. Qin Ming looked at the proud students he had spent every day with. Now they all turned their faces away, not saying a word, and he felt a dull ache in his heart too.
But this was no time to dwell on their disappointment. He drew a deep breath, straightened his chest, and composed himself.
"Yu Tianheng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Thirteen individual matches, eleven wins, one draw, one loss..."
On the sofa, Yu Tianheng's body trembled. He raised a face full of bewilderment.
Qin Ming continued, "Dugu Yan, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent. Nine individual matches, eight wins, one loss..."
Dugu Yan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and raised her head as well.
"Osler..." Qin Ming went on, naming the team members and listing their records. As he spoke, more and more of them lifted their heads to look at him.
At last, Qin Ming looked around at their bewildered or silent faces and straightened his chest. "The Imperial Fighting Team has won all five of its team matches. What a fearsome team."
"But..." Dugu Yan sobbed. "We lost. We..."
Qin Ming raised a hand to stop her. He had already regained his usual composure, and spoke in a clear, resonant voice. "We did lose, and we lost badly. There have been few teams in Douluo history that have been swept by one opponent."
"But we can't let one defeat erase all the effort we put in before... Do you remember what we said when we left the academy?"
The others looked at one another, each seeing confusion in the other's eyes.
"This tour around the empire is meant to broaden our horizons and let us see Spirit Masters from all over. We should treat it as a journey, and everything we see and experience as lessons. We must never grow arrogant, and even less complacent. We must cherish ourselves and refuse to be tainted by the world's corruption..." At the edge of their vision, Ye Lingling, cloaked from head to toe in black, spoke quietly.
Her tone was so calm that it seemed to hold no emotion. But the others suddenly understood.
Qin Ming smiled, his eyes shining. "Those were indeed the words we swore beneath the academy gates before setting out. It seems Ye Lingling is the only one who still remembers them clearly."
"Teacher, I was wrong." Yu Tianheng stood, his face full of remorse.
Qin Ming rested a large hand on his shoulder, then looked at the others and spoke gently. "Everything we see and experience is part of the scenery. A journey isn't all beautiful vistas. Most of it is hardship and ordinary scenes—ordinary to the point of dullness. But we must remember: whatever the scenery along the way, we're already on the road..."
That was right. They were already on the road. They had won many matches. This was only one defeat. It was nothing to be upset about.
Seeing that the others had come to their senses, Qin Ming felt relieved. The Imperial Fighting Team's members were all clever; they would understand without needing him to say much more. At the same time, he shook his head with a sigh.
Back then, he really had set out with that mindset. But as victory after victory and one compliment after another piled up, he had somehow become obsessed with his record and with winning.
In the end, he had lost all sense of his own limits, arrogantly imagining that everyone else was drunk while he alone was clear-headed.
Until... Qian Yun's repeated victories had struck him awake, each one like another slap across the face.
Now that Qin Ming had come to his senses, he felt only reflection, not much regret.
After all, these were precious experiences in life. And he believed that, after this setback, the Imperial Fighting Team would unleash even greater potential.
"Teacher, what do we do next? Go back to the academy?" Dugu Yan asked. Their tour of Soul Fighting matches was almost over. Returning to the academy now would be a good choice.
Qin Ming shook his head. "We won't return just yet. First, we'll finish the matches we have left. Once we're back at the academy, I expect you to devote yourselves completely to training and reach Soul Power level forty as a team before the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"Ah..." The others erupted in surprise. Reaching Soul Power level forty was no small goal for them.
But they were all fired up now. Besides, given their talents, it wasn't impossible. They nodded at once.
"Teacher, we can definitely do it... By the way, that Amiga has incredible talent, and he's the right age. He'll probably compete too, right? Hmph. When the time comes, we'll beat him up!" As soon as Dugu Yan finished speaking, Shi Tou's voice rang out.
"Yeah, beat him up!"
"Beat him up!"
Seeing the sudden uproar, Qin Ming didn't interrupt. He quietly left the room, gathered his thoughts, and headed for the rest area where Qian Yun was staying.
In the other lounge, Qian Yun had taken off his mask and was eating breakfast at an unhurried pace.
He didn't feel much about his victory. After all, he had the advantage of knowing his opponents well and had prepared specifically for them. If he still couldn't win, he would have no face to show Bibi Dong.
As he was thinking, a soft knock sounded at the door. A servant's respectful voice followed. "Sir, Qin Ming, the Imperial Fighting Team's leader, requests an audience."
"Oh?" Qian Yun set down his knife and fork, frowning slightly as he wondered, What does he want?
Still, Qin Ming didn't seem like the sort to pull the "I lost, so now my elders will come after you" routine.
"Show him in." Qian Yun wiped his hands and hopped down from his chair.
"Yes, sir."
A moment later, the door creaked open, and Qin Ming stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, he saw the plates on the table and Qian Yun, who was beside them, looking him over with a pair of big golden eyes.
Realizing he might have come at a bad time, Qin Ming looked a little awkward. "Haha, you haven't had breakfast yet?"
Without his mask, Qian Yun's face was entirely visible. Qin Ming studied him carefully.
The little boy before him had long black hair and delicate features, with a calmness beyond his years. His dark hair and bright golden eyes made him look adorable, yet gave him a hint of authority. That very contrast gave him a unique presence all his own.
Qian Yun looked up at the tall Qin Ming and said coolly, "Teacher Qin Ming, what can I do for you?"
Qin Ming was surprised by the boy who had dealt the Imperial Fighting Team such a heavy blow. I can't believe this Amiga is even younger than Tian Heng and the others. What terrifying talent... And he looks like just the sort of boy Lingling would like.
Outwardly, he remained composed. "There's no need to be nervous. We're opponents in the arena, but we can be friends off it. I simply admire your outstanding ability."
"Oh." Qian Yun narrowed his eyes slightly. "I appreciate the sentiment."
The implication was clear: You can leave now.
If the usual Qin Ming had heard that dismissal, he would have said his goodbyes. But for some reason, today he seemed not to understand. Instead, he calmly asked, "Amiga, are you really competing on behalf of Spirit Hall?"
Qian Yun gave him a strange look. Does he really need to ask that?
But since Bibi Dong hadn't asked him to reveal his identity, Qian Yun shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Qin Ming knew the truth, but neither of them had said it outright. That made him all the more eager. "With your talent, Spirit Hall must value you highly, right?"
Faced with his evasive attitude, Qian Yun was growing impatient. His next words came out less kindly. "What are you trying to say? If you're inviting me to join the Imperial Fighting Team, then let me make this clear: it's not happening."
"No." Qin Ming waved a hand, hesitated, then said, "I was wondering... have you heard of Shrek Academy?"
Qian Yun's heart skipped a beat. Frowning, he said, "Never heard of it."
He concealed it well, but Qin Ming still caught a flicker of unease. There's a chance.
Qin Ming took a card case from the inner pocket of his jacket and handed over a card. "This is my calling card. Although I teach the Imperial Fighting Team, I'm a Shrek Academy graduate. The academy's motto is 'We only accept monsters, not ordinary people.' I think you might be interested. As for the rest, I can only promise that the academy won't disappoint you."
Qin Ming set the card on the table and put away his case. Ignoring the impatience in Qian Yun's eyes, he took out paper and a pen and began writing.
A moment later, he handed him a letter. When he looked at Qian Yun again, his gaze held a touch of warmth. "You've probably guessed it: the Imperial Fighting Academy formed this team so we could win the championship at the tournament. You'll compete too, won't you? Then I'll see you there."
Without waiting for Qian Yun to respond, he turned and let himself out.
After Qin Ming left, Qian Yun picked up the calling card and letter he'd left behind, thinking over his words. Hmph. I haven't decided whether I'll compete, but Shrek Academy... To carry out my plan smoothly, I really will have to pay it a visit.
Qin Ming had barely been gone when someone knocked on the door again.
Qian Yun looked up. He really had become quite the hot commodity today.
"What is it?"
The servant's voice came from outside. "Sir, Zhou Qingtian from Rosen Bank requests an audience."
Qian Yun frowned deeply. He had heard of Zhou Qingtian long ago, but hadn't expected him to come calling so soon. Still, this wasn't a good time to show his face, and he didn't particularly like the man anyway.
"Not interested. I won't see him!"
"Yes, sir."
Qian Yun's words came clearly through the door to the servant, who had been listening attentively. Though surprised by Qian Yun's apparent irritability, he still wore a smile that made people feel at ease.
He stepped out into the corridor and opened another door.
Outside stood a man who looked like a young nobleman. He had no guards with him and wore a simple white outfit, his back straight. He rested his left hand on a Tiger-Head Cane. This was Zhou Qingtian of Rosen Bank.
The servant looked at him with a professional smile touched by apology. "I'm sorry, Young Master Zhou. My master isn't receiving visitors right now."
"Oh?" Zhou Qingtian showed no embarrassment at being turned away. His smile only grew broader. "No matter. Amiga just finished a match and does need to rest. I was the one who imposed."
Zhou Qingtian sighed regretfully. "Then I can only hope we'll meet by chance another time."
"I'll take my leave."
The servant's smile remained unchanged. He bowed slightly and said, "Take care, Young Master Zhou."
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