Cousin

Near the plaza of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, inside a spacious and bright pavilion.

Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Osler, and Yu Feng—the six members of the Imperial Dou Team—stared at Lan Si and Ye Lingling as they walked side by side, their faces filled with utter disbelief.

Since when did Ye Lingling, hailed as the high-mountain flower of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and known as the Ice Beauty, start getting so close to a male? Although the two were merely walking together without any overly intimate gestures, this was Ye Lingling—the very same Ye Lingling whom even Dugu Yan, one of the only two women in the Imperial Dou Team, could rarely get close to.

"Lingling, Lan Si, you two..." Dugu Yan asked, her voice cracking.

Though Ye Lingling's expression remained as cold as ever, a faint, imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her lips beneath her veil. She paused and introduced him to the Imperial Dou members: "He is my cousin."

"Cousin?" Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the other four widened their eyes.

Just then, Qin Ming walked over from a distance and asked with a smile: "Everyone is here? What's going on? It's so lively."

"Teacher Qin Ming, you should ask them!" Dugu Yan said, gesturing toward the pair.

Qin Ming turned his head, his gaze shifting toward Lan Si and Ye Lingling with curiosity.

Facing the stares of Qin Ming and the six Imperial Dou members, Lan Si gave an awkward smile and explained simply: "Actually, I only found out yesterday that my mother is Lingling's aunt. However, for certain reasons, I don't want too many people to know about this for now, so I ask everyone to keep it a secret."

Qin Ming stroked his chin, a look of realization dawning on him: "No wonder Lingling's father, Clan Head Ye Renxin of the Nine Heart Begonia clan, came to our academy yesterday. So he was here to see you. Don't worry, since you, the person involved, do not wish to expose it, we won't go around blabbing."

Upon receiving this confirmation, the other Imperial Dou members couldn't help but perk up. As they cast their gazes toward Lan Si and nodded in agreement, they felt a sense of relief. Although they didn't know much about Lan Si, they had witnessed the power of Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia martial soul. If Lan Si's Cyan Lotus martial soul was a mutation of the Nine Heart Begonia, then it all made sense; otherwise, it would be too incredible for a commoner soul master to surpass them so easily.

"Alright, let's end this topic. You've all gotten to know each other over the past two days, so I will now begin your first phase of training: actual combat." Qin Ming clapped his hands, his smile gradually fading as he turned serious: "I believe you all have gained a deep understanding of this during your seven days at the Heaven Dou City Great Soul Arena."

"Yes, actual combat is indeed the best way to increase strength in a short period," Yu Tianheng nodded in agreement.

Qin Ming said solemnly: "Two years from now is the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. At that time, you will face the elite geniuses from all the soul master academies across the continent. Relying on individuals will no longer be enough to turn the tide of battle; you must rely on team combat to have any chance of winning the championship you dream of. By the way, according to some inside information revealed to me by the committee members, Martial Soul Hall, as the organizer of the tournament, will provide three ten-thousand-year Soul Bones as the final prize for the champions."

"Soul Bones?" Upon hearing these two words, everyone in the Imperial Dou Team—except for Lan Si, who already knew—had their eyes light up instantly. Even the usually indifferent Ye Lingling couldn't help but let a flicker of excitement cross her beautiful eyes.

Standing beside Lan Si, Qin Ming took in the reactions of everyone. Once the atmosphere had built up sufficiently, he continued: "Over the next six months, I will take you to various cities to participate in soul duels. Besides enhancing your combat experience, this will allow you to learn more about different types of soul masters and their combat capabilities. My requirement is that in every city, besides obtaining the team Silver Soul title, you must also earn individual Silver Soul, or even Gold Soul, titles."

"Any questions?"

"No." All the Imperial Dou Team members answered in unison, full of confidence. In their eyes, those Soul Elders in the soul duels were nothing special, and few even had the optimal soul ring configuration. Dealing with those guys should be a piece of cake.

Qin Ming nodded with satisfaction and turned his gaze to Lan Si and Ye Lingling: "Lan Si, we have all seen your strength. Now that you are included, the Imperial Dou Team has exactly eight people. Since Lingling is a support-type soul master and cannot participate in solo duels, you will team up with her for duo duels. As for team duels, you don't need to participate for now. Observe them for a while, and once you are familiar with their combat patterns, I will have you rotate in."

"No problem." Lan Si smiled calmly and nodded.

"Very well, gather at the academy gate in half an hour. Everyone go back and prepare well; once we leave, we might not return for three or four months." Having confirmed the itinerary, Qin Ming dismissed them to prepare.

The group dispersed and went their separate ways.

Lan Si and Ye Lingling walked side by side along the tree-lined path, forming a beautiful scene that drew envious looks from the surrounding onlookers.

Ignoring the onlookers, Lan Si said to Ye Lingling somewhat shyly: "Lingling..."

"Call me cousin." Ye Lingling gave a light chop to the top of Lan Si's head.

Lan Si was stunned, then heard Ye Lingling say: "Ah Si, do you remember when I held you when you were little? I was three, and you peed all over me."

"Uh..." Lan Si rolled his eyes, silently complaining to himself: How could I possibly remember that? I was just a baby then.

Ye Lingling continued on her own: "At the time, I thought you hated me, which is why you peed on me, and I cried. It wasn't until later that I realized all babies are like that. I once peed on my aunt, but before I could apologize to you, you..."

At the end of her sentence, Ye Lingling stopped walking. She gripped the corners of her skirt, tears welling in her eyes as she silently gazed at Lan Si.

Meeting Ye Lingling's gaze, Lan Si felt a pang of sadness in his heart. Under the stunned stares of the onlookers in the distance, he raised his hand to gently wipe the tears from the corner of Ye Lingling's eyes and comforted her softly: "Isn't everything okay now?"

"I know, but all these years, you and my aunt and uncle..." Ye Lingling's voice was beautiful, yet filled with sorrow.

Lan Si shook his head, pulled Ye Lingling into his arms, patted her back gently, and said softly: "It's alright, everything is in the past."

Seeing this, the onlookers in the distance erupted in an uproar. In an instant, rumors that the high-mountain flower of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Ye Lingling, had been captured by a newcomer spread like wildfire.