Interlude

At the stone pavilion on the lake shore, Dai Huabin poured himself a drink, while Ning Tian gazed at the center of the lake, surrounded by a depressing silence, like a stagnant pool.

"After fighting to the death and arguing back and forth, we've already ended up covered in blood and filth before we've even gone into battle."

Dai Huabin exhaled, his breath reeking of alcohol. "If I had retired gracefully back then, I could not only have gained a good reputation, but I could still have applied for promotion to the Inner Court."

A once-in-a-century failure to defend the title turned a gilded competition into a stain, leaving even the most distinguished individuals humiliated.

With mediocre results in internal competitions and a failed title defense in official competitions, the traded slots of the past are now backfiring.

If he had successfully defended his title, his qualifications would have been sufficient for promotion to the inner court. Unfortunately, he failed to defend his title and has to wait until next year or the year after.

Advancing to the Inner Academy in three or four years is basically considered average, not top-tier genius. Unlike Ning Tian, the Inner Academy needs a second White Tiger Soul Master, and the family may not expect a second Dai Yueheng. After all, two tigers cannot share one mountain.

"The infighting within the White Tiger lineage."

Ning Tian was equally sullen, "Back then, the country was destroyed..."

"Shut up!"

The wine glass Crush Grip of thin air, and Dai Huabin's tiger-like eyes widened in shock.

The Star Luo Imperial Family has changed hands, White Tiger lineage has now fallen to the first tier, no longer able to Might Shakes the Four Directions. In fact, it even needs the support of many allies for some matters.

If it weren't for this matter being clear, based on his past temper, Shi Ting would already have a corpse lying in the ground.

You are far inferior to him.

Ning Tian sighed, "Did Star Luo Empire truly perish at the hands of the Sun Moon?"

"Back then, the Sun Moon Empire was far weaker than it is now. There were only a handful of Level 9 Soul Engineer, Level 9 Soul Tool were equally rare. If you hadn't fought amongst yourselves and had expanded your influence, with more Your Majesty joining the war, you might even have been able to annex the Sun Moon Empire."

"What limits the White Tiger lineage is not external factors, but internal actions. Simply put, the White Tiger lineage has too narrow a vision."

Dai Huabin was stunned.

Ning Tian spoke with pity, "By restricting their own kind and maintaining their rule, the first kills the second, and the second murders the first. How long has it been since the White Tiger lineage produced Super Douluo? How long has it been since the White Tiger lineage produced multiple Nobles in a single generation?"

The Left Arm Soul Bone was suppressed once more, and the room was covered in white frost.

Looking at the figure standing at the door, Ling Luochen's eyes were filled with complex emotions. "How long does it take to integrate the Soul Bone?"

"You should ask yourself how long you can hold out."

Bai Cai glanced back, then went out; the passageway remained empty.

The door closed, Ling Luochen looked at his left arm. The emerald green had already seeped into his bones, and his skin was no longer radiant.

Returning to the hall, Bai Cai headed towards another passageway. Before she even entered, a surging wave of heat had already swept over her.

Using the shield to open the door and see the situation inside, Bai Cai immediately retreated.

Hopeless!

Goodbye!

The Evil Fire Phoenix, whose evil originates from deep within its bloodline, does not require normal treatment, but rather a supremely yang treasure, such as a Yang-Polar Immortal Herb.

The Bai Cai could be a hint, but the risk was too great; there would certainly be many questions, and it might even bring up the gods, so no one spoke.

The gods with the surname Ma don't care, and neither do the Bai Cai.

After treating the third student, Bai Cai quickly returned to the passageway and happened to see Mu En in the distance.

Mu En's gaze was calm. Bai Cai had a clear conscience. After a few breaths, Mu En slightly beckoned, signaling Bai Cai to follow.

They quickly returned to the dormitory, Bai Cai their belongings, and prepared to move into the inner courtyard.

However, things often turn out unexpectedly. At the wrong time and in the wrong place, the smiling girl opened the dormitory door and was immediately stunned.

"We can still be friends." Bai Cai cleaned the bed.

[But they shouldn't be friends.]

"I'll be waiting for you in the inner courtyard," Bai Cai said calmly.

[It's always me waiting for you.]

"Thank you for your support over the past year, I'm very happy." Bai Cai approached the dormitory door.

I'm unhappy, I'm in pain.

"So, please move aside." The Bai Cai prepared to push the girl aside.

Wang Dong leaned against the door, blocking the entrance. "We've known each other for a year, and this is the first time you've asked me for a favor. I can't even remember the last time we talked. Besides, we're roommates and even shared a championship prize."

Bai Cai said calmly, "Everyone has their own dreams, and everyone's life is wonderful."

Wang Dong lowered his head. "I know very well that you've concealed many extraordinary encounters, your cultivation is progressing rapidly, and almost everyone... is devoted to you. You don't like me, this troublesome friend."

"But."

Wang Dong's voice was hoarse, "You just said, 'Thank you for your help, I'm very happy, please move aside.'"

You don't treat me like a friend, or even a normal roommate, so why would you 'ask' me to move aside?

I've always found it strange that you're always so polite, why can't you be a little more spontaneous? It seems you've never liked anyone before.

Bai Cai replied softly, "That's normal, we're still very young."

Wang Dong said sarcastically, "So you're pretending to be innocent. You know very well what you should avoid, you know very well what you need to avoid."

The girl paused for a moment, slightly loosened her collar, and fixed her gaze ahead.

The Bai Cai looked away, reacting very quickly.

The girl's expression was strange. "Are you scared?"

Just as Bai Cai was worried that the current Sea God would interfere, a loud shout suddenly came from outside the corridor, "Vice Class Teacher, Teacher Zhou Yi is looking for you at the door, and she's brought your fiancée with her."

Wang Dong slowly opened the door, but Bai Cai didn't leave, because Wang Dong's eyes were burning with rage, as if he were nearing the limit of exploding.

Time seemed to stand still for a little over half an hour before Wang Dong returned to his bed, his steps unusually weary.

"The squad leader has a lot of worries. I had planned to take a break and hope that the problems would disappear on their own, but they are still there, and there are even more than usual."

Wang Dong lay down wearily. "I believe you, including in the game, in the warnings, and in our interactions, but you have to convince me. I desperately need an explanation."

The Bai Cai sighed, "The more you know, the more you fear."

"Dianya, an exchange student from the Skywater Academy, probably doesn't need further introduction."

Looking at the Bai Cai, Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, "How long have you two been together?"

Bai Cai remained silent. "A little over a week."

The elegantly dressed girl said calmly, "Two weeks and three days, that should be six more hours."

"I suggest you move into the inner courtyard as soon as possible, otherwise bloodshed will inevitably occur in the dormitory sooner or later."

Zhou Yi sternly warned, "Don't come here again, it's easy for something to happen."

A blue Flash streaked past, and Bai Cai looked up at the dormitory's upper floor. "Something's happened."

Zhou Yi, her expression tense, quickly retreated from the Asura Hell, her back looking rather disheveled. "The matter has been communicated; I'm going back to the class to straighten out the atmosphere."

It's unclear when it started, but the former champion teams have rarely interacted anymore.

Bai Cai lives a secluded life, regularly cultivating her skills. Due to the remnants of the sacrifice, her Soul Power has rapidly increased, reaching level forty-four.

Xiao Xiao has made great progress and successfully reached the Soul Elder, preparing to attach Soul Ring.

Wang Dong rarely appears in class and has almost faded out of the classroom. It is said that he is quite depressed and seems to have suffered a heavy blow.

After Xiao Xiao reached the Soul Elder, Bai Cai kept her promise and went to accompany him on the Soul Hunting.

Since I was considered to be accompanying her, I didn't form a team, but instead followed Xiao Xiao.

It's worth mentioning that Wang Dong also accompanied Xiao Xiao to the Soul Hunting, but he looked extremely tired.

At the back gate of the academy, Bai Cai saw her other teammates: four Soul Hunting students and one instructor leading the group.