Qin Ming

The bedroom was empty. Ling Yun rolled up his sleeves, found some cleaning tools in the living room, and got to work, leaving no tiny corner untouched.

Each sweep of the broom exerted a pulling force, drawing the dust beneath its bristles and gathering it into one spot.

The pile of dust grew larger and larger until he finally swept it into a dustpan and tossed it onto the rubbish heap outside.

Once the floor was swept, it was time to mop. Ling Yun had just picked up the mop when the door to Dormitory 206 opened. Yu Tianheng and the Shi Mo brothers walked in together.

"Xiao Yun! Brother Ling Yun!" The three wore surprised expressions, which soon gave way to delight, and they greeted him warmly.

"Yanyan said there was an empty spot in your room, 206, so I came over. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not! How could we possibly mind?"

"Drinking got in the way. We should've tidied everything up sooner and prepared a welcome ceremony for you."

"Exactly, exactly! Looks like we'll have to drink less from now on," Shi Mo chimed in.

"You're cleaning," Yu Tianheng said, stating the obvious to change the subject.

Ling Yun nodded. "I've already swept. I was about to mop when you arrived."

Yu Tianheng replied, "We need to clean ours, too. Let's get to it. We can talk once we're finished."

Ling Yun answered and picked up the mop again, heading for the faucet. Yu Tianheng and the Shi Mo brothers grabbed brooms as well. They hadn't been back for the entire holiday, so their room needed cleaning, too.

After the time it took to burn a stick of incense, Ling Yun had made the bedroom spotless. He'd wiped the shelves, cabinets, and windows until they were gleaming.

Next, he took bedding and toiletries out of his Storage Soul Tool. He'd picked them up along with his school uniform.

Once everything was in place, the room felt warm and homey.

Yu Tianheng and the Shi Mo brothers had finished cleaning their bedroom, too, and the four of them cleaned the living room together.

When they were done, Yu Tianheng stretched. "Finally, it's all clean. It looks so much better now."

Ling Yun and the Shi Mo brothers didn't answer. They looked around the living room, their spirits lifted.

Even a small task could bring a deep sense of satisfaction.

"It's still early, and there's no need to rush into cultivation. How about we head to the academy's Soul Fighting Zone and have some fun?" Yu Tianheng suggested.

"Sure!"

"Sounds good!"

After the Shi Mo brothers replied, they turned their eyes to Ling Yun.

All three pairs of eyes fixed on him, and he nodded.

The Soul Fighting Zone was located on the western side of the academy and had teachers assigned to oversee it. It could be considered an unconventional Great Soul Arena.

Its purpose was also to improve the students' combat skills.

The difference was that after each bout, students could ask the referee teacher to point out their shortcomings.

Like the students, the teachers at Heaven Dou Royal Academy were divided into Heaven Micro Grade, Heaven Supreme Grade, and Heaven Dou Grade.

Each level had a minimum Soul Power requirement. Teachers with Soul Power from level 41 to 50 were Heaven Micro Grade, those from level 51 to 60 were Heaven Supreme Grade, and those above level 61 were Heaven Dou Grade.

Of course, aside from the strict cultivation requirements, they also had to pass an assessment by the three education committee members to be appointed.

The teacher currently in charge of the Soul Fighting Zone was named Qin Ming. His Martial Soul was the Blazing Azure Wolf, and he was a level 52 Power Attack System Battle Soul King and a Heaven Supreme Grade teacher.

Yu Tianheng and the Shi Mo brothers frequented the Soul Fighting Zone and had learned a lot from him.

Most importantly, Qin Ming had exceptional talent. A Soul King at twenty-five—that was the kind of talent that made Yu Tianheng and the other geniuses willing to listen to his guidance.

Unfortunately, before applying for a teaching position, Qin Ming had gone alone to obtain his fifth Soul Ring. Its age had fallen short of the ideal ten-thousand-year mark.

His five Soul Rings were yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and purple.

According to the Soul Master World's generally accepted Soul Ring configuration, if every Soul Ring came close to the maximum age a Soul Master could absorb, their Soul Rings should be yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and red.

But the ideal configuration presumed for the continent was yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and black.

In theory, a red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring was best for the ninth Soul Ring. But Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were all but impossible to find. When one had just reached level 90 and become a Quasi-Titled Douluo, one could absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, but even if one encountered a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, one generally couldn't defeat it.

That was why the Soul Master World's ideal Soul Ring configuration hadn't become yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and red.

Yu Tianheng and the others felt that Qin Ming was a pity: he had talent, but lacked the connections and background to match.

Qin Ming had realized this himself, which was why he'd come to take the assessment and joined Heaven Dou Royal Academy as a teacher.

The three education committee members had high hopes for him, so they had assigned him to the Soul Fighting Zone.

"Teacher Qin Ming!" As soon as Yu Tianheng entered the Soul Fighting Zone, he spotted Qin Ming and greeted him warmly.

"Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, how was your holiday? You didn't neglect your cultivation, did you?"

"At your age, this is the golden period for cultivation. You mustn't slack off!"

"..."

Qin Ming thought highly of them. In a place like Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where aristocratic airs prevailed, it was rare to find students who were even somewhat driven. He didn't want Yu Tianheng and the others to be corrupted by the academy's atmosphere.

"Don't worry, Teacher Qin. I wouldn't dare slack off. What a disgrace it would be if they surpassed me."

"We're the same. We wouldn't dare slack off. Slacking off means falling behind. If we fall too far behind, we won't be living in the same world anymore. It's hard to stay friends then."

Qin Ming nodded with satisfaction. Whatever their reasons, as long as they hadn't been slacking off, there was still hope.

The three education committee members had entrusted him with an important responsibility, a kindness that had recognized his worth. He also wanted to do his part for the academy.

If Yu Tianheng and the others had been indulging in pleasure, he really wouldn't have known what to do.

"By the way, Teacher Qin, let me introduce this young brother. He's a Soul Grandmaster, too, and his Soul Power isn't weaker than mine," Shi Mo said.

Qin Ming's eyes widened. Once his shock passed, he looked Ling Yun up and down, his eyes gleaming.

"Hello, Teacher Qin!" Ling Yun placed a hand against his chest and greeted him with the standard etiquette of the Soul Master World.

"How old are you?"

Qin Ming asked the question, and Ling Yun felt a little helpless. Too many people had asked him that lately.

"Teacher, I only awakened my Martial Soul this year."

"Unbelievable. Did you eat some heavenly treasures?" Qin Ming asked, though his expression was utterly certain.

Stories of heavenly treasures had always circulated, but, like Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, they were all but impossible to find.

"Yes!"

"Would you mind releasing your Martial Soul so I can have a look?"

Ling Yun didn't refuse. He released his Martial Soul, and the sight of a yellow and a purple Soul Ring caused an uproar.

"My heavens! Look, his second Soul Ring is a thousand-year one!"

"He's still so young, too. My goodness!"

"What terrifying talent. And he's with Yu Tianheng and the others, too. I wonder who he is."

"I saw him arrive with His Excellency Dugu. Whatever his identity, he's someone we can't afford to offend."

"..."

Ling Yun quickly withdrew his Martial Soul. After Qin Ming had recovered for a moment, he stared at Ling Yun and said, "What incredible fortune. Truly incredible fortune."

"You've had such an opportunity, and your foundation is so solid. As long as you grow up safely, you're sure to become a Titled Douluo."

"I hope you won't let this opportunity go to waste."

"Thank you for the reminder, Teacher Qin. I'll work hard at my cultivation."