Dugu Yan's Coma

"Teacher Qin Ming, I didn't want to use my trump card, but I have no choice. You are truly strong. After my sneak attack failed earlier, I knew I had to use it!"

"Now, it is truly over!"

Both Xing Tian figures roared simultaneously, the Nine Deaths Footwork suddenly accelerating. They transformed into two afterimages, rapidly closing in on Qin Ming. Black mist swirled around their bodies, leaving Qin Ming's flames with no target to latch onto.

Once close enough, both Xing Tian figures unleashed their first soul skill, Night Fierce Light, but instead of projecting it outward, they used their wrists as blades.

Immediately after, Xing Tian began to trigger his second soul skill at high frequency, teleporting his physical body to the position of his clone and slashing at Qin Ming with a hand-blade. Simultaneously, his shadow shifted to Qin Ming's side; as the strike landed, he teleported once more to the shadow's position.

Repeating this process, countless black rays wrapped in black mist wove into a net that enveloped Qin Ming. This was the Afterimage Instant Slash that Xing Tian had developed based on his second soul skill.

"Fourth soul skill, Fire Wolf Blazing Flame Burn!"

Unable to hold on any longer, Qin Ming's fourth Soul Ring suddenly lit up. Flames erupted from his entire body, transforming into a giant fire wolf three meters tall.

Seeing this, Xing Tian immediately used his second soul skill to teleport away.

With a deafening "boom," the fire wolf exploded, forming a massive mushroom cloud as a scorching heatwave swept across the entire training ground.

When the smoke cleared, Qin Ming was covered in wounds, his clothes shredded. Looking at the unscathed Xing Tian, he sighed helplessly: "You win!"

"My god, even Teacher Qin Ming was defeated. Xiao Tian is just too strong." Yu Feng's mouth hung open, unable to close.

Dugu Yan was now even starting to worry about Yu Tianheng: "At this rate, even if Yu Tianheng has mastered the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique, he won't be a match for Xiao Tian. I just hope he doesn't cry when the time comes."

Osler was cheering wildly: "Boss is mighty! Boss is invincible!"

Ye Lingling remained silent, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xing Tian. She spread her hands, summoning her Nine-Heart Begonia martial soul to heal both Xing Tian and Qin Ming.

After receiving treatment, Qin Ming exited his Martial Soul Possession state and sighed: "It seems I have nothing left to teach you."

Xing Tian said modestly: "My combat experience is still insufficient; I still need your help, Teacher. Besides, I only won by a fluke due to an information gap."

Qin Ming waved his hand: "No! In actual combat, the opponent's information is a crucial factor to consider; there is no such thing as a fluke. Furthermore, you didn't know my soul skills either."

"And your second soul skill is indeed very troublesome. Even for me, without using my fourth soul skill, I can't think of a way to break it."

Qin Ming was very fond of a student as talented and eager to learn as Xing Tian: "If you are willing, you can come to me for training anytime."

"Thank you, Teacher Qin Ming. I won't be polite in the future then!"

Xing Tian was eager to have a suitable partner for combat training. Although his combat experience was rich, it remained at the level of his soul, while his body lacked it.

At this moment, Dugu Yan said: "Teacher Qin, I also want to spar with Xiao Tian. He promised me earlier that he would fight me during a combat training session."

Qin Ming dropped his smile and said sternly: "Yanzi, daring to challenge those better than yourself is commendable, but one cannot reach a thousand miles without taking small steps, and rivers cannot form without small streams."

"Xing Tian's strength is far above yours; such combat training is meaningless."

"Besides, the focus of this class is to strengthen your close-quarters combat abilities. Your Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison is very powerful—no one in the class except Xing Tian can block it—but your close-quarters ability is mediocre."

"So, behave and follow the arrangements. Train according to my list. I will provide guidance from the sidelines and point out areas for improvement afterward!"

Dugu Yan lowered her head in disappointment, not daring to talk back, and could only follow Qin Ming's arrangements.

The combat training was proceeding smoothly, but as Dugu Yan and Osler were locked in a fierce battle, a sudden change occurred.

Dugu Yan suddenly deactivated her Martial Soul Possession, her body convulsing. She clutched her head in agony, curled up on the ground, and struggled while screaming.

"Yanzi!"

Qin Ming was the first to rush to Dugu Yan's side in a panic. Although he was strict with her, he cared for her the most; after all, she was Dugu Bo's only relative. If something truly happened to her, it wouldn't end with just one or two deaths.

Qin Ming checked her repeatedly but found no issues. He hurriedly called out to Ye Lingling: "Lingling, try healing Yanzi first!"

"Okay!"

Ye Lingling hurriedly used the Nine-Heart Begonia to heal her. Light fell upon Dugu Yan, but the effect was not obvious.

"There seems to be something in Yanzi's body resisting my healing ability, and it's stronger than me."

Xing Tian's eyes sharpened as if he had realized something. He went to Dugu Yan's side, grabbed her finger, and sniffed it, appearing increasingly certain of his suspicion.

He then gathered soul power on his index finger and pricked Dugu Yan's finger, letting a drop of blood flow out.

Xing Tian smelled the blood and finally confirmed his conjecture: "As expected!"

Qin Ming noticed Xing Tian's expression and asked: "Xing Tian, did you discover something?"

Xing Tian said: "Sister Lingling, don't stop the healing. Teacher Qin, please go to the Education Committee immediately and ask the Three Education Commissioners to go to the Sunset Forest to summon Senior Dugu. Also, check the residence of Prince Xue Xing; Senior Dugu might be there too! We will take Sister Yan back to the dormitory first."

"I'm going now!" Qin Ming did not dare to delay, even using Martial Soul Possession to speed up his travel.

"Leopard, Yu Feng, give me a hand!"

"Right!"

Because Dugu Yan was struggling violently, Xing Tian had to have Osler and Yu Feng help carry her back to the dormitory.

"Yanyan!"

Dugu Bo pushed the door open in a panic, his forehead covered in sweat. At this moment, Dugu Yan was sleeping peacefully on the bed.

Xing Tian, who was guarding the bedside, said: "Sister Yan's condition lasted for about an hour, and then she fell asleep."

Dugu Bo wiped the sweat from his forehead and, after steadying his breathing, checked Dugu Yan's pulse to confirm her condition.

Soon, Dugu Bo's brows furrowed tightly, his eyes turned red, and his tone was filled with both sorrow and self-reproach: "It has come after all."

Dugu Bo picked up Dugu Yan and said, "Thank you, Ye Lingling, for treating Yanyan for so long. And you, kid, thank you for bringing Yanyan back."

Xing Tian added, "Teacher Qin Ming, Osler, and Yu Feng also helped a great deal, though I had Osler and Yu Feng head back first."

"I also had Meng Shenji and the others return ahead of us."

Dugu Bo stared intensely at Xing Tian and said, "Kid, is there something you want to tell this old man?"

As soon as Dugu Bo finished speaking, Ye Lingling immediately spoke up, "I haven't finished the book I was reading; I'll head to the library first."

"That won't be necessary, Lingling."

Dugu Bo interrupted, "Go tell Qin Ming and the Education Committee that this old man intends to instruct this kid for a while. As for how long, that depends on this kid's aptitude."

With that, Dugu Bo carried Dugu Yan out of the room.

"Sister Lingling, don't worry, I'll be back soon. I'll mention it to Grandpa Ye, Osler, and Yu Feng while I'm at it."

After giving his word, Xing Tian immediately followed Dugu Bo.