Time flew by.
So quickly that Lin Qing could barely keep up.
[In the blink of an eye, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament was about to begin again.]
This event was held once every five years.
It was the grandest occasion in the Soul Master world, and the stage every young Soul Master dreamed of.
The dean's office.
Sunlight streamed through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, making the floor gleam brightly.
White Tiger Lin Qing stood before Jing Hongchen's desk, his expression earnest.
"Teacher, I want to participate in this Soul Master Tournament."
He said it directly, without beating around the bush.
Jing Hongchen had been reviewing documents. At those words, his pen paused.
He looked up, adjusted his glasses, and looked at his treasured disciple.
"No."
The refusal was equally blunt.
"Why?"
Lin Qing pressed on, though he had expected it.
"It's too dangerous."
Jing Hongchen set down his pen, rose to his feet, and walked to the window.
With his back to Lin Qing, he watched the bustling students outside.
"Your Second Martial Soul, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, and that 400,000-Year Soul Ring absolutely cannot be exposed this early."
His voice was calm, yet every word carried weight.
He turned around, his gaze exceptionally grave.
"Exposing them now would bring more harm than good."
"The rewards for the Soul Master Tournament are nothing more than a few Soul Bones."
Jing Hongchen returned to the desk, braced both hands against it, and leaned forward slightly.
"Your teacher can give you better things than that."
"Even if I have to risk these old bones of mine, I can find a way to get you a genuine Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone."
He paused, his tone growing heavier.
"But if you reveal a 400,000-Year Soul Ring in