—Martial Soul Academy.
Two figures appeared at the academy gates. One wore golden-red armor, his tall, sturdy frame and resolute face exuding an unyielding spirit. The other wore a dark-water-colored outfit, her long hair tied behind her head. She looked dashing and spirited, with an imposing bearing.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Five years have passed, and we've finally returned to the academy. I've actually been itching to try Teacher Man's bear-paw slap again these past few years."
"Give me a break. If you actually got another taste of it, you wouldn't be so eager."
The two were Qin Tianzhen and Tu Zhanyue. Qin Tianzhen was now a seventy-second-level Soul Saint, while Tu Zhanyue was a sixty-third-level Soul Emperor. Returning to Martial Soul Academy, they were overcome with emotion.
As they approached the gates, two students stepped forward and blocked their way. "You two, this is Martial Soul Academy. Anyone who isn't a student or teacher here, or a member of Spirit Hall, may not enter."
Hearing this, Qin Tianzhen looked at the two and praised them. "Not bad. Two fifteen-year-old Soul Elders. If you work hard, you might make it onto the Martial Soul Hall Team and compete in the Elite Tournament. Is Teacher Man Tianshan at the academy?"
The two students froze at Qin Tianzhen's words, then asked, "Who are you?"
Qin Tianzhen patted them both on the shoulders and said with a smile, "You two, we're Qin Tianzhen and Tu Zhanyue. We've come back to visit the academy."
"Qin Tianzhen, Tu Zhanyue!" the two exclaimed in surprise. But once the surprise wore off, they quickly recovered. "Sorry, you two, but do you have anything to prove your identities?"
At this, Qin Tianzhen was about to say something when a black-robed figure suddenly rushed over and attacked him. Qin Tianzhen