Chapter 47

Xue Qinghe shook his head with a wry smile.

"Your ideals are truly too lofty, and far too difficult to achieve. The world is vast, with hundreds of millions of people; how could it ever be possible to ensure everyone is well-provided for?"

Xuan Qing shrugged, looking completely indifferent.

"It's not difficult. If it were, what is an emperor for? Just to sit there and eat for free? Besides, you only asked for my thoughts. Is there something wrong with me saying this?"

"Uh..."

Xue Qinghe was left speechless.

Well, he couldn't really argue with that.

After all, he had indeed asked it just like that, without asking for the methodology.

Xuan Qing couldn't be bothered to waste more breath on this topic, as the team battles had begun.

It had to be said, Xuan Qing had reached that age, and his hidden "old lecher" attribute was starting to show.

The first team match was Skywater Academy against Blazing Fire Academy, and he watched with unblinking eyes.

Although his physical age was only ten, his mental age was quite mature, and his body was developing rapidly—you know how it is.

Especially when he saw the hot figures of the sisters Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, his eyes went straight.

Dugu Bo leaned in, lowering his voice with a chuckle.

"Kid, which one do you have your eye on? Do you want this old man to play matchmaker for you? Or you could take them both; with your background, you'll certainly never be short of women in the future."

"Marry those girls and bring them home. Shui Bing'er is cold and elegant, Shui Yue'er is lively; it would certainly be a bustling household. If you think that's too few, you could take Ning Rongrong as well."

"Sect Master Ning would be more than happy for you to do so; he's been wanting to climb your tree for a long time."

Ning Fengzhi had sharp ears; hearing this, his eyes lit up, and he immediately chimed in.

"Is what Mister Dugu says true? If young friend Xuan Qing is willing, This Seat would not object to betrothing Rongrong to him."

"Although Rongrong is mischievous, her nature is not bad, and she is worthy of you, young friend."

Xuan Qing rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"You old lecher, I'm only ten years old, and you're already thinking about me getting married? Have you lost your minds?"

"Besides, I have no interest in little girls. Let's wait until they grow up."

Dugu Bo curled his lip.

"What's wrong with ten? There are plenty of people on the continent who marry at twelve or thirteen. With your appearance, if you said you were twenty... heh, never mind."

He saw the look Zi Ji shot his way and immediately chose to shut up.

This big shot was still here, and he didn't dare talk nonsense, or else one slap from her and Xuan Qing would be begging him not to die.

Xuan Qing couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind, focusing instead on the match.

Water naturally counters fire, and combined with Shui Bing'er's instant freezing, the suppression of Blazing Fire Academy was immense.

The Repulsion Light had effects similar to the Repulsion Fire Ring, and as a control-type, Huo Wu was still a step behind Shui Bing'er.

In the end, Skywater Academy won.

Shui Bing'er's control was simply too strong; while Blazing Fire Academy's frontal assault was fierce, they couldn't handle being frozen every few moments.

In the second match, Heaven Dou Royal Academy faced Thunder Academy, and Dugu Yan was essentially a humanoid tyrannosaurus.

With forty-four levels of soul power, she completely steamrolled the group of thirty-something-level students from Thunder Academy.

Once the Jade Phosphorous Poison Dragon sprayed its poison mist, the Thunder Academy team collapsed. Although Yu Tianxin fought with all his might, the gap was simply too large, and he lost in under three minutes.

In the third match, Skywater played against Divine Wind Academy. No matter how fast Feng Xiaotian was, he couldn't match the speed of Shui Bing'er's freezing.

He couldn't get close at all; lock-on soul skills were just that cheap. Even if Xuan Qing activated his Azure Dragon Sacred Body and Azure Dragon Undying Body, he would still be controlled for a moment, let alone Feng Xiaotian.

In the end, because of Dugu Yan, Heaven Dou Royal Academy took the championship without a doubt. Emperor Xue Ye personally awarded a Thousand Year Soul Bone, though it was only a thousand-year one.

However, Dugu Bo couldn't stop grinning as he took the bone. A Thousand Year Soul Bone meant nothing to him, but it was won by his granddaughter herself, and that made the value entirely different.

Xuan Qing reminded him from the side.

"Don't let her absorb it. While a Thousand Year Soul Bone is decent, it affects potential. Wait until Yan Yan reaches the Soul King level and find a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone; the effect will be much better."

Dugu Bo nodded.

"I know. I'll put it away when we get back and wait until Yan Yan reaches level fifty. With her current talent, I wouldn't let her absorb anything under twenty thousand years. If she's going to absorb one, it has to be the best."

Xuan Qing looked at Xue Qinghe.

"Since it's over, let's go. I still have to go to the palace banquet later to collect my reward; don't forget."

Xue Qinghe smiled.

"I won't forget. This Palace never breaks a promise. However, Brother Xuan Qing, besides Feng Xiaotian, what do you think of the others? Are they worth cultivating?"

Xuan Qing thought for a moment.

"Their performance is plain for all to see. Although Huo Wu has a fiery temper, her talent isn't bad. Huo Wushuang is mature and steady; he's good material."

"Even though Yu Tianxin lost, his temperament is good. His future is promising."

"As for Shui Bing'er, she has the biggest problem, but that can't be blamed on her; after all, it's an innate defect."

Xue Qinghe became interested.

"Innate defect? How so?"

"A Martial Soul like the Ice Phoenix will always have defects unless it possesses an Ultimate Attribute and Innate Full Soul Power."

"The Ice Phoenix is a purely assault-type Martial Soul, yet she follows the path of a control-type, which indicates she is not innately Ultimate, and it will be accompanied by a series of side effects."

Xue Qinghe frowned.

"Ultimate Attribute? What is that?"

Ning Fengzhi also became interested.

"Could you explain a little? This is the first time we have heard this term."

Xuan Qing extended his right hand, condensing a small ball of energy. The sphere was tiny, yet it radiated a terrifying aura of life and the power of thunder.

He tossed it casually, and the sphere landed on the ground, crackling with thunder.

"What is the difference between this and the thunder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?"

Everyone looked over. Although the thunder was small, it was stronger, more overbearing, and more condensed, and it carried a vitality that made one feel refreshed and relaxed.

Xue Qinghe spoke with some uncertainty.

"Stronger, more overbearing, more condensed, and... it seems to have a sense of vitality?"

Xuan Qing nodded.

"My Azure Dragon Martial Soul possesses both Lightning and Wood Ultimate Attributes, so I can see the clues in her."

"Every Ultimate Attribute can be called a darling of the heavens and earth; as long as there are no defects, fighting above one's rank is as simple as eating and drinking."

"But if the defect cannot be resolved, whether she can live past forty or break through level seventy is an unknown."

"Shui Bing'er is exactly like this. Her Ice Phoenix is born with defects, and she chose the control-type path to compensate, but that treats the symptoms rather than the root cause."

Xue Qinghe became anxious immediately.

"Is there a way to solve this defect? If it can be solved, Shui Bing'er could definitely become a Title Douluo; such a genius cannot be wasted."

Xuan Qing glanced at him.

"There is certainly a way, but any treasure of that level is a seed for a Title Douluo the moment it is revealed."

"Its value even surpasses a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. Do you think you can produce such a thing?"

"So, stop setting your sights on her. It's unnecessary. Ultimate Attributes cannot be inherited; even if both parents possess them, the chance of the offspring inheriting them is less than thirty percent."

"Not to mention she is innately incomplete. Unless you can produce heaven-sent treasures to fix the defect or a soul bone with the Ultimate Ice attribute, there is no hope."

Xue Qinghe fell silent.

Treasures with the Ultimate Ice attribute are hard to find across the entire continent. Even if they existed, they wouldn't fall to the Heaven Dou royal family; the Upper Three Sects and Martial Soul Hall would be watching them closely.

As the young master of Martial Soul Hall, could she possibly take one out to use on an outsider?

"Fine, I understand. Let nature take its course then."

Xuan Qing stood up and stretched.

"Alright, the match is over, it's time to collect the reward. Let's go to the palace; I'm hungry. The banquet should have plenty of good food."

Xue Qinghe laughed and scolded him.

"All you think about is eating. The skills of the imperial chefs will surely satisfy you."

The group left the academy and headed toward the palace.