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Feng Xiaotian woke up to a cacophony of noise.

He jolted awake, but his sudden movement aggravated his wounds, causing him to grimace in pain.

He let out a yelp.

Then, a crowd surged forward and helped him up.

"How is it, does it hurt, little brother?"

Murong Ci sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, idly flipping a Gold Soul Coin. Huo Wu sat beside him, her face... full of admiration.

It was probably because she had never managed to defeat Feng Xiaotian.

"Li-little brother?" Feng Xiaotian blinked, confused as to why this person who had toyed with him like a dog was calling him little brother.

Wait! Didn't we have a bet?

Feng Xiaotian smacked his forehead in annoyance, regretting his impulsive actions.

How could he acknowledge someone younger than him as an older brother?

"Alright, don't dwell on your actions. Stick with me, and you'll be fed three meals a day, nine times a day! If I have a meal, you'll have a bowl to wash!"

Feng Xiaotian regretted it even more...

"Alright, alright, let's be serious. From now on, acknowledge me as your big brother. You don't need to call me 'Big Brother' this or 'Big Brother' that; just call me by my name. Listen to my commands in battle."

"I have three conditions for you. First, stop flirting with Huo Wu and getting all touchy-feely. She's mine."

Huo Wu's ears turned red, and she reached out to pinch the soft flesh at his waist.

"Second, hiss... My martial soul contains wind elements. After the Five Elements Academies exchange competition, I need to go to Godwind Academy to study and cultivate."

"Third, in about two years, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin. In the later stages of the finals, our Blazing Fire and your Godwind will merge to enhance our combat power."

"These three points, what do you say? Don't worry, I've researched the third point, and it's feasible."

Feng Xiaotian pondered for a moment. It seemed... acceptable to try?

"Alright, I won't say any more. I'm leaving."

Feng Xiaotian lay on the bed, listening to the footsteps gradually fade away.

"This guy is really sick..."

More than three months had passed since he took a little brother.

Murong Ci's days were filled with joy. He ate after fighting, slept after eating, and fought after sleeping.

He sparred with Huo Wu, bullied challengers in the Great Soul Arena, and occasionally got scorched by Huo Wu's new tricks with her Ring Absorption.

Truly, he was so happy here that he forgot to return.

However, one thing made him very unhappy!

His soul power had only increased by three levels in these three months? Only level thirty-four?!

This was a devastating piece of news that he absolutely could not accept.

"System, what's going on? Why is leveling up so slow now? I originally wanted to be level forty for the exchange competition, but at this rate, I'll only be level thirty-six at most."

[...]

The system was clearly speechless.

[Do you want to think about the characteristics of an ultimate martial soul? Didn't you read the original work? The original work clearly stated that cultivation is fast from level 0 to 30, the speed drops drastically from 30 to 70, and only after 70 does it become faster. This is the constraint of heaven and earth's laws, and the power of my current form is not enough to defy them.]

[And now you tell me, how many ultimates do you have? Do you still think cultivation is slow? And are you weak now?]

"It seems... I was a bit greedy... And I'm not weak."

[Then that's that. Get lost.]

"Hehe."

Murong Ci chuckled sheepishly and went to cultivate.

Night fell, the bright moon hung high, and moonlight poured down.

[As soon as I see the moon, something happens. I'll scout for you, you can enjoy the moon slowly.]

As expected, in less than fifteen minutes, Murong Ci felt a chill down his back. A person in black appeared behind him.

"Young friend Murong, greetings. This is a letter from the young master, inviting you for a chat and to discuss matters."

"Mm, thank you, senior. Please report back and tell him it's the usual time, usual place. And convey my regards to the Crown Prince."

[He has no killing intent. He can be trusted.]

The next evening at eight o'clock, outside the Moon-Gazing Tea House.

The storyteller was still talking animatedly, but this time his topic was about a recent "Yongzhen" who had shocked everyone and whose fame echoed throughout all the Great Soul Arenas on the continent.

Murong Ci chuckled dismissively.

In truth, his heart was already surging with turbulent waves.

Achievement unlocked: Famous Across the Land!

On the second floor, Xue Qinghe was already waiting.

This time, he was not wearing his crown prince attire, appearing instead as a refined young nobleman—open, generous, and gentle.

"Brother Murong, please, sit!"

"Your Highness, for what reason have you summoned me?"

"Good brother, let us speak plainly. Have you heard recently of a powerful seven-person team appearing in Suotuo City?"

Oh my, the timing lines up perfectly.

"I have heard of them. Are they called the Shrek Seven Devils?"

"Correct, correct. You are well-informed, brother. Sigh, it is a long story. Our Heaven Dou Royal Academy went to challenge them by reputation, but we returned in a miserable defeat."

"So, is it Your Highness's intention for me to challenge the Shrek Seven Devils?"

Xue Qinghe nodded, the smile in his eyes undiminished. He poured another cup of tea and sipped it slowly.

"That is not the case. I want Brother Murong to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and provide guidance to Yu Tianheng and the others. This will also put my father at ease, showing that our Heaven Dou is by no means a soft persimmon."

Murong Ci tapped his fingers on the tabletop, wearing a look that was half-smile, half-serious.

"Does Your Highness wish for me to betray Blazing Fire?"

"No, no, no, betrayal is too strong a word. I merely wish for you to instruct them."

Murong Ci lightly twisted his fingers, tracing a line through the air.

"I came from nothing, and it was Blazing Fire that took me in. I would never dare to commit an act of betrayal against them. If this is the purpose of your request, then there is nothing more to discuss."

Murong Ci stood up to leave.

"Don't be so distant, Brother Murong. Think about it: join the Royal Academy now, and you will be a man of the crown in the future. There are titles involved, you know."

Murong Ci looked at Xue Qinghe.

"Does Your Highness wish for me to stand by your side in the future?"

The corner of Murong Ci's eye twitched slightly, a movement so subtle that Xue Qinghe could not possibly have noticed.

Murong Ci only sensed a faint ripple in the holy light radiating from Xue Qinghe, though the change was negligible.

Had it not been for the strong affinity his Yongzhen had for elemental attributes, he would never have felt it.

"Brother Murong is indeed clever. That is correct; I do indeed harbor such thoughts. I wonder what Brother Murong thinks of this?"

"Let us discuss future matters in the future. However, as for you, Your Highness, I would be very happy to be your friend. Farewell!"

Murong Ci cupped his hands and took his leave.

"Brother Murong, assemble a seven-person team over these next two days. I will arrange for the people of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to spar with you. I hope you will do me the honor and not hesitate to offer your guidance."

Murong Ci paused his steps and looked back at Xue Qinghe, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

"Guidance is not the word, but I accept, Your Highness!" He then left without looking back.

After he departed, Xue Qinghe let out a soft sigh of relief, his unsteady gait revealing his true emotions.

In the shadows, two men in black—Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo—whispered to one another.

On a rooftop deep within Heaven Dou City.

"Chrysanthemum Guan, you brought me here just to watch this three-ringed brat?"

"Old Ghost, you don't understand. This kid carries the aura of a tyrannical plant-type spirit beast. My own spirit trembled slightly in his presence."

"Interesting. Since Pope has nothing pressing these days, let us continue to observe..."

Somewhere outside Heaven Dou City.

A woman with the appearance of a loli stood on a mountain peak, gazing toward Heaven Dou City.

She wore an ice-blue short skirt, her silvery-white hair cascading to her waist, with a thin layer of frost clinging to the tips.

"Found you."

She sniffed with her petite, delicate nose.

"Hmm? An ice-attribute human academy? This could serve as my base."

Her aura shifted, and she was swallowed by an ice-blue light.

A moment later, a human girl appeared, bearing two yellow and two purple spirit rings, and began walking forward.

"So I can only integrate into human society with this meager amount of spirit power..."

She suddenly let out a soft laugh.

"But if I truly wanted to make a move... hmph..."

[Kid, the game... has officially begun.]