Yu Tianheng's Choice, and the Decision to Recruit Qin Ming

The Imperial Fighting Team's lodgings were at a fairly upscale hotel east of Suotuo City. Heaven Dou Royal Academy had booked the entire second floor.

When Yu Tianheng pushed open the door, Shi Mo was wrapping a bandage around the web of his hand. Shi Mo, Yu Feng, and Osler were chatting nearby, while Ye Lingling sat alone in the corner listening. Dugu Yan entered and shut the door behind her.

"Everyone's here. There's something I need to discuss with you." Yu Tianheng remained standing in the middle of the room and recounted his conversation with Yu Tianlin in the lounge exactly as it had happened.

After he finished, the room fell silent for quite some time. Shi Mo was the first to break it. He wrapped the bandage around his hand one last time, bit it off, and tied a knot. "Tianheng, I'm not going. That person may be powerful and impressive, but Heaven Dou Royal Academy has trained me for six years, and Teacher Qin has taught me for six years. No matter how good Thunder Academy is or how capable that person may be, it has nothing to do with me."

Shi Mo echoed, "Same here."

Yu Feng said to Yu Tianheng, "Captain, you know Osler's and my situation. The academy specially recruited us from its affiliated territories, and we signed ten-year contracts. We can't afford the breach penalty, and even if we could, we wouldn't want to pay it. Teacher Qin has been good to us."

Osler did not move from his chair, merely nodding at Yu Tianheng.

The room fell silent again. Then Ye Lingling raised her hand. "I'm willing to go." Yu Feng turned to look at her and asked why. Ye Lingling thought for a while before replying, "I want to go further. That masked man never made a move from beginning to end on the arena, yet every one of his teammates was placed in the most suitable position. The timing of Lei Li's shield wall suppression, the angle at which Qing Luo's vines circled behind the back line, Yu Tianxin's push through the middle to disrupt Sister Yan's rhythm—all of it worked together flawlessly under that person's command. I'm very interested in how far a team led by someone who can command like that might go."

Dugu Yan said she would go as well, offering no further explanation.

Shi Mo wanted to persuade them further, but Yu Tianheng raised a hand to stop him. His tone made it clear that he had already made up his mind. "Everyone has their own aspirations. There's no need to force anyone. Ye Lingling will come with us to Thunder Academy. Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Yu Feng, and Osler, you'll remain at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I'll speak with Teacher Qin about resources and do my best to secure the best possible conditions for you."

Seeing that they had made up their minds, Shi Mo finally just nodded heavily.

Early the next morning, Yu Tianheng brought Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling to Qin Ming's residence. When he opened the door, he was still holding the Imperial Fighting Team's training schedule that he had finished organizing the previous night. Seeing his three prized students outside, he froze for a moment before smiling and inviting them in. But after hearing Yu Tianheng out, the smile gradually faded from his face.

Qin Ming placed the training schedule on the table, his fingers pressing against the paper as his voice deepened. "Tianheng, Thunder Academy's teaching resources and faculty are indeed inferior to Heaven Dou Royal Academy's. You know that. Heaven Dou Royal Academy has a history of more than three hundred years and the backing of the empire. How many years has Thunder Academy even existed? If you go there, your cultivation environment and resources will be greatly diminished. Why exactly do you want to leave?"

Yu Tianheng met his gaze. "Someone invited me to join Thunder Academy. I considered it for a long time and still decided to go."

Qin Ming pressed him for the person's identity. Yu Tianheng did not hide it, saying that he was a brother from the same clan named Yu Tianlin—the masked captain of the Ji Ni Tai Mei Team from yesterday's arena match.

Qin Ming's brow furrowed even deeper as he turned to Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. "You two are going as well?"

Dugu Yan nodded, and Ye Lingling nodded too.

Qin Ming was silent for a long time. Then he stood and spoke, his tone carrying helplessness but even more solemnity. "Tianheng, you are my finest student. Since the three of you have made up your minds, I cannot stop you. But there is one thing—I need to go with you and meet this Yu Tianlin."

Yu Tianheng hesitated slightly before nodding in agreement. Qin Ming truly wanted what was best for them, and he had to accept that kindness.

The following morning, the four of them crossed Suotuo City's early streets toward the Great Soul Arena. Morning light spilled through gaps between the eaves of the roadside shops, and puddles from last night's light rain still dotted the stone-paved road. The announcement crystal at the Soul Fighting Arena entrance was already scrolling through that day's matches, while a long queue had formed at the spectator entrance.

The Ji Ni Tai Mei Team's designated waiting area was tucked into a corner of the eastern staging area. Yu Tianlin was discussing intelligence on their next opponent with Yu Tianxin. The Withered Wood Mask rested at the corner of the table, beside a freshly refilled cup of hot tea. Qing Luo stood behind him, and when she saw Yu Tianheng's group approach, she went forward to greet them.

"Young Master, Yu Tianheng is here, and he brought someone I don't recognize."

Yu Tianlin looked up. Yu Tianheng walked at the front, with Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling at his sides, while Qin Ming trailed half a step behind. The four stopped before the Ji Ni Tai Mei Team's resting area. Yu Tianheng raised his hand in salute, then stepped aside to make room for Qin Ming. "Tianlin, this is Qin Ming, a teacher from Heaven Dou Royal Academy and also my teacher. He wanted to meet you."

Yu Tianlin's gaze settled on Qin Ming. The middle-aged man stood tall, dressed in a dark white teacher's robe tinged with green. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's crest was embroidered on his cuffs. His features were proper, his eyes steady, and his Soul Power was restrained yet profound.

Qin Ming. Yu Tianlin vaguely remembered that name from the original story. He was a first-generation graduate of Shrek Academy, a level-sixty-two Soul Emperor whose Martial Soul was the Blazing Wolf, and the second-youngest Soul Emperor on the continent. He had not expected Yu Tianheng to bring his teacher along.

This man's talent, character, and teaching ability are all first-rate. Staying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy is wasting his potential. A thought flashed through Yu Tianlin's mind. Since the Imperial Fighting Team has already broken apart, I might as well poach Qin Ming too.

He stood and cupped his hands toward Qin Ming. "Teacher Qin, I've heard much about you. Please, have a seat."

Qin Ming sat across from Yu Tianlin without exchanging pleasantries, getting straight to the point. "I'm very curious. How exactly did you make Tianheng and the others give up Heaven Dou Royal Academy and choose Thunder Academy? Tianheng is the most levelheaded student I've ever taught. Yan Yan is proud by nature, and Lingling never follows the crowd. Making all three of them agree at once is not something outstanding command alone can accomplish."

Yu Tianlin did not elaborate, answering casually, "Teacher Qin can simply assume that I won them over with my personal charm."

Qin Ming froze briefly, then waved his hand with a helpless smile at the corner of his mouth. "Fine. If you don't wish to say, then forget it. I've seen you, and Tianheng and the others have been safely delivered. I'll take my leave first."

He rose, straightened his cuffs, and turned toward the door.

"Teacher Qin, have you ever considered coming to our Thunder Academy?" Yu Tianlin's unhurried voice came from behind him.

Qin Ming stopped and turned to look at Yu Tianlin, as though confirming that the words had not been a joke.

"You're trying to poach me?" Qin Ming's tone held disbelief, but even more confusion.

"You've just poached my three students, and now you won't even spare their teacher?"

Yu Tianlin replied calmly, "A good teacher is harder to find than a good student. Whatever Heaven Dou Royal Academy can offer you, Thunder Academy can offer as well. And what Heaven Dou cannot offer, Thunder Academy can."