A Contest of Acting

After the Evil Spirit Master had been killed, the Lightning Balls left behind scorched black craters the size of millstones across the ground.

These were the deep pits blasted out when the golden Lightning Balls pierced through the Evil Spirit Master and struck the ground.

"This person's Spirit Skill is incredibly destructive!"

"Uncle Porcupinefish, can you tell what Soul Power Level this young Spirit Master is?"

Seeing such a devastating Spirit Skill, Xue Qinghe grew curious and turned to Porcupinefish Douluo beside him.

"He should not be above a Soul Elder. He may be even lower."

"This destructive power should be due to the nature of his Soul Power."

Porcupinefish Douluo spoke calmly.

At first, when he saw those high-speed Lightning Balls carrying terrifying piercing force, he had indeed been startled.

This Spirit Skill had a long casting range, rapid attack speed, powerful penetration, and terrifying destructive force. Even he felt somewhat wary of it.

But when he saw Zhou Tao summon his Martial Soul, he immediately saw through his true Soul Power.

"Such a powerful Spirit Skill despite such low Soul Power?"

"This Spirit Master is quite interesting."

"He saved us. We should thank him."

Xue Qinghe was very interested in that powerful Lightning Ball Spirit Skill, and even more interested in Zhou Tao.

Having lived in the depths of the palace for so long, he was surrounded by people skilled in palace intrigues. Even the young Spirit Masters all carried themselves with the calculating maturity of old men.

It had been a long time since he had seen such an interesting, spirited young Spirit Master.

At that moment, Zhou Tao stood before the luxurious carriage.

He had rescued seven or eight young noble Spirit Masters from it.

Yet his attention was drawn to the luxurious carriage before him.

The two-horse carriage was at least five or six meters long, its exterior covered in extravagant decorations.

In front of the carriage stood six uniformly white horses, each one a snow-white steed.

Anyone able to use such a high-standard luxurious carriage had to be a rather important noble.

The next moment, two elderly men emerged from the luxurious carriage, both radiating terrifying Soul Power.

The elder on the left stood over two meters tall. His lean frame was as straight and sharp as a javelin, and he held a snake-shaped spear about four meters long.

The elder on the right was of average build, neither fat nor thin, and had no striking features, yet no one would dare underestimate him.

Between the two elders appeared a handsome young man in white. He was somewhat older than Zhou Tao, yet there was always a certain delicate air about him.

Seeing the three approaching him, Zhou Tao froze slightly. After thinking for a moment, he decided not to leave.

They appeared rather friendly and did not seem to intend to make trouble for him.

Seeing this, Zhou Tao dismissed his Martial Soul and calmly watched the three approach.

But when he sensed their Soul Power, he realized they were far stronger than he had anticipated.

Especially the two elders beside the young man in white—their Soul Power was utterly unfathomable.

Moreover, their golden armor immediately made Zhou Tao think of certain people.

In the original story, the ones who liked wearing golden armor everywhere seemed to be the two Titled Douluo, Snake Lance and Porcupinefish.

And they practically never left Xue Qinghe's side.

Zhou Tao was slightly startled. Could he really have run into Xue Qinghe by chance?

That was a little too much of a coincidence, wasn't it?

Zhou Tao could not help grumbling inwardly.

Still, now that an opportunity had presented itself, he was not someone who would let it slip away.

If Heaven gave a gift and one refused it, disaster would follow.

With an opportunity right before him, only a fool would refuse it.

At that moment, when Xue Qinghe saw Zhou Tao's youthful face, his expression became somewhat surprised.

He was so young, barely in his teens, yet he could unleash such a powerful Spirit Skill.

She could hardly believe her eyes.

This person was definitely a genius.

And she loved recruiting geniuses!

"Thank you, young hero, for saving us. I am Xue Qinghe. May I know the young hero's name?"

Xue Qinghe spoke gently, immediately giving Zhou Tao a favorable impression.

Zhou Tao was slightly startled inwardly. As expected, it was just as he had guessed. He simply did not know what the other party intended to do.

"My name is Zhou Tao."

"I was merely passing by. I saw an Evil Spirit Master committing evil deeds, and I simply stepped in to help."

Zhou Tao spoke calmly, without exposing the other party's identity.

"Young Brother Zhou, you saved my life. If you do not mind, we can become sworn brothers. You may call me Brother Xue, and you will be Little Brother Zhou."

Seeing how sincerely Xue Qinghe was trying to recruit him, how could Zhou Tao be unwilling?

After all, as long as he befriended Xue Qinghe, getting into Heaven Dou Royal Academy would no longer be a problem.

He could not have been happier.

He had originally been worrying over how to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but now the opportunity was right before him. He had to seize it firmly.

Zhou Tao immediately smiled. "Brother Xue!"

Zhou Tao's face was full of sincerity. He had long since mastered the art of acting, achieving the point where it seemed completely natural. The other party did not notice at all that Zhou Tao knew his identity.

"From today onward, we are friends."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly.

"Little Brother Zhou, which noble family of the Heaven Dou Empire do you belong to?"

"I do not think I have heard of your Martial Soul."

Only then did Xue Qinghe take the initiative to ask, hoping to resolve his doubts.

"I am not a noble. I am merely a commoner Spirit Master."

Zhou Tao answered readily.

"Then which academy do you attend, to have cultivated such an excellent Spirit Skill?"

Xue Qinghe continued asking.

"I already graduated. I previously attended Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy in Nuoding City, but later I was forced out by someone named Yu Xiaogang. So I simply came out to travel and train on my own."

"As for this Spirit Skill, I actually figured it out myself."

"After all, I have only obtained one Spirit Ring."

Zhou Tao explained calmly.

"One Spirit Ring? A Spirit Master?"

Upon hearing that, Xue Qinghe was momentarily stunned.

With only one Spirit Ring, he was a Spirit Master below level twenty, yet he possessed a Spirit Skill of such immense power.

And it was even a self-created Spirit Skill.

Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo, standing nearby, were secretly shocked as well. Zhou Tao's words had stunned them.

What terrifying talent.

With Soul Power below level twenty, he could unleash a Spirit Skill of such overwhelming power. He was absolutely a genius.

An absolute genius among commoner Spirit Masters!

It was a pity he was not in Spirit Hall.

Otherwise, he could certainly have grown into one of the Golden Generation.

"With such excellent talent, Little Brother Zhou, even the finest among Heaven Dou City's nobles would be envious."

"Yet you do not even have an academy to attend."

Xue Qinghe was delighted upon hearing this, though he also found it regrettable. Was this not the perfect opportunity to recruit him?

If such a young genius grew smoothly, he would surely be no weaker than Spirit Hall's Golden Generation in the future.

Naturally, Xue Qinghe wanted to bring him under his wing.

"Have you heard of Heaven Dou Royal Academy? The teaching resources there are quite good. Would you like to attend?"

Xue Qinghe asked directly.

"That is a noble academy. I am a commoner, so I cannot get in."

Zhou Tao scratched his head, revealing an embarrassed expression.

"Do not worry. I have some connections there. Take this badge and go directly to the academy to enroll."