That afternoon, seven people stood in a neat row on the plaza.
They had absorbed every last bit of the medicinal pills from the morning. Each of them was full of energy, their eyes brighter than before.
Ye Qiong stood on the steps and looked them over. He nodded.
"Good. You're all looking lively."
Phainon was the first to ask a question.
"Teacher, you said you had a training plan to assign this afternoon. What is it?"
Ye Qiong clasped his hands behind his back.
"Starting today, you'll cultivate during the day and Soul Fight at the Soul Fighting Arena at night."
At his words, Wang Sheng and the others exchanged glances, their expressions varying.
Ye Qiong continued,
"Daytime cultivation will be tracked by attendance. You must train for at least three shichen every day."
Wang Sheng and the others stared at him in surprise, exchanging looks. Finally, Huang Yuan managed to say,
"Teacher, three shichen... isn't that a little short?"
Ye Qiong's mouth twitched.
Three shichen meant six hours of training.
This wasn't a job. In his previous life, it would be like taking six hours of physical education.
Wang Sheng nodded.
"When we were at Notting Academy, we cultivated for more than three shichen every day."
Ye Qiong fell silent for a moment, then sighed.
"All right, then. Four shichen."
This time, nobody objected.
"Teacher, how exactly will the training work? Will we all cultivate together?"
Ye Qiong shook his head.
"Teacher Tribbie will prepare a suitable training plan for each of you. You'll cultivate on your own according to the plan. If you have questions or need help, go to Teacher Tribbie."
He paused and glanced over the group.
"Does anyone have any objections to my arrangements?"
They all shook their heads in unison.
Objections? Teacher Tribbie was a Level 99 Limit Douluo. If she were outside, people would be falling over themselves to become her disciples.
But then Bai Chenxiang suddenly spoke up.
"Dean, what about you? What will you be teaching us?"
The last time they had been in the Star Dou Great Forest, a casual pointer from Ye Qiong had made everything click for her. She still remembered it.
Ye Qiong glanced at her.
"Me? Of course I'll be taking you Soul Fighting."
As he spoke, he stepped forward twice, his tone turning serious.
"If a Soul Master does nothing but cultivate, they're just building a carriage behind closed doors."
"The cultivation they gain that way is like a castle in the air, crumbling at the slightest touch."
"Only battle can solidify your foundations and build a sturdy base. So, I want each of you to earn a Gold Soul Fighting Badge before the Soul Master Tournament begins."
Gold Soul Fighting!
The moment those three words left his mouth, the atmosphere on the plaza changed.
Wang Sheng and the others gaped in astonishment.
"T-Teacher, a Gold Soul Fighting Badge? Won't that be too difficult..."
"Exactly! There's not even two years left..."
Keleradra, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.
"Enough prattling."
The unexpected words left everyone stunned. They all turned to look at her.
Keleradra raised her head and swept her gaze over Wang Sheng and the others, her tone filled with undisguised scorn.
"The strong never fear challenges. You're afraid over a mere Gold Soul Fighting Badge? With such poor resolve, how can you ever become truly strong?"
The plaza fell silent.
Wang Sheng and the others lowered their heads, each sinking into thought.
They really had been afraid.
Watching them, Ye Qiong's lips curled into a faint smile.
Caesar's words had been like a basin of cold water, dousing everyone awake.
After a moment, Ye Qiong spoke at just the right time.
"The Gold Soul Fighting Badge is simply the requirement I've set for everyone."
"But Phainon and Her Highness Caesar, your talents are greater. I want you to go a step further and earn Violet Gold Soul Fighting Badges. Can you do it?"
Violet Gold!
Everyone drew in a sharp breath.
That was a whole rank higher than Gold Soul Fighting, and even more difficult to achieve.
Phainon hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly, looking at Ye Qiong with a resolute gaze.
"Teacher, this may be a bit of a challenge for me, but I believe I can do it."
Ye Qiong nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Keleradra.
Her expression was indifferent, utterly calm.
"A mere Violet Gold badge will be easy."
"Excellent!"
Ye Qiong laughed, his gaze returning to Wang Sheng and the others.
"Do you see? This is the resolve one needs to become strong."
"Her Highness Caesar was absolutely right just now. The truly strong never fear challenges."
"The Gold Soul Fighting Badge is only the first challenge on your path to strength. The challenges you face in the future will be hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of times harder!"
"Only by keeping an unwavering heart devoted to strength can you go further. Do you understand now?"
"Understood!"
At his words, Wang Sheng and the others raised their heads and shouted in unison.
"Good. Don't worry. Teacher Tribbie and I will do everything we can to help you. As long as you have the will to grow stronger. But before that..."
Ye Qiong paused, his gaze settling on Wang Sheng.
"Wang Sheng!"
"Here!"
"You, along with Jiang Zhu, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Bai Chenxiang, have all reached Level 30. I'm giving you one week to obtain Soul Rings. Teacher Tribbie will take you to the Star Dou Great Forest. You'll hunt Soul Beasts the same way as last time. Understood?"
"Understood!"
The five of them shouted together.
Ye Qiong turned to Tribbie.
"Teacher Tribbie, sorry for the trouble. Please take them there. I'll take over the daily lessons for Phainon and Her Highness Caesar for the time being."
"All right."
Tribbie nodded and raised her right hand.
A golden triangular doorway slowly opened in the middle of the plaza.
"Let's go."
After they left,
only Ye Qiong, Phainon, and Keleradra remained on the plaza.
Phainon turned to Ye Qiong.
"Teacher, what do we do next? Start training right away?"
Ye Qiong waved a hand.
"No need. We'll start tonight. We have some time now, so I'll take you to recruit a new student first. They're in Suotuo City."
Phainon was taken aback.
"Another new student? Who? Are they strong?"
Ye Qiong smiled.
"Let's put it this way: they're not much of a fighter, but up here..."
As he spoke, Ye Qiong pointed to his head.
"They're unbelievably sharp. You'll understand once you've met them."
Phainon scratched his head.
He glanced at Keleradra beside him.
Keleradra stood motionless, her face expressionless, as though she hadn't heard a thing.
But Phainon noticed her gaze flicker slightly.
He couldn't guess what she was thinking.
He only knew that anyone who could pique Keleradra's interest probably wasn't ordinary.
"Let's go."
Ye Qiong turned and headed for the academy gates.
The streets of Suotuo City were as lively as ever.
Ye Qiong led the two of them through a couple of alleyways,
then turned into a craftsman's shop.
A green-haired boy sat inside, a black mask covering his eyes.
At that moment, he was holding a small carving knife, carefully shaping the piece of wood in his hands.
He was so focused that he hadn't noticed the movement at the entrance,
not until Ye Qiong and the others stopped in front of him.
Only then did he look up at the visitors.
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