Academy Exchange: Battle Against Blazing Fire and Godwind

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head to look at her hands, then raised them to touch her face.

Her previously bluish skin had returned to its normal color, and all the wounds on her body had vanished.

She even felt that her Soul Power was fuller than before she had been poisoned.

Bai Yi withdrew his hand and stood up.

"Your poison has been completely cleansed. Your external injuries have healed too. You can make it to Heaven Dou City now."

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at him, unable to find the words for a moment.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again before finally speaking.

"Bai Yi... how do you know how to do all this?"

"There are plenty of things I can do. Let's go. It'll be dark soon."

After speaking, Bai Yi extended a hand, bent down to grab Zhu Zhuqing's arm, and hauled her up from the ground in one motion.

Zhu Zhuqing had no time to react before he had pulled her into the air.

"Hold on tight."

A cloud formed beneath Bai Yi's feet, and he pulled Zhu Zhuqing into the sky.

Zhu Zhuqing instinctively grabbed the corner of Bai Yi's clothes. The wind howled past her ears, while the treetops below rapidly fell away.

She glanced down, then hurriedly looked away.

"You... can fly?"

"Mm."

"Who exactly are you?"

"A student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Zhu Zhuqing did not ask any more questions.

The wind made it impossible for her to keep her eyes open, so she simply buried her face against Bai Yi's back.

Bai Yi's clothes were not thick, and he could feel her breath against his back, but he did not turn around.

After flying for roughly the time it took to burn an incense stick, the outline of Heaven Dou City appeared on the horizon. Bai Yi landed in a forest outside the city.

He set Zhu Zhuqing down and put away the Somersault Cloud.

Once Zhu Zhuqing had steadied herself, she tidied her windblown hair.

She still wore the same black fitted outfit, but her injuries had completely healed, and her spirits had recovered as well.

"Heaven Dou City is up ahead. Once you enter the city, find an inn to stay at. There are job notices on the streets, so finding work shouldn't be a problem."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

"What about you?"

"I'm going back to the academy for class."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at him and hesitated for a while before speaking.

"Can I... come find you?"

Bai Yi thought for a moment.

"You can. Just don't come too often. I'm at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded again.

She stood in the woods and watched Bai Yi turn to leave, then called out to stop him.

"Bai Yi."

Bai Yi turned back.

"Thank you for saving me."

Bai Yi waved a hand and walked away without looking back.

Zhu Zhuqing stood where she was, watching his figure grow farther and farther away until he completely disappeared between the trees.

She looked up at the sky.

It was fully dark now. The lights of Heaven Dou City spread across the distant horizon like scattered gold.

She clenched her fists, then loosened them.

Then she lifted her feet and walked toward that brightly lit city.

It was already night by the time Bai Yi returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The moment he entered the academy gates, the teacher on duty stopped him.

"Bai Yi? Where have you been for the past two weeks? Teacher Zhi Lin has been looking for you several times."

"I went traveling."

"Huh? You have no idea—the chiefs nearly went mad when they realized you were gone. The Crown Prince was even about to order a search of the entire Heaven Dou City."

Bai Yi smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry. I'll go report to the teachers right away."

The teacher on duty gave him a look but did not ask anything further, letting him pass.

Bai Yi arrived at the office.

Zhi Lin was pacing anxiously, while Meng Shenji was seated inside as well.

When they saw Bai Yi, their eyes widened, and they hurried over to question him.

"Bai Yi, where did you go this Sunday?"

"I went to Star Dou Great Forest to find my third Soul Ring."

Bai Yi answered honestly.

Meng Shenji and Zhi Lin exchanged a glance.

Zhi Lin asked, "Why didn't you tell the teachers before going somewhere so dangerous? Do you know how dangerous Star Dou Great Forest is?"

Bai Yi said nothing.

Standing where he was, he released his Soul Power.

Three Soul Rings rose one after another from beneath his feet.

Purple, purple, and then a heavy black ring.

The office fell silent.

Meng Shenji stared at that black Soul Ring as the hand resting on the table slowly clenched.

"...A Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring?"

Bai Yi nodded.

Zhi Lin rose from his chair, walked over to Bai Yi, and crouched down to carefully inspect the black Soul Ring.

He reached out and tested the air above the ring, then withdrew his hand.

"It really is a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. And its aura is very stable. The absorption was extremely complete."

Meng Shenji leaned back in his chair and remained silent for a long time.

He looked at Bai Yi, and something Bai Yi could not understand appeared in his eyes.

"How old are you this year?"

"Ten."

Meng Shenji took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled before speaking.

"Ten years old. A Soul Elder. A Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Bai Yi, where exactly did you come from?"

"I came on my own."

Meng Shenji looked at him but did not press further. Thoughts churned through his mind.

A ten-year-old who could kill a ten-thousand-year soul beast alone—this was something even the descendants of Title Douluo might not be able to achieve.

Either he possessed an extraordinarily special ancient martial soul, or he was the core disciple of some secluded sect sent out to gain experience.

No matter which it was, Heaven Dou Royal Academy could not afford to neglect him.

He said, "From now on, report in advance whenever you go out to hunt soul beasts. You can't run off on your own like this again."

"Got it."

Meng Shenji fell silent for a while longer, then changed the subject.

"There is something I need to tell you. The Five Elemental Academies will be sending students to Heaven Dou Royal Academy for an exchange soon."

Bai Yi leaned against the back of his chair and listened.

"Godwind Academy, Blazing Fire Academy, Skywater Academy, Thunder Academy, and Elephant Armor Academy. They come every year. Officially, it's an exchange, but in reality, it's a contest to see whose students are stronger."

"In previous years, Heaven Dou Royal Academy could still win a few individual matches. But in the past two years, Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy have begun working together. Their wind-type and fire-type soul masters complement each other—wind feeds the flames, doubling their power. Our team can handle a single academy, but once wind and fire join forces, we cannot compete at all."

Meng Shenji looked at Bai Yi, his expression turning more serious.

"This year, Godwind Academy is led by Feng Xiaotian. He's twenty years old, a level thirty-seven Soul Elder, and his martial soul is the Gale Two-Headed Wolf. Blazing Fire Academy is led by Huo Wu. She's sixteen years old, a level thirty-six Soul Elder, and her martial soul is the Fire Shadow."

He paused, then continued.

"I want you to be the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team and lead them in this exchange."

Bai Yi raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Neither Yu Tianheng nor Dugu Yan can beat you. Even all the other students in the Heaven Dou Class put together would not be enough to fight you alone."

Meng Shenji said, "No matter how strong Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu are, they're only Soul Elders. You can kill a ten-thousand-year soul beast alone. Are you really afraid of two Soul Elders?"

Bai Yi thought for a moment. "Who's on the team?"

"Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and three other top students from the Heaven Dou Class. You'll lead the team. Yu Tianheng won't object—he's already been thoroughly beaten into submission by you."

Bai Yi nodded. "Fine. When?"

"Three days from now."

Bai Yi stood up from his chair. "I'll go prepare."

Three days later, Heaven Dou Royal Academy's martial arena was packed with people.

The teams from the Five Elemental Academies sat in their designated areas.

Godwind Academy wore green uniforms embroidered with patterns of wind on their chests.

Blazing Fire Academy wore gold-red uniforms, their emblem a blazing flame.

Skywater Academy wore ice-blue uniforms, and most of its members were girls.

Thunder Academy wore dark purple, while Elephant Armor Academy wore earth yellow.

Bai Yi stood at the very front of the Heaven Dou Royal Team.

Behind him stood Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and three other Heaven Dou Class students.

They wore dark blue uniforms embroidered with the emblem of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family on their chests.

Across from them, the teams from Godwind Academy and Blazing Fire Academy had already gathered together.

Feng Xiaotian stood at the front. He was tall, with short green hair and sharp eyes.

Huo Wu stood beside him. Her dark red, wavy hair cascaded to her waist, and she wore a tight gold-red team uniform that highlighted her tall figure.

Feng Xiaotian glanced at Bai Yi, then turned and said something to Huo Wu.

Huo Wu looked over as well. Her gaze rested on Bai Yi for a moment before moving away.

The first day was for individual matches, and Bai Yi did not take the field.

Yu Tianheng won one match, Dugu Yan won one, and Ye Lingling did not participate.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy finished with three wins and two losses, which was not a bad result.

The second day was for the team battle.

Meng Shenji stood at the edge of the arena, looking at the seven people already in position across from them as he asked Bai Yi, "Godwind and Blazing Fire have indeed formed a joint team. How do you plan to fight?"

Bai Yi turned to look at his teammates behind him and said, "Only Ye Lingling needs to come with me. The others don't."

Meng Shenji froze. "What did you say?"

"Two against seven is enough."

Meng Shenji opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when he saw Bai Yi's expression, he swallowed the words.

The match began.

Feng Xiaotian stood at the front of the opposing team. When he saw only two people emerge from Bai Yi's side, his brow furrowed.

Huo Wu frowned as well and turned to glance at Feng Xiaotian.

Feng Xiaotian shook his head, signaling for them to continue.

Bai Yi did not wait for the other side to attack first.

He stepped forward, and the Golden Cudgel slid out from his palm. His first Soul Ring lit up.

"Mountain Crushing Peak Suppressing!"

The Golden Cudgel smashed into the ground, and a golden shockwave exploded along the surface. The two defense-type soul masters at the front of the opposing formation were knocked several steps back, opening a gap in the middle of their lineup.

Bai Yi charged straight in. The Golden Cudgel swept out, and his second Soul Ring lit up.

Earth Fire Dragon Breath!

Orange-red flames ignited along the staff. When the flames swept across one of the opposing soul masters, his shield lasted only two seconds before shattering.

Feng Xiaotian moved.

His figure vanished from where he stood for an instant. When he reappeared, he was already at Bai Yi's side.

A green wind blade gathered in his right hand and slashed toward Bai Yi's waist.

Bai Yi shifted aside. The wind blade grazed his clothes, leaving a tear in the fabric.

He drew the Golden Cudgel back and held it across his body, blocking Feng Xiaotian's immediate second strike.

Feng Xiaotian was fast, but he lacked strength.

When the Golden Cudgel collided with the wind blade, Feng Xiaotian felt his wrist go numb from the impact.

He retreated two steps and studied the child before him again, a full head shorter than himself.

Huo Wu moved from behind.

She raised her right hand, gathering a ball of crimson flame in her palm before pushing it toward Bai Yi.

The flames swelled into a ring of fire in midair and spread outward.

Repulsive Fire Ring!

Bai Yi did not dodge.

The third Soul Ring behind him lit up.

Golden lightning exploded from his shoulder blades, gathering behind him into a pair of translucent Thunder Wings.

The instant the Thunder Wings unfurled, golden arcs of electricity spread outward and crashed into Huo Wu's Repulsive Fire Ring.

A gap was torn open in the fire ring, and it dissipated into the air.

Huo Wu's pupils contracted.

Bai Yi did not give her time to react.

He stepped forward, sweeping the Golden Cudgel through the air with crackling lightning. A crescent-shaped golden blade of energy flew from its tip.

The energy blade sliced through the middle of the opposing team, forcing two Soul Masters back at once.

Feng Xiaotian charged forward again.

This time, he was even faster. The phantom of a Two-Headed Wolf appeared behind him.

Azure wind blades slashed toward Bai Yi from two directions at once.

Bai Yi twisted aside to evade the first, then raised the Golden Cudgel vertically to block the second.

The wind blade struck the staff with a sharp clang and shattered into a spray of azure light.

Taking advantage of the opening, Bai Yi glanced at Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling stood five steps behind him, her Nine Heart Begonia already glowing.

White light enveloped Bai Yi, and the cut the wind blade had left on him healed at a visible rate.

Feng Xiaotian noticed Ye Lingling as well.

He looked at Huo Wu, and she nodded.

Feng Xiaotian held Bai Yi off from the front while Huo Wu raised her hand and sent a stream of flames toward Ye Lingling.

Before the flames could reach Ye Lingling, a golden energy blade cut them apart.

At some point, Bai Yi had already changed positions. He stood in front of Ye Lingling, the Golden Cudgel held horizontally before him.

"Don't touch her."

Feng Xiaotian said nothing more.

He took a deep breath. The phantom of the Two-Headed Wolf became even more solid, and his speed surged again.

His figure drew several azure afterimages across the arena as he attacked Bai Yi from three directions at once.

Bai Yi remained where he was.

His Thunder Wings spread open again, golden arcs of electricity radiating in every direction.

The electrical arcs swept across Feng Xiaotian's three afterimages. Two vanished, while the remaining one collided with Bai Yi's Golden Cudgel.

The instant the staff met the wind blade, Bai Yi flicked his wrist and pressed the Golden Cudgel downward.

Feng Xiaotian's center of gravity was thrown off, and he staggered half a step to the side.

Bai Yi did not pursue him.

He turned and flung a golden energy blade from the Golden Cudgel toward Huo Wu.

Huo Wu had just raised her hand to unleash her next Soul Skill when the energy blade reached her.

Forced to interrupt her charge, she dodged to the side. The wind kicked up by the blade lifted her dark red hair before it fell back down.

After steadying herself, Huo Wu looked at Bai Yi.

Her gaze was more complicated than before. She turned to Feng Xiaotian and said something.

Feng Xiaotian retreated to her side. The two stood shoulder to shoulder, no longer rushing to attack.

The spectators at the edge of the arena fell silent for several seconds before someone shouted:

"Who is that kid?"

"Since when did Heaven Dou Royal Academy have someone like him?"

"He can actually take on Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu by himself? That's insane, isn't it?"

Meng Shenji stood by the arena, the worry in his heart gradually settling.

Yu Tianheng stood at the edge of the arena, staring at Bai Yi's back without moving.

Dugu Yan stood beside him, her expression complicated.