Black Tortoise Turtle Spirit, Shi Mo and Shi Mo Brothers!

After the tests from the three instructors ended, Qin Qi spent several days settling himself before preparing to set out to obtain his second soul ring.

However, before leaving, Qin Ming introduced Qin Qi to two students who had also reached level twenty.

"This is Shi Mo, and this is Shi Mo. Both of their soul power levels have reached twenty."

"The two of them will be joining us on this soul beast hunt."

Qin Qi stood beside two burly men with towering builds and rippling muscles as he introduced them.

"How old are these two?"

Qin Qi looked up at the two hulking boys. He estimated that they had to be at least 1.8 meters tall.

"About eleven or twelve, only a few years older than you."

Qin Ming looked at the Shi Mo brothers standing on either side of him and quietly took several steps back.

After all, standing between them with his build made him look like a little chick.

"..."

"Kids really do develop well these days."

Qin Qi fell silent for a long while before speaking.

He had thought he was already quite well-developed, but there was always someone stronger out there.

"I'm Shi Mo."

"I'm Shi Mo."

"Brother Qin Qi, please take care of us from here on out."

The two brothers were very enthusiastic. They stepped forward, directly hooked their arms around Qin Qi's neck, and spoke with smiles.

"Sure, but could you two put me down first?"

Qin Qi was being held up by the two of them, his feet dangling in the air. He spoke expressionlessly in an even tone.

Watching this scene, Qin Ming silently turned his head to look elsewhere, trying hard not to laugh.

After the two sides got to know each other a little, Qin Ming led them to the arena at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

"To prepare for the upcoming soul beast hunt, the three of you should have a soul battle first and get a sense of each other's abilities."

"That way, you'll be able to coordinate better when hunting soul beasts later."

Qin Ming adjusted his glasses and spoke.

"Eh, Teacher Qin Ming, aren't you going to help us hunt soul beasts?"

Shi Mo scratched his head. He had always thought Qin Ming would help them hunt soul beasts.

"I'll step in at critical moments, but I'll only be providing support. The main fighting will be up to you."

"This is a rare opportunity for real combat. You can't miss it."

Qin Ming had the ability to help Qin Qi and the others obtain their soul rings with ease, but he believed that the process of hunting soul rings was also part of growing up.

It was a crucial part of practical combat instruction, so he still encouraged his students to fight for themselves, only intervening when necessary.

"Mm, understood, Teacher Qin Ming."

Shi Mo was the first to step onto the arena. He summoned his martial soul—a green turtle shell.

"I'm Shi Mo, a level-twenty Grand Soul Master. My martial soul is the Nether Turtle."

"Little brother, let me tell you in advance: don't be fooled by the fact that my martial soul is a turtle. My attack power isn't weak at all."

A bold smile appeared on Shi Mo's face as he took the initiative to introduce his martial soul to Qin Qi.

"I'm Qin Qi, a level-twenty Grand Soul Master. My martial soul is a little green bug."

"Big Rock, let me tell you in advance too—I'm really strong."

Qin Qi stepped onto the arena. The Strength-Eating Immortal Gu perched on his shoulder, trying hard to suck in its little belly and strike a mighty pose.

But it could not hold it for long, and its little belly drooped again.

"Really strong? Hahaha! Little brother, it's not that I'm looking down on you, but when it comes to strength, I've never lost since I was little."

Shi Mo looked at Qin Qi's small stature and could not help laughing loudly. Then he stretched out an arm thicker than Qin Qi's thigh.

With the slightest flex, his muscles bulged, their contours as distinct as solid rock.

"Alright, stop chatting. Once you're ready, the battle will begin."

Qin Ming spoke from below the arena.

"Ready."

"Me too."

Qin Qi and Shi Mo spoke at the same time.

"Then let the battle begin!" Qin Ming declared.

"Killer Move: A Parting of a Thousand Miles!"

Qin Qi moved the instant Qin Ming spoke, soul power coiling around his fist as he charged forward and threw a full-force punch.

"Good! Let's see me block this!"

Watching Qin Qi rush right up to him, Shi Mo was somewhat surprised by his speed.

But he still confidently raised his shield before himself, preparing to block Qin Qi's attack.

"Bang!"

The moment Qin Qi threw his punch, the air exploded with a sharp blast. The wind from his fist made Shi Mo's cheeks ripple wildly.

"Hmm?!"

Shi Mo's eyes widened in that instant. What had he just heard? Did that damn punch create a sonic boom?!

Before Shi Mo could sort out his thoughts, that immense brute force sent him flying!

He slammed into the wall, leaving behind the third human-shaped imprint.

"What killer move, A Parting of a Thousand Miles? You just sent someone flying because you're freakishly strong!"

"I was wondering why there were two human-shaped imprints here. Turns out you made them too, little bro!"

Seeing his older brother embedded in the wall, Shi Mo could not help opening his mouth wide.

Was that just being strong? That strength was way too outrageous!

"If I say it's a killer move, then it's a killer move. Besides, what normal person actually shouts out their soul skill?"

"It was just a slogan."

Qin Qi smiled as he spoke. He had thought of this long ago—calling out the name of a move was not only cool.

It could also mislead the opponent, making them think he was really about to use a soul skill.

Then, while they let their guard down, he could send them flying with a single punch.

"Every battle in life is like a game of chess. Each side has sixteen pieces and sixty-four squares."

"Before you truly exchange blows, you have no way of knowing whether your opponent is a master or a novice."

"Therefore, no matter what kind of enemy you face—even one whose soul power is weaker than yours or whose body is smaller than yours—"

"You must remain fully vigilant. One wrong move, and you will fall into an abyss beyond measure!"

Qin Ming looked at Shi Mo, who had been sent flying, then walked over and spoke sternly.

"Teacher Qin Ming, I understand. I'll never underestimate anyone again."

Shi Mo climbed out of the wall. He was injured, but not seriously. Looking at Qin Ming, his face showed some shame.

"And Boss Qin Qi, you really are ridiculously strong. How do you train? Take us to work out with you sometime."

Shi Mo looked up at Qin Qi, a trace of admiration in his eyes. In his view, a real man had to be strong enough!

"You're already muscular enough, but your strength isn't solid enough."

"From now on, you need to build yourselves up properly and make your strength more solid."

Qin Qi walked over to Shi Mo's side and spoke with great seriousness.

Among people their age, the Shi Mo brothers were already exceptionally muscular. But unfortunately, despite all that hard-forged muscle, their strength was utterly hollow.

How could it compare to the Strength-Eating Immortal Gu constantly eating beef three meals a day? The strength accumulated through the Strength-Eating Immortal Gu was unshakable!

"But you really can take a beating. Old Yu nearly had his bones broken by one punch from me, yet aside from looking a little miserable, you're practically fine."

Qin Qi sighed in admiration. As expected of a top-tier defensive martial soul capable of rivaling the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—it really could take a beating.

"Hehehe."

Hearing Qin Qi's praise, Shi Mo scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed.

Over the following period, Qin Qi sparred with Shi Mo again. In the end, he still broke through everything with sheer strength.

Once they were finished, they had come to understand one another better. Qin Ming officially led them toward the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt soul beasts.