Qin Ming, Kicking Lin Ming Off the Team?

Just as the tension in the air grew taut, a set of footsteps sounded from the distance.

A young man in fitted black clothes strode over. He looked about twenty-five or twenty-six, tall and straight-backed, with handsome features, neatly cropped short hair, and a calm, capable air between his brows.

His steps were steady and powerful, each one carrying a peculiar rhythm, as though he were ready to unleash force at any moment.

Qin Ming.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy's youngest Soul Emperor, six rings and level sixty-four, with the Blazing Fire Dire Wolf as his martial soul.

A graduate of Shrek Academy and one of its most outstanding alumni, he had declined recruitment offers from every major power after graduation and chosen to teach at Heaven Dou Royal Academy instead. In just two years, he had trained a group of exceptional students.

The moment he arrived, the previously noisy square fell silent. Even someone as proud and unruly as Yu Tianheng restrained the coldness on his face and bowed his head respectfully. "Teacher Qin."

The others also hurriedly saluted him, their attitudes extremely respectful. It was clear that they sincerely admired this young teacher.

After all, there were not many on the entire continent who could cultivate to the Soul Emperor realm at such an age.

Lin Ming studied Qin Ming and nodded to himself. In the original story, Qin Ming was a loyal and righteous man. He held deep feelings for Shrek Academy and was a fairly upright person.

Lin Ming had originally thought well of this genius teacher, feeling that he was at least better than those old pedants who only knew how to throw their weight around. But what happened next instantly changed his mind.

"Is everyone here?" Qin Ming swept his gaze over the group before it finally landed on Lin Ming. A trace of curiosity flashed through his eyes. "You're Lin Ming? The 'Little Spear God' who's been making quite a name for himself around the academy lately? You look rather young."

Lin Ming nodded. "Hello, Teacher Qin. I'm Lin Ming."

Just as Qin Ming was about to say something else, the short, stout Shi Mo beside Yu Tianheng jumped out first, his face full of righteous indignation. "Teacher Qin, I have something to say!"

Qin Ming frowned slightly and looked at Shi Mo. "What is it?"

Shi Mo pointed at Lin Ming's nose, his voice so loud that it seemed he was afraid someone might not hear him.

"Teacher Qin, this Lin Ming was late for today's assembly! Everyone else had already arrived, and he was the only one dragging his feet. Fine, we could let that slide.

"But after he got here, he put on airs and didn't treat us seniors with any respect at all! We greeted him, and he barely acknowledged us. We're his seniors, after all. He's just a freshman who recently entered the academy—what gives him the right to be so arrogant?"

Shi Mo also chimed in, "Exactly! Teacher Qin, you have no idea. He's always been overbearing in the academy, relying on that little bit of strength he has to cause trouble everywhere. He doesn't respect the academy rules at all.

"The last time Brother Yu sparred with him, Brother Yu was holding back. Yet after winning, he went around boasting about it and even gave himself the title 'Little Spear God.' He simply doesn't know his place!"

Osler and Yu Feng nodded repeatedly as well, adding their own comments one after another as though it were all true.

"Exactly. How are we supposed to work together if someone like him stays on the team?"

"He can't even follow basic team discipline. Won't he just drag us down once we enter the Soul Arena?"

Lin Ming stood to the side with his arms folded, the smile on his face growing colder and colder. Yet he did not interrupt them, allowing them to continue.

Ning Rongrong could not bear it any longer. Her face flushed red as she was about to step forward and argue, but Lin Ming stopped her with a hand. He shook his head slightly, signaling her not to rush.

Yu Tianheng finally spoke then. His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it carried a steady pressure.

"Teacher Qin, I'm not targeting Lin Ming personally. But this team of ours is meant to represent the academy in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament. We've all been partners for years, and our coordination wasn't built in a day or two.

"Now, we're suddenly adding a newcomer—someone so... individualistic. I'm afraid that once we enter the Soul Arena, poor coordination will cost us the match, and it'll be Heaven Dou Royal Academy's reputation that suffers. So I suggest, Teacher Qin, that we kick him off the team."