Qin Ming Recognized Ning Rongrong and Took the Initiative to Recruit Her

On the second floor of the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena, inside the Imperial Fighting Team's lounge.

The two Shi Mo brothers, drenched in sweat, pushed open the door. Behind them came Yu Feng and Osler, rubbing their wrists.

"That guy we ran into today was really tough. It took a hell of an effort just to throw him off the stage."

Osler flopped carelessly onto the leather sofa, grabbed an apple from the table, and took a huge bite.

Dugu Yan stood by the window with her arms crossed and snorted without turning around.

"What's wrong with Sister Yan? Why is she so fired up?" Yu Feng sidled up to Ye Lingling and asked in a low voice.

Ye Lingling lifted her white porcelain cup, her clear voice utterly calm.

"Yan lost just now."

"Ah!"

Apple bits sprayed all over the floor as Osler sprang up from the sofa.

"She lost? A level thirty-six Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul actually lost in a one-on-one against someone her level?"

The Shi Mo brothers were stunned as well, confusion written across their honest, broad faces.

They knew better than anyone how tyrannical Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorous Venom was. They trained together every day.

An ordinary Soul Elder would lose a layer of skin from just a touch. How could she possibly lose in a solo match?

"What level was the other Soul Elder? Was he a direct descendant of some sect?" Yu Tianheng asked gravely.

"Level thirty-five." Dugu Yan turned around, her expression unpleasant. "His Martial Soul was strange. It wasn't a wind-type soul beast—it was wind itself."

Yu Feng rubbed his light brown hair, his face full of disbelief.

"Wind itself? A pure elemental Martial Soul?"

"Yes."

Dugu Yan pulled out a chair and sat down.

"That guy's control over airflow was incredibly bizarre. Not only could he use a wind curtain to block my poison gas, he could also pull away the air around someone out of nowhere and interrupt the circulation of their Soul Power."

Yu Feng drew in a sharp breath.

As a Wind Chime Bird Soul Master, he relied entirely on his wing Martial Soul to control wind for high-speed charges. He had never even heard of a method that directly manipulated the form of air itself.

"No wonder he could counter Sister Yan's poison." Yu Feng clicked his tongue repeatedly. "Pure wind element... that battlefield control is just ridiculous."

Yu Tianheng clenched his fists, faint blue arcs of electricity flickering across his arms.

"Yan, if we draw him next time, I'll avenge you. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon won't be suppressed by tricks like that."

Dugu Yan snorted.

"I don't need you standing up for me. Next time I run into him, I'll win it back myself."

Qin Ming, who had been seated in the main chair all along, set down the match schedule in his hand and smiled warmly.

"Enough. You don't need to argue."

"That young man known as 'Wind God' will most likely not be your opponent in the future, but your teammate."

The room fell silent, and all seven pairs of eyes turned toward Qin Ming.

"Teacher Qin, what do you mean by that?" Yu Tianheng was somewhat baffled.

Qin Ming rose to his feet and walked over to the tea table, pouring himself a cup of warm water.

"I watched his performance in both the two-on-two and solo matches."

"More importantly, the young lady who partnered with him in the two-on-two is no ordinary person."

"If I'm not mistaken, she is Ning Rongrong, the only daughter of Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Ning Rongrong?"

The apple slipped from Osler's hand and fell to the floor.

"The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? The inheritor of the number one support Martial Soul on the continent?"

Qin Ming nodded and began to analyze the matter methodically.

"Ning Rongrong has not joined any advanced Soul Master Academy, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has never established an academy of its own."

"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament will be held in two years. Given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's status, Ning Rongrong cannot possibly miss such a grand event."

"Furthermore, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi is the teacher of His Highness Xue Qinghe, the current crown prince. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has extremely close ties with the royal family."

"By every consideration, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is Ning Rongrong's only choice."

At this point, Qin Ming paused, his tone certain.

"As for that Wind God, since he is inseparable from Ning Rongrong and even works with her so seamlessly in battle, he must be a core genius the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is sparing no effort to nurture."

"As long as Ning Rongrong comes to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Wind God will certainly join the Imperial Fighting Team with her."

After hearing this reasoning, the members in the lounge all understood.

Shi Mo scratched the back of his head and chuckled.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda! If our team gains the continent's number one support, a support-type Soul Master like that would greatly increase our strength!"

Yu Feng spoke excitedly as well.

"With a pure wind-element Soul Master joining us, our frontal pushes and flank assaults will be completely maxed out!"

Although this could mean someone on the team would become a rotating substitute, the overall improvement in the team's strength was what truly mattered before the temptation of a top-tier support Martial Soul.

Dugu Yan gave a soft snort. Though she said nothing, the frustration of losing her soul battle finally eased somewhat.

"I've already had someone deliver an invitation asking them to come."

Qin Ming adjusted his collar. "By my estimate, they should be arriving on the second floor soon."

In the second-floor corridor.

Ning Rongrong, wearing delicate little leather boots, kept her arm tightly linked through Gu Feng's all the way there.

More than half her soft body was pressed against his side. As she walked, the sweet floral scent of the girl's body kept drifting into Gu Feng's nose.

Gu Feng lowered his gaze at the fair little hand looped around his arm.

"Rongrong, now that we're on someone else's turf, can you restrain yourself a little?"

"No!"

Not only did Ning Rongrong refuse to let go, she hugged him even tighter, practically hanging off his arm as she tilted up her little face and grumbled.

"That green-haired woman is definitely in there. I'm helping you keep away bad romantic prospects!"

"So certain people won't lose their souls the moment they see a well-built older sister."

Amused, Gu Feng raised a hand and lightly flicked her smooth forehead.

"What are you thinking about all day?"

Ning Rongrong covered her forehead and sniffed aggrievedly, her little lips pouting high.

"It's true! Anyway, you're one of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's people now, which means you're my person. No one can take you away."

As she spoke, she deliberately pressed herself closer. Even through their thin clothing, she could feel the firm outline of Gu Feng's arm muscles.

Ning Rongrong's heart raced, and the tips of her ears grew slightly warm, but she forced herself to maintain an adorably overbearing air.

The two arrived at an elegant tea room at the end of the second floor.

The attendant waiting outside gently knocked on the door.

"Mr. Qin Ming, the guests have arrived."

"Please come in." A warm, steady voice sounded from within.

The attendant pushed open the carved redwood doors and stepped aside.

Gu Feng entered with Ning Rongrong.

Inside the spacious tea room, all seven main members of the Imperial Fighting Team were present, seated around a round table.

Qin Ming, at their head, stood up with a smile.

When the Imperial Fighting Team members clearly saw the two people who entered, the atmosphere in the room subtly froze for an instant.

Gu Feng wore a simple black martial outfit. He stood tall, with a clean and steady temperament.

Ning Rongrong, who clung to his arm, wore a light blue short dress. Her long hair was tied into a ponytail, her features were exquisite, and she exuded nobility.

Their intimacy was completely undisguised. Anyone with eyes could tell that their relationship was far from ordinary.

Dugu Yan sat in her chair with her arms crossed, her chin raised slightly.

Yu Feng and Osler exchanged a glance, their faces full of gossipy smiles.

Qin Ming took two steps forward and clasped his hands in greeting.

"You two must be the 'Glazed Wind' duo that has become famous throughout the Great Soul Arena."

"I am Qin Ming, a teacher of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Please forgive my presumptuous invitation."