Jin Shan's Reminder, Xie Chong's Story

Jin Shan set down his teacup and looked at Huo Lei. "I only just arrived. After asking around, I learned that you were staying here. It's more convenient to talk in a secluded place. I came this time to remind you: in this tournament, don't use your Thunder Wings unless absolutely necessary. Everyone knows the value of Soul Bones. Every single one is precious, and an External Soul Bone is an even rarer treasure. Once it is exposed, it will inevitably attract envy and bring unnecessary trouble."

Huo Lei's eyes brimmed with gratitude as he smiled. "Thank you for the reminder, Teacher. Rest assured, unless there is no other choice, I will not use it."

Jin Shan nodded approvingly. "Good."

"So that boy was called Tang San. To cultivate Blue Silver Grass so quickly, he must have consumed precious herbs. I saw him when I intercepted Dugu Bo back then, and he already had an External Soul Bone at the time. At such a young age, he had reached the Soul Ancestor rank, and his fourth Soul Ring was even a ten-thousand-year one. It's truly unbelievable. That boy has talent, connections, and hidden cards. He also had precious herbs on him back then. If you had not obtained his herbs, he would surely have become a figure renowned across the continent in years to come." Jin Shan smiled, his tone revealing his admiration for Tang San.

"Teacher, you are right. If he were allowed to grow smoothly, his eventual achievements would indeed be immeasurable. But he will not be allowed to grow." A sharp glint flickered in the depths of Huo Lei's golden eyes, and cruelty seeped into his words.

"Hahaha! We'll talk about the future when it comes. In the coming matches, you will surely encounter Shrek Academy. When that happens, it will definitely be a splendid showdown. I'm looking forward to that day." Jin Shan chuckled cheerfully and lifted his teacup for a sip.

"Teacher, after taking the herbs and making your breakthrough, hadn't you already reached the peak of Rank 95? Half a year has passed. When will you break through to Rank 96? And how is that External Right Palm Bone coming along?" Huo Lei gave Jin Shan a peculiar look, then picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup, and began drinking.

"Soon! Soon! Brat, why do you have so many questions? Let's go! I've drunk a bellyful of water. Time for a walk. Remember my advice." Seemingly unwilling to discuss these matters, Jin Shan hurriedly rose to his feet and headed for the hotel entrance.

Watching Jin Shan's reaction, Huo Lei revealed a faint smile, then rose and walked upstairs.

The next morning.

The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament officially began.

Ten teams entered the arena. The enormous plaza was already different from the first day. Aside from the central competition stage used yesterday, which remained unchanged, four more stages of identical size had been erected nearby. Though all five stages were vast, they did not seem crowded within the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena, which could hold eighty thousand spectators at once.

Other than Huo Lei, all seven members of the Blazing Fire Academy Team were present.

The Preliminary Round began. Blazing Fire Academy faced Northern Star Academy.

After the two teams bowed to one another, they unleashed their respective martial souls.

Northern Star Academy's team also consisted of six men and one woman. Their number and configuration of Soul Rings were the same as Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team's yesterday: all were three-ring Soul Elders.

There was no suspense in the battle. Huo Wu, Huo Chui, and Huo Jun did not even make a move. Huo Wushuang, Huo Lie, Huo Yun, and Huo Yu alone beat Northern Star Academy's seven members into a complete rout. The battle ended in just one minute.

"Blazing Fire Academy wins!" the announcer declared loudly.

Thunderous cheers and applause erupted from the stands.

Xie Chong and Huo Lei stood side by side in the spectator stands, cheering and applauding.

Skywater Academy also had a match today, and it drew plenty of male attention because all seven members of the team were beautiful women.

After watching his own team's match, Huo Lei turned his gaze toward Skywater Academy's stage.

Skywater Academy's opponent was not particularly strong. Before Huo Lei had even figured out who was who among the seven beauties, they had already won.

"What academy is that weak? They lost to Skywater Academy so quickly." Huo Lei grumbled.

Xie Chong replied with a smile, "That was Xilan Academy. Their strength is average. Naturally, they cannot compare with the Five Elemental Academies."

"Huo Lei, the girls from Skywater Academy are all very pretty. You can pay attention to them. I think their captain, Shui Bing'er, is quite good. She's young, talented, and beautiful. You can get acquainted during this Soul Master Tournament and interact more in the future." Xie Chong wore a meaningful smile, and when he reached the important part, he even raised his brows.

Huo Lei chuckled. "Thank you for your concern." Then, curiously, he asked, "Teacher Xie Chong, you are handsome and exceptionally capable. Why have you not found a partner? Have you simply not met the right person?"

"Well... it's a long story. When I was twenty, I did meet a female Soul Master I liked, and she treated me very well too. Back when we were in the Star Dou Great Forest to help her obtain her fourth Soul Ring, an accident happened, and then..." Xie Chong did not continue. His eyes had grown moist instead.

"I'm sorry, Teacher Xie Chong. I made you remember something painful." Huo Lei quickly apologized.

"It's all right. After that, I joined Blazing Fire Academy and became a teacher. Other than teaching and cultivating, I never looked for anyone else." Xie Chong smiled as he wiped the corner of his eye.

Huo Lei sighed and tried to console him. "I never expected you to have gone through something like that. So many years have passed. You are still in the prime of your life. You cannot remain alone forever, can you? If you meet someone suitable, you should give it a try."

"Mm! If someone suitable comes along, I'll consider it." Xie Chong nodded.

Xie Chong suddenly gave Huo Lei a light punch. "You brat, I was supposed to be advising you. How did it become you comforting me?"

Huo Lei chuckled. "We're encouraging each other."

A moment later, Huo Lei asked with some confusion, "Teacher Xie Chong, why haven't I seen Shrek Academy compete today?"

Xie Chong smiled. "Shrek Academy already competed on the first day. They have no match on the second day; their match will be on the third day."

"Oh! So that's how it is." Huo Lei nodded in understanding.

The competition reached its third day.

Blazing Fire Academy had no match today. Xie Chong and the other eight members of the team arrived at the stands early to wait and watch the matches.

Shrek Academy faced Elephant Armored Academy, one of the Five Elemental Academies.

Because of Shrek Academy's outstanding performance in their first match, coupled with the fact that their opponent was Elephant Armored Academy, a heavily favored contender for the championship, their match was arranged on the central main stage. Most of the audience's attention was focused on them as well.

Standing in the spectator stands, Huo Lei swept his eyes across the VIP platform and found that the guests watching the match were almost no different from the previous two days. The empire's high-ranking officials were all there, except the two people originally beside Xue Ye had become four today.

Besides Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Salas, the Platinum Bishop, one of the two newcomers was Gu Rong, who often accompanied Ning Fengzhi.

When Huo Lei's gaze settled on the other person, he could not help but marvel inwardly. Damn! He's so burly! Sitting there, he looks like a mountain of flesh—taller than most people even when they're standing. He has to be at least two and a half meters tall, and he alone takes up the space of three people. His skin is dark, and his huge eyes are like bronze bells. A peculiar gleam surfaced over his dark skin. Even sitting there, he gave off an oppressive feeling. His beard and hair are both white, and he looks over seventy. Elephant Armored Academy is competing today, so this man must be Huyan Zhen, Sect Master of the Elephant Armor Sect—the ruthless man from the original story who dared to block a divine weapon with his head.