A Challenge

After Qin Ming left, no one else did. They were still thinking about his theory of Martial Soul Origin.

Qin Ming had not said anything particularly profound. He had merely proposed an idea, yet that idea had opened the door to an entirely new school of thought.

Yes, Qin Ming had built a theory from common observations. Knowing a few facts was one thing, but seeing them organized into a coherent framework felt like watching the clouds part to reveal the moon. It gave them new ideas about choosing Soul Rings.

Most of them were noble soul masters. Their families had established which Soul Beasts were best for their first few Soul Rings. But were those choices truly the best?

If a fire-attribute soul master found a Soul Beast with the Holy Light attribute, could they gain that attribute too?

Even Ye Lingling, whose only soul skill was complete healing no matter which Soul Ring she absorbed, chose plant-type Soul Beasts.

Most importantly, this theory would benefit commoner soul masters the most. Many had never studied Soul Beasts and simply hunted ones of a suitable age. That was also why so many soul masters exploded and died while absorbing Soul Rings.

Jiang Baiyu touched his chest. A Soul Ring whose attributes matched its bearer might even be absorbable beyond the usual level limit. He was an example. The Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone had helped, but the main reasons were the match with the Soul Beast's own origin and its willing sacrifice.

Before long, a soul master stood and hurried away. He had decided to discuss the theory's feasibility with his family.

Seeing him leave, the others gradually rose as well. Some headed for the Mimicry Training Grounds to cultivate, while others planned to report back to their families.

When Jiang Baiyu saw the Imperial Fighting Team preparing to leave, he stood and called out, "Please wait."

"What is it?" Yu Tianheng asked.

"I'm looking for her." Jiang Baiyu looked at Dugu Yan.

"What do you need, little brother?" Dugu Yan asked with a smile. She linked her arm through Yu Tianheng's. "I already have a boyfriend, you know."

Seeing Jiang Baiyu's serious expression, Dugu Yan dropped her teasing manner and pointed aside. "Let's talk over there."

Once they had walked over, Dugu Yan asked, "So, what is it?"

"Dugu Yan, do you think the idea Teacher Qin Ming raised in class could work?" Jiang Baiyu asked.

Just as I thought. No wonder this kid started by asking about snake-type soul masters, Dugu Yan thought.

After a moment's reflection, she said, "Yes. My grandfather once absorbed a Sub-Dragon Soul Ring, and the scales of his martial soul grew thicker. He thought it was because his Soul Power had advanced, but now it seems the Soul Ring's aura may have played a part."

Everyone at Heaven Dou Royal Academy knew her grandfather was Jade Phosphorous Douluo. There was no need to hide it.

Jiang Baiyu nodded. "Then how much do you know about your family's poison? Perhaps you could keep absorbing Dragon Soul Rings to strengthen your body and contain the toxins. But what about your grandfather?"

Dugu Yan's expression changed sharply. She seized Jiang Baiyu's wrist, her eyes involuntarily turning into Vertical Pupils as her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison readied itself. "Who are you, and what do you know?" she demanded.

When Jiang Baiyu first approached her, she had vaguely suspected he wanted to meet her grandfather. She would have been happy to introduce a talent like him. But mentioning the poisoning was another matter. It was her family's deepest secret. No outsider could possibly know.

"Yanzi." Seeing Dugu Yan grab Jiang Baiyu, Yu Tianheng and the others came over. At some point, Zhu Zhuqing had taken her place behind Jiang Baiyu too.

Realizing she had lost her composure, Dugu Yan quickly let go. "It's nothing. I got too worked up."

She turned back to Jiang Baiyu. "Sorry. I got carried away. I'll remove the poison..." She was about to offer to detoxify him, but his fair-skinned wrist showed no trace of poisoning.

"What..." Dugu Yan was stunned. Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison was unrivaled across the continent. Even Yu Tianheng, with his lightning-attribute dragon martial soul, would be poisoned if she did not deliberately restrain it. So why was Jiang Baiyu unaffected?

Jiang Baiyu looked at her and pressed his wrist. "That's why I came to you."

"That's impossible!" Dugu Yan cried.

She remembered it clearly. Acting on instinct, she had definitely sent some poison into his body. So why was he fine?

"Nothing is impossible," Jiang Baiyu said calmly. For an instant, the ancient aura and vitality of the Shennong Cauldron surfaced, then vanished.

Yu Tianheng looked between Jiang Baiyu and his girlfriend, unable to follow their cryptic exchange. "What's going on?"

"It's nothing. Jiang Baiyu wants me to introduce him to my grandfather," Dugu Yan said.

"I see." Yu Tianheng did not underestimate the boy before him. Given Jiang Baiyu's talent, even if he had asked to meet Yu Tianheng's own grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, the man would have welcomed him and treated him as an honored guest.

But what did Jiang Baiyu want with Dugu Douluo? Yu Tianheng wondered.

Judging by where everyone had positioned themselves, the Imperial Fighting Team clearly did not believe them.

Jiang Baiyu sighed. "Forget it. How about we have a match?"

"What?" Dugu Yan was a little shocked.

"If you don't quite believe me, let's fight and see whether I have the ability." Jiang Baiyu looked at Dugu Yan, then at the others. After a pause, he added, "You can all come at me together."

Yu Tianheng and the others were surprised when Jiang Baiyu challenged Dugu Yan, but they could understand it. He was young, yet his Soul Power was already on par with hers. Though she was a Control System soul master, her formidable poison still put him at risk of defeat. If anything, she would be the older one bullying the younger.

But Jiang Baiyu had gone so far as to claim he could take on the entire Imperial Fighting Team alone. Even the mild-tempered Ye Lingling was irritated.

They had the continent's foremost beast martial soul, a top-tier poison martial soul, two Black Tortoise soul masters with exceptional defense, two agility attack soul masters, and a support soul master like her, the best in her field. They could cut through a low-level Soul King with ease. Yet Jiang Baiyu, a Soul Elder who had only just reached level thirty, had declared he would challenge them.

"Are you sure?" Yu Tianheng narrowed his eyes at Jiang Baiyu. The boy was a genius, but every member of their team was one in ten thousand. His words showed no respect for the Imperial Fighting Team. As its captain and Jiang Baiyu's senior at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Yu Tianheng would have to teach him humility.

"I'm sure," Jiang Baiyu said earnestly. He had little choice. Only by demonstrating his strength could he gain the upper hand when he spoke with Dugu Yan afterward.

"Fine. If you can last the time it takes one incense stick to burn against our team, I'll take you to see my grandfather." Dugu Yan was annoyed by Jiang Baiyu's challenge, though she also understood that he was trying to show her what he could do.

Zhu Zhuqing, standing to the side, raised her hand. "Can I join him? The two of us against your whole team."

Yu Feng gave her a contemptuous glance. "Little girl, I admit you're a genius. But your Soul Power is too low. I'm afraid you won't even be able to see me move."

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. Strength would be the best answer.

Jiang Baiyu said, "Zhuqing and I will challenge your entire team. How about it?"

"Fine," Yu Tianheng said. "Tomorrow, at the academy's Arena. Jiang Baiyu, you're very talented, but humility is something every soul master must learn. If you lose, you two can bring us our meals for the next semester.

"See you at the Arena tomorrow." He held out his hand, blue arcs of electricity flickering around him.

"Of course, senior. See you tomorrow." Jiang Baiyu smiled and shook his hand.