Becoming a Disciple

"Mr. Aizen, please give me a warning before you use Kyoka Suigetsu."

Aizen heard Song Que's telepathic message and smiled faintly, his tone composed.

"My apologies, Song Que. That was my oversight."

Song Que was speechless for a moment. He sighed softly. "Forget it. No harm done."

After a brief pause, he continued telepathically, "By the way, Mr. Aizen, I've only locked in two abilities for my Zanpakutō so far."

"When I tried to lock in a third, the Hōgyoku suddenly stopped responding. I don't know what happened."

Aizen seemed to have expected this. "Don't worry, Song Que."

"The Hōgyoku is powerful, but it doesn't belong to this world. It needs time to convert energy and adapt to the rules here."

"From now on, cultivating Soul Power, hunting Soul Beasts, obtaining Soul Rings, or even killing Soul Masters can speed up that conversion. It may help your abilities evolve sooner."

"Of course, obtaining a divine artifact or God Level spiritual treasure from this world would be even better."

Song Que nodded thoughtfully.

The Hōgyoku's power really did seem to recover quite a bit after the fighting at the Ironblood Sect.

Maybe I can try locking in the third Soul Ring after a while.

I just need to kill more...

Huh?! Song Que startled at the thought that had slipped into his mind.

I can't keep killing Soul Masters... I'd end up an Evil Soul Master.

He glanced at Aizen, lost in thought.

A moment later, Song Que shook his head. There was no point dwelling on it now. His priority was to grow stronger.

They returned from Song Que's spiritual world to reality.

A little while later, in a restaurant beside the Ironblood Sect.

With Song Que's Kaido treatment, Jinpeng finally began to stir.

At the sight of Song Que, Jinpeng jolted upright.

He looked around warily.

Only when he saw Du Busi beside him did he relax.

"Seck mashter, you're finawwy here."

"Huh?!"

"My mouf! Why'sh it crookid?!"

Jinpeng felt his mouth, then glared at Song Que. He was about to speak.

But Song Que cut him off.

"Shut up, old man!"

"We weren't the ones who hit you in the mouth."

Jinpeng froze, then snapped, "Who elshe could it have been?"

"Don't tell me our seck mashter did it!"

"Ahem!" Du Busi coughed a few times and hurriedly intervened. "Jinpeng, you can barely speak. Stop wasting your breath."

"We'll treat you when we get back to the sect. For now, shut up and listen."

Jinpeng: (｡◕ˇεˇ◕｡)

Du Busi shook his head helplessly, then turned to Song Que. "You said Huo Yuhao could join the Body Sect, but his freedom couldn't be restricted. What did you mean?"

Song Que exchanged a glance with Huo Yuhao and nodded. "It would be an honor for Yuhao to become your disciple, Sect Master Du."

"With his Body Martial Soul, your guidance would surely help him advance further."

"But we still have many things to do with Yuhao. He can't stay at the Body Sect to cultivate all the time. I hope you understand."

"That's no problem." Poison Douluo waved a hand. "As long as Huo Yuhao is willing to become my disciple and join the Body Sect, I can visit him regularly and teach him myself. Whether he returns to the sect doesn't matter."

"Thank you, Sect Master Du. In a few days, I'll take Yuhao and the others to the Soul Master Tournament. After it ends, I can bring Yuhao here to study for a while."

"The Soul Master Tournament?"

Du Busi frowned slightly, puzzled.

"Didn't you leave Shrek Academy? How can you still compete?"

Song Que replied calmly, "Another of our companions is the young sect master of the Xuanming Sect. Before coming here, we asked him to find an academy we could represent."

"We need to leave the Heaven Dou Empire for a while, so Yuhao can only return to cultivate after the tournament."

"The Xuanming Sect? In the Dou Ling Empire?"

Vena's eyes lit up, and she spoke from the side.

"If that's the case, why travel all the way to the Dou Ling Empire? Stay in the Heaven Dou Empire instead. I can make all the tournament arrangements."

Song Que paused. "But our companion has already started making arrangements..."

"That's all right." Vena smiled. "I'll send someone to the Xuanming Sect at once to speak with your companion."

"Once Yuhao joins the Body Sect, he'll be my junior disciple. There's no need for us to stand on ceremony."

Her gaze passed over Song Que, Bei Bei, and the others. "You're all exceptionally talented. I admire you and genuinely hope to become your friend."

"I have some influence in the Heaven Dou Empire. Whether it's resources, accommodations, or cultivation facilities, I'll do my best to provide what you need. You won't find better treatment from any power in the Dou Ling Empire."

"Frankly, the Dou Ling Empire's competing academies have limited foundations. Even with you on their teams, they would only hold you back."

"Here in the Heaven Dou Empire, both the royal Di'ao Academy and the veteran powerhouse Just Sky Academy have foundations worthy of you."

Song Que turned to confer briefly with Bei Bei, Wang Dong, and the others. A moment later, they made their decision.

"To be honest, we don't care much which academy we represent. I'm confident we can perform just as well anywhere."

"We have no objection to competing for the Heaven Dou Empire."

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Princess Vena, but could you send someone to the Xuanming Sect to speak with our friend?"

"If he hasn't made any special arrangements, we'll leave everything to you."

"Of course." Vena nodded at once. "I'll send a Soul Sage to the Dou Ling Empire at full speed to handle it."

"Since you have no objections, I'll also arrange your accommodations right away. You needn't worry."

"I'm afraid you'll have to stay at a hotel for the next few days, though."

Du Busi smiled. "In that case, there's no need to trouble yourself."

"Now that it's settled, you can visit the Body Sect first and return to Heaven Dou City once Vena has everything arranged."

"That will also give me a chance to start guiding Yuhao."

At the border between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire, in the Mingdou Mountain Range.

Boom!

Thunderous blasts echoed through the cavern. Explosions ripped through the cave, scattering blood and flesh in every direction.

Then a crazed laugh rang out. "Keh-heh-heh-heh-heh!"

"Art is an explosion! Hahahaha!"