Qin Ming Returned

Early the next morning, someone arrived at the gates of Shrek Academy.

He wore a simple fitted outfit with neatly fastened cuffs. The morning breeze swept in from outside Suotuo City as he stood before the battered wooden sign for a long while.

The words "Shrek Academy" were crooked, and a corner of the sign was missing.

But the visitor studied it intently.

Flender stopped short as he came out of the courtyard.

Zhao Wuji, following behind him, froze for a moment, then broke into a grin.

"Qin Ming?"

The visitor turned and bowed.

"Dean. Teacher Zhao."

Flender adjusted his glasses, suppressing a smile.

"It's been a few years. You've made something of yourself."

Qin Ming smiled. "You haven't changed, Teacher."

Zhao Wuji stepped forward and slapped him on the shoulder.

Qin Ming's shoulder dipped and his body swayed, but he quickly steadied himself.

Zhao Wuji nodded in approval.

"Not bad. Heaven Dou Royal Academy hasn't made you soft."

Qin Ming gave a rueful smile.

"Teacher Zhao, you're still as blunt with your compliments as ever."

The commotion drew the others out into the courtyard.

Ma Hongjun came out yawning, his hair a mess from sleep. Oscar still had half a sausage in his mouth. At the sight of a stranger, he promptly hid it behind his back.

Xiao Wu came out with Tang San.

Ning Rongrong spotted the badge Qin Ming wore and raised an eyebrow.

Zhu Zhuqing stood beside her without a word, first studying Qin Ming's gait and stance.

Yuan Yu was the last to emerge.

White clothes, a Sun Wheel Blade, and a Wine Gourd at his waist.

He walked slowly, as if he had just woken up, but his eyes were perfectly alert.

Qin Ming's gaze lingered on him.

"You're Yuan Yu?"

Yuan Yu raised a hand in greeting.

"If you mean the twelve-year-old Soul King from Spirit City, that should be me."

Ma Hongjun muttered, "He makes it sound so smug."

Oscar said, "He's earned the right."

Flender glanced at them, and both fell silent at once.

Qin Ming had heard the name Myriad Phenomena before coming here.

Twelve years old. A level-fifty-five Soul King.

Three consecutive wins in the Soul King Division of the Soto Great Soul Arena.

A Sun Wheel Blade and five God-given Spirit Rings.

When that news reached Heaven Dou Royal Academy, plenty of people refused to believe it. Qin Ming had found it hard to believe too, but he knew Flender. Flender liked to boast, yet he would never lie about something like this.

Now that Yuan Yu stood before him, most of Qin Ming's doubts faded.

The boy's smile was casual, but his Soul Power was steady.

Far too steady for a twelve-year-old.

Qin Ming asked Flender, "Dean, is he a student here too?"

A hint of pride appeared on Flender's face.

"He is now."

Qin Ming sighed softly.

"Shrek is still Shrek."

Zhao Wuji laughed. "Hear that? Your senior is praising you."

Ma Hongjun immediately looked up.

"Our senior?"

Qin Ming nodded.

"I used to be a Shrek student too."

Everyone took another look at him.

Shrek Academy might be shabby, but someone who had studied here had gone on to become a teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Ma Hongjun perked up at once.

"Senior, did you live in dorms like these back then?"

Qin Ming glanced at the row of dilapidated rooms in the courtyard, and his smile faded a little.

"They were worse. The roof leaked, and the Dean said it was to train our reflexes."

Oscar muttered, "That sounds like the Dean."

Flender's expression did not change.

"Enough nonsense. If it trained you, it was a good reason."

Qin Ming looked at his juniors and saw his younger self in them.

The grounds were still cramped, and the tables and chairs were still old.

But not one of the Shrek students standing here looked ready to bow their head to anyone.

He had been the same back then.

Yuan Yu leaned against the doorway and touched his Wine Gourd.

"Senior Qin, you never stole the Dean's money back then, did you?"

Flender's gaze bore down on him from behind his glasses.

Qin Ming hurriedly said, "No."

Zhao Wuji laughed beside him.

"He was much better behaved than you."

Yuan Yu sighed.

"Then he missed out on a lot of childhood fun."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Qin Ming laughed too.

After that exchange, the awkwardness of meeting for the first time eased considerably.

Flender did not leave them standing at the gate. He led Qin Ming into the courtyard.

Tea had been set out on the wooden table.

Qin Ming got straight to the point and explained the Imperial Fighting Team's plans for their visit to Suotuo City.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy had sent the Imperial Fighting Team out to gain experience. Meanwhile, Myriad Phenomena and Shrek had caused quite a stir at the Soto Great Soul Arena lately. With both sides in town, the arena wanted to arrange an exhibition match.

Flender listened, then tapped the tabletop with a fingertip.

"Is it only the arena that wants this?"

Qin Ming did not answer at once.

Yuan Yu was looking down, turning his teacup in his hands, when the Rosy Cloud Pattern on his Sun Wheel Blade gave the faintest flicker.

Qin Ming was holding something back.

The pattern showed no sign of malice.

Qin Ming set down his teacup. "Dean, I came to visit, but I also wanted to explain the rules in advance. The Imperial Fighting Team wants an exhibition match against Shrek."

Zhao Wuji asked, "An exhibition match?"

"It won't count toward arena points. Both sides will agree on the rules beforehand, and the aim won't be to seriously injure anyone. Imperial Fighting wants to see what Shrek can do, and Shrek can take a look at Heaven Dou Royal Academy's team."

Xiao Wu folded her arms.

"That's a lot of words for 'you want a fight.'"

Qin Ming smiled.

"Between Soul Masters, some things are clearest after a fight."

Dai Mubai stepped forward.

"We accept."

Tang San did not rush to agree. He asked first, "Can Yuan Yu take part?"

Qin Ming looked at Yuan Yu.

"Under the rules for this match, that wouldn't be appropriate."

If a level-fifty-five Soul King stepped into the arena, the seven Soul Elders opposite him might as well not bother fighting. However proud the Imperial Fighting Team was, they had not come here to be scattered by a single slash.

Yuan Yu waved a hand.

"I won't take the stage from you."

Xiao Wu looked at him.

"Easy for you to say."

Yuan Yu grinned. "I'll watch you get beaten from the sidelines."

Xiao Wu aimed a kick at him.

Yuan Yu stepped back with practiced ease. Even the teacup did not shake.

Watching the two of them, one dodging and the other chasing, Qin Ming relaxed a little.

Before arriving, he had worried Yuan Yu might not fit in at Shrek.

Now it seemed the boy was closer to everyone than he had expected.

Flender asked, "When?"

"The night after tomorrow," Qin Ming said. "But the Imperial Fighting Team will arrive at the Soto Great Soul Arena tomorrow. Both sides can meet beforehand."

Yu Xiaogang was not here, so Flender looked to Tang San.

Tang San said, "It would be better to learn about our opponents in advance."

Qin Ming said, "Yu Tianheng heard you were in Suotuo City. He's eager to meet you."

Yuan Yu picked up his teacup.

"Meeting him is fine. Fighting him is another matter."

"He won't act rashly."

Qin Ming paused.

"But he is from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

Members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were not inclined to bow their heads.

Yu Tianheng had become captain of the Imperial Fighting Team at his age. After hearing that a twelve-year-old Soul King had appeared among his peers, it would have been strange if he did not want to test him.

Flender rose.

"We'll agree to the exhibition match. We'll negotiate the rules ourselves. Shrek may be poor, but we don't sell our students."

Qin Ming stood as well and bowed solemnly.

"I understand."

As he straightened, he glanced at Yuan Yu again.

The level-fifty-five Soul King sat at an old wooden table without the slightest air of superiority, even bantering with Ma Hongjun and Oscar.

But Qin Ming did not dare treat him as an ordinary boy.

Spirit Hall had let him go, Flender had taken him in, and even Zhao Wuji had asked no further questions. There was more to this than met the eye.

The exhibition match the night after tomorrow might not be a simple chance for two teams to size each other up.

Yuan Yu looked toward Suotuo City.

The Rosy Cloud Pattern glimmered faintly again.

Qin Ming had returned.

Imperial Fighting was here too.

The hand behind Mr. Xu would probably reveal itself soon.