Yu Tianheng's sense of crisis: the weather's turning cold-time for a new captain

"The surroundings here are lovely. We've arranged a detached villa for you, quiet and comfortable," Qin Ming introduced enthusiastically.

Just then, a group approached from the opposite direction, all wearing matching academy uniforms. They were the members of the Imperial Fighting Team.

Leading them was Yu Tianheng, with short dark-blue hair, an upright bearing, and a hint of his own distinctive pride in his expression.

Beside him was Dugu Yan, tall and slender, with green hair, purple eyes, and a somewhat languid gaze.

Following behind her was the taciturn, veiled Ye Lingling.

The other four were the Shi Brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, along with Yu Feng and Osler.

"Teacher Qin!"

Seeing Qin Ming, Yu Tianheng led his teammates in nodding to him in greeting.

Qin Ming responded with a smile. "Good, we've run into you at just the right time. Let me introduce your new teammates."

As he spoke, he stepped aside to reveal Lin Ye and the two girls.

Yu Tianheng and the others immediately turned their curious gazes toward them.

"This is Zhu Zhuqing, a level twenty-nine agility-attack Soul Grandmaster. Her martial soul is the Hell Spirit Cat," Qin Ming introduced, gesturing toward Zhu Zhuqing.

"Wow, what a beauty," Yu Feng muttered, only to receive an elbow from Osler.

Zhu Zhuqing paid it no mind, merely inclining her head slightly, her expression as cool as ever.

"This is Ning Rongrong, a level thirty-one support Soul Elder. Her martial soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"

Aside from Ye Lingling, who remained calm, all the team members present, including Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, looked astonished.

Ning Rongrong simply gave them a sweet smile.

"Hello, everyone."

"And finally, this young man."

When it was Lin Ye's turn, Qin Ming's voice suddenly grew solemn. Everyone looked toward Lin Ye, who stood in the middle with an unruffled expression.

“Lin Ye. Martial soul: White Paper.”

“White Paper?”

Everyone was somewhat taken aback.

What was Teacher Qin saying? This fellow's martial soul was White Paper? Wasn't that a trash martial soul?

A trash martial soul could get into the academy, and even join their Imperial Fighting Team?

Puzzled, they turned their gazes toward Qin Ming, hoping for an explanation.

Qin Ming, however, looked at Lin Ye, a hint of a request in his tone.

“Lin Ye, could you demonstrate your strength? This concerns your position within the team, and I think everyone needs to get an idea of it.”

Yu Tianheng's brows drew together almost imperceptibly.

He was the captain of the Imperial Fighting Team, its acknowledged ace and core. Did Teacher Qin's words mean that...

Lin Ye glanced at Qin Ming, then swept his gaze over everyone's burning eyes and nodded.

His soul ring configuration wasn't some secret he needed to guard anyway. It was meant to be shown to outsiders, to intimidate them.

A quick display of his strength would also help him swiftly establish his standing within the team.

Lin Ye said nothing. He simply summoned his martial soul.

Yellow! Purple! Purple! Black!

Four soul rings suddenly rose from beneath Lin Ye's feet. The air seemed to freeze as everyone stared fixedly at that pitch-black fourth soul ring!

"A ten-thousand-year... fourth ring?!" Yu Feng cried involuntarily, his eyes widening into perfect circles.

Osler sucked in a sharp breath, while shock spread across the Shi Brothers' usually wooden faces.

Even Dugu Yan's languid gaze turned sharp the instant she saw the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, filling with disbelief.

What was going on?

Yu Tianheng's pupils abruptly contracted. The shock in his heart was even greater than anyone else's!

He could see it clearly: that soul ring was utterly solid, certainly no illusion!

What made his heart sink even further, however, was what Qin Ming had said. This youth was actually meant to stand alongside him, or even... surpass him? Become another "ace" of the team?

An intense sense of rivalry, mixed with the faint premonition of a threat, instantly tightened around his heartstrings.

Behind his back, his hand quietly clenched into a fist, his knuckles whitening from the force.

Yet a smile appeared on his face. Like the others, he stepped forward and said heartily, "A ten-thousand-year fourth ring! Incredible! Welcome to Heaven Dou Royal Academy! From now on, we're teammates who'll fight shoulder to shoulder."

Dugu Yan and the other team members also came forward to welcome them.

Ye Lingling remained at the back. As everyone greeted them warmly, her eyes, seemingly veiled in a thin mist, lingered on Lin Ye's face for an extra moment.

A ten-thousand-year fourth ring... I've never heard of such a thing. His soul power fluctuations... are a little unusual?

A ripple she herself could not understand passed through her heart, like a pebble dropped into a still, deep pool. It vanished in an instant, and she returned to her usual indifference before leaving with the team.

Once the team had gone some distance, Dugu Yan keenly noticed something was off with Yu Tianheng and asked quietly, "Tian Heng? You don't look so well."

"It's nothing. I'm probably just a little tired from training earlier." Yu Tianheng forced a smile, then naturally took Dugu Yan's hand. "Come on, let's go back and rest."

He quietly looked back, casting a long glance in Lin Ye's direction. The displeasure he had forcibly suppressed surfaced uncontrollably in his eyes the instant he turned away.

An ace? Heh. Replacing me won't be that easy.

Qin Ming led Lin Ye and the girls to a small, elegant villa.

"This is the place. See if it's to your liking." Qin Ming opened the door.

The interior was spacious, with a bright living room, a separate kitchenette, and a training room for cultivation.

Ning Rongrong let out a cheer. The conditions here were so much better than at Shrek!

For the past few months, she hadn't slept particularly well because of the surroundings. Now she could finally enjoy a lovely night's sleep.

Zhu Zhuqing surveyed the surroundings, a trace of satisfaction appearing in her eyes as well.

"You can decide how to divide up the rooms yourselves. There are rooms both upstairs and downstairs. I'll be going now. We'll gather tomorrow." With that, Qin Ming left.

After Qin Ming left, Ning Rongrong chose a room on the ground floor facing the garden. Zhu Zhuqing chose a quieter ground-floor room near the training room. Lin Ye went straight upstairs and picked a large room with a balcony.

Standing on the balcony, Lin Ye's lips curved into a smile. Now this is what a soul master academy should look like. Shrek? Heh, that dump... how was it any different from a pigsty?

Heaven Dou Royal Academy occupied vast grounds, its magnificent buildings arranged like a landscaped garden. Only a place on this scale deserved to be called an academy.

The sunlight was just right, and a light breeze brushed his face. For once, Lin Ye felt thoroughly at ease.

Here, he could enjoy the resources his talent earned him and improve his strength with greater peace of mind. Along the way... he could find a little amusement, such as making certain unhappy people even unhappier.

Lin Ye settled comfortably into a lounge chair on the balcony. With a turn of his hand, a bag made from a special material appeared in his palm. It was the specially made bag he had previously used to hold the Blue Silver Emperor.

"The first step is done. Next, how should I move you somewhere nice?"

Lin Ye's gaze grew deep.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... that old poisoner Dugu Bo's medicinal garden. That place would definitely be suitable for the Blue Silver Emperor to grow.

But how do I get in? That's a question worth thinking about.