"Teacher, you lost!"
Ji Hongchen's words rang out.
Qin Ming sighed helplessly and shook his head.
"Yes, I lost."
He had never imagined that a Soul Emperor like himself would lose to a Soul Ancestor, let alone so utterly.
He could not help remarking,
"You really are a monster. Rather than Heaven Dou, you ought to go to that academy."
"That academy is my alma mater. It only admits monsters, so you couldn't find a better fit."
Ji Hongchen gave a casual smile.
He did not respond.
Naturally, he knew what Qin Ming meant.
That academy.
Wasn't that Shrek Academy?
He wondered what expression Qin Ming would wear if he learned that Ji Hongchen had beaten up Shrek Academy and killed two of its teachers along the way.
With the battle over,
the people of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were thoroughly convinced.
There was nothing they could do.
Ji Hongchen had even defeated their teacher. What else could they say?
They could only admit defeat.
Clap, clap, clap!
A burst of enthusiastic applause interrupted everyone's thoughts.
They looked over.
A lavishly dressed young man with a hint of gold in his hair stood nearby, undisguised admiration in his eyes.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Once they recognized the newcomer,
everyone hurried to bow.
Xue Qinghe waved it off indifferently. "I only came to have a look. There's no need for formalities. Carry on with your training."
Her gaze settled on Ji Hongchen.
Without meaning to, she was drawn to his sharp eyes and striking brows. They had only been apart for a few days, yet she felt he had grown even more handsome.
Phew...
Xue Qinghe collected herself.
As she looked at Ji Hongchen, ripples stirred in her heart, but she quickly suppressed them.
"Brother Ji, I never imagined you would improve so quickly."
"I've merely been a little diligent."
Ji Hongchen answered calmly.
He looked at Xue Qinghe.
He wondered how Qian Renxue intended to display her "world-shaking wisdom" this time.
Xue Qinghe smiled faintly.
"As it happens, I've watched your battles these past few days and grown quite fond of swordsmanship myself. When you have time, why not visit my palace so we can discuss it?"
"Since you're inviting me, Brother Xue, of course."
Seeing Ji Hongchen agree so readily, Xue Qinghe assumed he had succumbed to her personal charm and secretly congratulated herself.
My methods of winning people over really are impressive.
I truly am a genius.
While Qian Renxue was feeling pleased with herself, Ji Hongchen was considering how to use her to get his hands on the rare metals Spirit Hall had collected.
He followed behind Xue Qinghe.
The two reached a lakeside and sat down.
After exchanging pleasantries,
Ji Hongchen took out a pill that shone bright gold all over and handed it to Xue Qinghe.
"Brother Xue, this is a rare pill with sacred and fire attributes. Taking it will greatly enhance your strength."
"It might even induce your swan Martial Soul to evolve, giving you a chance to rise another level. Even becoming a Titled Douluo could be possible."
Xue Qinghe accepted the pill and examined it closely.
A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.
She could indeed sense a trace of sacred energy within the pill, along with a pure fire attribute. Taking it would greatly benefit her six-winged angel Martial Soul.
"Then thank you, Brother Ji."
Putting the pill away, Xue Qinghe looked at Ji Hongchen with even greater admiration. A genius like him belonged under her command, serving her, Qian Renxue.
"But this pill has a side effect. If the person taking it harbors distracting thoughts, it will trigger a backlash of inner fire. The consequences would be unimaginable."
Ji Hongchen offered a warning.
"So when you take it, Brother Xue, you'd best settle your mind. Don't let trivial matters disturb your thoughts."
Xue Qinghe nodded silently.
"Do you know any way to avoid this side effect, Brother Ji?"
She badly needed this pill.
She had a feeling that refining it might let her break through to level seventy in one stroke, and it would also benefit her Martial Soul.
Ji Hongchen considered for a moment, then put on a troubled expression and slowly said, "Since you need it, Brother Xue, I'll naturally do everything I can."
"I know of a treasure land that might greatly improve your chances of successfully refining the pill, but it's in Sunset Forest."
"Sunset Forest?"
Xue Qinghe frowned slightly, but still nodded. "Since it can improve the chances of refining the pill, let's make the trip."
"Sorry for the trouble of having you lead the way, Brother Ji."
Naturally, Ji Hongchen did not refuse. He immediately summoned the Jinghong Sword.
"Please step aboard, Brother Xue. We'll set off now."
Xue Qinghe hesitated.
After all, the Jinghong Sword was only a sword. If she climbed aboard, wouldn't she have to press close to Ji Hongchen?
Still, to advance her Martial Soul, Xue Qinghe gritted her teeth and stepped onto the Jinghong Sword.
In the shadows, Snake Lance Douluo frowned.
"What are we supposed to do if the Young Master flies straight off?"
They were currently concealed in the shadows. If they took flight too, they would surely be discovered, and that would be troublesome.
But if they left the city on foot,
the Young Master would probably be far away by then.
Porcupinefish Douluo pondered briefly and said quietly, "Follow her for now, but don't expose yourselves along the way. Leave Heaven Dou City in secret first."
He had a headache too.
They were not flying Soul Masters. Even though they could fly after becoming Titled Douluos, they were slower than flying Soul Masters, making it difficult to catch up.
Moreover, they could not reveal their whereabouts in Heaven Dou City.
After all, Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo were both stationed there now. Once they were exposed, Spirit Hall's plan would fail completely.
Sigh.
This was too difficult.
Their only option was to disguise themselves as ordinary people and walk out of Heaven Dou City first. They were currently at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, still some distance from the city gates. Walking alone would take half a day.
But once outside the city, they were lost again.
Where exactly had the Young Master gone?
Meanwhile,
Ji Hongchen moved extremely fast. He soon noticed that the two powerful auras nearby had vanished and knew Snake Lance and his companion had failed to keep up.
Upon reaching the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well,
Ji Hongchen had Qian Renxue step down.
"Brother Xue, this is His Eminence Poison Douluo's Medicinal Garden, so we don't have much time."
"All right."
Xue Qinghe nodded.
She followed Ji Hongchen to the edge of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
"Brother Xue, take off your clothes. Once you jump into the spring, you can begin refining the immortal herb."
"I have to take off my clothes too?!"
Xue Qinghe's eyes widened, her face filled with embarrassment and indignation.
Ji Hongchen scratched his head innocently. "Of course. How can you soak in a hot spring without taking off your clothes? Have you never been in one before, Brother Xue?"
Xue Qinghe shook her head, blushing.
The problem was that she was a woman! Though she wore a man's guise, she was still a woman underneath. How could she possibly undress in front of a man without feeling embarrassed?
She took a deep breath.
Xue Qinghe made up her mind. It was all for Spirit Hall's grand plan, and a means of winning Ji Hongchen over. This little sacrifice was nothing.
"Why don't you join me, Brother Ji?"
Soaking in a hot spring together was undoubtedly a good way to deepen their bond.
Naturally, Ji Hongchen would not refuse.
After all, he was only playing dumb while knowing perfectly well. How could he not know that Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue in disguise? It was all merely playing along.
Before you continue