"Is there a problem?"
Qin Xiao frowned slightly. "Of course, if you really want to say it, I won't stop you."
After all, their mouths belonged to them. What they wanted to say was their own business.
Of course, the right to refuse remained in his hands. They could say whatever they liked, couldn't they?
Huh?
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were both somewhat stunned, momentarily at a loss for words.
Sword Douluo in particular felt that bringing up his request to spar with Qin Xiao now would seem rather impolite.
He's a master at this. With just a few words, he's left us speechless. His regard for Qin Xiao rose another notch.
Just then, Ning Rongrong spoke in her clear, bright voice. "Your Holiness, here's the thing. Grandpa Sword would like to spar with you. Would you be willing?"
After hearing Ning Rongrong's words, Sword Douluo cast her a grateful look. All his affection for this girl hadn't been wasted.
Ning Fengzhi relaxed as well, a pleased smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
She really is Daddy's drafty little...
Pah.
She's my snug little padded jacket.
Sparring? Qin Xiao paused.
If that was all, it wasn't out of the question.
In fact, it would be a good thing for Qin Xiao too.
He knew very well that shutting himself away to cultivate was nowhere near enough to improve his strength. Fighting powerful opponents was another way to advance rapidly.
The Thunder Emperor Finger he had comprehended during his earlier battle with the Titan Giant Ape was an excellent example.
He had been wondering where to find powerful opponents to fight and improve himself, only for Sword Douluo to deliver himself right to his door.
But...
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is rumored to be wealthy enough to rival a nation. If I don't take this chance to fleece them a little, I'd be letting myself down.
That was what Qin Xiao thought.
He looked at the two or three hundred Gold Soul Coins inside his Space Soul Tool and fell into thought.
"I'm afraid I can't agree to that."
Qin Xiao shook his head. "As you should be able to tell, my cultivation time is very precious."
"Oh..."
Ning Rongrong looked somewhat disappointed after hearing Qin Xiao's reply.
Sword Douluo sighed.
Indeed, at Qin Xiao's age, he ought to devote all his time to cultivation.
Only someone like him, advanced in years with nearly all his potential exhausted, would think of taking an unconventional path and seeking a breakthrough through combat.
Just then, however, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward with a warm smile. "I'm a few years older than you. Would you mind if I called you Little Brother Qin?"
What? Little brother? Then what am I supposed to call you from now on? Ning Rongrong immediately scrunched up her face without saying a word.
She felt she needed to find some time to have a proper talk with Ning Fengzhi about this.
As the saying went, you didn't raise a hand against a smiling face. Qin Xiao immediately smiled back. "Big Brother Ning, there's no need to be so formal."
"Hahaha, good."
Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily. At the same time, light flashed in his hand, and a jet-black card appeared. "Our meeting must be fate. This black card contains a million Gold Soul Coins. Just for calling me big brother, you mustn't refuse.
"These local specialties are about the only things my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can offer."
Qin Xiao: "..."
As expected of the fabulously wealthy Ning Fengzhi, he was lavish the moment he opened his hand.
A million Gold Soul Coins was an astronomical sum to the vast majority of Soul Masters.
"Big Brother Ning, you're treating me far too generously. How could I possibly accept..."
Qin Xiao's mouth protested, but his body was far more honest.
He tucked the black card away faster than a thunderclap could reach the ears.
"..."
Everyone was speechless. What happened to being too embarrassed to accept?
They hadn't seen the slightest sign of it.
But Qin Xiao's next words made Sword Douluo pause.
"Senior Sword, I've just gained another insight. Why don't we spar to test it?" he asked, looking at Sword Douluo.
Just now, my ass!
Sword Douluo couldn't help grumbling inwardly at Qin Xiao's words.
"Of course, if it's inconvenient for you, we can forget it."
Seeing Sword Douluo hesitate, Qin Xiao added that.
After all, he wasn't taking Ning Fengzhi's money for nothing. He had given Sword Douluo the opportunity; whether he could make use of it was up to him.
"Not inconvenient. Not in the slightest!"
Sword Douluo hurriedly said, "How about we go to the Dense Forest up ahead?"
As he spoke, he pointed in the direction from which Qin Xiao and Zhu Zhuqing had just returned.
Qin Xiao nodded. "No problem."
With that, he took the lead toward the Dense Forest.
Seeing Sword Douluo about to follow, Ning Rongrong remembered how terrifyingly powerful Qin Xiao was and wanted to warn Sword Douluo to be careful.
"Grandpa Sword, wait. When you fight Qin Xiao, you must..."
Before Ning Rongrong could finish, however, Sword Douluo interrupted her. "Rongrong, don't worry. I'll hold back and keep things under control. I won't hurt Qin Xiao."
Huh?
Ning Rongrong froze. That's not what I meant!
But before she could speak again, Sword Douluo had already vanished from her sight.
"Daddy, aren't we going over to watch?"
Ning Rongrong asked Ning Fengzhi.
"The shock waves from a battle between two Titled Douluos are extremely powerful and dangerous. Our presence would tie their hands and feet, so let's wait here. The battle shouldn't take long."
Ning Fengzhi spoke gently.
"All right, then." Ning Rongrong pursed her lips. Even though she was unwilling, she could only wait obediently.
Elsewhere.
Several li away from Shrek Academy, Qin Xiao and Sword Douluo stood facing each other.
"Chen Xin, rank ninety-six Titled Douluo. Martial Soul: Seven Kill Sword!"
As Sword Douluo finished speaking, a long sword of ancient design appeared in his palm. At the same time, he casually twirled it with his right hand, sending ringing sword notes through the air.
"Qin Xiao, rank ninety-two Titled Douluo. Martial Soul: Thunder Emperor!"
As Qin Xiao's voice fell, thunder erupted from level ground.
Arcs of electricity slithered around him like lightning serpents, lending him an extraordinary presence.
He looked like a god walking among mortals.
The Thunder Emperor was one of the Ten Fiends, a humanoid being. After he became a Martial Soul, the Thunder Emperor Martial Soul and Qin Xiao were practically indistinguishable from each other.
"The Thunder Emperor Martial Soul? Why have I never heard of it?"
After hearing Qin Xiao's words, Sword Douluo racked his brains for any records concerning the Thunder Emperor Martial Soul.
Disappointingly, however, he came up with nothing.
"Senior, there are so many Martial Souls on this continent. How could you have heard of every single one?"
"Haha, you're right, young friend. I've been too fixated on it. Today, I'd like to see what mysteries this Thunder Emperor Martial Soul holds, to have produced an eighteen-year-old rank ninety-two Titled Douluo!"
Sword Douluo laughed and pointed his sword at Qin Xiao from afar.
At the same time, nine Soul Rings-yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black-rose from beneath his feet in succession.
"Then be careful, senior!"
As his voice fell, Qin Xiao refused to be outdone and summoned his own Soul Rings.
Yet the very first Soul Ring alone made Sword Douluo's expression change dramatically, and he cried out involuntarily, "The first Soul Ring is red!"
"How can the first Soul Ring possibly be red?!"
Before you continue