The Grand Finals!

Shui Bing'er took the initiative to withdraw her Martial Soul.

"Skywater Academy concedes."

Qian Renxue did not attack again.

She withdrew her wings, turned, and left.

Match followed match.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team maintained its perfect record.

Only the final match remained in the Heaven Dou Division.

The Soul Master Tournament's Preliminary Competition Arena.

The spectator stands were already full.

In the VIP seats, Xue Qinghe's Divine Power avatar sat upright beside the throne.

Prince Xue Xing sat on the other side.

His gaze remained fixed on the Soul Fighting Arena.

Godwind Academy and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team were already standing at opposite ends of the arena.

Feng Xiaotian stood at the front of his team.

The Gale Twin-Headed Wolf Martial Soul appeared behind him.

Two yellow, two purple.

Four Soul Rings rose in succession.

He looked at Qian Renxue.

"Every academy in the Heaven Dou Division has fallen at your hands."

"If Godwind Academy wins today, we will still have a chance to contend for first place in the division."

Qian Renxue said calmly:

"You have no chance."

Blue-green wolf fur gradually covered Feng Xiaotian's arms.

A pair of wind wings spread from his back.

"We won't know whether we have a chance until we've fought."

The announcer came to the edge of the Soul Fighting Arena.

"Both sides, prepare."

Godwind Academy's seven members released their Martial Souls at the same time.

The six team members behind Qian Renxue stepped back once again.

Seeing this, Feng Xiaotian did not attack immediately.

"You're still planning to fight alone?"

"That will be enough."

The announcer dropped his hand.

"Begin!"

The wind wings on Feng Xiaotian's back beat fiercely.

His body swiftly rose into the air.

Godwind Academy's other members scattered to either side at the same time.

A mass of wind blades sealed off the space around Qian Renxue.

Feng Xiaotian swooped down.

His wings turned into blue-green blades as he moved at high speed.

"Gale Demon Wolf Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes!"

The first slash descended.

Qian Renxue raised her left hand.

The blue-green wind wing struck the golden divine light.

Feng Xiaotian used the recoil to rise into the air again.

The second slash followed immediately.

Qian Renxue still did not move.

The third slash.

The fourth slash.

After every collision, Feng Xiaotian's strength continued to increase.

Blue-green wind blades swept across the Soul Fighting Arena without pause.

Broad ripples appeared across the protective barrier.

Godwind Academy's other six members poured their Soul Power into the wind field.

Feng Xiaotian grew faster and faster.

The eighteenth slash descended.

A thin crack appeared in the stone bricks beneath Qian Renxue's feet.

That was not a mark left by Feng Xiaotian.

It was because she had not fully controlled her strength after suppressing her Soul Power.

Qian Renxue lowered her head for a glance.

"A little off again."

Feng Xiaotian had already completed his twenty-fifth slash.

The blue-green wind wing descended again.

Qian Renxue finally raised her right hand.

Two fingers clamped onto the edge of the wind wing.

Every wind blade stopped over the Soul Fighting Arena.

Feng Xiaotian remained in his diving posture.

He tried to pull his wind wing free.

Golden Soul Power had already sealed off the surrounding space.

Qian Renxue pressed her fingers down lightly.

Both wings on Feng Xiaotian's back dissipated at once.

His Gale Twin-Headed Wolf Martial Soul was forced back into his body.

His body fell from the air.

The moment his feet touched the Soul Fighting Arena, Cyan-Blue Thunder rose along the ground.

Lightning coiled around Feng Xiaotian's limbs.

All four Soul Rings went dark.

Godwind Academy's remaining members charged forward at the same time.

Qian Renxue lifted her eyes.

The Azure Sky Thunder Domain unfolded in an instant.

Six blue-green columns of water rose from the edges of the Soul Fighting Arena.

The wind field stopped completely.

Godwind Academy's six members were immobilized by Thunder one after another.

They remained frozen in their forward-charging poses, unable to advance another step.

Qian Renxue closed her hand.

The Azure Sky Thunder Domain vanished with it.

Godwind Academy's seven members regained their ability to move at the same time.

Feng Xiaotian looked at his hands.

His Soul Power was still suppressed.

Continuing to fight would not change the outcome.

"Godwind Academy concedes."

The announcer raised his right hand.

"Godwind Academy concedes!"

"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team wins this match!"

"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team maintains its perfect record!"

"They are the Heaven Dou Division champions of this Soul Master Tournament!"

Cheers erupted throughout the spectator stands.

The six members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team finally stepped forward.

They gathered around Qian Renxue, but did not take her place.

Everyone understood.

This Heaven Dou Division Champion Trophy belonged to Qian Renxue alone.

The announcer presented the golden trophy to her.

Qian Renxue reached out and accepted it.

The trophy was engraved with the Heaven Dou Empire's swan design.

Xue Qinghe's avatar rose from his seat in the VIP section.

The Heaven Dou Empire's ministers and the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's education committee applauded at the same time.

No one knew.

The person who had won the Heaven Dou Division championship and the Heaven Dou Emperor sitting in the VIP seats had been the same person all along.

Qian Renxue raised the trophy.

Golden sunlight fell on her high ponytail.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team had officially qualified to travel to Spirit City for the grand finals.

The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Study.

Qian Renxue placed the Champion Trophy on the desk.

The divine light on her face had already faded.

She had returned to her original appearance.

Her long golden hair fell loosely behind her shoulders.

She had yet to change out of her gold-and-white team uniform.

Qian Daoliu sat beside the soft couch.

He glanced at the trophy.

"You won the championship."

Qian Renxue came to his side.

She reached out and linked her arm through her grandfather's.

"Grandpa, you didn't go to the arena today."

"I could see it from the palace too."

"That's different."

Qian Renxue leaned against his shoulder.

"When I raised the trophy, I didn't see you, Grandpa."

Qian Daoliu raised a hand to smooth her golden hair.

"It was only the Heaven Dou Division championship."

"When you win the grand finals, I'll be there to watch in person."

Qian Renxue lifted her face.

"Grandpa, you have to keep your word."

"I will."

A smile appeared on her face.

Qian Renxue took a Golden Badge from her Soul Tool.

The Soul Master Tournament's emblem was engraved on the front of the badge.

On the back was the outline of Spirit City.

"The teams competing in the grand finals will leave in three days."

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy will travel to Spirit City with the other qualifying academies."

Qian Daoliu asked:

"Are you planning to keep hiding your identity?"

"Of course."

Qian Renxue said:

"Xue Qinghe's avatar will remain in Heaven Dou City."

"I'll go to Spirit City as a member of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team."

"Once I enter the Worship Hall, I'll resume my identity."

Liu Erlong pushed open the door and entered the Imperial Study.

She held a roster for the grand finals.

"Young Master."

"Spirit City has already sent over the competition schedule."

Qian Renxue took the list.

Her gaze swept over the participating academies one by one.

The Spirit Hall Academy Team was listed at the top.

Star Luo Royal Academy and the teams from the other regions were all listed as well.

Shrek Academy's name had already been crossed out.

After that match, Shrek Academy had lost three regular team members.

The remaining members could not continue competing.

They had already withdrawn from the Soul Master Tournament.

Qian Renxue put away the list.

"The finals will be held in Spirit City."

"That's Grandpa's territory."

Qian Daoliu said:

"You'll still have to rely on yourself in the competition."

"I won't have the Worship Hall change the schedule."

"I don't need you to."

Qian Renxue held out her hand.

The Champion Trophy flew into her Soul Tool on its own.

"My soul power has already reached rank eighty-six."

"Among the competing teams, no one can make me use my full strength."

Liu Erlong came over to the table.

"When do you plan to return to Spirit City, Young Master?"

"In three days."

Qian Renxue looked at Qian Daoliu.

"Grandpa is coming with me."

"I can return to the Worship Hall first."

"No."

She hugged her grandfather's arm tightly.

"This time, I'm traveling by carriage with the academy team."

"It takes more than ten days to get from Heaven Dou City to Spirit City."

"Grandpa has to keep me company."

Qian Daoliu looked at her.

"In what capacity would I accompany Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

Qian Renxue thought for a moment.

"Team leader."

Liu Erlong shook her head gently.

"With the Great Enshrined leading the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Second Team, I'm afraid no one would dare compete against us."

Qian Renxue said:

"Then Grandpa can just sit in my carriage."

"The others won't see him."

Qian Daoliu raised a hand and tapped her between the brows.

"You've already arranged everything. Why ask me?"

A smile grew in Qian Renxue's eyes.

"I knew Grandpa would agree."

She released his arm and walked behind the desk.

Several memorials that had yet to be dealt with lay on the desktop.

Beside them was a map of the route to Spirit City.

Qian Renxue picked up the vermilion brush.

"I need to finish handling the Heaven Dou Empire's affairs over these next three days."

"I also need to prepare our team uniforms for the finals."

"And practice the Azure Sky Thunder Domain once more."

She looked up at Liu Erlong.

"You'll be responsible for preparing what we need on the road."

Liu Erlong nodded.

"I'll make the arrangements."

Qian Renxue looked at her grandfather again.

"Grandpa is responsible for keeping me company."

Qian Daoliu asked:

"Does that count as preparation too?"

"Of course it does."

She lowered her head and began reviewing the first memorial.

"I'll be leaving Heaven Dou City for more than ten days."

"There won't be an Imperial Study on the road, or a palace garden."

"Naturally, I need to arrange my time with Grandpa in advance."

Qian Daoliu came over to the desk.

He picked up the map of the route to Spirit City.

The cities where they would stop along the way had already been marked on it.

Qian Renxue set down the vermilion brush.

She moved her chair a little to the side.

"Sit here, Grandpa."

Qian Daoliu sat down beside her.

Qian Renxue picked up the memorial again.

Her shoulder rested lightly against her grandfather's arm.

The Imperial Study gradually fell quiet.

Liu Erlong left the room and began preparing for their departure in three days.

The list of finalists on the desk had already been put away.

The map of Spirit City still lay open beneath the lamplight.

Qian Renxue finished reviewing a memorial.

She raised her hand and lightly tapped Spirit City's location on the map.

"Grandpa."

"We'll be home soon."

Three days later.

The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Day had only just broken, but the bedchamber was already filled with luggage prepared for the journey to Spirit City.

Qian Renxue stood before the wardrobe, holding two gold hair ribbons of similar shades.

Today, she wore a moon-white dress cinched at the waist with a narrow gold belt, her loose hair falling to the small of her back.

The ribbon on the left was embroidered with a Six-Winged Angel pattern, while the one on the right was adorned with several tiny gemstones.

Qian Renxue compared them in the bronze mirror for a while, but still could not decide.

Three open trunks sat beside the bed.

The first held the team uniforms for the Soul Master Tournament.

The second held her everyday dresses.

The third was filled entirely with tea sets, tableware, and ingredients for use on the road.

When Qian Daoliu entered the bedchamber, the first things he saw were those three trunks, which could barely be closed.

Qian Renxue turned around and held up both hair ribbons.

"Grandpa, which one looks better?"

Qian Daoliu glanced at them.

"The left one."

Qian Renxue immediately put the one on the right into her jewelry box.

She came over to her grandfather with the chosen ribbon and handed him the Jade Comb as well.

Qian Daoliu took the Jade Comb.

Qian Renxue sat before the bronze mirror, her abundant golden hair spilling down the back of the chair.

The Jade Comb slowly traveled down from the roots.

Her silky golden hair was soon divided into three sections.

Through the bronze mirror, Qian Renxue looked at the luggage piled behind her.

She had prepared only two trunks the night before.

After getting up early that morning, she had felt she would need to cook on the road, so she had the palace maids bring a third.

The third trunk had originally held only a tea set.

Later, she had added two jade bowls, four pairs of chopsticks, a small knife for cutting fish, and more than a dozen porcelain bottles filled with seasonings.

After entering the bedchamber, Liu Erlong stood beside the trunks and looked at them for a long time.

She bent down and picked up a porcelain bottle of fine salt, then looked at the cloth bag of Sichuan peppercorns beside it.

"Young Master, we can buy all these things in the cities along the way."

Qian Renxue remained seated before the bronze mirror without turning around.

"The seasonings along the way might not be suitable."

Liu Erlong could only put the porcelain bottle back in the trunk.

Then she took a small steamer out from the very bottom.

The steamer had only two tiers, yet it took up more than half the space.

Qian Renxue saw what she was doing in the mirror.

"You can't take that out."

Liu Erlong stopped.

"There's no stove in the carriage."

"Grandpa can make a fire."

Qian Daoliu finished tying Qian Renxue's hair ribbon.

Her long golden braid fell behind her shoulder, its tip stopping right at her slender waist.

Liu Erlong looked at Qian Daoliu.

Qian Daoliu did not help her persuade Qian Renxue.

It was only a carriage; even three more trunks would not affect their journey.

Liu Erlong understood what he meant.

She put the steamer back where it had been and pressed its lid down firmly.

The porcelain bottles in the trunk clinked softly as they were squeezed together.

Qian Renxue rose and went over to the wardrobe.

She took out a gold-and-white cloak and held it against herself.

It was autumn now, and they would have to cross several mountain ranges on the journey from Heaven Dou City to Spirit City.

The mornings and nights would be cooler than in the city.

Qian Renxue folded the cloak and placed it in the second trunk.

Just as she was about to close the lid, she took a Golden Robe out of the wardrobe.

It had been made to fit Qian Daoliu.

The collar and cuffs were embroidered with intricate Angel God Runes, and a piece of white jade was set into the belt.

Qian Renxue placed the golden robe beside her own cloak.

She lowered her head to straighten its hem, only closing the lid once the fabric lay completely flat.

Qian Daoliu watched her bustle about.

"I have a Soul Tool."

Qian Renxue held down the trunk lid.

"I prepared this."

Those simple words kept Qian Daoliu from saying anything further.

Liu Erlong turned her face away, suppressing the smile at her lips.

The palace maids brought breakfast.

Hot porridge, pastries, and several small dishes were set on the table.

Qian Renxue sat down at the table, but did not pick up her chopsticks immediately.

She took a jade plate, packed separately, from the bottom tier of the food carrier.

On the jade plate lay a freshly steamed fish.

The fish's skin was intact, with neatly arranged shreds of scallion laid over it.

Qian Renxue set the fish before Qian Daoliu.

She had made it herself early that morning.

She had steamed the fish a little too long, but it was already much better than her first attempt.

Qian Daoliu picked off a piece of fish with his chopsticks.

Qian Renxue watched his chopsticks, even forgetting to drink the hot congee beside her.

"How is it?"

"Good."

Only after receiving his answer did she lift her jade bowl.

Liu Erlong also took a small piece of fish.

She had barely eaten it when Qian Renxue turned to look at her.

Liu Erlong carefully savored it for a moment.

"The fish is a little overcooked."

Qian Renxue set down her jade bowl.

She picked up her chopsticks and tasted a piece herself.

The fish was indeed less tender than what the imperial chef made.

She glanced at the remaining fish, more than half of it still uneaten, and made a mental note of the cooking time.

Qian Daoliu reached out with his chopsticks again.

Qian Renxue beat him to it, picking off the tenderest piece from the fish's belly.

She carefully removed the fine bones and placed it on the jade dish before her grandfather.

Liu Erlong looked at her own empty jade dish.

Noticing her gaze, Qian Renxue gave her a piece of the fish's tail as well.

The tail had many bones.