Lu Ning and the others turned to look.
Dugu Yan stood behind them.
Her clothes were still somewhat disheveled; clearly, she had not had time to straighten them after being thrown off the stage.
Yu Tianheng stood beside her.
His gaze was likewise fixed on Lu Ning.
"What was that move you used to dodge my purple mist just now?" Dugu Yan stared at Lu Ning, her beautiful eyes intent. She had never seen anyone counter her Soul Skill at such close range.
Even Poison Douluo had to inhale that cloud of purple mist before dissolving it with his own powerful toxins.
Yet Lu Ning had completely disregarded it.
"Just a simple Soul Skill."
"Was there anything else?"
Lu Ning replied with a smile.
A Soul Bone Skill was still a Soul Skill for short-nothing wrong with that!
"Yes!"
"If you'd really inhaled that cloud of poison gas..."
"Could you neutralize it?"
Dugu Yan's gaze burned.
Lu Ning answered without hesitation, "Yes. It wasn't a lethal Soul Skill to begin with. Otherwise, I couldn't have gotten so close to you. I'd guess your whole body is full of toxins."
"They haven't poisoned you to death yet, but you're close. Even your saliva contains Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison."
Even after the Sword Bone's three seconds of intangibility ended...
Lu Ning still had the Life Soul Bone's Healing ability.
That little bit of poison was nothing to Lu Ning.
"...Yes, you're right." Hearing Lu Ning's answer, Dugu Yan did not deny it. Just as he had said, her entire body was full of toxins. Even someone as strong as Yu Tianheng did not dare touch her.
The Imperial Fighting Team's Yu Feng often joked that only Yu Tianheng could withstand the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison in her body, but in reality, even Yu Tianheng did not dare become too intimate with her.
Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison had even appeared in her saliva.
Within two years...
Her life would come to an end.
"Lu Ning."
Yu Tianheng did not look at Dugu Yan. His gaze settled on Lu Ning, his voice calm. "My uncle said you couldn't be beaten, but I want to see how wide the gap between us is."
"May I?"
Yu Tianheng was different from Yu Xiaogang.
He spoke with restraint and chose his words courteously, addressing Lu Ning in an almost pleading tone.
Lu Ning hesitated for a moment.
He raised his right hand.
The Azure Lotus Sword appeared in his grasp, and four Soul Rings emerged.
Purple, purple, purple, black.
At the sight of those four Soul Rings, Yu Tianheng merely stepped half a pace back and nodded lightly, acknowledging the gap between them.
Although Soul Ancestor and Soul Elder were only one rank apart...
Lu Ning's age was there for all to see, after all.
In that instant, Yu Tianheng understood that he would never surpass Lu Ning in his lifetime.
Lu Ning had cultivated for less time than he had, yet had reached a realm he himself had yet to attain.
No matter how hard he worked from now on...
He would never surpass Lu Ning.
Yu Tianheng turned and left.
Dugu Yan stood there and gave Lu Ning a long, deep look before stepping after Yu Tianheng.
Applause rang out nearby.
Qin Ming stood there, clapping his hands.
"Xiao Ning, you've improved again!"
"Well? How was that flask of wine I left you?"
Ma Hongjun looked toward Qin Ming, delight lifting his brows. "Senior Qin!"
Joy also appeared on Lu Ning's face.
Qin Ming, formerly of Shrek Academy, was currently the second-youngest Soul Emperor on the Douluo Continent. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would certainly become a Titled Douluo in the future.
He had guided Oscar, Lu Ning, and the others in their studies together.
He was something of both a senior schoolmate and an older brother to them.
"Senior Qin." Lu Ning did not look particularly surprised. With the Imperial Fighting Team here, Qin Ming naturally ought to be here as their supervising teacher. After all, he was currently in charge of the team.
"Mmm." Qin Ming gently patted Lu Ning's shoulder. "Take me to see the Dean first. There's something I'd like to discuss with him."
"Xiao Ning, with your talent, staying at the academy, where the resources can't keep up, really is too much of a waste."
The group headed toward the lounge, chatting and laughing.
Inside, Flender and Zhao Wuji were counting the Gold Soul Coins they had just earned, grinning so broadly their mouths nearly split. When he saw Qin Ming enter, Flender even clasped his hand and declared that Zhao Wuji should treat everyone to celebrate.
"You really are stingy to the bone."
Zhao Wuji grumbled, and Flender glared back. "Qin Ming's students lost the match. As his teacher, what's wrong with you treating him?"
Watching this scene, Qin Ming maintained his gentle smile throughout.
"The Dean is still just the same..."
"I came this time to discuss something with you teachers."
"Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang intends to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but his Soul Power Level... As you teachers know, he doesn't even qualify as a Heaven Dou Grade student. It would be difficult for me alone to get him into Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"But if all of you joined him, it would be a trivial matter."
Flender's expression stiffened.
Zhao Wuji was more direct.
"What does his joining Heaven Dou Academy have to do with us?"
"With that Soul Power Level of his, he could teach at an elementary academy at most. If he can't get into Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he has only himself to blame."
Qin Ming paused slightly, but he already understood the situation.
"Understood, Teacher Zhao."
"I'll explain things to Grandmaster." After saying that, Qin Ming looked toward Lu Ning. "There's one more thing, though I'm not sure whether I should bring it up."
"Xiao Ning is so talented, and Heaven Dou Royal Academy recently built a Sword Dao Mimicry Environment that can assist with cultivation."
"I was thinking..."
"It's hardly right to leave you teachers putting up with life in the village."
"Could I invite you all to teach at Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"With your abilities, teachers, fiefs and prosperity in the future would be no-"
Before Qin Ming could finish...
The smile had already vanished entirely from Flender's face. He waved a hand to interrupt. "There's no need to bring that up."
"Shrek is capable of teaching these students well. If we could produce a Soul Emperor like you, there's certainly no need to worry about their futures."
Qin Ming smacked his lips.
He said nothing more.
He knew full well that Shrek Academy was Dean Flender's life's work. Flender had not abandoned Shrek Academy even in its most destitute days, so he was even less likely to abandon it now.
"All right."
"Then consider that an unnecessary suggestion from your student."
Qin Ming put on another smile and looked toward Lu Ning. "Xiao Ning, if you ever have the chance to visit Heaven Dou Academy, I'll be there to welcome you."
Lu Ning offered a polite reply.
And the matter was left at that.
Elsewhere.
Tang San abruptly looked up at a figure by the roadside, covered in grease and grime and looking like a beggar.
Tears welled in the corners of his eyes. He could not believe what he was seeing.
Only when that figure raised his head...
Did he shakily call out.
"Dad?!"
Tang Hao wiped the corner of his mouth.
"Xiao San."
"I hadn't intended to let you see me so soon."
"But you need to change the path you're taking."
Tang San looked at Tang Hao in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
Xiao Wu warily watched the beggar-like Tang Hao before her. The pressure radiating from him filled her with fear. That pressure belonged to a Titled Douluo alone!
She did not have the Lovesick Heartbreak Red with her.
Encountering a Titled Douluo at a time like this meant that her identity as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast would be seen through at a glance!
Before you continue