Keeping Secrets, Meeting

"Challenge Yu Tianheng?" A flicker of surprise passed through the eyes of the three Education Committee members.

Yu Tianheng was the direct heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, renowned for his powerful physique and Thunder Attribute attacks! Moreover, his Soul Power Level had already reached level 39, a full eight levels higher than Yang Yunhai's. Could Yang Yunhai's martial soul control truly be effective?

They all felt that the challenge would be rather difficult.

After exchanging glances, Meng Shenji, the chairman of the Education Committee, turned his gaze toward "Xue Qinghe."

Qian Renxue merely smiled. "It seems that today, I shall have the fortune of witnessing a battle between Heaven's Chosen."

Only then did Meng Shenji stroke his beard and smile. "I believe that, with Student Yang's strength, he will certainly earn the recognition of every member of the battle team through this spar."

As he spoke, he turned to the side. "Brother Zhi Lin, I'll have to trouble you to personally inform Instructor Qin Ming."

"Alright." Zhi Lin nodded and rose directly to his feet.

At that moment, Yang Yunhai suddenly spoke again. "There is also a private matter that I hope the three Education Committee members will agree to."

"Oh? Please speak, Student Yang," Meng Shenji replied at once.

"My martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, yet it also possesses a Thunder Attribute, so my cultivation method is somewhat unique. I'm afraid the academy's Simulated Environment cannot meet my needs in this regard. Therefore, I hope the three Education Committee members can help this junior find a quiet place in the nearby mountains where Blue Silver Grass grows, to serve as my regular cultivation ground." Yang Yunhai continued, "Also, regarding my martial soul's Thunder Attribute, I hope the three Education Committee members, as well as Your Highness the Crown Prince, can keep it secret for the time being and not tell anyone."

"This includes the battle team's leader and its members."

"I believe that if even the team members do not know, then the teams participating in the Soul Master Competition will know even less."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shenji's eyes immediately lit up. His gaze toward Yang Yunhai grew even more pleased as he stroked his beard and smiled. "Student Yang is indeed farsighted. Why would this old man not support such a request? Please rest assured regarding the cultivation ground as well. This old man will make arrangements as soon as possible."

Qian Renxue also smiled and added, "Rest assured, Brother Yang. I will certainly keep this secret for you as well."

This Yang Yunhai seems even more clever than I imagined, she thought to herself.

"Then I thank Your Highness the Crown Prince and the three Education Committee members." Yang Yunhai cupped his hands slightly and spoke politely.

Heaven Dou Battle Team's leader, Qin Ming, would most likely still go to Shrek later. Yang Yunhai simply did not want his martial soul abilities exposed to Tang San and the others too early.

After all, they would be opponents in the future.

"Haha, as we should." Meng Shenji smiled. "Student Yang is also doing this so the academy's team can achieve better results in the Soul Master Competition. Naturally, this old man must support such a good thing." Although he did not know the exact strength of Yang Yunhai's martial soul's Thunder Attribute, holding such a card in reserve could indeed produce an unexpected effect.

Knowing that such a possibility existed was enough.

Zhi Lin, who had already risen, also smiled slightly. He exchanged a glance with Meng Shenji, then cupped his hands toward "Xue Qinghe" in salute before turning and walking out.

About half an hour later, the sound of footsteps came from outside. Tap, tap, tap.

"Looks like they're back," Meng Shenji said with a smile. Watching the door open and Qin Ming enter alongside Zhi Lin, he rose from his seat and walked forward. "Student Yang, let this old man introduce you. This is Instructor Qin Ming, the leader of our Heaven Dou First Team. The three of us on the Education Committee absolutely recognize his teaching ability."

Yang Yunhai, who had risen as well, cupped his hands slightly. "Greetings, Instructor Qin Ming."

"No need for such courtesy, Student Yang." Qin Ming's smile was warm, and his manner was straightforward. "Education Committee Member Zhi Lin has already told Qin about your martial soul abilities."

"To be honest, Student Yang, your martial soul control is precisely what our team lacks. The team welcomes your addition. As for the spar, Education Committee Member Zhi Lin has told me about it as well. Since Student Yang is willing, I also believe it would be beneficial for the members to personally witness your martial soul abilities and familiarize themselves with your soul skills in advance. Thus, I have already agreed on your behalf. The members have all gone to the Training Ground now. We can head over at any time."

"Haha, excellent." Meng Shenji laughed and took over the conversation.

"There is still some time before the midday break. Once the spar is over, Instructor Qin Ming, you can take Student Yang and Student Zhu Qing to the team dormitories so they can familiarize themselves with the place. You can also have lunch together, exchange a few words, and get to know one another."

"What the Education Committee Member says is exactly what Qin had in mind." Qin Ming smiled and cupped his hands.

"Then, Student Yang, Student Zhu Qing, shall we set off now?" Meng Shenji turned to Yang Yunhai.

"Alright." Yang Yunhai nodded, concise as ever.

Thus, the group set out. Led by Qin Ming, they arrived at an independent Training Ground built specifically for the battle team.

Looking around, they saw an oval field surrounded by a running track. Benches for resting had been placed at intervals along the sides, while awnings stood on both ends. The center was paved with stone and bore the traces of countless battles. At a glance, it was clearly a place for spirit battles.

How shabby, Yang Yunhai inwardly sighed. As he swept his eyes over the entire place, he did not spot any training equipment at all.

This is a Training Ground!? The Training Ground of an imperial royal academy!?

Then he recalled the training regimen that Yu Xiaogang, the theoretical Grandmaster, had devised for Shrek in the original story. For a moment, he was left speechless.

Lost in thought, he followed Qin Ming toward the awning on the right.

On the other side, seeing Yang Yunhai and the others approach, the Heaven Dou Battle Team members all turned to look.

"That's Yang Yunhai? He's really a man?" Osler's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

"No wonder Education Committee Member Zhi Lin specifically had Instructor Qin Ming remind us not to call him the wrong thing. This is ridiculous. How can a boy be this beautiful?"

Beside him, Yu Feng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo nodded without speaking. Their gazes rested on Zhu Zhuqing as they looked her over, their faces full of envy.

"Hmph, just a pretty boy." Dugu Yan snorted, offering a different opinion. "Look at how frail he is, yet he actually dared to challenge Tianheng to a spar. He truly overestimates himself. Blue Silver Grass is a Useless Martial Soul. I don't see how it could possibly be that powerful."

Yu Tianheng shook his head. "For Instructor Zhi Lin to personally inform Instructor Qin Ming, he must have something extraordinary about him." As he spoke, he rose from his seat. "We'll all be teammates from now on. Come on, let's go welcome them."

Seeing this, Dugu Yan said no more. She restrained her emotions and followed.

Before long, the two groups met.

"Greetings, three Education Committee members. Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." The Heaven Dou Battle Team members were the first to cup their hands in salute.

"No need for formalities. I merely happened to be here," Qian Renxue said with a slight smile, casually waving her hand.

At that moment, Qin Ming spoke. "Come, let me introduce everyone. This is Student Yang Yunhai, whom I mentioned to you earlier. Beside him is his companion, Miss Zhu Zhuqing. Starting today, these two students will be joining our battle team."

As a Soul Douluo, Zhi Lin had sensed Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power Level the moment they met. He had already informed Qin Ming of her identity and martial soul information earlier. Qin Ming also thought she was quite good and could be brought into the team as a reserve member for now.

"Yang Yunhai, greetings to the seniors." Yang Yunhai immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing at his side also spoke, dipping slightly in a bow. "Greetings to the seniors."

"No need to stand on ceremony. I'm Yu Tianheng. As the team captain, I welcome you both to the team." Yu Tianheng smiled.

"Welcome, welcome!" Osler chimed in from the side.

The male teammates around them echoed the sentiment. Only Dugu Yan and the taciturn Ye Lingling responded with either slight nods or smiling nods.

Seeing this, Qin Ming smiled as well and continued, "In that case, Tianheng."

Yu Tianheng immediately understood. He cupped his hands slightly toward Yang Yunhai. "Junior, please!"

"Please!" Yang Yunhai promptly returned the gesture.

"Everyone, follow me to the awning and take a seat to watch," Qin Ming said at the right moment.

"Alright." Meng Shenji nodded slightly and followed Qin Ming toward the awning along with the others.

Before long, everyone arrived at the awning and took their seats.

Meanwhile, under Yu Tianheng's lead, Yang Yunhai walked to a spot near the center of the field.

Once the two had taken their positions and faced each other, Qin Ming, standing in front of the awning, began officiating.

"Please exchange sparring courtesies, then summon your martial souls and prepare for battle." His voice was clear and bright.

"Tianheng Senior, please enlighten me." Yang Yunhai bowed slightly and cupped his hands.

"You're too modest, Junior. There's no need to speak of guidance—we'll learn from each other." Yu Tianheng smiled and returned the gesture politely.

"You're right, Senior." Yang Yunhai nodded slightly.

With that, the two lowered their hands, straightened up, and activated their martial souls almost simultaneously. Yang Yunhai stood quietly in place, Spirit Rings unfurling beneath his feet while Blue Silver Grass vines swayed in his palm. On the other side, as the wielder of a Beast Martial Soul, Yu Tianheng assumed a standard combat stance.

"Begin!" Qin Ming's voice quickly rang out.