"You still dare to talk?" Ma Hongjun looked at Tang San with a bitter expression.
"Couldn't you make your medicine taste better?"
"I always had to hold my nose and swallow it; the taste was ten times more bitter than bitter melon!"
"Fatty, good medicine tastes bitter," Oscar said seriously, crossing his arms and striking a mature pose.
"Besides, those secret formulas for Xiao San are impossible to find anywhere else, and you're still complaining?"
Ma Hongjun, looking unconvinced, pointed at Oscar and said, "Dean, why isn't Oscar practicing?"
"He seems to be much more relaxed than everyone else lately."
"Of course we need to practice." Yu Xiaogang looked at Qin Ming.
" Qin Ming, you can also arrange training for everyone according to Xuan Ming's training plan at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
Qin Ming was taken aback, somewhat embarrassed. " Grandmaster, I'm afraid this won't work."
Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly. "Why? Could this be a secret of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"It's not exactly a secret. Xuan Ming's training methods at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are no different from most students', and similar to what Ma Hongjun has been using these past few days. It's just that Xuan Ming's training volume is particularly exaggerated, several times that of normal students," Qin Ming said.
"Furthermore, Xuan Ming spends about half of each month in the Sunset Forest."
"For the remaining two weeks, Xuan Ming usually spends a few days in the simulated training ground of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, then goes to the Great Soul Arena for Soul Fighting, and finally goes to the Moonlight Pavilion for a few days to cultivate his mind and body, repeating this cycle. From what I've learned since joining the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Xuan Ming has basically been doing this."
"Therefore, in a sense, Xuan Ming is basically just a figurehead at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He doesn't attend classes much; he spends most of his time cultivating and Soul Fighting on his own."
"Cultivate on your own?" Flender asked, puzzled.
"Has no one come up with a training plan for him?"
"Initially, the Education Commissioner Meng Shenji personally planned his training, but in less than a year, Xuan Ming started practicing on his own," Qin Ming said.
"I didn't say it before because I was afraid people wouldn't believe me."
" Sunset Forest..." Yu Xiaogang murmured thoughtfully.
"Ahem!" Flender coughed twice, drawing everyone's attention back to him.
" Xiaogang, don't forget today's important business."
Yu Xiaogang paused, his expression turning serious, and said, "Have you heard about the Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academy?"
"It seems like there are only six months left," Oscar said, scratching his head.
"Why bring this up? You're not suggesting we go..."
"That's right." Yu Xiaogang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Although you are still young, your strength is already comparable to most of the participating teams. Therefore, I plan to arrange for you to participate in the upcoming Soul Master Tournament."
" Grandmaster, you also said that we are still young, why don't we wait to participate in the next competition?" Oscar asked, frowning in confusion.
"Anyway, five years from now, we'll still be under twenty-five."
"Besides, five years from now, our team, including Boss Dai and the others, might have already reached the Soul King. Wouldn't we be able to achieve even better results then?"
Chapter 198 The Freedom I Desire
"That's true, but..." Yu Xiaogang's gaze swept over everyone present.
Do you think you'll still be able to get together like this five years from now?
"This..." Oscar was stunned. The relaxed smile that had been on his face froze instantly. He opened his mouth, but ultimately could not say a word.
"If you participate in the Soul Master Tournament five years from now, with your strength and talent, winning the championship wouldn't be difficult. However, five years is a long time, and there are too many variables," Yu Xiaogang said.
"Although you might not achieve outstanding results now given your age and abilities, a normal performance is enough to put you in a good position among the many participating teams. This will be a great opportunity for you to gain experience."
" The Soul Master Tournament? You guys?"
Xiao Wu and her two companions, who had just returned from a meeting, went to Xuan Ming and told him what had happened at the meeting.
Upon hearing this news, Xuan Ming felt a strange urge to laugh.
"Hey! What do you mean! Are we that weak?" Ning Rongrong immediately looked indignant, her eyebrows furrowed, and she glared angrily at Xuan Ming.
"I now possess the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and I'm already at level thirty-seven!"
" Zhu Zhuqing is level 38 now!"
"We'll definitely reach level 40 in six months!"
"That's right, we're not weak," Xiao Wu echoed.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything, but judging from her expression, she was somewhat unconvinced.
Although they cannot compare to Xuan Ming, they are definitely not weaker than others!
"You are indeed not weak, but what about the others?" Xuan Ming asked.
" The Soul Master Tournament is a team competition, and there are quite a few people stronger than you. With your abilities, you might have no problem getting through the preliminaries, but what about the finals?"
"You guys aren't planning on a one-round trip, are you?"
"Uh... this..." Ning Rongrong was speechless for a moment, and her originally aggressive aura weakened instantly.
"If it's just like Xiao Wu, going out for fun, then it doesn't matter. She doesn't care about winning or losing anyway," Xuan Ming said.
But you two are different, especially you.
Xuan Ming's gaze fell on Ning Rongrong.
As the young sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong would inevitably attract a lot of attention if she participated in such a competition. If she were to be eliminated in the first round, it would be a significant blow to the reputation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"You'd better discuss this with your family," Xuan Ming said.
"This is no casual game."
Ning Rongrong nodded, "I'll discuss it with Dad."
"As for your question," Xuan Ming, looking at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Come with me for a moment."
Zhu Zhuqing was slightly taken aback, nodded, and followed Xuan Ming.
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, just about to sneak up and eavesdrop, when a dark, empty cave suddenly appeared in front of them. Xuan Ming and Zhu Zhuqing vanished instantly, leaving Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu staring at each other in bewilderment.
"Sneaking around..." Xiao Wu pouted.
Ning Rongrong's gaze was somewhat unnatural. She stared at Xiao Wu for a while before suddenly asking, " Xiao Wu, you wouldn't... have feelings for him too, would you?"
Xiao Wu was slightly taken aback, her ears burning a little. She quickly waved her hand in denial, saying, "Who's interested in him? Don't talk nonsense."
"Really no fun?" Ning Rongrong asked skeptically, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.
When they first met, she felt that Xiao Wu's attitude towards Xuan Ming was strange, as she always paid attention to him intentionally or unintentionally. However, at that time, the distance between Xiao Wu and Xuan Ming was still very obvious, so she didn't think much of it.
However, after Xuan Ming abruptly disappeared for several months and returned to Suotuo City, Xiao Wu's attitude towards him changed noticeably. The distance between them disappeared, and she always found opportunities to spend time with Xuan Ming.
She felt that the change was because Xiao Wu had learned about Xuan Ming's past experiences and developed sympathy and curiosity towards him.
But as they spent more and more time together, especially after arriving in Heaven Dou City, Xiao Wu's attitude towards Xuan Ming became increasingly strange. Just like Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes always held a hint of tenderness and dependence when she looked at Xuan Ming!
Although Xuan Ming had never thought about it that way, the two of them were making rapid progress in their pursuit!
"My relationship with him... is rather special, it's hard to say," Xiao Wu said.
"Special?" Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow.
How special is it?
Xiao Wu thought for a moment, "In a sense... we're meant to live and die together, right?"
Ning Rongrong was taken aback. "Are you confessing your feelings?"
They even came up with the phrase "sharing life and death"!
"Oh dear, it's not what you think." Xiao Wu blushed and quickly covered Ning Rongrong's mouth.
Ning Rongrong pulled Xiao Wu's hand away, "What about Tang San?"
"A good friend," Xiao Wu said.
"He and I are practically childhood friends, didn't I tell you that before?"
"Friends?" Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow slightly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
"They're probably not just simple friends, are they?"
Tang San's feelings for Xiao Wu are definitely extraordinary!
Xiao Wu just didn't notice, and she didn't think about it in that way.
But she could tell!
"What's wrong?" Xiao Wu asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing." Ning Rongrong shook her head gently, not intending to say anything more.
"By the way, Xuan Ming gave both me and Zhu Zhuqing gifts this time. What about you?"
"What did he give you? I don't see much change in your Soul Power Level. Could it be something that doesn't increase your Soul Power?"
Xiao Wu's talent is on an extremely exaggerated level!
Xuan Ming also said that there are differences even among those with Innate Full Soul Power. Some people are innately at level ten because they can only reach level ten, while others are innately at level ten because the highest they can reach is level ten.
Xiao Wu belongs to the latter category.
This girl is just too playful, and like her, she rarely puts in the effort to cultivate; otherwise, she would definitely have a much higher level of cultivation than she has now.
"I..." Xiao Wu's expression was somewhat unnatural.
Ning Rongrong's expression changed slightly. "Could it be... that you don't have it?"
Xiao Wu shook her head. "Yes."
"What gift?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
"It's a secret." Xiao Wu turned her back and walked towards the outer forest of the academy.
Ning Rongrong watched Xiao Wu's departing figure, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Hmph, a secret, huh? I'll dig out your little secret sooner or later."
Meanwhile, Xuan Ming led Zhu Zhuqing to a forest far from the campus.
The trees are lush, their branches intertwined, and sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow.
"Your situation is a bit complicated too." Xuan Ming leaned against the tree.
"Initially, I planned to use my position in the Great Soul Arena to help you resolve this matter, but as you know, I've fallen out with the Seven Great Families."
"And now that you've fallen out with Dai Mubai, your own strength is insufficient to fight against your sister and the Star Luo Imperial Family."
"I..." Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, about to say something, when Xuan Ming raised his hand to interrupt her.
Do you remember when we first met, I asked you a question?
Why should I help you? Give me a reason, and what can you offer me?
That night, I asked you again, and your answer was everything.
Xuan Ming paused, looking into Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, "Although I gave you that thing, to be honest, I didn't like that answer."
"You said you loathe the cage of the Star Luo Empire, and you yearn for freedom."
"But in order to escape the cage of the Star Luo Empire, you chose to sell everything you had and lock yourself in another cage."
Is this the freedom you crave?
Zhu Zhuqing remained composed, slowly stepping forward to stand before Xuan Ming. She tilted her head back, looking directly into his eyes. "No one can truly be free from constraints. Everyone is trapped in their own cage, some large, some small, some bright, some dark. But at least for now, this cage is one I chose myself!"
"But I rescued you from another cage, not to lock you in mine," Xuan Ming said.
"You said you wanted freedom, so I gave you the ability to fly, but do you choose to remain a caged bird?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes trembled slightly, and she bit her lower lip tightly. "But this cage is more than just a cage to me."