The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the dormitory building, and Kong Xuan, who had just returned from the training room, still had a bead of sweat on his forehead.
With his Soul Power about to break through level fifty, Kong Xuan hasn't been cultivating with his friends these past few days, spending most of his time in the cultivation room improving his Soul Power.
Just as he was about to reach the dormitory entrance, he caught a glimpse of a figure leaning against a stone pillar out of the corner of his eye.
Xiao Hongchen crossed his arms, his short golden hair fluttering slightly in the evening breeze, and a badge symbolizing Level 5 Soul Engineer pinned to his chest.
Seeing that Kong Xuan had noticed him, he smiled his signature smile.
Before he could speak, Kong Xuan walked over and asked, "Why didn't your sister come?"
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, this brother and sister pair, were basically inseparable, and Xiao Hongchen never missed a visit from Meng Hongchen.
Xiao Hongchen's smile froze on his face, but he immediately retorted sarcastically, "You always act so indifferent, but now you panic because you can't see my sister?"
As she spoke, Xiao Hongchen walked to Kong Xuan's side and put her hand on his shoulder.
"I told you, with Meng's talent and looks, what kind of person couldn't she catch? Right, brother-in-law?"
Hearing Xiao Hongchen's slightly teasing tone, Kong Xuan felt a little embarrassed.
However, knowing that Meng Hongchen should be alright, he reached out and pulled away Xiao Hongchen's arm from his shoulder, frowning as he asked, "What brings you here?"
Xiao Hongchen straightened up, his expression turning serious. "The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament will be held in the Star Luo Empire next semester, and I've come as the captain of the reserve team to invite you to join."
"I've always remembered your promise, and I'm still waiting for you to help us win our first championship!"
Xiao Hongchen the world was partly a joke, but he also harbored some expectations, because he knew that Kong Xuan's strength had surpassed his own.
Four years later, Xiao Hongchen still managed to break through to the Soul King.
However, his current Soul Power is not due to the drugs he used; he has heeded Kong Xuan's advice and reminders.
For the sake of power, Xiao Hongchen, this arrogant genius, can sometimes be quite shameless.
He pleaded and begged Kong Xuan until Kong Xuan finally devised a cultivation plan for him.
It was precisely because of this cultivation plan that Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, this brother and sister pair, were able to break through to the Soul King so quickly!
Kong Xuan snorted and said sarcastically, "You promised me a position back then, but it turns out you're just the captain of the reserve team!"
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Xiao Hongchen's face. "The captain is Ma Rulong, Six-Ring Soul Emperor. I'm just Soul King after all."
"But don't worry about what kind of captain I am, your spot is already secured!"
Kong Xuan then asked, "Who else is in the reserve team?"
"Besides the two of us and my sister, there's also Meng Yuxiang, Xiao Yuheng..."
Xiao Hongchen mentioned several names in a row, two of which Kong Xuan recognized. Both were geniuses in the Soul Tool Department, and were already Level 4 Soul Engineer at less than fifteen years old.
He frowned and asked, "No Soul Master classes?"
Xiao Hongchen shook his head. "You're the only one in the Soul Master class; the others are younger and their cultivation levels are lower."
The people Xiao Hongchen mentioned were all fourteen or fifteen years old, and their Soul Power had already reached the Soul Ancestor level.
The highest grade in the Soul Master class is currently only the fourth grade, with students around twelve or thirteen years old. There is only one Soul Ancestor, Kong Xuan, so the others are naturally not considered.
Kong Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Although the other members of the Soul Master class have lower Soul Power Level, their combat strength is no less than that of the other reserve team members."
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, as the premier academy of the Sun Moon Empire, selects its Soul Master class members annually through the "National Joint Examination," making it a gathering of geniuses of the same age from across the country.
Therefore, in Kong Xuan's eyes, many of his classmates in the Soul Master class were also qualified to become reserve team members.
As the class monitor, he should stand up for what he believes in!
Xiao Hongchen understood Kong Xuan's meaning and smiled, "Even if I don't know about other people's situations, I acknowledge Kong Ling's strength, however..."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Some things are beyond my control; after all, I'm just a reserve captain."
Kong Xuan nodded. "I understand. Everything will be decided by strength. Wait for my message!"
After saying that, Kong Xuan turned and walked into the dormitory building. He already had a plan in mind.
The morning Yangguang streamed through the windows of the Soul Master class classroom, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
As the last Soul Skill demonstration of the morning class ended, the once quiet classroom erupted in a commotion, and Kong Xuan dashed out of the classroom like an arrow.
"Teacher, there's something I need to discuss with you."
Kong Xuan stopped Ren Jun, the homeroom teacher, in the corridor as he was about to leave, his tone revealing a hint of seriousness.
Kong Xuan raised an eyebrow, glanced at his most prized student, smiled slightly, and nodded, saying, "Let's talk outside."
The two walked out of the teaching building one after the other and came to a century-old tree opposite the building.
Ren Jun leaned against the tree trunk, looking at Kong Xuan with interest, and asked, "So, what is it?"
Instead of getting straight to the point, Kong Xuan asked, "Teacher, you've been in the Sun Moon Empire for over four years now, haven't you?"
Although he didn't know Kong Xuan's purpose in asking this, he still nodded and said, "That's right."
"Would the teacher like to meet some old friends from the Shrek Academy?"
When Kong Xuan suddenly mentioned Shrek Academy, Ren Jun couldn't help but stiffen.
Shrek Academy, once a sacred place in his heart, later became a place of sorrow for him.
He accepted the invitation to the Sun Moon Empire, partly because he was moved by the promises offered there, but also partly because he wanted to escape.
Seeing Ren Jun fall silent, Kong Xuan didn't keep him in suspense and said directly, "Would you like to lead a team to meet the younger generation of Shrek Academy for next year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament? Perhaps their team leader is someone you know."
"Or rather... would the teacher want to see their student defeat Shrek Academy and win the final championship?"
Ren Jun's eyes flickered, and finally he looked at Kong Xuan and smiled, "Are you so confident that you can win the championship?"
Kong Xuan countered, "Does the teacher think I'm inferior to those geniuses at the Shrek Academy?"
"Of course, you're excellent." Ren Jun said without hesitation, "You are the strongest genius I've ever seen, without a doubt."
However, he then changed his tone. "But you are still young, and you are only Four-Ring Soul Ancestor."
Kong Xuan hasn't used his full strength in a long time at the academy, and even his homeroom teacher Ren Jun, doesn't really know Kong Xuan's true combat power.
Kong Xuan smiled faintly, and rings of Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.
Two purples, three blacks!
When Ren Jun saw Kong Xuan's black Fifth Soul Ring, his eyes widened instantly. "You broke through to the Soul King?!"