" Xiao Wu, is the kind of 'liking' you're talking about the kind between siblings, or the kind between a man and a woman?" Ning Rongrong asked, leaning close to Xiao Wu's ear when no one was looking.
Xiao Wu blinked her big, innocent eyes and said, "Liking is liking, Rongrong. Are there so many kinds of liking?"
"Uh..." Ning Rongrong was at a loss for words. After all, she was just a naive young girl experiencing her first love, and she didn't know much about these things.
After a lively discussion among the crowd, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang stepped forward and said, "Alright, everyone, quiet down. You all performed very well in the battles during this period. Now that you have all obtained the Silver Soul Badge, you have passed the second stage of the test."
"Given everyone's excellent performance, I'm giving you all a two-week break. After that, we'll begin the third phase of training!"
"Huh? There's a third stage of training?" Upon hearing that there was actually a third stage of training, everyone screamed in disbelief.
The Grandmaster glanced at them indifferently and said, "What? You have objections? Those who do, then let Qi Ling train you alone!"
"No, no! Grandmaster, let alone the third stage, we can definitely persevere even in the fourth and fifth stages of training!" Ma Hongjun answered eagerly, while the others secretly wiped away their sweat.
They didn't know what the Grandmaster's training was like, but Qi Ling's training was something that could really kill people!
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, surprising everyone. All the Shrek members were here; who could it be?
Zhao Wuji stepped forward and opened the door. Standing outside was a very capable-looking young man. Upon seeing Zhao Wuji, he immediately smiled and said, "Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, and Dean Flender, how are you? Your disciple Qin Ming greets you!"
Everyone was surprised to see Qin Ming arrive, because he was the leader of the Imperial Fighting Team and had also been present at the Soul Fighting event before. What was he doing here?
However, after Flender's introduction, everyone realized that Qin Ming was also a graduate of Shrek Academy, making him their senior.
After introducing themselves, Qin Ming said with a guilty expression, "Everyone, my student went too far in the battle and injured you. I am truly sorry!"
Qin Ming was naturally referring to Tang San and Xiao Wu. Tang San smiled and said, "It's nothing. They're not as skilled as me, which is to be expected. Besides, I believe that after fighting with Big Brother, their injuries will only be more severe than mine."
Qin Ming could only smile awkwardly after hearing Tang San's words. Indeed, given Yu Tianba's current state, it was uncertain whether he could recover.
As for his other teammates, they all turn pale at the mere mention of Qi Ling's name. Qi Ling has become an inescapable psychological shadow for all of them, and the impact on them is far from being easily erased.
However, Qin Ming was not too pessimistic about this, because they were all still young, and his original intention was to teach them a lesson so that they could grow in adversity. He just did not expect the effect to be so good.
"These children will surely learn a lot from this battle," Qin Ming said sincerely, looking at Qi Ling. "It seems our Shrek Academy has truly produced an extraordinary genius this time!"
Flender proudly replied, "Of course, you should know who taught you."
"Come on, Flender, what does Qi Ling's growth have to do with you? It's all thanks to him." Yu Xiaogang ruthlessly exposed him.
"You, you bastard, can't you just let me finish this show?" Flender said helplessly, but what Yu Xiaogang said was actually the truth.
"Besides Qi Ling, aren't these students also the fruits of our labor?" Flender pointed to each student and introduced them to Qin Ming, "Come on, Qin Ming, get to know your junior brothers and sisters!"
After learning about the ages and strengths of the Shrek Academy students, Qin Ming was genuinely surprised. He had thought that the students of the Imperial Fighting Team were already quite talented, but compared to the Shrek Academy students, they suddenly seemed ordinary.
"Truly, new talents emerge in every generation. I never imagined that the record I set at the academy would be broken so quickly," Qin Ming remarked.
Flender said proudly, "That's right, don't you even know who taught you that?"
"Hmm, I remember, it seems like their Soul Power had already reached this standard before they even entered the school," Yu Xiaogang bluntly retorted once again.
"Damn it, Yu Xiaogang, are you deliberately trying to pick a fight with me today?" Flender said, annoyed.
After their conversation, Qin Ming said, "It's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer. Tomorrow at noon, I've prepared a banquet to invite you, my teachers, and fellow students. I hope you'll do me the honor of joining me."
Upon hearing that someone was offering to treat him, Flender readily agreed. For this miserly man, anything was acceptable as long as it didn't cost money.
The next day, the Shrek Academy members returned to the Great Soul Arena. They had left in such a hurry the day before that they hadn't yet tallied their scores or claimed their rewards.
When Manager Ao saw the Shrek members arrive, he smiled broadly, especially at Qi Ling, who was now his savior.
"Everyone, I've been waiting for you here for quite some time," Manager Ao said after welcoming everyone inside. "I've had your rewards and badges made overnight; please come and collect them."
In addition to the Gold Soul Coin that everyone won, Manager Ao also gave everyone a large sum of money as a reward for saving the Great Soul Arena.
As for Qi Ling, Manager Ao gave him an extra black card, which, judging from his expression, must have some special purpose.
After a month of hard work, everyone obtained their own Silver Soul Badge, and Qi Ling even obtained a Gold Soul Fighting Badge, which means that Qi Ling the third Gold Soul Fighting in the Soul Elder realm.
Furthermore, since Qi Ling is now also a member of the Shrek Team, their team Soul Fighting has been upgraded to Gold Soul Fighting.
"My God, I can't believe we're already a Gold Soul Fighting Team!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed in disbelief. "Just a month ago, I was still a Bronze Soul Fighter!"
" Qi Ling is the Gold Soul Fighting Master, you're still just a Silver Soul Fighter Master," Dai Mubai said irritably. "To upgrade to Gold Soul Fighting, you'll need a considerable number of points."
"Hehe, it's only a matter of time!" Ma Hongjun said confidently.
After leaving the Great Soul Arena, the group went straight to the hotel that Qin Ming had booked. Flender, the academy's teachers, and Yu Xiaogang had already arrived and were chatting with Qin Ming in the private room.