"If you need any resources, you can tell my hidden guards. Whatever it is, you must have the best."
"Don't worry."
Before leaving, Yu Tianheng made a point of leaving behind a jade token he carried with him.
Seeing this jade token was the same as seeing his grandfather; no one was allowed to disobey.
That would also prevent the clan elders from causing trouble with their stubborn old-fashioned thinking.
After taking care of everything, Yu Tianheng returned to his room.
Just as he was about to rest, the system's notification suddenly sounded.
[Ding! Progress detected in the combined Soul Ring total of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family. Feedback has been issued.]
"Just when I was getting sleepy, someone brought me a pillow."
Yu Tianheng had been thinking that, if he couldn't obtain a Soul Ring from the system in the near future, he would have to pick out a suitable Soul Beast.
Dragging it out would only hold back the speed of his cultivation.
As the system's voice faded, all four Soul Rings of his Thunder Dragon King Martial Soul reached the nine-thousand-year limit.
When Yu Tianheng saw his fourth Soul Ring's Soul Skill, his breath caught for a moment.
Nine Heavens Divine Lightning Annihilation: When activated, this Soul Skill could summon divine lightning within a target area, annihilating everything inside. The area could be freely controlled, with a current maximum range of five hundred meters in every direction. The divine lightning was a power of law that surpassed Ultimate Lightning.
Compared to the third Soul Skill's extreme destructive power, the fourth Soul Skill not only maintained that destructive power but also increased the range of its attack.
Once the Soul Skill was activated, everything within the area would be reduced to ashes.
With Yu Tianheng's own strength added to the mix, even someone approaching level fifty might not be able to withstand it.
Half a month later, Qin Ming suddenly came to visit the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
When he saw how much Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had changed since leaving the academy, his entire worldview was nearly turned upside down.
That cultivation speed was a little too fast...
After listening to the three girls' account, he fell silent for a long time.
He hadn't expected Immortal Herbs to have such terrifying effects.
Not only could they raise one's Soul Power Level, they could even make a Martial Soul evolve.
"Teacher Qin, Brother Tian Heng said a while ago that he was going to take us back to the academy for a visit. I didn't expect you to come here yourself."
Dugu Yan's casual remark made Qin Ming frown slightly.
For some reason, he had the feeling that Yu Tianheng had known everything all along.
He thought back to Yu Tianheng's performance at the academy and the various changes he had brought to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon after returning.
"This boy was indeed no creature destined to remain in a pond."
Just as Qin Ming was praising him, a laugh suddenly came from behind him.
"You flatter me, Teacher Qin."
Qin Ming turned and saw that Yu Tianheng's imperial bearing had grown more and more pronounced.
It had even begun to surpass that of the reigning Emperor Xue Ye.
"Tian Heng, did you really know I was coming all along?"
After pondering for a moment, Qin Ming asked the question on his mind.
"Not really. It's not as though I can actually divine the will of heaven. Judging by the time, the next Youth Soul Master Tournament should be coming up soon. Given your character, Teacher Qin, you'd definitely have us take part."
Yu Tianheng made no mention of his meeting with Xue Qinghe.
Some things were better known to as few people as possible.
Hearing this, Qin Ming let out a long breath, somewhat relieved. If things had really been as he had imagined,
he would truly have begun to wonder whether Yu Tianheng was some immortal reincarnated.
"You're right. I actually came this time to discuss the tournament with you. The students under me vary widely in talent and Soul Power Level, so I wanted to ask whether you would be interested in taking part."
Qin Ming had made his plans before setting out. After all, Yu Tianheng was now the young clan leader of the Blue Dot Tyrant Dragon Clan.
His great achievements over the past few years had long since made it unnecessary for him to prove himself in any tournament.
But without these few geniuses, Qin Ming really couldn't imagine how the team under him could place in the tournament.
"All right."
Seeing how nervous Qin Ming was, Yu Tianheng smiled and spoke.
That single, simple answer left Qin Ming unable to believe his ears for a moment.
Half believing and half doubting, he said, "Huh?"
"I mean, I'll take part in this Youth Soul Master Tournament. Not just me, either. Yan Yan, Lingling, and Rongrong will all take part too."
At those words, Qin Ming was so excited that tears nearly welled up in the corners of his eyes.
At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he was only an unremarkable, ordinary instructor.
Ever since Yu Tianheng had left, quite a few instructors had mocked the students under him as nothing but trash.
Whether in Martial Soul or talent, they couldn't compare to the noble children under those instructors.
All of it weighed on Qin Ming's heart like a great stone.
He couldn't wait to use this Soul Master Tournament to help him gain a firm foothold and show everyone that the students under him, Qin Ming, were not trash.
"T-Tian Heng, a Soul Master Tournament team needs seven members. I brought a list of students with me today. It gives the details of their current Soul Power Levels, Martial Souls, Soul Rings, and Soul Skills. Have a look and pick some."
But Yu Tianheng didn't take the list. He merely waved a hand and said,
"Just add Shi Mo, Shi Mo, and Yu Feng. Also, sorry to trouble you, Teacher Qin Ming, but please take these three Immortal Herbs back for me."
Yu Tianheng took three Immortal Herbs out of his Soul Tool.
After all, those three fellows had been Yu Tianheng's loyal underlings.
Even if the days he would return to the academy could be counted on one hand, Yu Tianheng didn't want to treat them poorly.
Shi Mo and Shi Mo both had the Black Tortoise Martial Soul and could take Earth-Fortifying Dendrobium to improve their defense.
Yu Feng's Martial Soul was the Wind Chime Bird, so the Falling Goose Autumn Flower, which could increase his speed, was naturally a perfect fit.
"Tian Heng, thank you."
Qin Ming bowed deeply to Yu Tianheng.
He had thought that the power Yu Tianheng held in his clan would change his character too, turning him into someone concerned entirely with himself or his clan's interests.
It seemed he had been wrong. Not only was Yu Tianheng the same as before, he had become even better.
Talent, character, ability-whatever the aspect, Qin Ming could scarcely find anyone who could compare to Yu Tianheng.
"Tian Heng, I'll head back now. The Soul Master Tournament will be held in a year and a half. I'll come and visit you personally then."
"Take care, Teacher Qin Ming. When the time comes, we'll be sure to give you a result you're satisfied with."
Although Qin Ming had only taught Yu Tianheng for a very short time, and his contribution had been negligible,
as far as Yu Tianheng was concerned, the kindness Qin Ming had shown him back then had been genuine.
A kindness received as a drop of water should be repaid with a gushing spring. If he were like a certain someone, he might as well not live at all.
"Tian Heng, don't fight in the Soul Master Tournament when the time comes. Let me show off my strength properly!"