Returning to Nuoding, Qin Ming's Invitation

After leaving Dragon Spine Valley.

The Soul Hunting did not linger in the wild.

Gao Yan led the group on a continuous journey.

The team was only allowed to rest for the first time after the mountains behind them had completely disappeared.

Neither Dong Jian nor Li Man turned around.

Too much has happened in Dragon Spine Valley.

Two Gu Jiu.

Three beasts in one body.

The first chain broke.

And the second lock that has already recorded the Soul Power of the two.

Any one of these items alone would be enough to prompt the academy to send out even stronger Soul Master to investigate.

But what everyone needs to do now is not to go back into the valley.

Instead, they organized the information brought back alive.

Gao Yan sat by the campfire.

The Crimson Armored Bear Martial Soul has been retrieved.

His right palm was still trembling slightly.

Only part of the giant claw behind the stone gate was revealed.

Even when he and Yan Feng joined forces, they were still almost unable to suppress him.

"After returning to the academy."

Gao Yan looked at Dong Jian and Li Man.

The report was split into two parts.

"Public reports document the Soul Beast, the Valley Guardians, and the Stone Gate."

"Confidential reports are only given to the vice president."

"As for the special connection between your Martial Soul..."

"Just write it as Martial Soul Resonance."

He paused for a moment.

"You are unwilling to reveal your personal Martial Soul secrets."

I won't force you.

"But as long as that kind of resonance affects the team's safety again."

"We must inform the team leader immediately."

Dong Jian nodded.

"Clear."

Li Man had no objections.

The Divine Dragon Secret Realm, Key Fragment, and dual-key structures cannot be disclosed.

However, after partial purification, the Key Fragment no longer possesses the remote positioning capability of the Return to One Society.

At least in the short term.

They don't need to worry about the black device suddenly triggering an out-of-control resonance again during the next mission.

Dragon Spine Valley is temporarily closed.

Not all questions will be answered.

With their current strength, this is as far as they can go.

Three days later.

Nuoding Academy.

In front of the main gate of the college.

The vice dean, the treating physician, and several senior teachers had been waiting for a long time.

Tang San and Xiao Wu were also standing in the crowd.

The first thing Xiao Wu noticed was Li Man's second Yellow Soul Ring.

"It worked?"

She ran over quickly.

Li Man nodded.

"Seven hundred and twenty years of Coiled Dragon Golden Bamboo".

"What about the Second Soul Skill?"

"Testing will begin later."

Xiao Wu then looked at Dong Jian.

Two Yellow Soul Ring also surrounded the Panda Martial Soul.

You succeeded too.

"A 750-year-old Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear."

Dong Jian answered.

Tang San did not immediately inquire about the Soul Skill.

His attention fell on the black wooden box in Gao Yan's hand.

The wooden box contained the fragment of the stone door that had been pressed into the contaminated area.

There were also a few snake scales and human bones left behind by Gu Jiu's body.

What exactly happened in Dragon Spine Valley?

Tang San asked.

Gao Yan glanced at him.

"Hold a meeting first."

College conference room.

The vice dean sat in the main seat.

Gao Yan was responsible for the report.

Yan Feng and Lin He added details from time to time.

Dong Jian and Li Man stood to one side.

Tang San and Xiao Wu stood behind Yu Xiaogang.

There are three things on the table.

The contaminated tissue extracted from the first Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear.

The black snake scales inside Gu Jiu's body.

And rubbings of stone tablets engraved with "one door, three locks, three beasts in one body".

Gao Yan did not mention the Divine Dragon Secret Realm.

The Key Fragment was not mentioned either.

This only indicates that Dong Jian and Li Man's Martial Soul resonated in a special way near the stone gate, helping the team to temporarily suppress the first layer of the seal.

"Gu Jiu."

"It possesses at least two bodies capable of operating simultaneously."

The body's interior is composed of bamboo roots, snake scales, and human bones.

"Does a true entity exist?"

"Unable to confirm."

The vice president looked at the rubbing.

What is sealed behind the stone gate?

"Have no idea."

Gao Yan's answer was very direct.

"But at least it's not an ordinary Soul Beast."

"Extend only one hand."

"That requires both Yan Feng and I to suppress it simultaneously."

"With the Nuoding Academy's current strength."

"Not suitable for re-entry."

Yu Xiaogang picked up the records of the contaminated organization.

"The pollution method of the first Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear."

"Unlike the previous Fusion Soul Beast."

There are no metal devices inside the body.

"This means that the Return to One Society can now directly alter the soul Soul Power Soul Beast."

Gao Yan shook his head.

"This only indicates that the pollution methods are different."

"It cannot be confirmed that the Return to One Society definitely complete it."

"Gu Jiu Return to One Society."

"It might not be the same party."

Yu Xiaogang did not persist.

He put down the record.

Gu Jiu called out Tang San's name last.

The meeting room fell silent.

Gao Yan looked at Dong Jian.

Dong Jian did not avoid the topic.

"He told us to bring Tang San with us next time we go back."

Tang San frowned slightly.

"He knows my name?"

"Know."

"Do you still know that your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass?"

"Uncertain."

Dong Jian said:

He only gave his name.

"No reason was given."

Yu Xiaogang immediately asked:

Are there any other reactions related to Tang San?

"No information could be confirmed."

Li Man answered.

A very faint third type of key information appeared at the end of the Divine Dragon Secret Realm.

But the source has not yet been realized.

Based solely on a single sentence on the stone tablet.

This is insufficient to directly conclude that it is related to Tang San.

We must not expose the Divine Dragon Secret Realm.

Yu Xiaogang looked at the two of them.

"You have still retained some information."

"Yes."

Dong Jian did not deny it.

"Involves the individual's Martial Soul core."

"It will not be made public."

Tang San took a step forward.

"If it's just your own secret."

I have no right to ask further.

"But Gu Jiu called my name."

"This matter is now related to me."

Dong Jian remained silent for a moment.

He recalled what Li Man had said Key Fragment.

We cannot wait until the danger gets out of control.

That's how the person involved found out they were also involved.

"You're right."

Dong Jian answered.

"The part that is directly related to you."

You have the right to know.

"Gu Jiu is calling your name to enter Dragon Spine Valley."

The ancient characters for Shimen read "One gate, three locks; three beasts, one body."

"The first lock is related to the earth-suppressing power of the Dragon-Patterned Ironback Bear."

The second lock has responded.

"Besides."

We haven't confirmed why he needs you.

Tang San asked:

When are you planning to go again?

"I'm not going."

Dong Jian answered.

"At least we won't go until we're strong enough."

Yu Xiaogang frowned.

"Since the danger is now pointing towards Tang San..."

"We should proactively investigate the cause."

"Investigations require capability."

Dong Jian said:

"Gu Jiu's mere physical body can influence a seven-hundred-year-old Soul Beast."

"Even the Soul Ancestor couldn't easily suppress what was sealed away."

"Go back now."

"It's not an investigation."

"It means bringing the person to him."

Yu Xiaogang said:

"We can request assistance from the Spirit Hall using stronger Soul Master."

Gao Yan Opening:

"The data will be handed over to the academy and the Spirit Hall Branch."

"It's up to them to decide whether to continue the investigation."

"But students will not participate."

"Including Tang San."

Tang San did not refute Gao Yan.

He knew that the other party was the leader of the team that was actually entering Dragon Spine Valley this time.

He also personally confronted the entity behind the stone gate.

His judgment carries more weight than any written speculation.

Yu Xiaogang, however, continued to look at the rubbing.

"Blue Silver Grass, Bamboo-type Martial Soul, Bear-type Martial Soul."

There may be some ancient connection between the three forces.

"We can't completely give up on this lead."

Li Man said:

"The data can be studied."

"We can't take the students back just to verify the theory."

Yu Xiaogang looked up.

I didn't say to go in now.

"But your rejection of unknown information."

"You might also miss the crucial answer."

"It's not about rejecting the answer."

Dong Jian said:

"The first thing to do is to confirm whether you have the ability to obtain the answer while still alive."

The vice dean tapped on the table.

"This concludes the report on Dragon Spine Valley."

The college will archive the documents.

"No student may go there without a formal reply from the Spirit Hall."

Tang San.

"It's about Gu Jiu calling roll."

"You already know."

"Do not investigate alone."

Tang San nodded.

"Clear."

The meeting has adjourned.

The secrets of Dragon Spine Valley have been temporarily sealed away in the academy's archives.

No new survey team was dispatched immediately.

No one, out of curiosity, dared to return to that valley.

Not at least not now.

afternoon.

The academy's training ground.

Dong Jian and Li Man conducted their Second Soul Skill test.

The vice president, Gao Yan, Yan Feng, Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and Xiao Wu were all present.

Yan Feng drove ten wooden stakes into the ground.

The spacing between the wooden stakes is different.

At the very back are three thick stone slabs used for testing destructive power.

"Test Dong Jian first."

Dong Jian walked into the venue.

Two Yellow Soul Ring rose up.

The First Soul Skill Bear Astral Energy Body Protection, is responsible for withstanding the attacks.

The Second Soul Skill is completely different.

The second Soul Ring lit up.

Dong Jian raised his right foot.

"Second Soul Skill, Mountain-Shaking Stomp!"

The ball of the foot lands.

Boom!

The ground was not extensively blown open.

A heavy tremor spread along the ground.

The five wooden stakes in front swayed simultaneously.

The two closest ones bounced directly out of the ground.

The other three, though not broken, had loosened at the bottom.

The stone slabs furthest away showed no obvious damage.

Yan Feng stepped forward.

Inspect for cracks in the ground.

"The effective range is approximately eight steps."

The first four steps are the most powerful.

"Its primary effect is not destruction."

It disrupts the target's center of gravity.

Yu Xiaogang said:

"Ineffective against flying-type and Agility Attack System Soul Master who can jump."

"Yes."

Dong Jian admitted it.

Soft ground also weakens conduction.

What about continuous use?

Dong Jian raised his foot a second time.

Mountain-Shaking Stomp down.

The area is smaller than the first time.

I also felt soreness in the meridians of my right leg.

Lin He immediately said:

"A maximum of two consecutive times within a short period."

"A third injury could damage the calf and knee."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Dong Jian.

"The limitations of the Heavy Mountain Bear Soul Ring likely result in more purely defensive skills."

"But it also improved my ground control."

Dong Jian answered.

"I don't need a second Bear Astral Energy Body Protection."

Yu Xiaogang did not argue.

This time.

Dong Jian's choice did indeed have a clear effect.

The drawbacks are equally clear.

It's not a perfect Soul Skill.

But it aligns with his own path.

It was Li Man's turn.

She did not aim directly at the stone slab.

Instead, a bamboo array eye was set up on each of the left and right sides of the venue.

The second Yellow Soul Ring lit up.

"Second Soul Skill, Dragon Bamboo Piercing Formation!"

Beside the left-hand center point.

A golden bamboo spear materialized.

Whoosh!

The bamboo spear pierced through the first stone slab.

Then, it changed direction once near the right-side key point.

Pierce the edge of the second stone slab from the side.

The third stone slab was intact.

Li Man withdrew her Soul Skill.

His breathing became slightly heavier.

Yan Feng asked:

"Maximum distance?"

"With my current Soul Power."

"The distance between the key points of the formation shall not exceed thirty paces."

"After changing direction once, its power decreases by 20%."

"If the array's key points weren't set up beforehand."

"Can it be released?"

"Can."

Li Man replied:

"But it can only attack in a straight line."

"Unable to turn around."

Yu Xiaogang said:

"This kind of Soul Skill is used by Control System Soul Master."

"Soul Power consumption is too high."

"If the first strike fails to eliminate the enemy."

"Subsequent control capabilities will significantly decrease."

Therefore, it cannot be used as a normal attack.

Li Man said:

"It is a means of ending and breaking the formation."

"It's not a continuous consumption."

Xiao Wu looked at the two stone slabs that had been pierced.

"At least from now on, no one can say that all you can do is kidnap people."

Li Man smiled.

"Still a long way off."

at last.

The two tested the Dragon Bamboo Tremor Formation.

Li Man first placed the two array points twenty-five paces away.

Dong Jian activated the Mountain-Shaking Stomp.

The black and white vibrations were transmitted along the bamboo and rattan.

When we reached the second key point of the formation.

Its strength is already extremely weak.

The wooden stake only swayed slightly.

First failure.

Li Man immediately shortened the distance.

Adjust the formation's focal point to fifteen steps.

Dong Jian launched a new campaign.

Boom!

The vibrations moved along the bamboo and rattan.

The three wooden stakes near the second key point of the formation simultaneously lost their balance.

One of them was knocked down by the shock.

Yan Feng recorded the results.

"The combination technique has been initially established."

"The greater the distance, the greater the loss of strength."

"The array's core has been destroyed; the transmission has immediately ceased."

"And both of them need to expend their Soul Power."

"It is not suitable to be used as a regular method at this time."

Neither Dong Jian nor Li Man were disappointed.

Creating a unique combination is never something that can be accomplished on the first try.

At least for now.

The direction already exists.

The edge of the training field.

A young man in his thirties watched it from beginning to end.

He was wearing the uniform of a teacher at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Short black hair.

He has an upright posture.

He clapped softly only after the test was over.

"One is responsible for sending power into the ground."

"One that decides where the power originates."

"That's a good idea."

The vice dean turned around.

"Teacher Qin Ming."

The young man walked onto the training field.

Dong Jian and Li Man both looked at him.

Qin Ming.

Teacher at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

He was also one of the people in charge of this exchange of young Soul Master from the Balak Kingdom.

The vice dean introduced:

"Teacher Qin Ming was originally scheduled to arrive tomorrow."

"I didn't expect it to be a day early."

"I just happened to see your Soul Skill test."

Qin Ming looked at the Yellow Soul Ring beneath their feet.

Ten years old.

"Two level-two Soul Grandmaster."

"Soul Power isn't the most outrageous."

"But methods for developing Martial Soul are rare."

Yu Xiaogang stood to the side.

Hearing Qin Ming's assessment, he remained silent.

Qin Ming continued to ask:

"Are you planning to stay at the Nuoding Academy indefinitely?"

Dong Jian replied:

"No decision yet."

Nuoding Academy is suitable for building a solid foundation.

Qin Ming said:

"But after level 20."

"You need stronger opponents, a more complete simulated environment, and truly mature team training."

He took out two silver badges.

The badge features Swan design on the front.

The reverse side features the logo of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

This is not a formal admission.

"It's just an observation period."

"Within the next two years."

"If you can reach level twenty-eight."

"And through practical assessment."

"I can recommend you to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Li Man asked:

"As a regular student?"

"Start as a prospective member."

Qin Ming answered.

"The Heaven Dou Royal Academy has a youth team that is currently being formed."

"The members are all very talented."

"Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Feng, Osler, and the Shi Brothers."

"You want to become full members."

You need to fight for it yourself.

The most outstanding young Soul Master of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the original novel.

This was the first time it truly appeared in front of the two of them.

Qin Ming placed the badge on the table.

"I won't judge you just because you're from the Nuoding Academy."

"Lower the assessment standards."

"It won't be because you have special Soul Skill."

"Just give me the location."

"The team has no shortage of talented players."

What's lacking are people who can grow alongside other geniuses.

Dong Jian picked up one of the badges.

When is the assessment?

Two years later.

Qin Ming said.

"Twelve years old."

Level 28.

"Come find me in Heaven Dou City."

Li Man also picked up the badge.

What if it can't be achieved?

"Badge invalid."

Qin Ming answered very decisively.

I won't come back a second time.

The setting sun casts its rays upon the training field.

Both silver badges reflected light simultaneously.

The stone gate of Dragon Spine Valley was temporarily left behind.

A new path has emerged.

Tang San stood beside Yu Xiaogang.

Looking at the Swan badges in Dong Jian and Li Man's hands.

He felt no envy.

There were no congratulations.

He simply clenched his fist.

Everyone is beginning to choose their future path.

Dong Jian and Li Man's destination is the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Tang San was unaware of this.

Two years later.

They will once again stand opposite each other in completely different teams.