Purple Wonder: Spirit-Concentrating Tranquil Heart

Seeing the astonished expression on Yu Tianheng's face, Lin Qingchen couldn't help asking, "Is there something special about this academy competition? It just sounds like an ordinary assessment."

At most, did it involve the allocation of some resources?

Although he was a transmigrator, the original story couldn't possibly have mentioned everything. Compared with ordinary people, he merely knew more; he was still a long way from having any sort of god's-eye view.

"No, actually, when you get down to it, it's no big deal." Yu Tianheng smiled and shook his head.

"But since you're curious, Qingchen, I'll tell you about it."

Yu Tianheng considered it for a moment and decided there was no harm in befriending someone as exceptionally gifted as Lin Qingchen, so he said, "As you know, since our academy is called Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it must have ties to the imperial family. In fact, the reigning emperor has always served as the academy's dean as well. But Emperor Xue Ye doesn't have the strength to attend to everything these days, so his highness the crown prince handles many matters. The academy competition is a major event, so his highness is certain to attend."

"That makes it an excellent chance to show what you can do. If you perform exceptionally well, you'll undoubtedly catch his highness's eye. For the academy's noble scions, that means gaining the attention of their elders and improving their own future prospects, so naturally it's an opportunity they have to fight for."

"But for you, it's only a minor opportunity."

Lin Qingchen understood at once.

As the saying went, gold would always shine, but for those more ordinary noble scions, this opportunity was indispensable.

Still, it was no wonder Yu Tianheng didn't seem to care about it at all. As one of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's heirs, he hadn't fallen so low that he needed to prove himself to Xue Qinghe.

"I see..."

Yu Tianheng went on to tell Lin Qingchen about some of the academy's rules and a few things he needed to watch out for.

"In any case, as members of the Imperial Fighting Team, we have a pretty high standing in the academy, so you don't need to hold yourself back too much. If anyone dares throw their weight around in front of you, just hit them hard. We're all on your side," Yu Tianheng said.

Clearly, he knew what the atmosphere at the academy was like too.

"I know." Lin Qingchen nodded. He wasn't the sort who liked to play the pig to eat the tiger. "By the way, how come I didn't see anyone else on my way up? Aren't they here?"

"Oh, you mean them? Didn't we just get back? Teacher Qin Ming gave us some time off. They've either gone home or gone out to have fun."

Lin Qingchen nodded. "Oh, but why are you here at the academy by yourself? Why didn't you go out with them?"

"Ah, my home's a fair distance from here, so I decided not to go back."

"All right, then. I'll leave you to it and go back to my room."

"Mm, see you."

Back in his room, Lin Qingchen sat on the bed and took out the Wonder Seed he had found on the Spirit-Concentrating Tranquil Heart Orchid's corpse.

"I wonder what you'll bring me..."

Lin Qingchen murmured, then sent Power of Fortune straight into it.

Just as before, the golden light faded, and the transformed wonder appeared before Lin Qingchen's eyes.

[Spirit-Concentrating Tranquil Heart (purple wonder)]

Description: The Spirit-Concentrating Tranquil Heart Orchid is a spiritual herb. Though not an Immortal Herb, it can strengthen spiritual power and stabilize the soul. Amplified by the power of fate, the last medicinal potency remaining in its remnant shell has been sublimated.

Effects: When worn, stabilizes the soul and spirit, grants immunity to spiritual attacks such as "Charm" and to illusions, and halves the strength of spiritual impacts accompanying physical attacks.

Lin Qingchen: !!!

This was actually one of those rare treasures that affected the soul.

Although there weren't many spiritual-type Martial Souls on the Douluo Continent, they really were much harder to deal with than ordinary Soul Masters.

He didn't have to look far for an example: the Seven Asura Illusion Realm, the seven-in-one fusion Soul Skill of those seven from Canghui Academy, was a particularly underhanded skill. Anyone unaware of its existence could easily be killed the first time they encountered it.

Then there was their teacher, Shi Nian, whose Remnant Dream Martial Soul also relied on illusions in battle.

But now that he had [Spirit-Concentrating Tranquil Heart], he could ignore their strongest abilities altogether.

Without his illusions, Shi Nian was just an ordinary Soul Saint. As for those seven from Canghui Academy, they were merely seven Soul Masters with gem Martial Souls who had a little more fighting power than Auxiliary System Soul Masters.

And then there was Xiao Wu's second Soul Skill, Charm, which had never once worked to her advantage and had brought her nothing but setbacks.

Now, if Xiao Wu used it against him, she would only add another setback to her record.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a treasure. But from the description, it looks like I have to wear it for it to work?"

Lin Qingchen had noticed that inconvenience.

For example, the Environment-Changing Leaf he currently relied on to save his life didn't need to be carried on his person. It worked even when stored in the Wonder Maker's space for wonders.

But now...

"Forget it. I'll find somewhere to make a container for it later and hang it around my neck as a necklace. Even if I lose the necklace, I can still retrieve the wonder from a distance at any time."

[Spirit-Concentrating Tranquil Heart] wasn't large; it looked like nothing more than a little ball two centimeters across. He could have an openwork metal cage made for it and turn it into a necklace. It would look nice too.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious residence near the imperial palace in Heaven Dou City...

As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City followed the usual pattern in its layout: the closer people lived to the imperial palace, the higher their status.

And the name of this residence's owner was even more famous, resounding like thunder in the ears.

One only had to look at the words "Dugu Manor" on its plaque. In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, who else had the surname Dugu and such a lofty status but Poison Douluo Dugu Bo?

Of course, Dugu Bo's actual title was Jade Phosphorous Douluo, the same as his Martial Soul, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor. But he was the only person in the whole world who played with poison, and he had made such a deep impression doing it that people simply called him Poison Douluo.

That certainly showed how renowned and formidable he was, didn't it? (Or so the story went.)

Taking advantage of her time off, Dugu Yan had made a rare trip home.

"Miss, you're back."

As soon as she entered, a maid came forward to greet her.

Dugu Yan nodded. "Mm, where's my grandfather? Don't tell me he's gone to his herb garden again?"

The maid nodded. "The master really isn't home right now, but we don't know where he went either. As you know, miss, the master has always come and gone like a ghost."

"Is that so..."

Dugu Yan waved the maid away.

She had wanted to tell her grandfather about Lin Qingchen. After all, his second ring was a thousand-year ring! But since her grandfather wasn't home, she could only tell him later.