Just as Gu Yechen was about to continue forward, Ye Lingling stopped him and said, "Let's wait here for a while."
Gu Yechen looked at her in confusion. "Why?"
Ye Lingling reminded him, "Have you forgotten? Today is the day of your assessment."
Gu Yechen glanced around. "But there's no one else around."
Ye Lingling explained, "The assessments are all scheduled for the afternoon. We came in the morning, so naturally, there aren't many people here yet."
"Then where is everyone?"
Gu Yechen felt a little frustrated. Could it be that none of the other candidates arrived early?
Ye Lingling smiled brightly. "They're probably still at the hotels and inns in Tiandou City. Most of them are of noble status—they wouldn't come this early."
Gu Yechen was speechless. So, because he had no status or background, he had to come early?
The answer was clear: connections and backing had always been important.
Before long, a handsome man with reddish-brown hair, dressed in a red fitted outfit, appeared.
He looked to be around thirty years old, with good looks, and carried an opaque package in his hands.
As he approached, Gu Yechen could sense the strong soul power radiating from him. The man possessed six soul rings, meaning he was a Soul Emperor in his thirties.
Such power was almost comparable to Aunt Ye's. If she were his age, perhaps her soul power wouldn't even surpass his.
"Lingling, I didn't expect you to come so early!"
The red-haired man said to Ye Lingling. In his mind, Lingling was a cold and solitary person who rarely socialized.
"Yeah, I was afraid Teacher Qin would have to wait too long, so I came early," Ye Lingling nodded.
Then, pointing to Gu Yechen beside her, she said, "Teacher Qin, this is my distant relative. He's here for the assessment today. I'd like to cheer him on. Could I please take half a day off?"
Gu Yechen inwardly laughed and cried. What the... distant relative? She actually lied! Why couldn't he lie like that? So unfair.
Teacher Qin Ming furrowed his brow and looked at Ye Lingling. "Lingling, during the first stage of hunting spirit beasts, you got injured. Because of your special constitution, I specially allowed you to go home to recover. Now, I will arrange the second stage of training. You cannot be absent again."
"Don't forget, you are a member of the Tiandou Royal Academy battle team. Tonight, I will arrange the second stage of training. Real combat is the best way to improve and find your weaknesses."
Curious, Ye Lingling asked, "Teacher Qin, what is the second stage of training?"
Qin Ming answered seriously, "It is divided into two phases: the first is the 'Battle of Strategy,' and the second is the 'Battle of Wagers.'"
"Participating in the Battle of Strategy prepares you better for the Battle of Wagers."
"Many nobles have spent huge sums to find our academy, requesting that we fight for their wagers."
"After the council's approval, our Tiandou Royal Academy battle team is required to fight for these nobles. For each match won, you will each receive a reward of 1,000 Gold Soul Coins, and the academy will receive an additional 10,000 Gold Soul Coins."
"At first, I refused, worried you might get hurt again. But eagles must spread their wings; otherwise, they'll never grow."
"From my observations, each of you is individually strong, but teamwork and coordination are lacking."
"Teamwork will be the focus of our upcoming training. After all, you will be competing in the elite academy tournament across the continent."
"So you can't take leave this afternoon. Tonight, we will go to the Tiandou City Grand Douhun Arena to get accustomed to the environment."
"Ah? But Gu Yechen is... he's my relative and my junior. I'm worried about him," Lingling said, clearly reluctant to leave Gu Yechen.
Looking at the usually reserved Ye Lingling, Qin Ming was surprised she cared so much for her classmates—a true team favorite.
"Enough. He's not a child anymore. Let him adjust to this place by himself. When I was studying, I was just a clueless youth, but I still managed to achieve good results."
Teacher Qin looked at Gu Yechen and nodded. Then he said, "My name is Qin Ming. You can call me Teacher Qin. Tonight, I need to take Lingling and the others to training, so I'm sorry she can't cheer you on."
"Lingling has great talent. You should be happy she's becoming stronger. Without her here, I believe you can manage well too, right?"
"If anyone bothers you at the academy, just mention my name, Qin Ming. Now, good luck with your afternoon assessment."
"Yes! Thank you, Teacher Qin."
Gu Yechen bowed respectfully. He understood Ye Lingling's intention: to help him get familiar with Teacher Qin so he wouldn't be bullied at the academy.
Though Ye Lingling knew he was a Level 20 innate talent, whether he could truly grow was still uncertain.
Moreover, even a Douluo-level support soul master would struggle under the fierce attacks of a Soul Master several ranks above.
Even if a Douluo-level support master could heal themselves, they were helpless against more advanced fighters—that was the difference in levels.
Therefore, having a strong backing was very important for a support soul master.
As for Ye Lingling, whether she cheered for him or not didn't matter—he just hoped she was happy every day.
Teacher Qin smiled, "I see you're carrying a package. I don't have a proper gift, so I'll give you a common soul guidance device."
Qin Ming took off a bracer from his arm and said, "This is called the Dark Iron Bracer. It can store items and also provides some defense."
"But Teacher Qin, wouldn't you be without a soul guidance device then?" Gu Yechen hesitated to accept it.
Qin Ming laughed, "I said it's just a common one. I have other advanced devices. Just take it."
Ye Lingling quietly whispered into Gu Yechen's ear, "Accept it. Teacher Qin is very easy-going. The academy's leadership all like him, and his talent is unique here."
"Alright!" Gu Yechen reached out and took it, silently promising himself, "I'll remember this favor."
"Alright! Lingling, let's go!"
Teacher Qin waved to Ye Lingling, ready to move on. But Ye Lingling said she had a few words for Gu Yechen, quickly pulling him aside into a corner.
Looking at Gu Yechen, she said, "Even if I'm not at the academy, don't forget our agreement. You belong to me for one hour every day. I'm giving you this leaf-shaped hairpin. When I'm not around, I hope when you see it, you'll think of me, okay? Don't fall for any other beautiful girls, or—well, you know."
Uh—
Gu Yechen was speechless inside. My fierce girlfriend is something else. Luckily, she's just a support soul master. If she were a combat soul master, who knows how badly she'd beat me.
But at least her martial soul can heal wounds. Her face already shows no sign of injury.
Ye Lingling walked a few steps ahead but couldn't help turning back to look at Gu Yechen. She really wanted to hug him but couldn't—because Aunt Ye had taught her a trick: "playing hard to get."
The more you want something, the less eager you should appear, or else you become worthless and the other party won't feel the same.
Ye Lingling hurried to catch up with Teacher Qin and asked, "Teacher, how long will this training last?"
Qin Ming replied calmly, "Until all of you obtain the Silver Douhun Badge from the Grand Douhun Arena."
"Oh, and this gift was entrusted to me by Yufeng to give you. He's a bit shy to give it himself. I heard he spent a lot of family wealth on it. You should accept it."
"I don't want it. I already have a boyfriend," Ye Lingling shook her head.
Hmm? Boyfriend? Could it be that person earlier? But judging by his soul power, he was only about Level 20 with average talent.
That can't be right. Why would she like someone at Level 20 when there's a Level 30-plus around? Unrealistic. Maybe I'm overthinking.
Shaking his head, Qin Ming didn't ask further. After all, he only agreed to deliver the gift and wasn't responsible if it was accepted or not. He was the team leader of Tiandou Royal Academy, and his reason for helping was to better integrate into the team, not to make them fear him.
(End of Chapter)
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