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Later that day, the official authorities of the Tian Dou Empire released an announcement to the public.
"Qin Ming, a teacher at Tian Dou Imperial Academy, was morally corrupt and embezzled royal assets. He has been sentenced to the harshest punishment."
Below the headline, the announcement detailed Qin Ming's crimes.
Aside from the recent wave of bankrupt merchants in Tian Dou City, this news was the most sensational event.
Compared to merchant bankruptcies, this scandal seemed even more intriguing. Many people were discussing it during their leisure time, over tea or after meals.
The announcement did not maliciously exaggerate Qin Ming's misdeeds.
Even so, his actions were still despised by countless people.
How could someone who neglected their students' lives and aided wrongdoing be worthy of being called a teacher?
As for the three commissioners, they personally went to the palace to atone for their failures.
Although they managed to retain their positions as commissioners, due to their negligence, Xue Ye assigned two additional commissioners—both appointed by Prince Xue Xing—to oversee the academy alongside them.
The news spread quickly, soon reaching Blue Tyrant Academy.
Inside the principal's office, Flender was enraged, wishing he could storm into the prince's residence and tear Xue Xing apart with his bare hands.
Liu Erlong held him back and shouted, "Big Brother Fu, calm down! Prince Xue Xing is a Soul Sage himself. You won't be able to kill him instantly. If he holds out until the Tian Dou Empire's guards arrive, you'll be executed too!"
"Are we just going to stand by and let them slander Xiao Ming like this?" Flames of anger burned in Flender's eyes.
As a teacher, he was furious at his inability to protect Qin Ming, and equally infuriated by Prince Xue Xing's persecution.
Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, sneered inwardly.
He had seen Qin Ming's true character firsthand.
Even if Prince Xue Xing hadn't intervened, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family wouldn't have spared him either.
"Flender, the children have just settled down. Do you want to drag everyone back into a life of wandering again? Although we can't openly retaliate against Tian Dou Empire, the children's talents speak for themselves."
"As long as we achieve good results in the Soul Masters Tournament, that will be our revenge against Tian Dou Empire!"
Liu Erlong chimed in, "Yes, Big Brother Fu. As long as we grow stronger, Tian Dou Empire will eventually hold Prince Xue Xing accountable. That will also bring peace to Qin Ming's soul."
After much persuasion, Flender gradually calmed down, slumping back into his chair in exhaustion.
Early the next morning, the Shrek group erected a memorial tomb for Qin Ming on the academy's back mountain.
---
A few days later, at Seven Treasures Academy
Early in the morning, Ke Jie gathered the Seven Treasures team.
"After these days of rest and adjustment, I assume everyone has adapted to their enhanced strength. Today, we set out to hunt soul rings."
This time, six members of the team needed to acquire soul rings, which would undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time.
As agreed, Dugu Bo arrived. "This time, Yan Yan and I will accompany you."
Upon hearing this, the group was overjoyed.
With a Title Douluo like Dugu Bo overseeing their journey, they could venture into almost any area of Sunset Forest without fear of attacks from spirit beasts.
Ke Jie was somewhat surprised but certainly not opposed. With Dugu Bo present, the safety of the team members was guaranteed, and he could relax a little. There was no reason to refuse.
"Thank you, Lord Dugu Bo," Ke Jie said first.
The members of the Seven Treasures team quickly followed suit, expressing their gratitude.
Dugu Bo waved them off, not accepting their thanks. "I'm only here because of the young one's invitation."
"Tianchen, impressive," Oscar gave a thumbs-up.
In reality, Bone Douluo would also be secretly following them on this spirit-hunting trip.
After the lesson learned from Thunder Valley, and with both Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong traveling together, any mishap could mean the complete loss of the future for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
However, Bone Douluo would only trail behind the group, eliminating potential dangers. Unless it was an emergency, he wouldn't reveal himself.
Only Ke Jie knew about this arrangement; even Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong were unaware.
"You have one hour to prepare supplies. We'll meet at the academy gates in an hour," Ke Jie instructed.
The group immediately dispersed, heading into the city to purchase enough food for two months.
---
By noon, the group arrived at the small town on the outskirts of Sunset Forest.
Before entering the forest, Dugu Bo reminded them, "Although I'm very familiar with this place, don't wander off on your own to avoid unforeseen accidents."
The Seven Treasures team arranged themselves in their usual battle formation. Yan Yan, as a control-type soul master, was positioned in the center of the group.
Ke Jie stood in the middle of the formation, ready to assist anyone in need, while Dugu Bo walked alongside Ning Tianchen at the rear of the group.
Given Dugu Bo's personality, he naturally prioritized hunting soul rings for Yan Yan.
Moreover, he already knew the location of the spirit beast she needed.
To save time, he decided to ask the others about the soul rings they required. If the spirit beasts for others were located before the stagnant black python Yan Yan needed, he would prioritize hunting for them first.
"Teacher said my third soul skill should ideally come from the Dark Cat Demon clan, but other dark-attribute speed-type spirit beasts will also work," Zhu Zhuqing explained.
According to Gu Rong's original timeline, she had broken through to Level 30 ahead of schedule. Even without the immortal herb, she would still have made it within the deadline. From this point on, she was officially accepted as Gu Rong's direct disciple.
"I heard from Principal that my fourth soul skill should ideally be a berserk-type skill, preferably without side effects," Oscar added.
The Seven Treasures team had many strong offensive soul masters. A berserk-type skill, combined with Ning Rongrong's amplification, could greatly enhance the team's overall combat power.
"In that case, I do know of a spirit beast that would suit you. Whether we encounter it depends on your luck," Dugu Bo nodded, glancing at the others.
As for Ning Rongrong, there was no need for further discussion. Her Nine-Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda would follow Ning Fengzhi's planned route up to the eighth ring.
Chen Huayu simply needed a power-type spirit beast, and he wasn't particular about the species.
However, the Yu Die sisters didn't know what kind of soul rings they should absorb.
Despite growing up surrounded by the vast library of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Tianchen still knew very little about the butterfly martial soul.
This highlighted how little research existed on this particular martial soul across the continent.
Ke Jie, with his deep expertise in martial soul research, thought for a moment before speaking. "Our team lacks a control-type soul master. If you're willing, your fourth soul skill could be a control-type skill. With Xiao Tian and Tianchen's abilities, even without a dedicated control-type soul master, we still possess multiple powerful control skills."
"Of course, you could also choose an amplification-type skill."
The two sisters exchanged glances and decided to opt for team-oriented skills.
After all, the Seven Treasures team wasn't formed solely to compete in the Soul Masters Tournament. All the members were disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and would continue working together on future missions.
Skills that benefited the team would undoubtedly surpass individual amplification-type skills.
Ke Jie nodded. "If that's the case, based on the characteristics of your martial souls, you can hunt spirit beasts capable of releasing mist."
"Hmph, there aren't many Pink Empresses in Sunset Forest," Dugu Bo muttered sarcastically.
In his mind, the only spirit beast that fit the description was the Pink Empress, which also happened to be suitable for Oscar's soul ring.
Ke Jie smiled. "Lord Dugu, Moonlit Mist Foxes and Seven-Colored Mist Butterflies would also work."
Dugu Bo's lips twitched. These were special bloodline soul beasts, and finding them in Sunset Forest might prove difficult.
"The soul beasts Zhu Zhuqing and Chen Huayu need are easy to find. After that, it's Ning Rongrong and Yan Yan. For the others, it'll depend on luck," Dugu Bo gave everyone a heads-up in advance.
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