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Thinking about Dai Weisi's ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring, Qin Ming shook his head slightly.
"No, there are still three years left. By then, he might become an even more troublesome opponent than the Spirit Hall. At least for now, it seems that even if the seven of you joined forces, you might not be a match for Dai Weisi alone."
"What?!"
Qin Ming's words immediately ignited Yu Tianheng's fighting spirit. He stared intently at Dai Weisi, eyes filled with blazing battle intent, as if itching to challenge him on the spot.
However, he also knew that Ye Lingling was currently at a critical stage in absorbing her soul ring, so he couldn't afford to interrupt her.
"Your Highness, that guy named Yu Tianheng keeps staring at you. Who knows what sort of nonsense he's planning," Li Hu warned, prompting Dai Weisi to glance at Yu Tianheng as well.
Yu Tianheng had a tall and sturdy build, nearly matching Dai Weisi in height.
His neatly trimmed black hair stood upright like steel needles. His hands were long and powerful, and although his features weren't particularly handsome, his expression remained stiff and cold, as if his facial muscles were perpetually tense.
At present, Yu Tianheng was merely a rank-36 Soul Elder, not worthy of Dai Weisi's attention. But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan behind him was worth considering as a potential ally.
The problem was that the members of that clan were all notoriously arrogant. In terms of pride and brashness, they weren't much better than the people of the Clear Sky Sect.
Moreover, since they only had one Titled Douluo, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had always maintained neutrality between the two empires. They neither favored the Heaven Dou Empire nor supported the Star Luo Empire, nor did they align with the Spirit Hall. That neutrality ultimately led to their downfall, with their sect destroyed and their people scattered.
After all, if you're not one of us, then you're the enemy. So when the clan was annihilated, even though the Heaven Dou royal family was outraged, they didn't avenge them. Instead, they simply turned a blind eye.
Winning the support of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would not be easy.
"No need to worry. Ignore him. In the face of absolute power, all schemes are meaningless."
With that, Dai Weisi looked away from Yu Tianheng and said calmly. Strength is the foundation of everything. His immediate goal was to figure out a way to warn Dugu Yan that she was poisoned.
This was the perfect opportunity to lure Dugu Bo out. Once he cured him, he could then exploit the situation and obtain the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
As time ticked by, an hour later, Ye Lingling slowly opened her eyes. A faint smile graced her lips as she spoke with pleasant surprise:
"Teacher, I did it! My soul power has reached rank 31, and both my healing speed and range have improved!"
"Very good!" Qin Ming praised with a smile. Compared to the cold Dugu Yan and the arrogant Yu Tianheng, a gentle girl like Ye Lingling was much easier to get along with.
Qin Ming then drew a dagger and personally skinned the Seven-Colored Deer, handing the pelt to Dai Weisi.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity in returning the deer to us. Here is the pelt you requested."
"No need to be so polite, Teacher Qin Ming."
Dai Weisi smiled. He was just about to tell Qin Ming about Dugu Yan's poisoning, hoping Qin Ming would pass the message along.
After all, it would be awkward for a man like him to bring up such a thing to Dugu Yan upon first meeting—no one would believe him.
Not to mention, Dugu Yan was Yu Tianheng's girlfriend. People might think he was just lusting after someone else's woman.
Though, being a "Cao thief" (i.e., a woman-stealer) did have its thrills. After all, aren't wildflowers more fragrant than garden ones...?
Just as Dai Weisi was about to speak, Yu Tianheng suddenly asked,
"Hey! Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, I want to ask—are you planning to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament three years from now?"
"How dare you—!"
Li Hu immediately barked out in reprimand at Yu Tianheng's rudeness, but Dai Weisi raised a hand to stop him and nodded.
"Heh, the Soul Master Tournament is a grand event in the soul master world. Of course I'll lead the Star Luo Royal Academy in competing. What? Don't tell me you're planning to participate too?"
"Of course!"
"Oh? Then it seems we're destined to be rivals. But there can only be one champion of the tournament, and that will be the Star Luo Royal Academy. You all can work hard and try to fight the Spirit Hall team for second place."
Dai Weisi smiled. This wasn't arrogance—it was confidence. With three years still ahead of him, he was sure he could break through to Rank 55. Combined with his external soul bone, his spirit fusion technique, and his knowledge of future events, he had the qualifications to make such a bold claim.
Even without the aid of immortal herbs, he was confident he could defeat the Spirit Hall and take the championship.
"Hmph! Since the Crown Prince is so confident, do you dare accept my challenge?" Yu Tianheng said, eyes blazing with fighting spirit and momentum surging around him.
Dai Weisi's lips curled into a smirk.
"Oh? You want to challenge me?"
"That's right. Or is the Crown Prince too afraid to accept? Are you going to turtle up and hide?"
"Tianheng, mind your manners!" Qin Ming immediately frowned and reprimanded him. But Yu Tianheng, determined to have a match with Dai Weisi, ignored his teacher's warning.
"Your Highness, you're the captain of the Star Luo Royal Academy's main team, and I'm the captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's main team. This is the perfect chance for a captain's showdown.
A meeting like this must be fate—let's have a proper duel so I can see for myself what gives you the confidence to claim the championship!"
"Hahaha..." Dai Weisi couldn't help laughing at his words.
Seeing Dai Weisi laugh, Yu Tianheng grew excited. "So that means you agree?"
"That's right. Since fate has brought us together, I'll take this chance to show you the power of the Star Luo Empire. But I'm a four-ring Soul Ancestor, and you're a three-ring Soul Elder. You're not my equal—I don't want to take advantage of you."
As he spoke, Dai Weisi extended a finger and pointed at Dugu Yan, Yu Feng, Shi Mo, Shi Mo'er, Ao Si Luo, and Ye Lingling in turn. With a slight chuckle, he added, "The six of you can join in too."
"What?!" Yu Tianheng's face darkened. "You want to challenge all seven of us?!"
"Exactly. That would be fair."
"Arrogant! Challenge all seven of us? Let's see you beat me first!"
"That's fine too. It'll only delay me for about a minute anyway."
Yu Tianheng caught the implication—Dai Weisi was saying it would take him just a minute to deal with him. How could someone as proud as Yu Tianheng tolerate that?
"Let's see how you handle this! Yu Tianheng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Rank 36 Power Attack System Soul Elder. Please advise!"
"I didn't expect this kid to be from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. No wonder he dares to challenge the Crown Prince," Li Hu murmured in surprise, then chuckled. "But he's still no match for His Highness."
"Dai Weisi. Martial Soul: Evil-Eyed White Tiger. Rank 48 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor. Please advise."
As he finished speaking, Dai Weisi instantly activated his martial soul.
Four soul rings emerged beneath his feet, one after another, and the pitch-black ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring shone with dazzling brilliance!
"What?!"
Everyone's expression changed dramatically at the sight.
"You—you're actually at Rank 48?!"
"Don't believe me? Then let me prove it!"
As soon as the words fell, a terrifying soul pressure exploded outward, instantly enveloping Yu Tianheng. The pressure was so overwhelming that he was forced to activate his martial soul just to resist it.
Qin Ming also felt the crushing aura and couldn't help but frown deeply.
"His talent is terrifying. He's only a few years older than Tianheng, yet his soul power is twelve levels higher. No wonder he dares to challenge seven people by himself!"
After a moment of silence, he turned to Dugu Yan and said,
"Yanzi, Tianheng isn't his match. The rest of you join in!"
(End of Chapter)