NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 197: Return, Soul Master Competition Imminent
Chapter 197: Return, Soul Master Competition Imminent
"Let's not beat around the bush, I plan to cripple you."
Qin Xiao answered straightforwardly.
Upon hearing this, Tang Hao's face immediately turned dark.
Was this even something a person would say?
"Thank you for your honesty."
He retorted angrily.
The next moment, his soul power surged out, not to attack Qin Xiao but to end his own miserable life through self-detonation.
But how could Qin Xiao let him succeed?
He moved first, delivering a punch to Tang Hao's abdomen.
The power that Tang Hao had just gathered dissipated instantly with that punch.
"Thud."
Tang Hao fell to the ground, clutching his stomach like a shrimp out of water, curling up and convulsing.
Gritting his teeth, he spoke in a trembling voice, "Qin... Qin Xiao... I... I swear, even as a ghost, I won't let you go."
It should be noted that Qin Xiao's attack wasn't simple; it destroyed the meridians within Tang Hao's body.
From now on, his body would be like a deflated ball, unable to store any soul power.
Qin Xiao sneered, "Heh, say that again when you become a ghost."
With that, he picked up Tang Hao and went to find Bo Saixi, intending to proceed with the next trial.
Time flew by, and a year passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan gathered in front of the Seahorse Sacred Pillar, quietly waiting.
Qin Xiao had told them that today was the day he would take them back to the Douluo Continent.
Tap, tap, tap.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps approached, and the group saw Bo Saixi, dressed in a red dress, walking gracefully toward them.
"Grand Priest."
Zhu Zhuqing and the others greeted in unison.
Over the past year, Bo Saixi had given them much guidance in their cultivation, and they were grateful.
"Has Qin Xiao not returned yet?"
Bo Saixi asked softly.
Ning Rongrong replied, "Not yet, but he should be back soon. Qin Xiao said before he left that he would soon complete Tang Hao's sixth trial."
The sixth trial... Bo Saixi's eyes flickered.
She knew that Tang Hao's seventh trial was unique, involving her testing Tang Hao. If he passed, he would successfully inherit the position of Grand Priest.
It could be said that Tang Hao could complete the final task in an instant.
"Am I finally going to be free?" Bo Saixi's gaze suddenly turned complicated.
In everyone's eyes, the Sea God's Grand Priest was supreme, able to decide the life and death of countless sea folk with a single word—how awe-inspiring!
But only she knew it wasn't like that.
The position of Grand Priest was actually a cage. From the day she took office, she had been firmly trapped here, losing all freedom.
After inheriting the position of Grand Priest, she never thought she would ever leave Sea God Island!
Over time, she gave up on that hope.
Accepted her fate.
However...
At this moment, her heart, sealed in cement, began to stir again, becoming warm once more.
"I didn't expect you all to come so early."
Just then, Qin Xiao approached from a distance, smiling and greeting everyone.
Behind him was Tang Hao, who looked like a walking corpse.
By now, almost everyone on Sea God Island recognized Tang Hao and often said that although he was human, he seemed more like a dog.
"Qin Xiao, did you succeed?"
Ning Rongrong asked curiously as Qin Xiao approached.
Qin Xiao nodded, "Of course, I did."
He then turned to Bo Saixi, "Now I'm handing him over to you. The final trial can proceed at any time."
"No rush for that," Bo Saixi shook her head slightly.
"What? You don't want to leave here?" Qin Xiao asked curiously.
"No, I'm just worried about any unforeseen changes. I think it's best to have Tang Hao complete the final trial after you finish your last step in the divine trial."
"That's reasonable. It won't take long anyway."
Qin Xiao agreed with Bo Saixi's approach.
Over the past year, he hadn't been idle either.
He only had two trials left in the Sea God's Nine Trials.
The eighth trial was to slay the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, removing the Sea God's greatest threat.
The ninth trial was to accept Bo Saixi's sacrifice.
Well... normally, that would be the case.
But with Tang Hao's final trial, there were bound to be some changes.
Tang Hao, overhearing Bo Saixi and Qin Xiao's conversation, kept his emotions in check but couldn't help the torrent of thoughts running through his mind: "You guys planned everything seamlessly, didn't you? But did you ever consider my feelings?"
Of course, no one could hear his inner thoughts.
And even if someone did hear them, what difference would it make?
No one cared about his feelings.
"Have you all prepared early?" Qin Xiao asked, turning his gaze to the group.
He couldn't help but notice how much they had changed over the past year.
They had grown taller and more beautiful, with their youthful skin looking as though it could drip water.
Moreover, after completing five trials, their cultivation had significantly advanced.
Meng Yiran and Zhu Zhuqing were now at the fifty-ninth level of Soul King.
Meng Yiran and Ning Rongrong, though slightly behind, had also reached the forty-ninth level, on the verge of breaking through to fifty.
Don't think this improvement is exaggerated.
Completing each trial typically increased their soul power by around two levels or more.
Qin Xiao even thought this was somewhat modest.
However, he believed this would be enough to astonish everyone.
After all, the so-called Golden Generation trio from the Spirit Hall had barely just surpassed the fifty-level mark.
In terms of personal cultivation, Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran would certainly outshine them.
Qin Xiao announced loudly, "Since everyone is ready, let's embark on our journey back."
"The upcoming Continental Soul Master Competition will be the best place to test our strength."
Everyone's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
A large ship was already waiting in the sea outside Sea God Island.
On the side of the ship were three large characters: Purple Pearl!
Undoubtedly, this was the famous sea island ship, the Purple Pearl's flagship.
On the deck, Haider excitedly said, "Leader, I never thought there'd be a day when our ship could dock here, so close to the Sea God. Thank the Sea God..."
Upon hearing this, the voluptuous Purple Pearl frowned slightly, "Save it, Haider. If you want to thank someone, you should thank the Master. Without his orders, do you think the Devil Spirit Great White Sharks outside Sea God Island wouldn't have torn us to shreds?"
"Or that the proud soul masters on Sea God Island wouldn't have destroyed us long ago?"
Gasp.
Hearing Purple Pearl's words, Haider's face changed, and a figure appeared in his mind—Qin Xiao!
Who could have imagined that the fat lamb he once had his eye on would, through sheer strength, become his master?
And within just two years, he became one of the top figures on Sea God Island, capable of changing the island's rules with a single word.
Even the guardian beast, the Devil Spirit Great White Shark, showed him great respect.
"Attention, the Master is here."
As Purple Pearl spoke, she put away her binoculars, smoothed out her wrinkled clothes, and displayed a warm smile.
At that moment, a gust of wind picked up, and five figures descended slowly from the sky.
"Master."
Purple Pearl and Haider quickly bowed in greeting.
"You've worked hard."
Qin Xiao said lightly.
"It's not hard to serve the Master."
Purple Pearl replied hastily.
"Good, then let's set sail."
"Set sail!"
Haider shouted and then disappeared into the control room.
Qin Xiao led Zhu Zhuqing and the others into the cabin to rest, but Purple Pearl suggested from behind, "Master, I recently learned some massage techniques. Would you like a demonstration?"
Qin Xiao paused, nearly stumbling.
"Not today, I'm not tired. Maybe another time."
Half a month later.
At Blue Tyrant Academy.
Jing Ling hurried into the dean's office, anxious. "Dean, the Continental Soul Master Competition is just days away, and we still don't have enough team members. Aren't you worried?"
Next to him stood Jiang Zhu and Huang Yuan.
Currently, the team consisted of just the three of them.
It was quite pitiful.
However, Liu Erlong calmly sipped her tea before leisurely replying, "Who said we don't have enough team members? Have you forgotten Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, and the others who trained with you?"
Before leaving, Qin Xiao had repeatedly emphasized that studying tea ceremonies could help calm the mind and better control one's emotions.
Liu Erlong complied.
It had some effect; she now took two seconds to think carefully before losing her temper.
And then she would realize that violence was still the simplest and most effective solution.
Jiang Zhu hesitated, "But they haven't appeared in a long time."
"They'll come back when they need to. Don't worry."
"Dean, how long do we have to wait? If they don't return, does that mean we won't participate?"
Huang Yuan's voice grew urgent.
Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong's eyes lit up. She looked at Huang Yuan and said, "Huh, you kid have some insight. How did you know what I was thinking? If Qin Xiao doesn't bring Zhu Zhuqing and the others back, then there's indeed no need to participate in the Continental Soul Master Competition."
"What?!"
Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu's faces instantly changed as if struck by lightning.
"Is it hard to accept?" Liu Erlong asked, puzzled by their reaction. "With your current strength, even if we reassemble a team from within the academy, we wouldn't achieve any significant results. Going there would only set you up for disappointment."
"We're not afraid; it's still an opportunity to temper ourselves," they replied.
"You want to temper yourselves?" Liu Erlong raised an eyebrow and said, "You don't need the Soul Master Competition for that. Life and death situations are much more effective. The Great Spirit Arena or the soul beast forest will meet your needs better."
Uh…
After hearing Liu Erlong's words, the group was left speechless.
The dean's ability to retort was still as formidable as ever.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, go about your business. If your strength is sufficient, I'll arrange for you to participate without you having to ask."
Liu Erlong waved them off impatiently.
Jing Ling wanted to say more but was pulled away by Jiang Zhu.
Once or twice is fine, but asking the dean repeatedly would provoke her.
After the trio left, Liu Erlong sighed deeply.
"Not letting you go is for your own good. Otherwise, it could leave a shadow on your future cultivation..."
To put it plainly, the strength of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Tianshui, and Blazing Fire teams far exceeded that of Blue Tyrant Academy.
A short-lived experience in the competition would be too harsh for them.
"Sigh, I didn't expect Dean Liu to look down on us so much."
Outside the teaching building, Jing Ling sighed.
"Yeah, does she think we're nothing without Zhu Zhuqing and the others? The teachers often say I have the potential to be a Soul Emperor," Huang Yuan said, feeling indignant.
Jiang Zhu also believed in their strength, "With our capabilities, I believe we can achieve a good rank and greatly enhance the reputation of Blue Tyrant Academy."
"Jiang Zhu, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, there you are."
At that moment, a Blue Tyrant Academy student rushed over.
"What happened?"
"Vice-Dean Zhao asked me to inform you to go to the training ground. Your long-awaited teammates have returned."
What?
Teammates have returned?
Jiang Zhu, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan exchanged glances before sprinting towards the training ground.
The training ground wasn't far, and within five or six minutes, they arrived.
They saw several figures waiting in the square.
Zhao Wuji, Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong, and a young man named Qin Xiao, who was sitting nonchalantly on a large rock nearby.
This young man piqued their curiosity. Despite being a team member, he had never trained with them even once.
Even the usually strict Zhao Wuji showed him great respect.
"Come over here," Zhao Wuji waved them over.
As they approached, Zhao Wuji said, "Didn't you want teammates for the Continental Soul Master Competition? Your teammates have returned. Join the team."
However, the three stood still.
Zhao Wuji frowned, "What? Any objections?"
Jing Ling glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and the others, a fleeting look of hesitation in his eyes, and then asked in a deep voice, "I want to know, why are we treated as supporting characters while they are the main characters? Why do we have to cooperate with them?"
Huang Yuan gritted his teeth, "Yes, we're all humans. Why is there such a big gap between us?"
So, they felt belittled, leading to resentment. Zhao Wuji's frown deepened, "So, you don't want to team up with them?"
Jiang Zhu shrank back but mustered the courage to say, "Not really, but if we are to accept them, they must prove their strength."
"Strength?" Zhao Wuji didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Qin Xiao.
At this moment, Qin Xiao walked over and stood beside Zhao Wuji.
Feeling somewhat intimidated, Zhao Wuji instinctively took half a step back.
"You want to see strength?" Qin Xiao nodded slightly, "No problem."
"Rongrong, you start."
Ning Rongrong stepped forward.
"Ning Rongrong, forty-ninth level support Soul Master."
"What? Forty-ninth level support?"
Upon hearing Ning Rongrong's words, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu thought they had misheard.
Given Ning Rongrong's age, wasn't even reaching the thirty-ninth level a significant milestone?
(End of this chapter)
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