"Students from Heaven Water Academy, come in and have a chat," Su Cheng greeted friendly towards Shui Bing'er and the others.
The next moment, his smile stiffened slightly as he saw seven or eight people entering, including substitutes from their team.
"Captain Su Cheng, how did you cultivate? I heard you're only fifteen years old."
"Qing Yu, how does it feel over here? Where's Feng Xiaotian? Isn't he coming?"
"Is Ning Rongrong not here?"
"Why didn't you go to the main team for the match?"
With a wave of chattering, these people entered the carriage one after another, making the originally spacious area somewhat crowded.
The other members of the Tian Dou Royal Academy team rarely encountered such a scene, so for a moment, they all remained silent.
Su Cheng felt somewhat helpless.
He did sense several auras led by Shui Bing'er, but he didn't carefully discern them amidst the crowd, never expecting this many people to come.
Shui Bing'er smiled apologetically at him.
These sisters from other teams came to join the fun, and she didn't want to stop them.
After the girls' discussions subsided, Su Cheng straightened up and looked at the beautiful girl with long, water-blue hair across from him. "Captain Shui Bing'er, have you made a decision?"
"Captain Su Cheng, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me Bing'er."
"Alright." Su Cheng complied easily. "You can just call me by my name."
Bing'er nodded, not immediately answering Su Cheng's previous question, but instead asking, "Do you know the general situation of the Soul Temple team?"
Su Cheng nodded slightly. "I know a bit."
Bing'er looked at Su Cheng with a serious expression.
"As far as I know, they have three Soul King-level fighters, known as the 'Golden Generation' by the Soul Temple, and their strength is extremely formidable.
"I don't know much about their martial souls and soul skills, but what I can confirm is that the lowest soul power among the three is at level fifty-one, while the other two are at level fifty-two.
"They have also been personally awarded the Purple Record Medal by the Pope, setting records for the Soul Temple.
"Even if individually they may not be your match, can you handle them if the three of them team up?"
She was indeed willing to accept Su Cheng's previous proposal and merge into the opposing team for the finals.
The situation of the Soul Temple team was known to the other academies as well.
At the moment, they were unaware of Qian Renxue's existence, but they had long heard of the fame of the Golden Generation trio.
Three Soul King-level powerhouses, a championship was out of reach for them no matter what.
Although she wanted to lead the Heaven Water Academy team to achieve a good result and vie for honor, the championship reward promised by Su Cheng also tempted them.
Compared to that, if they couldn't win the championship, the honor would be limited.
Moreover, the other teams were not weak either. Just the Shrek Academy alone, they didn't have the confidence to defeat them right now.
Zhu Zhuqing alone was already quite troublesome, not to mention Tang San who possessed the Haotian Hammer, which significantly boosted his combat power.
Although Tang San was easily dealt with by Su Cheng's sword, it was because Su Cheng was too strong.
Although the participants laughed at the sight, they were well aware that among all the contestants, Tang San's strength could definitely be ranked at the forefront.
But even if they joined the Tian Dou Royal Academy B team, would they have a chance to win the championship?
She was not confident.
Bing'er felt uncertain, but there was a hint of blood boiling in her heart.
As a talented Soul Master, she was the most talented person in this generation of Heaven Water Academy.
Although she was young, her combat power was the strongest, and naturally, she had her pride.
Although she appeared gentle and indifferent on the surface, how could she not have the desire to confront strong opponents?
At this moment, she suddenly felt a unique aura emanating from Su Cheng.
It made her involuntarily feel both admiration and closeness.
"What is this?"
Bing'er looked over in surprise.
It felt very much like the fusion technique of martial souls, but also not quite.
This was obviously her misconception.
The essence of martial soul fusion techniques lies in the mutual complementation of martial soul bloodlines.
However, the aura emanating from Su Cheng at this moment comes from the immortal essence in her martial soul, and the two can be said to be of the same origin.
"Your martial soul is extraordinary, but I speculate that neither the teachers in your academy, nor you yourself, have noticed that essential point."
Su Cheng and Shui Bing'er exchanged a glance, and he carefully said, "You can consider practicing with me for a while. Perhaps you might gain something. Especially in the subsequent soul ring configuration, I may be able to provide some advice."
Bing'er remained silent, still in a state of extreme shock.
The mapping between martial souls and soul masters' souls is unmistakable.
The person in front of her vaguely hinted at a further path for her Ice Phoenix martial soul.
"Bing'er, you should consider it," Feng Qingyu, who was sitting beside them, suddenly spoke up.
She and Shui Bing'er had known each other for a long time.
Both were extraordinary individuals, and they belonged to the elemental academy factions.
Unlike the Elephant Armor Sect behind the Elephant Armor Academy, which joined the Wuhun Temple, and the Thunderclap Academy affiliated with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, the philosophy of education at the Godwind Academy, Blaze Academy, and Heaven Water Academy was relatively pure, and they didn't reject talented commoner students. Their relationship with each other had always been good.
Naturally, there were many opportunities to get to know each other.
Bing'er turned her head to look at Feng Qingyu.
"Feng Qingyu, my teacher may be cunning, but he knows quite a bit. You know about my martial soul. Even my grandfather couldn't figure it out, but he can analyze it thoroughly. He won't disappoint you."
Su Cheng glanced at Feng Qingyu, ignoring her derogatory remark, and quietly waited for Bing'er's decision.
After pondering for a moment, Bing'er turned her head to look at her other teammates, who encouraged her with their eyes.
In the end, she nodded gently and said, "We are willing to temporarily join the Tian Dou Royal Academy team. Thank you for your trouble."
A satisfied smile appeared on Su Cheng's face. "It's not troublesome at all. Let's work together in the upcoming matches. Those three Soul Kings won't be easy to deal with."
The Soul Master teams representing the Douluo Empire continued on their journey without any surprises.
Although Tang San revealed the existence of the Haotian Hammer and there was no Soul Hunt operation as in the original timeline, Su Cheng didn't mind. He just assumed that Qian Renxue had made all the necessary arrangements ahead of time.
Due to the large number of people, they traveled by carriage all the way.
Half a month later, the entire team finally arrived outside Soul City.
Subsequently, the ten Soul Master teams entered the city together.
Compared to the vastness of Tian Dou City, Soul City was much smaller, not even one-tenth of Tian Dou City's area.
But for the young Soul Masters, this place was extraordinary.
The towering granite walls, eighty meters high and over thirty meters thick, looked majestic from the outside, indicating a tremendous investment.
The patrolling teams consisted entirely of Soul Masters, wearing unified attire from the Soul Temple, walking back and forth on the walls to patrol.
Su Cheng silently looked up at the distinctive hexagonal walls of Soul City, feeling emotional.
"Soul City, it's been a long time."
There were not many pedestrians in Soul City.
The shops on the streets were also few, mostly selling items needed by Soul Masters, and even soul tools for spatial storage were available.
Led by a red-robed bishop, the two hundred or so members of the teams were quickly settled in a hotel on the west side of Wuhun City.
Shortly after entering the hotel, a middle-aged man with a distinguished air and graying beard came to their door. He was none other than Dugu Bo, who had accompanied his granddaughter to Soul City long ago.
"Senior, you're here," Su Cheng nodded to him.
"Shall we go out for a stroll together?" Dugu Bo casually suggested, giving Su Cheng a meaningful look.
Su Cheng thought for a moment. There was nothing to do at the hotel, and Ning Rongrong would be guided here soon, so he didn't refuse and prepared to go out with him.
"Teacher, I'll come too!"
Seeing Su Cheng about to leave, Feng Qingyu quickly spoke up.
She had never been to Soul City before and was naturally curious.
Dugu Bo was a little surprised, glancing at Feng Qingyu, then turning his gaze to Su Cheng. "Who is this?"
"My newly accepted disciple, Feng Qingyu from the Godwind Academy."
"You're so young, and you've already taken on a disciple. This little girl is interesting, actually recognizing you as her teacher."
"It shows that she's smart."
As they spoke, the three of them walked out onto the streets of Soul city.
Walking along the road, Dugu Bo seemed to want to say something, but considering Feng Qingyu's presence, he hesitated to speak.
"She's just a little kid who doesn't understand anything. If you have something to say, just say it," Feng Qingyu rolled her eyes at his words, but remained silent, only surveying the various shops around them.
Understanding Su Cheng's intention, Dugu Bo no longer hesitated and sighed softly, "The ambitions of the Martial Soul Hall are not small."
Upon hearing this, Su Cheng raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"The Soul Masters here, although they hail from the two great empires, only have the Martial Soul Hall in their hearts, not the two empires themselves. Do you think this situation is normal?"
"So, what are your thoughts?"
Dugu Bo looked at him in surprise, finding the boy's reaction a bit strange.
But when he thought of the woman who had once impersonated Xue Qinghe, there seemed to be some deeper secrets involved.
However, Su Cheng clearly seemed to be well-informed.
"What thoughts can I have? I'm a solitary figure." Dugu Bo casually replied, "But considering the situation, meddling in at this time might not be a good idea."
"It's the same everywhere. For you, the Martial Soul Hall is the best choice," Su Cheng said lightly, "Besides, as a Peak Douluo, what do you have to fear?"
Dugu Bo sighed, "That's true."
With the current power and influence of the Martial Soul Hall, if they truly had ambitions, there wouldn't be much need for further consideration.
If there really were upheavals sweeping across the continent, it wouldn't make much difference where you were. Thus, the Martial Soul Hall was indeed the best faction to be in.
Not long after, the three arrived at the center of Soul City.
Not far away stood a massive competition arena.
"That's where your matches will be held," Dugu Bo pointed in the direction of the arena.
The arena had a diameter of a hundred meters and was entirely constructed of granite, looking extremely sturdy.
On this massive competition stage, there were also numerous soul tools that could reinforce it and prevent damage.
"I've heard from the Martial Soul Hall that this venue can withstand any attack from a Soul Emperor and below."
"Okay."
Su Cheng nodded thoughtfully.
It seemed that Qian Renxue wouldn't make a move until the final match.
Otherwise, if this place were accidentally destroyed, how could the other teams continue to compete?
"What does 'okay' mean?" Dugu Bo glanced at him sideways.
"'Okay' means that I can break this thing with just one sword."
"... "The other two were speechless for a moment.
Feng Qingyu didn't mince her words, "Teacher, you're really pretentious."
Dugu Bo chuckled lightly, then said, "During the final showdown among the top three, the Pope will personally appear to crown the final champion. It seems that they attach great importance to this competition."
As they were talking, Su Cheng suddenly sensed something and turned around, looking in the direction of the street.
A figure was standing there, with golden hair fluttering in the wind, and shimmering waves in her black eyes as she quietly gazed at Su Cheng.
She stood tall, with hands behind her back, wrapped in a tight black coronation robe, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her lips.
Su Cheng smiled back.
Dugu Bo and Feng Qingyu, sensing his reaction, also followed his gaze and noticed Qian Renxue standing in the distance.
Dugu Bo was somewhat surprised.
As a Peak Douluo, he couldn't even sense the fluctuations of the other party's aura. If it weren't for Su Cheng, he wouldn't have noticed anyone observing them in secret.
But that person... wasn't she Su Cheng's old flame? Is her strength improving again?
Another monster.
Unlike Dugu Bo's sentiments, Feng Qingyu felt somewhat uneasy.
When the other party glanced at her just now, her eyes were extremely cold, sending shivers down her spine.
"What a fierce sister."
Qian Renxue didn't stay long in the city. After nodding lightly at Su Cheng, she turned and left.
Only then did Feng Qingyu dare to speak.
"Teacher, I didn't expect you to be colluding with the enemy! You're getting along with the people from the Martial Soul Hall!"
"Don't talk nonsense here."