"Teacher, the rules of the Hunting Grounds involve more than just requiring participants to hunt their own prey..."
At that moment, Xue Qinghe spoke up unexpectedly.
Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance, a subtle understanding passing between them, before simultaneously turning their heads to look outside the carriage.
Clearly, both of them were reminded of the events from the previous night.
"The number of slots for the Hunting Grounds is always limited, but the applicants increase year by year. As a result, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy has added a new assessment in recent years," Xue Qinghe said warmly.
"What sort of assessment?"
Ning Fengzhi voiced the question that both Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong were eager to ask.
"They've added a simulated hunting test," Xue Qinghe explained.
"Simulated hunting?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. "Does this mean using simulated Soul Beasts, with rankings based on hunting results?"
"Teacher guessed correctly," Xue Qinghe nodded. "Indeed, they've created virtual Soul Beasts for participants to hunt. Rankings are then determined based on their performance, which in turn affects the allocation of hunting zones within the Hunting Grounds."
"Hunting zones are different too?" Qin Jian asked.
Xue Qinghe glanced at him. "The Hunting Grounds are divided into four zones: Tertiary, Secondary, Primary, and Special. The higher the zone, the higher the quality of the Soul Beasts found within."
"So that's how it works..."
Ning Fengzhi nodded thoughtfully. "It's fortunate that Qin Jian is the one participating this time. If it were Rongrong, she would likely be assigned to the Tertiary Zone."
Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes at her father's remark.
"Yes, we're lucky to have Brother Qin this time. The other participants are no ordinary students..."
Xue Qinghe looked at Qin Jian and said, "From the Thunderclap Academy, we have Yu Tianxin, the heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan..."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "It seems they no longer care to conceal their ties to the Thunderclap Academy, sending even their family heir."
Xue Qinghe nodded and continued, "From the Elephant Armored Academy, the participant is Huyan Li, grandson of their clan patriarch."
"The patriarch's grandson? How shameless!"
Ning Rongrong grumbled indignantly. "Brother Jian has no advantage at all now!"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Hunting Grounds are indeed the best venue for Soul Masters below rank 30 to hunt for Soul Rings. Even our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had to find ways to secure a spot."
"What about the other three academies?"
Qin Jian suddenly asked, "Who's representing Godwind Academy, Blazing Academy, and Skywater Academy?"
"I don't know their full backgrounds," Xue Qinghe replied. "From Godwind Academy, there's a boy named Feng Xiaotian. From Blazing Academy, there's a girl named Huo Wu. And from Skywater Academy, another girl named Shui Bing'er."
"Looks like all the elites are gathered..."
Qin Jian blinked in surprise.
He hadn't expected the Hunting Grounds slots to attract so many seed-level participants from the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament.
Huo Wu... Shui Bing'er...
"And what about Heaven Dou Imperial Academy? Surely they wouldn't miss this opportunity," Qin Jian asked.
Xue Qinghe smiled. "Naturally, they wouldn't. Their representative this time is Dugu Yan."
Qin Jian's expression shifted.
Dugu Yan... granddaughter of Dugu Bo... the wielder of the Jasmine Venom...
How could he arrange to meet Dugu Bo?
While Qin Jian sank into deep thought, their convoy finally arrived at the gates of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Situated outside the imperial capital, the academy occupied an entire mountain range. Fully equipped with the best facilities, it boasted the highest standards for an academy on the entire continent, including the finest faculty resources within the Heaven Dou Empire.
Unfortunately, most of its students were nobles. Though many possessed exceptional talent, few had the discipline to cultivate diligently.
Their specialty was causing trouble; true dedication to cultivation and combat was scarce.
However, Ning Fengzhi's group couldn't immediately enter the academy. A large crowd of students had gathered at the gates, blocking their path.
"Huh? What's going on over there?"
Ning Rongrong, bored during the journey, suddenly perked up. Without waiting for her father's response, she grabbed Qin Jian's hand and darted toward the commotion.
Watching from behind, Ning Fengzhi shook his head with a resigned smile.
"Teacher, Little Brother Qin and Rongrong seem to share a deep bond," Xue Qinghe remarked.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "That little girl has fallen for someone, and now even her father is starting to feel neglected."
Xue Qinghe's eyes flickered, and he asked, "Have you considered arranging their engagement?"
Ning Fengzhi paused briefly before shaking his head. "They're still young. Who knows what the future holds? There's no need to bind them together just yet."
Xue Qinghe nodded but said nothing further. However, her gaze alternated between Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, her thoughts unreadable.
As Qin Jian reached the scene, he sighed at the sight before him—unsurprising yet somehow inevitable.
Blocking the academy gates was none other than the fourth prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Beng, infamous for his scandalous antics.
"You! Get lost!"
The shout, brimming with fiery energy, drew Qin Jian's attention. In the center of the commotion stood a girl clad in a gold-and-red dress.
"Little sister, don't be so hostile."
Xue Beng stepped forward with a smirk. "I just wanted to show you around the academy. No ulterior motives at all. Why so angry?"
The students behind him snickered knowingly.
"I'll say it one last time—get lost!"
The girl's body surged with fiery energy. "Or else I won't hold back!"
Watching from the sidelines, Qin Jian's mind stirred. That look, that temper... could she be Huo Wu from Blazing Academy?
Seeing the girl's mounting fury, Xue Beng pressed on with feigned fright, "Oh no, I'm so scared!"
His cronies erupted in laughter, fueling the tension.
"Buzz, buzz!"
At that moment, two yellow Soul Rings rose beneath the girl's feet, her Soul Power rippling outward and causing the crowd's expressions to change.
"Such strength. She's already at rank 30," Ning Fengzhi observed as he approached.
Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe's reaction to seeing Xue Beng stirring trouble was as calm as ever, suggesting this was hardly a rare occurrence.
"Teacher," Xue Qinghe said, "judging by her attire and the badge on her teacher's chest, they must be from Blazing Academy. That confirms her identity as Huo Wu."
Ning Fengzhi and the others nodded in agreement.
What happened next was entirely predictable.
Huo Wu, ablaze with power, swiftly overwhelmed Xue Beng and his lackeys, leaving them sprawled across the ground.
Seeing the surrounding students cowed into silence, Huo Wu sneered, scanning the crowd with disdain.
"Pathetic weaklings, not even the shadow of a man!"
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