The next day.
The entire Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was abuzz with excitement.
From the three deans to the academy's Heaven Dou-level teachers, from the students to the special quota holders from other academies, everyone gathered at a large Simulation Training Ground within the academy.
Entering the Soul Hunting Grounds was an opportunity that only came once every few years. Otherwise, the captive Soul Beasts would be completely hunted down within a few years.
This made the opportunity exceedingly rare. Apart from the five major academies, which each had one quota, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy itself only had five quotas. These slots were often allocated to royal family members to transfer at their discretion.
First, some of these royals might not possess the talent required to fully utilize the quota, making it a waste. Second, these quotas were excellent tools for building alliances with influential factions.
Take Xue Qinghe, for example. He never used his quotas for himself but distributed them instead, earning the goodwill of numerous factions.
As for himself… with the secret support of the Spirit Hall, he had no need for such opportunities.
At this moment, Meng Shenji, an eighty-something-level Soul Douluo and one of the academy's deans, stood before everyone.
"Let's skip the formalities. I will now open the Simulation Soul Hunting Grounds. Students, prepare yourselves and enter one by one."
The eight soul rings on his body flared brightly, and a surge of majestic Soul Power swept through the surroundings, forcing everyone to take a few steps back.
"His martial soul is the Black Goblin, capable of trapping people in an endless dream cycle," Sword Douluo remarked. "It seems this Simulation Soul Hunting Ground must be related to his ability. Otherwise, there's no way the grounds could produce a steady stream of Soul Beasts."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly in agreement.
Under the continuous release of Meng Shenji's martial soul power, a shimmering, wave-like portal slowly appeared before everyone.
"The first student may enter," he announced as his soul rings dimmed.
A student from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy responded and stepped through the portal.
"Buzz!"
With a hum, the student vanished from sight, and the water-like portal rippled again. The next moment, it turned into a mirrored surface, projecting the student's every move within the training ground for all to see.
The participant was a rank 30 student. The initial challenges were cleared with remarkable speed, but by the time a fifth-level difficulty Soul Beast appeared, he started to get serious.
After all, this was a rare opportunity. Most participants wouldn't get a second chance, so all the selected students were at least rank 30.
"Hey! Qin Jian!"
At that moment, Huo Wu, who had a minor conflict with him the day before, approached with her usual fiery demeanor. "I'm aiming for the ninth-level challenge. Don't lag too far behind me!"
"Jian-gege would never lag behind! No, I mean Jian-gege will definitely win against you! Hmph!"
Before Qin Jian could respond, Ning Rongrong leaped to his defense, as always.
"Bold words."
Huo Wu's fiery nature meant she was unlikely to back down from anyone… ever.
"Huo Wu, are you betting on this?"
A green-clad youth with a veiled face approached. Qin Jian instantly recognized the intense gaze fixed on Huo Wu—it had to be Feng Xiaotian from the Godwind Academy.
"I'm betting on who'll take first place." Huo Wu pointed at Qin Jian.
"First place?!"
Her bold proclamation immediately drew the attention of the other participants.
"First place is mine!"
Huyan Li of the Elephant Armored School flexed his massive muscles and roared. Judging by his fierce expression, anyone daring to challenge him for the title might as well prepare to be eaten alive.
"What else do you have besides brute strength?"
Huo Wu folded her arms with disdain. "I can beat you with one hand tied behind my back!"
"Wow, Jian-gege, she's not just arrogant toward us."
Ning Rongrong grinned mischievously as she watched Huo Wu clash with Huyan Li. "If she provokes so many people, she's bound to have a tough time during the Soul Beast hunt."
"Not necessarily. She'll likely have Feng Xiaotian backing her up," Qin Jian shrugged.
"Jian-gege, they all seem to be rank 30. Can you really win?" Ning Rongrong asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
Qin Jian smiled nonchalantly.
Though combat wasn't his specialty, his martial soul was a sword-type. When it came to offensive power, it might surpass any martial soul present.
Besides, this competition wasn't about killing Soul Beasts of the same rank but rather about potential, which was far more critical than raw Soul Power.
Meanwhile, Huo Wu and Huyan Li continued bickering, and before long, even Yu Tianxin from the Thunderclap Academy joined in.
"If everyone's so confident, why don't we use this trial to determine the rankings of the Five Elemental Academies?" Yu Tianxin suggested with a smile.
"Sounds good to me!"
Huyan Li cracked his knuckles. "This time, the top spot will definitely belong to our academy!"
Feng Xiaotian, indifferent as ever, glanced at Huo Wu. Seeing her nod, he also agreed.
Qin Jian chuckled from the sidelines. "Looks like this has nothing to do with us. They're already too busy fighting among themselves."
Ning Rongrong asked curiously, "Jian-gege, who do you think will win if they really start fighting?"
After some thought, Qin Jian replied, "Probably Yu Tianxin. As a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, his individual combat power is formidable. There's one other possibility too…"
He glanced around. "Huh? Where is she?"
"Who?" Ning Rongrong asked.
"Shui Bing'er, with her Ice Phoenix martial soul," Qin Jian replied.
At that moment, Yu Tianxin and the others were also looking for Shui Bing'er, only to discover her hiding behind her teacher.
"Hey, what about your Skywater Academy? Do you agree to settle the rankings through this trial?" Huo Wu asked directly.
The Skywater Academy teacher helplessly nudged Shui Bing'er forward. "You decide."
To everyone's surprise, Shui Bing'er shrank back further before reluctantly stepping out.
Despite her stunning beauty, her gaze darted nervously, and she seemed utterly lacking in confidence.
"I don't think… this is a good idea…" Shui Bing'er said softly. "The rankings last for five years and must be decided by the academy leadership. How can a private bet count?"
"Let's compete first. If the academy doesn't recognize the results, we can settle it later!" Huo Wu insisted, hands on her hips.
Shui Bing'er shook her head again. "I won't participate. You can decide among yourselves…"
The Skywater Academy teacher sighed, clearly anticipating Shui Bing'er's withdrawal.
"Forget it. Without her, it's meaningless," Yu Tianxin said, turning to leave.
"How boring!"
Huo Wu snorted in frustration. "I can't believe Skywater Academy gave their quota to someone like you. If you're representing them in the ranking competition, they'll definitely come in last!"
"Oh…"
Shui Bing'er's meek response drew chuckles from the onlookers.
No one expected such a timid girl to be among these fiercely competitive youths.
Only Qin Jian found it odd, wondering if the confident, mature Shui Bing'er of the future would ever emerge…
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