"Qin Jian, I apologize to you!"
Huo Wu gritted her teeth, forcing out the words without the slightest hint of sincerity.
"But don't think that just because you defeated a Rank-30 Soul Beast during the trial, you're now capable of matching my Rank-30 strength!"
Raising her fist, Huo Wu declared, "I'll show you what true Rank-30 power looks like!"
Qin Jian waved a hand dismissively and said, "Don't be so competitive. After all, we're all here to hunt Soul Beasts. The current situation isn't in your favor—why not just take a step back?"
Shui Bing'er nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Exactly, there's no need for us to fight each other to the death over a single Soul Beast."
"Fight to the death? In your dreams!"
Huo Wu's body ignited in flames as the fiery silhouette of her Martial Soul erupted behind her, radiating blazing energy. "Even if the two of you team up, I'll knock you both flat!"
The second Soul Ring on her body lit up.
"Second Soul Skill: Blazing Judgment!"
Her entire body became enveloped in an orange-gold radiance as both she and her Flaming Shadow Martial Soul charged at Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er at lightning speed, their hands ablaze.
"I become the sword!"
As Huo Wu closed in, Qin Jian raised his right hand, fingers forming a sword gesture, and the longsword of his Martial Soul materialized in front of him.
"Boom! Boom!"
Huo Wu and her Flaming Shadow struck the sword's blade simultaneously, unleashing an explosion of dazzling flames.
"Be careful! Her second Soul Skill has a blast effect!"
Shui Bing'er's voice rang out as a warning.
Qin Jian nodded slightly, grasped his longsword with his right hand, and slashed downward sharply.
"Slash!"
A streak of sword energy shot out, striking Huo Wu directly.
Although flames burst forth from the impact, Huo Wu's figure suddenly appeared right in front of Qin Jian, slamming a fiery palm onto his sword.
The explosive impact forced Qin Jian back.
"Hmph! My flames don't just explode—they also reinforce my defense."
As she charged forward, Huo Wu sneered, "Your Rank-20 Soul Power sword energy doesn't stand a chance of breaking my defenses!"
Seeing Huo Wu about to land a strike on Qin Jian, Shui Bing'er's first Soul Ring lit up.
"First Soul Skill: Ice Seal!"
"Crack, crack!"
A burst of frost surged upward, freezing Huo Wu in place.
"Boom!"
But the next instant, the fiery energy surrounding her body shattered the ice.
"Too bad. Your instant-cast ice skill is unavoidable, but my Martial Soul counters it, making it ineffective."
Huo Wu didn't pause, launching another attack.
At this moment, Qin Jian gripped his longsword and faced her head-on.
"You think you can face me in a direct clash? Dream on!"
With her second Soul Skill enhancing her, the searing heat of her flaming fists was so intense that even Qin Jian felt the suffocating blaze.
"Second Soul Skill: Ice Armor!"
Right then, Shui Bing'er's group-defense Soul Skill enveloped Qin Jian, dispelling the oppressive heat.
Thus, Qin Jian held firm against Huo Wu's assault, gripping his sword with both hands and slashing down with full force!
"Keep dreaming! You'll never break my defense!"
Huo Wu didn't even attempt to dodge.
But from the nearby forest, a girl's voice rang out:
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile!"
A verdant, emerald-green Martial Soul—Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—appeared in their view.
Ning Rongrong emerged from behind the trees, a golden Soul Ring rising beneath her feet.
"The first treasure—Strength!"
In an instant, Qin Jian's Martial Soul attack power surged by 20%!
"Crash!"
Like a shattered mirror, the fiery defense surrounding Huo Wu broke apart, and Qin Jian's heavy longsword struck her squarely!
"Pfft!"
Huo Wu was sent flying, slamming into a tree trunk behind her. The dual impact left her coughing up blood.
Qin Jian stopped his attack, refraining from chasing her further.
Turning back, he saw Shui Bing'er frozen in shock. He sighed and called out, "What are you staring for? Quickly finish off the Soul Beast!"
"Huh? Oh!"
Shui Bing'er snapped out of her daze, drew a dagger, and plunged it into the Soul Beast's head.
The creature, already on the brink of death, finally succumbed. A purple Soul Ring floated above its body.
"You… you two!"
Huo Wu pushed herself upright, wiping the blood from her lips. She glared at Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er. "Qin Jian of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Shui Bing'er of Skywater Academy—I'll remember this!"
Realizing the Soul Beast had been claimed, Huo Wu had no choice but to retreat slowly.
"You'd better watch out! I'll settle this score with you!"
With a final threatening remark, she disappeared into the forest.
Seeing Shui Bing'er still staring in the direction Huo Wu had vanished, Qin Jian reminded her, "You should start absorbing the Soul Ring. We'll keep watch."
"Oh…"
Shui Bing'er nodded absentmindedly, sitting down to begin absorbing the Soul Ring.
Qin Jian shook his head in exasperation. "If Skywater Academy really made her the captain, their team this time…"
Ning Rongrong rushed over, grabbing his left hand. "Brother Jian, why did we help her? Have you decided to join Skywater Academy?"
Qin Jian stroked her silky hair and said, "Don't twist things around. It was you who said Huo Wu was too arrogant when she tried to snatch the Soul Beast."
"And since my Rongrong found her detestable, of course I had to stop her." He smiled.
"Really?" Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes.
"Of course."
With a straight face, Qin Jian led her to sit on a clean tree root. "Rest for a while. We'll head to the primary zone later."
Outside the forest.
The Skywater Academy teacher was beaming, while the Blazing Academy teacher wore a dark expression.
"You've already recruited Qin Jian?"
His question immediately drew the attention of the other elemental academy teachers.
The Skywater Academy teacher didn't deny it. Instead, she smoothed her hair and replied ambiguously, "Who can say…"
Seeing her demeanor and recalling Qin Jian's assistance to Shui Bing'er, the others assumed he had chosen Skywater Academy. They sighed in unison, visibly disappointed.
The Skywater teacher, secretly smug, thought, Now that they believe Qin Jian has joined us, they won't try to recruit him. That clever boy is halfway in my grasp.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged a knowing smile.
Neither intended to interfere with Qin Jian's choice of academy or training.
"No matter what, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will always be his foundation," Ning Fengzhi said, resting his hands on his staff.
Sword Douluo nodded. "Both Jian'er and Rongrong are still young. Let them gain experience…"
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