"Level 35? That's impossible!"
"Another twelve-year-old Soul Elder? I heard she's close with Lin Feng and Dugu Yan."
"Isn't her martial soul the Nine-Hearted Begonia? Why is it now the Nine-Hearted Sacred Begonia?"
The students were all stunned by what they heard.
Even those who had already heard rumors couldn't help but gasp when they saw the girl said to possess the strongest healing martial soul.
"Another one boosted by miracle herbs?"
Xue Qinghe thought to himself, glancing curiously at Ye Lingling.
"Wait—Teacher Qin Ming just said the team is adding someone new."
"Doesn't that mean someone among us is getting cut?"
As soon as that was said, the mood changed. Someone quickly realized the implication.
"They're obviously forcing someone out to make space."
"There's no question—one of the three of us is getting dropped."
The faces of Yan Qing, Baru, and Ye Chen turned grim. They knew full well their talent was the lowest among the group.
"I know this decision is harsh," Qin Ming said seriously, "but we all understand how important Ye Lingling's healing ability is to our team."
"At this point, we can only eliminate one person."
"Ye Chen, you're out."
Qin Ming's voice was firm and emotionless. This decision had not been made lightly.
With Lin Feng and Yu Tianheng already covering the power-attack role, they didn't need another weaker one. Ye Chen, being the least exceptional, was the only logical choice.
"Why me? I'm older than her!"
"Can't she just wait and compete in the next tournament? She's just a 12-year-old girl!"
Ye Chen flushed in anger and humiliation.
"Why?" Yu Tianheng sneered. "Because you're useless. Keeping you would only bring shame to Heaven Dou."
His words, sharp as knives, stabbed straight into Ye Chen's pride.
Ye Chen burned with fury, but Yu Tianheng didn't even flinch.
"Tianheng, that's enough," Qin Ming quickly interjected, before turning to Ye Chen with a stern look. "If you're unwilling to accept this, then defeat anyone here besides Ye Lingling and you can stay."
Ye Chen gritted his teeth.
But at this point, his only choice was to challenge someone.
He looked around. Challenging the crown prince was obviously off the table.
Yu Tianheng, with his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, was also too formidable.
And Lin Feng and Dugu Yan? Out of the question.
That left only one option.
"Ye Chen? You're challenging me for the spot?" Baru said angrily when their eyes met.
"Sorry, Baru," Ye Chen said helplessly.
He knew how much was at stake. This competition was filled with prodigies. Winning it all could change his fate.
"Alright then. Ye Chen, Baru—both of you come with me to Training Ground 7."
Qin Ming gave the order, and Yu Tianheng and Yan Qing followed, eager to watch the drama unfold.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling ignored the commotion and continued their training off to the side.
Lin Feng sat cross-legged, eyes closed, appearing to be resting.
"Is Lin Feng not cultivating his soul power?" Ye Lingling asked curiously.
"Ah, Lingling, that's just how he trains these days," Dugu Yan quickly explained, gently pulling her away. "Don't worry about him—let's focus on our own training."
Though she didn't understand Lin Feng's method, she knew better than to interrupt it.
"Wandering Beyond The Heavens."
At that moment, Lin Feng had already projected his spiritual form far away.
Almost every day, he roamed the continent this way.
Even with his incredible speed, his visual range was still limited. He hadn't covered much ground in recent days.
He visited Spirit Hall again recently and sensed a mysterious power surrounding the Hall of Worship.
His instincts warned him—it might detect his presence.
He suspected divine power was involved.
Even though his spiritual form couldn't be attacked, certain forces could still sense him.
"I wonder if Dugu Bo and Father have successfully formed their soul cores," he suddenly thought.
With that, he turned toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
In just a few seconds, he flew thousands of kilometers and arrived at the familiar hot spring valley.
He hovered over a thatched hut.
Inside, Dugu Bo was seated cross-legged, deep in soul core condensation.
His soul power pulsed with strength and stability—it was going smoothly.
"Not bad, Grandpa Poison. Looks like I don't need to worry about him," Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction.
Just as expected.
Moments later, Dugu Bo's eyes burst open with confidence as he shouted, "Condense!"
All his soul power surged inward, forming a soul core the size of a thumb.
"Hahahaha! I did it! My soul core is complete!"
"From today forward, I—Dugu Bo—Will soar even higher!"
He laughed to the heavens.
"All thanks to Feng'er. Marrying Yan'er to him was the best decision ever," he added gleefully.
"…Did this old guy just have a chuunibyou moment?" Lin Feng smirked.
Even with a spiritual herb-enhanced body, the road to Rank 99 was still a huge leap.
Dugu Bo might not make it.
Still, with a soul core now condensed, breaking through Rank 98 should be within reach.
Whistling cheerfully, Lin Feng sped away.
He arrived at Flame Valley, where his father was also trying to condense a soul core—though with some difficulty.
Flame Valley.
It was a special day.
The largest volcano in the valley had erupted, sending a tidal wave of fire-element soul power across the land.
Everyone in the Lin Clan was thrilled—this was a rare cultivation opportunity.
Lin Ye hovered in the sky, frowning as he looked down at the eruption.
"The soul power tide is here. I need to make the most of it."
"The Patriarch is in seclusion—guard his chamber!"
Dozens had gathered in front of Lin Ye's room.
Although soul power tides were great, they disrupted the balance in Lin Ye's body, making the soul core condensation harder.
"Father's condensing his soul core? That's not good."
Lin Feng immediately flew down and entered the room.
He found Lin Ye soaking in a hot spring, a golden flame floating above the surface.
This spring was connected to the underground volcanic vein, drawing in pure fire-element soul power—perfect for a fire-type cultivator.
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