"So that's why you came to me."
After understanding Chen Junting's intention, Beibei and the others readily agreed. Xu Sanshi even saw this as another opportunity to challenge Chen Junting and regain his dignity.
"By the way, Senior Tang Ya, can you contact Senior Jiang Nannan?" Chen Junting asked, observing the team's composition: one strong attack, one defense, and one control. Adding a sensitive attack type would allow for more flexible team formations. However, since he was not personally acquainted with Jiang Nannan, he sought Tang Ya's help in reaching out.
"Nannan? Why do you need Nannan?" Before Tang Ya could respond, Xu Sanshi suddenly inserted himself between them, eyeing Chen Junting with suspicion.
"Senior Xu, there's no need to be so tense."
Seeing Xu Sanshi's exaggerated reaction, Chen Junting didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. Tang Ya, however, had no such hesitation, pointing at Xu Sanshi's nose and scolding, "Xu Sanshi, you're shameless! Nannan doesn't belong to you. Why are you acting like this?"
"No! You don't understand!" Xu Sanshi declared passionately, unfazed by Tang Ya's reprimand. His expression turned affectionate as he said, "I believe that with enough effort, even an iron rod can be ground into a needle. Sooner or later, Nannan will accept me."
Silence fell over the group.
Beibei, who had been about to step forward, froze mid-motion, his facial muscles twitching. Tang Ya, prepared for another round of scolding, swallowed her words in exasperation. Even Chen Junting felt overwhelmed by Xu Sanshi's lovestruck expression and inwardly sighed, This level of persistence… truly excessive.
---
Later, Chen Junting met Jiang Nannan at a café where she was working as a waitress. As a gesture of gratitude, he handed her a white card. "Senior Jiang, thank you for your help. This contains 1,000 gold soul coins as your compensation."
"Junior, this… this is too much!" Jiang Nannan's eyes widened in shock. It took her considerable effort to refuse the "huge sum."
"It's not much," Chen Junting replied, ignoring the burning gaze of jealousy from Xu Sanshi. He pressed the card into her hands. "We're asking a genius Soul Master from Shrek Academy to be our sparring partner. A mere 1,000 gold soul coins is hardly an overpayment. Besides, we've interrupted your schedule today."
"I didn't really have any plans today…" Jiang Nannan mumbled, feeling embarrassed. In truth, she had simply been earning a modest wage at the café, amounting to just one gold soul coin per day. Receiving such an amount was far beyond her expectations.
Chen Junting merely smiled, waiting for her decision. With Tang Ya and the others persuading her, mentioning that they had also received similar compensation, she eventually relented.
"Thank you, junior brother."
In the end, the need for money won out. Jiang Nannan accepted the offer.
Xu Sanshi, who had been grumbling moments ago about how "I haven't even held Nannan's hand, yet Chen Junting already did," immediately brightened. His dramatic shift in demeanor left Beibei speechless.
---
That evening, the group gathered at the Nine Treasures Pavilion, where Ning Tian and the others were already waiting. Training began in earnest.
"Yuhao, your group goes first," Tang Ya announced.
She, Jiang Nannan, and Xu Sanshi formed the weakest combination among the four teams, lacking a strong attack-type member.
"Understood."
The battle on the sparring stage quickly intensified.
Due to the restrictions placed on the Soul Masters' third soul skills and overall soul power output, the match remained evenly matched at first. Xu Sanshi and his group managed to hold their ground against Huo Yuhao's team.
Meanwhile, in the observation area, Beibei sat beside a table laden with exquisite pastries and fine drinks. However, he paid them no mind, instead watching the battle with a solemn expression.
"I didn't expect the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect to develop such a soul guidance device."
His gaze rested on the bracelet around Xu Sanshi's wrist—the key tool restricting their soul power. If the sect had achieved this level of refinement… what about the Sun and Moon Empire?
"Senior Beibei, you're overthinking it," Chen Junting reassured him. After feeding a small piece of cake to Ning Tian, he explained, "This soul-limiting device can restrict a Titled Douluo's power depending on its level. However, that's only if the soul master doesn't resist."
He retrieved a small black gem from Ning Tian's bracelet and handed it to Beibei.
"This is a soul-limiting stone, the key to maintaining the soul-limiting array," he continued. "But…"
With a surge of soul power, the stone disintegrated into powder in Beibei's palm.
"As you can see, simply channeling soul power into it will render it useless."
"I see…" Beibei exhaled, relieved.
---
After this discussion, Chen Junting turned his attention to his teammates, Qin Lan and Gao Ming, to better understand their abilities. He had faced them in combat three months ago but only had a rough grasp of their skills.
Qin Lan was the first to speak. "I'm a Level 23 Agility Attack Soul Master. My martial soul is the Clear Ghost Leopard. My first soul skill, Ghost Leopard Afterimage, increases my speed and creates afterimages. My second skill, Clear Hundred Splits, is a close-range attack with a piercing effect. If I wound an opponent, my soul power infiltrates their body and damages their meridians."
Chen Junting analyzed her skills. The meridian-damaging effect seemed potent, but it required a prolonged battle to fully manifest. However, an agility-type fighter rarely engaged in drawn-out confrontations. Their strength lay in swift, decisive strikes.
Gao Ming then introduced himself. "I'm a Level 21 Auxiliary Soul Master. My martial soul is the Ruyi Plate. My soul skills are Speed Aura and Attack Aura, each providing a 20% boost. The base increase is 10%, and it rises by 5% per soul ring."
Chen Junting's eyes flickered with interest. A total 55% enhancement—this was a second-tier auxiliary martial soul, which was a valuable asset.
When it was his turn, Chen Junting simply stated, "My martial soul is the Seven Killing Sword…"
As they wrapped up their discussion, the battle in the arena neared its climax. Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass was being overwhelmed by Dugu Xin's venomous attack. The once-thriving vines withered under his second soul skill's toxic corrosion.
"Xiaoya is being suppressed," Beibei murmured, his concern evident.
"Senior Beibei, Blue Silver Grass isn't suited for poison," Chen Junting remarked. "Even the Blue Silver Emperor developed along the path of vitality rather than toxicity."
Beibei fell into silence, his conflicted expressio#n revealing his inner turmoil.
"Then why not suggest a different path for Sister Xiaoya?" Ning Tian asked.
"Xiaoya insists it's a tradition passed down from Tang San."
Chen Junting and Ning Tian exchanged knowing glances. Traditionalism to the point of stagnation…
Deciding to be tactful, Chen Junting offered a final piece of advice. "Senior Beibei, if Senior Tang Ya continues like this, her progress will be stunted. Blue Silver Grass should develop along the path of vitality. Had she done so, she wouldn't be so easily countered by poison today."
Beibei clenched his fists but said nothing. It was evident that he was struggling with the truth.
Seeing this, Chen Junting signaled Ning Tian to hold her tongue. Their role was to offer advice, not force decisions.
What came next was Tang Ya's choice to make.
---
(End of Chapter)
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Stones me~