Chapter 296: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, The Big Matter Liu Erlong Wants to Announce
"Cough, cough."
Lin Qingmo cleared his throat, taking the initiative to break the awkward atmosphere.
"Teacher Erlong, I'm fine."
"I made you worry. I'm sorry for leaving without permission."
He apologized in a somewhat restrained tone.
"This time, I went to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for a soul ring. I successfully obtained my fifth soul ring and am now a rank 56 Soul King."
As he spoke, Lin Qingmo had already prepared a fabricated explanation.
Before leaving, he had just broken through to rank fifty.
Even accounting for everything, he had been gone for less than two weeks.
For a normal soul master to obtain their fifth soul ring, they could at most increase their soul power by one or two levels.
But he had jumped from rank fifty to rank fifty-six—a full six levels.
If this news spread, it would shock the entire soul master world.
Even the continent's most outstanding geniuses could not cross six levels of soul power in two weeks.
He had even prepared a complete explanation to handle any questions.
But what he did not expect was that Liu Erlong did not show even the slightest surprise.
She didn't ask about the age of his soul ring, nor why his soul power increased so rapidly.
She didn't even ask about the soul-hunting process.
She merely smiled sincerely, her eyes curving slightly.
All the worry in her eyes disappeared, leaving only relief.
Liu Erlong gently patted his shoulder, trying hard to show the warmth of an elder.
"Good, well done. As expected of the student, I, Liu Erlong, have my eyes on. Congratulations, Ah Qing."
"Huh?"
Lin Qingmo felt surprised inwardly.
She really didn't doubt this exaggerated improvement of his?
However, he quickly relaxed.
Perhaps Teacher Erlong wasn't without curiosity.
She simply trusted him and was unwilling to ask about things he didn't want to share.
This unquestioning trust warmed his heart.
In a world where everyone cared about the origins of soul rings and the strength of soul power, such trust was especially rare.
"By the way, Teacher Erlong."
Lin Qingmo shifted the topic. "During the time I was gone, did anything special happen at the academy?"
The moment he asked, Liu Erlong's expression froze, and the smile on her face faded slightly.
She nodded, her tone suddenly becoming much more serious.
"There is something I need to tell you. But this isn't only for you; it's also for the other members of the Royal Fighting Team."
"Oh?"
Lin Qingmo was somewhat surprised.
Something that made Liu Erlong this serious couldn't be a small matter.
After all, Liu Erlong's personality was fiery and carefree; very few things could make her so solemn.
"What is it that requires Teacher Erlong to be so serious?"
Liu Erlong didn't answer immediately, deliberately keeping him in suspense.
"Come with me. I'll notify everyone else as well. This matter is extremely important to our Royal Fighting Team and the entire Heaven Dou Academy."
That night.
The exclusive training ground of the Royal Fighting Team was brightly lit.
The training ground covered a vast area, paved with specially made impact-resistant black stone.
Marks from soul power impacts from past training could still be seen on the ground.
Ning Rongrong leaned against the railing, playing with her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand.
The pagoda was smooth, crystal clear, and glowing faintly with a precious light. The nine layers stacked upward, appearing extremely exquisite.
She swung her legs out of boredom, fiddling with the decorative patterns on the tip of the pagoda.
"What's going on with Teacher Erlong today? She suddenly sent someone to call us all to the training ground so late at night."
Ning Rongrong looked slightly impatient, her cheeks puffed up.
"I'm exhausted from training all day. I thought I could finally get some sleep, but I was called over right after lying down."
Not far away, Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged, quietly meditating and adjusting her condition.
Dugu Yan was playing with a bottle of emerald-green poison, occasionally exchanging a few words with Ye Lingling beside her.
Xiao Wu rubbed her eyes sleepily.
Yu Feng leaned against a pillar, holding a foxtail grass in his mouth.
His eyes occasionally drifted toward the entrance, impatience evident. "Who knows?"
"Maybe it's some new training mission."
"After all, our new Royal Fighting Team hasn't fought a real Soul Fight against other teams yet."
Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes. "It could also be related to the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"There's only about a year left before the tournament begins. Teacher Erlong is calling us over now, which might be connected to that."
"That makes sense! Why didn't I think of that?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, and her pagoda shook slightly.
"Don't tell me she's going to increase our training. I don't want to be watched by Teacher Erlong every day while training. It's too terrifying!"
Thinking of Liu Erlong supervising her special training, she couldn't help but shiver.
"Extra training is just extra training. Do you think I'm afraid?"
Yu Feng curled his lips, spitting out the foxtail grass.
"As long as I can enter the arena and fight true experts, I don't care how much I have to train."
"We'll know once Teacher Erlong arrives."
Ye Lingling's tone was gentle, carrying a calming power.
"There's no point in guessing now."
Just as they were talking,
"Click!"
The training ground's door slowly swung open.
Morning mist drifted inside through the doorway, carrying the fresh scent of plants and a faint cool dampness.
Liu Erlong entered first.
She was dressed in a neat red qipao. Her long, wine-red hair was tied high, giving her a sharp, imposing aura.
Following her was a tall, upright figure—Lin Qingmo.
Morning light filtered through the mist, falling onto his shoulders. His black combat outfit made him look even taller and more commanding.
Everyone's gaze turned toward Lin Qingmo, and one by one, they froze.
The noise in the training ground suddenly ceased.
Ning Rongrong's mouth opened slightly in surprise.
"Ah Qing? You're back?!"
The most emotional reaction came from Xiao Wu, standing at the back of the crowd.
During these days, she had waited at the academy entrance every day for his return.
Every day, she went there filled with hope, only to be disappointed.
When she saw Lin Qingmo, her eyes instantly reddened.
Without hesitation, she rushed forward and threw herself into his embrace.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as she buried her face in his chest.
"Ah Qing! You're finally back!"
Xiao Wu's voice carried a sobbing tone, filled with longing.
"Do you know how worried I was? You didn't even say a word before leaving."
Her shoulders trembled slightly, emotions flooding out after being suppressed so long.
Lin Qingmo's expression softened as he gently patted Xiao Wu's back, soothing her.
"I'm back. Sorry for making you worry."
He stroked her hair and patted her back repeatedly, calming her surging emotions.
Leaving without saying goodbye was his mistake.
But he hadn't expected her reaction to be so intense.
Thinking about it, Xiao Wu must have missed him terribly.
Now, she was simply releasing her long-held emotions.
End of Chapter