Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

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"Student Qin Jian has adopted an evasive strategy. Is he planning to drag this out until Feng Xiaotian's third Soul Skill expires?"

The commentator's harsh words resonated through the arena, earning unanimous support from the audience.

Naturally, their allegiance lay with Godwind Academy, regardless of fairness or reason.

"Phew…"

Yan Zhining exhaled lightly, a hint of relief on her face. "At least Qin Jian didn't face him head-on. This way, there's still a sliver of hope."

"But does he really have the stamina to hold out until Feng Xiaotian's third Soul Skill ends?" asked a teacher from Blazingfire Academy.

Yan Zhining furrowed her delicate brows. "This is already the best option. What else could he do—"

Before she could finish, the arena underwent a sudden change.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…"

While continuously switching positions to avoid direct confrontation, Qin Jian threw his Soul Rings into the air.

"Feng Xiaotian, you must think my Soul Power and mental energy are insufficient to perform Soul Ring Fusion, don't you?"

Qin Jian's words startled Feng Xiaotian, and even the audience was stunned.

"Knowing I'd be the last one standing, how could I not save enough power for fusion?" Qin Jian continued.

"And the greatest flaw of your Ninefold Gale Slash is…"

Dodging deftly, he added, "If I interrupt your first slash, the sequence can't continue. So…"

"Take this: Unity of Man and Sword!"

The dazzling brilliance of Qin Jian's Soul Ring Fusion technique once again left the students of Godwind Academy awestruck. The enormous sword energy that descended caused the academy's higher-ups to panic.

"Not good! Feng Xiaotian couldn't counter his fusion technique even after completing his nine slashes last time. Now it's just the first slash!"

Before the speaker could finish, the Godwind Academy's Headmaster vanished from his seat.

"Boom!"

When he reappeared, he was already in the center of the battlefield.

A surge of immense Soul Power dispersed the Soul Skills of both Qin Jian and Feng Xiaotian, simultaneously ejecting them from the stage.

Everyone stared in bewilderment.

Yan Zhining, however, was furious. "What's the meaning of this, Godwind Academy? Is interrupting Soul Duels midway your specialty?"

Seeing Qin Jian on the verge of victory, only to be thwarted by Godwind Academy, left her utterly indignant.

"Calm down, Instructor Yan Zhining," the Godwind Headmaster said calmly.

"I had a reason to interrupt the duel. Moments ago, I received responses from the other academies. The Five Elemental Academies' leadership unanimously approved holding this year's ranking tournament. Hence…"

He turned to Yan Zhining. "There's no need to continue this Soul Duel. Whatever grievances exist should be resolved in the ranking tournament, which is its original purpose, after all."

Yan Zhining was stunned. "Are you saying Godwind Academy proposed the Five Elemental Academies' ranking tournament?"

The Godwind Headmaster nodded. "It will be held in one month at Thunderclap Academy."

"Considering the constant clashes between Blazingfire Academy, Skywater Academy, and Godwind Academy lately, the proposal has gained unanimous support from the Five Academies' leadership."

He looked down at Yan Zhining and asked, "Do you have any further doubts, Instructor?"

"If you already knew about the ranking tournament, why not simply cancel this Soul Duel?" Yan Zhining retorted, refusing to yield.

"And if you received the confirmation earlier, why didn't you stop the duel immediately? Why wait until Qin Jian was about to win? Don't you think this is utterly shameless?!"

Her words were blunt and biting, causing even the students of Godwind Academy to lower their heads in embarrassment.

The Headmaster, however, remained unperturbed. "As I said, I received the message just now and acted immediately."

"If Skywater Academy harbors such grievances against Godwind Academy, there's no need for you to stay. We'll settle this during the ranking tournament."

He decisively issued an order to leave.

"Boom!"

Unable to contain her fury, Yan Zhining unleashed her Soul Rings. Her pristine white wings carried her high into the sky.

"Yan Zhining, what are you doing?!"

The Godwind Headmaster reacted swiftly, releasing seven Soul Rings of his own. "The Five Elemental Academies prohibit conflicts among their leaders!"

"Hmph! I don't intend to fight. I just have one thing to say…"

Amplified by Soul Power, her voice echoed throughout Godwind Academy:

"Godwind Academy—utterly shameless!"

Her voice boomed, reverberating through the air.

Everyone was stunned.

Moments later, they watched as Yan Zhining retracted her Martial Soul, landed beside Qin Jian, and led Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu away with a flourish.

"Unbelievable…"

The Godwind Headmaster's face twitched. "I didn't think Yan Zhining would still have her temper from her 'Demoness' days…"

"She crushed our academy's morale with a single shout, even more than Qin Jian's five-on-one victory," a senior whispered.

The Headmaster regained his composure. "It's fine. During the ranking tournament, we'll make sure Skywater Academy finishes last. Nothing else matters now."

While Godwind Academy descended into chaos, Qin Jian and his companions were laughing uproariously.

"Instructor Yan, that was incredible!" Qin Jian said with a grin.

Even now, the thought of Yan Zhining's bold move made him chuckle.

Who would have expected this dignified Soul Saint to pull off such a dramatic stunt?

"Indeed, Instructor Yan was so cool!" Shui Bing'er chimed in.

Yan Zhining chuckled. "I was just too angry…"

Even Huo Wu's eyes sparkled. "I thought we'd have to swallow our pride and leave, but Instructor Yan, you're amazing!"

The teacher from Blazingfire Academy glanced at her, muttering inwardly, "These kids never witnessed the untamed 'Demoness Yan' in her prime. This is nothing—she didn't even demolish Godwind Academy!"

Of course, he dared not say this aloud.

"Well then, Huo Wu, why don't you join Skywater Academy? We can give you a special recruitment into our battle team!" Yan Zhining said suddenly, smiling.

"Ah?"

Huo Wu was caught off guard.

The Blazingfire teacher immediately protested, "Yan Zhining! How can you poach students right in front of me?"

Yan Zhining raised a brow. "So, you mean it's fine as long as I don't do it in front of you?"

The teacher fell silent.

"Hey, doesn't Skywater Academy only accept water-element Soul Masters?"

"That's fine. We already made an exception for Qin Jian. Another fire-element Soul Master wouldn't hurt. Besides, she meets our... aesthetic standards," Yan Zhining quipped.

"This is too much! You already have Qin Jian, and now you want Huo Wu too? Are you trying to dominate the rankings?"

"..."

[TL/N: Fuck! I really want to cast the Heaven Overturning Palm and smash this Godwind Academy to dust! This level of shamelessness really irks me a lot.]