Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

"King of the Forest? The Titan Giant Ape?!"

The words struck fear into nearly everyone.

"What exactly happened? Explain clearly," Yan Zhining pressed further.

As Shui Bing'er recounted the events, the astonishment on the faces of the seven companions deepened, and eventually, all eyes landed on Qin Jian with peculiar expressions.

"You actually dared to pluck a flower from under the Titan Giant Ape's nose..." Yan Zhining murmured, her gaze fixed in disbelief.

Shui Yue'er's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Captain, you're so devoted to my sister…"

Yu Hairou praised earnestly, "As expected of our captain, staying calm in such a situation and showing such courage."

Xue Wu sighed, "No wonder Bing'er was so delighted to share a bed with you back then…"

"I want to share a bed with the captain too…" Qiu Ruoshui blurted out impulsively.

"So touching…" Gu Qingbo commented, visibly moved.

Shen Liuyu, running a hand through her light green hair, said, "I envy Bing'er so much…"

Qin Jian, overwhelmed, felt a cold sweat forming.

Not only did he feel no sense of pride from their words, but he was also utterly uncomfortable, as if sitting on pins and needles.

This tale, which sounded so heartfelt, brave, and romantic… was nothing more than an elaborate act!

"Instructor Zhining, since our mission is complete, should we head back?" Qin Jian quickly attempted to change the subject.

Yan Zhining nodded. "This team training was eventful but rewarding. Bing'er especially gained a lot from it."

"From now on, Bing'er will serve as the vice-captain of the team. What do you all think?" she asked.

The other six girls nodded enthusiastically, offering no objections.

"Instructor Zhining, the title of vice-captain doesn't suit our Bing'er."

At this moment, Qiu Ruoshui suddenly chuckled and said, "I think 'Captain's Wife' suits her better!"

"Ruoshui!"

Shui Bing'er called out in a mix of embarrassment and anger.

"Hahaha! Ruoshui has a point!"

The girls instantly erupted into laughter, surrounding Bing'er in a flurry of teasing remarks.

"Greetings, Captain's Wife!"

"Please take care of us in the future, Captain and Captain's Wife!"

"Captain's Wife, you'll have to teach us how to win over someone as great as our Captain!"

"…"

Amid the cheerful banter of the girls, Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er, accompanied by Yan Zhining, finally left the Star Dou Forest.

The group of nine found an inn to wash up and rest thoroughly before continuing their journey back to Skywater City the next day.

After all, being young women, none of them wanted to return looking disheveled. Even Yan Zhining was no exception.

As they stepped back into Skywater City, though only a short time had passed, it felt like a lifetime to everyone.

"It's so relaxing to be back in a lively place. The Star Dou Forest was far too tense and oppressive…" Qiu Ruoshui said, taking a deep breath of fresh air.

Qin Jian remarked, "The Star Dou Forest is home to Soul Beasts. For them, living there feels just like how you feel here."

Shui Bing'er gave him a strange look, sensing a deeper meaning hidden in his words.

"Come on, let's go! Back to the academy! I miss my big, comfy bed!"

Naturally, Qiu Ruoshui couldn't detect anything unusual in Qin Jian's words. She tugged at the group, eager to move forward.

"You've all worked hard this time. Over the next month, take some time to rest and recover…"

Yan Zhining turned to Qin Jian. "The team training can also be relaxed for now, allowing them to fully absorb the experience from this round of practical exercises."

Qin Jian nodded thoughtfully, then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, suggested, "How about learning another group dance?"

It was as if he'd dropped a bombshell. Before Yan Zhining could respond, the girls had already crowded around him.

"Captain, Captain! What dance are we learning this time? Will it be as amazing as the last one, Ti Amo?" Shui Yue'er asked excitedly.

Gu Qingbo, flicking her long hair, said, "Captain, could you teach us something even more seductive this time? I'm better suited for that style."

"You all should be asking what the Captain wants to see us dance," Yu Hairou chimed in.

Xue Wu gave a thumbs-up. "Hairou hits the mark. Aren't we dancing to entertain the Captain?"

"Wait a second. Doesn't that mean we should ask what the Captain wants to see Bing'er dance? Or what he wants to teach her in their 'private sessions'?" Qiu Ruoshui teased.

Qin Jian clutched the back of his head in frustration, while Shui Bing'er covered her flushed face…

Yan Zhining rubbed her temples. "I feel like under Qin Jian's lead, our Skywater team is becoming… a bit eccentric."

Finally, back at Skywater Academy, Qin Jian had already decided on the next group dance he would teach them.

Naturally, it would be one of those incredibly catchy and electrifying dances, perfect for hyping up the crowd.

After all, he had always dreamt of taking the Skywater team to the Soul Arena stage and debuting as the continent's ultimate girl group.

However, on their way back, the academy's atmosphere felt somewhat off. Many of the girls seemed dejected.

"Instructor Zhining, it feels like the students' morale is low," Qin Jian observed, frowning.

Yan Zhining nodded. "You all return to the team's quarters first. I'll go check with the higher-ups."

Shortly after, she returned in a flurry of urgency.

"Kids, trouble has come knocking."

Her voice drew everyone out of their rooms and into the central hall.

"Instructor Zhining, what happened?" Qin Jian stepped forward to ask on behalf of the group.

"Another academy has come to challenge us!"

Anger flashed in Yan Zhining's eyes. "They've defeated all of our students under level 35!"

"What? Which academy dares to do this?" the group exclaimed.

Yan Zhining glanced at Shui Bing'er and Qin Jian before answering, "It's a lingering grudge from that time at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The challengers are from Blazing Fire Academy and Godwind Academy."

"The one currently fighting is Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy," she added.

"And who is that?" Xue Wu asked.

Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er exchanged knowing looks, realization dawning upon them.

"It must be because of the incident in the Soul-Hunting Grounds. I stopped Huo Wu and prevented her from obtaining the soul ring she wanted back then," Qin Jian explained.

Yan Zhining nodded. "That's correct. I've heard she even went to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect looking for you but couldn't find you. She came to Skywater Academy specifically to challenge Bing'er."

"Since Bing'er was in the Star Dou Forest, Huo Wu waited a few days with no result. Then she began challenging our academy's students above level 30…"

"At first, the academy sent someone with the same rank—level 32 Soul Power—but they lost. Then we sent students with higher levels, but they were also defeated. That's why the morale here is so low."

"After all, this is a blatant slap in the face," Yan Zhining said, frowning.

"And what about Godwind Academy?" Qin Jian asked.

Yan Zhining shook her head. "I don't know. They seem to be just watching the show. They haven't made a move so far."

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