Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

Finally, Qin Jian stepped onto the elevated stage.

Standing across from Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian, he found himself slightly dazed.

It wasn't their presence, but rather the lingering impression left by Shui Bing'er just moments ago. Her composed confidence and commanding presence radiated an exceptional charm, leaving everyone in awe.

It was no wonder she was recognized by the Nine Trials of Divinity. Once she truly understood herself and cast off the restraints of her familial burdens, she was like a fish returning to the sea—completely transformed.

"Qin Jian!—"

Huo Wu's furious voice dragged his wandering mind back to reality.

"Huh? Were you calling me?" Qin Jian asked absentmindedly.

A wave of low laughter rippled through the audience, both on and off stage.

"You…!" Huo Wu clenched her fists in frustration, flames flickering faintly around her. "I've been talking to you this entire time, and you didn't hear a single word?!"

"Uh…" Qin Jian scratched the back of his head awkwardly and turned to Shui Bing'er. "Bing'er, what did she just say?"

Shui Bing'er couldn't help but smile, holding back laughter. "She's expressing her outrage—about the time you intervened during the Soul Beast Hunt and when she went to find you at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, only to discover you weren't there."

"Oh…" Qin Jian nodded casually. "That's it? So, what do you want to do about it?"

"That's it?!"

Huo Wu's hands balled into tight fists as flames erupted around her. "You dare dismiss it as 'just that'?!"

"Qin Jian—!"

Her roar reverberated across the arena, stunning everyone present. "You shameless jerk! Fight me, right here, right now!"

The teacher from Blazing Academy quickly restrained her, gripping her shoulders tightly. "Calm down, Huo Wu! Calm down! You're already at Rank 32. Challenging someone clearly below Rank 30 would invite criticism."

"I don't care!" Huo Wu's body blazed like a living inferno. "Qin Jian, come fight me!"

"What a fiery and energetic young lady…" Qin Jian remained unfazed, even taking the time to comment. "No, wait—it should be 'fiery and explosive.' Too bad that's not cute at all…"

Seeing Huo Wu on the verge of losing control, Shui Bing'er could no longer stand by. She stepped forward, placing herself between Qin Jian and Huo Wu. "Huo Wu, weren't you originally planning to challenge me? Let's have a Soul Duel instead."

The teacher from Blazing Academy frowned and scrutinized Shui Bing'er. "What's your rank now?"

"Bing'er is at Rank 35!" Yan Zhining stepped forward proudly.

"Rank 35?!"

"Wasn't she just at Rank 32?"

"She's advanced three whole ranks in such a short time?"

The higher-ups exchanged pleased glances.

Initially, they had some concerns about Shui Bing'er's chances in this match, but at Rank 35, victory seemed well within her grasp. After all, her top-tier Beast Martial Soul was on par with Huo Wu's potential!

"You're three ranks higher than me?!"

Even the furious Huo Wu was momentarily stunned. "That's impossible! I've been training so hard—how did you surpass me?"

Shui Bing'er glanced at Qin Jian, her gaze softening with affection. "It's not through effort alone. Qin Jian made this possible for me, so there's no need to dwell on it."

Her words, spoken with sincerity, inadvertently struck a nerve in Huo Wu. "Qin Jian again! Are you deliberately trying to antagonize me?!"

"And you? What's your rank now?"

The teacher from Blazing Academy turned to Qin Jian, his expression growing serious.

"Me? Oh… I'm a bit behind. I'm only at Rank 27," Qin Jian replied nonchalantly.

"Rank 27?!"

Huo Wu, her teacher, and even the teacher from Godwind Academy cried out in unison.

They vividly remembered that during the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy event, Qin Jian had only been at Rank 20, with a full ten-rank Soul Power gap between him and Huo Wu's team.

Now, with others at Rank 32 or 33, Qin Jian had reached Rank 27, reducing the gap to merely five or six ranks!

"What a prodigious talent… Truly worthy of being Sword Douluo's disciple from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect…"

The teacher from Blazing Academy sighed wistfully. "If only he had joined our academy back then…"

Yan Zhining raised her chin proudly. "Good thing he didn't. That's all thanks to me!"

The academy leaders all nodded in agreement.

"Qin Jian, back when you were at Rank 20, you could already fight Rank 30 Soul Beasts and even force me to retreat, albeit with Ning Rongrong's assistance…"

Huo Wu stepped forward aggressively. "Now that you're at Rank 27, don't tell me you're too afraid to accept my challenge?"

"What's with this girl's intense grudge…"

Qin Jian spread his hands helplessly toward Shui Bing'er. "Someone who didn't know better might think I abandoned her after a promise…"

Shui Bing'er rolled her eyes at him before turning to Huo Wu. "If you want to duel Qin Jian, what about our match?"

Before Huo Wu could respond, Feng Xiaotian stepped forward. "Huo Wu, you're not the only one here for this challenge. Shui Bing'er, how about you face me instead?"

"You?" Shui Bing'er frowned.

"What? Afraid my rank isn't high enough?"

Feng Xiaotian crossed his arms confidently. "I've also had my share of fortuitous encounters. I'm at Rank 35 now."

Gasps filled the arena.

No one had expected Feng Xiaotian to also reach Rank 35. Unease spread among the Skywater Academy students as they glanced at Shui Bing'er.

Although Shui Bing'er was strong, she had rarely displayed her full potential in battles, usually holding back some of her strength.

"Qin Jian, what do you think?"

Instead of deciding herself, Shui Bing'er turned to Qin Jian.

"I'm fine with whatever the instructors decide," Qin Jian said, looking at Yan Zhining.

Yan Zhining pondered for a moment before stepping forward. "Since you're all here for a team duel, why not make it a two-on-two match instead of splitting into two separate battles? After all, as team members, individual strength matters, but teamwork is even more crucial."

The teachers from Blazing Academy and Godwind Academy exchanged glances and smiled in agreement. "We have no objections."

"Yan Zhining…"

Xiao Jing, who had always been at odds with Yan Zhining, walked over and whispered urgently, "Blazing Academy specializes in fire, and Godwind Academy specializes in wind. Together, their synergy amplifies their power exponentially. Are you out of your mind?"

For once, Yan Zhining didn't argue. She simply replied, "Don't worry. If Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er can't win this, I don't think anyone else in our academy could either."

Xiao Jing frowned. "This concerns the academy's reputation. You'd better explain why pairing them together is advantageous."

Yan Zhining chuckled and lowered her voice. "During our recent training in the Star Dou Forest, we encountered a life-threatening situation. Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er… unlocked a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"

"What?! Martial Soul Fusion Skill?!"

Xiao Jing's eyes widened. "What kind of Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

Yan Zhining's smile deepened. "An offensive one, of course."

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