Chapter 56: Where the Heart Leads

"I only broke through by two ranks, is this fake medicine?"

The system (sweating): "Most of the immortal herb's effects were absorbed by the Emperor, be content that the host could even rise two ranks."

"Open the map, let me see where I can pick up a simple task and just break through directly."

Soon, a map appeared in Nian Yun's consciousness.

"The entrance to the Star Great Forest at the border of Heaven Dou and Star Luo, hiss~ If I run into anyone from the Spirit Hall, wouldn't I be done for? Wait, system, what does this asterisk mean?"

System: "Reporting to the host, that is the marker for a prerequisite task."

"Looks like a long-term quest. Fine, let's go take a look."

He opened his eyes.

Feeling the rank thirty-nine soul power within his body, it truly felt tasteless. Looking back, Zhu Zhuqing's soul power had surged to rank thirty-five.

"Not bad, congratulations."

"This soul power... so warm. Thank you, Nian Yun."

"Why are you thanking me? Since you've broken through to a Soul Elder, how about we take advantage of these few days of vacation to go get you a soul ring?"

"Just the two of us? Will it be difficult to deal with thousand-year soul beasts?"

"Did you forget I have a second martial soul? A mere few thousand-year soul beast won't be hard to handle."

"Mm, okay."

---

Heaven Dou Imperial Academy

"Tap, tap"

"Knock, knock—"

"Captain, the people from the Elemental Academies are almost here."

"I know. You go ahead, I'll be right there."

After Yu Feng left, Nian Yun took a mask from the cabinet. "I hope there won't be any complications."

Outside the building at this moment, Qin Ming and the members of the Royal Heaven Dou Academy were welcoming several carriages arriving from the distance.

"Even if they were invited guests, there's no need for us to come out and welcome them," Dugu Yan said, her face devoid of any pleasant expression and full of grievance.

"It was personally ordered by Prince Xue Xing. Yan Yan, do not be impolite later," Qin Ming said, turning back to look at Dugu Yan, who worried him the most.

"I know, I know. By the way, where is Yun Nian?"

"Right here."

Just as Dugu Yan's voice trailed off, Nian Yun stepped out from behind her and naturally took a standing position beside Qin Ming.

"Tap, tap—"

Soon, the carriages stopped in front of the crowd, and one after another, familiar figures stepped down.

Feng Xiaotian wore a half-mask, and behind him, a girl with a delicate face quickly entered Nian Yun's vision—Zhang Ping. After a brief exchange of glances, Nian Yun cast a sidelong glance behind her.

Shui Bing'er, leading the Tianshui Academy team with her long white legs in blue clothes, instantly mesmerized the students around the academy.

Next were the bulky members of the Elephant Armor Academy, followed by the arrogant-walking, smug-faced captain of the Thunder Academy, Yu Tianxin, whose accompanying team members were also extraordinary.

Nian Yun slowly glanced sideways at Yu Tianheng beside him. The lightning in Yu Tianheng's eyes was already stirring, though he appeared much steadier compared to Yu Tianxin.

At that moment, another carriage hurriedly approached.

"Clatter."

When the carriage stopped in the middle, Nian Yun's "Wind Spirit" also reacted somewhat.

First to step down was an old man. Although they had never interacted face-to-face, Nian Yun was quite familiar with him. "Huang Yan, it's been so long, surely you don't remember me anymore."

Thinking this, the moment Huang Yan stepped off the carriage, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward Nian Yun. After locking eyes for a moment, Nian Yun, feeling somewhat uneasy, turned his gaze toward the young man and woman behind him.

The girl's facial features had become even more exquisite, and her long hair fell to her waist. When their eyes met, both of them froze for a moment.

"Huo Wu, what is it?" Huo Wushuang, following closely behind, asked.

"It's nothing, brother. Maybe I saw wrong."

"Cough, Huo Wu, with his talent, you'll definitely see him again. Let's finish the tasks given by father and the academy first."

"Mm."

Amidst the whispering, Qin Ming led the group forward to welcome them.

"Hello, I am Qin Ming, an instructor at Heaven Dou Academy."

"Hello, I am Huang Yan, the leader of the Elemental Academies team this time."

After the two exchanged words for several minutes, the Royal Academy also dispatched students to lead the members of the Elemental Academies to their quarters, while the various academy captains and team leaders were taken to another location for discussion.

"Tianheng, I don't like those troublesome matters. You go in my place."

After a brief thought, Yu Tianheng nodded and followed Qin Ming to receive the various captains. As they stepped forward, Yu Tianxin's gaze involuntarily met Yu Tianheng's, and the gunpowder smell in their eyes grew intense.

Nian Yun did not go along and instead returned to his room.

"Clang."

He opened the window, dispersed the wind element in his left hand, and then removed his mask, lying back quietly.

...

"Rustle."

"You're really slow. I was almost falling asleep, ha~~" Nian Yun stretched lazily and got up to look at Zhang Ping standing before him.

"Then you should take it up with the person who led me to my quarters. I heard you've managed to become the captain here, you should have that kind of authority."

"What do you mean 'managed to'? Alright, tell me, what is going on this time?"

"It's Xue Xing. He thought of calling us here for academic exchanges, but in truth, it's just to flaunt the might of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."

"And then each academy actually sent their strongest team leaders." As she spoke, Nian Yun couldn't help but smile. "Such childish methods."

"What, is there a problem?" From Nian Yun's expression, Zhang Ping sensed that the matter was not so simple.

"It's fine. Since you're here, just help me spread some news. I've already been targeted by Xue Xing."

After the discussion and arrangements were settled—

The next day,

Heaven Dou Academy Soul Arena

Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng took the stage early.

"I heard that because of your lacking strength, you've been reduced to a mere vice-captain. You're really a disgrace to the family," Yu Tianxin taunted as soon as he stepped onto the stage.

"If your strength were as hard as your mouth, I suppose I wouldn't have left the clan without ever hearing of someone like you."

"Oh? Then in a moment, I'll make you understand who the true number one of the family is."

With that, the two simultaneously erupted with imposing momentum, summoning their Thunder Dragon Claws and charging at each other. The sounds of dragon roars and colliding dragon claws echoed continuously across the arena.

With identical martial souls, little difference in soul power, and comparable combat experience, the match made Nian Yun drowsy. However, there was still a pair of eyes staring at him that gave Nian Yun a bit of a headache.

On the other side of the spectator stands, Huo Wu's beautiful eyes were entirely absent from the stage.

Huo Wushuang wanted to step forward and persuade her, but knowing his sister's temperament, he decided not to disturb her further.

It was unknown how long they had been fighting in the arena, as both of them already showed weary expressions, yet it remained difficult to tell a victor. In the end, out of concern, Qin Ming sent people to pull the two apart, thus ending the match without a victor.

"Huo Wu, let's go. Next is our turn."

"Mm."

Seeing Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang step onto the stage, the Royal Academy side sent out Yu Feng and Shi Mo.

"Wait."

Hearing Huo Wushuang's voice, Yu Feng and Shi Mo stopped. "Is there a problem?"

"We've long heard that your esteemed academy recently acquired a new captain. My sister and I have long wished to make his acquaintance. Might we invite him out?"

Facing Huo Wushuang's sincerity, Yu Feng and Shi Mo naturally held no complaints and turned their heads to look over.

"Hmph, as if you..." Dugu Yan's mocking words were caught on her lips, but they were immediately suppressed by Qin Ming's glare.

Huo Wushuang's request to substitute Yun Nian happened to fulfill Huo Wu's wish. Huo Wu instantly perked up, looking toward Yun Nian with expectant eyes.