Lan Xuanyu heaved a sigh of relief. They could fight for the prize in the future, but if the opportunity was gone, he had to wait another year.
Qian Lei and Liu Feng sighed even louder because they knew that even if they were allowed to continue in the semi-finals, they did not have a single chance to pursue their studies in Shrek Academy without Lan Xuanyu.
“Frenzie, let’s go try it out. Let’s see if there’s any effect on you with the strengthening from both Blue Silver Grass.” After confirming that they were participating in the semi-finals, Lan Xuanyu immediately recalled the important matter.
If not for the sudden successful Martial Soul Fusion technique executed with Dong Qianqiu after strengthening her with both Blue Silver Grass, how could they have successfully escaped from the Sinister Dark Demon Tiger? Lan Xuanyu thought of a temporary name for the Martial Soul Fusion technique: the Deep Blue Gaze.
He pulled Qian Lei and Liu Feng into the simulation cabin and got out again after a while. Liu Feng’s complexion was pale white, and his eyes were filled with fear.
On the other hand, Lan Xuanyu’s expression was rather strange.
“That’s too brutal.” Qian Lei’s lips twitched.
Yes, it was too brutal. When Lan Xuanyu used the golden- and silver-patterned Blue Silver Grass to strengthen Liu Feng, Liu Feng exploded. His entire body exploded, and his limbs were scattered and smashed. At first, his body swelled up like a balloon then exploded with a loud ‘bang.’
Fortunately, they were inside the simulated world, and the pain was not too strong. Even so, it left a deep fear in Liu Feng.
Lan Xuanyu did not understand why it was successful on Dong Qianqiu but failed on Liu Feng. Furthermore, the failure was too brutal. Although Qian Lei would fail as well, it was the Gate of Summoning that exploded and not him.
“Don’t ever try it out on me again! It’s too scary,” Liu Feng exclaimed while trembling.
“Cough cough, let me study it again.” Lan Xuanyu pondered on the situation with the merging of both Blue Silver Grass. At present, only he was able to use the Martial Soul Fusion technique, and it was successful on Dong Qianqiu. But the exhaustion on her was extremely large. It was to the extent of fainting.
“Alright, let us go in once more. Qian Lei, follow me in. I want to contact Dong Qianqiu.” It was safest inside the simulation cabin, as whatever accident that occurred inside would be in the simulated world.
In Soul World, Lan Xuanyu and Qian Lei entered the training ground and activated the Gate of Summoning. Lan Xuanyu used the silver-patterned Blue Silver Grass to coil around the Gate of Summoning and summoned Dong Qianqiu.
“What’s up?” A familiar voice quickly sounded out from the other side of the Gate of Summoning.
For some reason, Lan Xuanyu suddenly felt at ease upon hearing her voice.
“Are you alright?” Lan Xuanyu asked in concern.
“I’m fine. Are you out?” A slender calf appeared out of the door first as Dong Qianqiu walked out dressed in her white school uniform, her dark blue long hair draped over her shoulders.
The two pairs of eyes looked at each other as an indescribable emotion appeared in the depths of their hearts. Although they were inside the simulated Soul World, the life and death experience had undoubtedly pulled them closer together.
Upon seeing Lan Xuanyu, the scene of him flinging her away to safety and preparing to lure the Sinister Dark Demon Tiger away appeared in Dong Qianqiu’s mind… as well as the throbbing sensation produced when he had used the dual Blue Silver Grass on her.
As for Lan Xuanyu, the thought of her pulling him to her side to undergo the trial together came to mind.
“What are the two of you looking at? There’s definitely something, there’s definitely something between the two of you.” Qian Lei watched the two at the side.
“Cough!” Lan Xuanyu coughed out once and lowered his head slightly, avoiding Dong Qianqiu’s gaze.
Dong Qianqiu turned her head and looked at Qian Lei. “What nonsense are you talking about? Are you looking for a beating?”
Qian Lei cowered slightly and giggled. “Alright, alright, I won’t say any further. You guys can continue looking at each other.”
“Did you pass the test?” Dong Qianqiu asked.
Lan Xuanyu nodded, “I passed. But our prize for taking first place was removed. What about you?”
Dong Qianqiu. “It was a very strange replay of the competition. I actually passed it already. But they said that I influenced the fairness of your competition, so they got me to retake the test. That’s where I encountered you. But I passed as well. But I’m not in first place, so there isn’t any prize to begin with.”
“You’re not in first place?” Lan Xuanyu looked at her in surprise. In his eyes, Dong Qianqiu’s individual fighting strength was extremely strong.
Dong Qianqiu looked at him with a suspicious look in her eyes. “That’s right! I’m not the first. There are many monstrous people everywhere. Just like the four-ring Soul Master we encountered in your test. According to what I know, there are two four-ring Soul Masters on Heaven Dou Planet. They are terribly strong and even I can’t fight against them. It seems that there are even stronger Soul Masters on Mother Planet. I wonder if they are truly freaks — we are all almost the same age! How can they be so strong?”
Lan Xuanyu’s mouth twitched slightly. “Don’t hold a grudge. Look at me, my Soul Power is only at the 21st rank. If you’re feeling threatened by them, what should I do? By the looks of it, the semi-finals to enter Shrek will not be easy at all!”
Dong Qianqiu, “Just do your best. But to be honest, your teammates are slightly weak.”
Qian Lei became unhappy from hearing that. “Hey hey hey, I’m still standing here. For you to call me weak just like that, can you leave some face for me?”
Dong Qianqiu rolled her eyes at him and replied, “It is only because you’re here that I’m saying it. I will never speak badly behind your back. There’s still time before the semi-finals, you guys have to become stronger. Although the semi-finals are still judged based on teams, it might not mean that the entire team will be selected into the final 30 places. Most of the time, they will judge based on an individual’s ability.”
Qian Lei had a defeated expression for a moment. He was extremely clear of his own ability and knew that without Lan Xuanyu, he would never have the opportunity to distinguish himself. The only hope he could rely on was his unique Martial Soul.
Lan Xuanyu: “Do you know what the semi-finals will be about?”
Dong Qianqiu shook her head. “I don’t really know the specifics, but the teachers in my academy mentioned that Shrek Academy frequently implements weird things in the semi-finals. Furthermore, we have to report what we want in our future major and minor. That is very important as well. Usually, if the major and minor path you report is uncommon, it’ll instead be easier to be recruited. So, you need to think about it.”
Lan Xuanyu’s eyes lit up. “Thank you for that. It is very important information.”
Dong Qianqiu: “What’s your major going to be? And your minor?”
Lan Xuanyu: “Are the classifications the same as what our current academies use? Aside from being a Soul Master now, I hope to pursue Battle Armor and Mechas, the Duo Mecha Master path, as well as being in the Command faculty for spaceships.”
“Command faculty?” Dong Qianqiu looked at him in surprise.
Qian Lei immediately prompted additional assistance from the side. “That’s right! Our Xuanyu is able to operate a space warship. I am also in the basic Interstellar Command faculty program.”
Lan Xuanyu: “I like the vast universe. But it is impossible to travel the universe just based on an individual’s strength. So, I like spaceships in hopes that I can become a commander for a warship in the future.”
Dong Qianqiu nodded her head. “I understand. I suggest that you major in Duo Mecha Master and choose the Command faculty as your minor. As far as I know, the Command faculty is considered a neglected branch in Shrek Academy. But the Duo Mecha Master route is definitely in trend. Shrek Academy wants to groom individual and small teams’ fighting strengths.”
Lan Xuanyu nodded his head. “That’s what I should be choosing. But I’m not sure if I have sufficient spiritual energy.”
Dong Qianqiu: “With effort, one can achieve anything. Shrek should be a completely different place. It has been the top school for more than ten thousand years! They have groomed countless outstanding talents already.” At this point, her eyes had a hint of recollection, as though remembering something.
“It’s about time.” Qian Lei reminded the both of them.
Dong Qianqiu turned to Lan Xuanyu, “Then let us meet at Shrek.”
“Alright, we’ll meet at Shrek Academy.”
“Remember that you owe me three promises.”
“Ah? I thought you’ve forgotten about it. Seeing that I saved you…”
“Remember that you owe me three promises.”
“…”