Back in the Spirit Hall Team's rest area, Gu Han and Bibi Dong found their master's wife, Lingyuan, and told her in detail about their plan to support Xue Xing in seizing power, along with the potential benefits and risks this posed for Spirit Hall.
Lingyuan fell silent for a moment in thought, then nodded in agreement. She summoned the local Platinum Bishop, She Long, handed him the Pope's decree, and ordered him to begin mobilizing the soul master troops stationed outside the city, directing them to enter in staggered waves.
Only after giving her orders to She Long did Lingyuan turn back to the pair of disciples and ask,
"Xiao Han, Dong'er, do you two know where Elder Glowing Feather went?"
The two exchanged glances and shook their heads.
"Sigh… never mind. Go out and look for him, then."
Lingyuan sighed. This Fifth Worshiper was just too playful—who knows where he was off having fun now?
"Alright. Then Senior Sister and I will go find Senior Guang Ling."
Gu Han nodded. With their teacher's wife now on board, the rest would be easy. All that remained was to inform Ning Fengzhi the day after tomorrow—then both sides could coordinate.
As for Elder Guang Ling, even if they didn't go looking for him, he would eventually show up.
"Achoo!"
Guang Ling sneezed, rubbed his petite nose, and muttered,
"Sheesh… who's gossiping about me behind my back?"
"Who's there?!"
A sharp shout rang out, followed by an icicle shooting up toward the rooftop where Guang Ling was perched.
Guang Ling smiled confidently. His right hand, slender and pale, extended slightly forward and effortlessly caught the incoming ice spear.
"Oh dear, I've been found out already."
He stood up atop the roof, gazing down at a group of young women dressed in light blue uniforms—all from Skywater Academy.
The one who had attacked him was the teacher leading the group, and also the Headmistress of Skywater Academy. She appeared to be a woman in her early thirties—tall, strikingly beautiful, with deep blue hair cascading to her back. Her blue-and-white uniform accentuated her elegant and refined demeanor.
Even more striking was that the students around her were all distinctively beautiful girls, each with their own unique charm.
Shui Qingxin furrowed her brows slightly. She was a Rank 78 Soul Sage. While her earlier attack hadn't used much power, it still shouldn't have been caught so easily—at least not by an ordinary person.
Could this person be hostile?
No… this was Heaven Dou City. No one would dare act so brazenly here.
Better to treat him with courtesy first—just in case.
With that in mind, Shui Qingxin stepped forward, shielding her students behind her, and offered a slight bow with cupped fists.
"I don't know what guidance you seek, Senior."
Guang Ling brushed nonexistent dust from his clothes, then leapt down from the rooftop.
Given his small stature, he kept a respectful distance from the group and clasped his hands behind his back, taking on the air of a mysterious expert.
"I've been living in seclusion for years, and only recently came down from the mountains. When I heard of this grand event, and that your Skywater Academy is made up entirely of female soul masters with water and ice attributes, I got curious and came to take a look."
"'Old man'…"
Shui Qingxin murmured to herself. No matter how she looked at him, he was just a cute little white-haired boy. But the fact he caught her ice spear so casually meant… he had to be at least a Soul Douluo.
"May I ask where Senior trained?"
"Just a nameless little mountain, not worth mentioning."
Guang Ling waved his hand modestly.
"I heard you're scheduled to compete tomorrow. Your opponent is Spirit Hall's team. What are your chances?"
"To be honest with you, Senior… we plan to forfeit."
Shui Qingxin answered truthfully. They'd already earned a high placement—there was no need to push further. Making it to the finals without a Titled Douluo to protect them might not be in their best interest.
Reaching the semifinals was already their greatest accomplishment.
"What? Forfeit? You haven't even fought yet!"
Guang Ling looked dumbfounded. He'd come looking for entertainment—now they said they were going to surrender?
How was he supposed to enjoy the show?
"Yes, Senior."
Shui Qingxin looked confused. They were planning to give up—why was this Senior so worked up about it?
"Hey, hey, look—he's adorable!"
"Yeah! Look at those eyes!"
Whispers broke out among the students behind her. Shui Qingxin's expression immediately changed as she spun around and scolded them,
"Silence! Behave yourselves!"
The girls instantly stood at attention, lips sealed tightly.
"Senior, the children are too immature. Please don't take offense."
"No worries. I'm not the type to hold grudges against juniors."
Guang Ling waved it off. After all, they weren't insulting him—and it was true, he was adorable. They weren't wrong.
Now that he thought of it, the Pope had always wanted to bring the Four Elemental Academies under Spirit Hall's banner. Maybe he could lend a hand?
With a plan forming in his mind, Guang Ling cleared his throat and said,
"Ahem. I've been in seclusion for years and don't have much money. Since you're an academy… are you hiring teachers or offering positions for resident elders?"
Shui Qingxin raised an eyebrow and replied tactfully,
"Senior, perhaps you are unaware—our academy only accepts women with water or ice-type martial souls. That includes teachers."
"Oh?"
Guang Ling chuckled, brushing back the hair at the side of his face.
Suddenly, nine soul rings rose at his feet.
Two yellow, two purple, five black.
The textbook configuration of a Titled Douluo.
"A T-Titled Douluo?!"
Shui Qingxin's aquamarine eyes widened in shock. The students behind her gasped, their eyes glued to the nine soul rings beneath Guang Ling.
Guang Ling smirked.
"Now what do you say?"
"This… this… Senior, if you're willing, I'd gladly hand over the role of Headmistress to you."
Shui Qingxin knew some rules were meant to be broken.
This was a Titled Douluo.
With one of those watching over them, Skywater Academy could rise to the top-tier institutions on the continent. No doubt about it.
"Haha! No need for the Headmistress role. Just give me a spot as an elder."
Guang Ling grinned inwardly. He loved watching people make choices that went against everything their ancestors stood for.
"Of course. May I ask your Title, Senior?"
Shui Qingxin asked respectfully. Every Titled Douluo had a unique honorific, and even if one wasn't officially registered with Spirit Hall, they could still claim one themselves. No one would dare deny a soul master with nine soul rings.
"Listen closely."
"My martial soul is the Glowing Feather Bow. I am a Rank 97 Attack-Type Titled Douluo. My title—Glowing Feather."
"Rank 97?!"
Shui Qingxin and her students were completely stunned.
It was already shocking that he was a Titled Douluo.
But now, they learned he was Rank 97—someone above Super Douluo!
That was only two levels away from the pinnacle—Rank 99. Even among Titled Douluo, that made him a peerless powerhouse.
It was widely known that reaching the Titled Douluo level was an extremely rare feat, and every level beyond that was like climbing a mountain of impossible difficulty. After Rank 95, the path only grew harder. It required more than soul power—true progress demanded a deep understanding of one's martial soul.
And now, standing before them, this adorable-looking boy… was a genuine Rank 97.
No wonder he caught her attack like it was nothing. Truly a Titled Douluo.
Guang Ling, satisfied with their reactions, withdrew his soul rings, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Alright, enough gawking. Since I've joined your academy, I have a say in your affairs. Tomorrow, you are not forfeiting. You'll fight Spirit Hall head-on—seriously and with honor. Even if you lose, it's far better than surrendering without a fight."
~~~
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