NOVEL WEB Chapter 139: Chapter 139
Although the Emperor Team is only affiliated with Heaven Dou Team 2, the three teaching committee members were no fools. They all understood that these students had chosen Team 2 merely to gain more experience and if a real fight were to break out, Team 1 wouldn't stand a chance against them.
As a result, the best mimicry training ground and fighting spirit training ground in the entire academy were made available to them unconditionally.
"You little brat, you still remember to come back? We agreed to explore the way to Soto City together, but the moment we arrived, you slipped away. Do you have any sense of teamwork?" Yu Tianheng finally saw Jun Tianlin return and couldn't help but complain "Do you know how I managed while you were gone?"
For the past few weeks, Gu Ran had shifted from an attacking role to a defensive counterattack position. Without Jun Tianlin, Yu Tianheng was the only pure power-type attacker left. All the group battles in Soto City relied solely on him to provide the team's frontal offensive pressure, making his burden unbearably heavy.
"That's right, Xiaotian. You can't keep leaving the team like this. The academy competition is approaching, and we need to develop a strong sense of teamwork." Ye Lingling stepped forward to persuade him
"I'm sorry, Tianheng, Senior Sister Ye. I didn't mean to leave the group, but there was an important reason this time…"
Jun Tianlin was about to explain when Qin Ming interrupted with a smile "Alright, Xiao Tian, we already know. Gu Ran told us you had another adventure and broke through to the Spirit King realm right? Congratulations! Across the entire continent, I doubt there's another genius like you."
"That's right! You're the pride of our team. We're not mad at all and it's just that Tianheng is jealous" Osler teased, throwing an arm around Jun Tianlin's shoulders "With you here, our victory in the Spirit Master Competition is practically guaranteed."
"Osler, don't be careless. The competition is a team battle—it has never been Xiaotian's responsibility alone." Seeing Osler's casual attitude, Qin Ming couldn't help but scold him. His biggest concern was that the team would rely too much on Jun Tianlin.
Each of them had the potential to become a Titled Douluo. If they allowed their futures to be overshadowed by dependence on Jun Tianlin, Qin Ming would consider it his failure as a teacher.
"You're right. It's just Spirit King—I'll reach that level soon enough." Yu Tianheng made up his mind. Even if he couldn't surpass Jun Tianlin, he had to maintain his dignity as captain.
"Xiaotian, you may be ahead for now, but I won't be left behind for long. I haven't forgotten my promise—as your sister, I must protect you." Dugu Yan's eyes burned with determination.
"As seniors, we also have to protect our juniors." The Shi brothers echoed there resolve.
Seeing the team's morale, Qin Ming finally nodded in satisfaction. The nine members of the Emperor Team were gathered at last and it was time to begin a new round of intense training for the future Continental Soul Master Tournament.
That night, after a long day of training, Jun Tianlin returned to his dormitory—only to find an expected yet unexpected visitor waiting for him.
"Brother Xue, why are you here?" Jun Tianlin stepped forward. He had anticipated Xue Qinghe's visit upon his return but he hadn't expected it to be so soon.
"Of course, I came to see you. What reckless thing did you do this time? The power of Tianxue warned me." Xue Qinghe frowned, his tone laced with deep concern.
Because they had cultivated the power of Tianxue together for years, their mutual perception had grown stronger. In fact, at times, Jun Tianlin could also sense Xue Qinghe's emotions.
However, he couldn't mention Tian Meng and so he chose to tell half the truth "I had a little adventure and broke through to the Spirit King realm, but my fifth spirit ring was too old. I almost exploded and died."
Xue Qinghe's usual composed expression cracked "You're too reckless! This isn't the first time something like this has happened. No, you're really too troublesome. Next time, I will personally accompany you to hunt for your sixth spirit ring."
'Wow, Xiaotian, you're so lucky. This person in front of you, even though she looks like a man, is actually a woman. And she's breathtakingly beautiful—prettier than even your Rongrong. Hehe, her disguise can't fool my million-year spiritual power.' Tian Meng's voice echoed in his mind. 'I can also tell she truly cares about you. You must cherish her, Xiaotian!'
'Brother Tian Meng, I've always known.' With the help of his external soul bone, the Flame Golden Eyes, which he had gained after consuming Wangchuan Qiushui Dew, Jun Tianlin had always been able to see through Xue Qinghe's true identity.
Studying at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he had spent as much time with Qian Renxue as he had with Ning Rongrong. This was why he often felt that he wasn't as disciplined as Ma Hongjun. Spending every day with such an exceptional woman—who also cared for him in countless ways—it was difficult not to be moved.
In a sense, her plan to draw Jun Tianlin to her side had been half successful. Though he would never betray the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for her, if asked to act against her now, he wasn't sure he could bring himself to do it.
At that moment, a sudden and anxious cry sounded from outside the door.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
Xue Qinghe's servants naturally accompanied him wherever he went, but they dared not enter without his permission. His current mood was already unsettled, so he responded distractedly "What is it this time? Come in and report."
A maid rushed into the room, only to pause awkwardly. The usual warmth in the Crown Prince's demeanor was absent and the air between him and Jun Tianlin felt strangely tense. Had the two brothers quarreled?
To the palace servants, Xue Qinghe and Jun Tianlin had always been inseparable—closer than blood brothers, even more so than lovers. Over the years, they had never seemed to argue.
Shaking off her wild thoughts, the maid refocused on her urgent message "Your Highness, this is bad. His Highness Xue Beng… he killed someone in the academy."
"What did you say?" Xue Qinghe and Jun Tianlin's expressions darkened instantly. The academy was filled with noble students—if Xue Beng had truly killed someone, even his status as a prince wouldn't make this a trivial matter.
Without hesitation, the two of them rushed toward Xue Beng's dormitory. Unlike other students, he didn't share a room—he had an entire building to himself, where he could act however he pleased.
By the time they arrived, the dormitory had already been sealed off. The three education committee members, loyal to the Heaven Dou imperial family, had taken swift action to contain the scandal.
Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin stepped forward and bowed "Greetings to His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince."
Xue Qinghe waved a hand dismissively "There's no need for formalities. Tell me—what exactly did my good-for-nothing brother do this time?"
Meng Shenji hesitated, his expression dark with shame, as if the truth was too disgraceful even for a Soul Douluo to speak aloud.