Chapter 233: To Meet or Not to Meet

Sometimes, a good idea can easily be overlooked, and one's thoughts might not always align with the solution. However, with a gentle reminder, clarity can suddenly emerge.

As the saying goes, "The onlooker sees more clearly than the person involved."

Lin Qian found himself in this situation. If not for Ye Xin's reminder, he would have overlooked the potential of selling the products produced by the Huaxia Empire to earn soul crystals.

But for now, Lin Qian didn't have time to delve into this idea. He had promised Zhang Tianxin and Zhou Yian to help improve Zhang Zide and Li Yunfeng's strength.

It wasn't just the two of them—Zhang Wenshuan also stood before him with a smile, accompanied by Zhang Qi. They presented Lin Qian with 20,000 copies of precious manuscripts, hoping he could help Zhang Wenshuan improve as well.

Seeing Lin Qian's puzzled expression, Zhang Qi explained that he had convinced the West Branch's leader to pay such a high price to send Zhang Wenshuan to train under Lin Qian.

With this arrangement, Lin Qian's place would undoubtedly become lively before the grand event of the Ancient Human Ruins even began.

Of course, taking such valuable resources meant fulfilling his promises to others. Luckily, improving their strength wasn't too difficult for Lin Qian.

As the Empress of the Huaxia Empire, Ye Xin had her cultivation methods and potions meticulously prepared by Zhuge Ming, allowing her to focus solely on training.

As for Zhang Qi, who was already under Lin Qian's care, his path was straightforward—steady training would suffice.

Lin Qian then produced several paper talismans, infused them with soul power, and handed them to Li Yunfeng, Zhang Zide, and Zhang Wenshuan, instructing them to place them on various parts of their bodies.

The three looked puzzled but complied. As they applied the strange paper talismans, Lin Qian, with a serious expression, instructed them, "The three of you, attack me together with all your strength."

The trio was momentarily stunned by his request, with Li Yunfeng voicing his concern, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Don't worry," Lin Qian reassured him. "I've already asked Clan Leader Zhang Tianxin to reinforce the training field. With the formation active, no matter how intense the battle, nothing will be damaged."

Zhang Zide, still hesitant, said, "Lin, we've witnessed your strength firsthand. You might win in a one-on-one fight, but with all three of us against you, the outcome is obvious."

Lin Qian, now standing in the training field, didn't say much. His soul power surged, and his eyes focused as golden lightning burst forth from his left side while icy white power froze the seawater on his right.

Weapon Manifestation!

With both soul powers unleashed, Lin Qian held a weapon in each hand—one the Thunder Night Sword and the other the Cloud Sword.

"Two…two martial souls?" Li Yunfeng exclaimed in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock. Zhang Zide and Zhang Wenshuan were equally stunned, unable to find words.

"My martial soul traits are enhancement-based. The thunder soul power enhances my physical strength fivefold, while the ice soul power enhances my soul power fivefold. And I have a third soul power as well."

"Even with my dual-soul state, the three of you together won't be able to force me to use my third soul power."

With a smile that brimmed with challenge, Lin Qian stood ready with dual swords.

"Haha, this is interesting! Lin, you're too arrogant!" Li Yunfeng, ever the battle fanatic, couldn't resist Lin Qian's provocation. His soul power exploded to its peak, and he charged at Lin Qian, wielding his golden sword.

"Don't think I won't beat you even without using my third soul power!" Zhang Zide shouted as he joined the attack, closely following Li Yunfeng.

At the same time, Zhang Wenshuan, though still shaken, also launched her attack on Lin Qian from another direction.

As soon as the three entered the training field, the formation activated, enveloping the vast area.

Soul power clashed, and the contained seawater surged as the four figures collided, sending shockwaves throughout the space.

Li Yunfeng and Zhang Zide were true prodigies, and Zhang Wenshuan was no less formidable. Even with his dual-soul state, Lin Qian found it challenging to fend off their combined assault.

If the difficulty of facing multiple opponents had been a one before, now it felt like a thousand.

Gradually, Lin Qian found himself being pushed back—a situation he had never encountered before.

"You didn't use your full strength during the finals!" Lin Qian exclaimed in surprise as he temporarily distanced himself from the trio.

Li Yunfeng grinned. "Of course. It's always wise to hold something back. And I'm still not going all out!"

As Li Yunfeng's words fell, his soul power surged again, doubling its intensity.

Zhang Zide also smiled, his four soul weapons—two long tridents, a pair of short spears, two short staffs, and two small shields—perfectly balancing offense and defense.

Even Zhang Wenshuan's aura had grown stronger, her soul power intensifying.

"Ready, Lin?" Li Yunfeng called out with a grin as the three of them charged at Lin Qian again from different angles.

"Emperor's Will Cloak, Nine Dragons Protection!" Lin Qian's pupils contracted as his emperor soul power erupted, forming the Emperor's Will Cloak around him.

Nine dragons—three golden lightning, three icy white, and one emperor dragon—surrounded him.

Despite their powerful clash, Lin Qian found himself evenly matched with the trio.

Surprised, a look of joy spread across Lin Qian's face. "Having training partners like this is a dream come true."

As the battle raged on, Lin Qian gathered data on their performances and sent it to the Huaxia Empire's Heavenly Craftsmen Department for analysis, to create a plan to further enhance their strength.

While Lin Qian and his companions trained, other sea clans and human forces were also preparing for the upcoming exploration of the Ancient Human Ruins.

High above the sea within the small world where the Eight-Armed Sea Clan's grand gathering was held, Zhou Yian hovered in mid-air.

In front of him stood a silver-haired figure with his back turned, listening as Zhou Yian reported the latest developments concerning Lin Qian and Ye Xin.

When Zhou Yian mentioned Ye Xin, it was solely because of her connection to Lin Qian.

"Master, do you not plan to meet him?" Zhou Yian asked cautiously after finishing his report.