Chapter 62: The Arrival of the Emperor Battle Team

"Flender, that kid Qin Ming brought people to visit you!"

Upon hearing this, the students looked puzzled. They had no idea who Qin Ming was.

Dai Mubai's eye twitched slightly—he hadn't expected Qin Ming to bring the Emperor Battle Team to their doorstep, especially since they hadn't even gone to Soto City's Great Spirit Arena recently.

It seemed inevitable now—Shrek Academy vs. the Emperor Battle Team.

At this time, the Emperor Battle Team had been dominating the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City, sweeping all before them.

However, because Dai Mubai's soul power had already surpassed Rank 40, Shrek Academy hadn't yet formed their own official team.

If they did form a team based on Dai Mubai's cultivation level, their opponents would likely all consist of Soul Ancestor-level powerhouses.

How could they possibly fight against that?

Other than Dai Mubai, the highest soul power among the Shrek students had only just reached Soul Elder.

Even a 5v5 formation wouldn't work well—Zhu Zhuqing spent most of her time with Dai Mubai, and with Ning Rongrong on the team, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar couldn't help but worry.

Besides, a team with two auxiliary-type Soul Masters and only three combatants lacked sufficient firepower.

Thus, the group had decided to give up on forming a team for the time being.

"Qin Ming's back?"

Flender seemed puzzled at first but quickly broke into a smile.

Qin Ming was one of Shrek Academy's earliest graduates. Flender couldn't wait to see how he had been doing over the years.

"Come on, kids, let's go have a look…"

At the gates of Shrek Academy, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others stood there in confusion, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They could hardly believe that Teacher Qin Ming had graduated from such a run-down… no, "humble" academy!

This place was far too poor!

The academy gate was supposed to represent the institution's face and pride. But here? It was just a broken wooden plank with the words Shrek Academy scrawled crookedly across it.

This group of well-dressed, noble-looking Heaven Dou Imperial Academy students looked completely out of place here.

Even Qin Ming seemed helpless—after all these years, Shrek Academy still looked the same.

It seemed that the teachers here hadn't been living the most comfortable of lives.

"Teacher Qin Ming, are you sure we didn't take the wrong road?"

Yu Feng asked cautiously, his expression tense.

Qin Ming, despite being over 30 years old, still looked quite young, with his vibrant pink hair giving him a much more youthful appearance.

Yu Feng was the team clown of the Emperor Battle Team, playing a role similar to Ma Hongjun's in Shrek Academy.

Qin Ming glanced at Yu Feng and then at Yu Tianheng and the others. Seeing the same doubtful look in their eyes, he sighed and rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

"Shrek Academy's facilities might not be impressive, but its teachers are among the top ten in the entire Heaven Dou Empire."

Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others nodded begrudgingly out of respect for Qin Ming. Internally, however, they remained unconvinced.

How could such a poor academy produce someone as talented as Qin Ming? Surely Shrek Academy had used up all its good luck on him!

After all, Qin Ming had broken through to Soul Emperor at just over 30 years old. His future was boundless, and he was expected to challenge even higher levels, perhaps reaching Title Douluo!

The three board elders of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy valued Qin Ming immensely. That was the only reason a newly promoted Soul Emperor like him could lead the Emperor Battle Team.

The team members' statuses weren't ordinary either—Yu Tianheng was the grandson of Yu Yuanzhen, while Dugu Yan was the granddaughter of Dugu Bo!

Just then, the Shrek group emerged, led by Flender, Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, and the other teachers.

Following them were the students, including Dai Mubai and the others.

Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and the rest were equally curious about who Qin Ming was, especially since all their teachers had shown up—well, except for Yu Xiaogang.

"Hahaha! Xiao Ming! I didn't expect you'd come back to see us old-timers!"

Zhao Wuji strode forward enthusiastically and pulled Qin Ming into a big bear hug.

Given Zhao Wuji's stocky height—just over 1.6 meters—and Qin Ming's taller stature of 1.8 meters, the two looked somewhat mismatched.

"Hiss…"

Feeling the familiar pressure, Qin Ming's expression changed slightly. Zhao Wuji's strength had grown even more terrifying!

"Well done! You've already broken through to Soul Emperor!"

Releasing him, Zhao Wuji patted Qin Ming on the shoulder, visibly pleased.

"This is all thanks to you and the other teachers…"

Qin Ming began respectfully, but Zhao Wuji waved him off before he could finish.

"Enough of that! All this bowing and scraping is giving me a headache. Skip it, skip it!"

"Old Zhao, let's not scare him off. Xiao Ming rarely gets a chance to come back."

Flender smiled, though Zhao Wuji's earlier remark had filled him with pride.

Qin Ming, a Soul Emperor, was their student!

Qin Ming assumed Flender was upset that he hadn't visited more often, so he quickly apologized.

"Headmaster, I…"

Flender: "…"

Old Zhao was right—Qin Ming was far too polite. Flender missed the unruly and rebellious Qin Ming from his student days!

"Enough. Come inside first. Standing out here isn't proper."

"Yes!"

Yu Tianheng and the others observed silently.

The so-called "Teacher Zhao" could tell that Qin Ming had broken through to Soul Emperor with just a hug. Such strength was terrifying!

Especially Yu Tianheng—he couldn't shake the sense of pressure radiating from Zhao Wuji. It was as though a monstrous beast was lurking beneath his calm exterior, sending chills down his spine.

Once inside, the Emperor Battle Team finally realized the extent of Shrek Academy's poverty.

To their surprise, though, this academy still managed to attract a surprising number of students. They couldn't help but wonder how their talents compared to Qin Ming's.

Meanwhile, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and the others were sizing up Yu Tianheng and his team. From their clothing and demeanor, it was obvious they were of noble birth.

After about an hour of pleasantries, the conversation turned to Dai Mubai and the Shrek students.

The moment Dai Mubai was mentioned, Zhao Wuji became animated, his voice full of excitement.

"Xiao Ming! You have no idea how terrifying this kid Mubai is!"

"Mubai is only 15 years old, yet he's already broken through to the Soul Ancestor level! He's now at Rank 43!"

Zhao Wuji's words stunned not only Qin Ming but also Yu Tianheng and the others, who had remained silent until now.

(End of Chapter)