Chapter 104: Teacher Qin Ming

Just as Meng Shenji was arranging for someone to summon Qin Ming, in the office, the three teaching chairs had already developed an interest in Xiao Lin and his companions.

They began to ask questions left and right. The most outrageous among them was Chair Zhi Lin, who even promised countless resources just to have Tang San become his personal disciple.

This made Xiao Lin and the others feel a little uncomfortable.

At this point, only Meng Shenji seemed relatively normal and not overly excited.

"Xiao Lin, what are your soul power levels? And how much have you exceeded the normal limits for your soul rings?"

Meng Shenji directly asked Xiao Lin about their soul rings. It wasn't that he wanted to pry into their secrets, but ever since Lin Dong published the paper on "Exceeding the Soul Ring Limits," nearly every major power had started researching new thresholds for soul rings.

This would also help future disciples and students better understand the process and reduce the risk of soul backlash from overly powerful soul rings.

Facing Meng Shenji's question, Xiao Lin responded with a polite smile:

"Chair Meng, my first soul ring comes from a 400-year-old Great Strength Vajra Bull, the second from a 1,200-year-old Thunder Shadow Leopard, and the third from a 2,800-year-old Flame Vajra."

"San's first ring comes from a 400-year-old Three-Eyed Salamander, the second from a 1,200-year-old Fluffy Cotton, and the third from a 2,200-year-old Soul-Gathering Pumpkin."

"Xiao Wu's first ring comes from a 400-year-old Soft-Boned Rabbit, while the second and third are 1,000-year and 2,200-year Lightning Rabbits, respectively."

Of course, Xiao Lin did not fully disclose the actual years of their soul rings—he had deliberately understated them.

In reality, Xiao Lin's third soul ring was already 5,300 years, Tang San's third was 3,500 years, and Xiao Wu's Lightning Rabbit ring was also 3,500 years.

Xiao Lin could suppress soul ring backlash through his special martial spirit, the Flood Dragon Staff. Tang San had an easier time absorbing plant-type soul beasts because of their weaker consciousness. As for Xiao Wu, well—she had condensed her own rings.

Xiao Lin then explained to Meng Shenji that the reason he could absorb a 2,800-year soul ring was due to his special soul power.

Meng Shenji nodded, beginning to understand.

It turned out these three weren't ordinary prodigies—they were monsters.

Xiao Lin's unique martial spirit aside, Tang San's over-limit absorption of plant-type soul rings was within reason, since such rings were known to be easier to absorb.

As for Xiao Wu, Meng Shenji simply took it as an excellent soul-ring compatibility—after all, she had three rabbit-type soul rings. Of course they'd be easier to absorb.

Meng Shenji also reasoned that since they'd absorbed over-limit rings, they must have gained more soul power from each level-up, hence their rapid cultivation.

He believed their power levels were partially boosted by the rings themselves. While most geniuses only leaped one level per soul ring, Xiao Lin and the others had jumped two or even three levels with each.

This reasoning helped Meng Shenji feel that they weren't too absurd after all.

Not absurd at all? Nonsense!

They were monsters—three of them!

"Good, good. I have very high hopes for you."

Meng Shenji's eyes flashed with approval. Perhaps the record for the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent was about to change.

Even the famed Clear Sky Douluo who once dominated an entire era might soon be surpassed! (Publicly, Tang Hao was known as the youngest Titled Douluo.)

Meng Shenji couldn't help but sigh internally.

In another corner of the office, Zhi Lin was still puzzled by Tang San's refusal to acknowledge him as a teacher.

"Why, San? Why won't you take me as your teacher? There aren't many plant-type soul masters on the continent stronger than I am."

Putting aside hidden experts, Zhi Lin really was the most suitable teacher for Tang San. Dugu Bo certainly wasn't a good fit.

What a shame.

"I'm sorry, Chair Zhi Lin. My teacher wants me to pursue a path of extreme vitality to evolve the Blue Silver King."

Tang San politely declined, showing his gratitude.

In truth, Tang San wasn't interested in taking a master at all. He preferred studying soul tools and hidden weapons.

That said, if Zhi Lin had offered wealth comparable to a nation's treasury, Tang San might have agreed on the spot.

After all, research on soul tools was expensive.

Tang San was barely making ends meet by creating and selling some soul tools. The money Tang Hao had left for Xiao Lin had long been spent, and only recently had Tang San started making a small profit.

"Knock knock!"

Just then, the sound of knocking came from the office door.

"Come in."

Meng Shenji called out casually.

"Chair Meng, I can't allow just anyone to join our Emperor Battle Team."

Even before the door fully opened, Qin Ming's voice came through.

A man with rather plain looks and black hair in his thirties hurriedly entered the room.

Judging by his modest attire, it was clear Qin Ming wasn't someone who cared for wealth or luxury.

His rejection of Xiao Lin and the others wasn't out of arrogance—it was because he cared deeply for his students and didn't want just any outsider to join the Emperor Battle Team.

"Qin Ming!"

Meng Shenji's expression darkened, and his tone grew stern, signaling Qin Ming to be quiet for now.

However, Qin Ming still wore a stubborn expression, clearly unconvinced.

"Enough. Let me introduce them first. Just listen before you say anything."

Meng Shenji then pointed to Xiao Lin and the others and introduced them one by one.

Very soon, Qin Ming's stubborn expression transformed into one of pure shock.

His mouth hung open—he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Twelve years old and already around level 38?

Even the genius students of Shrek Academy, Oscar and Ma Hongjun, whom he'd heard about through letters from Dean Flender, were only level 33 and 32 respectively.

Ma Hongjun had just recently advanced, and that was only because Flender had found him a perfect soul ring, boosting him by two levels.

And now, Qin Ming was being told that these three children were already level 38 or 39 at just 12 years old?

For a moment, Qin Ming felt like the sky was falling. He didn't know how to react.

He, who had once been the second-youngest Soul Emperor in history, suddenly felt… obsolete?

"So, Chair Meng Shenji, the Emperor Battle Team members you mentioned—are they the ones?"

Qin Ming asked slowly after a long silence, still full of doubt.

If they were the candidates, then maybe… it wouldn't be impossible.

He could only say in his heart—Chair Meng Shenji really had an eye for talent.

"Yes. But of course, they'll follow the same rules as everyone else. We three old men are also curious to see just how powerful these monsters really are."

Meng Shenji smiled knowingly, seeing that Qin Ming no longer resisted their presence.

"Yes, yes. I'm especially curious about Tang San's Blue Silver King."

Zhi Lin added, still unwilling to give up on Tang San.

"Alright. With their levels, they qualify as official members already. A duel will help measure their true strength."

Qin Ming no longer had any reason to object and quickly agreed.

"Um…"

At that moment, Xiao Lin raised his hand, a faint smile forming at his lips as he looked at Qin Ming, eyes full of battle intent.

"Teacher Qin Ming, may I be the team captain?"

"..."

"You can… but only if you can defeat Yu Tianheng."

Qin Ming nodded. He didn't really mind.

But he didn't believe Xiao Lin could beat Yu Tianheng.

And Qin Ming didn't yet know—Xiao Lin was even more interested in him.

(End of Chapter)