Even after hearing Chen Yi's words, "I'll take you home," there was little surprise or doubt in Jing Ling's cold eyes. The idea of the "Body Sect, which treats the owners of body martial spirits as family" had already spread across the continent along with the rise of the Body Sect and the trends of the Soul Master Tournament. In fact, ever since he learned of the Body Sect's existence, he had considered seeking his own path in the distant Martial City.
However, things rarely go as well as expected. Between personal misfortunes and, most of all, the kindness of Blue Tyrant Academy—especially Dean Liu Erlong, who gave him shelter and training in his most difficult and confused times—this kindness was deeply engraved in Jing Ling's heart. He was not an ungrateful person, so he planned to secretly break through to the thirtieth rank of Soul Elder, finish his studies at Blue Tyrant Academy, and then, after a dignified graduation, head to Martial City to return to the legendary "homeland."
He never expected that the young sect master of the renowned Body Sect would knock on his door before he set off. After a moment's silence, he gathered his words, lowered his head slightly, and sincerely said, "Thank you for your offer. It's just that... Jing Ling still has things to do at Blue Tyrant Academy, and the dean has been kind to me. My studies aren't finished yet. Is it possible… to let me return with the young sect master after a while?"
Chen Yi frowned upon hearing this, but quickly relaxed. Naturally, he hoped Jing Ling would return soon to receive the most systematic training and stimulation from the sect—after all, time was especially precious for geniuses. But he understood Jing Ling's persistence; this boy was affectionate, which wasn't a bad thing.
"Of course you can," Chen Yi replied gently but with conviction. "The sect is always open to you. But if you return earlier, you'll have access to a more suitable cultivation system and resources, which would greatly benefit your pursuit of your martial spirit."
Chen Yi paused, looked at Jing Ling with torch-like eyes, and directly pointed out: "Your martial spirit, Skeleton, is one of the highest-level Bone-type martial spirits, an extremely rare and powerful body martial spirit."
"Coincidentally, there is an elder in the sect whose main martial spirit is quite similar to your Skeleton martial spirit."
As soon as he said this, not just Jing Ling, but all the students and teachers of Blue Tyrant Academy listening nearby gasped. Chen Yi met Jing Ling's suddenly bright eyes and clearly stated, "His title is 'Body'."
"Body Douluo?!"
"My god! The same origin as the martial spirit His Excellency Body Douluo?!"
The exclamations erupted instantly. The main force was Body Douluo Chu Shanhe, a legendary figure who confronted Qian Daoliu at the main shrine of the Spirit Hall and was recognized as the world's first body cultivator, a pillar of the Body Sect. Jing Ling's martial spirit was similar to his—this was like a carp leaping over the dragon gate!
Jing Ling's heart unconsciously beat faster. Though introverted and gloomy, he was also passionate in his pursuit of strength. Finding out his martial spirit resembled that of a legendary figure meant his path wasn't lonely—there was a lighthouse to look up to. Still, he took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement, insisting, "Thank you for telling me, young sect master, but… I still want to leave after breaking through to Soul Elder."
"This is my promise and my way of repaying Dean Liu's kindness."
Chen Yi looked at Jing Ling's unwavering persistence and, knowing it was useless to press further, nodded. "Alright, in that case, follow your heart. Once you break through to Soul Elder and officially leave, I'll arrange for someone to pick you up. Once you're back, there will be proper opportunities waiting."
Chen Yi did not force the matter. After all, the greatest advantage of body martial spirits was the second awakening, a chance for qualitative change. In terms of basic combat skills and soul power accumulation, most advanced soul master academies weren't that different.
With this, the last doubts in Jing Ling's heart disappeared, and he bowed deeply again. "Thank you, young sect master!"
Chen Yi smiled and patted his shoulder lightly. "Family doesn't speak in two tongues."
The people around watched with envy in their eyes. They knew Jing Ling's status was now entirely different—no longer just a civilian genius, but an official disciple of the world's premier sect, the Body Sect. Only Tai Long, standing to the side, folded his arms and looked aside with a complicated expression, as if he never wanted to see Chen Yi again.
The Strength Clan, Defense Clan, Breaking Clan, and Speed Clan were originally the four great clans, united by a single attribute, but with the Defense and Breaking Clans joining the Body Sect in succession, the alliance collapsed, leaving the Strength Clan's situation very awkward. This old grudge made it difficult for Tai Long to have a good impression of the Body Sect or its young sect master.
Just as the atmosphere was easing, hurried footsteps and angry stomps came from afar, accompanied by a heated woman's voice: "That bastard, you're here again?! Where is he? Stand up for your mother—was my last warning just a fart?!"
Before the words fell, a blue figure rushed in like the wind to the academy gate—disheveled, none other than Blue Tyrant Academy's dean, Liu Erlong. Seeing the dean herself come out, the gatekeeper hurried forward and, in a low, rapid voice, reported what happened, that the brash man had run away in fear, and briefly explained Chen Yi's identity and purpose.
Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong immediately shot her sharp gaze at Chen Yi, who was the most conspicuous on the scene. But to everyone's surprise, instead of thanking Chen Yi for "breaking the siege," her face was instantly covered with an icy layer as she stared at him sharply and asked, word by word, "You, are you Chen Yi?"
Chen Yi was a little surprised—he'd never even met this Blue Tyrant Dean, let alone offended her. "Did you hurt Xiao Gang?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi suddenly calmed, met Liu Erlong's gaze, and nodded lightly. "Yes. So what?"
"Good! Good! Good!" Liu Erlong saw Chen Yi admit it so readily, his attitude so "cold," and, with anger in her laugh, repeated "good" three times, stepping forward as a scorching soul power pressure suddenly spread, raising the surrounding temperature.
"So it is you! Hey, do you know who I am?!"
This line again… Chen Yi couldn't help but raise his hand and gently rub his brow, his expression a little helpless and speechless. Why do they all ask, "Do you know who I am?" Can't they think of something new?
His indifferent and slightly disdainful expression only fueled Liu Erlong's anger further, sending it into a complete blaze. "Boy! Are you seeking death?!"
A deep crimson flame phantom suddenly rose around Liu Erlong, her powerful Soul Sage oppression unleashed without restraint, the air crackling with burning sounds. Her personality was already hot and strong, and now, with her near-blind devotion to Yu Xiaogang, she didn't care who Chen Yi was—she just wanted to teach this "arrogant brat who hurt Xiao Gang" a lesson.
"Dean! Don't!"
"Dean Liu, please calm down!"
The Blue Tyrant Academy teachers were terrified, rushing to intervene, two Soul Emperor-ranked teachers unconsciously stepping forward to stop Liu Erlong. They knew this youth before them was not only the young master of the Body Sect, but also the monster who single-handedly defeated the Spirit Hall team at the Soul Master Tournament, rumored to have combat power equivalent to a Soul Sage.
Liu Erlong's anger eased slightly as teachers restrained her, but she still glared coldly at Chen Yi. Chen Yi had reached the limit of his patience. He dropped his helpless expression, looked calmly at Liu Erlong, and said in a cold tone, "Since you helped Jing Ling, I won't pursue your offense for now. But don't seek your own death. Goodbye… Take care of the people behind you."
His words, like a splash of icy water, abruptly suppressed Liu Erlong's boiling rage. She knew all too well what her greatest confidence in establishing herself in Heaven Dou City was. Her chest rose and fell violently as she gritted her teeth, glared at Chen Yi for a long time, and finally suppressed her anger. But the fury and frustration in her eyes did not subside, instead turning into a cold order of expulsion squeezed out between her teeth: "Get out! You are not welcome at Blue Tyrant Academy!"
Chen Yi sneered upon hearing this, shaking his head as if he'd heard something childish. "You think I'd want to come to your place?"
He looked away from Liu Erlong and turned to Jing Ling, his tone returning to its original calm. "Remember my words. Once you break through to Soul Elder, immediately go to the East Palace of Heaven Dou City and seek out Prince Xue Qinghe. He'll arrange someone to safely escort you to Martial City."
Having formed a potential alliance with the Woship Hall, Chen Yi didn't mind helping Qian Renxue, who was playing the prince of Heaven Dou Empire. With that, he nodded to Jing Ling, glanced at Liu Erlong, Tai Long, and the others with iron faces, then turned and left the way he'd come.
Whether Liu Erlong would target Jing Ling was another matter—if she didn't want to die. But this Liu Erlong was genuinely good to her students and just a bit of a lovestruck fool.
…