Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

"Qin Jian, how do you plan to train the team's coordination moving forward?"

After a full day of team training, the girls dispersed, leaving Yan Zhining to invite Qin Jian to dinner.

The academy's female students had gradually grown accustomed to Qin Jian's presence. Though they still glanced his way out of habit, they no longer gathered to gawk.

"Instructor Zhining, nothing beats actual combat for team coordination training," Qin Jian said as he took a seat at the table. "Now that Xue Wu and Yu Hairou have reached Rank 30 Soul Power, they urgently need their third Soul Rings. My plan is to take them to the Star Dou Forest and live there for a while."

"Star Dou Forest?" Yan Zhining frowned. "Ordinarily, when team members acquire Soul Rings, instructors like us accompany them for the hunt. Relying solely on yourselves will be difficult, especially since the third Soul Ring requires at least a thousand-year Soul Beast."

"Instructor Zhining, we have eight people. If we coordinate well enough, hunting a thousand-year Soul Beast won't be a problem," Qin Jian said confidently. "This is the key to refining our teamwork. If our team can't even manage this, how could we possibly compete in the Continental Advanced Academy Soul Master Tournament?"

Yan Zhining nodded. "You're not wrong, but the Star Dou Forest is incredibly dangerous, with ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts roaming its depths. You can only operate in the outskirts, and I'll follow secretly to ensure your safety."

"But if you venture deeper inside, I can't guarantee I'll be able to protect you," she added.

Qin Jian nodded in understanding. A flicker of amusement passed through his eyes, unnoticed by Yan Zhining.

"The Star Dou Forest... it's my home turf. What danger could there be?"

Once preparations were complete, Qin Jian led seven girls boldly out of the academy, drawing countless stares as they passed through Tianshui City en route to the Star Dou Forest.

For these girls, who had been training within the academy for years, the outing was a rare adventure. Like a group of playful rabbits, they explored everything along the way, slowing their progress significantly.

Watching from the shadows, Yan Zhining shook her head. "These kids really need some proper tempering. With discipline like this, how do they expect to participate in the Soul Master Tournament?"

Qin Jian didn't bother to rein them in. He let them enjoy themselves, chatting leisurely with Shui Binger and flirting along the way.

Even after entering the Star Dou Forest, the girls failed to grow vigilant. Fortunately, the beasts they encountered in the outer region were low-level, mostly decades to a hundred years old—posing no threat.

That is, until they met their first thousand-year Soul Beast: a Bloodthirsty Demon Fox.

"Binger! Seal it off, quick!"

Amidst Qiu Ruoshui's panicked cries, Shui Binger instinctively used her first Soul Skill, locking onto the Bloodthirsty Demon Fox.

"Ice Seal!"

Crack!

The first Soul Skill, unavoidable, briefly restrained the fox. Immediately, Yu Hairou, Shen Liuyu, and Qiu Ruoshui—all assault-type Soul Masters—charged forward, with Gu Qingbo and Shui Yue'er, the agility-types, flanking to assist.

But they underestimated the power of a thousand-year Soul Beast. A single sharp howl shattered Shui Binger's ice restraint.

Roar!

The fox's blood-red body swelled, spinning rapidly like an expanding blood sphere, instantly knocking all five attackers away.

Swoosh!

Its cunning, bloodshot eyes swept the forest, and it abruptly dashed toward Xue Wu, who was standing in the back.

At that moment, the others were still recovering, Shui Binger was frozen in panic, and the fox's razor-sharp claws were mere inches from Xue Wu.

"Xue Wu!"

The girls screamed in alarm.

At that instant, Qin Jian, who had been observing the fight, finally moved.

"Binger, second Soul Skill!"

"Ah... Yes!"

Shui Binger reflexively activated her second Soul Skill.

"Second Soul Skill: Ice Soul Armor!"

Clang, clang, clang...

A layer of icy-blue armor instantly materialized over both Xue Wu and Qin Jian.

Bang!

The thousand-year Soul Beast's attack shattered the armor upon contact.

But the brief delay was enough. Qin Jian, wielding his Martial Soul Sword, charged forward.

"Sword Qi!"

A flash of sword light struck the demon fox, forcing it back a few steps.

"Xue Wu, second Soul Skill! On me!"

At his command, Xue Wu quickly unleashed her second Soul Skill, boosting Qin Jian's attack and defense by 30%.

"Second Soul Skill: Primal Sword!"

As the fox's bloodthirsty eyes locked onto him, Qin Jian's gaze filled with sword energy.

His own attributes surged while the fox's diminished.

"First Soul Skill: Bewitching Sword!"

He wasted no time, activating his first Soul Skill.

The charging fox froze momentarily, paralyzed for two seconds.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Seizing the moment, Qin Jian unleashed ten slashes in rapid succession, leaving the fox bloodied.

By then, the others had recovered and rushed to assist.

Roar!

Sensing the unfavorable situation, the Bloodthirsty Demon Fox turned tail and fled, giving them no chance to finish it off.

Once the danger passed, the team collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Qin Jian, still composed, waited for the girls to calm down before gathering them for a post-battle analysis.

"Alright, let's recap. Just like when we practice our routines, it's time to evaluate what went wrong," he said.

The group remained silent, especially Shui Binger, who couldn't lift her head.

"Before we entered the Star Dou Forest, what were my instructions?"

Though Qin Jian's tone wasn't harsh, the girls instinctively straightened up, listening attentively.

"My plan was for Binger to take charge of command and control, Xue Wu to provide support and observation, and the rest to follow orders. I'd handle backup."

He pointed at Xue Wu. "You first. Did you follow the plan just now?"

Xue Wu lowered her head. "I didn't do anything before the fight. I should have used my group-support Soul Skill to assist everyone beforehand.

"And I wasn't mindful of my positioning. As the team's only support-type Soul Master, I should've been in the safest spot—right behind you, Captain."

Qin Jian nodded. "Correct. If you'd been behind me, the fox wouldn't have targeted you, and the situation wouldn't have become so dangerous.

"Next, Ruoshui. Did you follow my instructions?"

Qiu Ruoshui, usually cheerful, couldn't meet his gaze.

"My mistake was bigger… much bigger than Xue Wu's…"

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