Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

Dressed in white, with golden hair and heterochromatic eyes, the young man was strikingly handsome, though his demeanor exuded a carefree arrogance.

Could it be...

Qin Jian's eyes flickered with contemplation.

"Hey! Who are you?! Why did you attack me?"

Yu Hairou frowned as she shouted.

"That Soul Beast of yours suits me quite well..."

The young man's gaze had originally been fixed on the Soul Beast but now shifted to the group, his pupils slightly dilating.

It was understandable—anyone encountering seven beautiful young women in the heart of the Star Dou Forest would likely react the same way.

As for Qin Jian, it was apparent the young man had overlooked his presence entirely.

"Oh no, I just saw you girls struggling to hunt the Soul Beast and thought I'd lend a hand," the youth suddenly changed his tone.

Xue Wu and Yu Hairou rolled their eyes in unison, clearly not encountering such situations for the first time.

"He's rather good-looking," Shui Yue'er, a member of the Appearance Association, couldn't help but give him another glance.

"Is he?"

Qin Jian's voice carried no emotion, but to Shui Yue'er, it sounded like a silent warning. She could already foresee extra training sessions looming ahead.

"N-no, of course not! He's nothing compared to our captain!" Shui Yue'er hurriedly backpedaled.

"Captain?"

Only now did the young man take notice of Qin Jian, frowning instinctively as he saw the latter surrounded by the group of girls.

"Tch!"

Seeing the youth momentarily distracted, Yu Hairou decisively threw a punch at the Soul Beast—

"Buzz!"

However, a wave of Soul Power surged out, repelling her mid-strike.

"Hm?"

Everyone was taken aback.

They hadn't sensed the presence of another person.

At that moment, a middle-aged man wearing glasses stepped into view.

"Mubai, didn't you spend several days tracking this Soul Beast? And now you're letting it slip away so easily?"

The middle-aged man rapped the youth on the head with exasperation. "Stop losing your composure every time you see a pretty face!"

"Uh..."

The youth sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

Mubai...

Qin Jian's memories clicked into place as he connected the scene before him.

The future captain of the Shrek Seven Devils, Dai Mubai.

And the headmaster of Shrek Academy, Flender.

He hadn't expected to run into them here...

"Have you been tracking this Soul Beast for long?"

Seeing the awkward silence, Shui Bing'er stepped forward. She was becoming accustomed to taking on such roles.

"Indeed, we've been tracking it for three days. If not for using it to train Mubai, I'd have taken it down long ago," Flender replied, adjusting his glasses.

"But we've already killed it ourselves. Surely you wouldn't expect us to hand it over now?" Shui Bing'er frowned.

Flender swept his gaze over the eight of them and spoke slowly, "My Soul Power has already surpassed rank 70. Are you sure you want to contest me?"

"Soul Saint?!"

The group gasped collectively, exchanging anxious glances.

If they fought head-on, it would mean total annihilation in mere moments.

Qin Jian glanced around but couldn't see Yan Zhining.

Flender also glanced in the same direction, sensing, There's another Soul Master nearby. Weaker than me, but not by much. It seems these kids have a protector. I can't simply rely on overwhelming force.

"Alright, let's settle this fairly," Flender said with a faint smile. Adjusting his glasses again, he continued, "Since the Soul Beast was killed by you, let's have a duel between those who need the Soul Ring. Winner takes all—how about that?"

The group exchanged looks before Yu Hairou stepped forward. "Captain, what do you think?"

"It's doable, but you'll likely lose," Qin Jian replied quietly. "That young man is stronger than you."

"How do you know?" Yu Hairou asked, puzzled.

Qin Jian hesitated to explain, but fortunately, Dai Mubai spoke up.

"Headmaster, we could let them keep the Soul Beast," Dai Mubai suggested. "After all, they're just a group of girls. Fighting over it would be unchivalrous."

Flender's expression twitched. "And what do you propose instead?"

"Nothing much..."

Dai Mubai ran a hand through his hair, flashing a dazzling smile. "I just want to get to know these ladies better."

He stepped forward, stopping in front of Shui Bing'er. His gaze grew intense as he asked, "Miss, may I know your name?"

Shui Bing'er frowned but didn't answer. Before she could, a hand pulled her behind him, and Qin Jian stepped in front of her.

"I think your earlier suggestion is more appropriate," Qin Jian said coolly. "But I'll represent us in the duel."

"Wow, Captain's angry!"

Qiu Ruoshui's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Xue Wu folded her arms, scoffing. "Dare to mess with our Bing'er? You'll face our captain's wrath."

Shen Liuyu toyed with her light blue hair and said lazily, "Bing'er is clearly our captain's reverse scale."

Their teasing turned Shui Bing'er's face crimson.

She glanced at Qin Jian's back, her gaze softening like water...

"You? You haven't even reached rank 30," Dai Mubai said, raising an eyebrow at Qin Jian.

"I'm rank 25," Qin Jian replied calmly.

Anger flickered in his eyes as he stared at Dai Mubai. He knew the latter was a notorious playboy but hadn't expected him to target Shui Bing'er.

"Hmph! If Zhu Zhuqing is among the remaining seven, just wait..."

"Sorry, I don't fight children," Dai Mubai said dismissively, his earlier charm nowhere to be seen.

"Either we duel for the Soul Beast, or you forfeit. Choose," Qin Jian said.

Dai Mubai swept his gaze over the others. "You're really letting this rank-25 fight me?"

He directed his question at Yu Hairou. "If he loses, your Soul Ring will be gone."

Yu Hairou shot him a cold glare. "Do you think I'd question the captain's decision? Trying to sow discord? Save your breath—I follow the captain."

"Exactly! We all follow the captain!" the others chorused.

Dai Mubai's face twitched. Stepping back, he said, "Fine. Let me see what your rank-25 captain can do."

"You've yet to obtain your third Soul Skill," Qin Jian remarked, stepping forward. "In my eyes, you're nothing."

"Oho, this kid's confident!"

Flender had already cleared the area, watching with interest.

He wasn't worried—whether Qin Jian was rank 25 or 30, Dai Mubai would undoubtedly win.

After all, Dai Mubai's White Tiger was an unparalleled beast martial soul, unmatched in offensive power.

"Let's see what makes you so arrogant!"

Dai Mubai's hands curled into claws as his White Tiger appeared behind him.

With a flash, he lunged at Qin Jian.

"Heh, my body is a sword!"

Qin Jian's fingers formed a sword gesture, and his martial soul—a long sword—manifested before him, perfectly blocking Dai Mubai's attack.

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