Chapter 36: Arrival at Soto City  

The night was hazy as Ye Hao and Ye Lingling hurried back to the inn. 

On their way upstairs, a nearby door suddenly opened. Out stepped Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, their faces flushed and foreheads covered in sweat. It was no secret that renting a room while traveling offered opportunities to resolve "personal matters." 

"Ye Hao? Lingling? What are you two doing outside? Could it be…?" 

Yu Tianheng froze, a little embarrassed. Had the two been outside all this time? If so, did they overhear anything? 

Ye Lingling: "…" 

Ye Hao looked exasperated. "Sister Lingling and I just went out for a stroll. We were heading back upstairs when we bumped into you two. How's the sneaky business going?" 

Dugu Yan's face turned crimson as she grabbed Ye Hao's ear and twisted it gently. 

"Little kids shouldn't meddle in grown-up matters." 

"Huh?" Ye Hao sniffed at his sleeve, trying to pull free. 

"What's that smell on you? It's so strong," Dugu Yan said, leaning closer to sniff again. 

Ye Hao quickly escaped her grip, muttering a quick apology before dashing back to his room. 

Dugu Yan frowned, mumbling to herself, "This smell… it's oddly similar to Grandpa's, though his is much stronger. What could it be?" 

It was faint killing intent. Poison Douluo's infamous Jade Phosphor Serpent venom had taken countless lives, leaving him shrouded in an aura of death. Ye Hao's aura was still weak, barely forming, but unmistakable. 

Dugu Yan's curiosity piqued as she turned to Ye Lingling with a teasing grin. "Lingling, you're pretty close with Ye Hao, huh? How far have you two gone?" 

Ye Lingling's cool, elegant face flushed bright red. She only saw Ye Hao as a little brother, nothing more. 

Unwilling to entertain Dugu Yan's teasing further, Ye Lingling ignored her and quickly retreated to her room. 

Watching her leave, Dugu Yan chuckled mischievously. "There's got to be a story there…"

The next morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds as a carriage departed Sylvis City, bound for Soto City. 

By now, Ye Hao and Ye Lingling had put last night's events behind them. After some thought, they both realized that, as soul masters, killing was inevitable. There was no point in dwelling on it. 

As they departed, they overheard passersby cursing the Fiend Team, calling them beasts who had long deserved their end. 

For the next few days, Qin Ming regaled the group with stories from his youth across the continent, his tone tinged with nostalgia. Even the best of us, it seemed, once brimmed with youthful ambition. 

"Teacher Qin, do you have any regrets?" Ye Hao asked one day. 

Qin Ming paused, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Regrets? Perhaps. I regret never being able to participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament in my youth. But let's not dwell on that." 

As a former student of Shrek Academy, Qin Ming's regret was understandable. Shrek's status as an unlicensed academy had barred them from registering for the tournament, leaving them without the qualifications to compete. 

Ye Hao smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Teacher Qin. This time, we'll win the championship for sure." 

"That's right!" 

"Absolutely!" 

"The championship is ours!" 

Emperor Team echoed his sentiment, filling the carriage with a lively atmosphere. Qin Ming, moved, wiped his eyes and nodded firmly. Their determination strengthened his resolve to claim victory in this tournament. 

Five days later… 

As dawn broke, the carriage sped along a narrow country road lined with golden fields of grain. Soto City, known as the Grain Capital, lay ahead. 

High above, Ye Hao flew leisurely, his six-winged purple soul wings glinting in the sunlight. After days of travel, he had abandoned the carriage entirely—why endure its discomfort when he could fly? 

From his vantage point, the golden fields below resembled a vast, shimmering sea. As he scanned the landscape, a small wooden village caught his eye. 

Could it be…? 

Ye Hao's face, obscured by his black armor, turned toward the village. His crimson eyes locked onto a wooden sign bearing five hand-painted characters: Shrek Academy, crowned with a green monster emblem. 

As expected, this was Shrek Academy. If the timeline was correct, Tang San and Xiao Wu had already joined and completed the Grandmaster's first phase of training. Soon, Shrek Academy would face the Emperor Team in a group battle. 

That battle was crucial to Ye Hao. He had to win. 

Shrek Seven Devils? I'm looking forward to meeting you. 

As the carriage neared the city gates, Ye Hao descended from the sky and landed gracefully on its front step. Together, they entered Soto City. 

The Grain Capital lived up to its name. Streets were lined with food vendors, inns, and restaurants, bustling with people. The lively atmosphere reflected the city's prosperity. 

Peering through the carriage window, Qin Ming stared at the familiar cityscape, his mind wandering to memories of the past. Soto City… it's been a while. 

The carriage stopped outside a large inn near the grand Soto Great Spirit Arena. 

The Emperor Team disembarked one by one. Gazing at the towering arena, Yu Tianheng asked, "Teacher Qin, are we here for combat training?" 

Qin Ming nodded. "That's right, Tianheng. That's precisely why we're here." 

Dugu Yan chimed in, "Teacher Qin, doesn't Heaven Dou City have its own Great Spirit Arena? Why come all the way here? Besides, Soto's arena isn't as large, and I doubt the opponents are much good." 

Qin Ming chuckled wryly. "Yan, underestimating your enemy is a grave mistake. There's always someone stronger out there. How can you be so sure there aren't powerful fighters in Soto's arena?" 

He swept his gaze over the group, his expression growing stern. 

"For the next month, you'll be fighting in Soto's Great Spirit Arena. Whether it's one-on-one, two-on-two, or group battles, I expect you to earn the Silver Soul Badge for team combat. This will be your primary training objective. Battles take place in the evening. Use your daytime to rest and recover." 

He then turned to Ye Hao. "Especially you, Ye Hao. Don't wander off unnecessarily. The tournament is fast approaching. Don't drag Lingling down with you." 

Ye Hao: "…"