No one truly enjoys loneliness, and Xue Qinghe was no exception. Once, she too had yearned for friends.
But the word "friend" felt so distant to her.
Whether as Xue Qinghe or Qian Renxue, she was someone looked up to by countless people—who could possibly stand as her equal?
She had once thought this would be her life until she successfully seized the throne, accomplished Spirit Hall's unification, and realized her ambitions.
To become the solitary ruler standing above all.
Yet when Shen An uttered the word "friend," she felt an unexpected longing in her heart.
The path she walked would inevitably be the loneliest, one where no one could accompany her in the end.
But Shen An was different. Whether it was his soul rings that surpassed their limits, his god-level martial soul, or his unrivaled strength among peers—he absolutely had the qualifications to be Xue Qinghe's friend.
A true companion.
So when Shen An said the word "friend," Xue Qinghe didn't reject it. Instead, she felt an inexplicable approval... and even a hint of secret delight.
"Tch, you're way too familiar," Xue Qinghe said, glancing at Shen An's profile. "But fine, I'll just sit back and enjoy the show later."
"Come on, there's a crowd over there. Let's go check it out—and give you a good show while we're at it." Shen An walked over, still cradling the cat in his arms.
Ahead stood a massive circular platform, clearly meant for duels, with a diameter of at least a hundred meters.
Dozens of people stood below, dressed in uniforms of varying colors, each group neatly aligned.
The most eye-catching were the students of Skywater Academy, clad in their azure-blue uniforms. Shen An's gaze lingered on them for a moment.
Xue Qinghe smirked beside him. "That's Skywater Academy—they only accept female students. What, do you find them attractive?"
Shen An rolled his eyes. "Look, there's someone from Thunderclap Academy and Skywater Academy. Something must've happened."
Xue Qinghe followed his gaze. Sure enough, a female student from Skywater Academy lay collapsed in another girl's arms, her chest scorched black, her breathing weak.
Students from other academies had already begun gathering around.
The two approached.
"I've said it before—this was just a friendly spar. Soul skills don't have eyes. No one's to blame for accidents."
The speaker was a student from Thunderclap Academy.
Shui Bing'er's expression was frosty. Though the youngest, she was Skywater Academy's most outstanding student—their core.
"If we're outmatched, we accept defeat. But since that's the case, let's have a match ourselves. Unless... Thunderclap Academy is afraid of Skywater Academy?"
Lei Mie's eyes darted nervously. Was she joking? He was only a level-38 Soul Elder—how was he supposed to fight Shui Bing'er, a level-41 Soul Ancestor with the top-tier beast martial soul, Ice Phoenix?
He'd seen Shui Bing'er battle Huo Wu yesterday. It had been brutal.
With the sheer cold in her eyes right now, Lei Mie had no doubt she'd cripple him on the spot if they fought.
Yu Tianxin stepped in smoothly. "Shui Bing'er, Lei Mie is only a Soul Elder. For you, a Soul Ancestor, to challenge him isn't exactly fair. If you want a fight, I'll oblige."
Though this was just an exchange tournament, the top students of each academy weren't eager to reveal their full strength—not with the Advanced Soul Master Tournament just a year away.
But with Shui Bing'er issuing such a challenge, Yu Tianxin, as Thunderclap Academy's strongest, couldn't back down.
Shen An grinned.
Perfect timing.
"Then how about I fight this Lei Mie instead? I happen to be a Soul Elder too," Shen An interjected.
From a distance, Huo Wu's eyes gleamed. "Brother, isn't that the guy we met in Star Dou Great Forest? Let's go watch!"
Among the group of students in fiery-red uniforms from Blazing Academy, one young man in cyan stood out like a sore thumb.
Yet he seemed oblivious, eagerly responding before Huo Wushuang could: "Sure, sure! Whatever you say, Huo Wu!"
The moment Shen An spoke, the attention of both academies snapped toward him.
Lei Mie eyed Shen An's pristine white robes disdainfully. "You're not from any of the five great academies, are you? What makes you think you're worthy to challenge me?"
Yu Tianxin smirked. Since when did anyone from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy dare provoke his Thunderclap Academy?
Aside from Yu Tianheng's team, the rest weren't even worth considering—and this guy clearly wasn't part of that group.
Is this fool trying to play hero for Skywater Academy's girls?
Pathetic.
Before Shen An could reply, Yu Tianxin cut in. "Lei Mie, enough. This gentleman is from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Why don't you... play with him?"
At the mention of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Thunderclap Academy's students burst into laughter—their contempt obvious.
Xue Qinghe gave Shen An a helpless look, as if to say, Well, what can we do? Outside, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy really isn't respected.
Shui Bing'er also spoke up. "Shen An, this is Skywater Academy's matter. It has nothing to do with you. But thank you for your kindness."
Shen An sighed inwardly.
Heaven Dou Imperial Academy being trash has nothing to do with me. Why does everyone assume I'm weak?
"I am Xue Qinghe, Crown Prince of Heaven Dou Empire. Shen An is the most extraordinary talent I have ever seen. We came here precisely to use all of you geniuses as his whetstone—his stepping stones. I hope you'll oblige."
Xue Qinghe's words instantly drew a wave of hostility toward Shen An.
What kind of genius would willingly serve as someone else's foil? With just a few words, Xue Qinghe had painted Shen An as invincible while implying everyone else was inferior. The surrounding students' gazes turned sharp.
Shen An shot Xue Qinghe a wry look.
Xue Qinghe smiled back, as if to say, You're welcome.
"Indeed," Shen An sighed dramatically. "I've long been troubled by my unrivaled strength among peers, with so few worthy opponents to challenge me. What a regret in life. I wonder if any of you here can give me even the slightest pressure?"
At this point, he might as well roll with it.
The students from the five great academies glowered.
Who does this guy think he is?
Let's teach him a lesson!
Those with lightning-attribute martial souls weren't exactly known for their patience.
A flash of thunder, and Lei Mie was already on the dueling platform, pointing at Shen An and curling his finger in a taunt.
"You. Get up here. Let's see what you've got."
Though he'd already expended some soul power fighting Skywater Academy's students, Lei Mie was confident.
Beating someone from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy? Easy.
Shen An strolled onto the platform leisurely. "Shall we begin?"
Lei Mie's face darkened. "You're seriously holding a sleeping cat? And that mouse on your shoulder? You plan to fight me like this?"
"Yep. Any problem? My cat's asleep—I don't want to wake it. As for Jerry, he won't get in the way."
"Fine, fine! A Heaven Dou Imperial Academy student actually dares to act this arrogantly. Unbelievable!" Lei Mie laughed in anger.
The commotion on the platform quickly drew the attention of students from all five academies.
"Ah, no, no, don't misunderstand. It's not arrogance." Shen An paused, scanning the crowd. Then he called out, "Brother Xue, could you stand up for a second?"
Though confused, Xue Qinghe rose to her feet.
Shen An smiled.
"With all due respect—every single one of you here..."
He raised a single hand.
"I can take you all on with just this."
Silence.
Then—
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Xue Qinghe clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she lost all decorum.
This is amazing. Absolutely amazing.
No wonder he's my friend.