"Arrogant! Xiao Lin, you're underestimating the coordinated strength of seven Soul King–level experts far too much."
Qin Ming scolded half-seriously, glaring at Xiao Lin with some reproach.
Wasn't this pure nonsense?
The coordination of seven Soul Kings—let alone a Soul Emperor, even a Soul Sage might not be able to defeat them.
"Teacher Qin Ming, I'm not talking nonsense."
Xiao Lin waved his hand, looking completely sincere.
At this moment, the Shi brothers and Ye Lingling, who were already familiar with Xiao Lin's real combat strength, burst into laughter.
Shi Mo even shouted loudly, "Teacher Qin Ming, Xiao Lin was already able to defeat two Soul Emperors by himself!"
Hiss—!
As soon as Shi Mo finished speaking, the classroom instantly felt like the temperature dropped.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up, staring at Xiao Lin with disbelief.
Big Brother Xiao Lin is too strong! Ning Rongrong was secretly excited.
He's twelve? Zhu Zhuqing was full of confusion. She was the one Shrek Academy called a monster.
But now, it seemed the word monster should be given to Xiao Lin instead.
Although she had long known Xiao Lin was strong, hearing such explosive news was still shocking.
Yet even so, Qin Ming disagreed.
"Hmph, Shi Mo, you're too naive."
"Those are seven Soul Masters specialized in defense. Think about it—if even one of them manages to restrain Xiao Lin for just one second, then the other six can attack Xiao Lin for that second."
"To Xiao Lin, that's being pounded for six seconds."
"And then if each Soul King controls him for one more second in succession, Xiao Lin will have no chance."
Qin Ming shook his head. Defeating two Soul Emperors was impressive, sure.
He could do that too. But facing seven Soul Kings? Even he wouldn't dare claim victory.
Xiao Lin was still too young.
Qin Ming silently judged.
"But Teacher Qin Ming, for Xiao Lin, no matter how high their defense is, it's nothing but paper. Seven defensive-type Soul Masters are worse than seven control-type Soul Masters."
"And besides, Xiao Lin's defense is far stronger than mine."
"Even if they beat him for a whole day, I doubt they could break through his defense—let alone since they're defense-type fighters."
Shi Mo completely disagreed.
He knew better than anyone how terrifying Xiao Lin's strength was—he trusted Xiao Lin blindly.
"That's right, Teacher Qin Ming, your intel is too outdated."
Shi Mo's brother Shi Mo (grindstone) supported him, teasing Qin Ming.
"Get lost, you brats."
Qin Ming was speechless and frustrated, unable to refute.
Does Xiao Lin really have such terrifying strength?
I'll test him myself later.
Qin Ming secretly made up his mind.
"All right, all right. Since Xiao Lin and the others are already here, join the class."
Soon, Qin Ming regained his teacherly authority and arranged their seats.
In the huge classroom, only eight people sat. Xiao Lin looked around and chose a window seat in the back row.
Tang San and the others also sat next to Xiao Lin.
"Okay, next question—facing a seven-man all-element offense-type Soul King squad. The rules are the same as before. Everyone write your selection of combatants."
Qin Ming continued lecturing, though none of the students were listening.
"Xiao Lin, this is a healing crystal from my family. I want you to have it."
Ye Lingling sat in front of Xiao Lin. She secretly turned around and gently placed a colorful crystal on his desk.
Behind her veil, she smiled sweetly.
Xiao Lin had helped her so much; how could she not repay him?
Five years of treatment—that was merely what a classmate should do.
"Uh—?"
Xiao Lin stared at the crystal. He could feel the life energy inside it.
It wasn't much, but enough to restore a Soul Master from near-death to full strength (not including regrowing limbs).
Such a life-saving treasure—he felt awkward accepting it.
Seeing him hesitate, Ye Lingling became anxious.
"Xiao Lin, this is just equivalent to a full-power heal from my Nine-Heart Begonia Spirit. It's nothing big. Please take it."
"But it's easy to carry around. There are only two Nine-Heart Begonias available at any time. Someone else in your family could use it."
Xiao Lin knew its greatest value was convenience—the Nine-Heart Begonia couldn't be used anywhere anytime.
And honestly, he didn't believe he would ever need this.
If someone could injure him enough to reach near death, having an extra life wouldn't matter.
With his same-rank invincible battle strength—and even overwhelming those a rank above—he simply didn't need it.
But Tang San and the others might.
"Xiao Lin, take it. We still have some in the family. And when we use them up, we can replenish them with Nine-Heart Begonia soul power."
Ye Lingling persuaded again.
The crystal came from years of growth beside a 10,000-year Nine-Heart Begonia soul beast—a crystal infused with healing power.
There were only three or four such crystals.
Not like the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well influenced by the Ice-Fire Dragon King.
"All right then. If that's the case, I'll accept it."
Hearing that her family had more, Xiao Lin accepted it.
It wasn't pretentiousness—he simply valued friendship deeply.
Student-era bonds were pure, and Ye Lingling's group valued friendship too.
Though he hadn't spent much time with the Emperor Team, he already planned to bring them into his god-realm circle.
If the God Realm refused to revive the Ice-Fire Dragon King, or refused to grant godhood to Xiao Wu and Tang Ni, Xiao Lin would need allies.
Once Xiao Lin took the crystal, Ye Lingling smiled like a flower beneath her veil and turned around.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing stared at their interaction in disbelief.
Soon after, Ye Lingling turned again.
"Xiao Lin, here—these are the Shi brothers' two Profound Underworld Stones."
As the middleman, she passed the stones to Xiao Lin and turned back again.
Xiao Lin examined them, activating his Fiery Golden Eyes.
Under its effect, his vision became like thermal imaging.
The Profound Underworld Stone had no secrets.
There was a soul beast aura inside!
And bones of a powerful soul beast!?
A fossil infused with powerful soul energy?
Likely from a turtle-type soul beast—perhaps a Profound Underworld Turtle.
Holy—could this be used to condense a spirit ring!?
Xiao Lin's heart raced.
One piece for forging a soul tool for Tang San.
The other—to research.
Fossils?
Could they be related to soul bones?
Could he create artificial soul bones?
Xiao Lin grew even more excited.
On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing was stunned beyond belief.
Should she also give Xiao Lin a meeting gift?
(End of Chapter)