Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

"Give him to you?"

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened. "How can he be given away?"

"Why not? I often trade things I like with others," Xue Ke leaned in close, smiling slyly. "How about I introduce my brother Xue Beng to you? Or maybe my elder brother Qinghe?"

"A fool and an old man? Who'd want them?" Ning Rongrong tilted her chin arrogantly.

"Old… old man…"

Not far away, Xue Qinghe nearly stumbled at the remark.

Although she wasn't a man, how could she possibly be considered old?!

"Ning Rongrong, how about we make a bet?" Xue Ke's eyes sparkled with mischief.

"What kind of bet?" Ning Rongrong replied warily.

As a girl facing a love rival, her instinctive talent for squabbles was instantly triggered.

"For this etiquette training session, whoever scores higher in the end wins. The loser gives up Qin Jian. How about that?" Xue Ke proposed.

Ning Rongrong didn't hesitate, placing her hands on her hips and shouting, "Qin Jian is already mine! Why would I gamble on something like that? Do you think I'm stupid?!"

Xue Ke wrinkled her nose in frustration.

She had hoped to trick Ning Rongrong into agreeing to the wager, but her rival wasn't that gullible…

"Haha, now this is an interesting bet…"

At this moment, Xue Qinghe, who had been silently listening nearby, stepped forward. "Xue Ke, I have an idea for this wager!"

She turned to Ning Rongrong and said, "Rongrong, if Xue Ke loses, she can give up her spot to enter the Junior Soul Hunting Ground of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. What do you think?"

Xue Qinghe added, "That spot is an exclusive academy privilege. Aside from the Five Elements Academies, only one spot is given per generation. No sect can obtain it otherwise."

"What's the Soul Hunting Ground for?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

Xue Qinghe explained, "The Soul Hunting Ground is a specially maintained area within Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. It houses low-level soul beasts, most of them under a thousand years old. Their strength is suppressed, making them ideal for Soul Masters below Rank 30."

"My teacher mentioned it once before," Xue Qinghe continued. "But at most, I can secure a spot for you, Rongrong. Qin Jian wouldn't have one unless Xue Ke gave hers up."

"Fine! I'll wager my spot!" Xue Ke declared boldly. "This time, do you dare accept?"

She and Xue Qinghe both looked expectantly at Ning Rongrong.

Unexpectedly, Ning Rongrong tilted her head, thought for a moment, and then said something that nearly made them cough up blood:

"I'll need to ask Qin Jian first. It concerns him, and I can't decide on his behalf."

Xue Qinghe's brow furrowed deeply.

How could a pampered princess like Ning Rongrong actually consider Qin Jian's opinion? Such a deep bond won't be easy to break. This complicates my plans.

After pondering for a moment, she shook her head. Never mind. I'll try my luck later. Even if it doesn't work out, as long as I stir up some rumors, my position as the Crown Prince will remain secure.

"Fine. Let's wait for Qin Jian to decide," Xue Qinghe said calmly.

The three of them turned back toward the training grounds, only to see that in the brief time they had been talking, Xue Beng was being utterly humiliated.

His disheveled appearance drew snickers from the onlookers.

"Prince Xue Beng, you should admit defeat," Qin Jian said casually, standing with his hand in a sword-like gesture. "You can't even block a single strand of my sword energy. If not for the defensive power of your second soul skill, you'd already be covered in injuries."

Of course, Qin Jian had been holding back.

After all, it's just an act. No need to take it too seriously. The goal is already achieved.

Qin Jian looked at Xue Beng's ugly expression and thought to himself, I've done my part. It's your turn now.

As expected, Xue Beng tilted his nose skyward. "Hmph! So what if you're Sword Douluo's disciple? Just you wait—one day, I'll have you groveling at my feet!"

The spectators looked at his battered and stubborn figure with disdain.

Even Xue Qinghe, observing from the sidelines, couldn't bother to take him seriously.

Qin Jian raised a thumb in mock praise. "Young man, I commend your spirit. Farewell!"

This only further provoked Xue Beng, who shouted, "How dare you mock me?! Stand still, or I'll have someone beat you up!"

It wasn't until Xue Qinghe intervened that the enraged Fourth Prince was subdued.

Truly befitting a future Heaven Dou Emperor. With acting skills like that, he'd dominate any succession drama in any dynasty.

Ignoring the commotion, Qin Jian shrugged and made his way toward Ning Rongrong.

"Qin Jian, you were amazing!"

Princess Xue Ke, apparently unfamiliar with the concept of subtlety, exclaimed unabashedly.

But what happened next dealt her a critical blow.

Ning Rongrong threw herself into Qin Jian's arms, exclaiming, "Qin Jian, you looked so dashing when you defeated the Fourth Prince just now!"

Qin Jian was dumbfounded.

Ning Rongrong, usually shy and self-conscious, rarely displayed such public affection.

Little did he know that when a girl enters rivalry mode, her growth can be astonishingly rapid.

He held her tightly and whispered in her ear, "Rongrong, what's wrong?"

Blushing slightly, Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue playfully and murmured, "That Princess Xue Ke likes you…"

Qin Jian instantly understood.

"Don't worry. I have no interest in her," he said with a gentle smile. "Because I already have the most adorable Rongrong."

"Ah…"

Ning Rongrong's cheeks turned scarlet.

The two continued their affectionate exchange until Xue Qinghe approached, forcing them to part.

"Qin Jian, what do you think about the proposal earlier? Are you willing to take on the bet?" Xue Qinghe asked with a smile.

"Huh? What proposal?" Qin Jian asked, clearly confused.

Xue Qinghe shot Ning Rongrong a sharp glance.

So you whispered sweet nothings for so long and didn't mention the important part at all?!

She quickly recounted the details of the wager.

"A Soul Hunting Ground? And the representatives from the Five Elements Academies this year…"

Qin Jian pondered briefly.

While he wasn't particularly interested in hunting soul beasts for soul rings, the thought of Ning Rongrong going alone worried him.

Even if the soul beasts were weakened, they still posed a challenge for someone like Ning Rongrong.

Not to mention, encountering prominent figures like Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and Yu Tianxin could provide useful insights.

Finally, Qin Jian nodded. "Alright, we accept the bet."

"Really?" Ning Rongrong asked nervously. "Qin Jian, are you sure we should do this?"

"It's settled then. I'll team up with Xue Ke to compete against you," Xue Qinghe declared decisively, leaving no room for further discussion.

Then, taking Xue Ke along, she left without waiting for a response.

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