Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

On a bright and sunny day, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was abuzz with activity.

Among the bustling crowd, Ning Fengzhi's group naturally garnered the most attention, flanked as they were by two pinnacle Douluos.

"Hmm? Who's that boy standing behind Sword Douluo?"

"No idea. He looks unfamiliar. Could he be that innate full soul power boy who hasn't been able to improve his cultivation?"

"Must be him. He's about to duel Gu Yue again. As usual, he'll lose."

"..."

The murmurs from the crowd finally lifted Gu Yue's spirits. Casting a provocative glance at Qin Jian, he noticed Qin Jian's gaze fixed on Ning Rongrong instead, paying him no mind. This made Gu Yue seethe even more.

"Just wait, Qin Jian. I'll crush you on the stage again," Gu Yue muttered to himself, clenching his fists.

At that moment, Ning Fengzhi spoke, "Rongrong, your future partner must be the strongest among our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's next generation combatants. Otherwise, they won't gain the recognition of others."

"Father, can't I choose someone I like?" Ning Rongrong pouted.

Ning Fengzhi hesitated but then steeled his heart. "Rongrong, I usually indulge you, but this concerns sect traditions. I can't make an exception."

He glanced at Qin Jian, surprised that his cherished daughter had developed a fondness for him so quickly.

"Besides," Ning Fengzhi continued, "you should trust the person you've chosen. Surely, he'll claim first place, right? I believe Rongrong's judgment is impeccable."

This remark spurred Ning Rongrong to exclaim without hesitation, "Of course my judgment is impeccable!"

Relieved that his daughter was convinced, Ning Fengzhi finally relaxed.

By now, they had reached the area near the duel stage.

Held only once every five years, the partner selection tournament attracted a significant number of participants. From a glance, the stage was surrounded by a sea of people.

Qin Jian followed Sword Douluo and the others to the most prominent central area. Ning Fengzhi and the two Douluos, Sword and Bone, took their seats, with Qin Jian, Ning Rongrong, and Gu Yue standing behind them.

"There are thirty-two direct disciples selecting partners this time, but sixty-four combat soul masters are participating in the tournament," Ning Fengzhi casually explained. "The first-round losers won't get the chance to partner with a direct disciple and will instead be assigned to ordinary combat teams to safeguard the sect."

Hearing this, Gu Yue glanced at Qin Jian and sneered, "Don't end up losing to someone below a level 10 Soul Scholar."

At their age, reaching nearly level 10 was considered a prodigious feat. Apart from Qin Jian and Gu Yue, almost no participants had surpassed level 10.

"That's none of your concern," Qin Jian replied indifferently.

Hearing the tension brewing behind him, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged a knowing glance, sparks practically flying between them, before both snorted and looked away.

Ning Fengzhi could only smile wryly. These two Super Douluos had spent their lives competing, and now their juniors were getting dragged into it too.

"The first match is about to begin. Participants, please come down to draw your lots," the elder presiding over the event announced, stepping into the arena with a large wooden box.

Qin Jian and Gu Yue exchanged a glance before descending from the viewing platform to draw their lots.

"Qin Jian, you must win!" Ning Rongrong suddenly cheered, unwittingly delivering a blow to the proud Gu Yue.

Qin Jian chuckled and waved back at her.

Soon, the lot drawing was complete.

The duel stage was not large, consisting of four platforms. Thus, eight participants could compete simultaneously in each round.

To Qin Jian's surprise, he was scheduled for the very first match.

His opponent was a girl in a pink short skirt.

"I'm Lin Yu, a level 9 Combat Soul Scholar. My martial soul is the Spirit Fox," she introduced herself as a white glow enveloped her, her martial soul activating. She quickly assumed a combat stance.

Qin Jian, however, remained still, hands clasped behind his back as he stood at the edge of the stage.

"Qin Jian, Combat Soul Master. Martial soul: Emotion Sword," he said calmly.

His words puzzled the crowd. Only Sword Douluo understood the significance—the name of Qin Jian's martial soul was pronounced exactly the same as his own title.

"Hah, too scared to even announce his soul power? Afraid everyone will mock his perpetually stagnant level 10 soul power?" Gu Yue sneered.

This earned him an angry glare from Ning Rongrong.

"Let the duel begin!"

With the elder's command, the four duel stages erupted into action. Yet on Qin Jian's platform, something was amiss. He remained motionless, merely smiling at Lin Yu.

"Q-Qin Jian… why aren't you activating your martial soul?" Lin Yu stammered, her head beginning to feel light, her gaze growing unfocused as she stared at Qin Jian.

"I've already activated a soul skill. Be careful," Qin Jian said gently. "If you can still launch an attack, you might have a chance."

But Lin Yu's eyes only grew more dazed. Her mind was filled with thoughts of how dazzling Qin Jian looked—how much she liked him…

"What's happening to me…" she muttered, shaking her head, only to fall deeper into the trance. Her martial soul deactivated as she simply stood there, staring blankly at Qin Jian.

Then, to the shock of everyone, Lin Yu took a few steps forward, gazing at Qin Jian's face as she mumbled, "You're so handsome. I like you so much…"

"What's going on?"

"Love at first sight?"

"On the duel stage? Are you kidding me?"

"…"

The audience erupted into an uproar.

On the central viewing platform, Ning Fengzhi watched with great interest. "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, Qin Jian said he's using a soul skill, but I didn't sense any fluctuation in soul power. Did you?"

Bone Douluo frowned. "I didn't sense anything either."

Their gazes fell on Sword Douluo, who crossed his arms with an inscrutable expression. "He is using a soul skill."

What it was, however, he had no idea.

Behind them, Ning Rongrong wasn't paying attention to their discussion. Instead, she felt an inexplicable sense of crisis. "Confessing in public? How shameless!"

Onstage, Qin Jian smiled warmly. "Could you step down from the stage on your own?"

The crowd fell silent in disbelief.

"What, does he think his looks alone can make someone surrender?" Gu Yue scoffed.

The next moment, everyone's jaws dropped as Lin Yu nodded repeatedly. "Okay, I'll step down on my own."

And with that, she hurriedly left the stage.

A hush fell over the arena.

Off the stage, Lin Yu suddenly snapped out of her trance. Realizing she had just forfeited, she felt strangely unbothered, convinced she had truly fallen in love at first sight.

"The winner of this round is Qin Jian!"

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