"I'll take care of it." Keqing nodded lightly, then helped Ma Xiaotao toward the villa. Soon, they disappeared from Lu Jingming's view. Only after they were out of sight did Lu Jingming put away his playful expression and become serious.
He looked at Zhang Lexuan and asked softly, "How was it, Sister Lexuan?"
Zhang Lexuan immediately understood what he meant.
She frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and replied softly, "Very strong. Even at the same level, although I could win, it would never be easy. You have to realize that if she can successfully expel the evil fire and her martial soul evolves into the Ultimate Fire, defeating her will become even harder."
Lu Jingming wasn't surprised. After all, Zhang Lexuan didn't have any cheats—she was a pure genius who grew through talent and hard work.
Ma Xiaotao was also an extraordinary talent, nurtured by the top Shrek Academy, and her strength is not to be underestimated.
Zhang Lexuan's victory over Ma Xiaotao was largely thanks to Jingliu's careful guidance and training.
Although it seemed effortless on the surface, Zhang Lexuan had used four soul skills!
If their actual levels were the same—both at rank forty-one—she could never have won so easily.
Even though she suppressed her soul power level during the fight, the quality and quantity of soul power at the Soul Emperor level wouldn't change.
That profound and abundant soul power, even when held back, still gave her an invisible advantage.
Zhang Lexuan had accepted the duel with Ma Xiaotao not just to protect her man.
She wanted to test the strength of a top elite from Shrek Academy.
After all, St. Freya Academy had just officially registered in the Star Luo Empire as an advanced soul master academy.
This gave them the right to participate in next year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament in Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Heaven Soul Empire.
In reality, it wasn't easy for St. Freya Academy to qualify as an advanced academy.
However, with Lu Jingming's noble status and the princess' help, plus various other advantages, they managed to solve the issue through special channels.
If anyone had objections, once they learned the academy had a Titled Douluo sitting in charge, they immediately fell silent.
No one in noble circles would offend a Titled Douluo over a small issue.
Next year, Zhang Lexuan would be just eighteen—fully qualified to participate in the tournament.
But a tricky problem remained: finding suitable teammates was not easy.
St. Freya Academy was newly established and lacked deep foundations and many outstanding students.
So far, the only one of appropriate age and ability to join her was Keqing.
But Lu Jingming already had a solution in mind. To him, finding five qualified teammates aged under twenty with soul power at least rank forty was tricky—but surely not impossible for the talented Lady Herta.
Most high-level soul masters under twenty in Haiyuan City came from families or sects, not students of St. Freya.
So Lu Jingming had to look elsewhere, determined to find five strong companions who wouldn't drag down Zhang Lexuan and Keqing.
After all, the All-Continent Tournament was highly anticipated. As long as St. Freya made the top 32, their reputation would soar.
…
Ma Xiaotao slowly opened her eyes in a daze, seeing an unfamiliar ceiling.
Startled, she realized she was lying on a soft, comfortable bed.
She stretched lazily, feeling surprisingly refreshed—nothing like someone who'd just been through an exhausting battle.
She knew this feeling well—a healing-type soul master had thoroughly tended to her while she was unconscious, helping her recover and avoiding any permanent harm.
As she moved, the sheets slipped, revealing thin sleepwear.
Only then did Ma Xiaotao realize her original clothes had been changed. Realizing this wasn't Shrek Academy, her expression darkened and she felt uneasy.
"Don't worry, I changed your clothes." At this moment, Keqing quietly opened the door, carrying a steaming bowl of fragrant fish soup.
She saw Ma Xiaotao's wary face and immediately understood her concerns, smiling as she explained.
As fellow girls, Ma Xiaotao's unease was easy to guess.
Seeing it was Keqing, Ma Xiaotao relaxed, softly saying, "Thank you!"
She wasn't an impolite person; it was clear Keqing had cared for her while she was unconscious, so gratitude was the least she could offer.
"My name is Keqing. This fish soup is made from century-old Silver Spirit Fish, which is great for restoring your soul power."
Keqing introduced herself, handing over the steaming bowl.
Ma Xiaotao accepted it without hesitation. She knew that if they'd meant her harm, they'd have had plenty of chances while she was unconscious—so she wasn't worried about poison.
"My name is Ma Xiaotao. You can call me Xiaotao." Ma Xiaotao said.
Keqing looked older than her, and also being a girl, Ma Xiaotao unexpectedly behaved meekly and gently—completely different from her usual fierce, peppery attitude in front of Lu Jingming.