Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1901 They are still far from it
Zhuo Qianren stared at him: "Now, tell me. What was the real reason you insisted on leaving Chang'an and leaving my tutelage back then?"

Xiao Qing lowered his head, his lips trembled, his throat bobbed, and he remained silent for a long time.

"Say!"

Zhuo Qianren's low shout was like a thunderclap, startling Xiao Qing so much that he looked up sharply, met Zhuo Qianren's icy gaze, and finally managed to speak with difficulty.

"master!"

"You have been incredibly kind to me, nurturing me with care and placing high hopes on me... I know that you hope I can carry on your legacy and one day be able to support the future of Chang'an Academy."

He paused, as if using all his strength, before continuing, "But...but I was born a lone wolf! I am not used to...and cannot bear that heavy 'responsibility' and 'expectation'."

"What I want... is a freer, more unrestrained path of wildness, constantly pushing my limits in battle, not... not a pre-planned 'future leader'!"

He was breathing heavily, as if speaking these words had exhausted his strength. "Back then, I knew that this thought was selfish and that I had failed you... But the path in my heart has deviated from the path that you paved for me."

Zhuo Qianren stared at him intently, a trace of indescribable emotion flashing deep in his weathered eyes—anger at his lack of ambition, and also a hint of... realization.
He fell silent, and only Xiao Qing's suppressed breathing remained in the private room.

"And now?"

Xiao Qing lowered his head: "I don't know..."

a long time.

Zhuo Qianren's storage ring on his fingertip flashed slightly, and several books made of sturdy paper appeared in his hand, which he casually tossed to Xiao Qing.

"Take it."

Xiao Qing caught it instinctively and looked down.

The cover prominently displayed: Wolf God Technique, Heavenly Wolf Howling at the Moon, Wolf God Possession, Wolf's Thousand-Mile Walk, Moon Shadow Clone Technique, Wolf Fang Soul Devouring, Moonlight Baptism...

Zhuo Qianren's voice rang out again: "Just now on stage, you were still using the 'Wind and Thunder World-Shaking Manual' that I passed down to you. What, the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy is so powerful, yet they only provided you with this kind of general-purpose wind and thunder attribute technique? They couldn't even spare a top-tier wolf-type technique that could truly stimulate your martial soul's origin and unlock the potential of the 'Rending Wind and Thunder Wolf'? Or do they... simply not have one?"

Zhuo Qianren snorted coldly, "The Wind and Thunder World-Shaking Scripture is alright as a wind and thunder attribute technique, but it's not top-tier in activating your wolf-type martial soul's traits. These few books, especially the Wolf God Great Art and the Heavenly Wolf Howling Moon Technique, you should practice them more. As for the other secret techniques and this profound technique, Wolf God Possession, you can choose according to your situation. While I'm still in Tian Dou this month, besides group training, you can practice at my place."

Then, he tossed Xiao Qing some seventh-grade wine, seventh-grade purple fungus, and other items, saying, "These things will be good for you."

Xiao Qing choked up a little.

He stood up, walked to the window, his back to Xiao Qing, and his tone suddenly turned cold, carrying an air of arrogance and disdain for defying fate:

"Your martial spirit originates from the bloodline of the sacred beast Azure Thunder Wolf of the forest wolf lineage; in terms of understanding and cultivating wolf-type martial spirits and inheriting top-tier techniques, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy... is far inferior!"

The last three words echoed for a long time in the quiet private room.

...At this moment, the commentator's booming voice resounded throughout the arena through the amplified soul tool: "With this, the National Tournament of the Heaven Dou Region has come to an end, and the results are in: Champion - Moonflower Academy! Runner-up - Chang'an Academy! Third Place - Heaven Dou Royal Academy! Fourth Place - Icebound Academy!"

"The remaining eight teams are Oasis Academy, Nine Heavens Academy, and the newly promoted Five Mountains Academy and Yue Si Academy! Let's congratulate these eight teams, who will represent our Tian Dou region in the Continental Finals!"

Before the words were even finished, a deafening roar of cheers from hundreds of thousands of spectators swept across the entire arena like a tsunami.

On the Chang'an stands where Jin Xin and Zhou Yi were, the crowd was also in an uproar.

Jin Xin grinned broadly, slamming his large hand heavily on the railing, making it vibrate: "Hahaha, well done, Yuehua Academy, we've reached the top! That's great! I bet right again, I've made a fortune!"

Zhou Yi glanced sideways: "Big brother, you placed another bet?"

Jin Xin raised her chin nonchalantly: "Of course! This round of our Chang'an Academy is not worth watching, the championship battle is. Can't I just turn around and bet on something safe? Yuehua vs. Tiandou, the advantage is obvious!"

Zhou Yi chuckled: "Big brother, you certainly know how to find opportunities."

Jin Xin chuckled: "What opportunity? Making money is nothing to be ashamed of!"

He glanced at the boiling arena below and continued, "With this final decision, the top three teams—Yuehua, Chang'an, and Tiandou—are completely decided today, saving them the trouble of struggling in the playoffs three days later."

Zhou Yi nodded slightly, his eyes filled with satisfaction: "Yes. Look, brother, this time, our Fasno Province has taken three spots in the top eight! Chang'an Academy goes without saying, and Wushan Academy is also unexpected. Their lineup of seven Soul Kings has a very high margin for error."

"Who would have thought that an unknown county-level academy could make it all the way from the preliminary rounds and semi-finals to the finals?"

"There's also Yue Si Academy, with four Soul Kings in charge and the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Mudslide. Later on, they even revealed the Martial Soul Fusion Skill 'Mysterious Water Turtle and Snake,' a dual Martial Soul Fusion Skill. They've been steady and reliable, starting slowly but rising to the top, showing great resilience."

Jin Xin exclaimed, "Who can argue with that! With three teams advancing, they've also secured the top spot in the regional standings! Now, our Fasno Province is truly proud and renowned throughout the world, becoming a new high ground in the Heavenly Battle Soul Master Academy world!"

Zhou Yi added, "I've heard that the strategy of attracting people back then was actually the brilliant idea proposed by that peerless young master from our Chang'an Academy. The power of the Chen family can be said to have directly propelled the entire province to its peak."

Jin Xin's expression turned serious, and the topic shifted: "Now that the top eight are decided, the grand finale is about to begin. Brother, do you still remember our bet? If the immortal Shao Siming shows up, you'll have to treat me to a jar of 'Blazing Heart'!"

Zhou Yi glanced at the gradually changing scenery below and smiled slightly: "What if she doesn't show up today? What if she doesn't show up at all? I'm afraid I'll have to pay for the drinks myself, brother."

Before long, most of the brilliant soul-guiding lights in the arena suddenly went out, leaving only a huge beam of light that struck the central fighting platform precisely.

The host's solemn voice resounded throughout the venue:

"Distinguished guests, enthusiastic spectators! The Tiandou Regional National Tournament has come to a successful conclusion, and the top eight have been honored!"

"At this glorious moment, the closing ceremony and medal awarding ceremony officially begin! Please welcome His Majesty Emperor Xue Yingtao of the Heavenly Dou Empire to the scene to award medals to the top eight teams!"

The entire venue fell into a moment of breathless silence, followed by a burst of cheers and applause that were more enthusiastic and reverent than ever before.

(End of this chapter)