Douluo Continent, my martial soul is a mushroom.

Chapter 57 Making a deal with Xue Qinghe, support-type combat power

There is a one-month break between the qualifiers and the ranking matches. This period is for the teams that qualified from the qualifiers in the kingdoms and duchies to travel, and for the teams that qualified from the Tiandou region to adjust their form.

Working non-stop for 32 days straight, not every team is as strong as Shrek Academy. The four teams—Divine Wind, Thunder, Blazing Fire, and Elephant Armor—all need to alleviate their fatigue.

After the awards ceremony, Ikehira should move back to the hotel where Shrek is staying.

Before leaving, Chi Ping wanted to say goodbye to Xue Qinghe and ask if he still intended to trade the soul bone.

The Crown Prince's Residence, Reception Room.

All members of the Shrek team and their instructors gathered here.

"You didn't need to come along," Chi Ping said helplessly. "It's not like I can't find my way back to the hotel."

Flander retorted defiantly, "And then you went back to the hotel alone, and some bastard named Shiyueshiri popped up again and ripped off your right arm?"

The students were all sipping their tea, not even glancing at Chi Ping. They were still angry about Chi Ping's behavior during the competition with Tianshui Academy. Dai Mubai snorted coldly and said, "Trying to act on your own again?"

Chi Ping scratched his chin awkwardly. "I didn't think things through with Hong Jun. But I really think Hong Jun could try pursuing Shui Bing'er. You two seem quite suitable."

Ma Hongjun slammed his teacup on the table. "That's my own business! Ping-ge, you can't confuse public and private matters! Using the academy's honor for my personal gain, what kind of person do you take me for!"

The three girls looked at Ma Hongjun in surprise, not expecting him to say such righteous words.

Chi Ping lowered his head. "I was wrong."

Although he had already apologized, it did not prevent Ikehira from apologizing again.

Dai Mubai said, "Those who can become the crown prince are not easy to associate with. We are here to support you. If there is anything you are unsure about, we can give you some advice."

"I just came to say thank you..." Chi Ping smiled wryly.

Everyone turned their heads away.

Fifteen minutes later, Xue Qinghe rushed into the reception room.

Chi Ping rose and bowed, "Your Highness!"

The others also stood up and bowed, saying in unison, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"It is an honor to have distinguished guests from Shrek Academy visit our humble abode. Please, everyone, have a seat!" Xue Qinghe returned the greeting and said to the maid waiting outside the door, "Xue'er, bring me my treasured Wutong tea."

Xue Qinghe then took the seat of honor, and Chi Ping and the others also took their seats.

"May I ask what brings you all here?" Xue Qinghe asked curiously.

Chi Ping said, "My injury has almost healed, and it's time for me to return to the academy and prepare for the finals with everyone. That's why I've come here to say goodbye to the Crown Prince."

Xue Qinghe feigned slight anger, "Couldn't you stay a few more days? Besides, Chi Ping, you're being too polite!"

Chi Ping reluctantly changed his mind, "Qinghe, I don't want Shrek Academy to get involved in the Empire's conflicts. I've been in the Crown Prince's residence long enough. If I stay any longer, people will probably think I'm already one of yours."

Everyone looked sideways.

"I don't deny that I want to recruit you," Xue Qinghe said.

Chi Ping shook his head. "But you know, I represent Shrek Academy. Shrek Academy will only ever be a place for teaching and nurturing, and will never participate in the conflicts on the continent. The dean thinks so too."

Flander hadn't expected the conversation to suddenly turn to him, but he wouldn't refuse Chi Ping's request, so he said seriously, "Xiao Ping is right."

Xue Qinghe sighed, "That's a real pity. But..."

Xue Qinghe drew out his words, his expression turning serious—the kind of seriousness one would show when discussing serious matters—"Chi Ping, I want to make a deal with you."

Chi Ping, "Have you decided to exchange soul bones?"

The words "soul bone" attracted everyone's attention, and all eyes were focused on Chi Ping.

"Didn't Uncle Ning tell you?" Chi Ping asked, puzzled.

Ten people shook their heads.

Chi Ping took out the head soul bone from his storage soul tool. Soul tools are not rare, and small-space storage soul tools are not priceless. Chi Ping often needs to record his cultivation insights and the like, so Flander gave him a five-liter storage amulet.

"Back then, there was a soul bone, this one. Uncle Ning and Qinghe found it on his corpse. The day you came to find me, Uncle Ning brought it to me. This soul bone isn't suitable for me. Qinghe wanted to trade with me, so I agreed."

"Brother Ping, this is a soul bone!" Ma Hongjun emphasized, "You're just putting it up for sale like this?"

Chi Ping shrugged. "Didn't I say it's not suitable for me? Soul bones are indeed good things, but not everything good has to be kept. The most important thing is whether it's suitable for me."

He turned to Xue Qinghe, "Want to make a trade?"

Xue Qinghe shook his head. "Just like Chi Ping said, 'suitability' is very important. Soul bones are certainly precious, but they are not exactly 'suitable' for the Empire."

"So what do you want to trade?"

Xue Qinghe glanced at the people around him, lingering for a moment on Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. "This matter concerns the livelihood of the empire. Would you all be willing to step aside for the time being?"

Chi Ping narrowed his eyes slightly. "Qinghe, do we really have to avoid the Dean and the others?"

Xue Qinghe said solemnly, "Absolutely!"

Seeing this, Flanders tried to smooth things over: "In that case, shall we go out first? Would the Crown Prince send a maid to show us around the mansion?"

"Thank you for your understanding," Xue Qinghe said. "Qing'er, please take our distinguished guests to Hanmei Courtyard."

A maidservant came gracefully and led Flanders and the others out of the drawing room.

"Qinghe, what are you trying to trade? Why are you being so mysterious?"

Xue Qinghe did not answer immediately, but silently walked into a small door in the corner of the reception room. A moment later, he returned with a stack of documents and gestured for Chi Ping to look through them.

"This is... Xiaoyun Village, Notting City, Fasno Province, my hometown's grain production report? You're investigating me?" Chi Ping asked in surprise.

Xue Qinghe nodded and said frankly, "As a core member of the champion team of the Tiandou Division preliminary round of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, how could I not be curious about your past?"

"What do you want to do?" Chi Ping wasn't angry. He knew that Xue Qinghe investigating him was perfectly normal and the right thing to do.

"Awakened his martial soul at age 6, with innate soul power level 5, became a soul master at age 8, advanced to a great soul master at age 10, a soul venerable at age 12, a soul grandmaster at age 15, and a soul king at age 17. He steadily increases his soul power by 4 levels per year. Chi Ping, your talent is truly beyond comprehension."

Ikehira nodded. "And then?"

Xue Qinghe smiled. "If you didn't have this calm mindset, I would have tried everything to win you over, or I would have destroyed you. No competent ruler would allow anything beyond their control to exist. But my intuition tells me I can't destroy you. So I will respect you and make a deal with you."

"Your hometown's grain production has increased dramatically since seven years ago, doubling in the first year and increasing year by year. This year, it is expected to reach four times the initial amount. Shrek Academy's medicinal herb production is also exceptionally high. You did all of this, didn't you?"

Ikehira remained noncommittal, saying, "It can't be any other reason. For example, management methods or farming techniques."

Xue Qinghe rolled his eyes. "What kind of method could have this effect?"

"I did it," Chi Ping readily admitted.

Xue Qinghe, "I need your method."

Chi Ping thought for a moment and said, "Are you sure? My method has its risks."

"What hidden dangers?"

Chi Ping extended his left arm and tapped it, producing a solid wood sound. "This method is exactly the same as my left arm. It uses the mycelium of a martial soul derivative to regulate soil fertility. When the soil is fertile, the grain yield will naturally be higher. But if I wanted to, I could turn fertile land into dead land overnight."

Chi Ping looked at Xue Qinghe seriously. "Do you still want to use my method?"

Looking back at Xueqing River.

The two were about the same height and could see each other's eyes.

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, and one can see a person's inner thoughts through their eyes. When two people look into each other's eyes, it's as if they are trying to see into each other's hearts.

After a long silence, Xue Qinghe smiled and said, "You're a good person."

"Human hearts are fickle."

"If your heart changes, you will no longer be a threat to me."

Chi Ping sighed, "What can you offer?"

"Money, and the Empire's recognition of Shrek Academy's permanent neutrality in the finals."

"I agree. After that, give me a report detailing the location, the environment, and how much to increase production. I'll then provide you with the mycelium. Place the mycelium in the appropriate location, and you'll see results in a year."

Xue Qinghe extended his hand, "It's a pleasure doing business with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you."

……

The ranking battle was held at the training ground of the Heavenly Dou Royal Knights.

The competition is expected to last for half a month, followed by a half-month break, before the final showdown will be held at the border between the two great empires, Tiandou and Xingluo.

If the qualifiers are a test of teamwork and overall strength, then the ranking matches are a test of individual player skill. The four teams that advanced from the Tiandou region are all eagerly anticipating Shrek's performance.

On the day of the qualifying race.

Between the large circle formed by the knights and the competition field, all fifteen participating teams were in position, including those who had a bye today. Even without playing, they wanted to assess their opponents' strength.

The rules of the competition are simple. Each side sends seven players to participate, and each player must fight until they are defeated. The winner then faces the next opponent, until all seven players on one side are defeated.

Shrek Academy will take the stage in the first match of the first round, kicking off the ranking battle. Their opponent is the Yerken team from the Barak Kingdom, which is not very strong, but has a Soul Master who specializes in close-combat martial souls.

As a team leader in some respects, Ikehira is considering the candidates for the competition.

"Pingzi, let me go first. I guarantee I'll take them down one by one and sweep Yerken away!" Dai Mubai patted his chest and made his promise.

Ma Hongjun scoffed dismissively, "Besides Rongrong, who can't we sweep through?"

"Fatty, are you looking for trouble?"

"I'm telling the truth."

Chi Ping first looked at the team members, then turned to Ning Fengzhi in the stands and said with a smile, "Xiao Ao, you go ahead. The opening match is in your hands, do your best."

Oscar noticed Ning Fengzhi's presence and immediately stood up, brimming with energy, his nostrils practically flaring out. "Brother Ping, just you wait and see! Watch me take on seven opponents at once!"

Let me reveal your final trump card: abandoning the physical body so that the true spirit may live on forever.

(End of this chapter)