Lu Mingfei starts from Douluo

Lu Mingfei sat under a tree at the city gate, his shoulders slumped and his back against the trunk. Several dragonflies flew over his head, darting about in the shade of the trees along the long sidewalk, occasionally hovering and tumbling in beautiful trajectories to catch the annoying mosquitoes.

It was the last sunset before nightfall. The white clouds had dispersed, the breeze was blowing gently, the clear blue sky was gone, and the blazing sun had already set, turning the ancient city walls of Tiandou City a deep red.

"What's going on? Are you guys three years old? Can't you be a little more mature? It's so hot." Lu Mingfei pretended to be nonchalant, looking down, but his inner rage was practically overflowing.

As for what exactly happened, to sum it up in one sentence: the academy's reserve team failed to achieve its goal, and the second senior brother suffered a crushing defeat at the gates of Tiandou City.

The incident began three minutes earlier when the Shi brothers were the first to say they wanted to withdraw from the reserve team, because they didn't want to put Qin Ming in a difficult position. Then, the other two agility-based soul masters also spoke up, and finally, even Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan joined the ranks of those resisting Qin Ming's willful and tyrannical rule.

At this moment, the two sides were facing off under the setting sun, while Lu Mingfei, the root of all trouble, was watching this silent drama from the sidelines with Ye Lingling and other bystanders.

"I'm asking if it's really okay for you to stand here?" Lu Mingfei scratched his head, glancing at Ye Lingling who was standing to the side with him. "Aren't you teammates?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm not familiar with them and won't offend anyone." Ye Lingling glanced at Lu Mingfei and said calmly, "But you, being openly ostracized, don't you have any thoughts about it?"

What could he possibly think? Anyway, Lu Mingfei felt it was all over.

In the end, it was only a month-long competition. First, Qin Ming, who had been honing his skills for seven years, emerged as the perennial runner-up. Then, a group of aristocratic children who claimed to be bound by friendship actually caused trouble if they weren't given treats.

Lu Mingfei felt like his head was about to explode. Guys, we're just teaming up for a competition, not acting out some melodramatic soap opera!

"Wait a minute! If this were a romance novel, would I be considered a mistress or a nymphomaniac?" Lu Mingfei thought to himself, suddenly lost in some strange imagination.

Ye Lingling, who was standing to the side, also noticed Lu Mingfei's unfocused gaze. She was very curious. Wasn't Lu Mingfei embarrassed at all by being ostracized like this? He really didn't act like a child.

"I know what some of you are thinking. Rather than being eliminated and becoming a substitute, you might as well leave early to avoid embarrassment. But I want to tell you, it's not me who will embarrass you, it's yourselves. You deserted for the sake of so-called noble face. You are nothing but cowards who surrendered before even entering the battlefield."

Qin Ming stared intently at the six rebellious students opposite him and said righteously, "The Soul Master Competition is a competition where everyone helps each other succeed. Just because you didn't get the limelight, does that mean you're no longer brothers and sisters? You should be ashamed!"

"My attitude is simple: our purpose in participating in the competition is not necessarily to win, but to live up to the expectations of those who believe in us. My responsibility is to put the right people in the right positions, and your responsibility is to believe in your teammates, defeat strong opponents, and win honors, instead of wallowing in self-pity here."

Qin Ming's words were a wake-up call, and the six men lowered their heads. The strong rise and the mediocre fall—this simple principle was understood by everyone. Their act of forcing the issue today seemed like a child's farce.

The eldest of the Shi brothers, Shi Mo, spoke first: "Teacher Qin Ming, we are not deserters. You are right. The competition is for mutual benefit. We are brothers. Even if we are substitutes, we will advance and retreat together."

"That's right! Teacher Qin Ming, we're brothers. I was too narrow-minded before," Oslo chimed in.

"I'm sorry, Teacher Qin Ming. I was the team leader, and I didn't handle the relationships within the team well." Yu Tianheng also bowed his head and apologized. As the team leader, he failed to soothe his teammates' feelings and even impulsively threatened the teacher, which was really wrong of him.

"Very good, this is the essence of team spirit: mutual trust and mutual support. Also, the person you should apologize to is not me, but Lu Mingfei. He did nothing wrong, but because of your jealousy, he suffered an undeserved disaster." Qin Ming said solemnly.

"I'm sorry, Lu Mingfei," Yu Tianheng said first, followed by the others, including Dugu Yan who nodded in apology.

"No, it's alright, it's fine." Lu Mingfei scratched the back of his head, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

He had just come to his senses when he had a vague feeling that he was a blond intruder in a visual novel, and the victim came to him and apologized.

Holy crap! That's so evil!

As for the so-called exclusion? Please, they don't even know each other, okay? Stop making a scene!

"Very good. A good team always needs constant practice and adjustment. This is a very good start, and I hope you can keep it up." Qin Ming smiled and clapped his hands. "In addition, you should welcome Lu Mingfei's addition. He is our biggest asset in the future. Many of you should have watched his match with Tian Heng. With him and Tian Heng on the team, I dare say our chances of winning are at least 80%."

Hearing Qin Ming's words, everyone couldn't help but be moved. Yes, even if they were substitutes, they were still substitutes for the championship team, which was enough to be remembered in the school history.

"Besides, it's too early to worry about who will replace you. If you don't work hard, and there are new students as talented as Lu Mingfei in the future, then some of you will have to be removed, including me. If there is a more suitable teacher who can lead you, I will entrust you to him without hesitation."

"So everyone must not slack off. No one is allowed to miss the weekly combat training. After three people break through to the Soul Master level in a few years, we can start team training and participate in team Soul Battles. At that time, who gets on the bench will depend on their own abilities." Qin Ming revealed a gentle smile, like a kind elder seeing a mischievous junior.

Everyone couldn't help but applaud and laugh with relief. Lu Mingfei also clapped his hands. No wonder the three members of the teaching committee entrusted him with important responsibilities. His emotional intelligence was truly remarkable. He probably just laughed off the fact that the teachers in the academy called him the eternal runner-up.

"Great! Let's strike while the iron is hot and head to the Great Arena now. Our goal tonight is two-on-two team battles, and then we'll rotate teams every week to let everyone get used to teamwork." Qin Ming explained his initial plan.

He had long anticipated that Lu Mingfei, as a new member, might be ostracized by the existing members. By using this two-on-two team format, he could let everyone see his strength, and naturally there would be no more resentment in the future.

"Team up?" Lu Mingfei was taken aback, then looked at Ye Lingling beside him. Looking around, she was the only one he could call an acquaintance.

Unfortunately, before he could even find the words to begin, Dugu Yan had already grabbed Ye Lingling's arm.

"Hey, hey, hey, isn't this a bit too practiced?" Lu Mingfei thought to himself, looking at Yu Tianheng, wanting to ask him if he could control his girlfriend, but he met Yu Tianheng's burning gaze and was almost startled.

"Damn, you guys are playing this fancy game now?" Lu Mingfei made a tactical retreat.

"What flowers? Yan Yan and I have already formed several teams, no need to waste time." Yu Tianheng was a little stunned: "Now it's just the two of us."

Lu Mingfei then glanced around and indeed, apart from them, everyone seemed to have already made arrangements.

"Okay." Lu Mingfei shrugged. It's all the same whether it's a round or not. With Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex around, this match will end even faster. The sooner it ends, the sooner we can go get some late-night snacks.

-

The lights of the Great Soul Arena were still bright and bustling. In the registration hall, crowds surged and shouts rose and fell, like a ragtag band without a conductor. The more they shouted, the more irritating it became. Every day, new members arrived here like headless flies, bumping around aimlessly.

Lu Mingfei had been here more than a dozen times and was already very familiar with the place, so his face remained completely calm.

To be honest, he's not very interested in Soul Fighting right now, since he's only level 22 and hasn't even used his second Soul Skill a few times.

The soul skill is too powerful, which is the downside. He's really afraid of accidentally killing his opponent.

"Hello, please register for a two-person team battle." Yu Tianheng said to the receptionist.

"Please inform us of your rank and display your medals."

"Yu Tianheng is a level 26 Iron Fighting Soul," Yu Tianheng said.

"Lu Mingfei, Level 22 Bronze Battle Soul." Lu Mingfei also took out his medal.

Lu Mingfei? The staff were somewhat surprised, after all, Lu Mingfei was the youngest genius in the history of the Great Arena to obtain the Bronze Soul, and he had already been officially recognized by the management of the Great Arena.

However, despite his surprise, he quickly spoke professionally: "Please come up with a name for your team. The registration fee is ten gold coins. Because your team has a Bronze Soul Fighter, you will be participating in the Bronze Soul Fighter level competition. Also, please come here to test your Soul Power level."

Yu Tianheng glanced at Lu Mingfei, who shrugged, indicating that he didn't care. So he casually came up with the name "Dragon Roars to the Nine Heavens".

After a soul power test, the two registered. Because there were few bronze-level soul master combinations, they were told the location of the soul battle almost without queuing.

"Your battle will take place in the main arena. There are three more battles ahead of you. Please follow the staff to the waiting room now."

"The main arena?" Lu Mingfei was a little surprised. His fifteenth consecutive victory when he advanced to the bronze arena was only in the sub-arena. This was actually his first time fighting in the main arena.

But thinking about Yu Tianheng next to him, one can instantly understand why the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan's prestige is so valuable.

Qin Ming and the others stood behind the two. He nodded to the students beside him: "In that case, the others should not sign up for now. Let's go and watch Tian Heng and Lu Mingfei's team battle."

Actually, even without Qin Ming speaking, they had already planned to do so. They had watched the two fight in the training hall before, and both sides were exceptionally strong. What a devastating battle it would be if these two joined forces.

-

"What tactics will we have later?" Lu Mingfei asked, holding a glass of fresh juice and munching on a grilled sausage, as he leisurely sat on the sofa in the VIP waiting room.

Not only is there a self-service fruit platter, but there are even dedicated massage girls on duty at the entrance, ready to massage and relax the muscles of Soul Masters preparing for battle. Indeed, class enemies are truly hateful.

"Should we test them first and then take them down one by one, or should we use sheer force and blast them away?" Lu Mingfei offered a few suggestions, intending to break the ice first. Although Yu Tianheng had some mental issues, he was a decent person. The two would be classmates for several years to come. He wouldn't dare say they were friends, but they should at least get to know each other a little better, right?

"Whatever." Yu Tianheng lay on the sofa and closed his eyes to rest.

"Damn it!" The last thing Lu Mingfei wanted to hear was the word "whatever." Every time his aunt said "whatever," it meant that no matter what he did, he would get scolded.

However, Yu Tianheng's "casual" probably really meant casual; with their combined strength, they could easily get through by simply brute force.

Alright, Lu Mingfei decided not to make a fool of himself. With Yu Tianheng's cold face, if it weren't for Dugu Yan's initiative to pursue him, he probably wouldn't even have any friends, let alone a girlfriend.

A knock came at the door shortly afterward, a reminder from the staff to go on stage. Lu Mingfei quickly took a few more sips of juice before standing up, ready to go on stage.

The main arena is always the most crowded place in the grand arena, and every match that ends in a GG in the grand arena makes you feel that it's worth the ticket price.

When he actually got on the field, Lu Mingfei felt a rush of blood to his head and a dizzy feeling.

Well, it's a bit embarrassing. Lu Mingfei scratched his head. This is indeed not on the same level as those other branch arenas. Just the VIP viewing room, which is the closest to the arena, made him marvel. Does this era already have such transparent glass? Or is it a single piece of crystal?

Just as Lu Mingfei was getting distracted, a figure dressed in fine clothes suddenly waved to him from behind the curtain wall.

"Oh my god." In the middle of summer, Lu Mingfei felt colder than if he had seen Sadako.

Can someone tell him what Xue Qinghe is doing here? Aren't you pretending to be the wise crown prince of the empire? You have time to come here and watch the battle?

Seeing Lu Mingfei's astonished expression, Xue Qinghe found it quite amusing and revealed a playful smile.

He never fights a battle unprepared. He had already heard from the three education commissioners that they would entrust Lu Mingfei to Qin Ming, the college's newest and most outstanding teacher.

A little inquiry reveals that Qin Ming's unique training method involves bringing his students to the Great Soul Arena for battles every week.

So he was actually lying in wait today, and sure enough, he caught them red-handed.

"Yu Tianheng, you just said whatever, right?" Lu Mingfei quickly spoke up.

"What's wrong?" He naturally saw Xue Qinghe in the VIP room as well, and simply nodded in greeting.

"Let's just use our second soul skill to blast it at the beginning. I drank too much juice and suddenly need to go to the toilet." Lu Mingfei said, making an excuse to go to the toilet.

He didn't care how familiar the other person would be later, since he and Xue Qinghe were definitely not familiar with each other!