Chapter 252: Putting a Collar on You

After the match ended, Qin Jian's soul power level rose to level 49; it seems the scene just now was too stimulating, causing Huo Wu's heart to waver.

On the way back to the academy, the atmosphere among the Shrek group was very strange.

It was not only because this victory had been won in such an odd manner, but also because an out-of-place Huo Wu had appeared in the team.

Despite having Qin Jian's company, Huo Wu still felt uncomfortable all over, especially with the gazes of Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu frequently looking over, which made her feel somewhat awkward.

After all, it was the opponent's home turf, and Huo Wu felt she lacked the confidence to show her domineering side.

Fortunately, Qin Jian could understand her mood, so he held her hand the entire way, keeping her company with idle chatter and not letting her feel left out.

Of course, it was also because Ning Rongrong and the other two took into account that Qin Jian had just been injured two days ago that they did not set up an Asura Field over him bringing Huo Wu back...

"Qin Jian..."

In front of Shrek Academy, after the others had stepped inside, Huo Wu suddenly grabbed Qin Jian's hand and did not walk in with them.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong and the others turned back, hesitated slightly, but still went back inside first, leaving only Qin Jian and Huo Wu standing before the gate.

"What's wrong, Huo Wu?" Qin Jian asked in confusion.

"I... I'd better not go in with you... They won't welcome me..." Huo Wu said, lowering her head.

Qin Jian opened his mouth, but still couldn't say anything.

He knew Huo Wu's feeling was correct; it was already rare enough that Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu could call a truce, and for them to calmly accept Huo Wu's addition was a fantasy.

After all, the three of them had gone through Grandmaster's devilish training and their bond was already very deep, while to them, Huo Wu was simply a stranger; how could they sincerely accept her?

That they weren't arguing or making a scene was already because they liked Qin Jian too much...

Wanting them to immediately be as harmonious as sisters was the wishful thinking of harem novels; reality is never that easy.

"Qin Jian, I like you more and more..."

Huo Wu stepped forward to hug him, resting her head gently on his shoulder, and whispered: "The more I like you, the less I want to share you with others. Tell me, what should I do?"

Qin Jian remained silent.

He had no way to say anything, because he was already about to reach level 50...

Huo Wu did not blame him for not speaking, just saying in a murmuring tone: "I know you are sentimental, and I know you are worth being liked by so many girls, but... my heart tells me that I want to possess you exclusively. I... don't know what to do..."

"Although I am your girlfriend in name right now, I also know that you only separated from them for certain reasons, and deep down, you don't want to let go of any of them..."

"Qin Jian..."

Huo Wu murmured in his ear: "I need a reason, and I also want to fight for a chance... If I beat you in the Promotion Tournament, can you belong only to me?"

Qin Jian nodded silently: "Yes."

"You agreed? You agreed so easily?"

Huo Wu stepped back half a step, looking at him in disbelief.

Qin Jian smiled and raised his hand to stroke her fiery cheek: "Huo Wu, if you lose, I won't force you. There happens to be something I must do, and at that time, I will consider it giving you a chance—a chance to truly think things through."

Huo Wu's eyes were dazed; she didn't understand.

But Qin Jian didn't give her a chance to press for answers; his fingers tapped his Soul Guidance Device, and a collar like gold and jade appeared in his hand.

"Click."

Qin Jian gently parted the collar and slowly fastened it around Huo Wu's fair neck, then stepped back slightly, his face full of appreciation: "It looks really good."

"This is... a collar?"

Huo Wu's gaze was somewhat strange: "Qin Jian, do you want me to be your pet like that Zhu Zhuqing?"

Qin Jian broke into a cold sweat.

"No, this is a collar I had someone forge using Ice Gold. Don't you fire-type Spirit Masters often get hot-headed and become irritable when using soul power?"

Qin Jian explained: "This Ice Gold has the effect of weakening the influence of fire-type soul power, just like my Third Soul Skill; it can allow you to discard negative influences. Besides..."

"If I could use it to lock you by my side... I would want to do that..." Qin Jian said softly.

Huo Wu's gaze slowly returned to normal, then became gentle: "You are always like this... very attentive and trying your best to be good to people, making them unable to leave you... You really are a... bad person..."

This "bad person" was said with such tender affection that it made Qin Jian's heart melt...

The two parted ways there, leaving all the suspense for the next match.

One day later, Shrek Academy welcomed its twelfth opponent.

This opponent made the Shrek Team somewhat excited, even more intensely than their desire for victory when facing the Blazing Academy.

Because this twelfth opponent did not come from the five Element Academies, but was Canghui Academy—the academy led by Shi Nian, who had nearly caused Qin Jian to flip over.

In the waiting area, the Shrek Team waited for the match to proceed. Most of the audience in the stands had their eyes fixed here, especially watching the creator of the last famous kissing scene, Qin Jian.

"Qin Jian, let me go up and have some fun this time? I won't use my soul skills," Tang San said, leaning in.

Even though he was the Captain, he had completely lost the right to play because of Qin Jian, the living target.

Qin Jian shook his head and said irritably: "Once your martial soul is opened and your Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring lights up, wouldn't that completely ruin our mission to hide our strength? This time, Rongrong will replace Jiang Zhu."

Ning Rongrong was stunned for a moment, then chirped: "No problem."

Grandmaster frowned: "Qin Jian, although Canghui Academy's results in the preliminaries were even better than Elephant Armor Academy's, is there a need to expose Rongrong?"

Qin Jian rubbed his forehead, speechless: "Grandmaster, with how dazzling we are now, interested parties are definitely investigating our information. Others might be hard to check, but Rongrong's identity is absolutely certain to be found..."

Grandmaster's mouth twitched: "I overlooked that. After all, the Ning Sect Master is too eye-catching; if one connects the dots, it's easy to think of Rongrong's identity. Not to mention your own identity is basically public knowledge, and thinking of Jian Douluo makes it easy to associate him with Rongrong."

"So there is no need for Rongrong to hide at all. Besides, for fighting Canghui Academy, either Xiao San goes up, or we rely on me and Rongrong."

Not many people understood what Qin Jian meant by this, but they didn't value Canghui Academy much anyway, so they left it to Qin Jian to arrange.

Not long after, they went onto the stage.

"Whoa!"

As soon as they walked into the arena, the cheers from the stands became intense.

And these cheers naturally did not belong to Canghui Academy; they were all directed at Qin Jian.

As the highlight of this round, the match between the Shrek Team and the Canghui Academy Team was undoubtedly arranged on the central main stage again; Shrek Academy had already become a frequent visitor here.

The entire team from Canghui Academy opposite was wearing wine-red suits; they didn't look like they were here to participate in a competition, but rather like they were attending a dance party.

Qin Jian couldn't help but retort: "These guys' outfits and formation, they wouldn't happen to be from an art academy, would they... they look like they're about to dance the Latin dance..."

77/92

(End of this chapter)