Chapter 165: with translation of chapter title

Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect academy's tent, Gu Xuan brought Zuo Yan to sit on one side, and his favorite fruit tea was already set before him.

Opposite them, a woman in her forties with lingering charm sat upright proper, while Shui Bing'er sat silently beside her, like an obedient little daughter-in-law, showing no trace of the heroic bearing of a team captain.

This charming woman was of the Ye Haitang type, posing considerable threat to Gu Xuan, but fortunately Gu Xuan's resolve was firm and his gaze was not drawn in the slightest.

After all, Gu Xuan was facing three different types of great beauties yet could remain composed, not so lustful as to reach this point.

Unless… unless… unless…

This woman is the current dean of Heavenly Water Academy, named Xue Qinglan; her martial soul is the Ice Spirit Qinglan, a powerful Soul Douluo‑level Soul Master, and also Shui Bing'er's teacher.

"Junior Gu Xuan, I pay my respects, Dean Xue." Gu Xuan clasped his hands in a salute to Xue Qinglan, performing the junior's courtesy.

Xue Qinglan stared at Gu Xuan, her expression somewhat unusual—not for any other reason; it was her first time seeing him, yet why did his appearance resemble the martial‑soul fusion technique that Bing'er and that brat from Seven Treasure Glazed Sect Academy had just performed? The only possible difference might be the pupil colors: Gu Xuan has left red, right blue, whereas Bing'er and Zuo Yan's fusion technique shows left blue, right red.

Besides that, what further surprised Xue Qinglan was that someone so young was the one meeting her about such an important matter.

Without even mentioning that the sect master Ning Fengzhi himself would appear personally, at the very least it should be the dean of Seven Treasure Glazed Sect Academy, right?

But since Gu Xuan has come, Xue Qinglan couldn't well lose her temper on the spot; after all, this lad really has some looks—perhaps his talent matches his appearance.

"No need for excessive courtesy; I brought Bing'er here—you surely know why I'm here without me spelling it out," Xue Qinglan waved her hand, then said: "I'm not someone who looks down on others, but can a junior like you really decide this matter? Even if your elder is a Bone Douluo."

Gu Xuan hails from the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, can represent Sect Master Ning Fengzhi in person, and shares the surname of Bone Douluo Gu Rong; Xue Qinglan had no trouble guessing his identity.

Upon hearing that, Gu Xuan smiled and replied: "The Bone Douluo is my junior's grandfather; even within the sect I still have some say, and my coming here to discuss with you seniors is also the sect master's intention."

Gu Xuan's words showed his authority and decision‑making power; Xue Qinglan nodded and stopped dwelling on the issue.

After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect isn't foolish; it naturally places great importance on two genius juniors possessing a martial‑soul fusion technique, and Gu Xuan's ability to represent the sect already proves his authority and capability.

"Then I'll speak plainly." Xue Qinglan took a sip of cool boiled water, then said lightly: "The fact that Bing'er and Zuo Yan have a martial‑soul fusion technique truly exceeded my expectations, and the power they just displayed with it must have been felt by you, young Gu Xuan."

"Having just completed the martial‑soul fusion, they can already burst forth with the strength of a Soul Emperor; when they grow up, they may not fall short of the two Chrysanthemum Ghost Titled Douluo of the Spirit Hall today, so I won't let this opportunity slip."

"But I will not sell out my disciple."

That remark may sound rather blunt, yet it shows a teacher's protective bias toward his student.

Hearing Xue Qinglan's words, Gu Xuan nodded: "Dean Xue, what do you have in mind? Feel free to lay it out."

Xue Qinglan showed no hesitation, speaking directly: "I've already discussed this with Bing'er on the way here; my suggestion is to let the two juniors interact first. Although they can form a martial‑soul fusion technique, they are not yet familiar, and if they hope to rely on each other in the future, mutual trust is their first threshold."

Gu Xuan kept a gentle smile upon hearing that: "If so, it seems Dean Xue's idea matches mine."

"After the tournament ends, we could let them travel the continent together; if they cultivate feelings, all the better, but even if they don't, there will still be many opportunities for cooperation between Heavenly Water Academy and Seven Treasure Glazed Sect Academy."

Gu Xuan did not mention the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, only referring to Seven Treasure Glazed Sect Academy, placing the two institutions on equal footing.

However, Xue Qinglan didn't buy that, shaking her head: "You, young Gu Xuan, surely have heard of Heavenly Water Academy's background; for now the academy cannot generate any profit‑related entanglements with your side, and I cannot guarantee that."

Hearing this, Gu Xuan felt inwardly helpless; the original work merely mentioned in passing that each of the Five Elements Academies is backed by a formidable force.

The Thunder Academy is backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, the Elephant Armor Academy by the Elephant Armor Sect, but the Wind God Academy, the Blazing Fire Academy, and the Heavenly Water Academy are not explicitly mentioned as having such backers.

Furthermore, in the original story's Spirit Hunt operation five years later, the Five Elements Academies were also affected, yet surprisingly it was Feng Xiao Tian who brought the Five Elements Academies to Shrek Academy to seize territory, while the forces behind those academies left not a whisper.

What's more, at that time the senior leadership behind the Five Elements Academies had all vanished, as if they didn't care about their academies' survival, yet they left the younger generation to develop freely. After his transmigration, Gu Xuan also investigated the preselection academies, since they are potential allies the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect could win over in the future.

But in the end he only got a few scattered words, because the powers behind the Five Elements Academies had long since retreated into seclusion in the mountains and forests, and little information is known about them.

Gu Xuan now only knows that Heavenly Water Academy appears to be backed by the Mystic Water Sect, which is the same sect that stands behind Xu Sanshi, one of the Shrek Seven Devils ten thousand years later.

The Blazing Fire Academy is backed by the Divine Fire Gate, which also receives no mention ten thousand years later.

The Wind God Academy is backed by the Wind God Valley, which likewise leaves no trace ten thousand years later, as if it had vanished without a sound.

Although these three sects still cannot match the Top Three Sects, they are considerably stronger than the Lower Four Gates, and perhaps even a Titled Douluo‑level powerhouse sits in charge of them.

This is also a secret Gu Xuan needs to investigate in the future, after all the original novel's Douluo Continent is merely a recounting of Tang San's life and experiences—just the tip of the iceberg of Douluo Continent.

In the future, Gu Xuan's goal of unifying the continent is not mere talk; it must be achieved as a true supremacy, a unification where he alone is supreme.

Hearing Xue Qinglan's words, Gu Xuan nodded and said: "I understand Dean Xue's meaning, but Bing'er and Xiao Yan's situation also counts as a good start; their talent is not lacking, and they shouldn't be limited in the future."

He paused, then spoke with deep meaning: "I understand the feeling of having no control over one's fate; if Xiao Yan and Bing'er ever reach that point, whatever they need, they can come find me—the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect is vast and influential, and it still holds some sway."

Upon hearing this, Xue Qinglan's eyes, which had been indifferent, brightened a little; she found it hard to imagine a person under twenty could perceive such depth, yet she had no doubt about Gu Xuan's words.

Drawing grandiose promises and speaking plainly are fundamentally different.

Furthermore, as Bing'er's teacher, Xue Qinglan also does not wish for Bing'er's final fate to be like that, after all her own sister once……

Therefore, upon hearing Gu Xuan's remark, Xue Qinglan straightened her expression: "Good; I hope that when the time comes, young Gu Xuan will keep his word."

Gu Xuan patted Zuo Yan on the shoulder: "Then it's up to whether our Xiao Yan is worthy enough to be with Bing'er."

"Besides, I've said this before: Xiao Yan is my brother; for a brother, I, Gu Xuan, cannot shirk my duty."

Hearing this, Zuo Yan suddenly felt his heart struck; looking at Gu Xuan, who had just patted his shoulder and wanted to speak but held back, his gaze afterward became firm.

Back when Gu Xuan gave him that cockscomb phoenix mallow, he had said that if Zuo Yan worked hard enough, he could someday follow Gu Xuan to assault that realm.

He had absolute confidence in Gu Xuan, but none in himself—yet now he must have it.

How could he let down Gu Xuan's intentions?

Zuo Yan looked at Shui Bing'er and said sincerely: "Hello, I'm Zuo Yan, sixteen years old, 1.8 meters tall, weighing eighty‑six kilograms; my favorite food is spicy rabbit head, my martial soul is the Phoenix Divine Wing evolved from the Wind God's Wing, a rank‑forty‑five agility‑attack battle soul master, pleased to meet you."

Shui Bing'er blinked, not expecting Zuo Yan to be so sudden; not only she, but Xue Qinglan and Gu Xuan were also stunned.

"What the hell, height and weight? What the hell, loving spicy rabbit head? I didn't know you could be this blunt." Afterwards, Gu Xuan and Xue Qinglan exchanged a smile and rose together, heading out of the tent.

Only heard from behind Shui Bing'er's voice: "Hello... my name is Shui Bing'er..."

ps: Correct the typos first, then revise.

I suppose I gave these three elemental colleges a setting, after all, the original work didn't mention them; it can't be that the five elemental colleges are all renowned while these three are nothing.

(End of chapter)