Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 21 Meeting Again
After safely leaving the carriage at a carriage dealership in the city, the Royal Fighting Team went straight to a hotel near the Soto Grand Fighting Arena to check in.

In the hotel lobby, Qin Ming clapped his hands lightly, the crisp sound instantly focusing everyone's attention. He glanced around and said gently yet with authority, "It's still early. You can move around freely in the city and familiarize yourself with the customs and people of Soto City." He paused, then added seriously, "Remember, you must meet at the Soto Grand Fighting Arena on time tonight."

"Understood!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices echoing in the hotel lobby.

Yufeng saluted exaggeratedly, and in a flash, he disappeared around the corner like the wind. Feng Yao looked in the direction he left and asked in confusion, "Where is Yufeng in such a hurry to go? He's running faster than the wind."

Dugu Yan rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Where else could this playboy go?" She smoothed her hair over her temples with her slender fingers. "He's probably off to hook up with some noble lady again."

Feng Yao immediately understood. At this point, the quiet-loving Oslo nodded slightly and returned to his room alone. The Shi brothers scratched their heads naively and walked together towards the hotel restaurant.

Just as Dugu Yan was about to invite Feng Yao and Ye Lingling to go shopping together, Yu Tianheng's voice suddenly came from behind:
"Yan Zi." He stood three steps away, his fingertips unconsciously stroking his sleeves, "Can we talk alone? There are some things I want to say to you face to face." There was a rare hesitation in his voice.

Dugu Yan pursed her lips, wanting to refuse, but then she thought, perhaps it's time to put this past behind her. She turned to Feng Yao and whispered, "Xiaofeng, you and Lingling should go for a walk outside first."

Feng Yao and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance—as top students at Yuexuan, they immediately understood. Feng Yao glanced at Dugu Yan, nodded slightly, and then left side by side with Ye Lingling, leaving them some space to be alone.

Yu Tianheng stared at Dugu Yan's delicate profile, which was adorned with light. His Adam's apple rolled a few times before he spoke with difficulty: "Yanzi, I have been reflecting on myself during this period. I am too slow to understand your..."

"Tian Heng." Dugu Yan gently interrupted him, her emerald eyes reflecting the sunlight. "Let the past be the past. I've thought clearly these days. After all, we are not on the same path."

Yu Tianheng was about to argue, but she stopped him with a raised hand. "You never understood me," Dugu Yan said, gently smoothing her hair with her fingertips. "Because you never truly considered me your fiancée, but rather a trophy to fight over."

"That's not the case!" Yu Tianheng's face suddenly changed, and his knuckles crackled. "I just..."

"Just what?" Dugu Yan asked, looking him straight in the eye. Seeing him speechless, she shook her head in disappointment, "Look, even you can't explain it clearly. The pride of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex has blinded your heart, and you don't even dare to admit it—" She leaned forward slightly, "You are jealous of Xiaofeng."

These words struck like a bolt of lightning. Yu Tianheng stumbled back half a step, and after a long while, he said hoarsely, "Give me another chance, okay? Yanzi."

"Over a month of cold treatment," Dugu Yan sneered. "Is this your 'sincerity' after weighing the pros and cons?" She turned and left, her skirt fluttering in the breeze. "Take care, Captain."

Yu Tianheng froze in place, staring at her resolute back, with blood marks on his palms from his fingernails.

As dusk fell and the lights began to come on, Soto City shone brightly under the illumination of countless lights. As promised, the Royal Fighting Team gathered in front of the towering archway of the Soto Grand Fighting Arena.

Qin Ming handed the gold-plated invitation to the waiter who came to greet him. The waiter bowed respectfully and led the way: "Dear guests, please follow me."

"Teacher Qin, why don't I go to the registration office to handle the formalities first." Feng Yao's gentle voice sounded, and his slender fingers gently stroked the guqin "Fuxi" in his arms.

Yu Feng, who was standing by, widened his eyes exaggeratedly: "No way, Xiao Feng? You've never been to a fighting arena?"

Feng Yao smiled calmly, his fingertips gently stroking the zither case. "Fighting can easily breed hostility, hindering the clarity of the zither's heart. Unless absolutely necessary, I prefer to make friends through the zither." He paused, "To be honest, the number of times I've fought with others since my cultivation has been limited to a handful."

These words made everyone in the Royal Fighting Realm look incredulous. Yu Feng held his forehead and sighed, "Xiao Feng, you're really wasting your cultivation."

"There are countless great principles, and everyone has their own understanding." Feng Yao gently stroked the zither, a gentle light in his eyes. "In my eyes, 'Fuxi' has never been a weapon to defeat the enemy."

Qin Ming asked with great interest: "What is the martial soul in your mind?"

Feng Yao hugged the guqin tighter, his voice soft as a whisper, "She is a soulmate, a close friend. What I pursue is never the way of killing, but to reach a higher realm together with her. As for those combat techniques..." He smiled, "They are just a slight extension of my guqin skills."

Qin Ming was slightly stunned when he heard this, and a hint of relief appeared in his deep eyes: "Xiaofeng, it seems that you have found your own way." His voice was filled with the unique praise of a teacher, and there was also an emotion that was hard to conceal.

These words plunged everyone in the Royal Fight into deep thought. Yufeng subconsciously glanced at his palms; the fingertips, where wind blades had always lingered, now seemed unfamiliar. A rare look of confusion crossed Oslo's stern face. Even the usually composed Shi brothers exchanged glances, seeing the same confusion in each other's eyes.

Dugu Yan gently stroked her fingertips, her emerald eyes rippled. Ye Lingling stared quietly at her palm, her lips pressed into a straight line beneath the gauze.

——Where is my path?

This thought was like a stone dropped into a lake, stirring up ripples in everyone's heart. Only Feng Yao, clutching the guqin "Fuxi," had a clear expression on his face.

Not long after, Feng Yao returned, holding a brand new Iron Fighting Spirit Badge. The shiny silver badge flipped between his slender fingers, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen under the light.

In this way, Feng Yao started his journey in the Royal Fighting Team as a substitute player.

Three days later.

Unexpectedly, after only three rounds of team fighting, Qin Ming was shocked to find that this seemingly gentle boy was like a magical catalyst, which made the strength of the entire team make a qualitative leap.

Feng Yao's unique martial spirit abilities created an amazing chemistry with the team. Whether Yu Feng needed a speed boost for a surprise attack, the Shi brothers needed defensive support, or Dugu Yan needed control and coordination, he always struck the perfect balance, using his developed abilities to create the perfect opportunity for his teammates.

"It's like a puzzle piece tailor-made for the Royal Fighting team. No, a universal puzzle piece that can be used in any team," Qin Ming wrote in his tactical notes. Feng Yao's addition transformed the already formidable Royal Fighting team into a truly fluid and cohesive whole. His seemingly gentle support and control often transformed a situation into something extraordinary at crucial moments, pushing the battle in unexpected directions.

Teamwork is never easy—it requires years of tacit understanding, unwavering trust, and a deep understanding of each other's fighting styles. However, Feng Yao's appearance renders these ironclad prerequisites irrelevant.

His unique qin martial spirit seemed born to serve the team. Feng Yao always struck the perfect melody at the perfect moment. His qin music, like an invisible thread, seamlessly weaved seven distinct notes into a single, masterful melody. Even more astonishing, Feng Yao seemed to possess an innate sense of strategy. Often, before his teammates even realized they needed it, his support would arrive, as silent and gentle as a spring breeze. This near-predictive coordination allowed the Royal Fighting Team's strategic execution to flow seamlessly.

When Qin Ming received the battle information again, a strange look flashed across his brow. Dugu Yan keenly noticed the abnormality of the instructor and quietly stepped forward: "Teacher Qin, is there any problem?"

Qin Ming's eyes flashed, and his slender fingers tapped the crystal tabletop lightly. "This time, I'm afraid you will encounter a formidable enemy." He pulled out a roll of parchment with a gold-edged edge from his bosom and slowly unfolded it. "This is the opponent's information that just came from the City Lord's Mansion."

The Imperial Fighters immediately gathered around. Dugu Yan whispered, "'The Shrek Seven Devils, seven members, unknown origins. Original Iron Fighting Spirit Badge.'" She couldn't help but frown, "Teacher Qin, are you, the Iron Fighting Spirit Team, really qualified to fight us?"

The Shrek Seven Devils Team.

Captain: Evil Eyed White Tiger, Martial Soul: White Tiger, Level 38 Power Attack Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Vice Captain: Thousand Hands Shura, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass, Level 32 Control-type Soul Master. Soul Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Soft Bone Charm Rabbit, Martial Soul: Soft Bone Rabbit, Level 31 Power Attack Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Evil Fire Phoenix, Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix, Level 28 Power Attack Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow.

Team member: Nether Spirit Cat, Martial Soul: Nether Spirit Cat, Level 28 Agility Attack Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow.

Team member: Sausage Shop, Martial Soul: Sausage, Level 31 Auxiliary Weapon Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Seven Treasures Glazed Glass, Martial Soul: Seven Treasures Glazed Glass Tower, Level 27 Auxiliary Weapon Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two Yellow.

Qin Ming tapped the information lightly with his fingertips. "A month ago, they were indeed only Iron Souls." He glanced at each team member present, "But in just thirty days, they completed twenty-seven group Soul Battles—twenty-seven battles, twenty-seven wins." His voice suddenly sank. "How long did it take you to qualify as Silver Souls? One year."

the other side.

As Shrek Team leader Yu Xiaogang carefully read the Royal Fighting Team's information, a fierce fighting spirit ignited in his sharp eyes. However, when his gaze fell on the supplementary information at the end of the information, his pupils suddenly contracted, and the parchment in his hand unconsciously wrinkled.

"Level 34?! Impossible!" Yu Xiaogang's breathing suddenly became rapid, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force. Suddenly, the tender face of a six-year-old child appeared before his eyes.

"Xiao San absorbed the human-faced demon spider's soul ring that surpassed his limit, and also obtained the external soul bone, the Eight Spider Lance. Now he is only at level thirty-two." He stared at the numbers on the information, a deep furrow appearing between his brows.

The tip of the pen left messy marks on the paper. Yu Xiaogang quickly calculated various possibilities: "No, no, no, even with the blessing of the simulated training environment of Tiandou Royal Academy, it has only been a few months since I enrolled..."

But then he sat down again, crumpling up the paper he had just written. All his assumptions crumbled under the rigorous logic of his deductions.

At this moment, the Shrek Seven Devils arrived at the preparation room one after another. Tang San keenly noticed the teacher's unusually solemn expression and could not help but step forward: "Teacher, what's wrong?"

Yu Xiaogang slowly shook his head and handed over the information in his hand: "First focus on the game at hand. Your opponent this time..." He paused, his voice becoming more serious, "will be an unprecedented tough battle."

As everyone passed around the information, the entire preparation room fell silent. Even the usually arrogant Dai Mubai couldn't help but gasp, feeling a chill running up his spine and onto the back of his neck.

"This is..." When Tang San and Xiao Wu's eyes simultaneously landed on the familiar name at the end of the list, they exchanged a shocked glance. At that moment, Tang San finally understood why his teacher had lost his composure just now—Feng Yao, a Level 34 Control-type Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Fuxi Qin.

The Royal Fighting Team, a total of eight people.

Captain: Yu Tianheng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus, Level 39 Power Attack Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Vice Captain: Dugu Yan, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphorus Snake, Level 38 Control-type Soul Master. Soul Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Shi Mo, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise, Level 38 Defense-type Soul Master. Soul Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Shimo, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise, Level 37 Defense-type Soul Master. Soul Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Yufeng, Martial Soul: Wind Chime Bird, Level 36 Agility Attack Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Oslo, Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard, Level 36 Agility Attack Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Ye Lingling, Martial Soul: Nine-Hearted Begonia, Level 35 Auxiliary Weapon Spirit Master. Spirit Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

Team member: Feng Yao, Martial Soul: Fuxi Qin, Level 34 Control-type Weapon Soul Master. Soul Rings: Two yellow and one purple.

The main fighting arena in the center of the Soto Grand Fighting Arena is completely different from the peripheral competition areas.

This arena, hidden in the core area of ​​the building, was only slightly larger than a typical arena, yet it exuded a luxurious atmosphere. Instead of noisy bleachers, there were thirty-six VIP boxes surrounding the fighting arena—each inlaid with one-way crystal glass, perfectly concealing the dignitaries within.

Here, there were no deafening cheers or shouts. Behind the crystal glass, the nobles maintained an elegant silence, venting their enthusiasm only through the gold-plated betting slips passed by the waiters. After all, the stakes here often amounted to the combined totals of several separate tournaments, and concealing one's identity not only maintained respectability but also avoided the trouble caused by huge bets—even if one lost everything, there was no way of knowing who their opponent was.

Illuminated by seven giant soul-guiding chandeliers, the seventy-meter-diameter gilded fighting arena shimmered with brilliance. Such a vast space would easily accommodate not only a ten-man battle but also a hundred-man legion. The cold light reflected from the crystal glass intertwined with the golden glow of the fighting arena, casting a veil of mystery and danger over every duel.

(End of this chapter)