Hidden Patterns, Minor Changes to the Main Storyline

"Ten treasures emerge, with glazed tile among them. The ten treasures have names. First: Divine Strength."

"Third: Divine Soul."

Almost in an instant, Ning Rongrong unleashed two more Soul Skills.

After dodging Ye Zhiqiu's two offensive Soul Skills, she swiftly closed in on him.

"This is bad..."

Ye Zhiqiu had not expected Ning Rongrong to be so capable in actual combat. He had even noticed that his opponent had zeroed in on his weakness.

As a Defense System Soul Master with a Beast Martial Soul, offensive Soul Skills were merely the icing on the cake for him. He was extremely slow, so he usually stood his ground and attacked as much as possible, crushing opponents before they had a chance to break through his defenses.

He was fighting a mere level-thirty Soul Master.

He had never thought Ning Rongrong could get close to him.

Damn it, Ning Rongrong's speed was practically comparable to the speed-system Soul King at his academy, who was over level fifty.

"First Soul Skill, Black Tortoise Body Protection!"

"Second Soul Skill, Black Water Ice Seal!"

As Ning Rongrong approached rapidly, Ye Zhiqiu repeated his old tricks in quick succession.

He tried to drive Ning Rongrong back the same way he had repelled Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu.

To him, lower-level Soul Masters were simply unworthy of challenging his defenses head-on.

A host of little pale-green turtles appeared out of thin air, circling Ye Zhiqiu, while a huge, transparent pale-blue shield stood directly in front of him.

This was his First Soul Skill, Black Tortoise Body Protection.

Anyone who wanted to touch his body first had to break through that enormous shield.

It was worth mentioning that there was a considerable gap between his shield and his body. In other words, even if Ning Rongrong's Ten Treasures Ultimate Slash ignored defense, its damage could not reach Ye Zhiqiu before the shield broke.

It was something of a counter to her skill.

Neither of them knew it, though.

His Second Soul Skill, Black Water Ice Seal, sent the little turtles circling him back at anyone trying to break through his defenses, slowing and knocking back the target.

By combining his First and Second Soul Skills, Ye Zhiqiu had won many victories over the years.

Quite a few so-called geniuses had suffered setbacks at his hands.

What an honor it was to defeat one of those so-called geniuses before they made a name for themselves!

And even if that genius really did become famous later,

he would have something to boast about.

"I defeated that genius so-and-so once, you know."

What he had not expected was that, in today's battle, not only would he fail to beat a level-thirty Soul Master, he would even become another foundation stone on the genius before him's path to godhood.

Of course, that was all a story for later.

For now, the two fought on.

Bang-

With an explosive report, Ning Rongrong, empowered by Divine Strength, brought her sword down on Ye Zhiqiu's turtle shell.

A substantial clash of Soul Power sent power spraying in all directions, shattering every table nearby. The flying power also blinded the spectators, leaving them unable to see anything.

Boom-

Bang-

Thud-

A succession of tremendous explosions filled the entire inn.

Though it was a Soul Elder fighting a Soul King, the force they unleashed was greater than that of a battle between two Soul Saints.

Of course, that was largely because Ning Rongrong's Soul Skills were so powerful.

This was unexpected both for Ye Zhiqiu and for Zhao Wuji, who was watching from the shadows on the second floor.

Moreover, Ye Zhiqiu was visibly struggling more and more to hold out, while Ning Rongrong looked completely unburdened.

Just how strong was she?

No one knew.

But if he let Ning Rongrong carry on, he would probably be defeated by her very soon.

In the hands of a genius, Black Tortoise Body Protection would become a defensive asset that could not easily be broken, and could even counter Ten Treasures Ultimate Slash.

But the one using it now was an ordinary Soul Saint who could not have been any more ordinary. Withstanding even one of Ning Rongrong's attacks head-on would count as a success.

Beads of cold sweat seeped from Ye Zhiqiu's forehead.

As the superior party, he had been full of confidence and mockery toward Ning Rongrong, but now he was reduced to such a sorry state.

He had no mind to mock her anymore.

"I... I can't lose-"

Ye Zhiqiu clenched his teeth.

If word got out that he had been beaten by a Soul Elder this time, how could he ever hold his head up again?

How could he establish his authority at Canghui Academy?

But...

If his two Soul Skills were struggling so much against Ning Rongrong, how could he win?

Crack-

After several strikes from Ning Rongrong's sword, Black Tortoise Body Protection shattered.

"Black Tortoise Armor!"

In his desperation, Ye Zhiqiu had no choice but to unleash his Fifth Soul Skill.

Unlike Black Tortoise Body Protection, Black Tortoise Armor covered his entire body and had several times its defensive power.

If that was the limit of Ning Rongrong's attacks, she could never break his Black Tortoise Armor.

Besides, he would not truly lose then. At worst, a "rumor" that he had fought Ning Rongrong to a draw would spread...

The battle continued.

Ye Zhiqiu's defenses strengthened once more, and at the same time, Black Water Ice Seal took effect on Ning Rongrong.

But to everyone's surprise-

"Does Rongrong's Second Soul Skill ignore slowing and control effects?"

"How can she take a Soul King's Second Soul Skill and act like nothing happened?"

"The knockback has some effect, but Rongrong's Divine Strength keeps her from being pushed back too far. The slowing really doesn't affect her, though, or the effect is so small it can be ignored. Hey, you people from Canghui Academy, how old is your teacher's Second Soul Ring?"

Qingqing: "Exactly one hundred years..."

"..."

Everyone stared at Ning Rongrong in shock, not daring to disturb her, but they could almost see the outcome already.

As long as Ning Rongrong could break through Ye Zhiqiu's Black Tortoise Armor, she would win the battle.

Otherwise, it would be a draw.

After all, judging by Ye Zhiqiu's appearance, he had no more trump cards left to play.

But deep down, everyone revised their opinion of Ning Rongrong once again.

Although Ning Rongrong had seemed strong before, that was only in comparison with the two teachers when they used their first and second Soul Skills.

Now, Ning Rongrong was fighting a Soul King who was going all out.

A level thirty against a level fifty.

And she could at least fight him to a draw!

Who wouldn't be astonished by such a perfect genius of a Support System Soul Master?

"He's definitely the rarest genius Little Demoness on the Douluo Continent!"

A barely noticeable trace of loneliness appeared at the corner of Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

Hum-

Ning Rongrong had originally intended to break through the armor directly with Ten Treasures Ultimate Slash, but she suddenly remembered that she apparently had yet to use her Third Soul Skill. A playful smile crept onto her lips.

Wouldn't draining my opponent's Soul Power be better than wasting my own?

"Ten Treasures Soul-Seeking Array!"

Ning Rongrong blinked, and the Ten Treasures Soul-Seeking Array spread out, enveloping the extremely slow Ye Zhiqiu.

But this made everyone present tense up.

"She can keep fighting?"

The students of Canghui Academy couldn't hold it together anymore.

"Of course! Rongrong hasn't even used her Ten Treasures Ultimate Slash yet. Even a Soul Saint can't withstand that move, let alone a mere Soul King..."

Xiao Wu proudly patted her not-yet-developed chest, as though she were the one who was so formidable.

Of course, she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, after all, and had once been much stronger than this.

"She's that strong?? The students at your academy are amazing. Are you still accepting new students?"

"Sorry, our academy only accepts Little Monsters."

"Is the minimum requirement being able to take on five people with two, like you two?"

"Fuck ***** off! I'm very strong at the academy too, all right? The weakest Little Monster is already crippled, okay!!"

"Xiao Wu, calm down... Calm down..."

"Wh-what is this?"

While everyone on one side watched the show, Ye Zhiqiu, caught in the Ten Treasures Soul-Seeking Array on the other side, wore an increasingly sour expression until he was almost in tears.

He could clearly feel the Soul Power draining from his body. Although it was not much, little drops would make an ocean over time, and he would eventually be drained dry.

Besides, after unleashing so many Soul Skills, he did not have much Soul Power left to begin with.

And whenever he tried to escape the Ten Treasures Soul-Seeking Array's influence, Ning Rongrong would strike at least once with her sword to stop him from getting out.

Was this the fucking "catching a turtle in a jar"???

And I...

Really do look quite a lot like a turtle.

No, no, no, I mean my Martial Soul.

Ye Zhiqiu had been certain he could crush her and win, but soon after the battle began, he had increasingly realized how strong Ning Rongrong was. He had then hoped to hold out for a draw, but under the influence of the Ten Treasures Soul-Seeking Array, his Soul Power was soon completely drained, and he fell to his knees with a thud.

"Teacher... Teacher..."

Fortunately, his students helped him up. It looks like my image is still intact, Ye Zhiqiu thought with a sigh, unaware that his students had just been considering changing academies.

The people from Canghui Academy left in defeat. The female student named Qingqing, however, gave Ning Rongrong several extra glances before reluctantly departing.

No one had expected Ning Rongrong to have such an easy time fighting a Soul King, not even Zhao Wuji, who was secretly watching from the second floor.

And as he watched the boys from Shrek Academy who had gone to bathe return at an unhurried pace, Zhao Wuji could not help sighing. "Looks like Shrek Academy backed the wrong horse from the very beginning..."

Ma Hongjun, the dean's personal disciple?

Trash!

Oscar, the Support System Soul Master student who was the first to reach level thirty?

Ordinary!

Dai Mubai, a prince of the Star Luo Empire?

A eunuch!

Tang San, meticulous and reserved?

Not bad!

But Ning Rongrong, who looked delicate and adorable?

Very strong! Outrageously strong!

On the other side.

"Ding~"

"Congratulations, host, on completing the hidden mission-easily defeat a powerful Soul King."

"Ding~"

"Congratulations, host, on obtaining ten thousand years of actual Soul Ring age."

"Which Soul Ring does the host choose to enhance?"

"The Second Soul Ring."

"Ding~"

"Congratulations, host, your Second Soul Ring has advanced to ten thousand five hundred years."

"Ding~"

"Congratulations, host, your Soul Skill has been enhanced."