Soul Master VS Soul Emperor

After finishing a class, Huo Yuxi gained a more concrete understanding of Soul Tools and soul power cultivation. She also unexpectedly discovered that cultivating soul power after pushing her body to its limit yielded much better results than usual.

Huo Yuhao was called away by Zhou Yi, and Xiao Xiao also had something to attend to. Huo Yuxi returned to the dormitory alone and sat on her bed to cultivate. The little spider lay beside her, sleeping on its back.

Meanwhile.

Tang Ya and Bei Bei were walking along the lakeside path. "Bei Bei, I really want to eat some grilled fish made by Little Yuhao!"

Seeing her craving, Bei Bei chuckled, "It's the first day of class. Based on Teacher Zhou's teaching style, he should need a good rest."

"That's right. Then let's go check on him and Xi Xi. It feels like it's been a while since we saw them."

No sooner said than done, Tang Ya pulled Bei Bei to the dormitory door, where they happened to run into Huo Yuhao, who had just returned from the Soul Tool Academy. "Little Yuhao."

"Teacher Tang Ya, Senior Apprentice Bei Bei?"

"Little Yuhao, are you short on money?" Tang Ya asked excitedly.

"Yes, Senior Apprentice Bei Bei mentioned last time that there were some jobs available at the academy, and I was planning to check them out later."

"No need to go." Tang Ya interrupted his thoughts. "Your grilled fish skills are top-notch. I have the ingredients here. I'll take you to set up a stall later."

Ever since she had eaten it outside the Star Dou Great Forest last time, she had been thinking about it constantly. This plan had been in the works for a long time.

"That's right, we can set up a stall!" Huo Yuhao's face lit up with a smile. His Spirit Eyes could precisely control the heat, ensuring the grilled fish tasted perfect. This was their unique advantage.

"Let's set one thing straight first: you have to sell to me first."

"Of course," Huo Yuhao replied earnestly.

Tang Ya patted his shoulder. "What about Xi Xi?"

She hadn't seen Huo Yuxi in a long time. Thinking of those soft, innocent eyes made her unable to control her hands; she wanted to pet her.

"Xi Xi went back to rest first. I just came back from Teacher Zhou's class."

"Alright." Since there was still class in the afternoon, Tang Ya made plans with him and was about to leave. Then, remembering something, she turned back and said, "Oh, right, Little Yuhao, Senior Apprentice Bei Bei and I have successfully been promoted to the fourth year."

"Congratulations to Teacher Tang Ya and Senior Apprentice Bei Bei! I'll treat you to grilled fish tonight to celebrate."

Thinking that Huo Yuxi hadn't eaten lunch, Xiao Xiao brought some bread back from the cafeteria. As soon as she entered, she saw Huo Yuxi lying on the bed, talking somewhat dejectedly to her spider Martial Soul.

"Xi Xi, I brought you some bread. Come and eat some first." She placed the bread on the bedside table and then went to change her clothes, preparing to rest for a while.

Today was truly exhausting. Two hours, one hundred laps—it was her first time doing such strenuous exercise. Although her soul power supported her, she was starting to feel overwhelmed.

"Thank you, Sister Xiao Xiao." Huo Yuxi took a piece of bread and lay down, starting to nibble on it.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

Xiao Xiao sat by the bed and watched her. Although Huo Yuxi appeared to come from a poor family, she was very well-mannered. She always sat at the dining table to eat, with proper posture, and never ate while lying on the bed. What was going on now?

Huo Yuxi looked at herself and, remembering her mother's earnest teachings, quickly got up and sat by the table.

"It's nothing major, really. It's just that I feel like I've reached the bottleneck for a breakthrough, but I've tried for several days, and it's still not working."

"You're being humble!" Xiao Xiao said, amused. She thought Huo Yuxi had encountered some trouble, but it turned out to be just this?

"Advancing to the next rank is usually difficult, and you're still so young. What's the rush?"

"After Teacher Zhou made us run today, I found that my cultivation effect was much better than usual. I felt like I could break through that restraint, but I failed."

"Don't be anxious. The fact that you have this feeling means the breakthrough isn't far off. In cultivation, the biggest taboo is being too eager for success."

Huo Yuxi nodded. She didn't have a big appetite anyway, and after eating one piece of bread, she already felt full.

It was getting late, and there was still class in the afternoon. After walking around the dormitory twice to aid digestion, Huo Yuxi quickly lay down to rest.

Teacher Zhou had said that they would be training physical fitness for the next three months, so her small body needed to be well-rested.

The afternoon training involved running with a 30-jin iron vest. Huo Yuxi's body couldn't withstand such intense exercise, so Zhou Yi assigned her a different course.

Sitting on a chair by the lake, Huo Yuxi gazed at the island faintly visible across the lake, lost in thought. During her nap, the Soul Devouring Spider had retreated into her spiritual sea to cultivate, so she couldn't chat with it.

It was so boring! Teacher Zhou had told her to wait here for someone. She didn't know who she was supposed to be waiting for.

Suddenly, a ball of fire flew out from the island in the middle of the lake. As it got closer, she realized it was a girl, with a pair of fiery red wings behind her shining like flames in the air.

Huo Yuxi stood up and looked at her nervously as she landed in front of her. The girl was beautiful, and an imposing aura emanated from her, compelling submission. "Are you Huo Yuxi?"

"Sister, hello." Huo Yuxi involuntarily straightened her body, her deer-like eyes glistening, coupled with her pale little face, making her look pitiful.

Ma Xiaotao frowned. This child looked so fragile. Was she really at level 29 Soul Power?

She controlled her tone and said, "Hello, my name is Ma Xiaotao. I heard your soul power has reached level 29. Can you show me your Martial Soul?"

"Y-yes, I can."

Huo Yuxi closed her eyes, and a golden-blue pattern lit up on her brow. An ancient formation appeared before her, and the Soul Devouring Spider slowly crawled out from it.

"It's actually a Beast Martial Soul." Ma Xiaotao's tone was clearly surprised. "No wonder!"

"Alright, our class today will be held on the island in the middle of the lake. Get ready, I'll take you there."

With that, she spread her giant fiery wings, came to Huo Yuxi's side, scooped her up in a princess carry, and flapped her wings, crossing the lake to reach the legendary island.

"Wow," Huo Yuxi exclaimed, looking at the buildings here. "Sister Xiaotao, this place is so beautiful."

"Mhm," Ma Xiaotao's tone was cold, but her eyes held a hint of indulgence, the kind one reserves for children.

She led Huo Yuxi to an open area, then took her position opposite, Soul Rings rising from the soles of her feet. Two yellow, two purple, and two black. A Soul Emperor!

The potent pressure exclusive to a Soul Emperor washed over them, nearly forcing Huo Yuxi to her knees. She hadn't expected her senior to have reached the same level as Teacher Zhou at such a young age.

"I'll suppress my strength to the Soul Master level. Try fighting me. I need to understand your Martial Soul and skills to guide your future lessons."

"Ah?" Huo Yuxi froze. She, a Soul Master, was going to fight a Soul Emperor? This senior looked formidable. Would she really not hold back and accidentally kill her?

"Come on, don't be nervous. I won't actually go all out against you."

"Oh, oh, okay."

When Ma Xiaotao saw the one yellow and one purple Soul Rings, her eyes widened in surprise. As the captain of the current generation of Shrek Seven Devils, many called her a monstrous genius. Now, she realized this child was even more of a monster than she was!

"First Soul Skill, Gui Yan Blade."

The Soul Devouring Spider doubled in size, leaping from Huo Yuxi's shoulder, its eight blades spinning at extreme speed.

Despite the vast difference in their cultivation levels, Ma Xiaotao didn't let her guard down when facing Huo Yuxi. This was something her teacher had personally instilled in her as the captain of the Shrek Seven Devils: never underestimate any opponent, no matter how weak.

She was even more cautious facing a little monster like Huo Yuxi, especially with an unknown corporeal Martial Soul.