Two Years Later

In the days that followed, Luo Ling joined Spirit Hall Academy.

However, Luo Ling's daily life did not change much because of it.

He still went back and forth between the Secret Realm and the Library, though he spent far less time in both than before.

He had read nearly all the books in the Library. Thanks to the spiritual attribute of the Soul of Desire, he read very quickly.

As for reducing the time he spent in the Secret Realm, that was a matter of trade-offs.

Luo Ling's Soul Power had risen too quickly. Most of it came from soul rings of soul beasts and was not pure.

So, he devoted more time to sparring with Hu Liena and the other two, as well as researching Martial Souls and mastering his Soul Power.

Time passed bit by bit like this.

Two years later.

Spirit Hall Academy, Training Ground.

Luo Ling was battling Hu Liena and the other two.

Luo Ling stood in the center of the Training Ground, countless jet-black Raven Feathers hovering around him.

No soul rings encircled his body, yet he was using soul skills.

This was a new ability Luo Ling had developed over the past two years through in-depth research into his Martial Soul.

By mobilizing the power of his soul, he could conceal his soul rings.

Luo Ling was very satisfied with this ability. It meant he could use his Homologous Twin Martial Souls without restraint.

The Soul of Desire was originally part of his soul, and its release had no obvious outward manifestation.

Now that he could conceal his soul rings, no one could tell that Luo Ling possessed two Martial Souls.

Unfortunately, when carrying out Martial Soul Fusion, the soul rings would unconsciously fuse together, causing the concealment effect to fail.

Only after the soul rings had completely fused could they be concealed again.

At this moment, within the Training Ground.

Luo Ling had concealed his soul rings.

Without the indication of soul rings when using soul skills, coupled with the invisible Darkness Threads, Luo Ling's control could bind people before they even realized it.

Once caught by the Darkness Threads, unless their Soul Power far surpassed Luo Ling's, they could only become his power bank.

Over the past two years, Hu Liena and the other two had fought Luo Ling many times.

At first, it had only been one-on-one fights. Later, Luo Ling began fighting one against three.

He did not use Martial Soul Fusion Skills, nor did he use the Soul of Desire to strengthen himself. He simply fought using the Raven Shadow Puppet.

This continuously deepened his control over the Darkness Threads.

On the Training Ground, Hu Liena and the other two frantically dodged Luo Ling's attacks.

"Little Ling, can't you be a little gentler with your Senior Sister?" Hu Liena narrowly evaded an incoming Night Raven Feather, her face full of resentment.

More than a year ago, she had already become a Soul Elder, yet she was utterly unable to fight back against Luo Ling, who was still a Soul Grandmaster.

At the beginning, when they sparred, she could occasionally make Luo Ling suffer a small loss. But later, even when she, Yan, and Xie Yue attacked together, they were helpless.

Against Luo Ling's main body and the Raven Shadow Puppet, which was nearly identical to his main body, the three of them could not gain any advantage at all.

That was without Luo Ling using the soul skills of the Soul of Desire, let alone the fact that his two Martial Souls could fuse.

Luo Ling was not swayed by Hu Liena's words and continued to control the Darkness Threads with complete focus.

By now, he had truly achieved multitasking. He could control the Raven Shadow Puppet while fighting with his own body.

However, once he used the Darkness Threads to control more enemies, his mental capacity was still insufficient, and his Soul Power consumption became enormous.

Three people was the absolute limit.

The Raven Shadow Puppet could hold off one person, while Luo Ling could control it and still divide his attention to use Darkness Threads to control two more. That was his limit.

This was Luo Ling's limit, but not the Raven Shadow Puppet's.

After all, the Raven Shadow Puppet could also use soul skills independently. In other words, it could use Darkness Threads and Night Raven Feathers to attack enemies as well.

But with Luo Ling's current Spiritual Power, it was difficult for him to accomplish that.

Sighing inwardly, Luo Ling directly controlled the Darkness Threads and bound all three of Hu Liena's group.

"Little Ling won again!"

"I never thought even Senior Na Na and the three of them together wouldn't be a match for Little Ling!"

Outside the Training Ground, the watching students all exclaimed in amazement.

"Little Ling! Untie us already!" Hu Liena shouted, her pretty face flushed.

Being wiped out in a three-on-one battle was already humiliating enough, and Luo Ling was still only a Soul Grandmaster.

It was utterly shameful.

Seeing this, Luo Ling withdrew the Darkness Threads, allowing Hu Liena to get up from the ground.

The moment she stood, Hu Liena rushed before Luo Ling and pinched his waist hard.

"You didn't give your Elder Sister any face at all! That was so embarrassing!"

"Senior Sister, you were the one who wanted to duel me," Luo Ling said innocently.

"E-even so, couldn't you have gone easy on us?"

"Fine, fine. I'll definitely go easy next time." Luo Ling was speechless.

"Who wants a next time? I don't want to fight a freak like you again!" Hu Liena pouted.

Luo Ling shrugged and said nothing. The four of them left the Training Ground surrounded by the students.

Not far away, Qian Daoliu watched Luo Ling's departing figure with appreciation in his eyes.

Over the past two years, he had occasionally come to watch Luo Ling duel, growing increasingly astonished by Luo Ling's monstrous talent.

"Looks like I should mention this boy to Xiao Xue," Qian Daoliu murmured as he stroked his beard.

"Xiao Ling! Let's go stroll around Spirit City this afternoon!" Hu Liena said expectantly to Luo Ling as they walked along the streets of Spirit Hall.

But Luo Ling was not really listening. At that moment, he was considering how to tell Bibi Dong that he wanted to leave Spirit City and gain experience outside.

As early as half a year ago, Luo Ling had mentioned to Bibi Dong that he wanted to travel and seek Immortal Herbs, but Bibi Dong had refused.

Her reason was that she feared outside forces might make a move against Luo Ling.

Although Luo Ling argued his case, he still could not make Bibi Dong relent.

He could only let it go then, but now the thought of leaving had arisen in his heart once more.

From the battle just now, he had deeply realized how difficult it was to bring out the Raven Shadow Puppet's true power.

Either he had to work hard to increase his Spiritual Power, allowing him to naturally divide his attention further.

Or he could only obtain certain secret arts.

Whether it was the Immortal Herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well or the Distraction Control Method of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, both could help Luo Ling solve this problem.

With that thought, Luo Ling made his decision and headed toward Papal Hall.

"Xiao Ling! Were you even listening to me?" Hu Liena chased after him in exasperation.

Luo Ling paused slightly and revealed an apologetic expression. "Sorry, Senior Sister. Let's save the date for next time. I need to go find Teacher now."

"A... a date?" Hu Liena's pretty face immediately turned rosy, and she could no longer hear what Luo Ling said afterward.

Over the years, she had never hidden her affection for Luo Ling, but Luo Ling only ever called her Senior Sister.

"Na Na! Na Na!" A helpless voice called out, snapping Hu Liena awake.

"Little Ling has already left," Xie Yue said teasingly as he looked at his sister, who had completely fallen for him.

Hu Liena froze for a moment before coming back to her senses. Sure enough, Luo Ling had already vanished from sight.