First Battle

After receiving Qian Daoliu's signal, Ye Xi silently took a step back. Martial Soul: Slaughtering Angel emerged behind her, while a yellow spirit ring continuously flashed beneath her feet.

Seeing the martial soul appear behind Ye Xi, Ma Hongjun seemed to take an interest, and Flender's words involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Those who dared not cause trouble were mediocrities.

With that thought, Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix appeared behind Ma Hongjun as well. A yellow spirit ring flashed beneath his feet, and he assumed a fighting stance.

"Ma Hongjun, Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix, Level Thirteen Battle Soul Master."

Ma Hongjun spoke with great interest.

"Ye Xi, Martial Soul: Slaughtering Angel, Level Fifteen Battle Soul Master."

Ye Xi likewise stated her martial soul.

Although this was an unwritten rule in the Soul Master World, Ye Xi was not particularly fond of such customs.

"Level Fifteen?"

Hearing Ye Xi's Soul Power Level, surprise flashed through Ma Hongjun's eyes.

But at that moment, Ye Xi moved.

The spirit ring beneath Ye Xi's feet flashed as she unleashed her first soul skill: Blood Soul Protection. Her body was enveloped in crimson light, and she instantly appeared before Ma Hongjun.

Her fair fist struck Ma Hongjun, sending him flying backward.

With the all-attribute boost from her first soul skill, Ye Xi's speed was incredibly fast. With a single flash, she had already appeared behind Ma Hongjun. Raising her leg, she brought it down directly at the airborne Ma Hongjun.

Ye Xi's leg slammed into Ma Hongjun, smashing him heavily into the ground.

Just as Ye Xi was preparing to continue her attack, a voice rang out from behind her.

"Wait, stop fighting."

As the voice sounded, a figure approached from behind.

The newcomer appeared to be in his forties or fifties. He was powerfully built, with a somewhat sly-looking face.

The man first examined Ye Xi's clothing, then discreetly glanced at the carriage behind her. A trace of contemplation flashed through his eyes before a smile appeared on his face.

"Young Miss, my name is Flender, and he is my student."

"I apologize on behalf of my student for his offense just now. Since you have already taught him a lesson, let us put this matter behind us."

As Flender spoke, he gave a slight bow to express his apology.

"Headmaster..."

Ma Hongjun seemed to want to say something, but Flender stopped him with a look.

At that moment, Qian Daoliu's voice also sounded from behind them.

"Xiao Xi, come back."

Hearing Qian Daoliu's voice, Ye Xi withdrew her martial soul and walked toward the carriage.

After Ye Xi stopped, Flender checked Ma Hongjun's injuries. When he discovered that they were only superficial wounds, he could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Headmaster, didn't you tell me that at Shrek Academy, those who dared not cause trouble were mediocrities?"

"Why did you back down just now?"

Ma Hongjun climbed up from the ground, inhaling sharply as he felt the pain from the blows on his body.

"Didn't you notice that little girl's clothing was anything but ordinary?"

"That palace dress was custom-made with gold and silver thread. Could anyone dressed like that possibly be an ordinary person?"

As Flender spoke, he smacked Ma Hongjun on the head.

"She is clearly a child of some major family, and her standing in that family definitely isn't low."

"Do you think she has no backing?"

"Her backing is sitting right inside that carriage. If I had truly made a move, that would have been bullying the young. Do you think the person in that carriage would have simply stood by and watched?"

Flender looked at the carriage gradually disappearing into the distance, a faintly thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

"Headmaster, so I got beaten for nothing?"

Ma Hongjun looked at Flender.

"What else?"

"It is best not to offend children from major families with unknown backgrounds if you can avoid it."

"Fortunately, they are only superficial injuries. Otherwise, I would have had to spend money finding a healing Soul Master for you."

Flender withdrew his gaze and patted Ma Hongjun, signaling for him to return to the academy with him.

After glancing once more at the departing carriage, Ma Hongjun followed Flender.

Elsewhere.

Inside the moving carriage, Qian Daoliu gently stroked Ye Xi's hair, a smile on his face.

"Xiao Xi, you performed very well in that battle just now."

"You acted decisively, without the slightest hesitation. That is very rare among people your age."

Qian Daoliu spoke softly.

Overall, she was still somewhat inexperienced, but Ye Xi had only awakened her martial soul not long ago. To have done this much already, she could absolutely be considered outstanding among her peers.

As for Flender, who had appeared afterward, Qian Daoliu had never paid him any attention. With Qian Daoliu's strength, if he wanted to make a move, Flender would not even be able to withstand a single slap from him.

Hearing Qian Daoliu's praise, a smile naturally appeared on Ye Xi's face as she listened quietly.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a hotel. Qian Daoliu and Ye Xi got out and entered the hotel.

After booking two luxurious rooms, Qian Daoliu took Ye Xi upstairs to find their rooms.

"Xiao Xi, get a good rest tonight. We will return to Spirit City tomorrow."

When they arrived outside the room, Qian Daoliu gave her a reminder.

"I understand, Grandpa."

Ye Xi answered and entered her room.

Qian Daoliu entered the room next door.

After entering her room, Ye Xi briefly looked over its layout before heading straight for the bathroom.

Looking at the bathtub in the bathroom, Ye Xi filled it with water and stepped in, enjoying a comfortable bath.

Letting out a soft breath, Ye Xi tapped the side of the bathtub with her fingers, a trace of contemplation in her eyes.

"Even though I awakened an excellent martial soul, I still need to obtain the immortal herbs. The timing will only be delayed slightly."

"For now, I should focus on studying and training my Combat Skills. In any case, I have already memorized the Immortal Herb Record. As long as I retrieve the immortal herbs before Tang San does, that will be enough."

Ye Xi murmured to herself, closing her Sapphire Blue eyes as she enjoyed the comfort of the bath.

After a long while, Ye Xi stepped out of the bathtub. After drying her wet hair with a towel, she changed into the long dress she had bought not long ago.

After calculating the time, Ye Xi decided to cultivate for four hours first, then sleep for about three hours.

The advantage was that it would not waste time. Four hours of meditation could relieve fatigue, while around three hours of sleep would be enough to restore her condition to its peak.

With that thought, Ye Xi immediately sat cross-legged on the bed and began Meditative Cultivation.

As she cultivated, Ye Xi could clearly feel her soul power slowly increasing.

Soon, four hours passed. Feeling somewhat tired, Ye Xi withdrew from her Meditative Cultivation state, lay down on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.