Local Bullies Make Trouble, First Test of Skill

The construction of Myriad Manifestations Academy was like a massive stone cast into a tranquil lake, sending ripples through this relatively quiet suburban area. The enormous scale of the project, the steady stream of precious building materials, and the hundred-plus tough-looking guards and laborers inevitably drew the attention of various factions.

Especially when the foundation began to be laid for the towering obsidian structure at the academy's core. Its astonishing planned height, unique design, and faintly emanating Soul Power fluctuations attracted many curious eyes.

That day, construction was in full swing. Massive obsidian blocks were painstakingly moved by laborers using thick ropes and rolling logs. Craftsmen shouted work chants as they measured, carved, and inscribed preliminary reinforcement runes. The entire site bustled with activity.

Qin Mo stood on a gentle slope overlooking the construction site, with Bing'er, Yan'er, and the curiously peering Ning Rongrong beside him. Zhu Zhuqing remained hidden in the shadows on guard, while Ye Lingling cultivated quietly some distance away.

Suddenly, a commotion and angry shouts erupted from the edge of the site.

A group of roughly twenty or thirty burly men in mismatched clothing but with fierce expressions swaggered into the construction site. Their leader was a muscular man with a face full of flesh and a vicious black bear tattooed across his bare chest. They roughly shoved aside several craftsmen who stepped forward to question them.

The leading man possessed no weak aura. Two yellow Soul Rings and one purple Soul Ring appeared beneath his feet—he was actually a Soul Elder! Most of the men behind him also possessed some foundation in Soul Power. Though undisciplined, gathered together, they exuded a vicious air.

"Everyone stop right now! Who gave you permission to break ground here?!" the bear-tattooed Soul Elder roared in a gruff voice like a broken gong, making everyone's eardrums buzz. He kicked over a basket of freshly polished stone, and his arrogant display instantly brought the busy construction site to a halt.

The craftsmen backed away in fear. The sect guards immediately gathered and blocked the way, confronting the uninvited guests as the atmosphere turned tense.

"They're from the Black Bear Gang!" an elderly local craftsman whispered to the guard captain beside him. "They're the local tyrants around the western outskirts. Their leader is called Xiong Li, a thirty-something-level Assault Type Battle Soul Elder. Relying on his strength, he often collects 'protection fees' from nearby merchant caravans and construction sites. His methods are vicious!"

The guard captain frowned deeply. The other side had a Soul Elder, someone not to be underestimated. He was about to step forward to negotiate, even secretly signaling his men to prepare to send a distress signal.

Just then, a calm voice drifted down from the slope.

"What is all this noise?"

Qin Mo descended the slope at an unhurried pace with the three girls. His gaze swept over the menacing thugs before finally landing on Xiong Li, the leading Soul Elder. His eyes were as still as an ancient well, as though he were looking at a group of noisy ants.

Seeing that only a few half-grown children and a seemingly pampered little girl had come down, Xiong Li froze briefly before revealing an even more contemptuous, disdainful sneer. "Oh? The boss finally shows himself? And he's just some brat whose feathers haven't even grown in yet? I'm Xiong Li of the Black Bear Gang! This territory is under our protection! Did you ask us before building all this here? If you know what's good for you, hand over five thousand Gold Soul Coins as a 'land management fee' right now, or else..."

Before he could finish, his lecherous gaze swept over Bing'er, Yan'er, and Ning Rongrong behind Qin Mo. Licking his lips, he said, "Or leave these three little beauties behind to entertain my brothers. That can cover part of the fee too! Hahaha!"

The thugs behind him burst into obscene laughter as well.

Bing'er and Yan'er's expressions darkened at once, cold light flashing in their beautiful eyes. Ning Rongrong's little face flushed red with anger as she pointed at Xiong Li and cursed, "Pah! Where did this toad come from, daring to spout such nonsense before me?!"

Qin Mo raised a hand, stopping Ning Rongrong before she could erupt. He looked at Xiong Li, his tone still calm but carrying a trace of coldness. "This is private property, legally purchased. If you have no business here, leave. If you insist on causing trouble..."

He paused, then softly spoke two words. "Bear the consequences."

"Oh? You little bastard, you've got some nerve!" Qin Mo's attitude enraged Xiong Li. With a savage grin, the Soul Rings beneath his feet shone brightly. "Looks like I need to teach you a lesson, or you won't know the Horse King has three eyes! I'll tear down this lousy construction site first!"

As he spoke, he unleashed Martial Soul Possession. His body swelled in size, his skin becoming rough and dark as though covered in bear hide. His hands transformed into sharp claws, and with a fierce gust of wind, he struck directly at a recently erected scaffold nearby. The power of a Soul Elder exploded forth. If that claw landed, it would be enough to destroy the entire scaffold along with the building materials behind it!

The craftsmen cried out in alarm!

Yet just as the bear claw was about to fall!

Two petite figures appeared like ghosts to Xiong Li's left and right in an instant!

"Ultimate Ice!" "Ultimate Fire!"

Two clear, cold cries rang out simultaneously!

Behind Bing'er, the phantom of the Ice Phoenix let out a long cry. Extreme cold erupted instantly, and the ground around her cracked as a thick layer of ice with a deep blue sheen rapidly formed. Moisture in the air directly turned into icy crystalline dust! An icicle, thicker and colder than the one used against the Man Faced Demon Spider, condensed from thin air like a giant ice spear and shot straight at Xiong Li's face, carrying a chill that could freeze the soul!

Behind Yan'er, the Fire Phoenix beat its wings with a ringing cry. Scorching heat waves exploded outward, forming a starkly opposing zone against Bing'er's frost. The ground blackened and cracked from the heat! Several Fire Feather Arrows formed entirely from blazing white flames, hot enough to warp the air. Though launched later, they arrived first, sealing off every route of retreat from another angle!

Yellow, yellow, purple! Two perfectly matched sets of Soul Rings rose beneath the girls' feet! The terrifying pressure of their ultimate attributes was unleashed without restraint!

The savage grin on Xiong Li's face instantly froze, turning into utter horror and terror!

"Sou... Soul Ancestors?! Ultimate attributes?! How is this possible?!" He felt as though he had fallen into both an ice cavern and a furnace at once. The destructive energy contained within the ice spear and fire arrows made even this Soul Elder's scalp tingle. The scent of death rushed toward him!

With a shriek, he no longer cared about destroying anything. Desperately mobilizing all his Soul Power, his Third Soul Ring lit up!

"Third Soul Skill, Raging Bear Bodyguard!"

A heavy yellowish-brown glow covered his body, attempting to block the attack.

However, before Ultimate Ice and Ultimate Fire, his defense was utterly laughable!

Ssh! Boom!

The spear of extreme ice instantly tore through the yellowish-brown glow. Terrifying cold directly invaded his arm, freezing his entire right arm and shoulder in an instant! Meanwhile, the several blazing Fire Feather Arrows slammed into his chest and exploded violently!

"Puh—!"

As though struck by a massive hammer, Xiong Li spewed blood and flew backward. The bear fur on his chest was scorched away, his skin blackened and split open. He crashed heavily onto the ground, rolling several times before stopping. Covered in frost and burn marks, he curled up and shivered, able only to groan in agony, unable to rise again.

The entire exchange had been as swift as lightning!

From the moment the two girls attacked to the instant Xiong Li was sent flying with severe injuries, only a single breath had passed!

The smiles of the Black Bear Gang thugs, who had been laughing moments ago, completely froze. Like ducks with their necks gripped, every one of them turned pale and trembled as they stared at the two figures standing there like goddesses of ice and fire, their eyes filled with terror!

Their strongest boss, Xiong Li, a Soul Elder, had been instantly defeated in a single exchange by two seemingly delicate little girls?!

What kind of monsters were they?!

Bing'er and Yan'er coldly swept their eyes over the trembling thugs. The light of the Soul Rings beneath their feet had not faded, and their ultimate auras pressed down like something tangible.

"Get out." Bing'er spoke a single word, her voice cold to the bone.

As though granted a pardon, the thugs scrambled away. Dragging the half-dead Xiong Li with them, they fled in utter panic, not even daring to leave behind a threat.

The construction site fell silent.

Every craftsman and guard stared dumbfoundedly at the two girls who had unleashed such terrifying power in an instant, then at the black-clad youth who had not even blinked throughout the entire affair. Their hearts were filled with awe and shock.

Ning Rongrong's little mouth hung open as well. She knew Bing'er and Yan'er were strong, but she had never imagined they were this strong! That had been a Soul Elder! Instantly defeated?!

Only then did Qin Mo slowly step forward. His gaze swept over the devastated edge of the site as he calmly instructed, "Clean this up. Pick up the pace."

As though they had merely chased away a few annoying flies.

The guard captain and master craftsmen snapped out of their daze and hurriedly bowed. "Yes! Young Sect Master!"

After this incident, no one dared show the slightest contempt toward this young "Young Sect Master." Every craftsman worked even harder, while the guards patrolled with greater vigilance.

Though Myriad Manifestations Academy had yet to be completed, its majesty had already begun to show its edge.