What Is Meant to Come Will Come

It was not until they had walked several meters away that Qian Chaoguang spoke. "It's nothing. I got along pretty well with the Old Master, so I was just chatting with him to pass the time. Oh, right—punch me. Hit me here, and put some strength into it."

"Brother, do you have a fever? Why would I hit you for no reason?"

"Come on, don't ask. You'll understand once school starts. Hit harder—just pretend we got into a fight."

"O-Okay..."

"Get changed and come downstairs quickly. We haven't done today's regular training yet."

"Huh? We still have to train today...? Can't we take two days off, Brother? School's starting soon..."

"The key to training is persistence. I brought all that equipment with me."

"Okay..."

Mu En watched the siblings enter the dormitory, a Barely Perceptible smile appearing on his face.

"I wasn't wrong before. They really are interesting youngsters. His mind works quickly, though his acting could use some polishing... And... he seems to know quite a lot? He also appears to have some goodwill toward Shrek... Perhaps... forget it. I'll wait and see... The one Duoduo secretly hid earlier should have been him, right?"

After finishing their daily morning training, Huo Yutong went to study with Tang Ya and Beibei, converting the Soul Power in her body into the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

Qian Chaoguang returned to the dormitory alone, sat cross-legged on his bed, and began his exceedingly tedious yet remarkably time-killing cultivation.

As the old saying went, the early bird caught the worm. But there were benefits to a bird that was not stupid getting an early start too, weren't there?

Ever since the Old Butler had been ambushed and killed, Qian Chaoguang had felt deeply insecure. Without fail, he cultivated diligently every day.

His Soul Power Vortex spun at high speed, drawing in World Origin Energy and forming a faint "energy vortex" that continuously surged toward Qian Chaoguang.

The pale golden mist of Soul Power condensed into sparkling droplets of liquid Soul Power, gathering atop the Foundation and slowly raising his cultivation.

As his Spiritual Power grew, it simultaneously mobilized his Bloodline Power and the innate Soul Power within his body, causing his already powerful flesh to transform once more, tempering it like Rare Metal.

If someone possessed X-ray vision, they would have been astonished to see that roughly one-seventh of Qian Chaoguang's meridians and blood vessels had transformed into something crystalline and translucent, as though they had been Light-forged.

"Mm? What Cultivation Method are you practicing? It can cultivate Spiritual Power and Soul Power at the same time, and even temper your body? Damn, kid, are you a Soul Beast too?"

Just as Qian Chaoguang was getting into the groove of cultivation, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

"You're awake?"

Qian Chaoguang's Consciousness Aggregate appeared within his Sea of Consciousness. Apart from the enormous glowing Visualization Diagram before him, the most conspicuous thing was the languid Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.

Electrolux's Divine Sense was still a mass of gray mist, lying silently in a corner of the Sea of Consciousness.

"Yeah. Your body is seriously absurd. Even that Titled Douluo I burst back then wasn't as outrageous as you, whether in terms of Spiritual Power or the sturdiness of his Sea of Spirit."

Qian Chaoguang said, "Don't spout nonsense. This is a proper Sea of Consciousness and Divine Sense. There may not be much of it, but the quality is excellent. Don't compare me to that unlucky bastard. Oh, right, I've been meaning to say this—you were pretty damn impressive back then too. Of all people, you chose a Titled Douluo? His nine Soul Rings were already full. Where was a Million-Year Soul Ring like you supposed to go? Of course he exploded."

"Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough..."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm coughed awkwardly several times. Who knew how his bodily structure had even mastered the skill of coughing?

"B-Brother didn't have any experience back then! Brother had never Had Contact With humans before! How was I supposed to know that nine Soul Rings were the limit? I only got some idea after reading that guy's memories. And now, it's all benefited you, kid."

Qian Chaoguang chuckled. "So what did you call me here for? Don't tell me you just wanted to compliment me? I accept. Thanks for the praise. If there's nothing important, I'm going back to cultivation."

"Don't go, don't go. There's something important."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm hurriedly replied.

"With your current physical strength and Spiritual Power, you can already withstand me giving you your Second Martial Soul. When are you going to make a trip to the Extreme North? When the time comes, Brother guarantees you a tremendous opportunity."

"The Extreme North..."

Qian Chaoguang thought for a moment. "Eleven months from now. The academy will be on break then. Hopefully, I'll have reached two rings by that time, and I can settle the issue of my Soul Ring while I'm at it. By the way, you can still handle an Ice Attribute Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast, right?"

"Don't worry. Brother knows the Extreme North like the back of his hand. I'll watch over you when the time comes. Oh, right, I almost forgot. Do you want to fuse with a few portions of my Origin Power now? I divided it into ten portions back then. You can fuse at least two now."

"Origin Power... Let's wait a little longer. I feel like there's been something off about my Martial Soul lately. There are some things I need to think through first."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm wriggled in the Sea of Consciousness. "All right, suit yourself. That's it, then. I'm going back to sleep. Call me if you need anything."

"Mm. Sweet dreams."

The white light receded, and Qian Chaoguang's consciousness withdrew from his Sea of Consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes.

"Fusing Origin Power... We'll talk about it later..."

Qian Chaoguang Shook His Head and continued cultivating.

Ever since Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had become his Soul Ring, he had always felt as though his personality had gained a few traits that did not belong to him.

It seemed to have made him a little more... mischievous?

With his original personality, there was absolutely no way he would have tested Mu En in front of him that morning. It was far too risky.

Even if there had been a high chance of success, he would never have gambled so recklessly.

This concerned his life.

Qian Chaoguang suddenly thought of a possibility. Cold sweat instantly broke out all over him, and he gasped inwardly.

Could it be that this Martial Soul of mine...

Will I be influenced by some of the Soul Beast's own personality every time I fuse with a Soul Ring?

If that's true, it's fucking terrifying.

But if he did not add Soul Rings...

Qian Chaoguang summoned his still-unformed Second Martial Soul, and a faint layer of icy mist spread through the air.

Do I have to make Extreme Ice my main cultivated Martial Soul?

Wouldn't that render the advantage of Twin Martial Souls useless?

Qian Chaoguang rubbed his temples with a headache, irritation rising in his heart.

For now, he could only hope that Shrek truly recognized his Martial Soul and could offer a way to solve the problem.

Just as Qian Chaoguang was pondering his Martial Soul, a certain absentminded person suddenly slapped his thigh in the office.

"Damn it, last time I was so focused on covering my tracks that I forgot to ask the kid about his Martial Soul! Extreme Ice Light? Light Mimicry? I think those were the names? No, I need to go check the Inner Academy Library."

The following morning, when Qian Chaoguang returned to the dormitory after finishing his daily morning training with Huo Yutong, he discovered that the dormitory door was already open.

At that moment, a fair-skinned youth with short pink-blue hair walked out of the room. He froze when he saw Qian Chaoguang.

Although Qian Chaoguang had long been prepared for this, he still could not help letting out a deep sigh.

So I really can't escape this convergence of worldlines?

Oh, no. Maybe I should call it the scheme of some God King?

Whatever. Who cares what it is?

Qian Chaoguang could not be bothered with this cross-dressing one-third-of-a-princess. He did not even spare her a proper glance, simply walking into the dormitory on his own.

He ignored me?

He actually dared to ignore me?

Wang Dong was astonished, even somewhat incredulous and faintly angry, that Qian Chaoguang had ignored her.

No one had ever dared to ignore her from childhood to now!

"Hey! Who said you could come in!"

Qian Chaoguang could not be bothered with him. He did not even spare him a glance as he opened the wardrobe and began taking off his clothes.

He was drenched in sweat after morning training and needed a shower.

"You!?"

Wang Dong clearly could not accept being ignored again. And this person had actually started changing clothes right in front of her?

Did he have any regard for her at all?

"Hey, I'm talking to you!"

A quick note: the protagonist knows Wang Dong'er's true identity, so female pronouns are used for her. However, since Wang Dong has not revealed herself yet, she will temporarily still be called Wang Dong.