So You Really Do Like Teacher Su Ran?

Under the starlight, Su Ran remained silent.

The Soul Power in his body began to circulate. Ten Palaces of Hell, activate!

A domineering black-and-red Yama Pillar materialized behind him. The otherworldly, carefree air around him faded, replaced by an intensely dark aura of hellish Asura Qi.

At the top of the Yama Pillar was a blackened Peach Blossom Branch—clearly Su Ran's Martial Soul. Below it stood the ten layers of Yama. Each Yama looked fierce and terrifying, their power overwhelming, while a Yama Domain spread through the pillar.

Zhu Zhuqing's entire body tensed at once. Shaken by the dark aura, she could not even open her mouth.

"This is the first step in cultivating the Ten Palaces of Hell: condensing the Ten Palaces of Hell Pillar and establishing a connection between it and your Martial Soul. After that, you summon the Yama of the First Palace, King Qin Guang!"

"He is solely responsible for judging the lifespan, death, and fate of mortals. He establishes the First Palace, presides over judgment and arbitration, and commands the Netherworld Decree."

"The Yamas of each palace have different effects. As your Soul Power Level rises, their strength and power will increase as well. With your current Soul Power, if you can cultivate the Yama of the First Palace, enemies struck by King Qin Guang's Netherworld Decree will instantly lose ten percent of their vitality in battle. As time passes, it will continue to decrease."

"Within the King's Hall, under the Netherworld Decree, if a living person's past deeds are utterly evil, the effect will be enhanced. The King's Judgment Chain will bind them, and they will suffer the pain of being sliced to pieces."

The reduction of vitality referred to an all-around weakening of one's life force, defense, speed, and strength.

Only after Su Ran dispersed the Ten Palaces of Hell Pillar did Zhu Zhuqing dare to speak in a daze:

"So... amazing!"

Was this the power of the Ten Palaces of Hell?

The Yama of merely the First Palace already possessed weakening, control, and offensive abilities all in one. What kind of power would the Yamas after the First Palace bring?

No wonder Teacher had dared to say that she could surpass Dai Mubai within a year.

She had chosen the right teacher!

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Su Ran with eyes full of admiration. This was a true powerhouse.

After teaching Zhu Zhuqing how to cultivate the Ten Palaces of Hell, Su Ran treated her injuries. Once he confirmed that she was fine, he arranged a place for her to stay before returning to his own room to examine his gains.

After taking Zhu Zhuqing as his disciple, his Soul Power Level had reached Level 73. The age of his Soul Rings had increased considerably as well. His seventh Soul Ring had even reached more than eighty thousand years. At this rate, it would not take him more than a few months to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Thinking of this, Su Ran removed his mask. Only then did his devastatingly handsome face appear in the dim light. A faint smile crossed his lips as he lay down on the couch and slept soundly.

The academy had gained another student with excellent aptitude, and his path of cultivation was no longer lonely.

However, ever since Rongrong had seen his face, she had started acting rather strangely. It was truly troublesome.

"Teacher actually gave you three ultimate skills to choose from! I never received treatment like that!"

"You know, when I learned skills from Teacher, I even got punished with a hand slap and had to write a self-criticism. You can learn them directly, and you're still crying? That's not fair~"

"But Dual Cultivation Ultimate Skill? I've never heard of it. What is it? Why has Teacher never told me about it?"

"I don't know either. It should be a very profound Cultivation Method, right? Otherwise, Teacher wouldn't have said that I'm not suitable to learn it yet."

Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong found Zhu Zhuqing under the cover of night. The two girls had only recently joined the academy, and naturally had plenty to talk about now that they had each other for company.

The stars glittered brilliantly, and peach blossoms swayed, occasionally rustling as a gentle breeze drifted past.

After bathing, the two girls sat on the wooden railing in front of the house. They gazed up at the starry sky while sharing their thoughts.

One was a Young Lady who had secretly slipped away from one of the Upper Three Sects.

The other was a Cat Girl who had been forced to leave home because of family and imperial struggles, seeking a chance to survive and embarking on a path to change her fate.

Ning Rongrong asked Zhu Zhuqing what Teacher Su Ran had said to her just now.

After learning about Zhu Zhuqing's treatment, the glass heart of a little girl who had developed boundless admiration for Su Ran shattered softly.

"Senior Sister Rongrong, you're Teacher's first disciple. Teacher will definitely prepare some excellent ultimate skills for you too."

"Of course. Hmph, hmph."

"But Senior Sister Rongrong, why does Teacher always wear a mask and refuse to show his true face?"

Zhu Zhuqing asked Ning Rongrong the question she had been unable to get an answer to from Su Ran.

Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's question, Ning Rongrong immediately felt relieved.

Teacher hadn't shown her his face?

Oh ho ho ho!

Ah ha ha ha!

It seemed Teacher didn't like her that much after all!

Ahem!

"As the disciple who has seen Teacher's appearance, I must seriously criticize you, Junior Sister Zhu Zhuqing. How can you be curious about Teacher's looks?"

"You came to Peach Blossom Spring Academy to study and become stronger. You should work hard, practice your ultimate skills diligently, and become an outstanding Soul Master, or Teacher will be disappointed!"

"Whether Teacher is ugly or handsome, would that affect your cultivation?"

"So what if Teacher is ugly? Would he no longer be our teacher? And what if Teacher is handsome? Are you planning to overstep the relationship between teacher and disciple? Did you come here to learn, or to date?"

"As someone with experience, Senior Sister is telling you that you must not develop any unusual feelings for Teacher. That absolutely won't do!"

Ning Rongrong spoke earnestly.

Zhu Zhuqing was a little confused:

"But I'm only curious about why Teacher wears a mask. After all, no one wears a mask every day, and there isn't anyone else in the academy... I never said I had feelings for Teacher..."

"Huh? I understand now. Could it be that Senior Sister Rongrong, you—"

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly understood something. A strange expression appeared on her face as she looked at Ning Rongrong in disbelief.

Ning Rongrong's face flushed red. She hurriedly covered Zhu Zhuqing's mouth with both strong little hands.

"Don't talk nonsense! I don't! How could I? Ah... I was only reminding you, that's all. Hey~ You're not allowed to say anything!"

Zhu Zhuqing's suspicious gaze made Ning Rongrong feel embarrassed, and she hurriedly denied it.

"Mmph~"

"All right, I'll keep it absolutely secret. I promise."

Zhu Zhuqing finally pried Ning Rongrong's hand away. She raised four fingers toward the sky and made her vow.

Only then did Ning Rongrong let out a sigh of relief. If word really got out that she had improper thoughts about Teacher, she could endure other people's opinions. What she feared was Teacher Su Ran throwing her out of the academy!

(╥_╥)

She had once been arrogant and proud, even thinking of dropping out at the slightest provocation. But ever since she had seen Teacher Su Ran's handsome face, she would never drop out, not even if she were beaten to death.

Even if Teacher Su Ran whipped her and drove her away, she would still come running back, howling, "Teacher, hitting my butt feels so good~"

"You're incredibly strong. If I didn't know you were a Support System Soul Master, I might have thought you were some naturally powerful woman," Zhu Zhuqing exclaimed.

"Ah... It all comes from training, plus the ultimate skills Teacher taught me. It's all thanks to Teacher."

"Mm, the Cultivation Methods Teacher teaches really do look incredible at a glance. But if you really like Teacher, Senior Sister Rongrong, perhaps I can help."

"Really? (sparkling eyes)"

"So, Senior Sister Rongrong, you really do like Teacher?!"

"It seems Teacher really is very handsome."

"I—you—you're not allowed to say another word!"