Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, the Silver-Haired Girl by the Sand Pile (3k Please Follow)

"Hehe, sure! I know this whole East Sea area best. Since it's your first time here, Junior Brother, Senior Sister will definitely show you a great time!"

Mu Xi eagerly took it upon herself, readily agreeing to take Feng Zaixing around. As for whether she wanted to show him around or simply wanted to have fun herself, that was impossible to know.

Mu Chen knocked Mu Xi on the head and said irritably, "Don't lead your Junior Brother astray. He's a genius in both blacksmithing and cultivation. Don't delay his training."

Feng Zaixing was a sixteenth-level Soul Master and the Primal Body Sect's successor. He cultivated with extreme diligence, maintaining a state of readiness for battle even while walking. Mu Xi was far behind him.

Zhen Hua smiled gently. "Junior Brother, don't be nervous. My disciple is used to working hard. Mu Ye and I only bring him out once a year, so it's good for him to get out more."

Mu Ye nodded as well, adding jokingly, "But remember not to take him to fancy balls or places like that. We've never taught him those things, and he wouldn't feel comfortable there anyway."

Mu Chen's gaze shifted, and he smiled knowingly. "True geniuses don't need to bother with such things. It seems we won't be seeing our supreme genius at tonight's ball."

Feng Zaixing smiled bashfully. Zhen Hua and Mu Ye rarely revealed faintly bitter smiles, and neither said anything.

In this era, high-society balls and banquets were everywhere. Soul Master geniuses from prestigious families had to learn etiquette from a young age in order to socialize well and uphold their families' reputations.

A Ruheng had become somewhat dim-witted due to cultivating the Innate Secret Method, so Mu Ye preferred the refined and handsome Feng Zaixing to inherit the position of sect master.

However, Feng Zaixing had his own views. He believed that such hypocritical socializing was not only a waste of time, but also meaningless.

On the second day after awakening his Martial Soul, Mu Ye and Zhen Hua made a cultivation schedule for Feng Zaixing. It allotted half a day each week for etiquette lessons, but Feng Zaixing crossed it out and replaced it with physical training.

"Rather than wasting time on etiquette lessons, it would be better to devote that precious time to cultivation and turn talent into strength as soon as possible. By then, countless people will come to build relationships with us. Making friends at a ball is nowhere near as useful as going into the Spirit Ascension Platform and having a fight."

After saying that, Feng Zaixing made himself a 007 cultivation plan, leaving himself no free time at all. The two men did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Zhen Hua could not help telling Feng Zaixing that the Holy Angel Family attached great importance to etiquette lessons. Yet Feng Zaixing had studied history thoroughly and immediately brought up a negative example from Spirit Hall twenty thousand years ago: the previous generation's Six-Winged Angel, Qian Renxue.

"Qian Renxue possessed unparalleled talent, yet wasted her time acting as an undercover agent in the Heaven Dou Empire. If she had stayed in Spirit Hall, she would have become a god and unified the continent long ago. How could the Six-Winged Angel have fallen to its current state? With such a lesson before us, how could we fail to learn from it?"

Feng Zaixing seriously questioned his two teachers, leaving them speechless.

With things having reached that point, the two could only let him do as he pleased. After all, Feng Zaixing's reasoning was logically sound. He had made friends with two Soul Master families after just one visit to the Spirit Pagoda. Becoming a Divine Craftsman early was better than anything else.

After their enthusiastic reminiscing ended, Mu Chen led Zhen Hua and the other two to the VIP seats. After saying goodbye, he went with his wife, Yuan Bao'er, to greet the other guests.

As the president of the Eastsea City Blacksmith's Association and an eight-star Saint Craftsman, Mu Chen held an unparalleled position in Eastsea City. Celebrities from every side wanted to curry favor with him. From government officials led by the Eastsea City Administrator to Soul Master families large and small, there were countless visitors.

Unable to bear the boredom, Mu Xi soon pointed out several important figures to Feng Zaixing, hoping to gain her Junior Brother's approval.

"Junior Brother, look. That old gentleman is Yu Zhen, the principal of Eastsea Academy, Eastsea City's number one academy. I attend Eastsea Academy too. He brought several impressive geniuses with him. What do you think?"

Feng Zaixing looked in the direction Mu Xi indicated, his eyes calm and unruffled. He asked softly, "Do you want the polite answer or the truth?"

A trace of confusion flashed through Mu Xi's bright eyes. "The polite answer first?"

"They can spar with the two geniuses I've met."

The young geniuses behind Yu Zhen were generally between twelve and eighteen years old. Some were Soul Grandmasters, while others were Soul Elders.

Mu Xi blinked. "Then what's the truth?"

"Even together, they wouldn't last a single move," Feng Zaixing said frankly.

Mu Xi's breathing caught. "That can't be true, right? They're already the most outstanding geniuses around here..."

"The Soul Masters of the Skysea Alliance have always been weak, haven't they?"

"...That's true." Mu Xi sighed, her melon-seed-shaped face full of helplessness.

Eastsea City, and even the Skysea Alliance cities throughout the Eastern Federation, shared a common trait: their economies were first-rate, while their Soul Masters were third-rate.

"Oh, right, Junior Brother. Although they aren't much, Eastsea Academy has an incredible teacher. White clothes, blue sword, a Six Rings Soul Emperor. I heard he came from Shrek, the continent's number one academy."

Since the older students were disappointing, Mu Xi changed tactics and brought up Eastsea Academy's famous icy teacher.

"That is impressive." Feng Zaixing gave Mu Xi due respect and showed agreement.

Wu Changkong truly was a rare teacher with a normal temperament. His talent was no less than that of Shrek Inner Court's Big Senior Brother, Lan Muzi, and he was responsible as well.

"Junior Brother, your talent is extraordinary. You'll definitely go to Shrek Academy in the future too, right? That's the sacred hall countless Soul Masters dream of entering."

Mu Xi's voice was gentle, and her bright eyes were filled with longing for the continent's number one academy.

However, Feng Zaixing's words were destined to exceed her expectations.

"Senior Sister, some of the information I know about Shrek is not as wonderful as everyone imagines. In the future, I will go to Ming Capital."

"Really? Does Shrek Academy have something bad about it?"

Mu Xi looked confused. Instinctively, she found it difficult to believe, but Feng Zaixing had an extraordinary background and would not lie to her.

"Yes. Senior Sister can ask Junior Martial Uncle yourself." Feng Zaixing nodded lightly without elaborating.

Mu Xi fell into thought, changed the subject, and continued introducing some of the guests to Feng Zaixing.

Feng Zaixing listened quietly, his expression shifting from time to time. As the guests gradually arrived, two families among them caught his attention: the Xu Family and the Xie Family.

Beside the patriarchs of both families stood a child around his age.

The boy with short brown hair and dark green eyes had an icy expression that kept strangers away. The girl wore two small braids, her pale blue hair lovely and delicate, making her look especially pitiful.

Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan, two members of the Eastsea F4. Both possessed Innate Full Soul Power, and their Martial Souls were each more outrageous than the last. Especially the latter's Star Wheel Ice Staff—even Yun Ming would have to obediently stand still as punishment if struck by it.

Xie Xie possessed the paired Innate Twin Martial Souls, the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger. Later, they inexplicably fused into one and mutated into the Space-Time Dragon, the Dragon God's shadow guard.

"Senior Sister, the Xu Family and Xie Family have both produced extraordinary geniuses. They should both possess Innate Full Soul Power, and their Martial Souls are unusual as well."

Feng Zaixing took the initiative instead, pointing at Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan as he gave them high praise.

"Oh? I didn't know that. Eastsea City has geniuses like that too?"

Mu Xi was openly envious upon hearing that. Innate Full Soul Power was extremely rare around here.

"Extraordinary? Zaixing, did you notice something?" Mu Ye became interested.

His disciple had extremely high standards. Even Luo Guixing had not received such an evaluation.

"I think they resemble Xu Miao and Long Zhen. Their Martial Souls may mutate or evolve."

Feng Zaixing used real examples, making a guest appearance as a prophet.

"That would be remarkable. Unfortunately, their blood vitality is too weak. They aren't suited to our inheritance."

Mu Ye carefully examined the two, then regretfully discovered that geniuses with vigorous blood vitality were difficult to find. Even if he wanted to recruit outsiders, he had no opportunity.

"I don't know about the Xie Family, but the Xu Family does have precedents of Martial Soul mutation in its history. I heard the Xu Family has a long history and some connection to the former imperial family of the Star Luo Empire from ten thousand years ago."

Mu Xi put her mind to work and suddenly realized that Feng Zaixing's words made a great deal of sense.

"Then Junior Martial Uncle should keep an eye on them. Perhaps making an investment will bring good returns." Feng Zaixing said with a smile.

Nothing from the original timeline had happened yet. He had no reason to cause trouble for Xie Xie or Xu Xiaoyan. He had not even considered moving against Tang Wulin, nor could he.

Even bad bamboo could produce a good shoot. The Tang Family had rarely produced someone of fine character, and Tang Wulin had always been a model of virtue before entering Shrek.

He, Feng Zaixing, was an Angel Successor, and his state of mind was of utmost importance. Unless he confronted Shrek and the Tang Sect, or someone else struck first, he naturally had to act openly and honorably.

Night fell, and the brightly lit banquet was filled with laughter and cheerful voices. Mu Chen had rented a cruise ship drifting near the coast. The ball's lights were brilliant and dazzling, while countless handsome men and beautiful women in masks of every color displayed their grace in the dance floor, dancing one magnificent dance after another.

Neither Feng Zaixing nor Mu Ye was used to such a setting. After greeting the others, they left early. Master and disciple walked along the beach, their shadows merging with the night.

"Sure enough, it's not just you who dislikes this. I hate it too. They babble on with a pile of useless nonsense. It's much more enjoyable to cook and eat by ourselves."

Mu Ye complained aloud as he and Feng Zaixing set up the cooking equipment. God-Tier Mecha Little Red flew through the air, opened its storage space, and revealed every sort of seafood imaginable—eels, tuna, seaweed, kelp, and more—all carrying the faintly intoxicating scent of the sea.

"Exactly. The Primal Body Sect should preserve some traces of the old era. Those people act refined and elegant on the surface, full of charm, but who knows how many thieves and whores there are among them behind closed doors?"

Feng Zaixing used Extreme Fire to boil water, complaining about the dull banquet while practicing his control over the fire element.

"Heh heh, now watch me!"

Mu Ye produced all kinds of cooking utensils as if performing magic, changed into a white cook's uniform, stir-fried eel with one hand and made Golden Seafood Soup with the other. He set up a steamer, and seafood buns were ready in an instant.

Feng Zaixing could tell that Mu Ye truly enjoyed the process of cooking. His skills were superb, and saying that the fragrance spread for miles was no exaggeration.

"Teacher, these cooking skills seem useful in battle too. If I can learn to divide my attention between two tasks, wouldn't the power of my first soul skill double?"

While controlling the fire and watching Mu Ye's movements, Feng Zaixing swallowed his saliva and began to imagine possibilities. He acknowledged that this path was feasible, similar to the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect's Heart Separation Control.

Just then, a timid voice rang out beside his ear, low and extremely cautious.

"Big Brother, Na'er is so hungry. Can you give Na'er something to eat?"

Feng Zaixing abruptly turned around. Then he saw a little girl, filthy from head to toe, standing beside a sand pile dozens of meters away. Her short silver hair was especially eye-catching beneath the distant cruise ship's lights. Her purple eyes were dull and gray, like clear gemstones covered in a layer of ash.

"Big Brother, Na'er doesn't remember Na'er's family. Na'er is really hungry..."

The evening breeze was chilly. The little girl hugged her shoulders and murmured softly, her purple eyes flickering with confused light. Like a little beast that had lost its home, she was especially timid and helpless.

"Teacher, let's add another pair of chopsticks to dinner."

After saying that, Feng Zaixing picked up a freshly made seafood bun and rushed toward the little girl as fast as lightning. He said gently:

"Little sister, don't cry. Big Brother has plenty of food here. Eat slowly, and don't burn yourself..."

As he comforted the little girl before him, a nameless fury surged through Feng Zaixing's heart.

Damn it, what kind of parasites are those big shots? They actually let a child like this wander outside?

The day I find evidence of your crimes, I'll punch your dog heads apart and throw your entire families into the Abyss to serve as cannon fodder!