Mysterious Girl

Bang— A Purple-Haired Man was sent flying into the wall by a casual wave of an Old Man's hand. He collapsed to the ground, his fate unknown.

Flender glanced over. "He's a Four-Ring Soul Master."

The tavern waiter calmly dragged the man away.

You guys are way too used to this, Shen Ranxi grumbled inwardly.

Shen Ranxi Looked Over in surprise. It was not the fight that surprised her, but the Old Man's profound strength. With a single exchange and a wave of his hand, he had knocked a Four-Ring Soul Sect Master unconscious...

It was truly shocking.

At a table near the corner sat four people: three expensively dressed Old Men with cold expressions, sitting straight-backed at the table.

The most eye-catching was the Girl seated furthest inside. She looked around eighteen or nineteen, with dazzling golden hair, skin whiter than snow, and an imposing air even without anger. Her Eyes carried a trace of chill.

The three Old Men vaguely treated the Girl as their superior. They were likely attendants or guards assigned to protect her.

For such Strong Experts to serve as guards, this Girl's background was far from simple.

Noticing someone watching her, she turned and met Shen Ranxi's gaze. Seeing that it was a Young Girl, the chill in her Eyes faded slightly, and she gave a small nod.

After a brief pause, Shen Ranxi realized she was greeting her and smiled as she nodded back.

That group carried themselves with confidence and elegance. They were either Nobles or members of a Great Family with deep roots.

But it had nothing to do with her. She disliked Nobles, but only those Nobles who committed countless evil deeds. She was not going to rush up and kill every Noble she saw.

Besides, they could crush her to death with a single finger...

She stopped thinking about it and quietly ate.

After that, the tavern became much quieter. Those who had secretly coveted the stunningly beautiful Girl, having witnessed how dangerous the Old Man was, no longer dared to act recklessly.

The strong were respected. Even if they killed you, what could you do about it?

Flender only rented one suite, letting Little Xi sleep inside while they slept outside. This place was full of all sorts of people, and it was unsafe for a Girl to stay in a room alone!

This definitely was not because Dean Flender was too stingy! Shen Ranxi smiled and nodded.

The forest, shrouded in thin mist, was tranquil and serene.

Before leaving, Shen Ranxi had packed up two tables' worth of food. Naturally, she had paid for it herself. Rely on the Dean? They might as well chew on dry rations!

Flender took the lead. "Let's go! Hopefully, we'll find a suitable Soul Beast this time!"

Dean, you're raising a flag here... Shen Ranxi complained inwardly.

"The Soul Beasts in Sunset Forest are all wild. Some possess extremely powerful attacks, and there are quite a few evil Soul Beasts that hunt humans. Make sure you stay close to me and the Dean!" Li Yusong instructed from behind.

"Yes, Teacher!"

Shen Ranxi also unconsciously grew serious, Staring Intently ahead.

Before long, they encountered a pack of Shadow Moon Demon Wolves. Flender immediately stopped. They were all Within a hundred years old, so Flender led them around the pack.

"Don't cause unnecessary trouble. As long as they don't attack us, we can simply go around them. The important thing is finding a suitable Soul Ring for you!"

The three of them had been walking for more than two hours without finding anything suitable. During that time, they encountered several Soul Beasts foolish enough to treat them as food. A Vampire Bat more than four hundred years old had appeared in broad daylight for some reason. Shen Ranxi wanted to gain practical combat experience, so she asked Dean Flender to let her kill it herself.

It took some time.

"Alright, everyone, let's rest for a while." Li Yusong's voice allowed Shen Ranxi, whose nerves had been taut the entire time, to relax.

She had truly witnessed the terror of this forest. As she was now, she still had no way to survive here on her own.

Flender cleared away the surrounding brambles, creating an open space of nearly a hundred square meters. The three of them sat down against the trees to rest for the time being.

Shen Ranxi took out the food she had bought and laid it out on a cloth.

Thoughtfully, she also took out three sets of bowls and chopsticks.

"Teachers, let's eat together!"

"How can a Teacher take advantage of a student?" Flender was the first to refuse.

He had personally established the Academy rules. He could not go back on his word, could he? He still needed to save face!

"Dean, that's not how it works. You came here to find a Soul Ring for me, and it's just a little food... Besides, you're not only my Teachers, but also my elders. Isn't it only right for Juniors to show filial respect to their elders?" Shen Ranxi curled her lips, mischief flashing through her Eyes.

Flender laughed heartily. "You, you. Our Little Xi is so thoughtful!"

He had to admit that Little Xi was naturally lovable. Even if she were not his direct Disciple, he had long since regarded her as one of his own Juniors.

Li Yusong smiled and picked up his chopsticks, already starting to eat.

The three of them enjoyed a lovely lunch before getting up and continuing their search for Soul Beasts.

Ancient trees surrounded them, accompanied by the rustling sounds of small Soul Beasts moving about and leaves brushing against one another.

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. Flender's face turned grave. This was no small disturbance...

"Li Yusong, protect Little Xi. I'll go ahead and take a look." Dean Flender activated Martial Soul Possession and vanished in an instant.

Li Yusong and Shen Ranxi waited vigilantly.

Only a few minutes later, the Dean returned. With a dark expression, he said, "A group of Nobles is clearing the area. They have no scruples in their actions and have killed several Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts!"

"Let's take another route!"

Li Yusong showed his displeasure. Back then, he had also been recruited by sects and Nobles. After staying with them for a while, he had truly disliked their ways and left in anger.

He traveled the continent, and when he grew older, all he wanted was to retire in peace. After meeting Flender, he had been sweet-talked into coming to the Academy to retire.

Since they had a student with them, they could not cause trouble. The two of them continued forward unhappily.

As Shen Ranxi walked, she observed the surrounding plants, silently reciting their names and effects.

She did not possess the ability to remember everything at a glance. She could only learn and practice more...

"Stop!" Dean Flender suddenly halted.

Shen Ranxi's expression tightened. Li Yusong abruptly grabbed her shoulder with one hand and pulled her behind him, directly summoning his Martial Soul.

The next moment, an enormous Soul Beast appeared before them, its cold Eyes greedily fixed on the three of them.

It resembled a crocodile, was six meters long, and was covered from head to toe in black plate armor. Two horns like those of a bull grew from its head.

"A Ten-Thousand-Year Scaled Beast!" Flender was surprised. Why was this thing here? Shouldn't it be deep within the forest? Why had it appeared in the Outer Area?

"Hmph, a mere Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast dares to set its sights on us? You're courting death!" Flender rushed forward and engaged it in battle.

"This thing's hide is too thick!" he grumbled as he fought.

Shen Ranxi watched with complete focus. Watching the battles of Strong Experts could yield tremendous gains.

Yet she failed to notice the faint rustling coming from the Bush-covered ground, concealed beneath the thunderous sounds of battle.

An inconspicuous vine raised its tip, humanlike as it stretched out and looked around. After seemingly locking onto its target, it nodded.

Li Yusong stood before her with his staff in hand, shielding her from the aftershocks of some skills.

Shen Ranxi felt something on her leg. Looking down, she discovered a vine coiled around it. Surprise flashed through her Eyes, and she immediately tried to shatter it.

Realizing it had been discovered, the vine immediately tightened and swiftly dragged her backward. Shen Ranxi only had time to cry, "Teacher Li!" before she was pulled away.