The Twenty-Fourth Mockery

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San's tightly pursed lips and slightly lowered head, her heart aching. Her iconic rabbit ears stood straight up in anger, their fur trembling slightly. She darted forward, blocking Tang San, and without hesitation released her Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul. Pink Soul Power, like leaping flames, instantly coiled around her, making her appear like a lioness protecting her cub. "Don't push it too far!" Her voice was clear but carried an undeniable firmness. "Tang San's Soul Power is just a bit low temporarily. Once he breaks through to Soul Ancestor, he'll definitely surpass you! His Hidden Weapon Techniques are superb. Even now, he can easily defeat an Ordinary Soul Elder. Can you do that?" Her gaze was fiery, piercing directly at the Martial Soul Hall group led by Hu Liena.

"Hidden weapons?" Hu Liena's red lips curved slightly, a hint of disdainful mockery in her tone. She elegantly stepped forward, her soul-captivating eyes swirling with pink light. An invisible Charm Domain rippled outwards like water waves. Pink mist, as if alive, drifted languidly towards Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, is it? Rank 9 on the List, 28,000 points. Quite a bit more than your lover. What, you want to stand up for him?" Her voice carried a natural magnetism that made one's heart flutter. "Unfortunately, no matter how beautifully you play your unorthodox tricks, in the face of absolute, orthodox Martial Soul power, they are nothing more than the antics of a clown."

As the pink mist touched Xiao Wu, her eyes instantly became hazy and dazed, as if lost in some beautiful dream. The Soul Power condensed around her body momentarily dispersed. Just as her body swayed slightly, several tough Blue Silver Grass vines silently coiled around her waist. A gentle yet firm force yanked her sharply backward. Tang San had already stepped forward, shielding Xiao Wu behind him. His eyes glowed with purple, like burning cold flames. His Purple Demon Eye was already operating at its peak. His sharp, almost tangible mental power instantly dispelled the encroaching Charm mist. "Hu Liena!" Tang San's voice was low, filled with suppressed rage. "You dare lay a hand on Xiao Wu?"

"So what if I did?" Yan, standing beside her, could no longer hold back. Burning flames surged around him, and his violent Fire Attribute Soul Power condensed into several fist-sized Scorching Fireballs that danced and rolled in his palms. The surrounding air distorted from the intense heat. "In this Square, do you think your meager tricks can defeat us working together?" His tone was arrogant, his gaze provocative, as if he would hurl the fireballs if a single word was out of place.

The tense atmosphere was on the verge of exploding, as if a single spark could detonate the entire scene. Just then, an bone-chilling aura swept in like a tide, instantly diluting the burning sensation brought by Yan. Several Auction House guards clad in Silver Armor appeared nearby like ghosts. The one leading them had eyes like lightning. He swept his gaze over both sides and spoke without any Undulation in his voice, yet with undeniable authority: "Within the Auction House's safe zone, all forms of private fighting are strictly prohibited. Violators will have all their current point rewards immediately canceled and will be permanently banned from entering the Auction House premises."

This rule was like a splash of ice water. The flames dancing around Yan instantly extinguished with a "poof," leaving only a wisp of smoke. He sullenly retracted his Soul Power but still glared resentfully at Tang San, squeezing out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Consider yourself lucky!"

Footsteps sounded from behind. Yu Xiaogang caught up. He understandingly patted Tang San's shoulder, attempting to offer comfort to his disciple with his usual theories. "Xiao San, don't be discouraged. One ranking doesn't mean anything. This list is only temporary. As long as you strictly follow my theories in your cultivation, build a solid foundation, and proceed step by step, you'll surpass them soon enough. While these 10,000 points aren't much, they're enough to exchange for a decent Second-grade Soul Power Pill. It will definitely help your Soul Power improve."

Tang San looked up, meeting his teacher's concerned and firm gaze. His eyes passed over the overlapping branches, as if he saw again the shining Golden Light Screen on the magnificent Auction House building. Complex, unreadable emotions surged in his eyes—the unwillingness of being looked down upon, the anger at unfair rules, but ultimately, all of these transformed into a burning determination ignited by cruel reality: "I must accumulate more points and unlock those higher-level Treasures that can change my destiny! One day, I will make everyone who looked down on me today know my name, Tang San, and that the so-called Waste Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, will also bloom with a light that shocks the world!"

At the same time, on the second floor of the Auction House, in a serene room overlooking the entire Square. Lin Yue stood with his hands behind his back by the large floor-to-ceiling window, taking in everything that happened below and the expressions of everyone as they left. A faint, almost imperceptible smile, as if everything was under control, appeared at the corner of his lips. The update of this Genius Ranking was not just a simple selection and ranking of the younger generation's talent and strength. Its deeper purpose was to guide all potential Soul Masters on the Douluo Continent, and even the forces behind them. Only by constantly challenging themselves and improving their strength could they obtain more points under this set of rules, and thus exchange for resources that would make them stronger, forming a continuous upward cycle.

"Master," Mo Chen appeared behind him as silently as a shadow, reporting in a low voice with a hint of undetectable worry, "Tang San seems to have developed strong dissatisfaction with the point system. Will this affect his future perception and attitude towards our Auction House?"

"Dissatisfaction?" Lin Yue turned around, walked to the table, picked up a cup of steaming clear tea, and took a gentle sip. His tone was calm and unwavering. "Dissatisfaction is good. With dissatisfaction comes the motivation to break the cauldrons and sink the boats. Mo Chen, you're not looking deep enough. Tang San's potential is far beyond what his current Soul Elder level can define. This little bit of stimulation can serve as a catalyst for his faster growth, forcing him to unleash his inner potential. Moreover," he put down the teacup, his gaze deepening, "his Twin Martial Souls, his unpredictable Hidden Weapon Techniques, might become a crucial, even irreplaceable, piece in our Auction House's layout in the future."

Mo Chen's body trembled upon hearing this, and he immediately lowered his head, respectfully replying, "Yes, this subordinate understands." He said no more, knowing that every move Mr. Lin Yue made was profoundly far-reaching, weaving an invisible, vast net for the Auction House amidst the complex situation on the Douluo Continent.

"From today onwards, all training volume will be doubled," Tang San whispered to himself, his voice not loud but exceptionally clear in the silent night breeze, carrying an undeniable resolve. "Soul Power cultivation, Hidden Weapon Techniques, Purple Demon Eye, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track... everything, I will push to my current limit, and then, break the limit! In the next Genius Ranking update, I, Tang San, will definitely charge into the top three! I will obtain enough points to exchange for the opportunity that will truly make me and my companions powerful!"

The night breeze blew, and the leaves around the training ground rustled, as if responding to his resounding oath, playing an overture of progress for him. And all of this, including the burning flame in Tang San's eyes, was clearly seen by Lin Yue, far away at the Auction House, through some mysterious system means. The meaningful smile at the corner of his lips deepened—the seemingly calm, yet turbulent Douluo Continent chess game was quietly shifting because of this small "Genius Ranking." The future trajectory was becoming increasingly unpredictable and, therefore, increasingly anticipated.