Xiao Wu looked at Tang San's tightly pressed lips and slightly bowed head, and a pang of heartache seized her. Her signature rabbit ears stood straight up in anger, their soft fur trembling. In a single step, she moved in front of Tang San and released her Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul without hesitation. Pink Soul Power sprang around her like dancing flames, making her look like a lioness protecting her cub. "Don't push it!" Her voice was clear, yet carried an unmistakable firmness. "Tang San's just temporarily behind in Soul Power. Once he breaks through to Soul Ancestor, he'll definitely surpass you! His Hidden Weapon Techniques are so masterful that even now, he can easily defeat an ordinary Soul Elder. Can any of you do that?" Her eyes blazed as she fixed her gaze on the Spirit Hall group led by Hu Liena.
"Hidden weapons?" Hu Liena's red lips curled in a scornful smile. She stepped forward elegantly, pink light rippling in her captivating eyes as an invisible Charm Domain spread like waves on water. Pink mist, seemingly alive, drifted toward Xiao Wu. "You're Xiao Wu, right? Ninth on the ranking, with 28,000 Points. That's a little more than your sweetheart has. What, trying to stand up for him?" Her voice was naturally alluring, stirring the heart of anyone who heard it. "It's a pity. No matter how skillfully you play at these unorthodox tricks, in the face of the absolute power of proper Martial Souls, you're nothing but a clown."
The pink mist touched Xiao Wu, and her eyes instantly grew hazy, as if she'd fallen into a beautiful dream. The Soul Power gathered around her wavered for a moment. As she swayed, several tough strands of Blue Silver Grass silently coiled around her waist, and a gentle but firm force yanked her backward. Tang San stepped forward and shielded Xiao Wu behind him. Purple light glimmered in his eyes like cold flames as his Purple Demon Eye reached its full power. His keen spiritual force instantly dispelled the alluring mist. "Hu Liena!" Tang San's voice was low, his anger barely restrained. "How dare you attack Xiao Wu?"
"So what if I do?" Yan, who had been holding himself back, flared with impatience. Scorching flames surged around him as his violent Fire Attribute Soul Power formed several head-sized Scorching Fireballs that danced and spun between his hands. The air around him shimmered in the heat. "You think your paltry tricks can beat all of us together in this plaza?" His tone was arrogant and his gaze provocative, as if he were one word away from hurling the fireballs.
The tense atmosphere threatened to erupt at any moment, as if a single spark could set off the whole plaza. Just then, a bone-chilling aura swept over them like a tide, instantly dispelling the heat Yan had brought. Several Auction House guards in Silver Armor appeared nearby like ghosts. The leader's gaze swept over both sides, sharp as lightning. His voice was flat, yet carried unquestionable authority. "All forms of fighting are prohibited within the Auction House's safe zone. Violators will immediately forfeit all Points rewards from this event and be permanently banned from entering the Auction House grounds."
The rule hit like a bucket of ice water. The fireballs dancing around Yan vanished with a soft pop, leaving only a wisp of smoke. He reluctantly withdrew his Soul Power but still glared viciously at Tang San, gritting out, "You're lucky this time!"
Footsteps sounded behind them as Yu Xiaogang caught up. He patted Tang San on the shoulder in sympathy, trying to comfort his disciple with his usual theories. "Xiao San, don't lose heart. One ranking doesn't mean anything, and this list is only temporary. As long as you follow my theories strictly, build a solid foundation, and progress step by step, you'll surpass them before long. One thousand Points may not be much, but they're enough to exchange for a decent Second-grade Soul Power Pill. That should help improve your Soul Power."
Tang San lifted his head and looked at his teacher's concerned, resolute gaze. Beyond the layers of branches, he seemed to see the grand Auction House again, its Golden Light Screen shining brightly. Complex emotions churned in his eyes—resentment at being looked down on, anger at the unfairness of the rules—but in the end, all of it became determination, kindled by the harsh reality into a blazing fire. "I'll earn more Points and unlock those higher-tier treasures that can change my fate! One day, I'll make everyone who looked down on me today understand that the name Tang San—and what they call a Waste Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass—will shine with a light that astonishes the world!"
Meanwhile, in a quiet room on the Auction House's second floor, overlooking the entire plaza, Lin Yue stood with his hands behind his back before a huge floor-to-ceiling window. He took in everything that had happened below, as well as everyone's expressions as they left. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips. The Genius Ranking Update wasn't merely a simple evaluation and ranking of the younger generation's talent and strength. Its deeper purpose was to guide all talented Soul Masters across Douluo Continent, along with the forces behind them. Only by continually challenging themselves and growing stronger could they earn more Points under this system and exchange them for resources that would make them stronger, creating an ever-ascending cycle.
"Master," Mo Chen reported quietly, appearing behind him like a shadow. A hint of concern crept into his voice. "Tang San seems deeply unhappy with the Points rules. Could that affect his opinion of our Auction House and his attitude toward us in the future?"
"Unhappy?" Lin Yue turned and walked to the table, picking up a cup of steaming tea and taking a small sip. His voice remained calm. "Good. Dissatisfaction gives someone the drive to burn their boats and fight to the end. Mo Chen, you aren't looking deeply enough. Tang San's potential can't be measured by his current, mere Soul Elder rank. This little nudge may be just the catalyst he needs to grow faster and force his hidden potential to the surface. Besides..." He set down his teacup, his gaze turning profound. "His Twin Martial Souls and his unfathomable Hidden Weapon Techniques may one day make him a crucial, perhaps even irreplaceable, piece in our Auction House's plans."
Mo Chen trembled slightly at this, then bowed his head and replied respectfully, "Understood, sir." He said no more, knowing that every move Mr. Lin Yue made was far-reaching. Lin Yue was weaving an invisible web for the Auction House amid Douluo Continent's tangled conflicts.
"Starting today, I'm doubling all my training." Tang San spoke softly to himself. His voice was quiet, but especially clear in the still night breeze, filled with an unshakable resolve. "Soul Power cultivation, Hidden Weapon Techniques, Purple Demon Eye, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track... I'll push everything to its current limit—and then break through that limit! When the Genius Ranking updates again, I, Tang San, will make the top three! I'll earn enough Points to exchange for the opportunity that will truly make me and my companions stronger!"
The night breeze brushed past, and the leaves around the training ground rustled, as if answering his emphatic vow and playing an overture to his determined march forward. All of it, including the burning flame in Tang San's eyes, was clearly visible to Lin Yue at the distant Auction House through some mysterious system method. The meaningful smile on his lips deepened. This game of chess across Douluo Continent, seemingly calm but seething beneath the surface, was beginning to shift because of one little "Genius Ranking." Its future course had grown all the more unpredictable—and all the more exciting.
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