Yu Xiaogang's Sky Falls! Reputation Ruined!

Qian Renxue closed her eyes, letting the warm water cover her shoulders, leaving only her slender neck and delicate collarbones exposed.

Her thoughts, carried by the rippling water, began to slowly clear.

The current situation was very clear, and also very grim.

Tang San was the Child of Destiny, that much was certain.

This meant that opposing him was akin to opposing the will of destiny itself on the Douluo Continent.

Ordinary schemes, ambushes, and blockades would all be resolved by that accursed destiny, even becoming stepping stones for Tang San's growth.

"Is this the so-called 'protagonist's treatment'?"

A mocking smile curved Qian Renxue's lips.

If it were in the past, she might have felt despair, or defiantly tried to change her fate.

But now, with the Life Simulator, she possessed the ability to foresee the future.

Destiny was not unbreakable.

As long as one's strength was great enough, strong enough to crush rules, destiny was nothing more than a joke.

"And the key to that lies with Jixia Academy."

Qian Renxue opened her eyes, her golden irises shimmering with intelligence.

There was an existence there capable of killing a God King in a single move.

If she could gain the help of Jixia Academy, even just a slight bit of leverage, it would be enough to change her and Martial Soul Hall's certain doom.

"Jixia Academy must not be offended; we must befriend them."

This was the primary principle.

In previous simulations, whether it was her or Bibi Dong, they had both been too arrogant when dealing with Jixia Academy.

One became resentful after failing to recruit them, while the other directly resorted to threats of force.

And the results?

One was shut out, the other couldn't even touch the shadow of their presence, and both ultimately met a fate of soul annihilation.

"However, I cannot be too hasty."

Qian Renxue scooped up some water, watching the droplets slip through her fingers.

Dean Lu Ming had a peculiar personality and seemed to dislike being bothered by power.

If she appeared too opportunistic, it would only provoke his displeasure.

The balance had to be struck just right.

She needed to show enough sincerity without appearing subservient, and certainly without seeming to have ulterior motives.

For Qian Renxue, who had grown up amidst schemes and power struggles, this was not a difficult task.

What was difficult was the time.

"There's also a very troublesome event: after the competition, Jixia Academy will disappear."

Qian Renxue recalled the information from the simulator, her brow furrowing once more.

In both simulations, Jixia Academy had vanished into thin air after the competition.

This meant that this mysterious force would not linger in the mortal world for long.

"The All-Continent High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Competition is not far off now. Including the duration of the competition, at most, there's less than a year until it ends."

One year.

For a Soul Master, it was but a blink of an eye.

But this was a year that would determine the fate of her life and death.

"This means I must establish substantive contact with Jixia Academy, and even achieve breakthrough progress, within this year!"

Otherwise, once Jixia Academy disappeared, she would once again have to face Tang San alone, who possessed dual God positions and the blessing of destiny.

That would be a certain death situation.

Splash—

Qian Renxue lifted an arm from the water. What skin that was, so fair and tender beneath the milk bath, like the finest white jade.

She gently wiped her body, then lifted a fair, jade-like foot, placing it on the edge of the bathtub.

Her toes were plump and cute, with a faint pink hue, and her arch formed a graceful curve.

Water droplets slid down her smooth calf, falling onto the surface of the water and creating ripples.

She looked at her toes, but her gaze grew deeper.

"Since I cannot force my way, I will use strategy."

"Jixia Academy's appearance in the competition shows they don't truly wish to remain hidden from the world. Everyone has desires, everyone has weaknesses, even gods are no exception."

"Reputation?"

"Prestige?"

"Or to show off their strength?"

Regardless of the reason, since they were participating in the Soul Master Competition, it meant they needed to showcase themselves on this stage.

"Why don't I give them a hand first?"

A glint flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.

"First, I'll use Prince Xue Qinghe's identity and resources to heavily publicize Jixia Academy's name within Heaven Dou City."

"We'll praise them to the highest heavens, let the entire continent know of Jixia Academy's existence, and make everyone yearn for this mysterious academy."

"This is a probing move, and also a gesture of goodwill."

As for Tang San…

Since he couldn't be killed, she would first destroy his will and sever his wings.

Who did Tang San respect the most?

Yu Xiaogang.

That so-called "Master."

In the simulation, she saw that this so-called theoretical master was actually nothing special.

Many of his theories were plagiarized from Martial Soul Hall's ancient texts, and they were all basic, couldn't-be-more-basic things.

Yet Tang San followed his every word, even treating him like a biological father.

"Then I'll start with Yu Xiaogang."

"Discredit Yu Xiaogang's theories and expose his true face."

"Let the world know that the so-called Master is merely a fraud who stole fame."

"As long as Yu Xiaogang's reputation is ruined, Tang San, as his disciple, will naturally be implicated. Moreover, this will greatly damage Tang San's state of mind."

This was also a way to weaken his luck.

Although she couldn't kill Tang San directly, making him disgusted, enraged, and lose his reason was always a valid approach.

Once Tang San lost his composure, he would reveal weaknesses.

Even though he had luck protecting him, the people around him did not.

At that time, there might be room for manipulation.

With the preliminary plan formulated, Qian Renxue felt a little more relaxed.

She submerged her body back into the water, leaving only her eyes visible as she gazed at the exquisite murals on the ceiling.

In her mind, that figure, as dazzling as the great sun, reappeared.

"Also, that majestic existence, who exactly is it?"

On the official road outside Heaven Dou City, the thin mist had yet to completely dissipate.

Yu Xiaogang walked at the very front of the group, his hands clasped behind his back.

His usually stiff face was now as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Behind him followed Flender, Liu Erlong, and the students of the Shrek Seven Devils. The group was grandly heading towards the rumored location of Jixia Academy.

Along both sides of the official road, many early risers, pedestrians, and Soul Masters pointed at them and whispered.

Although the murmurs were quiet, they clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Look, that's Yu Xiaogang, the so-called theoretical master."

"I heard his theories were all copied from Martial Soul Hall's ancient texts, and they were full of errors too."

"You really can't judge a book by its cover. He used to be praised like a god…"

Yu Xiaogang's footsteps suddenly halted. He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails almost digging into his flesh.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart. He turned to look at Flender and Liu Erlong beside him, his voice hoarse and trembling slightly.