Experiment Log, the Down-and-Out Xiao Chenyu

"First bloodline extraction experiment: extracted three drops of White Tiger Bloodline Essence. Tests showed an extremely strong attraction to Advanced Tiger-type Soul Beasts. The subject's physical condition was good, but his cultivation speed weakened somewhat."

"Fifth bloodline extraction experiment: extracted four drops of White Tiger Bloodline Essence. It attracted Advanced Tiger-type Soul Beasts, but not strongly. The subject's physical condition was poor, and his cultivation speed greatly decreased."

"Tenth bloodline extraction experiment: reinjected the White Tiger Bloodline Essence extracted during the seventh through ninth experiments into the subject's body. After three days of observation, the subject's cultivation speed rose sharply. He appeared strong but was weak within, and his condition was extremely poor. Extracted three drops of White Tiger Bloodline Essence with effects equivalent to those extracted during the third experiment."

"Seventeenth bloodline extraction experiment: performed a secondary extraction on the previously extracted White Tiger Bloodline Essence and injected it into the subject's body. The subject's aptitude advanced, and the White Tiger Martial Soul faintly showed signs of transformation and evolution. However, the subject's physique could not support the Martial Soul's transformation. There was a chance of his body exploding and killing him."

"Eighteenth bloodline extraction experiment: extracted three drops of purple White Tiger Bloodline Essence. A small beast tide erupted on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. Dai Mubai's body withered away, and he died completely."

"Experiment summary: After the bloodline within a Beast Martial Soul master's body is extracted, the Martial Soul does not immediately regress. Consuming medicines that replenish qi and blood restores the lost bloodline. Reinjecting the extracted bloodline power into the body greatly increases bloodline concentration, thereby causing the Martial Soul to transform."

"Drawback: Martial Soul Evolution is closely related to the Soul Master's bloodline grade, bloodline concentration, and physical strength. If the body does not meet the required standard, Martial Soul Evolution will greatly consume the subject's life force."

Wang Qi closed the notebook containing this experiment log. Looking at Nuoding City in the distance, he began planning Yu Xiaogang's fate.

"Two years passed in the blink of an eye. I thought I would reach Nuoding City two months ago, but I ran into Dai Mubai, and he forcibly held me up for two months. Still, those two months were worth it!"

Thinking of the data he had obtained from Dai Mubai over the past two months, as well as the three gelatinous drops of White Tiger Bloodline Essence in the three jade bottles inside his Soul Tool, each resembling a purple gemstone, Wang Qi felt that his gains had been plentiful.

After paying the entrance fee, Wang Qi had intended to book a room first. Unexpectedly, halfway there, he ran into an acquaintance on the street.

"Xiao Chenyu? Why is this kid still in Nuoding City? The holiday has been over for a while now, hasn't it? Is that Nuoding Academy's uniform he's wearing? Could Yu Xiaogang have stopped Xiao Chenyu from graduating?"

"The injuries on his face make sense too. It's been two years since the story began. Yu Xiaogang and Tang San must already have a master-disciple relationship. Given Yu Xiaogang's nature, even if he had no intention of training Xiao Chenyu, he wouldn't let such good material slip away. He'd use him to prove some bullshit Martial Soul theory of his."

The moment Wang Qi saw Xiao Chenyu, he had a guess about what Xiao Chenyu had experienced over the past two years.

Knowing the story and the characters' personalities, then working backward through the process, was not difficult for Wang Qi.

"Xiao Chenyu? What's wrong? You don't recognize me? It's Wang Qi! What happened to your injuries?"

Xiao Chenyu, who had been wandering the streets aimlessly, suddenly heard someone calling him. When he turned around, he saw a familiar yet unfamiliar face.

His features were handsome. Though his face still retained a little baby fat, it was obvious that he had the potential to become an exceptionally handsome man in the future.

His dark gray hair was wild and unruly, yet rather than ruining the overall air of his face, it added a touch of roguishness.

Xiao Chenyu looked at Wang Qi in confusion, his mind racing as he compared face after face in his memories. Those familiar features, that different temperament—he vaguely had an answer. He tested, "Wang Qi?"

"Of course it's me. But seriously, why are you still in Nuoding City? I thought you would at least be attending an Intermediate Soul Master Academy this year. How have you been lately?"

Seeing Xiao Chenyu deliberately trying to hide the injuries on his face, Wang Qi smiled and led him toward a restaurant nearby.

"Come on. It's been a long time. I'll treat you to a meal."

After all, Xiao Chenyu had been the first friend Wang Qi made after arriving in Nuoding City. He might not be able to change Xiao Chenyu's fate, but occasionally listening to him complain was not a problem.

After several rounds of wine and several courses of food, Xiao Chenyu listened to Wang Qi recount his experiences over the past two years as if he were hearing a heavenly book. As he imagined himself in Wang Qi's place, he raised his cup more and more frequently.

Before long, Wang Qi did not even need to ask. Xiao Chenyu began voluntarily talking about everything that had happened over the past two years.

From Wang Qi leaving Nuoding City, to Tang San taking Yu Xiaogang as his master, to Xiao Chenyu saying that he had not been valued and had been bullied, Xiao Chenyu had suffered endless grievances over the past two years.

Now fourteen years old, Xiao Chenyu completely abandoned all concern for his image and sprawled across the table, bursting into tears through the haze of alcohol.

Seeing Xiao Chenyu in such a miserable state, Wang Qi could not help sighing. "Yu Xiaogang really doesn't act like a human. He took the benefits, then refused to do the job."

"But don't sit here feeling sorry for yourself either. I warned you long ago, but you wouldn't listen. Who can you blame? Forget it. We're friends, after all. If I get the chance, I'll give you a hand."

With a sigh, Wang Qi helped Xiao Chenyu back to his courtyard in Nuoding City. After tidying up a little, he entered a cultivation state.

The next morning, Xiao Chenyu slowly woke up clutching his slightly swollen head. Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, he quickly replayed everything that had happened in the restaurant the previous night.

Soul Masters had strong constitutions, and no one dared sell fake alcohol to a Soul Master. Thus, aside from his head feeling a little swollen from getting drunk, every moment of the previous night remained perfectly recorded in Xiao Chenyu's mind.

"Fuck, did I really have to embarrass myself that badly?"

"But seriously, I never expected Wang Qi to reach the Soul Grandmaster realm in only two short years. It's simply unimaginable."

After drinking some water and clearing his head a little, Xiao Chenyu pushed open the door. Under the sunlight, he saw Wang Qi in the middle of the courtyard practicing a set of fist techniques Xiao Chenyu had never seen before.

"You're awake? You drank quite a lot last night. I'm no longer a Nuoding Academy student, so I couldn't send you back to the dormitory. That's why I brought you to my home." After saying that, Wang Qi felt that something about those words sounded strange. He exhaled and finished his routine, then took out breakfast from his Soul Tool and tossed it to Xiao Chenyu before walking to a platform at the side to cultivate.

"You're still as hardworking as you were two years ago. It's really hard to imagine that when we went to the Soul Hunting Forest together to obtain soul rings two years ago, you were already this strong—a Soul Grandmaster."

Xiao Chenyu ate breakfast and sat off to the side, lamenting the unpredictability of life.

After eating and drinking his fill, he casually found a spot and entered a cultivation state as well. Such days continued for three days.