A Dark and Windy Night

At the entrance of Competition Arena No. 1, a red-haired youth was leaning against a stone pillar.

He wore a white academy uniform, his tousled hair covering his forehead, his peach-blossom eyes slightly upturned, and his nose bridge high and straight.

At thirteen years old, he had already grown to one meter eighty-five, standing tall and straight—a handsome guy who was in no way inferior to Xu Sanshi.

Xue Yuheng watched him, unable to help but grumble inwardly.

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Douluo Continent really is full of handsome guys everywhere.

It makes the advantage of my own handsome face not very significant.

Of course, Douluo Continent is still Douluo Continent; there are just too many people obsessed with cute boys.

In the past two months, the number of love letters from senior sisters stuffed into his hands could stretch from the arena to the cafeteria entrance.

"Xiao Xiao, you're here?"

Seeing Xiao Xiao walk over, Wei Ran's eyes lit up, and he straightened his body to greet her.

Xue Yuheng's brows twitched slightly.

The next second, Xiao Xiao naturally reached out and hooked her arm around Xue Yuheng's wrist, leaning her entire body against him as she looked up and smiled at Wei Ran: "Senior Wei Ran, I'm not here to fight you today."

Feeling the warmth and softness, Xue Yuheng's body instantly relaxed.

Wei Ran was stunned for a moment, his gaze falling on their clasped wrists, and then he smiled with realization.

He did indeed have a good impression of Xiao Xiao, but it was more of an appreciation for a well-matched opponent.

After all, in the entire Tianzheng Academy, Xiao Xiao was the only one who could trade blows with him while still at the Soul Grand Master level.

"And who is this handsome young man?" Wei Ran looked at Xue Yuheng and asked curiously.

He often saw this boy following Xiao Xiao, but he had never had the chance to meet him.

"This is Xue Yuheng, my fiancé." Xiao Xiao introduced, a hint of pride in her tone, "He is here to challenge you today."

"Fiancé? Challenge me?"

The smile on Wei Ran's face instantly stiffened.

He looked Xue Yuheng up and down, his gaze landing on the faint yellow soul ring appearing on his body, his face full of disbelief: "You want to challenge me?

A one-ring Soul Master?"

He was a level 43 Soul Ancestor with an Ultimate soul ring configuration of two purples and two blacks; his third and fourth soul rings were both ten-thousand-year level!

Among his peers in the entire Tianzheng Academy, no one was his match.

Xiao Xiao was a level 27 Soul Grand Master, nearing a Soul Elder, and her strength was monstrous, so he could accept that.

But Xue Yuheng, a one-ring Soul Master, on what grounds could he challenge him?

"What, are you afraid?" Xue Yuheng's tone was flat.

"It's not that I'm afraid, it's just unnecessary."

Wei Ran frowned, "I don't want to bully a child. If I accidentally hurt you, Xiao Xiao would be upset with me."

"We'll know after a fight." Xue Yuheng said no more, turned, and walked into the arena.

Wei Ran looked helplessly at Xiao Xiao, who shrugged: "Just have a match with him. Don't worry, Xiao Xue is very strong."

Seeing that Xiao Xiao had said as much, Wei Ran no longer declined and followed him into the arena.

A cold, metallic female voice rang out: "Mimicry battlefield random selection in progress... Selection complete.

Battlefield: Coast of the East Sea!"

As the voice fell, the surrounding liquid metal walls slowly transformed.

A clear blue sky appeared above Xue Yuheng's head, the ground beneath his feet turned into soft sand, and in the distance was the boundless sea, waves crashing against the reefs with a splashing sound.

The salty, humid sea breeze blew against his face, carrying a faint coolness.

Wei Ran looked at the sea before him, his brows furrowing slightly; he didn't particularly like water.

Xue Yuheng, however, was lost in thought.

The sea was practically a natural home-field advantage for the Ultimate Ice attribute.

"The match begins!"

As soon as the cold female voice finished, four soul rings instantly lit up on Wei Ran's body.

Purple, purple, black, black—a terrifying soul ring configuration that far exceeded the standard.

A primitive, four-story bronze pagoda emerged from above his head, its body covered in mottled patterns, radiating an aura of heaviness and antiquity.

No one knew that this was not the martial soul he had naturally awakened at all.

"First Soul Skill, Zhenyue!"

Wei Ran let out a low shout, and the first purple soul ring lit up.

The bronze pagoda instantly enlarged, carrying the momentum of Mount Tai pressing down, and smashed fiercely toward Xue Yuheng.

Xue Yuheng stood where he was, motionless.

It was not until the moment the small bronze pagoda was about to smash onto his head that the pale yellow century-old soul ring on his body finally lit up.

"Ice Emperor's Bodyguard."

Pale blue ice crystals instantly covered his entire body, forming a suit of ice armor engraved with the patterns of an Ice Jade Empress Scorpion.

The small bronze pagoda slammed heavily into the ice armor, emitting a deafening roar.

The beach was forcibly smashed into a large crater, with sand and stones flying everywhere.

Wei Ran was somewhat surprised.

His first soul skill was something even a Soul Elder wouldn't dare to take head-on, yet it had been blocked by Xue Yuheng's ice armor?

Did this guy just say he was a one-ring support-type soul master earlier?

Did he hear wrong?

Before he could react, Xue Yuheng had already launched a counterattack.

Domain of Eternal Freeze.

With Xue Yuheng as the center, a circle of pale blue ice mist instantly spread outward.

The frigid cold surged into the sea, and the surrounding seawater froze at a speed visible to the naked eye, quickly forming a massive sheet of ice.

The sea breeze turned biting, and even the water vapor in the air transformed into fine ice sand.

Wei Ran only felt that his movements had become much slower, and the circulation of his soul power was also hindered.

"Such a powerful ice attribute!"

Wei Ran's expression tightened, and he dared not be the slightest bit careless anymore.

Fourth soul skill, Devouring Immortal Pagoda!

He violently injected all his soul power into the small bronze pagoda, and his fourth black ten-thousand-year soul ring lit up.

The small bronze pagoda surged in size again, the patterns on its body becoming incredibly clear. The mouth of the pagoda opened, forming a massive black vortex that generated a terrifying suction force.

The surrounding seawater, sand, stones, and even the light were being sucked inside.

Just then, a strange movement suddenly came from Xue Yuheng's sea of consciousness.

The Wordless Heavenly Book, which had always floated there quietly, had actually flipped open on its own!

Xue Yuheng was stunned.

Ever since he awakened, this Wordless Heavenly Book had only recorded the panel information of females and had never reacted to any male.

A pale golden light screen appeared in his mind.

Name: Wei Ran

Talent: Trash

Bone Age: 13

Level: 41

Cultivation: 4 rings

Immortal Artifact: Ancient Immortal Pagoda (can be deduced)

Immortal Artifact?

Xue Yuheng was shocked to his core.

The Devouring Immortal Pagoda had already reached the top of Xue Yuheng's head, the immense suction force nearly tearing his body apart.

Wrath of the Ice Emperor!

Xue Yuheng let out a low shout, and the origin power of his first soul ring erupted without reservation.

Countless thick ice spikes surged out from the frozen sea surface like a forest of ice, meeting the Devouring Immortal Pagoda.

At the same time, the Ice Jade Empress Scorpion tattoo on his right wrist lit up.

A long sword, icy blue from head to hilt, appeared in his hand, with an aura of extreme cold flowing along the blade.

Self-created soul skill, Sword of Wind!

Xue Yuheng leaped into the air, the ice sword in his hand carrying the power to destroy the heavens and earth as he slashed fiercely toward the Devouring Immortal Pagoda.

Boom!

The ice spikes collided with the Devouring Immortal Pagoda, producing an earth-shattering explosion.

A terrifying shockwave spread out, causing countless cracks to appear on the frozen ice surface as seawater surged upward.

Wei Ran groaned, his body flying backward as a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

The small bronze pagoda also became dim and lusterless, shrinking back into his hand.

Xue Yuheng also landed on the ice, panting slightly.

He had used almost all of his strength in that last strike.

"I lost."

Wei Ran wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at Xue Yuheng, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was disappointment, unwillingness, but more than anything, admiration.

He accepted his defeat wholeheartedly.

"You are very strong." Xue Yuheng stepped forward and extended a hand. "Your pagoda is also quite special."

Wei Ran was stunned for a moment, then gripped his hand and grinned. "You're the real monster here.

A seven-year-old Soul Master who can beat a Soul Ancestor like me—no one would believe it if I told them."

Xue Yuheng looked at his bright, hearty smile and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

This was the first time he had actually wanted to get along well with a guy.

After all, this was the Ancient Immortal Pagoda.

The martial soul display had actually listed it as an Immortal Artifact. Could this pagoda... not be a martial soul that Wei Ran was born with?

All these mysteries were waiting for Xue Yuheng to explore.

After the match ended, Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao did not leave.

They challenged the top six ranked individuals on the Heavenly Ranking on the spot.

Although the Heavenly Ranking had rules that one could not challenge someone with a Soul Power Level difference of more than three ranks, the battle-hardened Xiao Xiao and the astonishing Xue Yuheng were no ordinary Soul Grand Master and Soul Master.

The news that they were challenging Soul Kings spread throughout the entire senior division in an instant.

Everyone ran over to watch the spectacle.

It was too entertaining.

Over the next three days, the entire Tianzheng Academy was turned upside down by these two seven-year-olds.

In the end, Xiao Xiao climbed to the fifth spot on the Heavenly Ranking individual list with an undefeated record. Xue Yuheng followed closely behind, ranked sixth.

As for the top four, they all happened to be away on academy missions and were not currently on campus.

Saturday morning.

Sunlight spilled into the girls' dormitory through the gaps in the curtains.

Xiao Xiao rolled over in bed and opened her eyes, feeling groggy.

She was wearing pink cartoon bear pajamas, with two bear ears flopping on her head, looking soft and cute.

"Qingwu... ah-woo," Xiao Xiao yawned, rubbed her eyes, and sat up. "When did you get back last night? I waited for you for so long, wanting to open the door for you."

Xue Qingwu was standing in front of the vanity brushing her teeth, her mouth full of bubbles as she mumbled indistinctly, "Didn't I tell you? No need to wait for me to come back, just go to sleep.

Are you afraid I wouldn't have a place to sleep?"

In truth, what she wanted to say was, could a door lock really stop her?

Hmm, the Snow Empress's emotional intelligence had improved.

"Today, Xiao Xue is taking me to find Senior Sister Yu to go shopping in the city and buy new clothes. Are you coming?"

Xiao Xiao jumped out of bed, ran over to Xue Qingwu, hugged her from behind, and even snuck a pinch on her.

She looked down at her own chest, then snuck a glance at Xue Qingwu's, comparing them in her heart.

She lost. She lost completely.

Xue Qingwu rinsed her mouth, wiped it, turned around, and ruffled her hair. "I won't go. I still have some things to take care of."

"What on earth have you been busy with lately? You're so mysterious." Xiao Xiao frowned and asked curiously, "You leave early and return late every day; I can barely see a shadow of you."

Xue Qingwu gave a mysterious smile and reached out to push her back. "Hurry up and go meet up with Xiao Xue. Look at the time; if you're any later, Senior Sister Yu will get impatient.

I'll tell you when I'm done with my business."

Seeing that she wouldn't say, Xiao Xiao stopped asking and skipped off to change her clothes.

At nine in the morning, Xue Yuheng took Xiao Xiao and Yu Mengdi and walked out of the academy gates together.

The three of them spent the entire day wandering around Tianxing City.

Shopping, buying clothes, eating snacks, watching a movie—they had a wonderful time.

Yu Mengdi, who was usually serious and earnest, completely let her guard down today, a bright smile never leaving her face.

By dusk, the three of them returned to the academy carrying bags full of items.

Xue Yuheng acted like a boyfriend, escorting Xiao Xiao and Yu Mengdi all the way to the foot of the girls' dormitory building.

"Go on up, get some rest early." Xue Yuheng handed them the things he was carrying and said softly.

"Mm, we're heading up then." Xiao Xiao waved her hand and pulled Yu Mengdi into the dormitory building.

The dormitory manager sat by the table at the entrance, watching the three of them walk away, and couldn't help but shake her head with a smile.

She was wearing a tight-fitting floral cheongsam that outlined her curvaceous figure, and she waved a cattail fan in her hand, her eyes full of envy.

"Young people these days, they really know how to have fun."

"To be so considerate at such a young age, what will you be like when you grow up?"

The night deepened.

The moon was swallowed by dark clouds at some unknown moment.

The entire academy had fallen into a deep slumber, with only a few scattered streetlights casting a dim, yellowish glow.

On the rooftop of the boys' dormitory, Xue Yuheng sat alone on the edge.

A faint golden light swirled around his body as he used the Power of Creation to deduce the Ancient Immortal Pagoda of Wei Ran.

Several days had passed, and despite pouring over a thousand points of Power of Creation into it, the progress of the deduction remained stagnant.

This was the first time Xue Yuheng had ever deduced an "Immortal Artifact," and the consumption was simply too immense, wasn't it?

If this continued, the spoils he had plucked from the lightning tribulation of Xiao Xiao would be completely squandered.

Did he really have to return to the miserable days of dual cultivation with Xiao Xiao day and night, just to recover one point of Power of Creation per hour?

Suddenly, Everything in heaven and earth vanished from Xue Yuheng's field of vision, as if all color had been drained from the world, leaving only an endless expanse of white and black.

The rooftop beneath his feet was a deathly white, the distant buildings a somber black; there was not a shred of any other color left between heaven and earth.

Eerie, deathly silent, and suffocating—it pressed down on Xue Yuheng until his mind grew hazy.

Space wrinkled like thin paper, and a gray shadow tore its way out from the void.

There were no footsteps, no fluctuations of soul power, and even the spatial ripples were too faint to be detected.

A youth dressed in gray-patterned formal wear appeared out of thin air.

He was slender, looking no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, with a handsome face that was almost pale and a faint melancholy in his brows, looking exactly like the frail scholars found in miscellaneous tales.

Even though he had been on the horizon thousands of meters away, he stood just three steps in front of Xue Yuheng in the blink of an eye.

He was so close that Xue Yuheng could clearly see his eyelashes dusted with fine, gray light.

The moment he locked eyes with Xue Yuheng, an ethereal voice pierced straight into Xue Yuheng's soul.

"Douluo Continent II: The Unrivaled Tang Sect... When you saw me, why did a book appear in your mind?"

"What is that?"