Kyōka Suigetsu

[Dou Er Era]

Shrek Academy, work-study student dormitory.

Ji Xuan felt the surging power within his body; every pore seemed to be cheering.

The body he had transmigrated into possessed truly abysmal talent, with an Innate Soul Power of only a pathetic level three.

If not for the original owner's tenacious personality and diligence—working day and night at menial tasks to earn a spot as a work-study student—he likely wouldn't have even qualified to enter the Shrek outer courtyard.

And a work-study student, to put it bluntly, was just a free laborer for the academy.

Sweeping the plaza, sweeping the dorms, sweeping the teaching buildings... he had done almost every type of manual labor.

Even so, despite training with all his might, he was currently only a level thirteen Soul Master.

Even in the outer courtyard, he was the bottom of the barrel.

His first soul ring was merely a ten-year soul ring, better than nothing.

But now, everything was different!

Innate Full Soul Power!

This was the true starting point of a genius!

Before he could fully adapt, the system's voice rang out again.

[Reward Two: Soul Skill Reset!]

[Detected that the host's first soul ring is a ten-year soul ring. It is now being reset. Three options are provided, and the soul ring age will be randomly generated.]

[Please select your new first soul skill:]

[Option One: Fragment Shot]:

[Soul Skill Effect: The Mirror martial soul shatters, turning into countless sharp fragments to perform an indiscriminate area-of-effect attack. After use, the Mirror martial soul requires one hour to reform.]

[Option Two: Mirror of Truth]:

[Soul Skill Effect: Discern one unknown secret or a physical/martial soul weakness of the target. Can be used once daily; ineffective against targets whose spiritual power far exceeds the host's.]

[Option Three: Kyōka Suigetsu]:

[Soul Skill Effect: Uses the martial soul as a medium to create an illusion, which can affect individuals or groups. The intensity of the illusion is linked to the host's spiritual power and Soul Power Level.]

Ji Xuan looked at the third option, his eyes lighting up instantly.

Kyōka Suigetsu.

What a magnificent Kyōka Suigetsu!

This was a divine skill tailor-made for his Mirror martial soul!

Creating illusions, blurring the lines between reality and fiction... the room for manipulation was unimaginably vast!

Whether used for self-preservation, combat, or creating even more explosive "exposure material," it was simply perfect!

"I choose, [Kyōka Suigetsu]."

Ji Xuan made his choice without the slightest hesitation.

[Selection confirmed. Beginning random generation of soul ring age...]

[Congratulations to the host! The soul ring age is: 20,000 years!]

Hum--!

A soul ring shimmering with black light appeared out of thin air beneath Ji Xuan's feet, pulsing quietly.

Unlike the earth-shattering scenes caused by Wang Yan, Ji Xuan's transformation was like hearing thunder in a silent place.

Ji Xuan slowly extended his right hand, and the plain, unremarkable mirror emerged from his palm.

With a thought, he activated the soul skill he had just acquired.

The surface of the mirror rippled gently, and the scene in the entire room distorted for a split second before returning to normal.

But in Ji Xuan's perception, this room had fallen completely under his control.

He could make the bed float, or turn the walls into a flowing waterfall.

If he wanted, he could even construct an endless mountain of blades and sea of fire for an enemy within this tiny dormitory.

"This is... Kyōka Suigetsu."

Ji Xuan felt this power to distort reality, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Innate Full Soul Power, plus a 20,000-year first soul ring!

Such a start was enough to make any genius envious.

However, the lockdown order just announced by Mu En made his mood somewhat complicated.

What he needed to do most right now was hunt a soul beast to obtain his second soul ring.

But the lockdown... meant he could not leave Shrek at will.

Ji Xuan looked through the window toward the magnificent complex of teaching buildings in the distance.

The work-study student dormitory is located on the edge of the outer courtyard of Shrek Academy.

It is rarely visited on ordinary days, existing almost in a blind spot of the academy's management.

At this moment, while the academy plaza is filled with clamor, this place remains exceptionally quiet, with almost no one paying it any attention.

Ji Xuan's eyes flicker.

The schemes of Qiangu Wangyan have affected almost every student who has received his guidance.

However, these work-study students, either due to their mediocre aptitude or lack of opportunity to interact with him, have instead become the ones who slipped through the net.

Qiangu Wangyan does not even have the interest to glance at them.

That is for the best.

Ji Xuan's lips curl upward slightly. After tidying up briefly and confirming that he carries no markings of the academy, he leaves the dormitory without a sound.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Ji Xuan successfully arrives at the outer wall of the academy.

With a leap, he vaults over the high wall and lands silently on the street outside the academy.

He soon discovers that the lockdown order issued by Mu En has also affected Shrek City.

Usually, the streets are bustling with heavy traffic and are exceptionally lively.

But at this moment, a trace of strange tension permeates the air.

The number of pedestrians on the street has clearly decreased, many shops have closed their doors, and the air is filled with a sense of oppression, as if a storm is about to break.

The news of Shrek Academy's lockdown has acted like an earthquake, completely shaking this city that relies on the academy.

Ji Xuan does not linger, heading straight toward the East City Gate of Shrek City.

That is the largest cargo distribution center in Shrek City, where merchant caravans and convoys are frequently found.

Soon, he arrives near the East City Gate.

From a distance, he sees a convoy stopped outside the city gate.

A group of people is gathered in front of the convoy, and it seems an argument is taking place.

"Miss, it's not that we aren't giving you face, but there really is nowhere to exchange this Purple Crystal Card right now!"

A rough voice rings out; it is the leader of the convoy.

Standing before him is a person wrapped in a black cloak, their face obscured.

"Nonsense! Shrek City is full of banks; how could it be impossible to exchange it?"

The person speaks with anxiety and anger; the voice is as cold as ice, revealing that it is a woman.

She holds a purple card in her hand, the very Purple Crystal Card commonly used by high-level soul masters.

"There are thirty thousand Gold Soul Coins in this card; is that not enough to cover your fees?"

The convoy leader is a burly man. He shakes his head, his face showing his predicament:

"Miss, it's not that I don't want to take it, but this card has to be exchanged at a bank."

"But right now... Shrek Academy just issued a lockdown order, and rumors are flying all over the city that there are Evil Soul Masters in the academy!"

"Among us merchants, who dares to go to a bank now? If we get into trouble, all of us dozens of brothers will be finished!"

He pauses, his tone firm:

"If you pay in cash, we'll leave. Otherwise, you'd better find someone else!"

Seeing that the sky is growing dark, the other workers in the convoy begin to urge their leader.

"Preposterous!"

The woman in the black cloak clearly did not expect such a turn of events. Her voice rises an octave, carrying a suppressed fury.

Her soul power begins to leak out uncontrollably, and a faint icy blue light flickers around her body, causing the temperature in the air to drop by several degrees.

"You..."

The cold female voice carries a hint of irrepressible rage.

Clearly, she is already considering taking action by force.

Ji Xuan stands not far away, watching this scene with great interest.

When he catches a glimpse of the cold profile faintly visible beneath the black-cloaked woman's hood, a flash of surprise crosses his eyes.

Ling Luochen?