As the entire continent boiled with discussion over the upheaval at Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire,
the very man behind the storm was relaxing in Skywater City, sipping fragrant tea as he waited for the fruits of his victory.
In the Tianshui Clan estate, inside Ji Xuan's private courtyard,
he reclined comfortably in a lounge chair, his eyes half closed.
At last, the system's cool yet pleasant notification rang out in his mind, right on schedule.
[ Ding! The exposure of Dai Hao, eighth place on the Hypocrite Ranking, is complete! ] [ This exposure revealed the shocking conspiracy of the Star Luo Empire's marshal to collude with the enemy and betray his country, changed the situation on the western battlefield, and triggered severe unrest among the Star Luo Empire's upper ranks. At the same time, the highly creative punishment inflicted an unprecedented shock on the minds of the entire continent! ] [ Overall Evaluation: Perfect! ]
"Looks like everyone was pretty pleased with the catgirl." A playful smile tugged at Ji Xuan's lips.
[Calculating rewards----] [Reward One: The host's Soul Power Level increases by five! Current Soul Power Level: 30!]
Boom!
A torrent of Soul Power, purer and more powerful than any he had experienced before, surged out of nowhere into every part of Ji Xuan's body!
His Soul Power, which had only just reached Level 25, soared all the way to Level 30 and finally settled there!
The Soul Elder realm!
Feeling the surging power within him, Ji Xuan nodded in satisfaction.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he caught up with the so-called geniuses of the continent.
[Reward Two: Acquired a special cultivation method—Icy Heart Art!] [Icy Heart Art: A method of spiritual cultivation originating from a high-martial world. Practicing this art allows one's heart to remain pure as ice and undisturbed by the collapse of the heavens. It greatly increases the rate at which spiritual power is refined, purifies Soul Power, suppresses inner demons and wicked thoughts, and provides powerful resistance and immunity to all negative mental effects.]
"Good stuff!"
Ji Xuan's eyes lit up.
What he needed least right now was a way to increase his strength. What he needed most was a cultivation method that could stabilize his mind and refine his realm!
[Reward Three: Second Martial Soul slot (empty)!] [Second Martial Soul slot: The host has gained the qualification to unlock a Second Martial Soul. This slot is currently empty, and the host may add a brand-new Martial Soul.]
A Second Martial Soul!
Ji Xuan's pupils contracted sharply!
This was an incredible opportunity!
"My Mirror Martial Soul focuses on support and control, so my second Martial Soul has to be the ultimate in either offense or defense----"
Countless powerful Martial Souls flashed through Ji Xuan's mind, but he quickly rejected them one by one.
An ordinary powerful Martial Soul wasn't worthy of this hard-won Second Martial Soul slot.
He wanted a Martial Soul that could truly shake the ages!
Just then, the final reward appeared.
[Reward Four: Acquired a permanent guardian—Ying"] [Guardian Ying": Level 89 agility-type Soul Douluo. Martial Soul: "Shadow." Soul Ring Configuration: Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red. Cannot be upgraded. Absolutely loyal.]
Level 89!
A top-tier Soul Douluo with a 100,000-Year Soul Ring!
Ji Xuan shot upright in his chair, his eyes blazing with unprecedented radiance!
The previous trial card had granted him a Level 95 Super Douluo, but that had only been a one-time-use item.
Now, he had a top-tier powerhouse who was absolutely loyal!
With someone like her at his side, where on the entire Douluo Continent could he not go, save for a handful of places?!
Ji Xuan took a deep breath, his mind racing.
With this guardian, the Ice Heart Art, and the Second Martial Soul slot----
that plan was no longer a pipe dream!
"The ultimate in ice and snow—Snow Empress!"
Ji Xuan spoke the words one by one.
He intended to accomplish what even Huo Yuhao in the original Douluo story had never managed!
He didn't want Snow Empress to become a Soul Spirit.
He wanted to turn the 700,000-year-old Heavenly Snow Woman into his Second Martial Soul!
"There's no time to lose. I have to set out immediately!"
Suppressing his excitement, Ji Xuan immediately began making arrangements for his plan.
First, he had to leave the Tianshui Clan.
He focused his thoughts.
"Summon, guardian Ying.""
As soon as the words left his mouth, the air before him rippled like water.
A tall, slender figure emerged silently from the shadows and knelt before him on one knee.
She was a woman dressed in a tight black outfit that accentuated her figure to perfection.
A pure black metal mask covered her face, leaving only her emotionless eyes visible. Her entire being radiated a cold, deathly aura like a shadow.
She knelt there in silence, yet seemed to blend into the shadows of the world around her.
"Ying greets Master."
Her voice was cool and ethereal, devoid of the slightest hint of emotion.
"Rise." Ji Xuan nodded, very pleased with his guardian.
He stood and straightened his clothes before heading out the door.
He was going to say goodbye to Ling Luochеn.
In the study, Ling Luochеn was frowning as she read the latest intelligence about Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire. Her cool, beautiful face was grave.
Just then, someone knocked.
"Come in."
When she saw Ji Xuan enter, the tension in her expression eased a little, and a gentle smile appeared.
"You're here."
"I came to say goodbye." Ji Xuan got straight to the point.
"Say goodbye?"
Ling Luochеn froze for a moment, then asked, reluctant to see him go, "Are you leaving so soon? Your injuries----"
"I'm fine now." Ji Xuan smiled. "I've imposed on your family for long enough. It's time for me to leave."
Ling Luochеn opened her mouth, wanting to ask him to stay.
But with her cool disposition, she didn't know how to say it.
"My elders have already sent someone to bring me home."
Ji Xuan unhurriedly delivered the excuse he had prepared long ago.
"Your elders?" A flicker of curiosity crossed Ling Luochеn's eyes.
She and the entire Tianshui Clan had made countless guesses about Ji Xuan's mysterious background.
Just then, a black figure appeared behind Ji Xuan as silently as a ghost.
It was his guardian, Ying!
The moment Ling Luochеn saw Ying, her pupils contracted sharply!
She hadn't noticed when this person had appeared! It was as if she had been standing there from the very beginning!
An indescribable, terrifying pressure emanated from Ying, powerful enough to freeze the soul.
Under that aura, Ling Luochеn felt like a tiny boat amid raging waves. Even breathing had become incredibly difficult!
The instant Ying appeared—
Several powerful auras erupted from deep within the Tianshui Clan estate!
"Who goes there?!"
An old man's angry shout rang out.
The next second, Ling Luochеn's Second Elder, an 83rd-level Soul Douluo, rushed into the study with several Soul Saint elders of the clan, ready for a fight.
But when they saw what was inside, they all froze.
Their gazes locked onto the black-clad, masked woman behind Ji Xuan.
Every face was filled with shock and disbelief!
"A T-Titled Douluo?!"
Several elders' voices trembled uncontrollably!
He couldn't see through her strength at all!
Her aura was as deep as an abyss, unfathomable!
She seemed even more terrifying than the Level 94 Titled Douluo he had once been fortunate enough to see!
"N-no! She's a top-tier Soul Douluo!"
The Second Elder exclaimed in shock.
"Her Soul Power has been refined to the utmost! Level 89! She's just one step away from becoming a Titled Douluo!"
Level 89!
At this realization, every elder of the Tianshui Clan present sucked in a breath!
What a terrifying existence!
The entire Tianshui Clan probably wouldn't last even the time it took an incense stick to burn against someone like her!
"Please don't be alarmed, seniors."
At this tense moment, Ji Xuan's calm voice broke the silence.
"This is Ying, one of my family's elders. She was sent to bring me home."
Boom!
His words exploded like a thunderclap from the heavens in the minds of everyone from the Tianshui Clan!
They stared at Ji Xuan, dumbstruck, their minds blank.
A top-tier Level 89 Soul Douluo had been sent out just to escort someone home?!
What kind of terrifying power must the family behind him possess?!
An ancient sect hidden away for ten thousand years? Or some unknown super-empire?
At that moment, every mystery about Ji Xuan was solved.
No wonder his First Soul Ring had been 10,000 years old! No wonder he possessed such uncanny abilities! No wonder he hadn't even flinched when facing a Soul Saint!
So he wasn't some down-on-his-luck work-study student at all. He was a true dragon lurking in a fishpond!
Ling Luochеn was completely stunned as well.
She stared blankly at Ji Xuan, her eyes filled with shock, dawning realization, and a hint of an indescribable sense of loss.
The gap between them, it turned out, was even wider than she had imagined.
"Thank you for your hospitality during my stay."
Ji Xuan gave everyone a slight bow, impeccable in his courtesy.
"I'll visit again if I get the chance."
"Y-Young Master Ji, you're too kind!"
The Second Elder hurriedly returned the salute, his manner deferential. All traces of his earlier contempt had vanished. "It's our Tianshui Clan's honor to have hosted you!"
Ji Xuan smiled, giving one last glance to the dazed Ling Luochеn, but said nothing more.
"Ying, let's go."
"Yes, Young Master."
Ying's figure flickered and turned into a true shadow, merging with the one beneath Ji Xuan's feet.
Under the awestruck gazes of everyone from the Tianshui Clan, Ji Xuan walked out of the study and then out of the estate.
He lifted his head, his eyes filled with unprecedented resolve and fervor.
Snow Empress.
I'm coming!
(I went to work on the illustration. I didn't expect that not even a little skin could be shown, so I had to revise it several times and ended up late. The leaders will forgive me, right?)
(Guardian—Ying)
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