Soul Ascension Pill

In the next second, cold, razor-sharp cat claws were already pressed against his carotid artery.

"I beg you, don't!"

Lei Xiang let out an involuntary cry of alarm.

The force behind the sharp claws was held back just in time.

Lei Xiang's pupils constricted violently as he stared fixedly at the claw tips inches from his skin; the bone-chilling aura of death made his entire body tremble uncontrollably.

From the counterattack to the immobilization, the entire process took less than a breath.

The entire Martial Arts Arena fell into a deathly silence.

The crowd of onlookers, who had been noisy just a moment ago, were now all dumbstruck, unable to utter a single word.

Zhu Zhuqing dispersed her Martial Soul, and the phantom of the Hell Spirit Cat behind her slowly faded away.

She looked at Lei Xiang, who was slumped on the ground, her tone flat and devoid of ripples.

"You lost."

Lei Xiang's face was as pale as paper.

He was the personal disciple of a Cardinal from the Martial Soul Hall, yet in full view of everyone, he had been pinned by a throat-lock in a single move by a Soul Grand Master of only level twenty-one.

All his pride and self-esteem were shattered completely in this moment.

Gritting his back teeth, he scrambled up from the ground in a sorry state, lowered his head, and retreated behind Lang Taihui without saying a word.

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze then fell upon Lang Taihui.

This Cardinal did not fly into a rage because his personal disciple had been defeated; instead, a playful smile hung on his face.

"Not bad, the younger generation is truly formidable."

He stepped forward slowly, adopting the posture of a senior offering guidance to a junior, and spoke leisurely.

"Your movement technique is ruthless, your timing is precise, and you strike with lethal intent—you have the sharp spirit of an agility-type Soul Master."

His tone shifted, and he added calmly, seizing control of the conversation.

"It is just that your strike was too committed, leaving no room for a follow-up, as you poured all your soul power into the surprise attack."

"If your opponent had an agility-type Soul Skill of the same level to counter, you would have exposed all your vital points."

"You are a piece of raw jade, but you still need to be carefully polished before you can truly become a masterpiece."

Having said this, he turned and began to walk away. "Very well, come back with me. Even if you are unwilling to call me Teacher for now, it matters not."

Lang Taihui led Lei Xiang and another student away first; his pace was not fast, yet he did not intentionally wait for her.

Zhu Zhuqing lifted her feet to follow when the smiling voice of Gu Chensha suddenly echoed in her mind.

"Walk a little slower, someone is about to bring you something."

"Bring me something?"

Zhu Zhuqing slowed her pace without leaving a trace.

Her expression remained as cold and aloof as ever, but her heart was filled with doubt, and she asked in her consciousness in a low voice.

"Who would bring me something?"

Gu Chensha only chuckled and said no more.

No sooner had the words faded than a crisp female voice came from her side:

"Little sister, wait for me."

Zhu Zhuqing turned her head and saw Hu Liena hurrying to catch up.

She walked naturally to Zhu Zhuqing's side, matching her slow pace, her tone filled with genuine admiration.

"That battle just now was truly stunning, little sister."

"Lei Xiang is the most prized disciple under Cardinal Lang, usually looking down on everyone, yet you subdued him in a single move."

"What is most rare is your control over timing; it was far too precise."

"If it were any other agility-type Soul Master of the same level, few could have done it so cleanly and decisively."

"Not to mention being able to keep your composure while facing a Cardinal's personal disciple, without softening your strike in the slightest."

"Even this elder sister feels inferior when it comes to such focus."

Zhu Zhuqing had a cold nature and was not adept at handling such warm intimacy, so she merely nodded slightly and said softly.

"Thank you for the praise, elder sister."

Though she responded with her mouth, she had already sensed that something was wrong in her heart.

The two walked side by side, Hu Liena's speaking pace was not fast, and her steps were extremely slow.

Unknowingly, the distance between them and the group led by Lang Taihui grew ever wider.

Finally, the two turned off the main path of the Martial Arts Arena, leaving no one else in sight.

Only then did Hu Liena stop her steps and turn to face Zhu Zhuqing directly.

She raised her right hand, her fingertips brushing lightly over the sapphire-encrusted ring.

A faint blue shimmer flashed, and an exquisite, palm-sized wooden box appeared out of thin air in her palm.

That ring was clearly a storage Soul Tool.

It was unclear what the delicate wooden box contained.

Before it was even opened, a faint, refreshing medicinal fragrance drifted from the seams of the box, enough to invigorate the spirit just by smelling it.

Hu Liena held the box out toward her, "Little sister, this is for you."

"Congratulations on your first day in the Hall; you've shown such a brilliant performance and taken your first firm step in Martial Soul Hall."

Zhu Zhuqing instinctively raised her hand to refuse, asking:

"What is this?"

"This is a good thing, little sister."

Hu Liena's smile deepened, "This is a Soul Ascension Pill; as the name suggests, it is a pill that can directly increase soul power."

"Its medicinal properties are mild and easy to absorb; a single pill can provide the full amount of soul power required for a Soul Master to break through from level 30 to level 31."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head immediately.

"This gift is too precious; I cannot accept it."

"Don't overthink it, little sister. This isn't a personal gift from me; it is a reward from Martial Soul Hall."

Hu Liena was well-prepared and immediately dispelled her concerns, "It has always been the rule of Martial Soul Hall to cherish and value talent. As long as a Soul Master demonstrates matching aptitude and potential, the Hall will provide corresponding resource support."

"I am merely responsible for handing over what you were already entitled to receive, just a little ahead of schedule."

She lowered her voice and added, "However, don't let others see it."

"This pill is supposed to go through the standard registration and distribution process. I took it out for you early; if others see it, your big sister will be in trouble."

Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment.

Gu Chensha remained silent in her mind, clearly leaving the decision to her.

Looking at the sincere smile in Hu Liena's eyes, she finally raised her hand to take the wooden box and said softly:

"Thank you, sister."

"There is also this, take it as well."

Seeing her accept the gift, Hu Liena removed the ring from her left hand and handed it over.

"This is a storage Soul Tool with two cubic meters of space; it can store your personal belongings."

"Since you just joined the Hall, you likely don't have a handy storage device yet, so this will be more convenient for you."

Before Zhu Zhuqing could refuse again, she pressed the ring into Zhu Zhuqing's hand and waved with a smile.

"Alright, little sister, hurry and catch up with that bishop; don't keep him waiting."

"Study hard and break through soon. Sister thinks very highly of you; if you need anything in Martial Soul Hall in the future, you can always come to me."

With those words, Hu Liena turned and left, giving Zhu Zhuqing no chance to decline further.

Zhu Zhuqing had no choice but to accept it for now.

She first injected a trace of soul power to confirm the storage space and placed the sandalwood box inside, but instead of wearing the ring immediately, she tucked it safely into her robes.

She quickened her pace to catch up in the direction the bishop had left, while simultaneously communicating with Gu Chensha in her consciousness.

"Teacher, is this pill really as she described? What exactly does it do?"

Clearly, she remained vigilant regarding Hu Liena's claims.

"Oh? Good vigilance; you've improved."