Who Would Be the Next Victim-No, the Next Person of Fate?

"Xiao Wu..."

"I'm not letting go!" You stubbornly shook your head. "I'm not letting go! Not even if I die!"

Lin Jiang fell silent for a moment.

Then he murmured:

"If you don't let go, you're really going to strangle me."

You: ...

You loosened your grip a little, but still clung to him, burying your face in his back as you mumbled, "I don't want you to die..."

Lin Jiang turned around, cupped your face, and smiled at your tear-streaked cheeks.

"I'm not going to die."

You froze.

He blinked, grinning like a child.

"Because—"

"I'm immune to poison."

Xiao Wu: !!!

Immune to poison?!

The poison in Yama's Sticker was the kind with no cure, and he was immune to it?!

She stared wide-eyed, speechless for a long moment.

This Lin Jiang...

Just how many more surprises did he have?

You stared blankly at him, tears still on your face, but the corners of your mouth were already creeping up.

"You... Why didn't you tell me earlier!" You punched him in the chest. "You made me cry for ages!"

Lin Jiang clutched his chest, looking utterly innocent. "You didn't ask."

You: ...

You burst out laughing through your tears.

Simulation ended.

Xiao Wu stood outside the cafeteria, the sunlight warm on her skin.

She took a deep breath, unable to suppress her smile.

Immune to poison.

A Titled Douluo before he was even twenty.

He could slaughter his way through the Clear Sky Sect.

He could crush Tang San with one stomp.

Lin Jiang...

Who exactly are you?

She looked up at the sky, toward Heaven Dou City.

She couldn't make a move yet.

Tang Hao was still watching her from the shadows.

She had to pretend she knew nothing, keep playing the silly Sister Xiao Wu, and let Tang San think everything was under his control.

But her heart had already flown to Heaven Dou City.

Lin Jiang...

Are you in Heaven Dou City?

I can't wait to see you.

Xiao Wu clenched her fists and silently said to herself:

Wait for me.

[Congratulations, host, you have received simulation rewards—]

[Soul Beast affinity increased by 10%! (All Soul Beasts' favorability toward you has increased)]

[Concealment ability! (Can conceal your Soul Beast aura and Soul Power)]

[Physical strength increased by 10%!]

Xiao Wu's eyes widened.

Concealment?!

That was exactly what she needed most!

With this ability, she wouldn't have to spend every day on tenterhooks, afraid some passing Titled Douluo would see through her!

But—

Xiao Wu stroked her chin, deep in thought.

If her Soul Beast aura suddenly vanished completely, that old schemer Tang Hao would definitely get suspicious.

She had to take it slowly.

First, conceal part of it, making her aura fainter without erasing it entirely.

That way, it would be even harder for others to figure out who she was, and Tang Hao wouldn't get suspicious.

Perfect!

Xiao Wu grinned, in high spirits.

She glanced back at Tang San, still eating inside the cafeteria, and silently rolled her eyes.

Just you wait, Little Scumbag.

I'll run away sooner or later.

Meanwhile.

At the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

A familiar notification rang in Lin Jiang's mind.

[Ding! Xiao Wu's simulation has ended. Subversion Value +91...]

[Total Subversion Value: 190]

Lin Jiang sat bolt upright.

Here it comes!

[Congratulations, host! Simulation rewards returned a hundredfold!]

[Received 1000% Soul Beast affinity! (All Soul Beasts will recognize you as kin on sight!)]

[Received enhanced concealment ability! Can conceal the auras of a group!]

[Physical strength increased by 1000%!]

Lin Jiang stared at the panel, the corners of his mouth curling higher and higher.

Physical strength increased by 1000%?

Just how strong was his body now?

He stood up and casually punched the trunk of a nearby tree.

"Boom—!"

The trunk split apart with a crash.

Lin Jiang looked at his fist, then at the debris scattered across the ground.

Yeah.

That worked pretty well.

Now he could absorb a Soul Ring with a higher age for his First Soul Ring.

He rubbed his hands together and looked at the system panel.

Subversion Points: 190.

One simulation required: 100 points.

Without hesitation, Lin Jiang said, "Exchange for one simulation!"

[Exchange successful! Current simulation attempts: 1]

[Remaining Subversion Points: 90]

Lin Jiang happily stretched out beside the spring.

Exchanging 100 points for a simulation, then getting such extravagant rewards back a hundredfold—what a steal.

Who should he pick as the next victim... No, the next person of fate?

Lin Jiang gazed at the sky, lost in thought.

Footsteps sounded in the distance.

"This girl!" Dugu Bo's voice drew closer. "She keeps pestering me to come see you every day. My ears are about to grow calluses!"

Lin Jiang sat up, just in time to see Dugu Yan rush out of the poisonous miasma.

Her face reddened, and she turned to glare at Dugu Bo. "Grandpa, don't talk nonsense!"

She said that, but her body had already run over to Lin Jiang and plopped down beside him.

"You've got it pretty good here!" She turned to Lin Jiang and pouted. "I don't want to go to school either."

Lin Jiang put on a serious face. "Kids need to go to school."

Dugu Yan: ???

She stared at him. "You're younger than me! Why do you sound like my grandpa?"

Lin Jiang blinked, putting on an innocent smile.

"I'm your great-grandfather by seniority, you know."

Dugu Yan froze for a moment.

Then her face flushed bright red.

"You—!"

She punched Lin Jiang on the head.

Lin Jiang clutched his head, laughing so hard he doubled over.

Dugu Bo's mouth twitched, but he decided to ignore them.

"Lin Jiang," he said seriously, "your Soul Power has built up quite a bit. When are you planning to get a Soul Ring?"

Before Lin Jiang could answer,

Dugu Yan grabbed his arm and yanked him up. "Why not now?"

Lin Jiang stumbled as she pulled him along. "Hey, hey—"

"Come on, come on!" Dugu Yan had quite a bit of strength. "I'm a Soul Grandmaster! You're just a little Soul Scholar. If you don't work hard, you won't be good enough for me!"

Lin Jiang let her drag him along helplessly.

All right.

It really was time to get out.

He'd been staying at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for a year, cultivating every day. Even he had no idea how much Soul Power had built up.

The three of them chatted as they walked out.

Dugu Bo stroked his beard and casually asked, "Lin Jiang, what are you thinking of for your First Soul Ring?"

Lin Jiang thought it over.

Back in his previous life, when he'd read novels, he'd already mulled over this question.

"I want a Soul Skill that can provide a status boost."

"Oh?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow.

"That's a rather unusual idea. Most Soul Masters want offensive or defensive skills for their first few Soul Skills, things that can directly boost their combat strength."

Lin Jiang nodded. "At a low level, offensive or defensive Soul Skills are definitely practical. But what about when you reach a higher level?"

He paused, then continued:

"When you become a Soul King, a Soul Emperor, or even a Titled Douluo, you'll have stronger offensive Soul Skills. Won't an offensive Soul Skill from a low-age Soul Ring seem useless by then?"

"But boost-type Soul Skills are different."

Lin Jiang raised a finger...