Who is the next victim, no, the destined one?

["Xiao Wu..."]

["I won't let go!" You shake your head stubbornly, "I won't let go! Not even if I die!"]

[Lin Jiang falls silent for a moment.]

[Then he speaks in a faint, lingering tone:]

["If you don't let go, I'm actually going to be strangled to death by you."]

[You:...]

[You loosen your grip slightly but remain holding him, burying your face in his back as you mumble, "I don't want you to die..."]

[Lin Jiang turns around, cups your face, and smiles as he looks at your tear-streaked features.]

["I won't die."]

[You are stunned.]

[He blinks, smiling like a child.]

["Because--"]

["I am immune to poison."]

Xiao Wu:!!!

Immune to poison?!

The poison of Yama's Sticker is supposed to be unsolvable, yet he is immune?!

She widens her eyes, unable to speak for a long time.

This Lin Jiang...

Just how many more surprises does he have?

[You stare at him blankly, tears still hanging on your face, but the corners of your mouth cannot help but curl upward.]

["You... why didn't you say so earlier!" You punch him in the chest, "You made me cry for so long!"]

[Lin Jiang clutches his chest, looking completely innocent: "You didn't ask."]

[You:...]

[With a snort, you laugh until tears stream down.]

[Simulation ended.]

Xiao Wu stands at the entrance of the cafeteria, the sunlight spilling over her, feeling warm and cozy.

She takes a deep breath, unable to suppress the corners of her mouth.

Immune to poison.

A Title Douluo before the age of twenty.

Capable of slaughtering his way through the Clear Sky Sect.

Capable of crushing Tang San to death with a single stomp.

Lin Jiang...

Just what kind of person are you?

She looks up at the sky, toward the direction of Heaven Dou City.

She cannot move right now.

Tang Hao is still watching her from the shadows.

She must pretend to know nothing, continue being that silly Big Sister Xiao Wu, and keep letting Tang San believe that everything is under his control.

But her heart has already flown to Heaven Dou City.

Lin Jiang...

Are you in Heaven Dou City?

I want to see you so badly.

Xiao Wu clenches her fists, silently saying to herself:

Wait for me.

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the simulation rewards--]

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

[Breath concealment ability! (Can conceal your own Spirit Beast aura and spirit power)]

[Physical strength increased by 10%!]

Xiao Wu widens her eyes.

Breath concealment?!

This is exactly what she needs the most!

With this ability, she would no longer have to live in constant fear, terrified that some passing Title Douluo might see right through her!

However—

Xiao Wu rubbed her chin, lost in thought.

If her soul beast aura were to vanish completely all of a sudden, that old schemer Tang Hao would definitely grow suspicious.

She would have to take it slow.

She would conceal only a portion first, letting her aura fade without disappearing entirely.

This way, it would be even harder for others to discern her identity, and Tang Hao wouldn't harbor any doubts.

Perfect!

Xiao Wu grinned, her mood brightening significantly.

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

Just you wait, you little brat.

This young lady is going to run away sooner or later.

Meanwhile.

At the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

A familiar notification chime rang out in Lin Jiang's mind.

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

[Cumulative Subversion Value: 190]

Lin Jiang sat up in one fluid motion.

It's here, it's here!

[Congratulations to the host for receiving a hundredfold return on simulation rewards!]

[Obtained Soul Beast Affinity 1000%! (All soul beasts will automatically recognize you as kin upon seeing you!)]

[Obtained Enhanced Aura Concealment! Can provide group aura concealment!]

[Obtained Body Strength increase of 1000%!]

Lin Jiang stared at the panel, the corners of his mouth curling upward wildly.

Body strength increased by 1000%?

Just what level would his current body's strength reach now?

He stood up and casually punched the tree trunk beside him.

"BOOM—!"

The trunk shattered instantly.

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

Hmm.

The effect was outstanding.

Now he could absorb a higher-age soul ring for his first soul ring.

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

Subversion Points: 190.

One simulation costs: 100 points.

Lin Jiang didn't hesitate.

"Exchange for one simulation attempt!"

[Exchange successful! Current simulation attempts: 1]

[Current remaining Subversion Points: 90]

Lin Jiang lay back down by the spring, feeling content.

Trading 100 points for a simulation, only to receive such luxurious hundredfold rewards—this deal was a massive profit.

The next victim... oh no, the next fated person, who should he choose?

Lin Jiang gazed at the sky, lost in thought.

Just then, footsteps approached from the distance.

"This girl!" Dugu Bo's voice drew nearer. "She nags me every day to come see you; my ears are practically calloused from all the noise back home!"

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

Her face flushed red as she turned to glare at Dugu Bo. "Grandpa, stop talking nonsense!"

Despite her words, her body had already honestly run over to Lin Jiang's side and plopped down.

"You've got it pretty good here, kid!" She turned her head to look at Lin Jiang and pouted. "I don't want to go to school anymore either."

Lin Jiang looked solemn. "Children must go to school."

Dugu Yan: "???"

She widened her eyes. "You're clearly younger than me! Why do you talk just like my grandfather?"

Lin Jiang blinked, flashing an innocent smile.

"My seniority is that of your great-grandfather, you know."

Dugu Yan froze for a moment.

Then her face flushed bright red.

"You--!"

She slammed a fist onto Lin Jiang's head.

Lin Jiang clutched his head, laughing so hard he couldn't stand straight.

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

"Lin Jiang," he said seriously, "your soul power has accumulated quite a bit. When do you plan to go obtain your soul ring?"

Before Lin Jiang could even open his mouth.

Dugu Yan grabbed his arm and hauled him upward. "Right now, obviously!"

Lin Jiang stumbled from her tugging. "Hey, hey, hey--"

"Let's go, let's go!" Dugu Yan possessed considerable strength. "Big sister here is already a Soul Grand Master! A tiny little Soul Scholar like you won't be worthy of me if you don't work hard!"

Lin Jiang was dragged along helplessly.

Fine.

It was indeed time to head out.

Having stayed in this Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for a year, cultivating every single day, even he didn't know exactly how much soul power he had accumulated.

The three of them chatted as they walked out.

Dugu Bo stroked his beard and asked casually, "Lin Jiang, do you have any thoughts on your first soul ring?"

Lin Jiang thought for a moment.

Back when he read novels in his past life, he had pondered this very question.

"I want a soul skill that can provide status buffs."

"Oh?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow.

"That is a rather unique idea. Most soul masters want attack or defense types for their first few soul skills, as they can directly increase combat power."

Lin Jiang nodded. "At low levels, purely offensive or defensive soul skills are indeed practical. But what about after reaching higher levels?"

He paused, then continued:

"Once you reach the level of Soul King, Soul Emperor, or even Title Douluo, you will have more powerful offensive soul skills. Wouldn't the offensive soul skills brought by low-age soul rings then seem like chicken ribs?"

"But buff-type soul skills are different."

Lin Jiang held up a finger...