After sending off the indignant Xiao Wu, I avoided the students coming and going around the academy and took a winding path toward a secluded spot in the back hills. The hills behind Nuoding Academy were thick with trees and grass, and few people ever ventured there—perfect for doing things I couldn't let anyone find out about.
After confirming there wasn't a soul around and that I couldn't sense any Soul Beasts nearby, I finally relaxed. I sat cross-legged behind a boulder, the Soul Power throughout my body circulating slowly, while I kept its outward aura tightly suppressed.
It was time to quietly temper that hidden Martial Soul.
My thoughts sank deep into my soul. The Heavy Profound Iron Sword, pitch-black and dull, lay dormant in silence. It gave off not the slightest fluctuation of Soul Power, perfectly concealed beneath the aura of my Ink Shadow Cat Martial Soul. I cautiously drew on a thread of Soul Power and gently touched the sword, gradually familiarizing myself with its weight, strength, and Martial Soul Origin. I didn't dare let my guard down for even a moment.
[A sudden memory interrupted me.]
In my previous life, Tang San's smooth rise to success hadn't relied on his cheat alone. It had also been built on all kinds of scattered opportunities. Even an unremarkable Body Tempering Grass could help stabilize his Soul Power. In this life, I wasn't just going to suppress his level—I was going to cut off every opportunity he could get, big or small. If I could take it, I would. If I could destroy it, I would! And these Twin Martial Souls were the ultimate trump card that would keep me alive and let me turn the tables. I had to hide them until my dying breath. Only by secretly tempering them in private could I deal Tang San and Yu Xiaogang a fatal blow someday!
[Snapping back to myself, I cleared away every stray thought.]
I gently wrapped the Heavy Profound Iron Sword in Soul Power and gradually tempered the foundation of the Martial Soul, suppressing every fluctuation of Soul Power to the absolute minimum. An outsider wouldn't have noticed a thing; even a passing Soul Elder might not have detected that a Second Martial Soul was hidden here. After about half an hour, I had grasped the sword's basic properties. Only then did I slowly withdraw my Soul Power, bury the sword deep in my soul once more, and carefully erase every trace of Soul Power from the area. Once I was certain there was no risk, I got up and headed down the hill.
Just as I reached the path leading out of the back hills, a graceful figure came bounding over, her scorpion braid swinging from side to side. It was Xiao Wu.
"Brother Lin Chen, I've been looking for you forever! There's nothing to do at the academy anyway. Come walk around the market outside with me, will you? I heard there's lots of good food!" Xiao Wu tugged at my arm, her voice full of playful pleading and her eyes bright with anticipation.
Looking into her sparkling eyes, I didn't refuse. I nodded lightly. "All right. Let's go. We'll be back early."
For one thing, going along with Xiao Wu's wishes would strengthen our bond. For another, I could look around the market while we were there. Maybe I'd even run into Tang San and casually cut off another little opportunity of his. It was the best of both worlds.
We walked side by side toward the market outside the academy. Xiao Wu chattered the whole way and never once brought up Tang San, clearly having put him completely out of her mind. I occasionally responded, keeping my tone mild and striking just the right balance.
The market was packed with people, and vendors' cries rose one after another. Most sellers were villagers from nearby or low-level Soul Masters hawking odds and ends and herbs. We hadn't gone far when my gaze fell on an herb stall at the street corner—
Tang San was standing in front of it, staring fixedly at the only remaining high-quality Body Tempering Grass. He clutched the few Soul Coins he had, clearly planning to buy the herb and strengthen the foundation of his Soul Power.
The Body Tempering Grass wasn't high-grade, but for Tang San, who was currently at level ten, it was genuinely useful. It could help him consolidate his Soul Power faster and prepare for his next breakthrough.
A trace of coldness flashed through my eyes, but I kept my expression calm. Before Tang San could take out his money, I walked straight up with Xiao Wu and said to the vendor, "I'll take this Body Tempering Grass."
I paid on the spot and picked up the herb without hesitation.
Tang San whipped around. The moment he saw me, his face turned livid. His fist clenched around his Soul Coins as he snapped, "Lin Chen! You did that on purpose! I saw this herb first!"
"This is a market stall. The highest bidder gets it, and it goes to whoever gets there first. What, you're allowed to buy it, but no one else is allowed to take it?" I replied evenly, with a hint of Sichuan dialect in my voice and not a shred of courtesy. "Besides, you haven't paid for it. What makes you think it's yours?"
Xiao Wu immediately stepped beside me, hands on her hips as she glared at Tang San. "Exactly! Brother Lin Chen bought it first. You were too slow, so don't blame anyone else!"
Tang San was struck speechless. His face turned from green to white and back again, as frustration and jealousy threatened to burst out of him. He desperately needed the Body Tempering Grass to improve his strength, but I had snatched it away from under his nose. Seeing Xiao Wu standing shoulder to shoulder with me only stoked the flames of his jealousy. Yet he couldn't do anything about it, so he could only glare at me, his eyes frighteningly sinister.
I couldn't be bothered to waste any more words on him. I took the Body Tempering Grass, turned around with Xiao Wu, and left without so much as another glance in his direction.
Want an opportunity? Want to grow stronger?
As long as I'm around in this life, you won't get so much as a sip of the soup!
Tang San stood behind us, fists clenched and nails digging deep into his palms. The hatred he felt for me climbed to its peak.
I walked through the market with Xiao Wu, holding the Body Tempering Grass. It was more or less useless to me. The system could level me up automatically, so keeping it was nothing more than a casual choice—but it had completely cut Tang San off from a small opportunity. However I looked at it, it was worth it.
Keep a low profile and conceal my strength. Secretly temper my trump card. Close in step by step and cut off his opportunities.
Tang San, I'll block every road you and Yu Xiaogang try to take, bit by bit, until there's no chance for either of you to rise again!
Before you continue