She had been called a genius for as long as she could remember, and had never once lost to anyone her age.
She had thought the world of Soul Masters was that simple: with talent and hard work, she could stand at the peak.
But it turned out that before a true powerhouse, she was no more than an ant.
Bai Chenxiang closed her eyes.
Then she felt a warm, powerful force catch her and hold her steady.
An aged hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her whole body into a broad embrace.
There was a faint scent of medicinal herbs in that embrace, along with a warmth that inexplicably put her at ease.
Bai Chenxiang struggled to open her eyes. A familiar face came into view, wearing a somewhat roguish smile.
Yu Xiaolong looked down at her, the corners of his mouth curved in an inscrutable smile.
"The world outside is vast. You're not a genius. What's the rush?"
His voice was unhurried, yet his words struck her heart like a heavy hammer.
Bai Chenxiang's face flushed scarlet.
Not from embarrassment, but from shame.
That was right. She had been too hasty—so hasty that she thought she could save the world, so hasty that she had nearly lost her life.
She could still feel Yu Xiaolong's arm around her waist. The warmth of his palm made her feel uncomfortable all over.
She wriggled free of Yu Xiaolong's embrace and stumbled back two steps.
Huo Wu immediately rushed over and caught Bai Chenxiang as she staggered.
She glared viciously at Yu Xiaolong, but this time, she didn't curse him out loud.
She knew perfectly well that if this old rogue hadn't stepped in, Bai Chenxiang would already be a corpse.
Yu Xiaolong took two unhurried steps forward, positioning himself in front of the three girls.
He lifted his head and met the crimson eyes within the mass of Ghost Fog.
Gui Mei's gaze swept over Yu Xiaolong, as if admiring prey that had willingly delivered itself to him.
"Another one who doesn't fear death, and they keep showing up."
A genuine note of pleasure crept into his voice. He licked his lips.
"Interesting."
"Old man, that guy's bullying girls!"
Huo Wu clenched her fists until they cracked. Her bright eyes seemed ready to spit fire.
Her gaze remained fixed on the distant mass of Ghost Fog, her chest rising and falling sharply.
Her full, pert curves rose and fell with each breath, their startling outline traced beneath her red outfit.
From Yu Xiaolong's angle, he could see the opening at her collar part slightly with anger.
A glimpse of compressed, snowy-white skin appeared and vanished in the moonlight.
"I'm going to help!"
Huo Wu gritted her teeth and growled. A leaping flame had already kindled in her palm.
Her knees bent slightly, her body poised to spring. Beneath her fitted outfit, her pert backside tensed into a smooth, rounded curve.
Ye Renxin's expression changed instantly.
"You girls, get out of here!"
The old man stepped forward, placing himself in front of Huo Wu. His voice was urgent. "This has nothing to do with you!"
He couldn't let these young people get dragged into this.
Gui Mei was an elder of Spirit Hall, a powerhouse at the Titled Douluo level. He was simply beyond their ability to handle.
Ye Lingling stayed close behind her grandfather. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.
The roiling Ghost Fog in the distance was reflected in her clear eyes. She clutched her grandfather's sleeve so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
She couldn't speak, but her heart was screaming.
Run! Everyone, run!
"Leave?"
A hoarse, grating voice came from the black fog, tinged with amusement.
Gui Mei's figure slowly solidified within the mist. His crimson eyes passed over everyone present, one by one.
As if he were counting his prey.
"Too late."
He licked his cracked lips, his smile cruel and delighted.
"Everyone Gui Mei sets his sights on has to die."
Ye Renxin's heart sank. His aged hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
It was over.
"But..."
Gui Mei tilted his head, his gaze settling on Huo Wu with a hint of amusement.
"Before that, I should have some fun."
Before his words had even faded, the mass of black fog suddenly exploded.
Gui Mei shot out of the mist like a specter, one bony hand reaching straight for Huo Wu.
He moved so fast that the air shrieked.
Huo Wu's pupils contracted sharply.
But she didn't retreat.
"Resistance Fire Ring!"
She cried out and thrust both hands forward.
A blazing ring of fire erupted from her body, turning into a burning shock wave that spread wildly in every direction.
The air warped in the scorching heat, and the plants beneath their feet instantly turned to ash.
Gui Mei's figure paused for a moment. A flicker of surprise passed through his crimson eyes.
"Your Martial Soul has an ultimate fire attribute."
He avoided the edge of the fiery ring, surprise in his voice.
But surprise was all it was.
"That's all you've got."
Gui Mei's figure blurred. He was about to close in again.
Just then, a dense rush of air-splitting sounds came from behind him.
Gui Mei whipped around.
Beneath the moonlight, Bai Chenxiang had somehow taken to the air.
A pair of green wings spread behind her—the mark of her Sharp-tailed Swallow Martial Soul.
But what truly surprised Gui Mei was the two brilliant silver orbs floating beside her.
Those weren't ordinary Soul Tools.
They were a pair of Martial Souls in the form of twins, their green muzzles aimed at him as Soul Power gathered wildly within their barrels.
Second Martial Soul, Gemini Star Dragon.
"Twin Pistols Storm!"
Bai Chenxiang gritted her teeth, a smear of blood still at the corner of her mouth.
That last attack had badly injured her, but she couldn't stay down.
The two silver orbs erupted in dazzling light at the same time. Countless silver Soul Power pellets poured out like a violent storm.
A hail of projectiles blanketed the area where Gui Mei stood.
The air tore apart, the ground was blasted with countless pits, and dust filled the air.
Ye Renxin's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his aged face.
In all his years, he had thought he'd seen quite a few geniuses.
But this was the first time he had ever seen Twin Martial Souls with his own eyes.
Ye Lingling was stunned, too.
She tilted her head up, staring at the two silver lights behind the girl in the air. Shock nearly spilled from her eyes.
That girl, who looked about her own age, actually had two Martial Souls.
Gui Mei drifted out of the barrage's coverage.
He was completely unharmed.
"This just keeps getting more interesting."
He licked his lips as if savoring a delicious appetizer.
Then he slowly drew a short blade from beneath his black robe. Its edge gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the moonlight.
He ran his tongue along the blade, moving slowly, savoring the moment.
A genius with Twin Martial Souls, a Soul Master with an ultimate fire attribute, and an inheritor of Seven Heart Begonia.
This trip had turned out rather well.
"I'm in no hurry to kill you."
Gui Mei's voice suddenly grew ethereal, and his figure began to turn transparent.
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