Gang Zi: "The Disappearance of Soul Beasts Is Absolutely Impossible!"

Over the next few days, tiny Nuoding City remained as it always had, utterly unaware that the world had undergone a massive change.

Well... not entirely unaware. The Soul Masters here had noticed that the concentration of Soul Power between heaven and earth had surged severalfold, and their cultivation speed had increased by several times as well.

But they knew nothing about the extinction of Soul Beasts.

Tiny Nuoding City did not have Soul Masters heading out to hunt Soul Beasts every day.

It was already pretty good if there was one in an entire week.

However, merchants who traveled far and wide still brought back some news.

"Have you heard?"

"That Soul Hunting Forest west of Fasinuo Province? It seems all the Soul Beasts inside have disappeared. Not a single one can be seen..."

"I heard that too. It seems the one east of the Balak Kingdom is the same..."

"I have a feeling we've discovered something incredible..."

"..."

The news gradually spread as well.

Some Soul Masters went to inspect the nearest Soul Hunting Forest and discovered that all the Soul Beasts inside had indeed vanished.

The news soon made its way into the academy.

"Have you heard?"

"It seems all the Soul Beasts outside have disappeared!"

"I heard it too. Someone went to confirm it at the nearest Soul Hunting Forest, and the Soul Beasts really are all gone!"

"Not just that. I heard all the Soul Beasts in the entire Fasinuo Province have disappeared!"

"No, no, no... All the Soul Beasts on the entire continent have disappeared..."

"No way? Are you saying the Soul Beasts have gone extinct?"

"Impossible. How could Soul Beasts go extinct? If they're all gone, how will we absorb Soul Rings in the future?"

"Exactly. Soul Beasts can't possibly disappear. I don't believe it..."

"It's true..."

"I don't believe it. Forget the whole continent—I wouldn't believe it even if you said a single Soul Beast Forest had vanished."

"..."

After the news reached the academy, some people exaggerated it. Some students believed it, while others did not.

In the end, they began arguing outright.

Those who believed it felt that what they had heard was the truth.

Those who did not felt there was no scientific basis for it. There were so many Soul Beasts that, no matter how they looked at it, such a thing was impossible.

"Isn't that Grandmaster?"

"Let's ask what he thinks."

Someone noticed Yu Xiaogang passing by and immediately made the suggestion.

Although everyone looked down on Yu Xiaogang and dismissed his theories, they still knew that he was quite capable. His theoretical knowledge, at least, was very solid.

Even their dean admired him greatly.

"Grandmaster!"

"What do you think about the Soul Beasts disappearing?"

"Yeah, Grandmaster, what do you think?"

Thus, several students approached Yu Xiaogang.

"Soul Beasts disappearing?"

"What's going on?"

Over the past few days, Yu Xiaogang had focused all his attention on training Tang San. He had been thinking about how to devise cultivation and study plans for Tang San, and had not yet heard the news of the Soul Beasts' disappearance.

So when he first heard it, he was clearly taken aback.

"It's like this..."

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang did not know, the students all began recounting the news they had heard from outside.

Yu Xiaogang quickly learned the course of events from the several students.

"There's no need to pay attention to this!"

"It is absolutely impossible for Soul Beasts to disappear."

"Forget all the Soul Beasts on the continent—even in a single Soul Beast Forest, such a thing could never happen."

Thus, Yu Xiaogang stated his conclusion with absolute certainty, his stern, gloomy face utterly resolute.

Soul Beasts going extinct?

Impossible.

Such a thing would absolutely never happen.

"Teacher, is this really impossible?"

After the students who had asked him left, Tang San, who had been following behind Yu Xiaogang, could not help asking again.

"Impossible!"

Yu Xiaogang said decisively.

"Little San, you've been to Soul Hunting Forest too. Its scale may not be large, but how many Soul Beasts lived inside?"

"Leaving aside the plant-type Soul Beasts, how many animal-type Soul Beasts were there alone? How could they possibly disappear overnight?"

"And what about those plant-type Soul Beasts? Those low-age plant-type Soul Beasts cannot even move. How could they disappear?"

"So, this nonsense about Soul Beasts disappearing or going extinct is complete rubbish!"

Yu Xiaogang explained to Tang San with a hint of showing off, his tone confident.

"But Teacher, didn't one student say that someone had already gone to verify it at Soul Hunting Forest?"

Tang San hesitated for a moment before voicing his concern.

He could not help worrying.

If the Soul Beasts had disappeared, how would he attach Soul Rings in the future?

"There's no need. You only need to think about it to know the answer. There is absolutely no need to verify it."

"What that student said must be false information!"

"What? Little San, do you not trust your teacher's analysis?"

By the end, a trace of disappointment appeared in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.

It was as though Tang San's distrust had deeply hurt him.

"No, Teacher!"

"I believe you, Teacher. I won't listen to such nonsense anymore!"

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang seemed angry, Tang San hurriedly spoke up.

"That's more like it!"

"Little San, don't listen to baseless rumors in the future. You should spend your time studying."

"Your teacher has already made a study plan for your next semester. Let me explain it to you in detail..."

Only then did the anger vanish from Yu Xiaogang's face. He took Tang San's hand and carefully introduced the study plan he had prepared for him.

As Tang San listened to the study plans Yu Xiaogang had made for him, his eyes filled with emotion.

His teacher truly treated him too well.

It had only been a few days, yet he had already made such a detailed study plan for him.

Moreover, the plan was exceptionally thorough. It included all his future learning objectives: knowledge of Soul Beasts, knowledge of martial souls, information on sects, geographical environments... and so on. It was incredibly comprehensive.

Choosing this teacher was absolutely the right decision!

Other students can only learn scattered, one-sided things...

Tang San thought to himself.

Spirit Hall.

Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope Throne.

Below her stood the person in charge of Spirit Hall's intelligence department.

"Reporting to Your Holiness the Pope!"

"After verification through multiple sources, we can now confirm beyond doubt that the Soul Beast race has been completely wiped out!"

"Every place where Soul Beasts once appeared is now utterly devoid of them!"

"Whether forests, deserts, grasslands, ice mountains, or even the oceans, the results of our investigations are the same. Not a single Soul Beast can be seen."

"Furthermore, no new Soul Beasts have awakened during these past days."

"In the past, quite a few Soul Beasts would awaken every day. Now, there are not even one."

The intelligence chief reported to Bibi Dong in a grave tone.

His voice also carried a faint tremor.

No one could remain calm after confirming such a result.

"I understand. You may leave for now!"

Bibi Dong remained silent for a moment, then waved her hand and dismissed him.

After he left, the expression on Bibi Dong's face finally could no longer be maintained.