The Seven Freaks of Klais

[Inner World]

Bala Kingdom, outside Suotuo City, before a dilapidated village with a sign so rickety it seemed ready to fall.

"Monsters only accept monsters... the taste of this Soul Master Academy is certainly unique."

Qian San looked up at the crooked wooden sign inscribed with Kelaishi Academy. Standing beside him was Xiao Qing, still dressed in her signature blue-green long dress.

Ever since his father Qian Xunji had vanished mysteriously after leaving Dugu Bo to watch over them in secret, Qian San and Xiao Qing had followed the original plan and arrived at this legendary academy.

No sooner had they stepped into the village entrance than a young boy, looking no older than seven or eight with rosy lips and white teeth, pushed a small cart toward them.

"Want a sausage? My name is Ao Shushun, and this is a Recovery Sausage made by my own hands!" The little boy blinked his large, watery eyes, looking completely harmless.

Qian San paused, his Purple Demon Eye flickering slightly. He immediately noticed the anomaly: the boy before him seemed older than he was, yet his physical development had completely stalled at the stage of a young child.

"Thanks, but no need." Qian San waved his hand politely.

The two continued inward, but before they reached the registration desk, they heard a heated argument erupting ahead.

Or rather, a one-sided reprimand.

"Get lost! Don't you dare touch me with those hands that have touched countless filthy women!"

In the open space, a tall girl in black, half a head taller than the boys her age, stared at the youth before her with a face full of frost.

The girl was robust, yet her face possessed a cold, sharp beauty that contrasted with her build. A fierce aura emanated from her heterochromatic eyes, and faint black tiger stripes shimmered on her skin. Despite her youth, she was already a Soul Ancestor.

She was Dai Zhuyun, her Martial Soul—the Evil-Eyed Black Tiger, the absolute legacy Martial Soul of the Star Luo Empire!

Opposite her, a handsome youth with a face showing the puffiness of excessive indulgence smiled bitterly, full of fawning and helplessness. He was Zhu Muhei, whose Martial Soul was the agility-type Azure Spirit Cat.

In this inverted Star Luo Empire, the rules of the imperial family remained cold-blooded yet more permissive: regardless of gender, whoever possessed the greatest strength and the firmest grip could ascend the throne!

As the successor of the Evil-Eyed Black Tiger with an Innate Soul Power of nine, Dai Zhuyun was hardworking and the most promising candidate for the position of Crown Princess.

However, her fiancé, the undisciplined Azure Spirit Cat Zhu Muhei, had been caught red-handed by political rivals at the age of seven while frequenting underground casinos and brothels, causing a massive scandal!

The Star Luo imperial family was furious, and Dai Zhuyun, as his fiancée, suffered collective punishment and was exiled to the border.

The proud Dai Zhuyun could not stomach such humiliation. She fought her way out; while it appeared to be a defection, she had the secret help of her sister Dai Zhuyun.

She fled to this remote Kelaishi Academy, while Zhu Muhei had received a death order from his family: if he could not bring Dai Zhuyun back to appease the imperial family's wrath, he would not be returning alive.

"Zhuyun, listen to my explanation. That time was truly an accident; I was drugged and framed!" Zhu Muhei pleaded in a low voice.

"Shut up, trash." Dai Zhuyun crossed her arms, the aura of the Evil-Eyed Black Tiger erupting and forcing Zhu Muhei back three steps. "If you dare come within three yards of me again, I will castrate you."

Qian San watched the scene, finding the drama quite entertaining, though he was speechless at the bizarre rules of the Star Luo Empire.

Just then, from a large blue stone nearby, came a peaceful sigh, like that of an old monk in meditation.

"Amitabha... form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Two benefactors, the troubles of the mortal world are all illusions. Why not sit down, drink a cup of clear tea, and contemplate the heavens and earth?"

The speaker was a slightly chubby youth with a buzzcut and blue hair, named Niu Lanjun.

What felt discordant was that his chubby face lacked the vitality and impulsiveness of a young man, instead radiating a calm that seemed to have experienced all the vicissitudes of life, as if he had let go of everything.

His Martial Soul was a mutated top-tier Martial Soul—the Benevolent Water Phoenix.

Unlike the legendary Evil Fire Phoenix that burned with desire, the Benevolent Water Phoenix's attribute was pure healing water. The reverse effect this had on its host was even more bizarre: it forcibly cleansed the Soul Master of all worldly desires, leaving Niu Lanjun, despite his youth, as if he had been forcibly ordained—without desire or demand, finding even meat unappetizing.

"What kind of sutras are you chanting, you fat pig? It's annoying!"

Not far from Niu Lanjun, a girl in a luxurious long dress with her chin held high snorted. She was Yu Rongrong, from the world's number one sect—the Seven Treasure Overlord Pagoda Sect.

She held an exquisite little pagoda in her palm that emitted seven-colored treasure light. Unlike ordinary support-type Martial Souls, her pagoda could release the Soul Beasts of her soul rings to fight. Coupled with the indulgence she received at home, this had fostered her arrogant personality.

"Amitabha, Benefactor Yu, your hostility is too heavy; be careful it hurts your liver." Niu Lanjun pressed his palms together, maintaining his lukewarm demeanor, which made Yu Rongrong grit her teeth in anger.

Watching this group of strange, eccentric monsters, Qian San and Xiao Qing exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in the other's eyes. If not for his father's consent, Qian San would not have stayed in this Kelaishi Academy for another second.

In the afternoon, on the open ground behind Kelaishi Academy.

The four freshmen who had passed the preliminary tests—Qian San, Xiao Qing, Yu Rongrong, and Zhu Muhei—stood in a row.

Before them stood a burly middle-aged man with muscles bulging like granite. A playful smile played on his rugged face, and a cold, silver metallic luster faintly radiated from his body.

The Vice Dean of Kelaishi Academy, a level 76 Soul Saint, Zhao Youji! Martial Soul: Giant Strength Silver Iron Bear!

"My name is Zhao Youji, and I am the examiner for your fourth trial." Zhao Youji lit an incense stick and casually stuck it into the soil nearby, stretching his thick neck and causing his bones to crackle.

"The rules are simple. You little ones work together. As long as you can last one incense stick of time against me, you all pass. Of course, if you can injure me, even if you just break the skin, you win."

Zhao Youji's bear-like eyes swept over the group, his tone filled with confidence: "I will give you one incense stick of time to understand each other's Martial Souls and soul power, and to discuss tactics."

"Niu Lanjun, you come with them too. I've been tired of your chanting lately; let's test your recent cultivation to see if it's as sharp as your mouth!"

Hearing this, Zhu Muhei and Yu Rongrong both wore grave expressions. Facing a Soul Saint, even in a sparring match, was like facing an insurmountable mountain. The only benefit was that the student who acted like a monk would be joining them.

Niu Lanjun, however, remained indifferent; his heart was as calm as water.

The group quickly gathered to introduce themselves, and the time for the incense stick passed quickly.

Qian San stepped forward.

"I'll take command. Qian San, Martial Soul Blue Silver Spider, level 46 Battle Soul Ancestor."