I am San'er's Father

Qian Xunji's stride came to an abrupt halt. He turned back, a flicker of astonishment crossing his eyes: "What did you say? Sky Azure Bull Python?"

"Yes." Qian San described in detail what had happened in Dorm Seven, as well as the girl named Xiao Qing.

"She has a very cold temperament and seems quite sensible. She doesn't usually talk much, but after her Martial Soul Possession, there is an ancient and heavy sense of oppression. Even using all my striking techniques, I only managed a narrow victory."

Listening to his son's description, Qian Xunji remained outwardly composed, but his mind was already spiraling into a frenzy of internal complaints.

No way, has the yin and yang of this world flipped in such an absurd way?

In the original story, shouldn't the one living in the same dorm as Xiao San and fighting to be the boss be a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit Xiao Wu, who loves wearing pink and is always making a racket? How did it turn into a transformed Sky Azure Bull Python? Did Da Ming turn into Xiao Qing?

However, upon second thought, Qian Xunji actually felt this was a great thing. Compared to the original Xiao Wu—a total troublemaker who caused chaos everywhere and demanded people comb her hair at every turn—this low-key, sensible, and introverted Xiao Qing was simply a relief! This was the high-quality childhood sweetheart truly suited for his son!

Qian Xunji suppressed his internal rant, coughed twice, and regained his inscrutable fatherly demeanor. He objectively explained, "The Sky Azure Bull Python is one of the top-tier soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest, a true hegemon-level existence. This martial soul not only possesses terrifying physical strength but also naturally carries the suppressive power of thunder and water. It belongs to the absolute pinnacle of beast martial souls."

Seeing Qian San's thoughtful expression, Qian Xunji smiled and comforted him: "But you don't need to feel inferior. Although your martial soul is only a Blue Silver Spider, the quality of a martial soul doesn't determine everything. Didn't you still win against her using your own combat techniques? Besides, you aren't at level ten anymore. Feel the soul power within your body."

Upon hearing this, Qian San immediately closed his eyes and circulated his Mysterious Heaven Skill. The next second, he snapped his eyes open, his face full of disbelief: "Level fourteen? I actually jumped straight to level fourteen?"

"The energy of the Iron-Eroding Polymorphic Spider is extremely pure. Combined with the foundation you've built over these six years, it's a case of accumulation leading to a breakthrough; jumping four levels is perfectly normal." Qian Xunji nodded with satisfaction, his tone then turning serious. "There is one more thing you must remember firmly. While you are attending Nuoding Academy, unless absolutely necessary, never go to the Haotian Hall branch to collect that one Gold Soul Coin soul master subsidy per month."

Qian San was stunned. Although he didn't know why, his father's words were truth to him, so he nodded without hesitation: "I will remember, Father."

Qian Xunji had his reasons for this arrangement. In the current continent, the influence of Haotian Hall was deeply entrenched. As the bloodline of A-Dong, Qian San must not be exposed to the eyes of those major powers too early. By not collecting the subsidy, he could minimize his registration records in official institutions—this was the wisdom of keeping a low profile. Most importantly, he wasn't short on money.

"Alright, hurry back to the dorm." Qian Xunji waved his hand, his figure flickering as he merged into the night. Just as he was about to disappear completely, a light, yet somewhat mysterious sentence drifted into Qian San's ears:

"That girl named Xiao Qing... you can pay a little more attention to her."

Qian San rubbed his nose, looking in the direction his father had disappeared. Although he didn't understand the deeper meaning behind his father's last words, he silently kept them in his heart.

When he returned to Dorm Seven, the horizon was already tinged with the white of dawn.

Qian San pushed the door open lightly. The Work-Study Student residents were sprawled out in their sleep, snoring in a rhythmic chorus. He walked to his bunk and was just about to lie down for a rest when he keenly sensed a gaze fixed upon him.

In the corner, Xiao Qing had finished her meditation. Her cold eyes watched Qian San quietly. As a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, her perception far exceeded that of an ordinary person. She could clearly feel that, after just one night, the aura around Qian San had changed; a sharp, piercing edge had been added to his originally gentle and restrained presence.

Clearly, he had obtained his first soul ring, and the quality of the ring was definitely not low.

However, Xiao Qing only watched him quietly for three seconds before looking away as if nothing had happened. She lowered her head to continue tidying the old bedding Qian San had given her yesterday. Whatever strange encounters others had or what abilities they gained had nothing to do with her. She had come to the human world solely to cultivate and avenge her mother; she had no interest in prying into others' secrets.

Seeing this, Qian San didn't disturb her. He pulled over his newly purchased goose-down quilt and fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, inside the teacher dormitory building of Nuoding Academy.

Ning Dagang was sitting at his desk, scribbling away by candlelight, revising his "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul." Being openly defied by a six-year-old country child during the day, and even being forced back by the killing intent the other party released, made him feel unprecedented humiliation.

"Country bumpkin! Ignorant brat!" Ning Dagang muttered through gritted teeth as he wrote.

"I'd like to see what kind of trash soul ring that useless father of yours can get you! When you're crying your eyes out because your martial soul is ruined, let's see how you act arrogant in front of me then!"

Just as he was cursing, the room's window was suddenly slammed open by a strange, violent gust of wind with a "bang."

The candle on the table was extinguished instantly.

Ning Dagang's heart tightened, and a dangerous intuition instantly enveloped his entire body. Just as he was about to shout and summon his martial soul, Luo Four-Spear, a hand like an iron pincer clamped tightly around his throat, lifting him off the chair as if he were a chick.

By the faint moonlight filtering through the window, Ning Dagang saw with terror a tall man standing before him, wearing a half-silver mask.

There were no brilliant soul rings shining, no light effects from Martial Soul Possession, and the man hadn't even released a shred of soul power. Yet, the terrifying, tangible pressure made Ning Dagang tremble.

"You... ugh..." Ning Dagang's legs kicked helplessly in mid-air, his hands clawing at the man's wrist, but it felt as if he were trying to pry apart a block of raw iron.

"Bang!"

The masked man didn't waste a word. His other hand clenched into a fist, and a heavy, powerful straight punch slammed into Ning Dagang's abdomen.

"Urgh—"

Ning Dagang's eyes bulged instantly. The acid in his stomach, mixed with his previous night's meal, surged up, but because his throat was clamped, he couldn't vomit it out, only emitting a pained, muffled groan. He felt as if all his internal organs had been displaced by that single punch.

The masked man released his grip, letting Ning Dagang collapse onto the floor like a pile of mud, then raised a foot and stepped heavily onto his chest.

"I am that country barefoot doctor you were talking about." Qian Xunji looked down at Ning Dagang, who was curled into a ball on the floor in agony, his eyes beneath the mask as cold as ice.