Qian Xunji's foot, already stepping away, abruptly stopped. He turned back, a flash of astonishment crossing his eyes. "What did you say? A Sky Azure Bull Python?"
"Yes." Qian San gave him a detailed account of what had happened in Dorm Seven, as well as the girl named Xiao Qing.
"She had a cold, reserved personality and seemed very sensible. She usually did not talk much, but after Martial Soul Possession, she gave off an ancient, heavy pressure. Even using every technique I had, I only narrowly defeated her."
As Qian Xunji listened to his son's account, he maintained an impassive expression, though inwardly he was frantically tearing into it.
Wasn't this world's yin and yang reversal way too absurd?
In the original story, the one sharing a dorm with Tang San and fighting him for the boss's position should have been Xiao Wu, that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Charm Rabbit who loved pink clothes and was always making a racket. Why had it become a transformed Sky Azure Bull Python instead? Da Ming had turned into Xiao Qing?
But on second thought, Qian Xunji found this to be an excellent thing. Compared to the original Xiao Wu, a troublemaker who caused problems everywhere and constantly made people braid her hair, this low-key, sensible, and reserved Xiao Qing was infinitely more reassuring. This was the truly high-quality childhood sweetheart suited to his son!
Qian Xunji forcefully suppressed his wild inner commentary, coughed twice, and resumed the inscrutable demeanor of a father. He explained objectively, "The Sky Azure Bull Python is one of the most powerful soul beasts in Star Dou Forest, a true overlord-class existence. This Martial Soul possesses not only terrifying physical strength, but also an innate suppressive power of lightning and water attributes. It is an absolutely top-tier beast Martial Soul."
Seeing Qian San's thoughtful expression, Qian Xunji smiled and reassured him, "But you do not need to feel inferior. Although your Martial Soul is merely a Blue Silver Spider, Martial Soul quality does not determine everything. Didn't you still defeat her through your own combat techniques? Besides, you are no longer level ten. Feel the Soul Power in your body yourself."
At his words, Qian San immediately closed his eyes and circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill. The next second, he abruptly opened them, his face filled with disbelief. "Level fourteen? I actually jumped straight to level fourteen?"
"The Iron-Eroding Polymorphic Spider's energy was extremely pure. Combined with the foundation you built over the past six years, it was only natural for you to break through four levels at once." Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction, then his tone became serious. "There is one more thing you must remember. During your time at Nuoding Academy, unless absolutely necessary, never go to a branch hall of Haotian Hall to collect that monthly one Gold Soul Coin soul master stipend."
Qian San froze for a moment. Though he did not know why, in his heart, his father's words were truth. He nodded without hesitation. "I'll remember, Dad."
Qian Xunji naturally had his reasons for arranging this. Haotian Hall's influence was deeply entrenched across the continent. As A-Dong's bloodline, Qian San absolutely could not enter the sight of those major powers too early. By declining the stipend, he could minimize his registration records with official institutions. This was the supreme principle of lying low. Most importantly, he was not short on money.
"Enough. Hurry back to the dorm." Qian Xunji waved his hand. With a flicker, he merged into the night. Just as he was about to vanish completely, a light yet faintly mysterious sentence drifted into Qian San's ears:
"That girl named Xiao Qing... you can pay her a little more attention."
Qian San rubbed his nose and looked toward the direction in which his father had disappeared. Though he did not understand the deeper meaning behind his father's final words, he silently remembered them.
By the time he returned to Dorm Seven, the sky was already beginning to brighten.
Qian San gently pushed open the door. The Work-Study Students in the dorm were sleeping in all manner of sprawled positions, their snores rising and falling. He walked over to his bed and was just about to lie down for a brief rest when he sharply sensed someone watching him.
In the corner, Xiao Qing had already finished meditating. Her cool eyes quietly watched Qian San. As a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, her perception far surpassed that of ordinary people. She could clearly sense that, after only one night apart, Qian San's aura had changed. Beneath his originally mild and restrained presence was now a hint of sharpness.
Clearly, he had already obtained his first Spirit Ring, and its quality was certainly not low.
However, Xiao Qing merely watched him quietly for three seconds before casually looking away. She lowered her head and continued arranging the old bedding Qian San had given her yesterday. Whatever fortuitous encounter others had found or abilities they had gained had nothing to do with her. She had come to the human world only to cultivate again and avenge her mother. She had no interest in prying into anyone else's secrets.
Seeing this, Qian San did not disturb her. He pulled over his newly bought down quilt and fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, within Nuoding Academy's teachers' dormitory building.
Ning Dagang sat at his desk, revising his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul with furious strokes by candlelight. During the day, he had been openly contradicted by a six-year-old country child and had even been forced back by the killing intent the child released. It left him feeling unprecedented humiliation.
"Country bumpkin! Ignorant brat!" Ning Dagang muttered through gritted teeth as he wrote.
"I'd like to see what trash Spirit Ring that useless father of yours can get for you! When your Martial Soul is ruined and you're crying your eyes out, let's see how you can still act so arrogant in front of me!"
Just as he was cursing, the room's window suddenly flew open with a bang, slammed by a bizarre gust of wind.
The candle flame on the desk went out instantly.
Ning Dagang's heart tightened, and a dangerous instinct instantly enveloped his entire body. Just as he was about to shout and summon his Martial Soul, Luo Four-Spear, a large hand like an iron pincer clamped tightly around his throat and lifted him from the chair like a chick.
By the faint moonlight filtering in through the window, Ning Dagang saw in terror a tall man standing before him, wearing a half-silver mask.
There were no dazzling Spirit Rings, no glow from Martial Soul Possession. The man did not even release a trace of Soul Power, yet that horrifying pressure, almost tangible in its intensity, made Ning Dagang tremble.
"You... urgh..." Ning Dagang's legs kicked weakly in midair. Both hands desperately pried at the man's wrist, yet it felt as though he were trying to bend apart a block of pig iron.
Bang!
The masked man did not waste a single word. His other hand suddenly clenched into a fist, and a heavy straight punch smashed viciously into Ning Dagang's abdomen.
"Ugh—aaah!"
Ning Dagang's eyes bulged instantly. Sour fluid from his stomach mixed with last night's food surged up, but with his throat being choked, he could not vomit. He could only let out muffled groans of agony. He felt as if that punch had displaced all his internal organs.
The masked man released him, allowing Ning Dagang to collapse onto the floor like a heap of mud. Then he raised one foot and heavily planted it on Ning Dagang's chest.
"I am that barefoot country doctor you were talking about." Qian Xunji looked down coldly at Ning Dagang, who was curled into a ball in pain on the floor. His gaze beneath the mask was as cold as ice.
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