The Beginning of the First Cycle of Number One!

Leng Yaozhu raised her brows slightly at the sight, but said nothing more, merely commenting casually.

"You and her seem to get along quite well."

Bai Yuan withdrew his gaze, looking utterly innocent.

"As you said, Teacher, fellow disciples should live in harmony."

Leng Yaozhu glanced at him without exposing the lie.

Live in harmony?

She had nearly crushed the doorframe just now.

But Leng Yaozhu believed in a wolf-pack culture.

As long as they remained loyal to her, a little competition was a good thing.

Whoever was more outstanding would receive more resources from her.

After all, what she needed was dependable fighting strength, not disciples who needed to be coddled.

Only then could the Leng Family retain its influence within the Spirit Pagoda.

She gathered her thoughts and looked at Bai Yuan, her tone returning to its usual briskness. "Enough. Let's talk business."

Bai Yuan put away his teasing smile and listened seriously.

"Your cultivation progress has been faster than I expected. Elder Han thinks highly of you as well."

Leng Yaozhu paused. "But don't slack off because of that. Gu Yue's talent is no less than yours. Just because she lost today doesn't mean she will lose again in the future."

Bai Yuan nodded.

"Understood."

"After some time, once you pass the test, go take a look around the East Sea."

Bai Yuan's heart stirred.

The East Sea?

What was this for?

"I'll take you there to meet the people from our family."

Leng Yaozhu paused.

"And there's a Soul Bone there that I think suits you. You can take a look when the time comes."

A Soul Bone?

Bai Yuan raised his brows slightly but did not respond.

"Besides, this is also an assessment."

"Understood."

Bai Yuan nodded.

"Is there anything else, Teacher?"

"Not for now."

Leng Yaozhu looked at him.

"Oh, you're about to break through to Soul Grandmaster, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"When the time comes, go to the Spirit Ascension Platform and improve your Soul Spirit again."

"Understood."

Leng Yaozhu looked at him once more, said nothing further, and waved her hand. "Go."

Bai Yuan turned and headed for the door. After taking two steps, he stopped and looked back at Leng Yaozhu.

"Teacher, Gu Yue... how did you find her?"

Leng Yaozhu replied calmly.

"Fate. Just like how I found you."

Bai Yuan fell silent for a moment. He did not ask any more questions and pushed the door open to leave.

Leng Yaozhu stood alone in the training room, her gaze resting on the distant horizon beyond the window.

Two exceptionally gifted children.

She did not know where their futures would lead, but she knew one thing.

Part of the Leng Family's future was staked on those two children.

Bai Yuan pushed open his room door and immediately saw Gu Yuena sitting on the sofa.

Her silver hair shimmered faintly beneath the lights, and her violet eyes watched him calmly, as though she had been waiting there for a long time.

The corner of his mouth curled up. He strode over lightly, his tone deliberately teasing.

"Well, well, if it isn't my Junior Sister.

What is it? What brings you to see your Senior Brother?"

Gu Yuena looked at the punchable grin on his face, her fingers tightening slightly.

She really wanted to tear that mouth apart.

But she held herself back.

She drew a deep breath, suppressing the surging anger in her heart, while her face remained as cool and detached as ever.

She had come for serious business this time.

First, she had to admit it.

The person who had defeated her before she was fully prepared did indeed possess some talent.

But only "some." Not much.

Before the power of her complete Silver Dragon King form, that little talent was nothing worth mentioning.

Still, she could not ignore it entirely.

That was why she had come—to probe him.

She wanted to find out whether Bai Yuan truly had ambitions.

Was he also eyeing the Spirit Pagoda's power?

Was he going to compete with her?

If so...

Gu Yuena lowered her eyes, her silver hair concealing the cold glint that flashed through them.

Then she would get rid of him in advance.

She could not allow a future rival to remain within the Spirit Pagoda.

Especially not a rival who had defeated her in full view of everyone today.

At that thought, a tiny curve appeared at the corner of Gu Yuena's lips.

Mm.

As expected of my wisdom.

A perfect scheme.

She raised her head, and her violet eyes returned to calmness, even carrying a hint of perfectly timed obedience.

"Senior Brother, I'd like to ask about that sword strike today...

How did you break through my Elemental Barrier?"

Bai Yuan looked at her clear, innocent eyes and laughed inwardly.

So she came to probe me?

Fine. I'll play along.

Bai Yuan leaned back against the sofa and crossed his legs, putting on the air of a senior brother imparting wisdom.

"Junior Sister, you know, I wouldn't tell just anyone.

I'm only telling you because we're fellow disciples."

Gu Yuena sneered inwardly.

This fool is going to spill his secret so quickly?

Just wait.

Yet outwardly, she blinked her violet eyes with an expectant expression.

"Really, Senior Brother?

Thank you so much!

I'll definitely tell Master about it later!"

Bai Yuan waved his hand, lowered his voice, and put on an air of mystery.

"Actually, Master gave me a secret technique that can raise all my abilities for a short period of time."

"Oh?"

Gu Yuena's eyes brightened slightly.

"So, my win over you today was just luck. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to do anything against you."

Bai Yuan scratched his head, looking humble.

Gu Yuena was already calculating at top speed.

A secret technique? Something that could improve every ability for a short time?

If she could get her hands on something like that... it would be very useful to her human self.

"Oh, right."

Bai Yuan suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Go see Master later. She'll assess you, and while she's at it, she'll tell you about that secret technique too."

Gu Yuena froze for a moment.

"This..."

"Don't you trust your Senior Brother?"

Bai Yuan patted his chest.

"I've always been aboveboard.

If you don't believe me, then don't come asking me next time either."

Gu Yuena was silent for a second, then revealed an obedient smile.

"Senior Brother is right. Of course I trust you."

Bai Yuan stood up, walked to the door, and pulled it open. Then he turned back and gave her an encouraging gesture.

"Come on, Junior Sister! I believe in you! Pass the assessment!"

Gu Yuena nodded, her voice gentle.

"Mm, I'll work hard."

She walked out, and Bai Yuan closed the door behind her.

Gu Yuena stood alone in the hallway, silver hair cascading down her back as a smug curve slowly formed on her lips.

That fool let me trick the truth out of him so easily.

I need to get that secret technique. What if I lose to Bai Yuan again otherwise?

How embarrassing.

She walked forward, her steps noticeably lighter.

Mm, my Brain is suddenly overflowing with wisdom!

Bai Yuan watched Gu Yuena leave, shook his head, and sighed.

If that idiot could shoulder the great responsibility of reviving the Soul Beasts, it would be a miracle.

Too clever—no, too full of herself!

He withdrew his gaze, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began reviewing his battle with Gu Yuena.

His speed, strength, and reactions had all been fine. Eidolon's enhancement had been sufficient too, but his technique still lacked something.

That sword strike that broke the barrier had mainly relied on the destructive power of the Core Flame to crush through it, rather than any brilliance in his swordsmanship itself.

He still needed more practice.

And he had not mastered the Core Flame's power particularly well, either.

He could draw upon it and use it, but he was still far from the feeling of wielding it as naturally as an arm or a finger.

Sometimes he used too much power, sometimes too little. With that sword strike today, he had nearly failed to rein in the power of Destruction.

If he had truly injured Gu Yuena, things would have become troublesome.

Bai Yuan extended his left hand, and the Worldbearing Coreflame appeared in his palm. Golden

light burned quietly, with no flickering flames, only an indescribable sense of oppression.

He stared at the Core Flame for a long time, trying to touch it with his spiritual power, then trying to guide it with Soul Power.

After tinkering with it for ages, the Core Flame showed no reaction. It simply continued burning quietly.

Bai Yuan frowned.

Did he need to call its name?

He cleared his throat and called out tentatively.

"Xiao Bai?"

No reaction.

"Phainon?"

Still no reaction.

"Khaslana?"

The Core Flame did not even flicker.

Bai Yuan's mouth twitched. What was going on?

He thought about it, and suddenly, an absurd idea surfaced in his mind.

Could it be...?

After hesitating for two seconds, he quietly hummed a line.

"Love the Thunder God—"

The Core Flame remained utterly still, even dimming slightly.

"...Forget it."

He withdrew his hand and sighed.

Maybe it just wasn't time yet.

After all, this was the vessel that bore Amphoreus's Core Flame. He

was now merely a tiny Soul Master, not even a Soul Grandmaster. What right did he have to fiddle with it as he pleased?

He should just cultivate honestly. Once he was strong enough, the Core Flame would naturally give him more.

Bai Yuan was about to stop and rest.

Bang!

A blinding flash erupted from the Core Flame, and golden light instantly swallowed the entire room!

Bai Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted. His entire body was enveloped by the light, as though some force had illuminated him from within.

He felt his consciousness being pulled deep into the Core Flame.

That blank, void-like space.

Then he saw it.

At the very front of the Core Flame, in the place that had originally been completely empty, there was now a symbol.

A simple number.

"1".