The First Battle in Blizzard City

The Far North, Blizzard City.

The city's training grounds.

Xue Mingqing arrived alone, carrying a homemade weighted backpack.

The cold wind cut across his face like a blade, leaving his cheeks red.

He barely noticed. In his dark eyes, there was nothing but an unrelenting pursuit of strength.

A month had passed since Wind Snow Village was destroyed and Xue Ningxian had taken him in as her adopted son.

He hadn't slacked off for a single day during that month. Every morning, he began training his body before dawn, and every night, he replaced sleep with meditating on his Soul Power.

Though he had awakened his golden finger—the soul of a sinister powerhouse who called himself Feng Qingyang—

that was no excuse for him to slack off.

On the contrary, he knew full well that only strength gained through his own efforts truly belonged to him.

Thanks to his tireless work and the cultivation resources Xue Ningxian had provided, he had astonishingly advanced three levels in a single month.

His Soul Power had risen from level five to level eight, and he was now just one step away from level nine.

He closed his eyes and breathed out a mouthful of stale air.

Level eight Soul Power... He was still a long way from his goal of wiping out every Evil Soul Master under heaven.

Still... he'd take it one step at a time. He believed that someday, he would fulfill that wish.

Steadying his mind, Xue Mingqing put the thought aside and entered the training grounds.

But when he stepped inside, he realized someone else was already there.

It was a chubby little boy dressed in fine clothes, with an extraordinary air about him.

At a glance, it was clear he didn't come from an ordinary family.

Raising an eyebrow, Xue Mingqing looked up at the sky. It was the hazy light of early morning.

In the month he'd been training, this was the first time he'd seen anyone else show up so early.

He was a little curious, but after glancing at the boy a few times, Xue Mingqing began his usual weighted run.

Rather than waste time on meaningless small talk, he wanted to finish his training first.

But—

Xue Mingqing didn't speak to the chubby boy. The boy, however, looked him up and down.

Xue Mingqing was wearing a simple blue-green robe, and his short black hair was neatly trimmed above his collar.

He was fairly good-looking, but his overall bearing was plain and unassuming.

The chubby boy's eyes rolled. He walked over.

"Hey, you—yeah, you, the one as skinny as a stalk. You're not allowed to run here. From now on, this place is mine."

At that, Xue Mingqing frowned and stopped in his tracks.

He looked up at the boy without a word, his eyes full of confusion.

Seeing his confusion, the chubby boy planted his hands on his hips. His round, pudgy face wore a sneer, his little eyes narrowed to slits.

"Can't you understand plain speech? I said get out. This place is mine from now on. Don't you come back!"

Hearing him, Xue Mingqing set down his backpack. His gaze turned cool, though he kept his voice as gentle as he could.

"This place is big enough for both of us."

In his previous life, as a citizen of Huaxia, Xue Mingqing had always believed in the principle of not provoking others unless they provoked him first.

He didn't want trouble unless it was necessary.

But his gentleness was pointless. It only made the chubby boy push his luck.

The boy stepped closer. A vicious glint appeared on his greasy, pudgy face, and a Yellow Soul Ring appeared around him alongside an Ice Crystal Spirit Leopard that looked completely out of place beside the chubby boy.

"Ling Gui, an eleven-level agility-attack Soul Master."

Among Soul Masters, announcing one's name, Martial Soul, and Soul Power was the universally recognized way to issue a challenge.

At the sight of this, Xue Mingqing's brow furrowed further. His mild smile melted away like snow, leaving only an unmistakable chill and sharp edge.

Even a clay figure had a temper, let alone him.

He raised a hand, and thousands of snowflakes swirled through the air. Fueled by the level-eight Soul Power coursing through his body, they transformed into a razor-sharp, three-foot Snow Sword!

Snow Transforms Into All Things—he wielded snow as a sword.

His Self-Created Soul Skill, Snow Transforms Into All Things, was far too conspicuous. If it attracted the wrong attention, it could bring him a deadly calamity.

So until he had grown stronger, he wouldn't use any of its other forms besides the Snow Sword.

"Xue Mingqing, Martial Soul: Snow Sword, level eight. Please enlighten me."

Hearing Xue Mingqing introduce himself, the chubby boy's little eyes widened slightly.

Though he was surprised by Xue Mingqing's talent, he didn't stop moving.

"Spirit Leopard Possession!"

With a low growl, the Ice Crystal Spirit Leopard transformed into a streak of light and rushed into the chubby boy's body. His fat, clumsy frame grew leaner and more agile.

Though his waist was still as wide as a barrel.

Xue Mingqing narrowed his eyes. He wasn't surprised that Ling Gui was a One-Ring Soul Master.

A month ago, getting chased all over the mountains by a three-ring Evil Soul Master because he couldn't beat him was understandable.

But if he couldn't beat this chubby One-Ring Soul Master standing before him, he might as well go find a block of tofu and bash his head against it.

Xue Mingqing tightened his grip on the Snow Sword and tensed his legs, ready to strike at any moment.

Just then, the chubby boy spoke again.

"Wait, you skinny scarecrow. Let's get one thing straight first."

"What?"

"If you lose, you'll roll out of here. Literally roll."

Hearing Ling Gui's taunt, Xue Mingqing narrowed his eyes.

"And what if you lose?"

"Impossible. How could I—"

Before Ling Gui could finish, Xue Mingqing's tensed legs sprang into motion!

In a single step, Xue Mingqing's body shot forward like an arrow drawn taut. The Snow Sword flashed—

In an instant, before Ling Gui could react, the Snow Sword's sharp tip was already pressed against his throat.

One more push, and it would pierce through.

With the tip at Ling Gui's throat, Xue Mingqing spoke calmly. "You lost, you big fat pig. Roll out of here..."

Ling Gui's pupils contracted!

He hadn't even been able to react. He hadn't so much as seen how Xue Mingqing had crossed the distance.

He swallowed, feeling the chill radiating from the Snow Sword sting his throat. His voice came out hoarse.

"Impossible! How—how did you get in front of me? What kind of evil trick did you use?!"

Xue Mingqing closed his eyes, exasperated.

There had been less than ten meters between him and Ling Gui. He hadn't even needed Soul Power. With the footwork he'd honed over the past few days, darting in front of Ling Gui in an instant was no difficult feat.

But...

Looking at the short, stocky boy, he didn't feel like arguing with him any further.

He turned the Snow Sword around and patted the chubby boy's face with its flat side. His voice was cold as the wind.

"Get lost. Don't come looking for trouble with me again."

With that, Xue Mingqing flicked the Snow Sword in a flourish, then casually scattered it into a sky full of snowflakes.

He turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

His training hadn't even properly begun today. He had no time to waste on a clown like this.

And what of the chubby boy left standing there?

When he saw Xue Mingqing turn and walk away without any intention of hurting him, Ling Gui instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.

But at the same time, a nameless fury surged inside him!

He was the eldest young master of the Ling Family in Blizzard City. What gave this commoner the right to look down on him?

He hadn't even used his Soul Skill. That peasant had only won by using some evil trick and playing dirty. What gave him the right to call him a fat pig?!

He would get revenge. He would make the bastard pay!

Malice churned within him, and Ling Gui's triangular eyes, as venomous as poison, fixed on Xue Mingqing's retreating back.

The Ice Crystal Spirit Leopard was the strongest agility-attack Martial Soul in the Far North, even earning the name of the silent killer...

And now, Ling Gui intended to use his first Soul Skill to cripple the commoner with a sneak attack!

The Yellow Soul Ring beneath his feet flashed brightly!

Ling Gui's hands transformed into sharp Ice Crystal Leopard claws. Moving at a speed almost impossible to follow with the naked eye, he slashed out with both hands, sending two icy arcs of light toward Xue Mingqing's back.

"Die!"