Tang Ya's Choice, Ma Xiaotao Makes the Ranking!

Just as All Living Beings discussed Xu Sanshi,

in a quiet room within Sea God Pavilion,

Tang Ya had also awakened from her coma.

Fortunately, she had not been completely consumed by her emotions, and Mu En quickly suppressed the evil thoughts within her.

But after what had happened earlier,

Tang Ya now seemed as though her soul had been ripped away, staring blankly ahead with hollow eyes.

"Xiaoya, rest and recover for now. Great-Grandfather has already suppressed those matters."

"Once the Sky Screen's fervor passes, everything can return to normal, and we can continue rebuilding the Tang Sect."

At those words,

Tang Ya stirred and let out a somewhat self-mocking laugh.

"Return to normal?"

"Can I still return to normal?"

"I've decided to withdraw from Shrek Academy and go to the Iron Blood Sect for revenge."

"Xiaoya..."

Bei Bei crouched down and gently held Tang Ya's cold hand, his voice trembling slightly.

"I know you're suffering. I know you've waited far too long for this day."

"But if you go to the Iron Blood Sect for revenge now, the world will brand you an Evil Soul Master."

"Didn't we agree to rebuild the Tang Sect?"

Tang Ya trembled slightly, and a flicker of struggle flashed through her eyes.

Rebuild the Tang Sect...

Tang Ya slowly pulled her hand back, her voice hoarse.

"Whenever the night is quiet, the moment I close my eyes, I see Father and Mother lying in pools of blood."

"Those so-called relatives and friends, the Tang Sect's companions—not a single one of them was willing to help me."

"Even Shrek..."

She paused and did not continue, but the disappointment in her eyes was plain to see.

Bei Bei fell silent for a moment before speaking softly.

"Xiaoya, Great-Grandfather has already done everything he could. Shrek Academy is neutral; he cannot..."

"I know."

Tang Ya cut him off, her tone terrifyingly calm.

"So I don't blame anyone."

"I've simply realized that relying on others will never compare to relying on myself."

At this point,

she raised her head to meet Bei Bei's gaze.

Light returned to those eyes that had once been hollow.

"Bei Bei, I've waited too long."

"No matter how others see me, no matter what condemnation and consequences await after everything is over, I will avenge my parents."

After saying that,

Tang Ya's gaze toward Bei Bei unexpectedly grew gentler.

She reached out with both hands to straighten his collar and said softly,

"From this day onward, I will pass the position of Tang Sect Master to you."

"With you, Xiao Yuhao, and the others, the Tang Sect will certainly become better. You have the ability, and you are more suited than I am to lead the Tang Sect."

Bei Bei shook his head desperately, his voice nearly a roar.

"Xiaoya, I will never let you seek revenge alone!"

"Since I am the Tang Sect's senior disciple, I should be there with you to settle this blood debt!"

"Bei Bei, you..."

Tang Ya's voice choked up.

Before she could finish, Bei Bei pulled her into his arms.

"Xiaoya, I know I can't stop you."

"But don't even think about shaking me off."

"If we live, we live together. If we die, we die together!"

Bei Bei's voice rang beside her ear, his words carrying an unprecedented resolve.

Tang Ya closed her eyes in pain and allowed her tears to fall.

After a long while,

she nodded gently.

The two figures quietly left the rear mountain of Shrek Academy and sped toward the Heaven Dou Empire.

A moment later,

a fiery-red silhouette appeared on the golden scroll.

She was a young woman who looked no more than eighteen or nineteen.

She was tall and slender, with graceful curves.

Her long flaming-red hair spilled down her back like blazing fire, sparkling brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

Her features were exquisite, and her phoenix eyes carried an innate pride and confidence.

[ Ding! ]

[Thirteenth on the Heavenly Pride Ranking, Shrek Academy—Ma Xiaotao!]

"!!!"

"Oh my god, that's Sister Xiaotao!"

"Our Sister Xiaotao finally made the ranking! She's even thirteenth on the Heavenly Pride Ranking!"

"..."

Within Shrek Academy, countless students cheered excitedly.

As one of the Inner Court's most outstanding students, Ma Xiaotao naturally possessed an extremely high reputation within the academy.

Now that she had made the ranking, many students were naturally delighted for her.

Inside a lounge by Sea God Lake,

Ma Xiaotao sat on the sofa with her slender legs crossed.

When she saw her name appear on the Sky Screen, a smug smile curled across her lips.

"Hmph, it's finally this young lady's turn."

She glanced at Dai Yueheng beside her, her tone brimming with pride.

"Didn't you refuse to support me as captain? Take a good look at what a true heavenly pride is."

Dai Yueheng sneaked a couple of glances at Ma Xiaotao, his eyes carrying a touch more affection.

Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xixi, Gongyang Mo, and the others all crowded around, busy flattering and agreeing with her.

Ma Xiaotao was the last disciple personally accepted by Yan Shaozhe, the dean of Shrek Academy.

Quite a few people in the soul master world had long known of her talent.

No one was surprised that Ma Xiaotao had made the ranking.

[Standing before you now is an Inner Court disciple of Shrek Academy, the personal disciple of Yan Shaozhe, dean of the Martial Soul Department, a member of the Shrek Inspectorate, captain of the Shrek Battle Academy team, and a true peerless heavenly pride—Ma Xiaotao!]

[She possesses one of the greatest beast martial souls of the present age: the Evil Fire Phoenix!]

The instant the Sky Screen's voice fell silent,

the scene on the golden scroll began to change.

It showed Ma Xiaotao after she summoned her martial soul.

Evil fire swirled around her body, massive phoenix wings emerged behind her,

and her icy phoenix eyes looked down upon All Living Beings, radiating a heart-palpitating pressure.

"Her Soul Power is level sixty-seven!?"

Even through the Sky Screen,

All Living Beings could clearly sense Ma Xiaotao's Soul Power fluctuations, which had reached level sixty-seven!

"Evil Fire Phoenix! That's a true top-tier martial soul!"

"A high-level Soul Emperor under twenty years old! What kind of monstrous talent is that?"

"As expected of Shrek Academy's true heavenly pride!"

"What do those people from the Sun Moon Empire amount to before Ma Xiaotao? This is what a real genius looks like!"

Discussion surged across the continent like a tide.

The voices that had previously questioned Shrek Academy because of Tang Ya and Xu Sanshi were now suppressed.

Ma Xiaotao's appearance on the Heavenly Pride Ranking instantly drew everyone's attention.

After all,

even among the gifted students of major academies and sects, very few could break through to the Soul Emperor realm.

Yet Ma Xiaotao's Soul Power had reached level sixty-seven, only three levels away from breaking through into the Soul Sage realm.

She was clearly the strongest competitor in this Soul Master Tournament!

Quite a few academies would begin making plans specifically against Ma Xiaotao.

Sun Moon Empire,

within the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy.

The members of the Sun Moon Team were all stunned by Ma Xiaotao's strength.

This time, even Xiao Hongchen's smile vanished, and his expression grew more solemn.

Ma Rulong watched the figure on the Sky Screen and said, "Is this Shrek Academy's strongest fighting power?"

"Looks like we need to prepare even more thoroughly..."

[Her Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul possesses tremendous offensive power. Even though it has yet to reach the level of Ultimate Fire, it is nearly invincible among opponents of the same rank!]

[First Soul Skill: Phoenix Flame!]

[Second Soul Skill: Bathed-in-Fire Phoenix!]

[Third Soul Skill: Phoenix Wings Soaring to the Sky!]

[Fourth Soul Skill: Phoenix Sky-Screaming Strike!]

[Fifth Soul Skill: Phoenix Cloud-Piercing Strike!]