Voiding, New Teammates [4K]

Inside the cultivation room, Xiao Cheng sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Several days had passed since he broke through the first layer of the Dragon Transformation Sutra and completed his first Blood Exchange. Over the past few days, he had been consolidating his realm while familiarizing himself with his newly acquired strength, especially his second soul skill—Voiding.

"Buzz—"

Xiao Cheng slowly opened his eyes. With a thought, an extremely subtle ripple spread through the space around him. In that instant, his body seemed to become somewhat transparent, as though it were shrouded in an invisible membrane.

He raised a hand toward the wooden table before him.

Something bizarre happened.

His palm passed directly through the tabletop! It was not a violent penetration, but slipped through without the slightest resistance, like a phantom! From above, his palm seemed to overlap with the tabletop, yet neither affected the other.

"So this is... Voiding."

Xiao Cheng muttered to himself, excitement flashing through his eyes. He withdrew his hand and released the Voiding state. When his palm touched the table again, he felt its solid surface.

The effects of this second soul skill were even more outrageous than he had imagined.

The principle was simple. Using the spatial attribute of the Azure Sky Snake martial soul, he folded or displaced the small section of space he occupied. An enemy's attack struck point A, but the space at point A was actually connected to a different dimension or the depths of the void. To outside observers, the attack passed through his body, but in truth, his body had been hidden within a crack in space.

"This is basically a low-spec version of Kamui..." Xiao Cheng could not help inwardly mocking the anime he had watched in his previous life. "But the limitations are huge too."

He sensed the Soul Power consumption within his body. Maintaining Voiding for just one second had consumed nearly one-twentieth of his Soul Power!

"The first second of Voiding consumes one unit of Soul Power; the second consumes two; the third consumes four... It increases exponentially!" Xiao Cheng silently calculated. "With my current total Soul Power, if I use all of it to maintain Voiding, I can only last five seconds at most. Once those five seconds are up, I'll drop dead on the spot."

Moreover, while in the Voiding state, he could ignore physical attacks, but he also lost the ability to harm the real world. His body was hidden in a spatial fissure, after all. He could not exactly punch someone across dimensions.

"The best use is to evade a fatal attack at a critical moment—Void for one or two seconds, then cancel it and wait for the skill to cool down." Xiao Cheng summarized. "The number of seconds used determines a cooldown of several minutes. That's fairly reasonable. Otherwise, it'd be way too broken."

He stood and stretched his limbs. After the Blood Exchange, his physical condition had improved across the board. Combined with the Voiding soul skill, he now had some confidence in dealing with that Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger.

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock sounded outside, followed by the respectful voice of the butler. "Young Master, the eldest young lady of the Leng Family is here. She says she urgently needs to see you."

"Yaozhu?" Xiao Cheng was briefly taken aback before walking out of the cultivation room.

When he arrived in the living room, he saw Leng Yaozhu sitting on the sofa, her cheeks puffed out in anger like an irritated pufferfish. The moment she saw Xiao Cheng, she immediately stood up and planted both hands on her hips.

"Xiao Cheng! Something huge happened!"

"What is it? Why are you so angry?" Xiao Cheng walked over and poured her a cup of tea. "Take it slow."

Leng Yaozhu accepted the teacup, but she was in no mood to drink. Fuming, she said, "The two young masters of the Qiangu Pagoda Master's family, Qiangu Qingfeng and Qiangu Dongfeng, somehow heard that we're teaming up to deal with that Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger. Now they insist on joining our team!"

Xiao Cheng raised a brow. "Oh?"

"They even said that if we refuse, they'll form a team and go on their own!" The more Leng Yaozhu spoke, the angrier she became. "The Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger is public property of the Spirit Pagoda, so we can't stop them from entering the Spirit Ascension Platform. My dad couldn't say much either, so he could only agree!"

She looked at Xiao Cheng with a frustrated expression, spreading her hands in helplessness like a little bear. "What do you think we should do? One of those guys spends all day with a stiff face, acting cool. The other is still young, yet always puts on this virtuous, courteous act. Just looking at them annoys me!"

After hearing this, Xiao Cheng was not particularly surprised.

It was not the first or second time he and Leng Yaozhu had teamed up to farm the Spirit Ascension Platform. Qiangu Dieting would be a fool not to know. He simply had not found an opportunity to interfere before. Now that Xiao Cheng had broken through Rank 20 and intended to challenge the Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger, Qiangu Dieting naturally would not let this opportunity slip away.

"The Qiangu Pagoda Master wants the younger generation of the Qiangu Family to interact with us more through this chance." Xiao Cheng picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "After all, both the Leng Family and the Xiao Family have considerable influence in the Spirit Pagoda. He does not want our two families becoming too close."

Leng Yaozhu nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense... but I'm still annoyed! This was supposed to be an operation for just the two of us, and now there are two outsiders. It feels weird."

Seeing her puffed-up expression, Xiao Cheng found her especially adorable and could not help teasing her. "They really are annoying, interrupting the private world of just you and me, Yaozhu."

"Pah! Who has a private world with you?" Leng Yaozhu rolled her eyes adorably, though her cheeks turned faintly red. They had made this sort of joke plenty of times, and she had long developed some immunity to it. "I'm being serious!"

"I am serious." Xiao Cheng smiled, then turned solemn. "But it doesn't matter. We're only entering the Spirit Ascension Platform this time to test the Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger's strength. We never planned to kill it for certain this time. With two extra laborers, why not?"

Leng Yaozhu blinked thoughtfully. "That's true... Let them draw its fire while we attack from the side. That doesn't sound bad."

"Exactly." Xiao Cheng nodded. "By the way, where's Yu Lai? How has she been lately?"

"Oh, right!" Leng Yaozhu slapped her forehead. "I almost forgot to tell you! Yu Lai also broke through Rank 20 a few days ago. My dad said she should gain some actual combat experience, so she'll be entering the Spirit Ascension Platform with us this time too."

"Yu Lai is coming too?" Xiao Cheng's heart stirred slightly, and the image of the shy little girl from the martial soul awakening ceremony surfaced in his mind. It had been over a year. He wondered how she was now.

"Mm, she's ready." When Leng Yaozhu mentioned her younger sister, a gentle smile appeared on her face. "That girl is timid normally, but she works very hard at cultivation. She's already Rank 21, and her martial soul is the Dark Phoenix. Her combat strength isn't much worse than mine."

"That's good." Xiao Cheng nodded. "Then let's get ready. We'll enter the Spirit Ascension Platform together tomorrow."

In truth, Qiangu Dieting had no intention of forcibly breaking up the connection between the Leng Family and the Xiao Family. As the master of the Spirit Pagoda, he possessed sufficient breadth of mind and magnanimity. Of course, this was also because Qiangu Dieting was one of the only two demigods in the current Spirit Pagoda and one of the strongest combatants on the Douluo Continent. With such strength, he naturally feared nothing.

The reason he had Qiangu Qingfeng and Qiangu Dongfeng join this operation was more for another consideration.

In recent years, the Spirit Pagoda had produced geniuses one after another. The two young masters of the Qiangu Family, the two young ladies of the Leng Family, and Xiao Cheng, the only son of Spirit Envoy Xiao Ran, were all exceptionally talented. Qiangu Dieting had a grand plan in mind—to form a seven-person team belonging to the Spirit Pagoda. At the All-Federation Youth Soul Master Competition seven years from now, they would surpass Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect, further raising the Spirit Pagoda's prestige!

He had already discussed this matter privately with Leng Zhaoran and Xiao Ran, and neither had objected. Although there were some factional disputes within the Spirit Pagoda nowadays, they were generally united against outside forces. Dealing with old rivals like Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect was the Spirit Pagoda's "politically correct" stance.

Qiangu Qingfeng, Qiangu Dongfeng, Xiao Cheng, Leng Yaozhu, and Leng Yulai... these five children were the core members of his plan.

Early the next morning, Xiao Cheng arrived at the Spirit Ascension Tower on time.

Since this was no longer his first visit, Xiao Ran did not accompany him. After merely reminding him to be careful, he let Xiao Cheng go by himself.

Upon entering the lobby at the entrance to the Spirit Ascension Platform, Xiao Cheng immediately spotted the four people waiting inside.

Leng Yaozhu was still dressed in a fitted red outfit, looking valiant and spirited. Beside her stood a little girl in a pale purple dress, with dark burgundy hair cascading down her back like ink. It was Leng Yulai.

After more than a year apart, Leng Yulai had grown noticeably taller. Her formerly chubby cheeks had become more delicate, though there was still a trace of evasiveness in her large eyes. Only when she saw Xiao Cheng approach did her eyes brighten slightly. She softly said, "Xiao Cheng, long time no see..."

"Yu Lai, long time no see." Xiao Cheng smiled in greeting. He was not surprised. Over the past year, he had teamed up with Leng Yaozhu, and they had occasionally run into Leng Yulai. This little girl was lively and mischievous around people she knew, but socially anxious around strangers.

On the other side stood two boys.

One looked around eleven or twelve years old. He was tall and thin, with a cold, stern face and eyes as frigid as ice. Standing there, he resembled a humanoid block of ice. A pitch-black halberd was strapped to his back, emanating a faintly murderous aura. He was Qiangu Qingfeng, whose martial soul was the Purgatory Halberd, with Rank 28 Soul Power.

The other appeared eight or nine years old. His features bore some resemblance to Qiangu Qingfeng's, but his temperament was completely different. He wore a magnificent brocade robe, smiling with refined manners. When he saw Xiao Cheng approach, he took the initiative to greet him with cupped hands. "You must be Brother Xiao Cheng. I have long heard of your reputation. I am Qiangu Dongfeng, and this is my elder brother, Qiangu Qingfeng. I heard that Brother Xiao and the two young ladies of the Leng Family were heading to the Spirit Ascension Platform to hunt the Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger. We came without an invitation, so I hope you will forgive us."

He spoke politely and courteously, without the slightest arrogance expected of the Spirit Pagoda Master's son. He truly seemed somewhat like a man who valued talent and treated worthy people with respect.

Xiao Cheng silently assessed him. It seems that before he suffered Yun Ming's beating, and before Qiangu Qingfeng later hit him with that "It isn't that I couldn't compete; I simply didn't want to compete," Qiangu Dongfeng still had some pride and vision in his heart.

His expression remained unchanged as he returned the greeting with a smile. "Brother Qiangu is too polite. It is our honor to have the help of both of you."

At the side, Leng Yaozhu curled her lips and muttered quietly, "Putting on an act."

Though her voice was low, everyone present was a soul master with hearing far beyond ordinary people's. Naturally, they all heard her clearly.

The smile on Qiangu Dongfeng's face stiffened briefly, but he quickly recovered. Qiangu Qingfeng, meanwhile, remained expressionless, as though he had heard nothing.

Xiao Cheng hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Ahem, since everyone is here, let's set off. The sooner we enter, the sooner we can test that Scorpion Tiger's strength."

"Fine!" Leng Yaozhu was the first to respond, pulling her younger sister toward the Spirit Ascension Pods.

The five of them each walked to a Spirit Ascension Pod and lay down inside. As the metal doors slowly closed, Xiao Cheng's vision once more sank into darkness.

The familiar numb sensation returned. His vision went black, and then light appeared.

When Xiao Cheng opened his eyes again, they were standing in a dense primeval forest.

Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting mottled shadows over the ground. The air was filled with the scent of soil and vegetation. Faint beast roars echoed from afar, startling a flock of birds into flight.

"Same old rules. First, find a place to settle down, then go look for trouble with that Scorpion Tiger." Leng Yaozhu spoke first, her tone carrying an unquestionable air of command.

"No rush." Qiangu Dongfeng waved a hand and smiled at Leng Yulai. "Sister Yu Lai, this should be your first time in the Spirit Ascension Platform, right? Why don't we find a few soul beasts for you to practice on first, so you can adapt? Otherwise, you might panic when we meet that Scorpion Tiger later. Besides, hasn't that Scorpion Tiger already set its sights on Yaozhu and Xiao Cheng? It should come looking for us itself."

Leng Yaozhu frowned but did not refute him. She knew Qiangu Dongfeng was telling the truth. Leng Yulai truly lacked combat experience. Rushing to challenge the Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger would only make her a burden. Besides, waiting for the Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger to come to them would allow them to face it well-rested.

"Fine." Xiao Cheng nodded. "We'll find a few hundred-year soul beasts and let Yu Lai practice. The four of us will stand guard nearby and ensure her safety."

Hearing this, a trace of nervousness appeared on Leng Yulai's little face, but there was even more determination. "I... I won't hold everyone back!"

"Yu Lai, don't be nervous." Leng Yaozhu patted her sister's shoulder. "Let's go. I remember there are several hundred-year Wind Baboons in the area ahead. They're perfect for practice."

The five moved through the forest and quickly found a lone hundred-year Wind Baboon.

This Wind Baboon was as large as a cow, covered in bluish-gray fur, with protruding fangs that made it look quite ferocious. The moment it saw the five of them, it let out an angry roar and charged forward while swinging its thick arms.

"Yu Lai, go!" Leng Yaozhu shouted.

Leng Yulai gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and released her martial soul. A phantom of a jet-black phoenix burning with gloomy flames appeared behind her. It was the Dark Phoenix martial soul.

First Soul Skill—Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire!

Leng Yulai waved her little hand, and a black flame shot forth like an arrow, accurately striking the Wind Baboon. The Wind Baboon let out a shriek. A charred wound had been burned into its body, but it did not fall. Instead, it charged at her even more furiously.

"Watch out!" Xiao Cheng warned.

Leng Yulai panicked a little, but she still tried her best to calm herself. She gathered flames again and fired several streaks of Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire in succession, finally knocking the Wind Baboon to the ground.

"Phew... phew..." Leng Yulai panted heavily. Her little face was covered in sweat, but her eyes shone with excitement. "I... I did it!"

"Not bad. Doing this well on your first try is already impressive." Leng Yaozhu rarely praised her younger sister, but then her expression turned stern again. "Still, your flame gathering speed is too slow, and your aim isn't accurate enough. Keep practicing!"

Over the following period, the five found several more hundred-year soul beasts. Leng Yulai took the lead in attacking every time, while the other four stood guard at the side and occasionally offered guidance.

Leng Yulai's talent truly was quite good. Though she had been flustered at first, after four or five battles, she was already able to use Dark Phoenix Flowing Fire relatively skillfully. She was still some distance from true combat experience, but at least she would no longer panic and counterattack only after a soul beast had already charged right in front of her.

"That should be enough." Seeing Leng Yulai gradually enter her rhythm, Qiangu Dongfeng spoke. "That Dark Demon Scorpion Tiger should be coming soon. Let's get ourselves ready."