The Other Me

Dai Huabin's pupils constricted sharply. Under the impact, even the aura he had gathered fell into slight disarray, and his mind went blank:

"A thousand-year... second ring?!"

Over the past two years, Yin Chen had enjoyed the royal family's highest-tier allocation of resources, and Xu Jiujiu had spared no effort in investing in him.

Not only had she provided top-tier meditation techniques and theoretical knowledge, but she had even procured several pieces of Whale Rubber, a rare treasure that strengthened one's foundation, nourished one's vitality, tempered the muscles and bones, and improved physical fitness.

Though their age was not particularly exceptional, for a Soul Master of his age, they were already heaven-defying opportunities.

Coupled with the potential of his Archon of Time Martial Soul and his diligence far beyond that of ordinary people, this gave him the foundation to challenge a thousand-year Soul Ring for his second ring.

When Nebula Douluo Manyi had taken him hunting for Soul Beasts, she had personally witnessed him successfully absorb the thousand-year Soul Ring. Even with the composure of a Title Douluo, she had remained stunned for a long while, repeatedly marveling that the younger generation was truly formidable.

At that moment, the violet Soul Ring that defied common sense floated quietly beneath Yin Chen's feet, radiating an unquestionable, powerful aura.

Then, beneath the glow of that deep violet light, Yin Chen's second Soul Ring skill was unleashed before everyone for the first time.

There was no earth-shaking spectacle, nor were there any dazzling effects of light and shadow.

Only Yin Chen's figure became incomparably illusory in that instant.

It was as though he was no longer in the "present," but had developed a subtle deviation from the current flow of time.

Second Soul Skill, The Other Me.

Dai Huabin's punch, one he had thrown with absolute confidence and all the strength in his body, actually... passed right through him.

His fist encountered no resistance as it passed through Yin Chen's illusory chest, as though there was nothing there at all—only empty air.

With nowhere for his immense force to land, Dai Huabin stumbled forward. All his momentum and power instantly drained away, and the ferocity on his face turned into astonishment and disbelief.

"This... is impossible?!"

Just as Dai Huabin lost focus after his attack missed, leaving himself completely exposed, Yin Chen's illusory form solidified once more.

He delivered a simple, direct hand chop, striking precisely at the back of Dai Huabin's neck.

The shock in Dai Huabin's eyes had yet to fade when his vision went black. He let out a muffled groan, then collapsed limply to the ground, unconscious.

The battle was over.

For a moment, there was utter silence both inside and outside the arena. Then, even fiercer discussion erupted.

"A thousand-year second ring—and what kind of Soul Skill was that? He couldn't be hit at all."

"Yin Chen... what kind of monster is he?"

"Dai Huabin really didn't lose unfairly this time..."

Everyone's gaze focused on Yin Chen, especially on the yellow and violet Soul Rings beneath his feet, slowly retracting yet still painfully glaring to the eye.

With such an extraordinary Soul Ring configuration, paired with that strange and unpredictable second Soul Skill that seemed to place him in an invincible position, Yin Chen instantly became incomparably lofty and mysterious in everyone's eyes.

Yin Chen calmly withdrew his hand and gave a slight nod to Zhu Lu, who had rushed over, as well as the healing-type teacher who had arrived after hearing the news. Without further explanation, he turned and left amid gazes filled with shock, awe, admiration, and curiosity, taking Lan Susu and the others with him. They were equally stirred up, their eyes sparkling with stars.

Once they left the training grounds, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo finally recovered from their shock. Their large eyes seemed ready to shine with stars as they grabbed Yin Chen's arms from either side and chattered out their admiration.

"Brother Yin Chen, your second Soul Skill is amazing! How did you do that?"

"Yeah, yeah! Even an attack as powerful as Dai Huabin's couldn't hit you."

"It's fine to tell you. My second Soul Skill is called The Other Me. It creates a slight deviation between my own temporal phase and the primary time flow, placing me in a state where I can't be directly locked onto or attacked."

Yin Chen smiled. He would have to use his Soul Skill eventually, so there was no harm in telling Lan Susu and the others.

He made it sound simple, but to everyone else, it was like a thunderclap.

Unable to be locked onto or attacked?

Didn't that mean that the vast majority of physical and energy attacks were ineffective against him? This Soul Skill... was practically impossible to counter.

Xu Yun recovered from her shock, looking excited as she stood on tiptoe and vigorously patted Yin Chen's shoulder.

"Amazing, Yin Chen! That move was so cool. Let's see who still dares to provoke you in the future."

Yin Chen smiled helplessly and explained simply:

"It's not that exaggerated. It consumes a lot of power, and I can't attack while it's active. It's more of an ability for saving my life at critical moments or creating an opportunity to counterattack."

Even so, in Lan Susu and the others' eyes, it was still an almost unsolvable, overwhelmingly powerful Soul Skill. Their admiration for Yin Chen was plain to see.

One afternoon several days later, just as school was ending, Xu Jiujiu's distinctive royal carriage once again stopped outside the gates of the Star Luo Royal Junior Spirit Master Academy.

This time, she personally entered the academy and went straight to the classroom where Yin Chen was.

At the time, Yin Chen was surrounded by Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, discussing a small technique for controlling Soul Power. Xu Yun, meanwhile, stood nearby with her hands on her hips, imitating a teacher as she instructed her little follower, Dai Luoli, in basic physical training.

"Yin Chen." Xu Jiujiu's clear, pleasant voice rang out from the doorway.

The group turned their heads at once and saw Xu Jiujiu standing there with a smile.

Two years had passed, and some of her youthful innocence had faded. She had grown ever more breathtakingly beautiful.

Her pale violet uniform skirt outlined her graceful figure, lending her an air of noble elegance without diminishing her lively charm.

Simply standing there, she seemed to naturally exude a subtle, refreshing fragrance, like an orchid blooming in an empty valley.

"Sister Jiujiu."

Yin Chen was somewhat surprised, but he immediately rose to his feet. After two years together, the way he addressed Xu Jiujiu had also become much more intimate.

Xu Yun, on the other hand, shrank her neck the moment she saw her aunt, like a mouse spotting a cat. All the imposing air she had displayed as the big boss vanished without a trace.

She feared neither heaven nor earth, but she was terrified of Aunt Xu Jiujiu nagging at her. That feeling made her scalp tingle even more than facing her father, Emperor Xu Jiawei.

"A-Auntie, why are you here?"

Xu Yun asked in a small, hesitant voice.

Xu Jiujiu glanced at her without saying much, then softly told Yin Chen, "Come outside with me. I have something to discuss with you."

Yin Chen nodded, gestured to Lan Susu and the others, then left with Xu Jiujiu.

Watching Yin Chen leave side by side with her imposing aunt, with an indescribable familiarity and understanding seeming to exist between them, a thought suddenly popped into Xu Yun's little head—one startling enough to frighten even her.

Yin Chen... couldn't he... become my uncle-in-law someday?!

The thought exploded in her mind like thunder, and her eyes immediately widened.

The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. Her aunt's regard for Yin Chen was far from ordinary—personally picking him up and dropping him off, giving him an estate, providing him with enormous resources, and now personally coming to the academy to see him.

Besides, although Yin Chen was young, his temperament and talent were utterly beyond ordinary standards.