A Brand-New Path!

Lin Xia walked up to the five people who were completely petrified. Looking at the expressions of shock, confusion, and shattered worldview on their faces, she spoke with a hint of sincere apology, but deep in her eyes was an undisguised smile.

"So, it's not that I wanted to 'give way,' it's just... I was afraid of accidentally hurting you. After all, you are my important partners and family."

He patted Yan's stiff shoulder, who was closest to him, and then winked at Hu Liena.

"Alright, that concludes today's 'Coaching battle.' You've all expended quite a bit, so let's go. It's on me. Let's go to the best restaurant in town to calm your nerves and replenish your Soul Power. Order whatever you like, all you can eat!"

After saying that, Lin Xia hummed an unknown tune, called to the equally "innocent" Venusaur, and turned to walk out of the Martial Arts Arena.

The golden rays of the setting sun shone on him, casting a long shadow; his silhouette looked so relaxed and carefree.

Leaving behind a deathly silence, and five young minds whose worldviews had been completely reshaped by the monster named "Lin Xia," desperately needing a feast to mend their shattered values.

Hu Liena watched Lin Xia's retreating figure, then looked at the canyon torn apart by the Earthquake and the mirror-like crater ripped out by the Leaf Storm. In the end, all her shock and grievance turned into a helpless groan as she covered her face.

This is hardly a battle.

This is clearly a deity descending to earth to play house with children!

Time seemed to have passed for a long time, yet it also felt like only a moment.

"Hahaha..."

Yan suddenly let out a dry laugh, breaking the deathly silence.

He vigorously rubbed his Red hair, his expression a complex mix of frustration, absurdity, and eventual relief.

"I... I give up, I'm completely convinced. Lin Xia Xiaya isn't just a freak, he's... you're a cheat code! A born cheat code! Comparing yourself to him? I must have been out of my mind to even think that!"

Yan's exaggerated words were like a switch.

The tense atmosphere instantly dissipated.

Hu Liena took a long, deep breath and then slowly exhaled, as if to expel all the shock and suffocation from her chest.

She

Watching Lin Xia's retreating figure, the last trace of resentment in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by a utter, resigned understanding.

"Yeah... what's the point of competing? We're fighting a walking rule-breaker. It's just asking for humiliation."

A helpless smile tugged at the corners of her lips, tinged with self-deprecation.

"I'm just glad that Lin Xia used Vine Whip and Spore instead of that 'Earthquake' or 'Leaf Storm'."

She glanced back at the bottomless chasm with lingering fear.

On Xie Yue's cold and stern face, the muscle lines relaxed slightly.

He sheathed his Moon Blade and nodded to Lin Xia with an extremely slight, yet extremely solemn, nod.

Without a word, this gesture represented his highest approval and complete renunciation of comparison—a presupposition of another dimension's existence.

He accepted his defeat wholeheartedly, without any resentment whatsoever.

Dugu Yan patted her chest, her emerald green eyes wide open.

"You can actually use poison like that? I'll never dare use poison in front of him again, what if you use 'Sweet Scent'... Ouch!"

She shivered, as if she could see the terrifying scene of her being devoured by the poisonous mist, then waved her hand dismissively.

"Forget it, arguing with a monster like him is just asking for trouble. I give up!"

Ye Lingling was the calmest of them all, but even her cool eyes were filled with turmoil after the shock.

She watched Lin Xia's retreating figure and sighed softly.

"Breaking with convention, reshaping perception... his very existence is the greatest miracle. Even the Nine Heart Begonia seems ordinary in his presence."

There was no jealousy in Ye Lingling's tone, only a pure awe and a hint of inquiry towards a higher level of power.

Yes, what's the point of comparing them?

After five years of living and working together, Lin Xia had repeatedly redefined their perception of each other's limits.

From initial utter shock, to gradual numbness, and now... to being able to find humor in the hardship and "get used to" it.

Comparing one's strength to that level of being is like a mortal trying to measure the distance to the stars; it's pointless and only leads to humiliation and unnecessary trouble.

Accepting reality and acknowledging the gap actually allows one to completely relax their tense nerves.

The five looked at each other, and saw a similar sense of relief and bitter smiles in each other's eyes. A collective "whatever, let it be" mentality spread.

However, the "habitual numbness" and "resigned acceptance" that permeated the hearts of the five members of the Golden Generation stirred up completely different, even more turbulent, waves of emotion in the eyes of two peerless figures standing quietly at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena.

Bi Ji and Zi JI, two Ferocious Beast kings of the Star Dou Forest, possess lifespans and profound knowledge far exceeding those of human Titled Douluo.

They witnessed Lin Xia's entire battle, from her impenetrable defense to her unbelievable recovery and amplification, and finally, the earth-shattering display of her "original ability" that defied the rules of Soul Ring — Earthquake, Leaf Storm, and the manipulation of Toxic powder mist...

If Hu Liena and the others were intimidated by the power, then Bi Ji and Zi JI, with their keen perception and profound wisdom, directly Infiltrator the surface and grasped the most core and subversive key— Lin Xia had broken the fundamental rules of the Soul Master system!

He can use the unique abilities of Soul Beast (Venusaur) without needing Soul Ring!

This realization struck them like a thunderbolt from the heavens!

In Zi JI's deep, cold purple eyes, the unchanging iciness of millennia was replaced by intense shock and disbelief.

She stared intently at Lin Xia, as if trying to analyze every single cell in his body.

Soul Ring are the only link between the power of Soul Master and Soul Beast, a rule ordained by the law! Hunting, absorbing, acquiring skills... this is the unchanging ironclad law of the Douluo Continent!

But this young man before me... he actually bypassed this ironclad rule?

How is that possible?!

This is a complete subversion of the entire Soul Master system!

What's even more terrifying is that the abilities he displayed, in terms of power and control, seemed to be more... fundamental and more unrestrained than simple Soul Ring skills!

Bi Ji's emerald eyes were also filled with turbulent waves, but unlike Zi JI's cold shock, her shock was mixed with indescribable excitement and a kind of... seeing the dawn of infinite possibilities!

Her mind was far more delicate than Zi JI's, and she thought further ahead.

You can use the moves of Soul Beast without hunting them down...

What does this mean?

This means a completely new and entirely different way to acquire power!

A path that could completely change the blood-stained, irreconcilable antagonism between Soul Master and Soul Beast...!

This thought, like a spark igniting a wildfire, instantly rekindled a long-dormant expectation in Bi Ji's heart.

As the guardian of the Star Dou Forest, she has witnessed too many of her people die from Soul Hunting, and too many cubs perish due to the need for Soul Ring.

Peaceful coexistence?

That was almost an unattainable dream.

But Lin Xia's existence, his abilities, were like a ray of light tearing through the gloom of despair!