The Terror of the Soul Planning Hall

The sky was faintly brightening, and the dawn light filtered through gaps in the academy's tree-lined paths, scattering a thin layer of cold frost.

After a restless night.

Mu Xi hurriedly left the hotel early in the morning. Braving the faintly chilly morning breeze, she quietly returned to the girls' dormitory.

The dormitory corridor was silent and cold, the air carrying the unique chill and stillness of early morning. All the clamor had faded with the night, leaving only a soundless silence weighing on her heart.

The dorm room door was gently pushed open a crack.

The curtains inside were half-drawn, and soft, pale daylight spilled in. It was far too quiet.

She and Ouyang Zixin shared a two-person dorm. Normally, there should have been four people to a room. But considering she had a Saint Artisan for a father, such treatment was perfectly normal.

Ouyang Zixin wore a thin outer robe as she sat quietly by the bed, her back straight and facing away from the door. She did not move at all, quiet to an unsettling degree.

Mu Xi pushed open the door and saw the familiar figure. At first, she merely assumed the other girl had gotten up early and did not think much of it.

She casually closed the door behind her, then lightly walked over, her tone relaxed and casual.

"Zixin, you're up so early? Did you go for a morning run?"

As soon as she finished speaking.

Ouyang Zixin, whose back was turned to her, did not react for a long time.

She sat rigidly at the bedside, eerily still.

The atmosphere in the room instantly turned strangely heavy.

Mu Xi's steps paused slightly, and an inexplicable trace of guilt rose in her heart. She had not fully put last night's private stay at the hotel behind her, and the dead silence made her feel increasingly uncomfortable.

After several seconds of silence, Ouyang Zixin finally spoke slowly, her voice unusually dry and hoarse.

"What... did you do yesterday?"

Mu Xi's heart immediately skipped a beat.

Guilt instantly crawled up her chest.

Her gaze drifted away as she instinctively avoided that back. Her fingers tightened slightly as she hurriedly pieced together an excuse in her mind, then gave an awkward laugh and brushed it off.

"Oh, yesterday... On my way home from school, I ran into some thugs causing trouble outside campus. A few younger students and I got blocked off, and it held us up for a long time. Later, I was a little tired, so I found somewhere outside to rest for the night."

"It was all a bit of a mess. I got back too late, so I didn't tell you."

She spoke somewhat quickly, deliberately making it sound trivial in an attempt to gloss over it.

Yet after the words left her mouth, the room remained deathly silent.

Ouyang Zixin still did not turn around.

The unease in Mu Xi's heart grew heavier and heavier.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

The Ouyang Zixin she knew was gentle and considerate, sensitive and soft-hearted. If she heard that Mu Xi had been in danger, her first concern would surely have been whether she was safe.

But today, she had not shown a single word of concern.

There was only heavy silence.

Mu Xi's heart tightened. She could no longer maintain her casual expression and carefully took half a step forward, testing the waters in a soft voice.

"Zixin? What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything...?"

As she spoke, she reached out, intending to gently touch the other girl's shoulder.

But the instant she moved around her and saw Ouyang Zixin's profile clearly.

Every word Mu Xi had been about to say suddenly caught in her throat.

Her mind went blank.

In the dim light, tears had already covered Ouyang Zixin's usually gentle, clean face.

Tears silently streamed down her cheeks, dripping continuously from her chin and soaking the front of her clothes, leaving a large wet patch.

She bit her lower lip hard, her eyelashes completely damp.

"Mu Xi, is this why you've always spoken badly about him?"

"I-I-I..."

Mu Xi was left speechless. If she revealed everything now, then the plan would be completely ruined. Ouyang Zixin would never allow her to continue.

But if she said nothing, she would be misunderstood as a scumbag who had deliberately stolen her best friend's man.

Ouyang Zixin quietly looked at her, the light in her eyes gradually fading until all that remained was wet, silent disappointment as she waited for an explanation.

The dorm room was deathly still.

Just as everything was about to collapse completely, just as the misunderstanding was about to become irreversible.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A rapid, crisp knocking suddenly rang out, violently tearing through the oppressive atmosphere in the room.

A clear shout from a student officer outside pierced through the door and rang distinctly through the dorm room:

"Senior Mu Xi! Hurry out! The dean is looking for you—it's urgent!"

Dawn had barely broken when a series of muffled explosions erupted in the skies over the outskirts of Donghai City.

Two surges of soul power collided head-on.

The shockwave rippled through the air, tearing apart the morning mist within several hundred meters and even bending several old locust trees on the ground.

A dark green figure was blasted backward from the turbulent airwaves, flipping several times in midair before barely steadying herself.

Ci Nian stood upon the empty air, the wheel of soul power beneath her feet humming. Opposite her, the morning light had been distorted by something, and a mass of dark red mist slowly gathered into a human shape in midair.

A crisp bell chime sounded from within the mist, followed by a saccharine young girl's voice.

"My, my. Your Thorn Pufferfish martial soul really is tough. So tough it makes me want to pluck out its spines one by one."

The mist dispersed.

Nana Li stood in midair in a pair of little leather shoes, her twin ponytails swaying softly in the morning breeze as the little bells at her waist jingled.

She tilted her head slightly, still wearing that signature innocent smile. Yet there was not the slightest trace of amusement in those large, bright eyes.

The dark green soul power around Ci Nian gathered once more, and the phantom image of a Thorn Pufferfish slowly emerged behind her.

At the same time, her soul power steadily soared. Black and purple soul rings interlaced and spread out in layered circles beneath her feet. Nine soul rings pulsed in succession, revealing the formidable foundation of a level ninety-seven Super Douluo.

Every bishop of the Soul Planning Hall had to be at least a Super Douluo.

An ordinary Pufferfish Douluo's martial soul was originally a Deepsea Bloodspine Pufferfish, relying on devouring toxins, expanding its body, and firing poisonous spines. Ci Nian's martial soul, however, was a mutated variant seen perhaps once in a thousand years—the Thorn Pufferfish.

Not only had it inherited the original martial soul's core abilities of immunity to all poisons and devouring countless toxins, but it had also developed the controlling trait of thorny binding. The bone spines covering its body were like toxic vines taking root in the ground, capable of spreading from afar to entangle opponents. Its poison was far more potent than that of an orthodox Deepsea Bloodspine Pufferfish; even poison-type soul masters at the Titled Douluo level had to fear it.

"Evil soul master, what are you doing in Donghai City?" Ci Nian's voice was icy.

"Nothing." Nana Li played with the bell at her waist. "I was just passing through. Is your Soul Planning Hall really so stingy that even passing through isn't allowed?"

"Passing through?"

"I was observing the local customs and scenery. Donghai City has lovely sights, so I took a few extra looks. Is that a crime?" Nana Li blinked.

Ci Nian wasted no more words. With a flick of her right hand, a dark green thorned whip lashed out from her palm, every sharp spine along its length standing erect.

The Thorn Pufferfish phantom behind her expanded at the same time, throwing back its head in a silent roar as the pressure of a level ninety-seven soul power spread forth without reservation.

Nana Li watched that overwhelming pressure bear down on her, and her smile finally faded somewhat. Hooking a finger around the cord of the bell at her waist, she gave it a light tug, and two bells fell free at once.

They transformed into two spheres of dark red mist in her palm. Something seemed to writhe faintly inside them, as though they were alive.

The two vanished from their positions almost simultaneously.

Ci Nian's whip ripped through the morning sky, its tip snapping out an arc of dark green light as it coiled toward Nana Li's throat.

Nana Li twisted aside to evade it. The mist sphere in her right hand exploded, turning into countless fine red threads that wound toward Ci Nian.

Ci Nian raised her left hand, forming a shield wall of thorned armor before herself. The threads struck the shield wall with a piercing shriek.

Red and dark green soul power collided madly in midair, bursting apart into cloud after cloud of poisonous mist.

The two exchanged dozens of moves in the air, neither able to gain the upper hand.

Ci Nian's thorn martial soul was equally capable in attack and defense, while Nana Li's dark red bells were strange and difficult to deal with. Both possessed the combat strength of Super Douluos, and there was no way to determine a winner in a short time.

From a concealed spot on a high slope in the forest beyond the city, Lin Xun leaned quietly against a thick ancient pine. Morning dew dampened the layers of branches and leaves, while his plain black clothes blended into the tree shadows as he took in the breathtaking battle in the sky.

His expression remained relaxed and indifferent. As he watched the red and green soul power erupt and crash again and again, his face showed not the slightest ripple, as if the life-or-death clash between two level ninety-seven Super Douluos was no more interesting than children roughhousing.

Half a step beside him stood a woman whose entire bearing was as cold as snow.

She wore a plain white fitted outfit, her long hair tied neatly behind her head without a single stray strand. Her brows and eyes were detached, while a restrained yet immensely oppressive aura of soul power lingered around her.

Her gaze remained fixed on Ci Nian as the latter continuously unleashed poisonous thorns across the battlefield. Sensing that her opponent's attacks were growing fiercer and her killing intent steadily stronger, she immediately turned slightly and bowed, her voice clear and cold without a trace of emotion.

"My lord, this person is quite formidable. There is no benefit in dragging this out. Shall I step in and help capture her?"

Lin Xun's gaze remained on the two combatants as he gently shook his head.

"No need."

Ci Nian, still fiercely battling in midair, suddenly caught sight of the high slope from the corner of her eye.

Her fierce assault, which had been firmly locked onto Nana Li, abruptly paused. The dark green thorn soul power surging around her instinctively stalled, and her eyes, full of ruthless intent, suddenly constricted as stormy waves rose within her heart.

Nana Li keenly caught the shift in Ci Nian's attack. Mistaking it for an attempt to abandon their fight and launch a surprise attack on Lin Xun, her heart tightened.

Without time to think, the dark red mist around her abruptly swelled. She forcibly drove away the poisonous thorns tangled around her body, transforming into a scarlet afterimage that shot straight before the high slope. Spreading her arms, she firmly shielded Lin Xun behind her as the bells in her hand jingled.

She stared warily at Ci Nian in the air, her lovely face full of vigilance.

"Don't even think of touching a hair on him! I'm your opponent!"

But what happened next completely exceeded Nana Li's expectations.

Ci Nian slowly drew in her violent soul power. The enormous, ferocious phantom of the Thorn Pufferfish behind her gradually faded away, while the thorned whip in her palm turned into green mist and returned to her body.

All of the chilling, murderous aura she had displayed moments ago vanished completely.

She withdrew all the hostility from her eyes as the dark green soul rings around her slowly faded away. Stepping through the air, she descended at an unhurried pace until she stood before Lin Xun.

Without the slightest hesitation, she bent one knee and knelt, her posture respectful to the extreme. Lowering her head, she paid homage in a deep voice:

"Ci Nian, descendant of the Porcupinefish Clan, greets His Holiness the Pope!"

Nana Li's entire body stiffened atop the slope. Her attack, ready to be unleashed, froze midway, and she turned to stare at Lin Xun behind her in utter astonishment.

She had never expected an opponent who had been on the verge of battle to suddenly kneel and pay her respects.

Even the cold female subordinate beside Lin Xun raised her brow slightly, revealing a trace of surprise.

Lin Xun frowned faintly and looked down at the kneeling Ci Nian. "Why do you address me that way?"

He had never taken the initiative to reveal his identity. In fact, he had been worrying over how to prove it.

Ci Nian remained kneeling, her back straight while her etiquette remained impeccable. She answered in a solemn voice:

"Reporting to Your Holiness the Pope, several days ago, the Angel God bestowed a divine oracle exclusively upon our clan, clearly revealing your true identity.

For generations, the Nine Soul Planning Clans have faithfully upheld the ancient teachings and acted according to the Angel God's will. Should we encounter you, it is the same as the Pope appearing in person. We must bow and pay homage, and dare not show the slightest disrespect."

Little Snow!?

Lin Xun was slightly stunned. He had never imagined that Little Snow had arranged all this in advance. He had thought her current condition was insufficient to support such a feat.

It seemed he had been too conservative.

Having understood this, Lin Xun's heart stirred. He then accepted this identity without reservation, and his expression returned to calm composure.

"Since the Angel God has already issued a divine oracle, you know my identity. Let today's matter end here."

Ci Nian listened quietly, not daring to make the slightest movement.

Lin Xun continued in an indifferent tone, "Nana Li is one of mine. She acted yesterday only to ensure my safety. Nothing more."

"Your battle with her, as well as all prior grievances, are to be forgotten. There is no need to pursue any of it further."

Ci Nian's heart tightened. She immediately lowered her head and nodded, answering respectfully:

"This subordinate obeys Your Holiness the Pope's command!"

As a bishop of the Soul Planning Hall, she followed the Angel God's oracle and honored the Pope's commands. With a single word from Lin Xun, no matter how many doubts she held in her heart, she did not dare defy him in the slightest.

Looking at Ci Nian, who was still kneeling, Lin Xun softened his tone slightly.

"Rise. Since you are a member of the Soul Planning Hall, there is no need for such grand formalities in the future. Just fulfill your duties and maintain order in Donghai City."

"Yes!"

Ci Nian rose at once, her aura completely dissipating. The fierce, murderous presence she had displayed earlier vanished without a trace, leaving behind only absolute reverence from a subordinate toward her superior.

For the people of the Nine Soul Planning Clans, cultivation ranked second in their lives. Faith came first. Other than the Angel God, there was only one other person they revered—the founder of the Soul Planning Hall.

And the Angel God's oracle stated that Lin Xun's true identity was that founder of the Soul Planning Hall from twenty thousand years ago.

If that was the case, then everything would be much easier to handle. With the entire Soul Planning Hall in his grasp, many matters would become far simpler.

In the past, it had merely been difficult to prove his identity. Now that Little Snow had helped him, it naturally became much easier.

The Soul Planning Hall might appear inferior to the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy, but its truly terrifying aspect lay in the Nine Sacred Pillar Families within it.

The Qian Gu Family, which currently held power in the Spirit Pagoda, was fundamentally the Coiling Dragon Family, descended from the Thousand Strength Demon-Subduing branch among the nine great families.

The Angel Family, which truly controlled the Southern Legion, was likewise a member of the Nine Sacred Pillar Families.

Whether openly or in secret, the Nine Sacred Pillar Families wielded immense influence across the continent. That was where the Soul Planning Hall's true strength lay.

With Lin Xun's identity confirmed, it meant he could regain control of the entire Soul Planning Hall and the Nine Sacred Pillar Families.

With the Angel God's oracle, all of this would proceed smoothly.

That was also the source of his confidence.

"Let's go. Since things have turned out this way, I might as well pay a visit to the Soul Planning Hall."