Dark Phoenix, Leng Yulai

Rather than looking at the two of them, Wu Zhangkong's gaze fell on Xiling. "Xiling, I honestly don't understand. With your talent and strength, you shouldn't be at Eastsea Academy. You should have better options."

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie both looked up in unison, staring at Wu Zhangkong in surprise before turning to Xiling.

They only knew that Xiling was strong, but they had never given it much thought. With Xiling's abilities, could he really only stay at Eastsea Academy?

Now that Wu Zhangkong had said so, just how dazzling should the stage that rightfully belonged to Xiling be?

Xiling lowered his eyes slightly, his white hair falling to obscure some of the light in them. Then he looked up, a calm smile curling at his lips. "Teacher Wu, that's quite a thing to say."

"Must geniuses always go to dazzling stages? Isn't it that wherever a genius is, that place becomes the most dazzling one?"

The casually spoken words landed like silent thunder, exploding in everyone's hearts.

Wu Zhangkong looked deeply at the white-haired boy before him. After a long while, he slowly withdrew his gaze. The chill around him unconsciously faded somewhat. His tone remained indifferent, yet it carried undisguised approval.

"You're right."

Those four simple words were already his greatest affirmation. Given his proud nature, agreeing with another person's view was exceedingly rare.

Once they left the office and escaped the oppressive feeling Wu Zhangkong brought, Xie Xie and Tang Wulin both relaxed considerably.

"Brother Ling, thank you for speaking up for me just now." Tang Wulin hurried to Xiling's side, looking up at him with sincere, grateful eyes.

If Xiling had not spoken, he had no idea how much longer Teacher Wu would have lectured him. Nor would anyone have understood the difficulties that drove him to learn forging.

The embarrassment and helplessness hidden in his heart had finally been gently exposed—and understood.

Xiling waved a hand. "No need to thank me. I just thought it was possible and mentioned it in passing. Don't take it to heart."

Xie Xie immediately sidled over and familiarly slung an arm around Xiling's shoulders, his face full of indignation. "Brother Ling, you're way too biased. When I was getting scolded earlier, you didn't help me at all!"

Xiling shot him a sidelong glance. "Why would I help you? I think Teacher Wu was completely right."

"Having innate full soul power but only reaching Rank 18 after three years of cultivation really is no different from being useless."

The expression on Xie Xie's face instantly froze, and his mouth twitched violently. "Seriously, Brother Ling? Why are you kicking me while I'm down too?!"

He let out a wail, removed his arm from Xiling's shoulder, and wore a devastated expression, exactly like a little cat that had suffered a crushing blow.

Tang Wulin could not help snorting with laughter, then hurriedly covered his mouth, not daring to make it too obvious.

After school that afternoon, Xiling had nothing to do and recalled that today seemed to be when Tang Wulin went to the Forging Masters Association to receive his forger's badge.

He had planned to follow along for a look and, while he was at it, get in touch with forging, one of the four major secondary professions, to see whether he had any talent for it.

To become a battle armor master, one had to participate in at least one stage of the four major secondary professions. Only then could the battle armor truly belong to its owner and achieve a higher degree of fusion.

But just as he stepped out of the academy gates, he felt a cold, sinister gaze settle upon him.

Xiling frowned and casually looked in a certain direction. Then, as if nothing had happened, he headed toward the nearest suburban area.

Who could it be...? Xiling pondered constantly along the way. He had never offended anyone, so it was impossible for him to have enemies.

Yet that gaze was as vicious as a venomous snake, carrying undisguised malice. It was clearly not merely spying on him—the person likely intended to make a move.

Since that was the case, rather than remain passively on guard, it would be better to eliminate the trouble once and for all.

The evening wind swept through the forest, rustling the leaves. There were gradually no more pedestrians around, and the area became increasingly secluded.

Xiling slowly came to a stop and turned around. The usual gentleness had faded from his azure eyes, leaving only icy calm.

"You've followed me for so long. Aren't you tired of hiding there?"

No emotion could be heard in his voice as it slowly spread through the silent woods. He did not deliberately raise it, yet it clearly reached the ears of the person in the shadows.

The next instant, a graceful, seductive figure appeared out of thin air.

The newcomer was an exceptionally beautiful woman. Her flamboyant purplish-red hair was tied into a neat, thin ponytail. Her skin was fair as jade, and her tall, graceful figure had breathtaking curves.

Her beautiful eyes were dark and deep, concealing an almost pathological madness. A uniquely bewitching, cold, and seductive aura lingered about her, and every inch of her radiated fatal temptation.

"This is quite beyond my expectations. A mere three-ringed Soul Master can actually detect my tracks."

"As expected of that woman's disciple. You truly are impressive." The woman's red lips parted as a hint of amusement colored her tone.

Xiling's gaze lingered on the woman's face for a moment, his azure pupils narrowing slightly.

That face bore a seventy-percent resemblance to Leng Yaozhu's. He recognized the woman's identity almost immediately.

She was one of the Holy Spirit Cult's Four Heavenly Kings: the Rank 97 Super Douluo, three-word battle armor master, Dark Phoenix Leng Yulai.

So that's it. Did my relationship with Teacher bring this woman here?

"Leng Yulai?" Xiling slowly spoke the name, with little emotion in his voice.

Leng Yulai raised a brow. Her purplish-red ponytail swayed lightly over her shoulder as a strange, sinister smile curved her lips.

"You know me? It seems my dear older sister talks about her little sister every day. Well, I care about her so much—how could she possibly forget me?"

She slowly took two steps forward. A dark-purple aura of soul power quietly spread from her body, carrying extreme pressure.

Her eyes, filled with mad jealousy, were fixed firmly on the white-haired boy before her. Her gaze overflowed with undisguised greed and killing intent.

"Only nine years old, yet already a Rank 31 Soul Master... Such astonishing talent is truly rare in this world."

Leng Yulai murmured softly, the jealousy in her voice nearly overflowing.

"Tell me, if you die here today, will that woman completely lose her mind?"

"I truly can't wait to witness it with my own eyes—to see that face of hers collapse into despair! Hahaha!"

Her wild laughter echoed through the forest, carrying obsession and madness that sank deep into the bones.

Facing the terrifying pressure released by this Rank 97 Super Douluo, Xiling showed not the slightest panic. He merely watched the madwoman before him quietly.

Then he smiled.

"I was originally wondering what gift I should bring Teacher when I visit her during this holiday, something that would count as a surprise."

"Now it seems I don't need to bother thinking about it."

"I believe Teacher will definitely like this gift if I capture you and hand you over to her."

Leng Yulai froze at first. Then, as though she had heard the funniest joke in the world, she threw back her head and burst into frenzied laughter. Her shrill, crazed laughter echoed again and again through the empty forest.

"Capture me? With you, a tiny three-ringed Soul Master?"

She slowly advanced, and the soul power of the Dark Phoenix swept out without reservation. The entire forest was instantly shrouded in a cold, deathly aura. Flowers and grass withered, leaves fell, and even the surrounding space faintly trembled and distorted.

The pressure of a Rank 97 Super Douluo descended like an abyss from the nine heavens. Even ordinary Titled Douluos would have to bow their heads and tremble before it.

"Little one, do you know what kind of madness you're spouting? Did that woman give you some treasure that made you think you're invincible beneath the heavens?"