First Meeting with Ma Xiaotao

The next day's assessment began.

Jiang Bai stood on the field with Xue Ying in his arms, while Ning Tian stood beside him, assisting Wu Feng.

The area around Jiang Bai was completely open, and he hadn't released his Soul Rings.

This had all been Ning Tian's idea, as the team's strategist.

After learning that Jiang Bai could use his soul skills without releasing his Soul Rings, Ning Tian came up with this plan.

While arranging their tactics, she had Jiang Bai refrain from releasing his Soul Rings on the field, secretly using his soul skills to confuse their opponents.

If Wu Feng encountered a situation she couldn't handle, Jiang Bai could directly release two Soul Rings, which would definitely draw the enemy's attention. Then Wu Feng could press the advantage.

At the very least, it would catch their opponents off guard and ease the pressure on the battlefield.

"They're so weak."

After defeating the day's final three opponents, Wu Feng looked disdainful as she lightly blew on her flame-covered hand.

Their opponents really had been too weak.

With Ning Tian's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda supporting her, along with Jiang Bai disrupting the opposing team's Soul Power, their opponents couldn't keep up with Wu Feng's pace when using soul skills.

"It was also thanks to Jiang Bai."

Ning Tian said that if Jiang Bai hadn't slowed down their opponents' Soul Power and maximized Wu Feng's output, they would still have had to expend a great deal of Soul Power to win.

Now, Ning Tian's group was almost always in peak condition after every match, unlike the other groups, which sometimes didn't even have time to replenish their Soul Power.

"Alright, today's battles are over. I'm leaving."

"Mm, see you tomorrow."

Ning Tian waved as she watched Jiang Bai's departing back.

Wu Feng moved closer and leaned toward Ning Tian's ear.

"Young Mistress, isn't that guy a little too rude?"

"It's fine."

Ning Tian shook her head and watched the path where Jiang Bai had disappeared. He didn't seem to care.

Jiang Bai always seemed to keep his distance from her, and she didn't know why. Sometimes, the way he looked at her felt strange, too.

Not that kind of strange look. How should she put it? It was like he had spotted a big fat sheep.

Ning Tian found it very strange.

Meanwhile, at the battle arena in District Thirty-Three.

Jiang Bai had planned to go cheer for Xiao Xiao and Yuhao, but someone stopped him on the way.

The man looked to be around forty. He had a gentle face and appeared highly learned.

"Student, you're Jiang Bai, correct? I'm Wang Yan, the teacher in charge for these past few days."

"Hello, Teacher Wang Yan."

"Mm."

Wang Yan nodded, then looked toward Xue Ying in Jiang Bai's arms.

A Detached Martial Soul! It felt even rarer than Twin Martial Souls. Wang Yan wanted to study it properly.

"Ying, ying, ying!"

No, why was everyone looking at her with those strange eyes? This was too much!

Xue Ying threw a tantrum in Jiang Bai's arms. Unfortunately, she had no idea how devastatingly powerful her looks were.

"Teacher Wang Yan, over there."

Jiang Bai pointed at the staff member in the distance, who was currently calling frantically for Wang Yan.

"Oh—ah, what a pity. I still have work to do. We'll talk next time."

After saying that, Wang Yan left. Jiang Bai spotted Huo Yuhao's group of three in the distance.

At the same time, Xiao Xiao looked over as well.

"Over here!"

Xiao Xiao waved at Jiang Bai and called out. She and Huo Yuhao had been planning to find him.

"You finished that quickly?"

After reaching the trio, Jiang Bai asked. He knew their side might be fast, but he hadn't expected it to be this fast.

"With yours truly here, of course we were fast."

Wang Dong said confidently. With Huo Yuhao's support and his combat strength, first place would definitely belong to their group.

"Your side was fast too."

Xiao Xiao said, though after thinking about it, Jiang Bai having that kind of ability didn't seem strange at all.

"My teammates are pretty strong. I latched onto their thighs, so I didn't have to do much today."

Jiang Bai answered truthfully. Wu Feng alone had been enough for their battles these past few days.

"Come on, let's eat!"

The four of them went off to eat amid lively chatter.

Several days later, the round-robin matches continued. Just as Jiang Bai had expected, he didn't need to make a move at all. The academy hadn't arranged any particularly powerful opponents for them, and Wu Feng alone crushed every team they faced.

When one day's assessment ended, Xiao Xiao came out alone, looking far from pleased.

"Xiao Xiao, what's wrong?"

"Do you remember that inner courtyard senior from last time?"

Xiao Xiao said angrily, "She showed up just now and chased me away."

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

"Then let's take a walk. There aren't any more matches anyway."

"Mm-hmm."

The two casually wandered along Sea God Lake. Xiao Xiao held Xue Ying and played with her, while Jiang Bai watched to see whether the fish in the lake were big.

Suddenly, Xiao Xiao, who had been playing with Xue Ying, spotted that figure in red again.

Why was it her again?

Jiang Bai narrowed his eyes as well. He hadn't expected to run into her here again. Had she already finished bullying Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao?

Ma Xiaotao saw Jiang Bai too, but only glanced at him.

An ice-attribute soul master. So weak.

She entered Martial Soul Possession, and a pair of flaming wings condensed behind her. Then, she shot away in a streak of fire toward the inner courtyard.

"How annoying."

Xiao Xiao held Xue Ying in her arms. Had that person's expression just now been looking down on her?

"You only have two rings. She could burn you to ashes with one breath, yet you're still talking about her behind her back."

"Hmph, I'll definitely surpass her!"

After walking around a little longer, the two returned to rest. There was still an assessment tomorrow.

On the final day of the round-robin matches, Jiang Bai used Wang Yan's connections to get into District Thirty-Three.

Jiang Bai witnessed the Martial Soul Fusion Skill of the two sisters with hair Martial Souls, as well as Xiao Xiao's true strength.

After the Lan Sisters used their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao were completely out of the fight. Xiao Xiao was now the only one who still had combat ability.

This time, unlike in the original story, she didn't use both Martial Souls at once. It was the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron's solo performance.

"Can you tell what soul skill that student named Huo Yuhao is using?"

Wang Yan asked. He truly couldn't tell what use Huo Yuhao had. Huo Yuhao was clearly using a soul skill, yet Wang Yan couldn't see its effect.

Of course, he couldn't understand Jiang Bai's role either.

He had gone to watch Jiang Bai's matches before, and only learned Jiang Bai's role in the team after asking.

Now he couldn't see through Huo Yuhao either. As a teacher, he truly felt like a failure.

"I know him. You should ask him yourself."

"Alright."

Wang Yan sighed. He still had to ask personally.

The match ended, and Huo Yuhao's group emerged victorious with a flawless record.

Wang Yan called the three of them over.

"Huh? Jiang Bai?"

Xiao Xiao said in surprise. She had thought there was a figure here who looked familiar, but she hadn't expected it to really be him.

"I came to cheer you on."

Beside them, Wang Yan became extremely excited after learning about Huo Yuhao's Martial Soul.

"Your Martial Soul is your eyes? A Body Martial Soul?"

"Are you from the Body Sect?"

"No."

"That's wonderful!"

Seeing Wang Yan like that, Xiao Xiao quietly asked Jiang Bai beside her, "Teacher Wang Yan seems really excited. What's the Body Sect?"

"It's a reclusive sect. Everyone in it possesses Body Martial Souls," Jiang Bai answered.

"I see."

The round-robin matches ended. That night, in the student dormitories.

Jiang Bai could clearly sense the restless Soul Power next door.

"It seems about time. Martial Soul Fusion."

That Haodong Force, was it?

At that moment, the previously shriveled golden sphere swelled instantly as if it had been pumped full of stimulants, then shrank to half its former size.

What the hell, bro? What are you doing?