"Was I really going to die like this? I really wanted to keep living. Everything here felt so real." Bai Fan closed his eyes, his heart filled with unwillingness.
Though this was only a simulation, to Bai Fan, this place bore traces of the life he had lived. Humans were not made of grass or wood; how could they be without feelings? In his heart, this was a real world, and he could not bear to leave it.
Compared to dying in an accident, he would rather live until he died of old age.
"Xiao Gang, why are you closing your eyes? You don't actually think you're going to die, do you?" Bibi Dong teased.
"Open your eyes and take a look. Your wound stopped bleeding ages ago."
Bai Fan opened his eyes and realized that his wound had already scabbed over.
It turned out the ambush had not struck anything vital. Bibi Dong had sprinkled a medicinal powder on his wound that could quickly stop the bleeding and promote recovery.
Little Golden Dragon came over and repeatedly nudged Bai Fan's thigh with her head, expressing her happiness through clumsy movements.
The battle was over, and Bai Fan's taut nerves finally relaxed. He collapsed to the ground.
"Why did these people massacre the village?"
"What else could it be? They're twisted. Or maybe they have evil Martial Souls and need to kill people to increase their strength."
"Don't the two great empires care? This place may be remote, but they're still citizens of the empire."
"The empire won't care about this. People with no value were born to be abandoned. Put another way, this is a world where the strong prey on the weak. No one truly considers the weak."
Bai Fan looked at the severed limbs scattered around him, and the scene he had witnessed at the beginning unconsciously surfaced in his mind.
The elderly and children had cried and screamed at the top of their lungs. Women had been wantonly humiliated, while able-bodied men had been used as entertainment by those evil Soul Masters.
"This fucking world... I'll change it with my own hands." Bai Fan's expression hardened with resolve.
As a young man of the new era, although he endured all kinds of pressure brought by society, he had always loved his homeland.
"I, Bai Fan, will create a continent without oppression or exploitation. I will ensure that everyone's life is protected."
Bai Fan muttered to himself. At that moment, he appeared especially resolute, his figure seeming exceptionally tall.
Bibi Dong rested her chin on her hand and stared intently at Bai Fan.
"Aren't you afraid I'll report you to the two great empires?"
"I trust that you won't. If you want to report me to the two great empires, then all I can do is accept my fate."
Bibi Dong patted the back of Bai Fan's head. "I was kidding. Didn't I say Sister Dong would protect you from now on?"
Outside the Heavenly Screen.
The rulers of Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire sat high above, their expressions imposing.
"Outrageous! He actually dared to dream of overthrowing our Heaven Dou/Star Luo Empire."
"All of you, hear my command! Search the entire nation. We must find this rebel."
The two rulers had watched the Heavenly Screen from beginning to end. Their first reaction had never been to solve the root of the problem; they only wanted to eliminate Bai Fan, the one who had raised it.
As for the common people, those at the bottom who suffered oppression or the citizens long persecuted by evil Soul Masters all regarded Bai Fan as the faith in their hearts. They prayed that one day, Bai Fan would liberate them and give them a stable life.
Inside the Heavenly Screen.
Several more months passed.
"Sister Dong, teach me a few more moves. I want to learn more."
"Xiao Gang, get your fundamentals down first. Don't bite off more than you can chew."
"It'll be fine, Sister Dong. You can never have too many skills!"
Over the past few months, Bai Fan had followed Bibi Dong and learned practical combat skills. Bibi Dong was undoubtedly outstanding even among geniuses.
At only twelve years old, she had cultivation close to that of a Soul Ancestor, and her close-combat ability was even more exceptional.
"Ah." Bibi Dong sighed. "I really can't do anything with you. Fine, I'll teach you one last move."
"Remember this. I figured it out on my own. It doesn't involve Soul Power. You only need to mobilize your own blood and vitality, blend in a little spiritual power, then compress that energy into your palm. Finally, strike out with it. Through a spiritual link, make it explode instantly at a designated location, achieving tremendous explosive force."
Under Bibi Dong's guidance, Bai Fan quickly grasped the basics. A rippling sphere of energy gathered in his palm, while his spiritual power uncontrollably poured into it.
Bibi Dong keenly sensed that something was wrong. "Idiot, hurry up and throw the energy out!"
The energy sphere gradually expanded in Bai Fan's palm. Panic appeared on his face. "Sister Dong, I can't control it. It feels like it's about to explode."
Without the slightest hesitation, Bibi Dong rushed to Bai Fan's side, slapped the energy sphere out of his hand, then wrapped an arm around his shoulders and threw herself to the ground with him.
The instant the energy sphere left his hand and lost its spiritual link, it exploded.
The tremendous force toppled the trees nearby. As for Bai Fan, the person involved, he was held beneath Bibi Dong, who had activated Martial Soul Possession.
Just as Bai Fan was about to apologize, Bibi Dong's palm landed directly on his face. It was not hard; it was purely an outlet for her emotions.
"You blockhead, you can't even handle something this simple! Do you know you almost died just now?"
"I told you not to bite off more than you can chew, but you insisted on showing off."
Though Bibi Dong's tone was stern, her words were filled with concern.
The previous incident had drained a considerable amount of Bai Fan's spiritual power, and he lay exhausted on the ground.
"Sister Dong, thank you!"
Bibi Dong did not care about maintaining her image at all. She naturally lay down beside Bai Fan.
"Xiao Gang, was everything you said last time true?"
"Of course it was. This is my goal in life."
Bibi Dong closed her eyes, her voice suddenly turning gentle.
"Xiao Gang, do you think my Martial Soul is evil?"
Bai Fan was extremely exhausted, and he answered without thinking. "Of course not. I only think Sister Dong's Martial Soul is very powerful."
"Xiao Gang, I want to achieve your goal with you. Do you know? The time I've spent with you has been the happiest of my life."
Bibi Dong's sudden confession left Bai Fan at a loss. He did not know what feelings he truly had for Bibi Dong.
Just as Bai Fan hesitated for those few seconds, a sacred voice rang out.
"Dong'er, have you had enough fun? It's time to return to Spirit Hall."
Qian Xunji suddenly appeared, shattering the atmosphere between them.
Bibi Dong spoke to Qian Xunji shyly. "Teacher, I like Xiao Gang. I don't want to return to Spirit Hall yet."
"Hm?" Qian Xunji stood in the air, looking down at them. "Dong'er, I have already given you the greatest freedom. Spirit Hall is your home."
"This piece of trash isn't worthy of you at all."
"I know you've grown tired of staying in Spirit Hall, so I didn't interfere while you relaxed outside these past few months. It's time to rein yourself in."
Before you continue