Self-Created Soul Skill, Bibi Dong's Confession, Qian Xunji Arrives

"Am I really going to die like this? I really wanted to keep living. Everything here feels so real." Bai Fan closed his eyes, his heart filled with unwillingness.

Though this was only a simulation, Bai Fan had left traces of his life here. People were not made of stone; how could they be without feelings? To him, this was a real world, and his heart was full of reluctance to leave it.

Compared to dying unexpectedly, 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. The wound stopped bleeding ages ago."

Bai Fan opened his eyes and realized that his wound had already scabbed over.

It turned out that the ambush had not struck anything vital. Bibi Dong had sprinkled medicinal powder over his wound, allowing it to stop bleeding and recover quickly.

Little Golden Dragon moved closer, repeatedly bumping its head against Bai Fan's thigh, expressing its happiness through its clumsy movements.

The battle was over, and Bai Fan's taut nerves finally relaxed. He collapsed limply onto the ground.

"Why did those people massacre the village?"

"What else could it be? They're sick in the head. Or maybe their martial souls are evil, and they 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 without value are born to be abandoned. To put it another way, this is a world where the strong prey on the weak. No one truly thinks about the weak."

Bai Fan looked at the severed limbs scattered around him, and the scene he had witnessed at the beginning involuntarily resurfaced in his mind.

The elderly and children had wailed aloud, women had been wantonly abused, and able-bodied men had been treated as tools for the evil Soul Masters' amusement.

"This fucked-up world—I'll change it with my own hands." Bai Fan's expression was resolute.

As a young man of the new era, even though he endured all kinds of pressure brought by society, he had always loved his country.

"I, Bai Fan, will create a continent without oppression or exploitation. I'll make sure everyone's life is protected."

Bai Fan muttered to himself. At that moment, he appeared exceptionally steadfast, his entire figure seeming extraordinarily tall.

Bibi Dong rested her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed tightly on Bai Fan.

"Aren't you afraid I'll report you to the two great empires?"

"I believe you won't. If you want to tell the two great empires, then I can only accept my fate."

Bibi Dong patted the back of Bai Fan's head. "I was just kidding. Didn't I say Dong'er would look after you from now on?"

Outside the Heavenly Screen.

The emperors of Heaven Dou and the Star Luo Empire sat high above, their expressions imposing.

"How dare he! He actually wants to overthrow our Heaven Dou/Star Luo Empire."

"All of you, heed my command! Search the entire nation. We must find this rebel."

Having watched the Heavenly Screen from beginning to end, the two emperors' first thought was never to solve the root of the problem. They only wanted to eliminate Bai Fan, the one who had raised the problem.

As for the common people, those oppressed at the bottom of society or those who had long suffered under the persecution of evil Soul Masters, all regarded Bai Fan as the faith in their hearts. They prayed that one day, Bai Fan would liberate them and grant them stable lives.

Inside the Heavenly Screen.

Several more months passed.

"Sister Dong, teach me a few more moves. I still want to learn more."

"Xiao Gang, get your basics down first. You can't chew more than you can swallow."

"It's fine, Sister Dong. You can never have too many skills!"

Over the past few months, Bai Fan had followed Bibi Dong as she taught him practical combat abilities. Bibi Dong was absolutely among the best of 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.

"Sigh." 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 myself. It doesn't involve soul power. You only need to mobilize your own blood and vitality, mix in a trace of spiritual power, then compress that energy in your palm. Finally, release it. Through a connection of spiritual power, it will instantly explode at a designated location, creating tremendous explosive force."

Under Bibi Dong's guidance, Bai Fan quickly grasped the trick. A rippling ball of energy gathered in his palm, while his spiritual power surged uncontrollably into it.

Bibi Dong keenly sensed that something was wrong. "Idiot, hurry up and throw the energy out!"

The energy ball gradually swelled in Bai Fan's palm, panic appearing 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 ball from his hand, then wrapped an arm around his shoulders and threw herself to the ground with him.

The instant the energy ball left his hand and lost its spiritual connection, it exploded.

The tremendous force knocked down the nearby trees. As for Bai Fan, the person involved, he was sheltered beneath Bibi Dong, who had summoned her martial soul.

Bai Fan was just about to apologize when Bibi Dong's palm landed directly on his face. It was not hard, merely an outlet for her emotions.

"You blockhead, you idiot! You can't even handle something this simple. Do you know you almost died just now?"

"I told you that you can't chew more than you can swallow, but you insisted on showing off."

Though Bibi Dong's tone was stern, her words were full of concern.

That earlier incident had consumed quite a bit of Bai Fan's spiritual power, and he lay exhausted on the ground.

"Sister Dong, thank you!"

Bibi Dong did not care about her appearance in the slightest. She naturally lay down beside Bai Fan.

"Xiao Gang, was everything you said last time true?"

"Of course it was true. This is my life's goal."

Bibi Dong closed her eyes, and her voice suddenly became gentle.

"Xiao Gang, do you think my martial soul is evil?"

Bai Fan was mentally exhausted at the moment, so 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 that the time I spent with you has been the happiest time of my life since I was born?"

Bibi Dong's sudden confession left Bai Fan at a loss. He did not know what feelings he truly held for Bibi Dong.

Just as Bai Fan hesitated for those few seconds, a sacred voice rang out.

"Dong'er, you've had enough fun. It's time to return to Spirit Hall."

Qian Xunji suddenly appeared, breaking 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."

"Hmm?" Qian Xunji stood in the air, looking down at the two of them. "Dong'er, I've already given you the greatest freedom. Spirit Hall is your home."

"This piece of trash is completely unworthy of you."

"I know you were tired of staying in Spirit Hall, so I didn't interfere while you relaxed outside these past few months. It's time you reined yourself in."