School Begins

Smack!!

Xu Bayan did not waste any words. He raised the mottled bamboo rod and began striking, one blow after another.

Feeling the force of the bamboo rod against his backside, Xu Huxiao let out a muffled groan of pain. His Yang Origin Soul Power and Martial Soul had both been suppressed within his body by Xu Bayan, leaving him unable to use Soul Power to protect himself.

Fortunately, his body had been nurtured by the Primordial Nine Yang Divine Skill. Even without the enhancement of Soul Power, his vitality and natural defense were far stronger than those of ordinary people.

But still... it hurt so much!

As Xu Huxiao gritted his teeth and endured, his brow furrowed and his thoughts raced.

The Eye of Omniscience's information could not be wrong, but why had Father failed to see through the fact that this little Mermaid had transformed from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?

Could it be...

That there was something special about this little Mermaid?

But the information from the Eye of Omniscience had not mentioned that she could conceal a Soul Beast's aura.

As Xu Huxiao considered all sorts of possibilities, he saw Mother pull the God-mysterious little girl up and look at her nearly naked, strange outfit.

Suddenly, he thought of a possibility.

She was undoubtedly a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form, yet she could deceive the eyes of a Titled Douluo.

There was only one possibility.

This little Mermaid must have something on her that could conceal a Soul Beast's aura!

Yes, that had to be it!

Then...

What treasure had deceived the eyes of a Titled Douluo?

Though Xu Huxiao was being held upside down and beaten, it did not stop him from watching her and activating the Eye of Omniscience.

She only had a few items on her. He could rule them out one by one, starting with...

[Item]: Ordinary Clam Shell

[Effect]: Covers the chest

[Value]: One Copper Soul Coin

[Description]: What are you staring at, you big pervert!!

Uh, apparently not. Then what about this...

[Item]: Seaweed Skirt

[Effect]: Covers the body

[Value]: One Copper Soul Coin

[Description]: What are you staring at, you disgusting pervert!!

I... didn't mean to.

Xu Huxiao felt miserable. He had actually wanted to inspect the string of Five-Colored Heavenly Pearl first, but Mother happened to be blocking them, so he had checked the other two items on the little Mermaid first.

Hiss—

Why did getting hit by bamboo hurt this much?!

Finally, enduring the pain, Xu Huxiao saw the string of Five-Colored Heavenly Pearl on the little Mermaid's hand.

Three seconds later, a stream of information entered his mind:

[Item]: Five-Colored Heavenly Pearl

[Effect]: First, responds to special Soul Power auras and can perfectly conceal a Soul Beast's aura. Even Gods cannot see through it. Once worn, it becomes aura-bound to the wearer and cannot be removed; second, refines heavenly treasures.

[Value]: Immeasurable

[Description]: With me, the one and only little pearl beneath heaven and earth, no one will ever make my master reveal her chicken feet.

...Was that a chicken joke?

The description was so shameless that Xu Huxiao could not help complaining. There were so many things to mock that, for a moment, the pain in his backside even seemed to lessen considerably.

Still, it seemed that this Five-Colored Heavenly Pearl was the culprit.

It could not even be seen through by Gods, and its value was listed as "immeasurable."

No wonder a Titled Douluo could not see through it, though it still could not escape my Eye of Omniscience.

"But perhaps this is better. The fewer people who know that this little Mermaid is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Transformed Soul Beast, the better. Walls have ears, and it is best that no one knows of such a precious treasure."

Since that was the case, this little Mermaid who had transformed from a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast had to remain by his side. Once he was able to absorb a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, she could become his.

But...

What reason could he use to keep this little Mermaid?

As Xu Huxiao gritted his teeth and pondered this, the bamboo rod stopped. A childish yet pleasant voice rang out.

"Don't hit him anymore! He's my Holy Knight. Mother said that princesses must protect their Holy Knights too."

"I'm Yun Ji, the Seventh Princess of Atlantis. I order you not to hit him again!"

"What?"

Xu Bayan looked at the little girl with her arms spread wide, blocking his bamboo rod, then glanced at his son, who was still gritting his teeth and enduring. He was so angry that he laughed.

"Good boy. You sure know how to set the mood, playing at Holy Knights and princesses now."

"Hmph. There was only one strike left, but now I'll give you five more so you remember this lesson."

"..."

The little girl calling herself Yun Ji naturally could not stop Xu Bayan. Xu Bayan merely lifted Xu Huxiao a little higher and brought the rod down five times.

"Say it! Do you admit your mistake?! Will you dare mess around again, you brat whose hair hasn't even grown in yet?!"

Xu Bayan cursed, glaring furiously.

"Not talking? Then I'll give you another twenty! I know you're tough, boy. Today, I'll beat you until you're completely convinced. School starts the day after tomorrow, and I'll have someone carry you there."

"I'll let your academy classmates see the 'majesty' of you, the Holy Knight."

"..."

"Father, I know... I was wrong." Xu Huxiao spoke with difficulty. His butt had already gone numb from the pain.

There was no helping it. A wise man knew when to yield.

If he did not admit his mistake, given Father's temperament, then the day after tomorrow, he might... no, Xu Bayan would definitely do it!

Hearing his admission, Xu Bayan snorted coldly and put him down, then instructed a nearby maid.

"Go tell Luo Ming to arrange for a physician to apply medicine to the young master."

"Yes, Master."

After giving the order, the maid was about to help Xu Huxiao into the house.

But Yun Ji stopped her. Her little hand gently rested on Xu Huxiao's backside.

"Holy Knight, it hurts a lot, doesn't it? Yun Ji will heal you."

As soon as the words fell, seven-colored light spread from Yun Ji's body. Colorful Scales appeared between her brows, her legs transformed directly into an azure fish tail, and a bright yellow Soul Ring pulsed around her body.

Mermaid Martial Soul possession!

The Soul Ring lit up. First Soul Skill, Healing Bubble.

"Pure ocean, please grant me your strength. Heal him~"

Yun Ji raised both hands and chanted softly, her beautiful voice flowing out like heavenly music.

At the same time, a watery blue bubble wrapped around the prone Xu Huxiao and lifted him up, releasing a gentle healing glow.

In an instant, Xu Huxiao felt a cool energy continuously flow into his body. The pain in his backside gradually faded.

After a while, he stood up. The watery blue bubble burst into specks of fluorescent light.

Xu Huxiao moved his legs and backside. He was completely fine now!

"Thank you, but my decision still won't change."

"You're welcome. I believe you'll be willing to become my Holy Knight, because this is all fate's guidance." Yun Ji lifted her little face and smiled.

Xu Bayan also noticed what was happening and said to Ning Fengyu:

"Madam, what should we do with this little girl? Should I have Luo Ming find some decent family and send her there?"

Ning Fengyu looked at Yun Ji, who was as lovely as a doll and pure as could be, with eyes full of affection, especially after seeing the little girl reveal her Martial Soul and heal her son.

"Brother Yan, I have an idea..."

Two days later.

The Spirit Hall Junior Soul Master Academy began its term.

For Soul Masters, children generally awakened their Martial Souls at the age of six, then entered a junior academy to study basic cultural courses and Martial Soul knowledge.

During the six-year program, those whose Martial Souls reached level ten and who obtained their first Soul Ring, successfully advancing to the rank of Soul Master, could graduate from the junior academy and enter a middle-level Soul Master Academy, which also had a six-year program.

Afterward, Soul Masters with excellent talent could pass entrance assessments and choose to continue studying at an Advanced Soul Master Academy. Advanced academies had a graduation age limit of twenty-five, and their graduation requirements were much higher as well.

Xu Huxiao was very familiar with the entire educational process. It was similar to elementary school, middle school, and university on Blue Star.

There was simply an additional component involving Martial Soul knowledge.

Xu Huxiao had already obtained his first Soul Ring several days ago and met the graduation requirements for the junior academy, but he was still only a six-year-old child.

Even if his strength had reached the standard, Xu Bayan believed that learning knowledge was equally important.

After all, battles between Soul Masters did not rely solely on Soul Power. They also tested a Soul Master's mind, control over their Martial Soul, and the combined application of their Soul Skills. All of these were crucial in battle.

Moreover, Xu Huxiao had already been selected for the Spirit Hall Elite Reserve Team. According to the requirements, he had to study at the junior academy for a full year before participating in the preliminary selection, after which he would undergo collective elimination training.

Thus, like every ordinary child, Xu Huxiao entered the academy today together with his... younger sister, Yun Ji.

Inside the carriage.

Xu Huxiao looked at the excited little Mermaid beside him, his emotions complicated.

Was this the so-called curse of siblings, humans, and Soul Beasts on this continent?

As for arrangements for the little Mermaid, Xu Huxiao had originally planned to keep her by his side as a study companion or maid.

But for some reason, which of Mother's God nerves had suddenly gone wrong? She had actually taken the little Mermaid in as her goddaughter that very night!

And the next day, she held a grand banquet in the eastern district, formally conducting the adoption ceremony and announcing to Spirit City that the Demon Bear Xu Family had adopted a goddaughter.

Xu Yun Ji.

Siblings?

Human and Soul Beast?

At that moment, Xu Huxiao felt an intensely familiar sense of déjà vu. Was this fate?

No, it was definitely just a coincidence!

And he absolutely would not get involved in some human-and-beast romance. The only thing in his heart was the desire to grow stronger and become God.

"Brother Huxiao, do it with me once, okay~?"

Yun Ji wore a cute, fitted short top and a light, lace-trimmed long skirt, both sky blue, paired with white ankle boots and a light pink crossbody bag. She looked utterly adorable.

Her thick, long pink-blue curls had been cut shorter, reaching just around her waist and hips, and were gathered behind her with a blue hair ornament.

Naturally, this outfit was Ning Fengyu's proud work. The entire set had cost more than two thousand Gold Soul Coins.

Clearly, Ning Fengyu doted greatly on the goddaughter she had just taken in.

Xu Huxiao's outfit, meanwhile, was much simpler: a set of black fitted clothes with dark patterns.

His originally brilliant golden long hair had also been cut short, making him look cleaner and sharper. The only unusual part of his attire was the pair of dark-gold patterned earrings on his left ear.

Those earrings were Xu Huxiao's storage Soul Tool—the Twin Dragon Rings.

When Xu Bayan had given him those storage Soul Tools that day, Xu Huxiao had considered how to wear the pair of dark-gold Twin Dragon Rings.

Because of his Multiplication Soul Skill, he could not wear them on his hands.

After some thought, so that he could access items conveniently without being affected by his Soul Skill, he had decided to pierce them through his left earlobe as earrings.

It was indeed convenient, though it made him look a little like a delinquent.

Yun Ji poked Xu Huxiao, who was a head taller than her, with one finger. Her voice was clear and pleasant, like the sounds of nature.

Xu Huxiao remained expressionless and did not answer, but a thought entered Yun Ji's mind.

I won't take part in any ridiculous Fate-Binding Ritual, and I definitely won't become some loyal Holy Knight.

If you want to play at Holy Knights and princesses, once we arrive at the academy, plenty of people will be willing to play with you given your current status.

This was the ability Xu Huxiao had obtained after the Fate-Binding Ritual had been half completed: communication through thoughts.

However, this ability could only be used between him and the little Mermaid.

"But Yun Ji really didn't lie to you. What am I supposed to do now~?"

Yun Ji blinked and sent back the same kind of thought. Her little brows knitted adorably, making her look very dejected.

"Yun Ji really is the Seventh Princess of Atlantis. Mother said that if I want to go home, only you, my Holy Knight, can help Yun Ji. I really want to go home, sob sob~"

"..."