"Lin Xiao, you're already at level thirty. Still no sign of a heaven-bestowed soul ring?"
After finishing her conversation with Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu turned to ask Lin Xiao.
She had always been cheerful by nature.
She had only become upset earlier because she had learned the truth.
Now that Tang San was out of sight, her mood had improved considerably.
At the mention of a heaven-bestowed soul ring, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing both looked over, unable to hide the envy in their eyes.
Only a few days had passed since Lin Xiao's awakening, yet he had already reached level thirty.
And he had barely cultivated at all.
With innate soul power at level twenty, his soul power had shot straight up to level twenty-five after he absorbed his first heaven-bestowed soul ring.
Once his second heaven-bestowed soul ring appeared, his soul power had reached level thirty.
It was fair to say that Lin Xiao had yet to do any serious cultivating.
Yet his achievements were already something many people would need a decade or more to accomplish.
Ordinary soul masters might not even reach level thirty in ten years.
The speed of Lin Xiao's advancement was truly enviable.
But his heaven-bestowed soul rings were the most enviable thing of all.
Once the girls reached the required level, they had to hunt for soul rings.
Not only did that take time, but it also carried a certain amount of risk.
And the soul rings they ultimately obtained could never be as outrageous as Lin Xiao's.
Their current soul ring configurations, for instance, were all considered optimal.
Yet their soul rings were only at the hundred-year level.
Lin Xiao's first soul ring, by contrast, was three thousand years old.
His second soul ring was ten thousand years old!
He had shattered countless years of accepted wisdom in the soul master world and made history.
How outrageous would his third soul ring be when it appeared?
Lin Xiao waved a hand and said, "I don't know when my third soul ring will appear, but it probably won't take too long."
Naturally, he would not tell them that he already had his third soul ring and could use it at any time.
If he told them, or simply absorbed it, he would probably deal a blow to their confidence.
"Seriously, you can't be judged by ordinary standards. You're too much of a freak."
Zhu Zhuqing could not help making the remark.
Ning Rongrong nodded solemnly. "Exactly. A total freak!"
"Maybe you're a reincarnated god?"
As the three chimed in one after another, Zhu Zhuqing relaxed completely and became much more talkative.
Lin Xiao shrugged.
With a Golden Finger, isn't this perfectly normal?
Forget a third soul ring. Even if the system turned me straight into a Titled Douluo, that wouldn't be too strange, would it?
"Once we reach the Star Dou Great Forest, don't wander off. That way, I can keep you safe."
Lin Xiao spoke with a serious expression.
Even with Zhao Wuji, a Soul Saint, accompanying them, no one could guarantee absolute safety.
Meng Yiran from the original story would probably appear as well.
When the Peerless Dragon Snake joined forces, even an ordinary Titled Douluo had to avoid their sharp edge for a time.
If something unexpected happened while the three girls were too far away from him, he might not be able to rescue them in time.
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu knew that Lin Xiao possessed a self-created soul skill like Invincible Golden Body.
Staying close to him was indeed the safest option. At the very least, he could hold out for a long time.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, did not know about it.
But seeing Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu trust Lin Xiao completely, and having a favorable impression of him herself, she naturally chose to trust him too.
Unlike the laughter and cheerful chatter on this side, the atmosphere in the other carriage was stifling.
Almost no one had spoken since boarding.
Tang San sat with his head lowered, lost in thought, while Dai Mubai stared out the window with his fists clenched.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun looked utterly miserable, as though someone had violated their backsides.
The state of the four boys left Zhao Wuji exasperated.
These little bastards. What am I supposed to say to them?
He could only say that Lin Xiao was far too outstanding.
Ning Rongrong's feelings for Lin Xiao were written all over her face, and Xiao Wu seemed very close to him too.
As for Zhu Zhuqing?
He could not tell yet.
But with a man as outstanding as Lin Xiao, Zhu Zhuqing would probably fall for him before long as well.
Being at the same academy as Lin Xiao really was a tragedy.
They were doomed to remain single dogs.
"You little brats, why are you all hanging your heads?"
"As students, your first priorities are studying and cultivating!"
"Stop thinking about nonsense all day!"
Zhao Wuji could not help barking at them, hoping to bring them to their senses.
Although his words did pull them out of their thoughts, they were clearly even angrier now.
They were all men, yet Lin Xiao had beauties on either arm, basking in their company.
Meanwhile, they could only huddle in here. What was the point?
To surround themselves with burly men?
Especially when laughter drifted over from the carriage next to them, Tang San nearly spat blood.
Xiao Wu's laughter was bright and cheerful. She was clearly having a wonderful time.
Dai Mubai trembled with rage.
He had heard Zhu Zhuqing laughing too.
Though she had only laughed a few times, she was clearly happy as well.
She was his fiancée, yet she was smiling and laughing in front of another man?
His pride as a man nearly made him explode.
He was the Third Prince of the Star Luo Empire. If his fiancée got involved with another man, he would become a laughingstock.
He could forget about competing for the position of crown prince.
That damned bitch! Bitch!
Lin Xiao, you bastard. Don't blame me when you die!
Jealousy twisted Dai Mubai's face beyond recognition.
In his mind, Lin Xiao was already a dead man.
So what if he was talented?
As the Third Prince of the Star Luo Empire, he only needed to spend a little money to take the life of a level-thirty soul master.
Lin Xiao could defeat him, but could he defeat a Soul Ancestor?
If a Soul Ancestor was not enough, then he would send a Soul King.
The money he had on hand was more than enough to hire quite a few.
If all else failed, he would have members of the Star Luo Imperial Family act.
There might be some risk involved, but as long as he could eliminate Lin Xiao, it would all be worth it.
Tang San was skilled at reading expressions. When he noticed the intense killing intent in Dai Mubai's eyes, he knew where things stood.
The carriages left the vicinity of Suotuo City and continued toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
By nightfall, they had not reached a town, so they could only find somewhere to camp.
"Let's assign tonight's watch."
Zhao Wuji had plenty of experience surviving in the wilderness. He positioned the carriages to block the wind, sent Ma Hongjun to gather dry firewood for a campfire, and took out the tents he had prepared in advance.
Food was straightforward: dry rations they had brought along.
They had to remain vigilant in the wilderness, where soul beasts could appear at any moment.
They might also encounter people with ill intentions.
Someone therefore had to keep watch through the night.
"Teacher Zhao, Mubai and I will take the second half of the night."
Tang San volunteered.
Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow and grinned. "All right. You two will take the second half, then. Lin Xiao and Ma Hongjun will take the first."
Lin Xiao had no objections to the arrangement.
"Lin Xiao, stay safe tonight."
Zhu Zhuqing walked over and handed Lin Xiao some dry rations and water.
"Thank you."
Lin Xiao smiled and put them away.
Dai Mubai, who had been about to turn in, saw this from nearby and nearly burst a lung with rage.
She actually brought Lin Xiao water?
Does Zhu Zhuqing have no sense of propriety at all?
Bringing Lin Xiao water right in front of me-is she trying to put a cuckold's hat on my head?
"Mubai, get some rest first. It'll be our turn in the second half of the night."
Tang San patted his shoulder.
Dai Mubai turned and frowned, but said nothing. He merely flung his arm aside and went into a nearby tent to rest.
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