However, after just one glance, the smile on Ma Xiaotao's face slowly faded.
She fell silent.
Xu Sanshi had actually lost to Jiang Chen.
How was that possible?
Jiang Chen still had only three rings, while Xu Sanshi was already a four-ring Soul Ancestor.
Yet someone that powerful had actually lost to Jiang Chen.
Ma Xiaotao grew increasingly resentful.
Why had Jiang Chen soared ever higher after leaving her, even defeating Xu Sanshi?
Why?!
Just then, Jiang Chen abruptly turned around and fixed his gaze on the seemingly harmless Ma Xiaotao. "I don't want to meddle in your affairs, so stay out of mine. I know you put Xu Sanshi up to provoking me."
"You only did this to satisfy that little spark of jealousy in your heart. Let me tell you plainly: there's no going back for us!"
"From this moment on, all debts and grievances between us are settled!"
As his words fell, the Phoenix Wings behind Jiang Chen stirred, and he vanished in a streak of light.
Ma Xiaotao opened her mouth, but she could not utter a single word.
She knew Jiang Chen truly intended to sever all ties with her, and that he knew she had incited Xu Sanshi to make trouble for him.
But what right did Jiang Chen have to expose her in front of so many people, leaving her not a shred of dignity?
The more Ma Xiaotao thought about it, the angrier she became. She stamped her foot and shouted, "Jiang Chen, you're too full of yourself! It's not like I can't live without you! Don't get so smug! Don't get so smug..."
As she spoke, tears slid uncontrollably down her cheeks, carrying a sense of grievance she could not put into words.
Leaving the facts aside, wasn't Jiang Chen at fault too?
Zhang Lexuan and several Inner Court students came over to comfort Ma Xiaotao together.
Zhang Lexuan said softly, "Xiaotao, Jiang Chen is determined to cut things cleanly between you. You should stop provoking him from now on."
"I think that's for the best too," Han Ruoruo said.
Wu Ming planted her hands on her hips and declared proudly, "Xiaotao, you're the most outstanding genius of the younger generation. You don't necessarily need a man. We girls can make our own decisions too."
Only then did Ma Xiaotao feel much better.
That's right!
She was a genius to begin with, one of the top geniuses in the Inner Court. Did she really have to depend on a man?
No matter how powerful Jiang Chen became, he would still have to bow his head before her.
At that thought, the resentment in Ma Xiaotao's heart vanished. Quietly setting herself against him, she muttered, "Just you wait, Jiang Chen. I'll make sure you realize what a terrible mistake it was to lose me."
Three days later.
Jiang Chen arrived outside the Sea God Pavilion as agreed, ready to depart for the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain his fourth Soul Ring, then return to take part in an Inspection Corps mission with Ling Luochеn.
After what had happened that day, Jiang Chen had felt uncomfortable all over. He simply avoided going anywhere else and shut himself in his dormitory to cultivate.
After parting ways with Ma Xiaotao completely, Jiang Chen's mind was clear and unburdened.
Just then, Mu En, several Elders, and the Inner Court students accompanying them on this trip walked out.
Mu En turned to Xuan Zi and said, "Xuan Zi, I'm entrusting this mission to you. Bring these children back safe and sound. Jiang Chen's Soul Ring must be ten thousand years old, and it must come from an ice-attribute avian soul beast."
Eating a chicken leg and drinking wine, Xuan Zi let out a drunken belch and patted his chest in assurance. "Mu En, don't worry! I'll bring every one of these children back in one piece."
Only then did Mu En nod in satisfaction.
Below them, however, Jiang Chen's expression changed.
Oh no!
Why was the supreme elder leading the team?
This soul-hunting trip was in danger!
Judging by the situation, this soul-hunting team had been assembled at short notice. Elder Song, who had led the previous trip, was absent too. Most likely, no one else was available.
Xuan Zi leading the team was probably already set in stone.
Jiang Chen immediately sought help from the Ice Empress in his Sea of Consciousness.
"What is it?"
Dressed in a Hatsune Miku outfit, the Ice Empress folded her arms and glared haughtily at Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen asked, "If we encounter a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, can you get me away?"
The Ice Empress considered it seriously before answering, "As long as it isn't a hundred-thousand-year soul beast with a powerful bloodline, I should have no trouble getting you away. But I can't guarantee anyone else's safety."
Hearing that, Jiang Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
After a brief period of rest and preparation, Shrek's soul-hunting team once again set out for the Star Dou Great Forest. Their target was a ten-thousand-year ice-attribute avian soul beast, from which Jiang Chen would obtain his fourth Soul Ring.
A day later, the team arrived at the Star Dou Great Forest.
Before Jiang Chen could gather his thoughts, Xuan Zi, holding his wine flask and eating a chicken leg, instructed Han Ruoruo and Zhang Lexuan, "You're both among the strongest geniuses in the Inner Court, and you carry my hopes. I'm leaving this soul-hunting mission entirely to you."
"Also, give your junior schoolmates some practical experience while you're at it. I'll scout ahead first. Don't disturb me unless something happens. If it does, just shout. I'll appear at any moment."
Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo both cupped their hands and accepted this heavy responsibility.
Neither was surprised, because they had expected it.
This was Xuan Zi's old habit. He claimed he was going scouting, but in reality, he went off to sleep. By the time he woke up, the mission would already be finished.
Jiang Chen stood there, watching Xuan Zi mysteriously disappear, the corner of his mouth twitching.
This Chicken Leg Douluo's underlying code was far too stable.
Whenever he came to the Star Dou Great Forest, he invariably went off to sleep, eat chicken legs, and drink wine. He might as well have stamped "unreliable" across his forehead.
"Don't be afraid, junior."
Han Ruoruo reached out and patted Jiang Chen's shoulder, reassuring him with a smile. "Xuan Zi has gone scouting. Hundred-thousand-year soul beasts don't dare approach a place where a Super Douluo is present. Lexuan and I will help you obtain your Soul Ring this time."
Jiang Chen nodded. "Thank you, senior."
The group then hurried into the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest to search for a genuine ice-attribute avian soul beast.
The following night, beside the campfire.
Jiang Chen and his companions had spent a long time searching the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest, but they still had nothing to show for it. Xuan Zi, on whom they had pinned their hopes, appeared only at mealtimes, telling them not to get impatient and assuring them they would find one.
In Jiang Chen's eyes, Xuan Zi was nothing more than a Super Douluo taking a vacation on the academy's funds, without the slightest sense of responsibility.
He knew he probably could not count on the Chicken Leg Douluo.
Just then, several pairs of glaring, blood-red lights suddenly appeared in the dense forest surrounding the mixed zone. Jiang Chen sensed them immediately.
Having fused with the Ice Empress and received the support of his bloodline power, Jiang Chen could sense danger.
Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, Dai Yueheng, and the others remained oblivious, preparing to rest.
"Jiang Chen, get out of here! A hundred-thousand-year soul beast has come looking for you!"
The Ice Empress's voice suddenly rang out in his Sea of Consciousness, tinged with urgency and unease.
Jiang Chen shouted, "Seniors, a soul beast is approaching!"
With that, he immediately activated Martial Soul Possession, turned into a streak of white light, and fled toward a safer area.
Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo abruptly snapped to attention. Beneath the bright moonlight, they saw a silver wolf king let out a howl as countless eyes lit up around them.
He was a hundred-thousand-year Silver Moon Wolf King, with Silver Moon Wolves covering the ground all around him.
They were surrounded.
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