The Little Angel's Need for Control

It was already late at night, and Qian Renxue had been ready to meditate and rest, but a broadcast over a Soul Tool brought her to the Soul Fighting Zone.

Qian Renxue's feelings toward Chen An were complicated.

Chen An was not only her savior, but also her comrade in arms. He even knew the secret of her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.

After she had arrived ten thousand years in the future, in this unfamiliar world, Chen An was the first person who made Qian Renxue feel at ease.

Yet precisely because of that, Qian Renxue wanted all the more to keep Chen An firmly in the palm of her hand.

Of course, Qian Renxue would never admit that.

From a distance, Qian Renxue watched the red-haired beauty with the sizzling figure talking to Chen An, and her brows knitted tightly.

She saw through it at a glance: this was Shrek Academy's honey trap.

Its purpose was to make Chen An think favorably of Shrek Academy and develop a sense of belonging there.

Qian Renxue clenched her delicate fists and thought, That wretched Shrek Academy! Shameless, despicable! First they sent someone to probe my memories, and now they're using tricks like this to corrupt Chen An!

Chen An is destined to become my right-hand man, the man who will restore Spirit Hall alongside me!

I will never let that evil Shrek Academy have its way!

After silently cursing a few more times, Qian Renxue took a deep breath and calmed herself.

She knew Chen An still had a very favorable impression of Spirit Hall. He had told her before that he considered Spirit Hall tremendously benevolent for awakening commoners' martial souls free of charge, and he had also kept the secret of her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.

Otherwise, if Chen An had told Shrek Academy that secret, there was no telling what would have happened to her by now. She would either have been imprisoned and executed or placed under the strictest, most comprehensive surveillance.

Whatever the case, they would never have let her roam freely under the care of Teacher Mu Jin from the Outer Court as she did now.

Qian Renxue pondered, Chen An's talent is astonishing. He defeated a Soul Elder with only a Soul Master's cultivation. With talent that extraordinary, Shrek Academy will definitely step up its brainwashing efforts.

I have to act quickly. Otherwise, if Shrek Academy truly leaves its brand on Chen An...

Then he won't fight shoulder to shoulder with me in the future. Instead, he'll stand against me and obstruct my efforts to rebuild Spirit Hall.

At the mere thought that Chen An might one day become her enemy, Qian Renxue felt her chest tighten.

She immediately resolved to make Chen An see Shrek Academy's ugly true face and then restore Spirit Hall alongside her!

Qian Renxue looked around. With so many people and prying eyes, this was no place for a heart-to-heart with Chen An. She did not linger, turning to leave.

Meanwhile, after defeating Ma Xiaotao, Chen An noticed her foul mood, offered a few words of comfort, and agreed to fight her again when they had time another day. Then he greased his heels and slipped away from the Soul Fighting Zone.

Watching Chen An's retreating figure, Ma Xiaotao clenched her fists and thought, Damn it! I was careless this time. Next time—next time, I'll definitely settle the score!

Just as Ma Xiaotao was stewing in her frustration, a cool voice carrying a hint of mockery reached her ears.

"Ma Xiaotao, a loss is a loss. What, can't take it?"

"Who are you calling a sore loser?!"

Ma Xiaotao's pale pink eyes practically spat fire as she immediately turned to find which fool dared laugh at her.

"Ling Luochеn, it's you!"

When Ma Xiaotao saw Ling Luochеn sitting in the front row of the stands, her lips curved in a faint, mocking smile, the fire within her flared instantly.

"Ling Luochеn, you loser, are you asking for a beating?! If you are, I'll oblige you right now!"

Ling Luochеn lifted her chin, glanced at Ma Xiaotao, and snorted. "You've exhausted your soul power. How are you going to fight me?

"Besides, I'm about to break through to rank thirty. We'll settle this in half a month."

Ma Xiaotao cracked her knuckles, making them pop, and gave a smile that never reached her eyes. "Fine, Ling Luochеn. I'll wait half a month. Then I'll show you that even if you break through to rank thirty, you'll still be a loser before me!"

Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochеn locked eyes, sparks flying between them.

As the two stared fiercely at each other, the nearby students watched eagerly, more than happy to fan the flames.

They raised their voices and shouted, "Ling Luochеn is about to become a Soul Elder, and she's challenged Ma Xiaotao!"

"What? Ice Girl and the Flame Maniac are going to fight again?"

"I love watching women fight! Hey, when are those two fighting? I need to buy a ticket!"

"I heard it's in half a month. I'll buy a ticket too."

While some of the male students enjoyed watching beautiful women fight, the female students began asking around about Chen An, who had defeated Ma Xiaotao.

Some even chased after Chen An when they saw him leave, hoping to get acquainted with him.

Naturally, they were so proactive because the strength Chen An had displayed was simply too impressive.

If he was already this formidable at such a young age, he would surely reach the pinnacle of the Soul Master World in time.

If they could establish a connection with Chen An and get to know him, it would certainly bring great benefits in the future.

Night, on the shore of Sea God Lake at Shrek Academy.

The clear waters of Sea God Lake gave off a gentle glow beneath the moonlight. A breeze passed over the lake, stirring ripples like a maiden's flirtatious glances, reflecting the stars that filled the sky.

Chen An looked toward Sea God Island deep within the lake, its outline flickering in and out of sight amid the mist, and stretched.

The battle had drained Chen An's soul power. After he left the Soul Fighting Zone, people had even chased after him to make his acquaintance, leaving him still more exhausted.

All Chen An wanted now was to return to bed and get a good night's sleep.

Chen An took a device resembling a remote control from the Storage Soul Tool bracelet Zhang Lexuan had given him and infused it with soul power. The light on the remote immediately came on, and within seconds—

A small wooden boat stopped at the lakeshore to ferry Chen An to Sea God Island.

The boat was piloted by a one-eyed old man with graying hair, surnamed Li.

He had once been a teacher in Shrek Academy's Inner Court, with cultivation as high as Soul Douluo. However, during an Inspection Corps mission, he had fought a fierce battle against an Evil Soul Saint.

In the end, he had killed the Evil Soul Master, but her desperate counterattack before death had cost him an eye and severely damaged his essence. From then on, his cultivation had stagnated, leaving him unable to break through to Titled Douluo for the rest of his life.

After that, he had retired from the front lines. He spent his days steering a little boat across Sea God Lake, fishing and ferrying students, enjoying a leisurely retirement.

He looked at Chen An and said with a smile, "Little Chen An, you're back. You look exhausted. Make sure you get some proper rest when you get home tonight."

Chen An nodded obediently. "I will, Grandpa Li."

"Little Chen An, you're such a sweet-talker. If only my grandson were half as well-behaved as you."

Three minutes later, Chen An waved goodbye. "See you, Grandpa Li."

With that, Chen An leaped out of the little boat and stepped onto Sea God Island, the Inner Court that students of the Shrek Outer Court dreamed of entering.