Facing Tang San

"Qin Ming? Never heard of you. What, being a teacher makes you something special? I need your permission just to have a chat?"

Where had this stray dog come from, barking wildly in his face?

Judging by his aura, the man was only a Soul Emperor.

At that level, he would not even need to lift a finger. Xiao Hei could slap him dead with a single paw.

"No, I have to hold back."

He could not attack here, or he would never be able to explain himself.

"You don't need permission, but someone of unknown origins like you had better stay away from my students."

"Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences."

No sooner had Qin Ming finished speaking than Xiao Hei, who had still been in Ye Lingling's arms, suddenly sprang into action.

His figure became a streak of black lightning, and he lunged forward to swipe at the man.

He was so fast that Qin Ming had no time to dodge.

Fortunately, the swipe had not been aimed at a vital point, leaving only a claw mark across his chest.

His clothes tore, and blood seeped from the wound on his chest.

Feeling the sting in his chest, Qin Ming's expression changed. He hurriedly staggered several steps back, looking utterly bedraggled.

"Xiao Hei, come back!"

Xiao Hei wanted to pursue him, but Mo Lin hurriedly stopped him.

Once a Dark Demon Evil God Tiger had drawn blood, everyone here would be finished if it were left unchecked.

Xiao Hei crouched on the ground, fangs bared, bloodthirsty madness showing in his pitch-black eyes.

But the moment Mo Lin's voice reached his ears, his gaze instantly cleared.

His four paws dug into the ground, and astonishing strength erupted from his tiny body.

With just one leap, he vanished from everyone's sight, then appeared on Mo Lin's shoulder.

"Don't act on your own. What if you scare someone?"

Mo Lin tapped Xiao Hei on the head. He seemed to be scolding him, but he was actually very pleased with his behavior. All that time he had spent grinding traits had not been wasted.

"You!"

"You what? Don't think being a Soul Emperor makes you so great. As long as you're still human, you'll die all the same if your neck gets snapped."

"Didn't your mother teach you to keep a low profile when you're out? Don't end up dying without even knowing what killed you."

At those words, Qin Ming's face turned livid with anger.

The other party looked no older than his teens or twenty, yet he was so arrogant.

But he did not dare make any rash moves now. That swipe had already made him feel the threat of death.

Had those claws been an inch longer, he would probably have been gravely wounded, if not dead.

Just what was that little black beast, anyway? How could it unleash such terrifying power?

His Soul Emperor-level flesh had been torn open with ease. Even though he had not used Soul Power to defend himself, not just any tool could hurt him.

His question was soon answered, however.

"Don't be scared. Xiao Hei isn't usually aggressive. He's my Martial Soul. He only lashed out because that man spoke disrespectfully to me."

Worried that the scene had frightened Ye Lingling, Mo Lin immediately began explaining.

"A Martial Soul?"

Externalized Martial Souls were exceedingly rare. So far, the only recorded example was Yu Xiaogang's Luo Sanpao.

But because his talent was so poor, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had concealed his information.

After all, being level twenty-nine at fifty years old was rather absurd.

Most importantly, despite his poor talent, the fellow did not keep a low profile. He had no ability, yet still insisted on going out and making waves.

Older people might still know that such a person existed, but someone like Ye Lingling had barely even heard of Yu Xiaogang.

Who would bother paying attention to a good-for-nothing?

"Yes, a Martial Soul. A very rare externalized Martial Soul. This fellow here should know about it."

"If I remember correctly, he's your second uncle, isn't he?"

Suddenly singled out by Mo Lin, Yu Tianheng felt rather embarrassed.

Although Xiao Hei's swipe had been aimed at Qin Ming, its intimidating force had reached everyone present.

There was something uncanny about this fellow. He truly could not figure out his ways now.

Seeing that Yu Tianheng still had not responded, Mo Lin did not press the matter.

"All right, I only came over to say hello. Nothing else."

"I have a Soul Fighting match later, so I'll be going."

His goal had more or less been achieved, and Mo Lin was ready to withdraw.

"Wait."

But just as the voice rang out, Mo Lin and Xiao Hei had already vanished from the spot.

Just as before, they were silent and traceless, like ghosts.

Ye Lingling stared at the spot where he had disappeared, looking somewhat dazed.

She had wanted to ask him a few things about Mo Lin.

After all, she kept feeling something very familiar about him, as though she had met him before.

In fact, that feeling had already appeared when she saw him yesterday, but it had not been as strong as it was now.

Mo Lin? Mo Lin...

Repeating those two extremely similar names in her mind, Ye Lingling could not calm her heart for a long time.

"Lingling."

Dugu Yan stepped forward and lightly patted her shoulder, finally drawing her out of her thoughts.

"Are you all right?"

Seeing her concerned expression, Ye Lingling shook her head.

"I'm fine. I'm just a little curious about who that person really is."

She could practically be certain that he was one hundred percent connected to Mo Lin.

But... forget it. No point thinking so much. I can just ask when I get back.

Soon, Ye Lingling and her group left.

Not long after they departed, Mo Lin's figure appeared again.

He had actually never left at all. He had simply concealed himself.

"Did she notice something? Good thing I was quick to run."

He let out a long breath. He really had nearly given himself away.

"How does that girl's mind work so fast? She was cuter when she was little, all dazed and silly."

As a child, Ye Lingling had been like a little bundle of milk. A little teasing would make her eyes redden, and she believed whatever he said.

Now, though, she was clever as a fox and not easy to fool at all.

It left him feeling both helpless and a little amused.

"Forget it. Being clever is good, too. It'll keep her from being deceived."

"I just wonder how that girl will react when she finds out who I really am."

He would have to let her know sooner or later. After all, the good was him, and the evil was him as well.

Good and evil were one to begin with. Unless necessary, there was no need to act separately.

Perhaps Ye Lingling would get quite a fright then. Just imagining that scene was entertaining.

Now that he had shown his face to Ye Lingling, it was time to go entertain Tang San and the others.

[Next match: Thousand Faces versus Thousand-Hand Asura. Both contestants, please enter the arena!]

The voice came from afar, infused with some Soul Power so that it could carry a great distance.

Hearing it, Mo Lin glanced at Xiao Hei beside him and said with a smile.

"It's our turn. Remember to put on a good show."

"Awooo~"

Xiao Hei gave a howl, a fierce glint flashing through his eyes.

Soon, they were on the fighting platform.

Mo Lin stood on the platform with Xiao Hei, while Tang San stood opposite him.

Both wore masks, so neither could see the other's true appearance.

Of course, Mo Lin knew who his opponent was. After all, he had secretly arranged this match.

However, while he was wearing a mask, Xiao Hei was not.

"Hey, Lingling, look. Isn't that guy in the arena the one from earlier?"