The Stubborn Ma Xiaotao

Lu Jingming had unknowingly been in this world for eight years.

Over those eight years, he had gradually figured out some of the abilities of his "True Authority."

When he had first transmigrated into this world, the True Power he possessed had been completely depleted by materializing Jing Liu.

The True Power he gained afterward came from the various impacts he and Jing Liu had made on this world, earning them feedback from "reality."

Simply put, whether it was himself or the people he materialized, the greater their influence on this world, the more True Power he could gain.

Over the past few years, the one who had provided him with the most True Power was neither the immensely powerful Jing Liu nor Chang Li, who controlled Haiyuan City, but Black Tower, who rarely left the house and acted like a shut-in.

This was because some of the Soul Tools Black Tower had created—works she had discarded—had been sold across the Douluo Continent through Lu Jingming's hands, setting off a series of chain reactions. All those effects were credited to Black Tower.

Thus, Lady Black Tower was undoubtedly Lu Jingming's greatest current source of True Power.

"I'm a few years older than you, so I'll call you Xiaotao. Don't worry, I'll suppress my Soul Power Level to yours. We'll have a fair fight."

Although Zhang Lexuan disliked Ma Xiaotao's attitude toward Lu Jingming, she was kindhearted and would not truly bully someone younger than herself.

At that moment, she earnestly stated that she would suppress her strength and prepare for a fair and impartial spirit fight with Ma Xiaotao.

"Hmph, this young lady doesn't need you to go easy on me. It's not like I've never beaten anyone older than me." Ma Xiaotao looked brimming with confidence, her chin raised slightly and her eyes gleaming with pride.

At Shrek Academy, her talent was among the very best. Among those her age, no one could last a single exchange against her. Even students several years older than her had been defeated by her many times.

For that reason, despite her young age, she had already become renowned throughout Shrek Academy and earned the nickname "Flame Mad Demon."

Shrek Academy was recognized as the number one academy on the continent, a sacred ground where countless geniuses gathered.

Standing out in such a place full of experts was enough to prove that Ma Xiaotao was an undisputed top-tier genius across the entire Douluo Continent.

"Shrek Academy, Ma Xiaotao. Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix. Level forty-one assault-type battle Soul Ancestor."

With one hand on her hip, Ma Xiaotao struck a dashing pose and snapped her fingers crisply. A wisp of vivid red flame instantly ignited the surrounding air with a soft puff.

Immediately afterward, four soul rings—two yellow and two purple—slowly emerged beneath her feet, neatly arranged as they radiated powerful waves of Soul Power.

This was the ideal soul ring configuration coveted by Soul Masters across the Douluo Continent, displaying Ma Xiaotao's solid foundation.

There had always been an unwritten rule in spirit fighting matches on the Douluo Continent: before a battle began, both sides had to announce their names, Martial Souls, and Soul Power Levels.

After all, spirit fighting was essentially a competitive event rather than a life-and-death struggle, so such basic rules naturally had to be observed.

Zhang Lexuan's expression remained as calm as still water. Her cool voice, like a gentle breeze, drifted into Ma Xiaotao's ears. "Saint Freya Academy, Zhang Lexuan. Martial Soul: Silver Moon. Level sixty-eight assault-type battle Soul Emperor."

Before Ma Xiaotao's steadily widening eyes, a radiant silver moon slowly rose, casting forth a gentle and holy glow.

At the same time, six soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—flared beneath Zhang Lexuan's feet. Each one pulsed with powerful Soul Power, their combined force forming a terrifying presence.

That power stirred up a fierce gust that swept outward with a howl, sending Zhang Lexuan's ink-black hair flying wildly through the air like a vivid and breathtaking painting.

Bathed in the cascading silver moonlight, Zhang Lexuan looked like a moon goddess descended upon the mortal world. An otherworldly beauty radiated from her, so breathtaking it made people unable to help losing themselves in it.

Her cool, aloof temperament complemented the softly glowing silver moon, lending her an added air of mystery and nobility.

Ma Xiaotao unconsciously pressed her dry lips together, and the corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably several times.

She silently groaned, feeling as though she had kicked an incomparably solid steel plate with all her strength.

At a place like Shrek Academy, where geniuses gathered, even most exceptionally gifted and highly regarded inner court disciples had only just reached the Soul King level by the age of seventeen.

Those capable of breaking through to the Soul Emperor realm were exceedingly rare, top-tier prodigies.

Yet Zhang Lexuan before her had actually reached level sixty-eight. There was probably not a second person like her in all of Shrek Academy.

Although Ma Xiaotao had tremendous confidence in her own talent and believed she would also break through to the Soul Emperor realm by seventeen, she knew perfectly well that she could never reach the terrifying height of level sixty-eight.

After all, for Soul Masters, the difficulty of advancing only grew greater the further they progressed. Every step forward required unimaginable effort and sacrifice.

Moreover, the powerful aura she felt from Zhang Lexuan, along with that perfect soul ring configuration, could not possibly have been attained through methods like taking pills. It was genuine, undeniable strength.

"So what if you're a Soul Emperor?! This young lady will still fight you!" Though she felt somewhat intimidated inside, Ma Xiaotao's stubborn, unyielding nature kept her talking tough.

Even though she had already realized how difficult this battle would be, she still put on an outward appearance of fearlessness and refusal to back down.

Zhang Lexuan easily saw through Ma Xiaotao's bluff. The corners of her lips lifted slightly in a faint smile as she said gently, "Just as I said at the beginning, I'll only use my first four soul skills and suppress my Soul Power Level. It still won't be absolutely fair, but you don't mind, do you?"

"Hmph, at the same level, this young lady has never feared anyone."

Though Ma Xiaotao still spoke stubbornly, this time she did not arrogantly claim that she did not need Zhang Lexuan to go easy on her.

She was not some clueless fool. If Zhang Lexuan truly went all out, the sheer suppression from that overwhelming Soul Power would be more than enough to make her suffer.

Seeing that the two were ready to fight, Lu Jingming pulled Keqing beneath a beach umbrella. Snacks and drinks were all laid out, and the pair clearly looked ready to enjoy the show.