Zhu Ziyang and Qian Lingyi had officially become traveling companions.
"Let's go," Zhu Ziyang said calmly. "Since you've decided to come with me, from now on you'll need to follow my instructions. That won't be a problem, right?"
"No problem. As long as it doesn't violate my principles or bottom line, I'll listen to you," Qian Lingyi replied without hesitation.
"Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person," Zhu Ziyang said with a small smile. "Come on, I still have three more targets to deal with."
"Three targets? All Evil Soul Masters?" Qian Lingyi asked curiously.
"Mhm." Zhu Ziyang nodded and started northward, with Qian Lingyi following right behind him.
"Zhu Ziyang, your martial soul should be of the light attribute too, right? Compared to my Holy Angel martial soul, how does it measure up?" she asked as they walked, her tone lively and curious.
"You seem awfully confident in your martial soul," Zhu Ziyang replied.
"Of course! Mine's the Holy Angel martial soul—the second most powerful of the angel martial souls, only beneath the Six-Winged Angel! It's a top-tier martial soul!" Qian Lingyi declared proudly, her pretty face full of confidence.
"That's true," Zhu Ziyang admitted with a nod. "The Holy Angel martial soul holds both light and divine attributes. It's indeed a top-class martial soul. Once you reach Soul Sage or Titled Douluo level, and sprout four wings—or even six—you'd be almost unmatched within your realm."
"See? I knew it!" she said, clearly delighted by his recognition. "As expected of a Shrek Academy disciple—you even know secrets about the Angel martial souls! So then, compared to my Holy Angel martial soul, which is stronger: yours or mine?"
"Why do you want to know that?" Zhu Ziyang asked, looking at her helplessly.
"Curiosity! In the cities I've passed through, taverns are always talking about how amazing you are. So I just wanted to know—if my martial soul is stronger than yours, doesn't that make me stronger than you?" Her tone was excited, though her words carried a trace of innocence.
"Ah…!" Zhu Ziyang didn't even know how to respond, so he just laughed. "Do you really think martial souls alone define everything? That a strong martial soul means the soul master is strong, and a weak martial soul means the soul master must be weak?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Qian Lingyi countered. "Stronger martial souls give stronger combat abilities and soul skills. Everyone knows that!"
"But surely you realize—martial soul isn't the only factor. Soul power level is what truly matters," Zhu Ziyang said, trying to correct her flawed view.
"Really? Then how come that Evil Soul Master just now was clearly a Soul Emperor, but he couldn't beat me? And the others I've killed before—many of them were Soul Emperors too, but I defeated them all. Doesn't that mean soul power level isn't the decisive factor?"
"You said it yourself—they were Evil Soul Masters. The Angel martial soul has a natural suppression against them. Don't you know that? If you faced a normal Soul Emperor, do you think you could win?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"No problem!" she said with absolute confidence.
"And against a Soul Sage?" he pressed.
"Uh… that might be a bit difficult," she admitted after a pause.
"…I feel like we just said a whole bunch of nonsense," Zhu Ziyang said at last, his expression awkward.
"Mhm! I feel the same way!" Qian Lingyi nodded earnestly. "And this is your fault—you brought it up! If you'd just told me directly what your martial soul is, we wouldn't have had to waste all that time talking!"
"Er… heheh…" Zhu Ziyang gave a sheepish laugh. "Fine, you should've just said you're curious about my martial soul. Why make it about comparing strength?"
"So then, tell me already! Is your martial soul really what the rumors say—a scythe with ultimate light?" she asked eagerly, her eyes full of curiosity.
"Yes," Zhu Ziyang admitted with a nod. "My Reaper's Eternal Scythe does indeed carry ultimate light."
"Heavens! It's actually true!" Qian Lingyi exclaimed, her eyes wide. "Then… do you really have hundred-thousand-year spirit rings?"
"Mhm." Zhu Ziyang responded matter-of-factly.
"Didn't you just say you didn't?" she asked, indignant.
"Did I ever actually say the words no?" he countered.
"Uh…" She thought back, then scratched her cheek with a sheepish smile. "I guess… you didn't."
"Exactly," he said, waving it off.
"Then… can you show me your hundred-thousand-year rings?" she asked, her expression equal parts yearning and curiosity.
"There'll be plenty of chances in the future. For now, let's keep moving," Zhu Ziyang said, refusing as he quickened his pace.
"Ah! That's so unfair!" Qian Lingyi groaned, quickly running to catch up.
"By the way, where did you hear all those rumors? Even details about me having ultimate light are out there?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"In Lingxi City! You must've heard of it, right? The headquarters of the continent's Mercenary Alliance is there—it's where the most complete information on the whole continent gathers," she explained.
"Is that so? Then I'll have to visit someday," Zhu Ziyang said thoughtfully.
The two chatted as they traveled, quickly growing closer—from acquaintances to companions who could laugh and talk freely.
In a small town on the eastern coast of the Dou Ling Empire, Zhu Ziyang and Qian Lingyi found Zhu Ziyang's second target: a Soul Sage–level Evil Soul Master. Without doubt, he also matched the requirements of Zhu Ziyang's Death God's Fourth Trial.
The battle began immediately.
This Evil Soul Master was called the Eight-Armed Demon Lord. His martial soul was a dark, death-aspected sea beast with water affinity: the Dead Sea Demon Octopus. On the ocean's surface, his power was immense. Even at the Soul King level, he had once slain two Soul Emperors by exploiting terrain advantage—a formidable opponent indeed.
The moment Zhu Ziyang and Qian Lingyi located him, they attacked without hesitation.
Zhu Ziyang released his Reaper's Eternal Scythe. The five black and one red ring configuration made Qian Lingyi gape in shock, forgetting to summon her own martial soul until Zhu Ziyang reminded her. Flustered, she released her angelic wings, soaring into the sky to look down on the Eight-Armed Demon Lord.
The Eternal Scythe shifted into a golden scepter as Zhu Ziyang unleashed his second skill—Judgment Prayer. Brilliant beams of light shot toward the Evil Soul Master, while a surge of strength filled Qian Lingyi as the glow washed over her. Delighted, she summoned her holy sword, her second ring shining as she dived from above with a radiant slash.
"You brats! Courting death!" the Eight-Armed Demon Lord roared. Eight massive tentacles, wreathed in dark smoke, burst forth. Two yellow, two purple, and three black rings rose around him.
A thick wall of blackened water surged upward, devouring the light beams. Qian Lingyi's sacred slash struck the water curtain but was deflected.
Zhu Ziyang was surprised, then quickly noticed the Evil Soul Master's fifth ring glowing. He understood immediately. His third ring flared, transforming his weapon into a golden scepter. Raising it high, he summoned power skyward as golden clouds gathered above.
"Lingyi, fall back!" he commanded.
She obeyed without hesitation. The next instant, a massive golden meteor, wreathed in divine flame, plummeted from the sky and crashed into the water curtain, evaporating half of it instantly.
"What—!" The Eight-Armed Demon Lord's face paled, but before he could react, another meteor fell, annihilating the rest of his defense.
Then came a third meteor. A fourth. A fifth…
In total, fifty-four blazing meteors rained down, burying the Eight-Armed Demon Lord beneath their devastating impact. Each strike echoed with searing flames and agonized screams. When the last meteor fell silent, all movement ceased.
Qian Lingyi stared wide-eyed at the scene, her face filled with shock and disbelief. For the first time, she even felt a twinge of pity for the Evil Soul Master—crushed to death under falling stars. Such a miserable way to die!
"Alright, let's go." Zhu Ziyang, feeling the light's return flow into him, allowed a small smile to touch his face as he spoke to her.
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