Chapter 19: Martial Soul Ranking Eighth, Bibi Dong's Killing Intent
Xiao Hongchen's smile froze on his face, and an inexplicable sense of awkwardness surfaced.
Yes, his fate was truly bitter.
In the original timeline, he had been suppressed by Huo Yuhao's martial soul, while his talent in soul tools barely managed to keep pace without falling behind.
Yet in this timeline, he had encountered an even more monstrous existence.
A Dean whose soul power level was unknown and whose Soul Engineer rank had reached the terrifying Level Eleven.
He still remembered clearly that when he and his younger sister Meng Hongchen were first summoned, he had spoken arrogantly in front of the Dean.
At twenty-eight years old, Level 97 Super Douluo, and a Rank Nine Soul Engineer, he truly had the qualifications to be proud.
But standing opposite him was Li Tianyi. No matter how strong one's talent was, how could it compete with a cheat?
Li Tianyi acted on the spot, crafting a Rank Ten Soul Tool right before Xiao Hongchen's shocked eyes, completely subduing him.
"Hehe… um, Dean, don't you think it's a bit chilly today? I'll go put on another layer."
Xiao Hongchen casually found an excuse and tiptoed away, preparing to leave this trouble-filled place.
Li Tianyi raised his head to look at the sky. The blazing sun was so bright that it nearly forced him to squint.
"Indeed, August is a bit chilly. Even eggs placed underneath would not cook immediately."
He stood up with a smile, not taking it to heart.
At this moment, the ranking continued to update, and eighth place appeared without any suspense.
[Martial Soul Ranking Eighth: Lunar Profound Moon Rabbit]
[Holder: Xiao Wu (Heavenly Path Academy)]
[Evaluation: Xiao Wu, originally a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Charm Rabbit soul beast who transformed into human form. Her martial soul evolved from Soft Bone Charm Rabbit into Lunar Profound Moon Rabbit, governing space and possessing lunar yin attributes.]
[Reward: Soul power level increased by five levels, all soul ring age limits increased by five thousand years, one enhancement to the talent domain, one hundred-thousand-year Moon Rabbit soul bone.]
As soon as the ranking was revealed, the entire continent erupted into discussion.
"The eighth-ranked martial soul is actually a rabbit? Is a rabbit stronger than a crocodile or a bone dragon?"
"Maybe it has greater potential. Look at the five-level soul power increase. From what I've observed, those who gain only one level are already top-tier experts, while those who gain several levels are lower-ranked but have enormous potential."
"That makes sense. But this Xiao Wu is actually a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form. That's a walking supreme treasure. On top of that, the Martial Soul Ranking even rewarded her with a hundred-thousand-year soul bone. That's at least two hundred-thousand-year soul bones and one hundred-thousand-year soul ring guaranteed."
"If I could catch her, I'd probably be able to change my fate against the heavens."
Some soul masters harbored malicious thoughts. A hundred-thousand-year soul beast transformed into human form was an opportunity of heaven-bestowed proportions.
"If you want to die, don't drag me with you. Didn't you see the affiliation listed behind her name? Heavenly Path Academy. Do you dare?"
"Look at how many powerhouses and geniuses that academy has on the rankings already. What a pig brain."
...
Within the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong's nameless anger flared instantly.
She had never heard the name Xiao Wu before, but the mention of a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Charm Rabbit transforming into human form reminded her of past events.
Two perfectly good hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beasts had escaped right under her nose back then.
"Very well, very well. After searching everywhere, I find it without effort!"
"Heavenly Path Academy, is it? I am taking Xiao Wu's soul rings and soul bones for myself. Even your Dean will not be able to protect her. That is my word!"
Bibi Dong immediately issued orders.
"Ling Yuan, Divine Turtle, the two of you will each lead an elite Soul Hunting Squad to the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Use any means necessary to obtain Heavenly Path Academy's location, even if it means tearing relations with the Heaven Dou Empire. At the same time, inform Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to act swiftly."
"After locating the address, do not alert the enemy. Report back immediately."
Dangerous light flickered in Bibi Dong's eyes. She felt an unprecedented sense of crisis.
Who knew how many more people Heavenly Path Academy would place on the rankings?
But one thing was certain. Aside from Tang Chen and Bo Saixi, who were at the quasi-divine realm, no one else on the continent had reached the quasi-demigod level.
With her combat strength, realm, and her trump card of briefly using the Rakshasa Demon Scythe, she could absolutely rank within the top three on the continent.
At present, Heavenly Path Academy was confirmed to possess many geniuses, as well as the two Title Douluos Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
But as long as none of them reached the demigod realm, she had nothing to fear.
Of course, what truly pushed Bibi Dong to tear off all pretense was Xiao Wu's soul bone reward.
One hundred-thousand-year soul bone from the ranking, plus the one she already carried of the same age, was enough to drive Bibi Dong to take extreme risks.
Bibi Dong was only missing two soul bones. Once she obtained them, she could complete the eighth trial of the Rakshasa God Assessment.
At that point, with only the ninth trial remaining, she would no longer fear Heavenly Path Academy seeking trouble.
After all, with the strength of a Level 100 god, dealing with a few Title Douluos would be effortless.
Upon receiving Bibi Dong's orders, the entire Spirit Hall went on high alert, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
...
At Heavenly Path Academy, Xiao Wu, who had been joking around with everyone moments earlier, was suddenly enveloped in golden light.
Her soul power level rose from Level 45 to Level 50, just one soul ring away from breaking through to Soul King.
Her original one yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring configuration also increased by five thousand years, transforming into two purple and two black soul rings.
Meanwhile, the talent domain mark at the brow of the adorable Lunar Profound Moon Rabbit behind her became far clearer.
However, when Xiao Wu broke free from the golden light, her first reaction was not to take the hundred-thousand-year soul bone reward, but to vigilantly scan her surroundings.
In this academy, aside from Li Tianyi, no one knew her true identity.
Now that the Martial Soul Ranking had exposed her, making her identity known across the continent, how could she trust others so easily?
Even with classmates she had known for years, Xiao Wu did not dare to gamble. Everything before had been built on the assumption that she was human.
"Xiao Wu, you're actually a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form?"
Shui Bing'er and the others, whom Xiao Wu had instinctively distanced herself from, looked at her with curiosity.
"A hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast feels so cool!"
Shui Yue'er thought for a long time before finally squeezing out that sentence.
"Alright, Xiao Wu. Do you still remember the promise I made to you back then?"
"I remember, Teacher. You said you would never let anyone hurt me."
Xiao Wu still remembered that year, when Li Tianyi's large hand was like steel, firmly gripping the back of her neck of fate and forcing her to transform.
"Then today, as your teacher, I will say it again. As long as I am here, no force and no person on this continent will ever be able to harm you."
"That's right, Xiao Wu. You have to trust the teacher, and you have to trust us too."
"Exactly. Didn't the teacher lecture before about the Soul Spirit technique and advocate peaceful coexistence between humans and soul beasts?"
Seeing that everyone truly did not mind her identity, Xiao Wu finally let her tightly clenched heart relax.
She stuck out her tongue and said awkwardly.
"Actually… I fell asleep during that class."
"You, you… really deserve a beating!"
Laughter and liveliness returned to the group as usual.
Li Tianyi lay back down on his reclining chair and looked up at the sky.
"I just hope no blind fool comes looking to die. My godhood and divine power are not a joke."
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