"Grandpa Ma Xiunuo, it's like this—I've come to take your test again."
Yin Zhang chuckled softly.
Ma Xiunuo, already used to this, raised an eyebrow and said,
"Are you confident this time, kid?"
"Of course," Yin Zhang replied without the slightest hesitation.
A few months ago, Yin Zhang had accidentally discovered that Ma Xiunuo's Soul Skill was extremely effective for tempering one's mental strength.
Ma Xiunuo's first Soul Skill was Voice of Desire. Yin Zhang would deliberately allow it to strike him head-on without any defense, then forcibly endure it.
According to Ma Xiunuo, being able to withstand his first Soul Skill without defending meant one's mental will was already exceptionally powerful.
And while Yin Zhang was undergoing Ma Xiunuo's mental trial, deep within the Star Dou Great Forest—
The Core Area.
Under the cover of pitch-black night, one woman and two men suddenly appeared.
They were Bibi Dong, Ghost Douluo, and Chrysanthemum Douluo. Their objective this time was the two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbits that lived here.
"The Hundred-Thousand-Year Sky Azure Bull Python and the Hundred-Thousand-Year Titan Giant Ape are both away. Now is the perfect opportunity to hunt these two Soft Bone Rabbits."
Ghost Douluo stood behind Bibi Dong, his voice low and hoarse.
"Indeed. I never expected such a stroke of luck. With the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape gone, these two Soft Bone Rabbits definitely won't escape."
A soft yet eerie voice sounded as Chrysanthemum Douluo idly played with his long, slender fingers, his smile especially chilling under the moonlight.
"Enough talk. Prepare yourselves. Don't let them get away."
Under the moonlight, Bibi Dong's slender figure cast a long shadow. Her cold voice carried a faint trace of ruthlessness.
Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo followed closely behind as the three of them surged forward.
…
On this day, the Spirit Hall branch of Nuoding City welcomed an extraordinary guest.
The Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong, along with the two Titled Douluo—Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo—appeared together in this small city.
Inside Ma Xiunuo's office, Bibi Dong sat in the chair that normally belonged only to Ma Xiunuo and spoke leisurely,
"Your name is Ma Xiunuo?"
Ma Xiunuo hurriedly nodded, his heart pounding as he replied,
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Supreme Pontiff, my… my name is Ma Xiunuo."
Seeing how nervous he was, Bibi Dong let out a soft laugh and said gently,
"Hall Master Ma, there's no need to be so tense. You've served Spirit Hall diligently for decades and made many sacrifices. I admire you greatly."
Ma Xiunuo kept his head lowered and did not respond. In moments like this, silence was the safest choice.
"Then let me ask you—what level is that child Yin Zhang's soul power now? Does he have any noteworthy traits?"
Without hesitation, Ma Xiunuo answered,
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Xiao Zhang has been cultivating at Nuoding Academy for the past two years. In my humble opinion, his talent is unprecedented."
Unprecedented?
Bibi Dong's interest immediately deepened.
"And his current soul power?"
"Not long ago, Xiao Zhang reached Rank 28."
"…How much?"
"Rank 28?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged glances, shock and disbelief clearly visible in each other's eyes.
Even Bibi Dong frowned slightly.
"Hall Master Ma, I hope you are not deceiving me."
Seeing the suspicion in her expression, Ma Xiunuo panicked and hurriedly said,
"Your Majesty, every word I spoke is true! I would never dare deceive you!"
He smiled bitterly inwardly. Why did no one ever believe the truth?
Then again, if he were in her position, he probably wouldn't believe it either. But facts were facts.
Bibi Dong's expression eased slightly. After a moment's thought, she realized that Ma Xiunuo had no reason—and no courage—to lie.
"Then tell me more about Yin Zhang."
Ma Xiunuo pondered briefly before beginning.
"Xiao Zhang, he—"
…
Meanwhile, back at Nuoding Academy, Yin Zhang was cultivating quietly in his dormitory.
Over the past two years, he only occasionally attended classes to listen to lectures on Soul Master theory and Soul Beast knowledge. Most of his time was spent cultivating alone in his room.
This was a privilege others could only envy. Whenever someone else tried to skip class, the teacher would scold them mercilessly:
"Do you think you're Yin Zhang? He's ten years old and already almost a Soul Elder! And you think you can skip class?"
"Hah—"
Yin Zhang opened his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
"Today's cultivation went pretty well. Honestly, I'm getting a little tired of life like this. Based on my calculations, Bibi Dong should be hunting Ah Yin sometime this year. I just don't know when she'll pass through Nuoding City. Staying here is starting to feel unbearable."
"I'm hungry. Time to find something to eat."
Yin Zhang picked up a small wooden bucket from the windowsill, filled with snacks.
Because of the special nature of his Martial Soul, his appetite was enormous.
Every morning after eating at the academy cafeteria with his lackeys, he would sneak out to buy food from the street—roast chicken, braised pig's trotters, and other delicacies.
"Mmm—this is delicious! I knew this newly opened shop wouldn't disappoint!"
Yin Zhang held a Beggar's Chicken in his hands, eating with obvious satisfaction. In his left hand, he held a bottle of ice-cold water, gulping it down happily.
Just as his mouth was greasy and he was eating with great enjoyment, a teacher arrived.
Yin Zhang looked up and saw it was Director Su from the Academic Affairs Office.
Curiously, he asked,
"Director Su, why are you here at Dormitory One?"
Director Su's lips twitched. This kid really had the nerve—eating Beggar's Chicken in the dorm instead of attending class.
But considering Yin Zhang's status as a genius, he could only cough lightly and say,
"Hall Master Ma from Spirit Hall sent word for you. Go to Spirit Hall immediately—this concerns your future."
"Something about my future?"
"I don't know the details. I'm just passing the message. Since you're free right now, hurry over. Don't keep Hall Master Ma waiting."
"Alright, Director Su. I'll head over now. Please go back to your work."
Only after Director Su left did Yin Zhang lower his head and take a few more bites—though his eating speed clearly increased.
Wrapping a chicken leg in paper, Yin Zhang left the dormitory, exited the academy, and headed straight for Spirit Hall.
Upon arriving, he immediately sensed that the atmosphere was different from usual.
His heart skipped a beat.
So… Bibi Dong really has arrived?
"Brother Su, what's going on today? Everything feels strange. Why was I suddenly summoned?"
Yin Zhang asked cautiously.
Unexpectedly, Su Yuntao looked visibly agitated. When he turned and saw Yin Zhang, his eyes lit up.
"Xiao Zhang, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you."
"Her Majesty the Supreme Pontiff and two Excellencies have arrived at the Nuoding City Spirit Hall branch. And they specifically requested to see you."
As expected…
Yin Zhang thought calmly.
"Come, quickly. Follow me to meet the Supreme Pontiff and the two Excellencies."
As Su Yuntao spoke, he grabbed Yin Zhang and hurried him into the main hall.
Tap—tap—tap.
Knock, knock.
The two stopped in front of Ma Xiunuo's office and knocked.
Before they could speak, a cold yet noble voice came from within.
"Come in."