SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
On March 10th at Heavenly Lotus Academy, in the early morning when the night was still and the stars had sunk, the sounds of flesh impacting flesh echoed from a dimly lit grassy area by the lake, untouched by streetlights.
"No, don't... stop... I... I can't take it anymore... AHHH!"
With a low roar, Zhao Huo collapsed, his body crumpling to the ground like a boneless heap, as if his soul had fled.
He had been beaten.
Lying on the grass and looking up at the starless night sky, the aching Zhao Huo looked at the svelte figure before him and asked, puzzled, "Are you really a student at Heavenly Lotus Academy? But besides Gu Yueyan, no other student has reached Third-level Cultivation. And your na... it's not on the student roster either..."
Although he had been thoroughly beaten by a girl, Zhao Huo wasn't particularly upset. It was common for martial artists to take a beating, and encountering soone stronger was perfectly normal; if anything, it ignited an even greater desire in him to learn.
So strong!
This girl nad Xiao Suo, her Cultivation level was likely the sa as his, yet her Combat Power completely overwheld him!
She could use a strange kind of Martial Arts Magic that achieved Armor Break with a single punch. The Spiritual Energy Barrier Zhao Huo had enveloped himself in, powered by his Spirit Qi, was torn apart by her! That was a barrier no less effective than the Gold-threaded Robe!
Her combat awareness and Attack speed were also terrifying. Zhao Huo had never seen a Martial Artist faster than her. She threw nearly ten punches a second, and her speed only increased as the fight progressed. If not for that, Zhao Huo wouldn't have been so utterly routed, with no chance to fight back—Zhao Huo, relying on his youth and rigorously trained body, now experienced firsthand how one overwhelming strength could defeat multiple techniques.
"Don't you know there's a technique in this world called Face-Changing?" Xiao Suo's voice was as clear as a nightingale's song. Her long hair was tied high in a ponytail, and today she wore a steampunk-style long dress and boots, complete with gloves. Under her skirt, she also wore safety shorts—don't ask Zhao Huo how he knew.
Zhao Huo asked tentatively, "With your strength, you could easily be a teacher. Why bother continuing as a student?"
"School is great. There's no pressure from life, you have a clear goal, and you can interact with a large group of peers your age..." Xiao Suo reached out her hand to Zhao Huo. "Why should I rush into the adult world so soon?"
Pulled to his feet by her, Zhao Huo continued his persuasion, "But if you revealed your true strength, you could definitely beco number one in our year!"
Xiao Suo asked, "And what's the benefit of being number one in the year?"
Zhao Huo exclaid, "The admiration and respect of your classmates!"
Xiao Suo countered, "The current number one is Gu Yueyan. Are the students deeply admiring of her?"
Zhao Huo was montarily speechless. Honestly, given Gu Yueyan's ddleso and overly serious personality, while the students accepted her authority, it was a stretch to say they admired her—it was more like submission to her power.
"Besides," Xiao Suo continued, "I don't need the admiration of my classmates. Basing one's self-worth on others is rely a sign of a lack of self-confidence. To live peacefully, study, and graduate—that's better than anything."
Zhao Huo pressed on, "But if you were officially recognized by the state as a Third-turn Cultivator, you could learn Advanced Magic."
"I haven't even thoroughly mastered these Martial Arts Magic spells that I just figured out myself. Why learn so many spells?" Xiao Suo shook her head. "With spells, precision is better than profusion. Just like you focus solely on the Spirit Qi spell, the spells I currently know have already divided my concentration significantly."
Xiao Suo's words hit Zhao Huo right where he was most proud. He prided himself on two things: first, successfully defeating his old man on his thirteenth birthday, marking his graduation from tutelage; and second, choosing the Spirit Qi spell and delving into it so deeply that he elevated the Second-Tier Spell to the power of a third-turn one!
"Besides, I don't need to fight, so learning so many spells is pointless." Xiao Suo looked at the starless, moonless sky and said earnestly, "You're the sa. Why bother learning these superficial Martial Arts of mine? If you diligently study your Spirit Qi, you can equally dominate through martial prowess."
Zhao Huo sighed. "But I still can't even beat you."
Xiao Suo placed her hands behind her back, adopting the air of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. "That's natural. Your mind is scattered, your emotions are in turmoil, your essence is dispersed, your qi is suppressed, and your spirit is chaotic. Your vital essence, qi, and spirit are not unified. Before , you appear riddled with openings."
What, she could see all that?
Caught in an emotional vortex, Zhao Huo was startled, but this only strengthened his resolve to pursue martial prowess. He hadn't known Xiao Suo before, but after their exchange, she could discern his emotional troubles at a glance. What did this imply?
Mastery transcends the divine!
Martial training even had such an effect!
The reason I lack such insight must be because I haven't mastered it yet!
Zhao Huo's desire to learn burned even hotter. He bowed deeply and said loudly, "I'm willing to pay any price, I only ask that you teach Martial Arts Magic! Even if it ans becoming your disciple, I can call my old man right now and ask his permission to switch masters!"
"Unnecessary. You lack the heart of a guardian Martial Artist; I will not teach you my Martial Arts." Xiao Suo shook her head. "Besides, I belong to no school or sect, so there's no question of discipleship."
"What do you an, the heart of a guardian?" Zhao Huo was stunned.
Xiao Suo said calmly, "It is the light of your life, the fire of your desires, your sins, your soul. A treasure unrelated to justice or evil, one you can steadfastly cherish, whether it fades or withers."
"...Would 'unwavering support for Ani Fans' count? I certainly have the determination to protect Ani Fans."
Xiao Suo looked at him calmly. "And how do you protect Ani Fans? By paying your electricity and internet bills on ti?"
"Clear your thoughts, sort out your feelings, and figure out who you truly want to protect. You've watched so much ani; how can you still live so aimlessly?"
Struck by Xiao Suo's last remark, Zhao Huo fell into deep thought. When he regained his senses, Xiao Suo had already left.
He sat weakly on the grass, feeling the pain all over his body, but his heart ached even more than his physical wounds.
That's right... after watching so many series, how could I lead such a life! Brother Cheng, Chunxi, Lord Shen, Yile... please protect !
"Oh, right."
Xiao Suo suddenly returned. "If you had to choose, what's your favorite attribute in a girl?"
Zhao Huo paused. "A yandere, I guess."
"Why?"
"No particular reason, they're just incredibly cute and captivating."
"Thank you." Xiao Suo lted into the darkness and departed.
***
Seeing the clone return ho, Ren Suo, who was playing on his phone, received her experiences through the Mind Link. He then handed her the phone and instructed, "Continue chatting with Lin Xianyu and Ren Xingi. Change out of these clothes into an apron and do the housework. Once these clothes get sweaty, wash and dry them. Don't hang them out to air dry."
He paused for a mont. "Since Zhao Huo gave that suggestion... let's switch to PLAN C."
The beautiful girl clone nodded and changed her clothes right there in the living room.
Ren Suo, wearing the Pandora's Magic Box, entered the Door of Truth and found that Zhao Huo (Xiao Suo)'s emotional value had risen by another 190 points.
Getting close to him indeed raised his emotional value quite a bit.
Moreover, Ren Suo had the clone test out two new Spells he had acquired: Annihilation, dropped from Caroline's Combat mory, and Fiery Battle Spirit, dropped from Ghost Rope's Combat mory.
The effect of Annihilation was much as Ren Suo had guessed: it could strengthen any weapon, or even fists, to the point of directly destroying armor and Spiritual Energy Barriers. It was sowhat similar to Dong Chengling's Spirit Shock Technique but stronger—if the Spirit Shock Technique was a high-frequency cutting blade, then Annihilation was a Light Saber.
Fiery Battle Spirit was an evolution of the Federation's D-class (third-turn) Spell, Frenzied Slaughter, which originally just increased Attack speed. However, after Ghost Rope's research and modifications, the Spell now caused 'attack frequency to accelerate with the number of attacks made in a short period,' aning attack speed would get progressively faster.
These two Spells were among the more useful ones Ren Suo had drawn; the other mory drops were just diocre.
Sven dropped Greatsword Mastery, but Ren Suo had no plans to wield a greatsword.
Nash dropped Sage's Art, which was sowhat useful. Upon entering the Sage State, a Spellcaster's Dark Spells and Space Spells would be enhanced by one level, and a state of strong rationality could be maintained. However, Ren Suo rarely used these two types of spells, and he was already in a state of Absolute Rationality.
As for Roy, he simply dropped 1,000 Truth Points.
Clearing the third trial, the Door of Truth had awarded a total of 2,500 Truth Points, which wasn't even enough to cover Ren Suo's purchase of Shadow Sound Concealnt. Therefore, relying on the Truth Bank to earn interest was imperative.
Ren Suo spent the entire day peacefully. It wasn't uncommon for Cultivators to go into seclusion for Cultivation; Qiao Muyi, Dong Chengling, and Yu Kuangtu had all done so before. Having just advanced to the fourth transformation, it was normal for Ren Suo to take so ti to consolidate his Cultivation.
Thus, he indeed spent the whole day Cultivating. In his spare ti, he disguised himself as "Xiao Suo" and "Xiao Ren" to "fatten the leeks," and had the clone transform into "Xiao Suo" to test Spells on Zhao Huo and cultivate a connection.
The interest from the Truth Bank arrived today, and Ren Suo naturally chose to deposit it back into the bank, letting money make money and interest compound interest.
The final submission date for the fourth trial of the Door of Truth was March 18th, so Ren Suo still had so ti to accumulate interest.
Until then, he would maintain his strongest player status—devoid of blood, tears, or emotions—to tackle the fourth trial, striving to find the most cost-effective thod to clear it.
And because he had announced his seclusion, Ren Suo couldn't harvest fresh, tender emotions in his True Form. However, his existing emotional values would no longer decrease; this was throttling expenditure.
As for "Xiao Suo" and "Xiao Ren," they were for opening new sources.
anwhile, in the living room, the clone neatly arranged her clothes, underwear, and boots. She glanced at her own body, then looked up at the night sky outside.
Tonight, there was no moon.
She silently put on an apron and began cleaning, simultaneously taking out her phone to chat with Ren Xingi and Lin Xianyu as "Xiao Ren."
Only the two of them would stay up so late; perhaps there was a reason their chest developnt was average.
Xiao Ren typed, "I was rejected by Teacher Ren Suo."
Salted Fish Never Loses replied, "Haha, I knew it! Although Big Brother Ren has beco a lost cause, he'd only be a degenerate at ho, not go out and corrupt others."
Xiao Ren declared, "I will not give up."
Salted Fish Never Loses advised, "Give up. There are plenty of other scoundrels out there. Why not fangirl over idols with ? Big Brother Ren's gentleness might be a facade, but an idol's charisma is the real deal."
Xiao Ren retorted, "Living, he's my prized boar; dead, he's my choicest cut."
Salted Fish Never Loses sighed. "Oh dear, if you absolutely must love and cling to sothing to feel confident in life, you might as well love . I'm not demanding; just buy snacks." She added, "Even cheap snacks will do. Co adopt !"
Xiao Ren insisted, "I will make Teacher Ren Suo agree."
Salted Fish Never Loses typed, "But if he doesn't agree, what can you do? It's not like you've awakened a Brainwashing Spell, have you?"
Xiao Ren replied coolly, "There will be a way."
The clone glanced at Ren Suo, who was wearing the Pandora device, then looked down at her phone. A glint of cold light flashed in her eyes as she sent the sa ssage to Lin Xianyu and Ren Xingi simultaneously: "I will use cruelty to make him submit."
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