"I think..."
"I might have missed something."
A flicker of confusion crossed Tang Wulin's face as he silently walked over to join Xie Xie and the others, quietly observing the scene nearby.
Brother had once said that observation was the best answer.
"Tang Luochuan."
"You've finally arrived."
At this moment, Wu Siduo's gaze locked onto Tang Luochuan, her fighting spirit practically overflowing as she spoke slowly.
"Wu Siduo, judging by the look of it..."
"Have you been waiting for me for a long time?"
Tang Luochuan remained calm, a faint smile on his lips. This Wu Siduo was truly just asking for a beating...
Well, more accurately, she was purely eager to spar with him!
Beside him, Gu Yue also cast a cold, unfriendly look in Wu Siduo's direction.
This Wu Siduo was far too fixated on Luo Chuan. Not to mention, she actually wanted to fight him one-on-one. Gu Yue really didn't like people like her.
"Not too long."
"But I think it's time for us to have a match."
Wu Siduo shook her head slightly, her eyes fixed intently on Tang Luochuan. A duel with him was something she had been looking forward to for a long time.
"I hope..."
"You won't disappoint me!"
As she spoke, a surge of dark energy suddenly erupted around her. In the next moment, a pair of shadowy cat ears materialized atop her head.
At the same time, four thousand-year Soul Rings appeared around Wu Siduo—a 43rd-rank Power Attack System, four-ring Battle Soul Grandmaster: Wu Siduo of the Netherworld!
"She's actually a Soul Ancestor powerhouse..."
Tang Wulin murmured to himself as he watched the scene unfold. This wasn't some weakling with only yellow Soul Rings—this was a genuine Soul Ancestor prodigy.
But why was this Soul Ancestor confronting Brother?
"Xie Xie, who is that girl..."
"Is she challenging Brother?"
For a moment, Tang Wulin blinked and turned to Xie Xie with a curious expression.
Having four purple Soul Rings certainly meant she wasn't weak, but if she thought that alone put her on par with Brother, she was sorely mistaken.
Whether it was three rings or four, what difference did it make in front of Brother?
"I dunno."
Xie Xie shrugged, equally puzzled as he shook his head. The girl had appeared before them almost instantly—he hadn't even seen her move.
She was clearly a Soul Ancestor, and most likely a Speed Attack System. Her talent was impressive, but why did she have to challenge the boss?!
Against the boss, no one their age stood a chance.
"All I know right now..."
"is that her Martial Soul seems to be the Nether Spirit Cat."
Xie Xie studied the pair of cat ears on her head, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I could tell that much myself..."
Tang Wulin shook his head, momentarily speechless, and gave Xie Xie's shoulder a light, exasperated pat. The Nether Spirit Cat was far too distinctive—even he could recognize that.
"That girl is Gu Yue-jie's and my deskmate. She seems really strong, but challenging Luo Chuan-ge..."
"I really didn't see that coming."
At this moment, Xu Xiaoyan beside them also spoke softly. This girl truly had immense confidence, and judging by her talent, she was indeed a formidable genius—no wonder she carried herself with such pride.
But it seemed like she and Luo Chuan weren't meeting for the first time…
For a brief moment, a strange emotion flickered in Xu Xiaoyan's eyes. What was she thinking? Could it be that this girl would also end up staying by Luo Chuan's side…?
"Wu Siduo…"
"No wonder her name sounded so familiar earlier. She's actually one of the top ten geniuses on the Teenage Genius List—the one nicknamed 'Nether'!"
Just then, Zheng Yiran suddenly froze, a thoughtful expression crossing her face as she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, clearly realizing something.
No wonder the name had felt familiar when she first heard it!
This was the genius from Star Luo City, hailed as the once-in-a-century prodigy of the Star Luo Continent—Nether Wu Siduo!
"Though I never expected someone with such extraordinary talent to have a Martial Soul as simple as the Nether Spirit Cat."
Zheng Yiran murmured under her breath. Not that this Martial Soul was of poor quality, but in Shrek Academy…
It was indeed considered much lower-tier.
Throughout history, let alone comparing it to illustrious Martial Souls like the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex, even the Evil Eye White Tiger far outclassed it.
Especially given her ranking, this Martial Soul seemed somewhat lacking. Without some fortuitous opportunity, her future achievements would likely be quite limited.
"Nether Wu Siduo, top ten on the Teenage Genius List? Now that's a true top-tier genius!"
Hearing this, the others nearby were momentarily stunned. No wonder she dared to act so boldly—she was a genuine elite genius!
Being among the top ten on the entire continent carried immense weight. No wonder she was so confident in her abilities. Even within Shrek Academy, her talent would undoubtedly place her among the very best.
Too bad for her, though—against their boss, no so-called genius stood a chance.
"But she…"
"…is probably in for a rude awakening about her own strength."
The group wore faint smiles, thinking to themselves. What did it matter if she was a genius? Against their boss, no one their age could last even a single move.
"Remaining academy area below 30%. The battlefield is now shrinking…"
At the same time, as Shen Yi's voice echoed in everyone's ears, the forest around them abruptly shrank several times over. Yet, strangely, no one seemed to notice.
Because, in reality, all the remaining students still in the field were already gathered here.
Aside from Wu Siduo and Tang Luochuan's group, there was another team led by a blue-haired youth, his face currently etched with complex emotions.
His name was Luo Guixing, with the Martial Soul Spatial Lock—a 39th-rank Control System Battle Soul Venerable, ranked fifteenth on the Teenage Genius List, nicknamed "Restraint."
Coming to Shrek Academy, he had been brimming with confidence in his own strength. But now, his brows furrowed slightly.
He could sense that every single one of the people not far away exuded an overwhelming aura—far surpassing his own.
"Especially her."
"That's actually Wu Siduo, ranked ninth."
Staring at the four Soul Rings hovering around Wu Siduo, Luo Guixing's face filled with shock. A Soul Ancestor at twelve years old—was she even human?
But if even someone like her was this strong…
Who was the expert she challenged?
"Shrek Academy..."
"Truly a place where tigers crouch and dragons hide."
"..."
"Tang Luochuan, it's time you released your Martial Soul."
"Gu Yue, you can join him in attacking as well. I think I should be able to handle it."
At this moment, Wu Siduo spoke indifferently, her gaze resting on Gu Yue, her expression remaining calm.
In her heart, she clearly had no fear of fighting two at once. Even if the two were truly strong, once she unleashed her Martial Soul Fusion Skill, they would stand no chance against her.
Her trump card would be a dimensional strike!
"Let us attack..."
"Two against one?"
Hearing this, Gu Yue instead showed a contemplative expression. The fact that the other party wanted to challenge Luo Chuan already surprised her, let alone now proposing to take on two at once.
She had never heard such an outrageous request.
"If you want Luo Chuan to make a move..."
"You'll have to withstand this attack of mine first."
Gu Yue shook her head dismissively and spoke lightly.
"Absolute Freeze."
She gently extended her hand and coldly uttered those words.
In the next moment, bone-chilling extreme ice abruptly manifested, instantly encasing everyone present—not just Wu Siduo, but also the group behind her, including Lu Guixing.
"This is..."
Faced with this sudden turn of events, even Lu Guixing was caught off guard, momentarily wearing a look of bewilderment. He had been happily spectating—why was he being dragged into the fight?!
"First Soul Skill, Space..."
He almost instantly activated his Space Lock Martial Soul, with two yellow and one purple Soul Rings appearing around him. Yet, he was still a step too late.
If Gu Yue were merely a Soul Venerable, it might have been manageable. But she was a Soul King—two whole ranks above him.
In an instant, under the suppression of Absolute Freeze, he was transformed into an ice sculpture before vanishing, exiting the scene along with his teammates.
"So strong..."
Lu Guixing reappeared in the previous classroom, still shaken as he spoke. As he did, he glanced at his hand, where the sensation of ice still lingered.
Back in the forest, Wu Siduo—the one who had drawn Gu Yue's focus the most—was also reduced to scattered ice fragments, dissipating into energy in an instant.
"With strength like this, you should be ashamed to even show your face."
Gu Yue shook her head dismissively, her tone indifferent. She had long guessed this Soul Ancestor was nothing special.
But just as she withdrew her ice attribute's suppression, two figures of the opponent appeared before swiftly merging into one.
This was her fourth Soul Skill—Nether Shadow Clone.
"Your strength... is also impressive."
Wu Siduo looked in Gu Yue's direction, her expression now tinged with admiration as she spoke lightly. Had her spiritual perception been even slightly weaker earlier, she might have been defeated as well.
An elemental-type Soul Master, huh...
With such formidable elemental control, this one's talent couldn't possibly be weak. Her cultivation must at least be at the Soul Ancestor level, and that ice attribute ability—likely Extreme Ice.
"It seems you're not entirely weak."
Gu Yue paused, her expression calm. Being able to resist her elemental assault did indicate decent talent on the other's part. But she wasn't limited to just one element.
A single element might be manageable, but what about two? Three? Four? Five?
There would be no room for resistance.
"It seems I'll have to get serious fighting the two of you together."
Wu Siduo gazed at Tang Luochuan who still hadn't released his Martial Soul, lightly furrowing her brows as she silently took a step back, murmuring to herself.
Still not releasing his Martial Soul? Did he look down on her that much?
Tang Luochuan...
You're really underestimating me!
"Being able to withstand one move from Sister Gu Yue already shows this genius has terrifying strength, but..."
"Let's hope it ends here."
Beside them, Xu Xiaoyan watched with a touch of emotion while silently enjoying the show. Sister Gu Yue was a Soul King and possessed the Elementalist Martial Soul - in this aspect, she was practically invincible.
Even without using Soul Skills, merely surviving against her was already astonishing. But even so, there was no way this opponent could match Sister Gu Yue and Brother Luo Chuan.
"Indeed."
Just as everyone was discussing animatedly, an entirely opposite aura suddenly emanated from Wu Siduo's direction. The black light surrounding her instantly vanished.
Her four purple Soul Rings abruptly retracted, replaced by a single purple ring.
Simultaneously, a blinding white light erupted from her body as her figure instantly expanded slightly, with white fur covering her entire form - revealing her second Martial Soul, the Evil Eye White Tiger!
"She's..."
"A twin Martial Soul?"
Witnessing this scene, Tang Wulin and the others all changed expressions. Their opponent actually possessed a second Martial Soul.
"Looks like the Evil Eye White Tiger. In terms of Martial Soul quality, it's indeed much stronger than the Netherworld Spirit Cat, but... her second Martial Soul only has one Soul Ring."
"Wouldn't releasing this Martial Soul be worse than the Netherworld Spirit Cat?"
Tang Wulin blinked in confusion. Even Gu Yue couldn't help but be taken aback.
"If four rings couldn't win..."
"Switching to one ring would be even less effective."
Gu Yue felt somewhat puzzled, thinking this person's logic was indeed questionable.
"No, Gu Yue."
"Think about what relationship these two Martial Souls have."
Tang Luochuan on the side shook his head with a smile, speaking softly while fixing his gaze on Wu Siduo.
"Relationship?"
"The Evil Eye White Tiger and Netherworld Spirit Cat Martial Souls have been two of the Star Luo Empire's inherited Martial Souls since ancient times, and also..."
"Wait, could it be..."
Hearing this, Gu Yue suddenly froze as realization dawned, her eyes also turning toward the girl before them.
At this moment, the black aura around Wu Siduo reappeared, merging with the original golden light as a strange dark gold radiance abruptly erupted from her body.
Simultaneously, her white fur seemed to become crystalline, instantly transforming into a peculiar translucent white tiger.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill..."
"Netherworld White Tiger!"
...
Gu Yue: Challenging two at once? Do you want to experience the mixed doubles of me and my Luo Chuan?
(End of Chapter)