Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
*****
As the dust settled, what remained of Shrek Academy was nearly reduced to rubble. Before Qian Renxue stood only one person: the third elder of the Clear Sky Sect.
The third elder gripped the Clear Sky Hammer with both hands. His Clear Sky Sect robes were shredded, revealing his aged yet sturdy physique, covered in blood. The Clear Sky Hammer, surrounded by nine soul rings, bore a deep, noticeable sword mark.
"Old man, are you still tough? Well, I'll spare you for now. By this time, my brother should have already mobilized to destroy the Clear Sky Sect. Once I bring you to him, I'll have you spill everything about the Clear Sky Sect's defenses and strength," Qian Renxue said coldly.
She hadn't fully understood the capabilities of her own Martial Soul yet, especially how Qian Renxue could use dark power to invade a soul master's memories. That was something she hadn't yet mastered.
If the Spirit Hall truly decided to go to war with the Clear Sky Sect, it would be devastating.
The third elder's eyes widened with alarm. He immediately understood that he had to return to the Clear Sky Sect at all costs, even if it meant dying here. He could not let the Spirit Hall obtain any information about the Clear Sky Sect.
The third elder's eyes narrowed as he spoke with righteous indignation. "Qian Renxue, the conflict between the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall is something you and I have no grudge about. However, you slaughtered Shrek Academy and killed innocent people. Don't you fear retribution?"
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow and responded indifferently, "Retribution? You think I care about the lives of these insignificant ants? If this were before, I might have hesitated, even allowing you to escape. But now, what do these people mean to me? Did Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect ever care when he destroyed my Papal Hall?"
Watching from above, Qian Xue trembled. She could see that her young master had become more like the Pope, and she feared how the family head would react when he found out.
With a flick of her wrist, Qian Renxue hurled the Angelic Holy Sword, its golden light flashing as it turned into a streak of light heading straight for the third elder. At the same time, her fifth soul ring activated.
"Clear Sky's Nine Absolutes, Collapsing Strike!"
The third elder immediately countered with the Clear Sky Sect's martial technique, the Collapsing Strike, aimed at the incoming Angelic Holy Sword.
When the hammer and sword collided, the earth beneath the third elder cracked, centered around him. The pressure from the Angelic Holy Sword was overwhelming, far surpassing the power of the Clear Sky Hammer, leaving the third elder horrified.
"How is this possible? It's just a sword! How can it have so much power? The Clear Sky Hammer, the world's number one weapon, weighs over 5000 pounds with its nine rings!"
The cold voice of Qian Renxue echoed in his ear. "The Angelic Holy Sword weighs only 36 pounds in my hands, but its true weight is 36,000 pounds—twice the weight of your Clear Sky Hammer."
A flash of golden light passed before his eyes, and two blood-red flowers erupted in the air.
"Ah—"
The third elder let out a piercing scream. As he swung his Clear Sky Hammer to clash with the Holy Sword, Qian Renxue descended from the sky, seizing the sword to sever both of his arms.
"Your voice is too grating," she remarked coldly.
More blood spurted, but this time, it came from the third elder's mouth. His tongue had been severed by Qian Renxue's blade, and she quickly sealed his powers to prevent him from committing suicide.
After dealing with the third elder, Qian Renxue collected Bibi Dong's severed limbs and soul bones, then looked up at Qian Xue in midair. Glancing at the unconscious Bibi Dong, she said coldly, "Take Bibi Dong to the Spirit Hall. Heal her. I'm going to take this old man and reunite with my brother."
Since her corruption, Qian Renxue's feelings for Bibi Dong had diminished considerably. If there was still any attachment, it was more about the relationship between her and Qian Renxue's mother, but it was no longer of significant concern. Her attitude had become one of indifference. If Bibi Dong wasn't in immediate danger, she would simply wait for her death, offering her a burial out of respect for her mother.
"Understood, young master."
Qian Xue nodded and flapped her wings, flying toward the Spirit Hall with Bibi Dong in tow.
Elsewhere in Shrek Academy, one figure still struggled to move. Blood and internal organs trailed behind him as he crawled forward—this person was Yu Xiaogang, who had been bisected.
Since most human organs are located in the upper body, being cut in half doesn't result in immediate death. The survival time depends on the person's willpower and physical strength. As a soul master, Yu Xiaogang's body was stronger than an ordinary person's, and his desire for fame was second to none across the continent.
"I must live! I must survive! I still have to publish my theory on Dual Martial Souls. I'm only one step away from making my name immortal. I, Yu Xiaogang, cannot die!"
Yu Xiaogang crawled forward, his eyes bloodshot, clutching his theory booklet in his mouth. He dragged himself toward a damaged city wall, hoping for a chance at survival.
As time passed, Yu Xiaogang felt his consciousness fading. The world around him seemed to grow darker.
Just as he was about to lose consciousness, he saw a pair of slender, straight legs appear before him.
"Is there anyone? Anyone? I am Yu Xiaogang, known as the invincible theorist of the Soul Master world. Could someone please publish the knowledge I've written in this booklet? It contains the theories I've spent my entire life researching. In return, I offer all my accumulated wealth—it will greatly aid your path as a Soul Master."
Yu Xiaogang spoke with his last ounce of strength, releasing the small booklet from his mouth.
"The theories you spent your life researching? Or the theories you spent your life plagiarizing?"
A mocking, familiar voice reached Yu Xiaogang's ears. He looked up and was shocked to find the person standing before him was none other than Qian Renxue.
"What do you want?" Yu Xiaogang weakly asked, his voice thick with resentment. He was so close to fame, just one step away, yet Qian Renxue had now shattered all his hopes.
"What do I want? Naturally, I want to test out my newly acquired abilities. You'll make a perfect subject for this experiment. You're the first such insignificant ant I've ever encountered," Qian Renxue replied coldly.
She reached out, and a wave of dark, malevolent soul power surged from her hand, enveloping Yu Xiaogang's entire body. With a swift motion, she pulled from him a transparent, illusory form—a copy of Yu Xiaogang himself, but ghostly and faint, now clutched in her grasp.
As a dark Soul Master, Qian Renxue possessed the ability to devour soul power, soul rings, mental energy, flesh, blood, souls, and even Martial Souls for her cultivation. After her corruption, she had gained these abilities, and the thing she now held in her hand was none other than Yu Xiaogang's soul.
Once his soul was drawn out, Yu Xiaogang felt as if he had been given a second chance at life. The overwhelming pain that had almost consumed him was gone, and his body felt as though it were no longer injured. His surroundings became clear, and he found himself in a state of eerie clarity.
"Let me go! Let me go! What do you want from me?" Yu Xiaogang struggled fiercely, but his efforts were futile.
"I'll ensure that you are completely destroyed—your body and soul wiped out, with no chance of ever reincarnating," Qian Renxue stated coldly.
She tightened her grip, and Yu Xiaogang's soul shattered completely, devoured by the dark soul power in her hand.
However, Qian Renxue discarded the mass of dark soul power rather than absorbing it. She had no intention of consuming Yu Xiaogang's soul, nor did she want to become a true dark Soul Master.
(End of Chapter)