Chapter 33: Yu Xiaogang: Impossible! Absolutely Impossible! | Seemingly Wearing a Mask, Yet Truly Taking One Off
"Why… why is she so strong…"
Tang San clenched his fists tightly as he stared at Zhu Zhuqing's departing figure. She left without a word, utterly indifferent.
Humiliation and unwillingness churned violently in his chest.
Damn it! Wasn't it only an eight-rank difference?
He had lived two lives. He possessed the supreme techniques of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. In his previous life, he had been an unparalleled genius of the Tang Sect. In this life, he was a rare twin martial soul prodigy with full innate soul power.
So why did he not even have the strength to fight back against Zhu Zhuqing?!
Why?!
"Brother… are you okay?"
Xiao Wu hurried over, her eyes full of concern as she looked at the blood mark on his neck and his disheveled state.
"I'm fine…"
Tang San forced himself to maintain composure. "Just exhausted my soul power and suffered some superficial injuries. Nothing serious."
But his voice trembled slightly.
It wasn't physical pain.
It was the deep internal shock and his shaken conviction.
His dao heart had cracked.
"That's good…"
Xiao Wu let out a breath of relief and supported him as they walked away.
The two left the sub–fighting arena and rejoined the main Shrek group.
"Tang San, Xiao Wu, why are you two so slow, huh?!"
Ma Hongjun complained casually at first, but then noticed Tang San's torn clothes and battered appearance.
"You went to fight a match, right? Why do you look like you just came back from war?"
"Lost. Couldn't win. Complete defeat."
Tang San answered dully while eating one of Oscar's large sausages, his face pale and lifeless.
"That shouldn't be…"
Dai Mubai frowned. "With your strength, even if you lost, it shouldn't have been this miserable. Who was the opponent?"
Xiao Wu puffed up her cheeks indignantly.
"That woman was acting mysterious, wearing a mask. Her figure, martial soul, and aura were extremely similar to that Zhu Zhuqing from before. Even her attacks were just as ruthless."
"Uh… hehe… maybe it's just a coincidence…"
At the mention of Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai's expression stiffened. He forced an awkward smile.
"It's not a coincidence. It was Zhu Zhuqing."
Tang San suddenly spoke, his tone frighteningly calm.
"What? How is that possible?!"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened. "Wasn't her name Xiao Yue? And her rank was as high as 39!"
"It was her."
Tang San's voice was firm.
"Even with the mask, her martial soul possession form, combat style, that cold aura, and every tiny detail were identical.
And…"
He paused, lowering his voice. "Her gaze might have been cold, but when she looked at us, there was obvious fluctuation."
"Could it really be her?"
Xiao Wu muttered in confusion. "No wonder she looked so familiar…"
"What are you guys talking about? Zhu Zhuqing? Xiao Yue? Rank 39?"
Oscar asked blankly.
Ma Hongjun leaned in as well. "Boss Dai, your former fiancée is that monstrous? Half a month ago, she was only Rank 30!"
"For the last time, I have nothing to do with her anymore."
Dai Mubai's expression darkened at the word fiancée.
But he still shook his head in disbelief.
"You're joking, right? How could anyone rise nine ranks in half a month…"
"Exactly."
Ning Rongrong nodded. "Tang San and Xiao Wu being Rank 30 at twelve years old already makes you monsters in my eyes.
Is there really someone under twelve who can reach Rank 39? That kind of… freak?"
"Sigh…"
Tang San didn't respond. He simply let out a long sigh and sat there with his head lowered.
Right now, he just wanted silence.
His reaction made the others realize that what he said might truly be real.
Putting themselves in his shoes, they understood why he seemed so withdrawn.
Losing a match wasn't terrifying.
What was terrifying was losing to someone younger, higher in soul power level, and superior in strength.
And more importantly—
Being suppressed the entire time without any chance to fight back.
It was suffocating.
"Xiao San, what are you all gathered here for?"
Yu Xiaogang and Flender walked over. Seeing Tang San's condition, both were startled.
After hearing the full account, Yu Xiaogang's brows knit tightly together.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
His voice trembled. "There cannot be such a genius in this world!"
As a master of theoretical research, Yu Xiaogang knew the cultivation laws of soul masters better than most.
From Rank 30 to Rank 39, even for the most gifted prodigy, with abundant resources, it would typically take at least two or three years.
Half a month?
Utter fantasy!
"She must have encountered some heaven-defying opportunity. Otherwise, there is no way she could have cultivated to that level through normal means!"
Yu Xiaogang declared firmly, trying to steady his emotions.
"I'm curious what that girl looks like."
Flender pushed up his glasses, interest flickering in his eyes.
"Should I try recruiting her into Shrek?"
"She doesn't seem interested in joining Shrek."
Tang San gave a bitter smile. "Last time, she already rejected Teacher Zhao."
"Let's not discuss this further for now."
Yu Xiaogang waved his hand. "Continue participating in the soul battle. We'll talk about this later. Don't let a temporary setback affect your state."
"Remember, you are monsters! True monsters!"
Meanwhile…
After leaving the Grand Soul Arena, Zhu Zhuqing was in quite a good mood.
Some people appear to put on a mask, but in truth, they are finally taking one off.
The thought that she had not only won but thoroughly beaten Tang San and might even learn those two mysterious self-created soul skills afterward made the corners of her lips curl upward uncontrollably.
"How was my performance?"
She asked inwardly, lifting her chin slightly like a kitten seeking praise from its owner.
"Oh? Whose little kitty is this? So amazing, so impressive!"
Bai Lu exaggeratedly praised her.
"…Speak properly."
Zhu Zhuqing said expressionlessly.
"Overall performance: excellent. Very measured. You paid attention to all the details and successfully forced out most of Tang San's trump cards."
Bai Lu evaluated seriously, then sighed in satisfaction.
"As expected of the genius I personally trained. Perfect."
"…"
Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes at him before asking the question she cared about most:
"Were the two self-created soul skills successfully copied?"
"They've been recorded, but copying them isn't that simple."
Bai Lu replied calmly. "Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track involve complex force application techniques and soul power circulation methods. Reverse-engineering them from observation alone will take time."
"And…"
He paused before continuing seriously:
"Compared to soul skills, my current most important task is figuring out how to change the color of soul rings."
Because of his abilities, dyeing other soul rings red was relatively simple—just inject enough killing intent and energy.
But changing them to other colors?
That was far more complicated.
It required a deeper understanding of the essence of soul rings, as well as greater mastery over spiritual refraction and simulation.
"Oh… alright…"
Zhu Zhuqing responded calmly.
But her tone clearly carried the unmistakable word—Disappointment.
End of Chapter