Chapter 63: The True Monster (Part Two)
"You're a Ning, so you must be from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Don't tell me your sect has overcome the Martial Soul's evolutionary limit?" Zhao Wuji asked instinctively, unable to hide his shock.
Ning Rongrong didn't reply, her expression cold. Matters of clan secrecy were not open for discussion.
Realizing his own slip, Zhao Wuji quickly tried to recover his composure, smiling awkwardly. "Then it seems you're the real monster among monsters today."
But Ning Rongrong shook her head lightly.
"Compared to my cousin, I'm ordinary."
"Cousin?" Zhao Wuji blinked in confusion.
Ning Rongrong grinned and pointed toward Luo Ling, who stood off to the side, watching lazily.
"He's my cousin—thirteen years old, rank forty-six, a Soul Sect."
She said it with pride ringing in her voice.
Everyone was stunned.
Tang San and Dai Mubai turned to Luo Ling, hardly believing their ears.
Dai Mubai, once convinced he'd lost due to carelessness, now realized that his defeat might have been a gap in absolute power.
"How's that possible?" Tang San clenched his fists. It was fine if he was weaker than Ning Rongrong—such a gap could be closed.
But Luo Ling?
Forty-sixth rank at thirteen. Two entire realms above him, yet only one year older.
"So you're the real monster," Zhao Wuji muttered, his eyes lighting up.
Thirteen years old and already a Soul Sect? It was unprecedented—something that would likely never happen again.
Luo Ling smiled calmly. "I just happen to cultivate a little faster, that's all."
He didn't mind Ning Rongrong revealing his strength—it was bound to come out eventually.
"Young man, interested in joining Shrek Academy?" Zhao Wuji tried eagerly.
"Doesn't Shrek's rule state a maximum age of twelve?" Luo Ling countered smoothly.
"We could make an exception for you!"
Zhao Wuji's enthusiasm burned. How could he let a prodigy like this slip away?
But Luo Ling shook his head. "Forget it. I'm just here on Uncle Ning's request to watch over Rongrong. I don't plan on joining. I follow my own training path."
"You're looking down on our academy?" Zhao Wuji pressed. "Our teachers are all Soul Emperors and Soul Saints!"
Luo Ling sighed and replied coolly, "I'm from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Those few words hit like a bucket of cold water.
What were Soul Emperors and Soul Saints compared to them? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was one of the wealthiest and most powerful forces on the continent—with not one, but two Titled Douluo.
Zhao Wuji realized his folly and could only chuckle awkwardly.
"Very well—seems Shrek and you are not fated to meet," he said with a sigh, letting it go.
The assessment resumed. Luo Ling stood watching idly—until Ning Rongrong decided to stir trouble again.
She winked at Luo Ling, then turned to Zhao Wuji, smiling sweetly. "Teacher Zhao, you're a great Soul Saint, much too strong for us. Would it be alright if my cousin lent us a hand? He's a Soul Sect—surely that's fine?"
Luo Ling lifted an eyebrow, his gaze turning mildly dangerous.
This little girl… she'd changed since returning. The polite, delicate young lady from Spirit Hall was gone. In her place stood a mischievous little witch.
Ning Rongrong felt a chill under his stare but held her ground stubbornly.
Zhao Wuji, however, looked intrigued. He too was curious about this thirteen-year-old Soul Sect and agreed immediately.
"No problem!"
Receiving his consent, Ning Rongrong turned and ran back to Luo Ling, smiling nervously. "Brother Ling, it's fine, right?"
Luo Ling sighed. "Little girl, acting before asking isn't a good habit."
"Come on, Brother Ling~ You'll help us win!" Ning Rongrong pleaded playfully, clutching his arm and shaking it.
"Fine," Luo Ling relented. "I'll avoid revealing too much strength. I'll only use my scythe. Consider it my Martial Soul."
He was still planning for the future — intending to compete as the Strange Magician against Shrek Academy in the Great Spirit Arena. He needed to keep his full identity hidden for now.
"I understand," Ning Rongrong whispered, nodding quickly.
The two continued whispering in secret, their exchange unheard by the rest.
"I'll fight alongside you, but don't expect me to go all out," Luo Ling finally said, stepping forward to join the group.
No one protested. Having such a powerhouse as an ally could only raise their chances.
"Name's Luo Ling," he introduced calmly. "Martial Soul: Shadow Scythe. Rank forty-six, Assault-type Soul Sect."
As he spoke, a wave of overwhelming darkness spread outward from his body, stunning everyone present.
A sleek black scythe materialized in his hand, radiating a dense aura of shadow and decay.
Four spirit rings formed slowly around him—two yellow, two purple.
A genuine Soul Sect.
Even when they had already known it, witnessing it firsthand left the group in awe. The air around the scythe itself seemed heavy, oppressive, almost tangible.
Luo Ling ignored their amazement, his mind already busy selecting which soul skills to show.
The scythe had been his trademark in the arena, but such weapons existed commonly across the continent. Changing its appearance slightly would keep suspicion away.
He quickly decided to conceal most of his signature techniques.
He would disguise four of his real skills as belonging to the "Shadow Scythe":
Desire's Soul Garment, Spirit Liberation, Dark Cleave, and Displacement Phantom.
Desire's Soul Garment could alter external appearance to fit the disguise. Spirit Liberation's effects weren't immediately visible. Dark Cleave fit perfectly as a power-type attack. And Displacement Phantom could easily pass as an ordinary movement skill.
Satisfied with his plan, Luo Ling raised his scythe and sliced through the air, black shadows curling outward.
"When do we begin?" he asked, snapping the others out of their daze.
Tang San quickly took charge, forming strategies for their group. As the main control-type, giving orders came naturally to him, and Luo Ling didn't interfere.
A plan took shape—Luo Ling leading the assault, with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing assisting, Tang San controlling, and Ning Rongrong supporting.
It sounded solid on paper, but battles were won in execution.
When all was ready, Luo Ling offered a quiet reminder to Xiao Wu: "Don't use your charm ability on Zhao Wuji, or it will rebound on you."
Everyone turned to him in surprise. They hadn't even shared their soul skills—so how did he know hers?
Tang San's expression darkened instantly, unease taking root as jealousy flickered in his eyes.
Luo Ling ignored the glances. Without another word, he strode calmly toward Zhao Wuji.
(END CHAPTER)
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