At this moment, Zhao Wuji was also very glad that the opponent was not a Soul King, but only a Soul Master. Soul Master, when did Soul Masters become so strong?
Witnessing all this, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were filled with shock, and even a little bit of inferiority. Her senior sister was so strong, how strong must her senior brother and that senior sister be?
"Don't feel pressured. They have been cultivating with me and your master's wife since they were young, so it's normal for them to be strong."
"Work hard, and you will be like them in the future. After the Soul Master Competition, you can cultivate with them."
Xu Xin transmitted his voice to Zhu Zhuqing, telling her not to feel any pressure. After all, Huo Wu and the others had been in the Shadow Hall since they were young. Even Qian Renxue was brought to the Shadow Hall the year she awakened her martial soul.
Zhu Zhuqing couldn't compare to them. Zhu Zhuqing hadn't taken any immortal herbs yet, so the gap still existed. Even her innate soul power couldn't compare to theirs.
Zhu Zhuqing was more hardworking and resilient than them, which was why Xu Xin valued her. You may not have the talent, but you must have a hardworking and persevering spirit, and Zhu Zhuqing excelled at that.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded gratefully. She knew the gap between herself and her senior sisters, but she would strive to close it and not fall too far behind.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's resolute gaze, Xu Xin walked towards Huo Wu and the others with satisfaction.
"Not bad, you have some of my former glory."
Xu Xin spoke with slight praise. Among the younger generation, only Feng Xiaotian and Qian Renxue could rival them.
"Teacher, this is not bad. I thought it was already very impressive."
Huo Wu said, panting.
"Sister Huo Wu is the best." Xu Ruoruo praised without reservation.
"Oh dear, little Ruoruo is the best. Come here, sister will give you a hug."
Huo Wu happily picked up Xu Ruoruo, her face beaming.
Xu Xin smiled helplessly: "You're quite impressive, but still a bit inferior to your teacher."
"Back then, I, a Soul King, fought against a Soul Douluo all by myself, without even a Soul Fusion Technique. Do you think you're that strong?"
Xu Xin poured cold water on the three girls' enthusiasm. He had indeed fought a Soul Douluo as a Soul King back then, albeit with some trickery, it was still his own strength, wasn't it?
"Teacher, are you serious?"
Shui Bing'er couldn't help but ask. They had never seen Xu Xin fight, only knowing he was lazy, and didn't know exactly how strong he was…
Xu Xin nodded calmly: "When you've defeated all the statues in the Shadow Hall, you'll be like me."
"Ah?" ×3
The three looked at Xu Xin in surprise. They knew about those statues; so far, apart from Qian Renxue and Feng Xiaotian who had fought one, none of them, even Dugu Yan and Huo Wushuang, could defeat them…
"Alright, work hard. Although you can't compare to me, you're still among the best of your generation. Have some confidence."
The three girls nodded. They always thought they were strong, but who could blame them when their teacher was stronger?
Defeating their teacher was a long and arduous journey; they couldn't even beat their own master.
"By the way, see that girl in black over there? That's your junior sister. If you see her again, don't kill her,"
Xu Xin transmitted to the group. The three looked over in unison. Zhu Zhuqing was idly helping Zhao Wuji up.
The three nodded. They hadn't followed their example; that was good. They trusted Xu Xin's judgment and accepted their junior sister.
"Teacher, when are you taking your junior sister back?" Huo Wu asked softly.
"After the Soul Master Competition."
"The Soul Master Competition is in two years. You all need to crush them all, even your senior sister's Spirit Hall, don't show any mercy."
In the original story, Tang San participated in the Soul Master Competition at the age of 14, which was less than two years away.
Xu Xin spoke calmly. Qian Renxue's cultivation had surpassed theirs, naturally making her the senior sister, and they had no complaints.
Although Qian Renxue repeatedly declined, she couldn't resist their persuasion. Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing to say that her junior sister was stronger than them.
"We guarantee to complete the mission!"
the three immediately assured him.
After transmitting their message to Zhu Zhuqing, Xu Xin and the others left. Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Xu Xin's group without showing any emotion before continuing with her work.
Xu Xin also gave the shopkeeper 100,000 gold soul coins as compensation, enough for him to reopen his shop, or even several.
As night fell, Ma Hongjun was the first to wake up. Upon waking, he saw Zhao Wuji slumped against a tree, a small pile of torches flickering.
Fortunately, this was near the outer perimeter, so no powerful soul beasts would appear.
Ma Hongjun pondered the scene in his dream. It was wrong again. Why? Where did things go wrong?
Things changed after meeting Tang San. Besides Tang San still being as cunning as ever, everything else was wrong. Where did things go wrong?
He couldn't understand it, and he didn't want to think about it. He only knew that Tang San was the culprit behind all this, and without Tang San, he might be better off...
"Look again, the Tang San in the dream is exactly the same as this Tang San, extremely vicious. Some things have changed, but the general idea remains the same."
For example, this time he still encountered Canghui Academy, only with Huo Wu and the others. Perhaps they were nearby in the dream, just not showing up.
Ma Hongjun thought coldly to himself. He would definitely get back the few times he kowtowed to Tang San. His head wasn't so easy to kowtow to.
And Xiao Wu, why would Xiao Wu say such things? Could it be that Xiao Wu also had such a dream?
In the dream, his happiness and misfortune were all brought by Tang San. Later, hatred surpassed affection, to the point that it affected Ma Hongjun now.
Unconsciously, the group slowly woke up.
"Zhu Zhuqing, why didn't you come with us just now?"
Dai Mubai imperiously accused Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing ignored him completely, not even giving him a glance.
"Alright, Xiaobai, if it weren't for Zhu Qing, you wouldn't even have a safe place."
"I'll go hunt for spirit rings once I've recovered."
Zhao Wuji interrupted them, even Ning Rongrong was a little angry. If Zhu Zhu Qing had just stepped in, they might not have lost.
But she forgot that before the battle started, Zhu Zhu Qing had stopped her, but it was just that she wouldn't leave.
Zhu Zhu Qing no longer cared about any of this, she had seen it all these days, these people were arrogant and morally corrupt.
The teacher was the same, attacking without explanation, not even bothering with the most basic principles.
A week later, the group set off again, but this time everyone seemed to be subtly distancing themselves from Zhu Zhu Qing.
Zhu Zhu Qing didn't care about this at all, following along with them.
Ma Hongjun, however, started pestering Xiao Wu, wanting to know what happened that day.
But in Tang San's eyes, Ma Hongjun had ill intentions, and he began to intentionally or unintentionally teach Ma Hongjun a lesson.
Ma Hongjun silently observed.
"Run! Run!"
The group had barely ventured a little deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest when a whooshing sound stopped them in their tracks.
"Run! Titan Apes!"
(End of Chapter)