Xiao Wu’s kick landed on Russell’s back, the sole of her shoe thudding dully against the Bamboo Scale Armor.
“Is this your Soul Skill?” It actually looks quite impressive.
Russell stumbled forward, took two hurried steps, and half-knelt on the ground, bracing himself with his palms.
Suddenly, he twisted his body to the side, grabbed Xiao Wu’s ankle, and flung her away.
Xiao Wu twisted her waist mid-air, landing steadily with a delighted smile.
“Again!” Soul Power erupted beneath her feet, shattering and scattering the Blue Silver Grass leaves.
Xiao Wu charged like an arrow released from its bow, arriving before Russell in an instant.
The hem of her white shorts fluttered as she raised her leg high, aiming a kick at his chin.
Russell raised his arm to block, completely unharmed.
He caught Xiao Wu’s left leg with both hands and, in a swift motion, seized her ankle.
From the spots on the ground Russell had touched earlier, several Blue Scale King vines suddenly sprouted.
A sparse few of them wrapped around Xiao Wu’s right calf.
The corner of his mouth lifted, a triumphant gleam flashing in his eyes.
“The Control System restrains the Power Attack System.
You can’t break through my armor.
Now it’s my turn!” Russell swept his leg out in a low kick, striking Xiao Wu’s right leg and causing her to topple to the left.
A flicker of panic crossed her eyes.
She hastily activated her “Waist Bow” Soul Skill.
Her waist became supple as if boneless, her taut abdominal muscles tightening to forcibly maintain her balance.
Even in this critical moment, she instinctively threw a punch in retaliation.
Russell withdrew his right leg, hooking his foot around the vines to pull them taut.
Xiao Wu lost her balance, letting out a surprised “Ah!” as she tumbled onto the grass.
A smile spread across Russell’s face.
Viewed this way, the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul was well-suited for creating traps, which could somewhat compensate for his lack of combat experience.
“What are you spacing out for?
The fight isn’t over yet!” Xiao Wu shouted sharply, erupting with Soul Power from her legs.
The most powerful muscles in her body—those in her thighs—burst with strength as she kicked forward violently, trying to snap the Blue Scale King vines.
One kick—they didn’t break.
Two kicks—still intact.
Three kicks—finally, one vine snapped.
Is this still Blue Silver Grass?
Xiao Wu was puzzled.
If this were before her transformation, she would have bitten a piece to taste it.
Looking at the remaining three vines, Xiao Wu wasn’t discouraged.
She was just about to gather her strength and break free in one go when Russell, reacting quickly, crouched down with a smile playing on his lips.
“You’re right.
The fight isn’t over yet.” He pressed his palm against the ground.
Vines emerged from the soil, binding Xiao Wu’s left leg, then her left hand, followed by her right hand.
After tying Xiao Wu up securely, Russell patted his hands clean and stood up straight.
“Big Sis, who won?” “Hmm~!” Xiao Wu strained with all her might, her Waist Bow Soul Skill flickering repeatedly.
However, the Blue Scale King Martial Soul, having incorporated the advantages of Dragonscale Bamboo, was exceptionally tough.
It also possessed the Dragonscale Bamboo’s well-developed root system, making it impossible for her current strength to break free.
Russell estimated that one would need to be at least two Soul Rings higher than him to break the Blue Scale King vines within a second or two.
Alternatively, a Soul Master with fire attributes or one specializing in blades and swords could slash through them.
Otherwise, among Soul Masters of the same level, he would be the strongest in the Control System.
After several unsuccessful attempts, Xiao Wu was left panting from exhaustion.
The sound of commotion reached her ears; many students in the distance were watching the spectacle, making her wish she could bury her head in the sand.
She glared furiously at Russell, her expression a mix of shame and anger.
“Let me go right now!” “Fine.” Russell snapped his fingers.
With a pop, the vines dissolved into dissipating Soul Power, leaving only traces on the ground from where they had taken root.
Xiao Wu got up, ignoring the dirt covering her, and stared at Russell, grinding her teeth.
“You…” Russell raised a hand to stop her, preempting her words.
“You lost.
According to Dormitory Seven’s rules, from now on, I’m the boss.” “I need to cultivate, don’t disturb me.” Russell pointed at Xiao Wu and slowly backed away.
Confirming she wasn’t going to keep pestering him, he turned and headed behind the academy garden.
After breaking through to become a Soul Master, the primary academy’s curriculum was far too basic for him.
Combined with the knowledge he’d gained from Yu Xiaogang’s collection of books, there was no need to continue attending classes.
When he went to the academic affairs office to return the Soul Hunting Token, he submitted an application.
Director Su agreed on the spot.
After all, Tang San already enjoyed special privileges; one more didn’t make much difference.
Russell arrived at the patch of Blue Silver Grass in the garden and released his Martial Soul to cultivate.
After completing one full cycle of energy circulation, he sensed that the cultivation boost provided by the Blue Silver Grass environment was still active.
Russell nodded inwardly.
‘Just as I predicted.
The Blue Scale King Martial Soul is at least half Blue Silver Grass in nature, so it’s still affected by the Blue Silver Grass cultivation speed.’ He opened his eyes and saw Xiao Wu lying on the grass beside him, angrily munching on a carrot.
He was just about to speak…
Xiao Wu cut him off with one sentence.
“I’m not disturbing your cultivation.” Seeing Russell at a loss for words, Xiao Wu happily narrowed her eyes, her scorpion-tail braid swaying cheerfully.
Suddenly, she remembered the reason she had chased him to the garden.
She jumped back, putting distance between them.
Her slender, jade-like finger pointed at Russell.
“I challenge you!
This time, I definitely won’t lose to you!” She couldn’t bear to give up her position as the boss.
More importantly, losing to Russell in front of everyone was just too humiliating!
“I knew you’d latch onto this.” That’s why Russell had subconsciously chosen to forget last night’s conversation.
He was just about to agree, thinking of it as an alternative form of training.
Seeing Xiao Wu’s eager expression, he suddenly spoke up.
“I can agree, but you have to agree to one condition from me.” “What condition?” Xiao Wu asked warily, crossing her arms in front of her, a hint of danger flashing in her eyes.
“Give me nine drops of your blood.” Russell looked at Xiao Wu’s tender, rosy fingers and stroked his chin, changing his mind.
“Let’s make it a round number.
Ten drops.” He had been interested in Humanoid Spirit Beasts for a while now.
A hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast could choose to transform into human form.
Soul Masters at the Soul Saint stage could also master the Martial Soul True Body.
Some Beast Martial Soul Soul Saints could even briefly transform into the Soul Beast represented by their Martial Soul.
What was the connection between these two?
Was it because they shared the same bloodline origin, or was it some complex principle of transformation?
And could this transformation be replicated?
‘The Soul Saint stage is still far off for me, but a Humanoid Spirit Beast…
there’s one right in front of me.
If I don’t take advantage of her being young and easier to persuade now, when will I ever get the chance?’ Xiao Wu looked at Russell’s smile and thought of a fox that had stolen an egg.
“What do you want my blood for?
Can’t you use your own?” Russell spoke without hesitation.
“I’m a plant-type Soul Master.
You’re a Beast Martial Soul Soul Master.
How can they be compared?
Don’t worry.
If you’re uneasy, you can watch me use your blood.” Russell’s words successfully dispelled Xiao Wu’s concerns.
She nodded slightly and countered with her own condition.
“Fine.
But you have to win against me first.” She didn’t want to bleed for no reason.
And if they fought again, she definitely wouldn’t underestimate him.
“You’re very confident.” Russell noticed Xiao Wu’s self-assurance and raised an eyebrow.
“It seems I’ll have to show some real skill too.” Hearing this, Xiao Wu felt a surge of doubt and suspicion.
Russell had been very low-key for the past year.
Could he have been biding his time, hiding a trump card just like Tang San?
The battle commenced with a grave expression on Xiao Wu’s face.
She knew Russell wasn’t proficient in releasing his Soul Skill—Blue Silver Grass required preparation time to grow and take shape—so she decided not to give him the chance to unleash it.
“Waist Bow!” Xiao Wu crossed the five-meter distance in an instant, leaving a pink afterimage in her wake.
Russell didn’t dodge.
With Xiao Wu prepared, he couldn’t match her in either explosive power or speed.
The two seconds needed to release his Soul Skill were enough for Xiao Wu to close in.
Fleeing held no chance of victory.
He raised his hand and whispered softly to Xiao Wu: “Blue Silver Bamboo-Scale Armor.” The Blue Scale King grew wildly, climbing over Xiao Wu’s body.
Then, it abruptly stopped.