Chapter 10

Chapter 10: He Wants to Prove That He Is Not a Waste  

Despite the villagers' reluctance to let Ah Yin leave—especially Aunt Shen and her son, Daniu—Ah Yin packed her belongings and prepared to follow Zhao Ling.  

Daniu, enraged by her decision, charged at Zhao Ling with a carrying pole in hand, shouting incoherently. Zhao Ling, unimpressed, casually raised his left hand to block the attack and slapped Daniu across the face.  

The slap sent Daniu spinning wildly, his swollen cheeks now resembling ripe peaches. This time, Zhao Ling didn't hold back—another slap knocked out over a dozen of Daniu's teeth.  

Aunt Shen screamed in horror at the sight of her son's injuries and tried to confront Zhao Ling herself. The villagers, emboldened by her defiance, also moved to attack.  

Sensing danger, Ah Yin stepped forward. Her Blue Silver Emperor vines sprang to life, tangling and immobilizing the villagers like bundles of dumplings. Panic spread as the villagers realized the truth: Miss Ah Yin, whom they had thought to be an ordinary woman, was actually a powerful soul master.  

For people in a remote village like theirs, a soul master with even 20 levels of soul power was practically a legend. When Ah Yin revealed four soul rings, their shock turned to awe and fear.  

Aunt Shen and Daniu were the first to realize their mistake. Their family was utterly unworthy of someone like Ah Yin. A high-ranking soul master like her couldn't possibly be interested in ordinary folk.  

As the villagers writhed helplessly in their binds, Ah Yin quietly returned to her house to finish packing. Meanwhile, Zhao Ling approached Aunt Shen with a predatory smile, tearing a vine from the Blue Silver Emperor.  

Aunt Shen's bravado crumbled as she realized his intentions. She tried to scream, but Zhao Ling stuffed a rag into her mouth. Without hesitation, he lashed her with the vine.  

The sharp cracks of the whip echoed through the air, each strike leaving bloodied welts on her back. Her tears and snot flowed uncontrollably, but she could only writhe in silent agony.  

The other villagers averted their eyes, terrified they might be next.  

When Ah Yin returned, Zhao Ling released the vines binding the villagers, granting them freedom. He walked away without a word, leaving behind their trembling forms.  

Ah Yin followed Zhao Ling as they left the village. Her relief that Zhao Ling hadn't retaliated further against the villagers gave way to admiration.  

"Thank you," she said softly. "For showing restraint."  

Zhao Ling didn't reply immediately, but her words warmed him. Ah Yin had heard many stories of Titled Douluo with volatile tempers, capable of wiping out entire villages at the slightest provocation. Zhao Ling's measured response stood in stark contrast, further endearing him to her.  

As they walked, Ah Yin found herself sneaking glances at Zhao Ling.  

'He's not only strong but also elegant and approachable. Could he be the kind of man worth entrusting my life to?'  

Realizing the direction of her thoughts, Ah Yin's cheeks flushed. 'What am I thinking? I've only known him for a few days!'  

Zhao Ling, oblivious to her inner turmoil, was busy inspecting the rewards from his diary updates. His attention was on his new martial soul, the "Death God Demon Scythe".  

The weapon's appearance was sinister—a towering, two-meter-long scythe with a crimson blade that gleamed ominously. At the top of its long handle sat a grinning skull, exuding an unsettling aura. Even Zhao Ling felt chills as he examined it.  

The system had also revealed that the Death God Demon Scythe possessed an innate soul power level of 20, comparable to the legendary six-winged angel martial soul awakened by Qian Renxue in the original work.  

Zhao Ling couldn't believe his luck. Not only had he been gifted a second martial soul, but it was also on par with his original Netherworld Demon Suppression Tower.  

'Once I obtain the right soul rings for this weapon,' he thought, "I'll be unstoppable. The sight of me wielding the Death God Demon Scythe will be nothing short of awe-inspiring.'  

However, he quickly tempered his excitement. Acquiring high-quality soul rings, especially ones over 100,000 years old, wouldn't be easy. The deep sea might be his only viable option.  

Pushing aside those thoughts, Zhao Ling glanced at Ah Yin. The sight of her following him so willingly filled him with satisfaction. 'Kidnapping her turned out to be much easier than I'd anticipated.'  

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**A Few Hours Earlier**  

Far away, Bibi Dong sat in her carriage, traveling toward Soto City. When her diary was updated, she raised an eyebrow and opened a copy with her mind.  

As she read the latest entry, she smirked. "So, he finally got what he wanted. That Ah Yin woman actually agreed to leave with him."  

Her curiosity about Zhao Ling deepened.  

"What does this guy look like?" she wondered aloud. "He can't be too bad-looking if he managed to charm someone as beautiful as Ah Yin…right?"  

But her curiosity wasn't limited to Zhao Ling's appearance. What intrigued her more was her own future—how her life would unfold according to Zhao Ling's cryptic hints.  

The diary claimed she would fall in love with Yu Xiaogang, clash with her teacher, and ultimately descend into darkness. But that didn't make sense.  

Her teacher, for all his strictness, doted on her. Even if they had a falling out, he'd never harm her. At worst, he might confine her temporarily, but to drive her into complete despair?  

Bibi Dong's thoughts grew murky, her longing for answers sharpening with every mile that brought her closer to Soto City.  

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**Meanwhile, at the Soto City Soul Arena**  

The arena buzzed with energy as spectators cheered for a brutal life-and-death battle unfolding before their eyes.  

Two soul masters clashed violently, their strongest techniques colliding in a spectacle of blood and fury. The crowd roared in approval as the combatants delivered devastating blows to each other.  

In the end, both fell to the ground, mortally wounded. Their eyes dimmed as life left their bodies.  

The audience erupted into frenzied applause, reveling in the carnage as though the fighters were mere tools for their entertainment.  

Among the spectators was a boy of 15 or 16, his short black hair neatly combed. Though his appearance was unremarkable, his eyes shone with ambition.  

Watching the intense battle, the boy clenched his fists.  

'One day, I'll fight like that. I'll prove to my father, my elder brother, and everyone else that I'm not a waste.'  

His soul power was still under level 20, far below the threshold for such battles. But deep in his heart, he longed for the chance to stand on that stage and make his mark.  

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(End of Chapter)