Tit for Tat

Tit for Tat

The next day.

Royal Martial Arts Arena.

At the center of the Royal Martial Arts Arena was a circular fighting platform nearly a hundred meters across, surrounded by stands for spectators.

Today was destined to be the liveliest day the Star Luo royal family had seen in years. Ever since the Star Luo Empire's ally, the Clear Sky Sect, had withdrawn from the world, the empire had adopted a policy of recuperation. Today, two Star Luo princes would duel over an engagement, and the news instantly set both the Dai Family and the Zhu Family abuzz.

The White Tiger Family revered the White Tiger Spirit above all. The two princes represented the peak strength of the family's inherited spirit, and in this duel, they would be able to witness the power of a top-tier Beast Spirit.

Countless Dai Family and Zhu Family disciples had gathered here. On the high platform sat the Fifth Elder, representing the Council of Elders, as well as the current Empress from the Zhu Family, while the enormous seat in the center stood empty. The Star Luo Emperor had not come. After all, this was only a duel between the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince, not the final contest that would truly decide the succession to the throne. It was not enough to alarm him.

Aside from the disciples of the two families, there were also many great powers outside the royal family present. For instance, Bishop Ferdinand of Spirit Hall, who never missed any royal commotion.

In the arena, a golden figure stood proudly.

He was dressed in splendid clothing, his long golden hair flying over his shoulders, pride showing in his Evil Eyes. He stood on the stage like a javelin, his entire body radiating confidence. His handsome features stirred the hearts of quite a few young girls...

"So this is the Third Prince, Dai Mubai? The bloodline of your White Tiger Family truly is fine. They all look good enough." Bishop Ferdinand had a plump figure and the air of a wealthy man. His eyes were half-open and half-closed, and he yawned from time to time as he sat lazily in his chair and teased them.

Hearing the bishop praise her second son, the Empress only gave a light laugh and did not say much, as if she did not particularly care. The Fifth Elder, however, snorted coldly, his face full of irritation.

Whenever anything happened in the imperial family, Bishop Ferdinand was like a plaster that stuck to them, following the scent over and impossible to drive away. The White Tiger Family found him incredibly annoying, but since he represented Spirit Hall, they could not very well shut the bishop out.

As a spectator, the bishop only watched each time and never expressed any opinions. So the family did not really guard against him. Yet every time the Fifth Elder saw his smiling face, he always felt there was some secret hidden in that smile, making him unbearably irritating.

Bishop Ferdinand said with a smile, "The other side of the duel is the Fourth Prince, but why have I never heard that the empire had a fourth prince?"

"The Fourth Prince only awakened recently," the Fifth Elder replied.

"Oh?! He only awakened recently, and he has already obtained his First Spirit Ring? Doesn't that mean he has Innate Full Soul Power?" Ferdinand turned his head and looked at the Empress's expression, a sharp gleam flashing deep in his eyes.

The Fifth Elder looked at Bishop Ferdinand in anger. He had done his utmost to conceal the news that Dai Yao had Innate Full Soul Power and had not let the Empress know. But he had not expected Ferdinand to expose it.

"Er—" He hesitated a little. As the Empress swept a cold gaze over him, he gritted his teeth and said, "That is correct. He has Innate Full Soul Power!"

"Hmph!" The Empress snorted coldly, very dissatisfied with the Fifth Elder's attitude. Even more hateful was that when the spirit awakening took place, Dai Mubai had also been present, yet he had not reported this news to her.

"Mubai, oh Mubai. You pay more attention to Davis, so it is only natural for you to misunderstand me somewhat. But you actually failed to tell me such important news. If you win this duel, then fine. But if you lose, hmph..."

Below the Martial Arts Stage, heads pressed together in a dense crowd, but on the other side of the stage, there was still no one. The crowd gradually grew restless.

"Where is the Fourth Prince? Don't tell me he got scared?"

"The Fourth Prince only just obtained his spirit ring. There's no way he can beat the Third Prince. If he knows his own limits, he must have surrendered already."

On the Martial Arts Stage, Dai Mubai's eyes showed disdain. "How boring. He knew I was going to teach him a lesson, so he didn't even dare come." He then shouted to the Fifth Elder in the stands, "Elder, it looks like he isn't coming. Announce the result of the duel."

Just then, the surrounding crowd suddenly broke into an uproar, and everyone looked toward the source of the noise.

"The Fourth Prince is here."

Hearing those words, the crowd that had been discussing things parted, forming a path. Under everyone's gaze, a figure slowly walked over.

This figure was somewhat thin. Compared to Dai Mubai, he was not so dazzling. His hair had no shine at all, like withered grass. In everyone's eyes, there was doubt, surprise, and disdain. Yet those gazes seemed to have no effect at all on this small, thin figure.

He stood perfectly straight, his face a little gaunt, wearing a confident smile. Meeting Dai Mubai's contemptuous gaze, he let out a breath, leaped lightly, and landed on the Martial Arts Stage.

"Not bad temperament, this kid," the Fifth Elder judged inwardly.

After Dai Yao awakened his spirit, he had specially learned about Dai Yao's background. Having firm conviction and not being affected by others' gazes were essential qualities for every strong person.

He had already prepared himself for Dai Yao's defeat. Even if Dai Yao was crippled by the princes, he would still have Dai Yao marry several women from the Zhu Family and have more children, passing down his spirit.

Dai Yao stood on the Martial Arts Stage. No one thought well of him, and his solitary back looked somewhat lonely and bleak.

A contemptuous gaze swept over him, and Dai Mubai mocked, "I thought you were too timid to dare come."

"If it were the First Prince or the Second Prince, I naturally wouldn't dare come. But since it's you, Dai Mubai, why wouldn't I dare?" Dai Yao shot back.

"Big words. I'd like to see whether your strength is as tough as your mouth!" Hearing Dai Yao's words, Dai Mubai's lips curled into a cold smile. Now, even without his mother's orders, he was going to teach Dai Yao a harsh lesson.

Seeing that both of them had stepped onto the stage, a host-like person immediately announced, "Spectators in the stands, please remain quiet and do not affect the duel."

"No blades or hidden weapons may be used. Whoever falls off the Martial Arts Stage loses. Whoever admits defeat loses. Do either of you have any objections?"

"No." Their gazes met, and the two spoke in unison.

"The duel begins!"

The originally noisy stands instantly fell silent. Everyone's eyes focused on the center of the Martial Arts Stage.

The moment the words fell, Dai Mubai bent forward and crouched, the muscles in his arms bulging slightly and stretching his upper garment taut. With a boom, the bricks beneath his feet cracked apart. His entire body shot toward Dai Yao like a sharp sword, carrying unstoppable momentum.

The distance of several hundred meters shrank rapidly.

"He's not even activating his spirit. Does he look down on me that much?" Dai Yao thought inwardly.

Looking at the tall figure charging straight toward him, even though there was still quite a distance between them, he could already feel the power contained in Dai Mubai's fist.

"Since you're not activating your spirit, then I won't either. This is a perfect chance to test my own physical strength!" His body had the enhancement of a spirit ring that surpassed the limit, as well as the transformation from Green Lotus. He was confident that he would not be much worse than Dai Mubai.