Rage-Inflamed Crown

Rage-Inflamed Crown. The first yellow Spirit Ring on Zhu Zhuyue's body blazed, and her five fingers transformed into five sharp daggers that struck toward Zhu Zhuqing.

Looking at the attack rushing toward her, Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes in despair.

She didn't know whether Dai Yao would come to save her.

After nine years of endurance, Dai Yao had finally become a Soul Grandmaster, giving him a sliver of hope for avenging the Empress. If he came today, the two of them could only become a pair of doomed lovers.

After all, in the eyes of the world, a One-Ring Soul Master could never defeat a Soul Grandmaster.

On one side of the scales were nine years of sacrifice for revenge; on the other was her. She didn't know what choice Dai Yao would make.

But she selfishly hoped that Dai Yao would come, even if she could only see him in the audience. That alone would prove that she held some place in his heart.

The Netherworld Hundred Claws, carrying the aura of death, drew closer and closer. Zhu Zhuqing's heart gradually sank to the bottom.

It seems Dai Yao really isn't coming to save me...

A white bolt of lightning shot across the sky and plunged into the center of the arena, kicking up thick clouds of dust.

The sudden change immediately drew everyone's attention. Quite a few people stood up, leaned over the railings, and craned their heads out, trying to see what had just happened.

In the arena, Zhu Zhuyue furrowed her brows. Amid the dust, she sensed a familiar aura.

It was the aura of the White Tiger Spirit.

When the dust dispersed, a white barrier appeared.

The barrier vanished, revealing Zhu Zhuqing cradled in someone's arms.

Seeing this scene, many Noble Soul Masters below the arena were filled with regret. What a perfect chance to curry favor—and they had missed it, allowing this man to seize the opportunity.

When the man turned around, Zhu Zhuyue recognized him and exclaimed in surprise, "Dai Yao?!"

"Dai Yao?! Isn't he the Fourth Prince?"

"Is he that infamous good-for-nothing?"

The name stirred up a wave of discussion in the audience. The Fourth Prince was widely acknowledged throughout the Academy as a good-for-nothing. Countless people had challenged him, but he had rejected them all.

Yet the man in the arena was completely different from the person they had imagined.

With sword-like brows and starry eyes, he possessed a spirited bearing. His entire body radiated an unyielding confidence. He was clearly a handsome young man—how could he possibly be associated with the name of a coward?

Even Zhu Zhuyue, standing in the arena, was dazzled by him.

Looking at the heavily wounded Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Yao said guiltily, "I'm sorry. I came too late."

Hearing that familiar voice, Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes. That familiar face was right before her, and tears burst from her eyes.

"I'll send you off the arena first. Heal your injuries. Leave the rest to me." Dai Yao comforted her in a gentle tone.

"No. You haven't obtained a Spirit Ring yet. You can't beat them." Zhu Zhuqing disregarded the pain in her body and urged him worriedly.

"Trust me. Nothing will happen."

Just as he turned around and prepared to carry Zhu Zhuqing off the platform, Zhu Zhuyue stopped him. "Aren't you being too presumptuous? This is clearly a duel between my sister and me. You've barged in halfway through—do you really think nothing of me?"

"The way you treated Zhu Qing was meant to force me to appear, wasn't it? Fine. I accept your challenge now. How about I replace Zhu Qing?"

Dai Yao knew their purpose, so he simply agreed to their demand.

"Good!" A sharp gleam flashed through Zhu Zhuyue's beautiful eyes.

For the past two years, she had continually sent people to challenge Dai Yao, but he had never accepted. Today, she had seized the chance and used Zhu Zhuqing to force him out. She absolutely couldn't let him return, lest he become a coward hiding his head again and stay in seclusion for another three years.

The Second Prince, who had remained expressionless below the arena, finally spoke. He said to Zhu Zhuyue, "Zhu Yue, come down. Let Fatty go up and fight."

During the battle with Zhu Zhuqing just now, Zhu Zhuyue had used her Soul Power without restraint to achieve the effect of torturing her. Now, less than thirty percent remained.

Moreover, he had heard that Dai Yao possessed a Self-Created Soul Skill that could increase his speed, making him as fast as an Agility-Attack Type Soul Master. Combined with the physical enhancement brought by the White Tiger Spirit, Zhu Zhuyue's chances of victory were now slim.

To be safe, it would be better to send up the Level 25 Fatty.

Actually, he wanted to go up himself. That would be the most foolproof approach.

However, he had to consider what the spectators would think. For the dignified Second Prince, a Soul Grandmaster, to bully a One-Ring Soul Master would damage his reputation.

His only current target was the First Prince, and he was already at a disadvantage. If he even lost his reputation, he would truly have no hope left.

When the princes competed for the position of Crown Prince during the Kangxi Era, the disadvantaged Eighth Prince had successfully cultivated a good reputation and earned the praise of being the Virtuous Eighth Prince, posing a great threat to Yongzheng, who was the Fourth Prince at the time.

Fatty said eagerly, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

For three years, Dai Yao had cultivated day and night without pause, while Fatty had cursed and provoked him day and night, trying to goad him into a duel. He had even delayed his own cultivation quite a bit. He hated that coward hiding his head so much that his teeth itched.

Today, he had finally gotten his wish. He would make Dai Yao taste the resentment he had accumulated over the past two years.

Fatty leaped onto the platform and looked at Dai Yao maliciously. "Brat, I thought you'd stay holed up in your nest forever! I never would've guessed—you're quite the lover!"

He actually admired Dai Yao for risking his life to save Zhu Zhuqing.

Dai Yao paid him no attention at all. He only looked at Dai Yaming and said coldly, "What happened today must be repaid in blood. Since you sent him onto the platform, I'll collect a little interest first."

Being ignored by Dai Yao, Fatty became completely enraged. What was there for a One-Ring Soul Master to be so arrogant about? "Brat, cherish this moment while you can. You won't be leaving the arena standing today!"

Martial Soul Possession! A powerful aura spread outward from Fatty's body.

Many One-Ring Soul Masters felt the immense pressure and sighed at Dai Yao's ignorance. Even from this distance, they could sense the oppressive force. Dai Yao was so close—how could the pressure he endured possibly be light?

A One-Ring Soul Master could never overcome the gap in levels and defeat a Soul Grandmaster.

It wasn't merely the difference in Soul Power. He was also missing a Spirit Ring skill.

Fatty arrogantly said to Dai Yao, "Level 25 Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: War Mammoth. Please advise me!"

An equally powerful aura erupted from Dai Yao's body.

After using Martial Soul Possession, Dai Yao didn't bow. He immediately assumed a battle stance, his face cold as ice and his eyes locked firmly onto Fatty. "Dai Yao, Level 20 Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: White Tiger!"

Under Dai Yao's stare, Fatty felt somewhat uneasy, as if he were being watched by a beast.

"Is this the legendary coward who hides his head?" someone asked his companion in disbelief after rubbing his eyes.

His companion was also dumbfounded and answered uncertainly, "It seems so, right?!"

"How old is he? He's already reached Level 20 Soul Power!"

Dai Yao's strength stirred up another wave of discussion in the audience. In their hearts, the illusory image of someone began to shatter.

The climax had finally arrived...

I read all of everyone's comments. Looking back, I realized that there really had been problems with my writing. Thank you all. I'll work hard to correct them and strive not to repeat them later.

The third volume will be more relaxed, and a girl—Dugu Yan—will appear.