Ten-Day Agreement

The Ten-Day Agreement began with a voice cutting into the tense situation.

"Brother Nantian, I'll remember your rescue today and repay you in the future." Dai Yao bowed to the numerous Commoner Soul Masters in thanks, then gratefully addressed Ye Nantian.

Ye Nantian had already done everything he could by stepping in to help him.

But this was ultimately a matter between him and Dai Yaming, and he needed to stand up for himself.

Looking at Dai Yaming's gloomy expression, Dai Yao showed him no warmth either. Their conflict was irreconcilable. He said, "Second Prince, things have reached this point. It doesn't look good for either of us."

"This is a matter between the two of us. There's no need to drag anyone else into it."

Dai Yaming glanced at the tense situation and felt somewhat troubled, but he did not show it. He remained graceful and said mildly, "What do you want?"

"Ten days from now, we'll settle this with one battle. How about it?" Dai Yao's voice rang out with force.

His enemies were not only the Second Prince but also the even more terrifying First Prince. However, the current situation no longer allowed him to continue enduring in silence. He had to remove Dai Yaming, this stumbling block.

Ye Nantian frowned, feeling that Dai Yao was overestimating himself.

Dai Yao had defeated the fatty only because of his unexpected Hidden Strength. Ye Nantian could see the Hidden Strength, but given Dai Yaming's knowledge, it was impossible for him to have noticed it.

Moreover, Dai Yaming's Soul Power had reached rank twenty-nine, and he possessed a Spirit Bone. He also had one of the most powerful Beast Spirits. It could be said that among Soul Grandmasters, he was the strongest of all.

Besides, Dai Yaming already knew about Dai Yao's Hidden Strength. There was no way he would be unprepared.

Dai Yao's victory over the fatty had indeed surprised Ye Nantian greatly, but against Dai Yaming, he could not find the slightest hope of victory.

Ye Nantian was not the only one who thought Dai Yao was overestimating himself. The other Soul Masters thought so as well. The Commoner Soul Masters kept silent out of consideration for Ye Nantian's dignity, but the numerous Noble Soul Masters laughed without restraint.

"Does he think that beating that foul-mouthed fatty means he can defeat the Second Prince?"

"He really doesn't know his own limits!"

Dai Yaming's expression remained calm, but his eyes stayed fixed on Dai Yao, full of reservations.

He knew that Dai Yao wanted these ten days to obtain a Spirit Ring. By then, he would be facing Dai Yao as a Soul Grandmaster.

After remaining silent for a while, he slowly said, "What if I refuse?"

Dai Yao gave a scornful laugh and provoked him, "Didn't you send people every day to challenge me to a duel? What's wrong? Now that I'm challenging you, you don't dare accept?"

Dai Yaming could endure those words, but the Noble Soul Masters who depended on him could not.

A One-Ring Soul Master was acting so arrogantly before a Soul Grandmaster, practically taunting him to his face. Noble Soul Masters cared deeply about their pride, and the crowd immediately became furious.

Forming a faction had both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that it could gather the strength of many people. The disadvantage was that the Second Prince, as its leader, represented not only himself but also the dignity of his entire faction.

If a Soul Master vastly stronger than Dai Yaming provoked him and he chose to endure it, that would be understandable.

But if someone weaker than him provoked him, he had to strike back. Otherwise, how could he lead this group? He gritted his teeth and glared at Dai Yao before shouting, "Fine! Ten days from now, then."

····· everyone had left, Ye Nantian found Dai Yao.

"You're planning to obtain your Second Spirit Ring during these ten days, aren't you?"

Dai Yao nodded.

Ye Nantian shook his head slightly and sighed. "Do you think you'll have a chance of winning just because you become a Soul Grandmaster? You're underestimating Dai Yaming too much."

"Even if you obtain your Second Spirit Ring, he'll still be seven or eight ranks of Soul Power above you. In terms of Soul Power, you have no advantage whatsoever."

"Besides, he has a Spirit Bone. As far as I know, although this Spirit Bone is only three thousand years old, the power of its Spirit Skill is immense. It's even more formidable than his Second Spirit Skill."

Ye Nantian's words sent Dai Yao's heart sinking to the bottom.

No matter how he analyzed the situation, he could be said to have no chance of victory at all.

His only hope lay in his Second Spirit Ring.

In other words, his Second Spirit Ring had to surpass the limit. Its age might even need to exceed a thousand years for the boost it gave him to make up for the gap.

Dai Yao felt bitter inside.

He immediately cupped his fists toward Ye Nantian and said, "Thank you for telling me, Brother Nantian. However, I think I still have a chance of winning."

Seeing that Dai Yao remained calm and had not been discouraged by his words, Ye Nantian was instead surprised. He thought to himself:

This boy seems confident that he can defeat Dai Yaming. Could he have some other method?

"Since you know what you're doing, I won't say anything more. I hope you'll emerge victorious when the time comes." With that, Ye Nantian turned and left.

Watching Ye Nantian's departing figure, Dai Yao felt grateful. If he achieved success and fame in the future, he would definitely repay Ye Nantian for today's kindness.

He hurried through the woods and soon returned to the Cultivation Ground.

The injured Zhu Zhuqing had already been sent back by Feng Wutong.

When he opened the door, two beautiful faces turned toward him.

Zhu Zhuqing was lying weakly on the bed. When she saw Dai Yao at the door, delight appeared on her face.

Feng Wutong handed him the bowl of medicine in her hands and nodded toward him. "Since you're back, I'll leave Little Sister Zhu Qing in your care."

The door creaked shut. Dai Yao came to the bedside, looked at the injured and weakened Zhu Zhuqing, and took the hand exposed outside the covers. He asked tenderly, "Are you feeling better?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly.

Dai Yao said guiltily, "I'm sorry. If it weren't for me······"

A slender jade finger pressed against his lips, stopping the words he wanted to say.

Zhu Zhuqing caressed Dai Yao's cheek. Rare gentleness appeared on her usually cold face as she said, "It's not your fault. This is our fate."

"Ten days from now, I'll duel Dai Yaming. I'll definitely avenge you." Dai Yao made the solemn promise.

Zhu Zhuqing immediately grew worried. She struggled to sit up, her expression anxious as she said:

"You don't have to do this for me. Can the duel be canceled?"

"The entire Academy knows about it now. It can't be canceled."

"Then let's run away! We'll leave tonight." Zhu Zhuqing anxiously tried to sit up and pack their belongings.

But Dai Yao stopped her and comforted her, "Don't worry. I have a good chance of winning."

Seeing that Dai Yao had made up his mind, Zhu Zhuqing stopped struggling and lay calmly on the bed. She said gently, "I believe in you. Our lives are connected. If you die, I won't go on living either."

Dai Yao's heart trembled, and goosebumps rose all over his body.

Originally, he had only managed to keep Zhu Zhuqing by deceiving her.

The girl's genuine feelings caused even his heart, which was determined to become a scumbag, to waver.

No. I have to persevere on my path as a scumbag. He gritted his teeth, forcibly preventing himself from becoming immersed in Zhu Zhuqing's feelings.

To shift his attention, he willed it, and a purple lotus appeared in his hand.

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze was immediately drawn to the lotus. From the Purple Lotus, she sensed an intense longing.