First Encounter with Dai Mubai

Five years later...

Balak Kingdom, Suotuo City.

It was just past noon, when the sun blazed fiercely. Four young figures entered Suotuo City through its western gate. The group consisted of two boys and two girls, traveling together as they stepped into this city far from Nuoding City.

The newcomers were none other than Zhao Xuan, Tang San, and Xiao Wu, whom we knew well. As for the remaining one...

"Say, Hermione, why did you come along?" Zhao Xuan had grown considerably over the past few years. At around six feet tall, he could not be called towering, but he was by no means short among his peers. He wore a neat, fitted black outfit trimmed with silver.

After several years of growth, the boy who had originally been as fair and delicate as a porcelain doll had become even more striking. Not to mention his jade-like features, his bright black eyes had deepened, their former brilliance restrained within them as though they concealed a vast starry sky. His smooth, obsidian-like hair had grown out, now reaching his waist and flowing freely down his back.

At some point, an oddly bewitching purple-gold mark had appeared between his brows, lending him an even more demonic air.

Compared to six years ago, he was practically a different person.

The girl called Hermione was naturally the granddaughter of Nuoding Academy's former dean. She, too, had grown into a graceful young lady with a slender, alluring figure—though her chest was still rather lacking.

Hermione blinked her large brown eyes, shot Zhao Xuan a malicious look, and gave a soft snort. "Hmph, what business is it of yours?"

"Heh, like I'm afraid of you." Zhao Xuan returned the favor by pulling a face at Hermione. It utterly clashed with his appearance; compared to six years ago, his temperament seemed not to have matured in the slightest.

Ever since their grudge in the little forest six years ago, the two had been at odds. They would cause trouble for each other from time to time, becoming Nuoding Academy's famous "Feuding Duo."

After learning that Zhao Xuan was coming to Suotuo City, Hermione bade farewell to her grandfather and followed him here as well.

Suotuo City was naturally far larger than Nuoding City. As the granary of the Balak Kingdom, Suotuo City's prosperity was plain for all to see.

Even at noon, the streets were packed with people. The bustling crowds flowed endlessly back and forth, and soldiers could occasionally be seen patrolling.

"Everyone's tired today. How about we find somewhere to rest for the night, then go register at the academy tomorrow?" As the eldest among them, Tang San naturally took on the role of Big Brother, though aside from Hermione, the other two hardly listened to him.

"Okay! Okay!"

Xiao Wu was naturally the happiest to hear Tang San's arrangement. She was the liveliest of them all, and several days of travel had nearly stifled her.

After casually eating something to fill their stomachs, the group began searching for lodging.

After walking along Suotuo City's streets for a while, Xiao Wu's eyes suddenly lit up. She pointed at a rather distinctive hotel.

"Let's go there."

"Huh?!" Zhao Xuan's expression turned strange as he instinctively looked toward Hermione. To his surprise, Hermione was looking at him too, and both their gazes carried a rather meaningful undertone.

Tang San seemed not to notice anything unusual and casually agreed, "Sure."

As the two headed toward the hotel ahead, Hermione quietly moved closer to Zhao Xuan. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. "Zhao Xuan, isn't that... a couples' hotel?"

Her face reddened faintly as she secretly raised her head to glance at the two people ahead, who remained utterly unaware.

Zhao Xuan grinned broadly, clearly delighted. "You can tell just by looking at the outside. Have you ever seen an ordinary hotel use such suggestive colors? This isn't a brothel. Come on, let's go in too."

"Huh?! What are we going in for?!" Hermione seemed startled. She backed away several steps with a red face, then eyed Zhao Xuan warily.

Zhao Xuan raised a brow and immediately understood what she was thinking. "Tch, can't we watch the show? What did you think we were going to do?!"

Hermione was half-convinced, half-skeptical, but seeing Zhao Xuan follow after them, she could not help following as well.

The two followed Tang San and Xiao Wu into the place called the Rose Hotel. The casual glances cast their way by passersby made Hermione's face burn.

Lost in thought, Hermione suddenly walked straight into Zhao Xuan's back.

"What are you doing?" Rubbing her forehead, Hermione could not help demanding.

Zhao Xuan patted her shoulder and suppressed his excitement as he whispered, "There's a good show about to start."

"Hm?" Hermione instinctively looked ahead and saw Tang San and Xiao Wu arguing with several people.

Opposite them stood a rather handsome man with a pair of beautiful sisters at his side.

In a place like this, bringing along two beautiful sisters—anyone with half a brain knew what he was here for. Hermione gritted her teeth. "Scum."

Zhao Xuan curled his lip. "What they do is none of your business."

Hermione glared at Zhao Xuan. "What I say is none of your business!"

Zhao Xuan choked, clicked his tongue, and quietly continued watching the show.

The situation seemed to escalate. Even when the hotel manager stepped in, he could not stop them. After arguing for a while, the two sides actually started fighting.

"Damn, Xiao San actually fights people?" Zhao Xuan widened his eyes. Knowing Tang San's character well, he understood that Xiao San would not resort to violence easily. That blond bastard must have violated some taboo of Tang San's.

Thinking this, he prepared himself for battle, ready to support Tang San at any moment. At the same time, he reminded Hermione beside him, "Get ready. If they summon their martial souls, make sure to support Xiao San."

"Okay." At this moment, Hermione naturally had no mind to bicker with Zhao Xuan. Her eyes remained fixed on the two men fighting as she readied herself.

Who would have thought that the two were evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand for a time? Tang San's skill in hand-to-hand combat alone qualified him as a martial arts master, yet that blond man could trade blows with him evenly. Although he had the advantage in age, it was clear that his skills were extraordinary.

After another exchange, the two temporarily stopped. Dai Mubai's expression was rather grim. He had to admit that he had underestimated his opponent. This boy, who looked several years younger than him, was far stronger than he had imagined.

"Do you still want to continue?" Tang San asked calmly.

Dai Mubai smiled, and a peculiar light flashed in his eyes. If it had to be described in words, perhaps only four words fit: delighted to meet a worthy opponent.

"Why not? It's been a long time since I met such an interesting opponent."

Tang San's eyes gradually brightened as well. He realized that Young Master Dai had changed. If he had previously been cold and dismissive, now he was filled with blazing fighting spirit.

"White Tiger Possession." A powerful pale light suddenly erupted from Dai Mubai's body. He spread both arms to his sides, thrust out his chest, and his entire skeleton crackled. His muscles abruptly swelled, stretching his clothing taut. Every muscle became clearly defined beneath his clothes, and even the air around him seemed to turn violent.

His golden hair instantly became black and white, with white taking up most of it while several strands of black stood out sharply. Four faint marks emerged on his forehead—three horizontal and one vertical—forming the character for king.

His hands underwent the greatest change, becoming more than twice their previous size. White fur covered his palms, and as his fingers flexed, dagger-like claws repeatedly extended from and retracted into his hands. Each claw was like a blade, eight inches long and gleaming with a cold, sinister light.

Dai Mubai slowly leaned forward, and both pairs of pupils in his eyes turned a deep, dark blue. He looked like a killing machine.

Three shining rings rose one after another beneath his feet. Two yellow and one purple, they slowly revolved as surging Soul Power formed a wave-like pressure that crashed toward them.

"Thousand-Year Soul Ring?" Zhao Xuan's eyes lit up as he strode forward.

"Xiao San! This guy is mine!"

(PS: I'm not very satisfied with this part. Some things couldn't be skipped over, and it's really annoying.)