Battle Ye Zhi Qiu

Unlike their spar with Zhao Wuji, this was the first time they had faced a Soul Master truly twenty or thirty levels above them. Holding back was impossible.

Dai Mubai could not help but shift his gaze to Fu Hua, who sat upright at the other end of the wooden table. Tang San's hand was already on Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges; if the other party showed any intent to attack, he would not hesitate to use hidden weapons on Ye Zhi Qiu.

Unlike Zhao Wuji, this man certainly would not show them mercy.

Fu Hua set down her teacup, rose to her feet, and walked to Dai Mubai's side. "Leave him to Rongrong and me," she said softly.

"This..."

Dai Mubai hesitated. Fu Hua was very strong, but he still did not know where her limits lay. As the captain, he could not help but worry about rashly letting her fight Ye Zhi Qiu.

At that moment, Tang San said, "Let's all go together! Just you and Ning Rongrong... would still be too dangerous."

Tang San looked at Ning Rongrong with concern. He had never been entirely at ease with her fiery temperament. If something happened in the middle of the fight...

Fu Hua did not answer Tang San or Dai Mubai. She merely turned her gaze toward Ning Rongrong behind her and calmly asked, "Can you do it?"

She wanted Ning Rongrong to prove to the others through her own strength that she was their companion—not someone who stood silently in the back, saying nothing, only to be isolated by the entire team in the end.

Fu Hua saw her former self in Ning Rongrong, the self she had been before becoming who she was now.

After a mission had left her as the sole survivor, she had been isolated no matter what team she joined afterward.

She knew that feeling. Having experienced it herself, she wanted even less for this future companion to experience it too.

This was Fu Hua's gentleness—silent, unobtrusive gentleness.

Ning Rongrong raised her stunned eyes, not knowing what to say. Everyone here rejected her, yet only Fu Hua had kept trying to help her fit into the team, using her own methods and her own gentleness to accept her.

And what about herself? Back then, she had wanted to push Fu Hua away.

She recalled everything that had happened on the way here. Being isolated by the others had made her resent this team even more. Only Fu Hua had extended a hand, ignoring her resistance and forcefully drawing close.

And now, Fu Hua had entrusted this seemingly weighty task to her, all so that the others would accept her.

Mist welled in Ning Rongrong's eyes. She nodded firmly, her voice clear and unwavering.

"I can."

Fu Hua smiled.

"Then is this acceptable, Captain?"

Her deep blue eyes calmly met Dai Mubai's mismatched ones. She carried no overbearing aura, yet no one could refute her.

Dai Mubai was speechless. Tang San frowned, and the others did not know what to say either. Fu Hua's persistence had exceeded all their expectations. Even Zhao Wuji, watching from the shadows, was secretly surprised.

In the end, unable to prevail against Fu Hua, Dai Mubai could only nod in agreement. However, just like Tang San, he would step in immediately if anything went wrong.

Having Soul Power at level thirty face off against someone above level fifty still worried them. Even though they had once held out against Zhao Wuji's level seventy-six Soul Power, that did not mean they could directly contend with a Soul King in his fifties.

With Dai Mubai approving Fu Hua's decision, it was finally decided that Fu Hua and Ning Rongrong would face the Soul King.

A battle between Soul Masters was a tremendous affair, and there was simply no room to fight properly inside this small hotel. Besides, this was only a modest business; damaging it would interfere with the owner's livelihood.

Thus, Fu Hua and the others followed Ye Zhi Qiu outside the village. Along the way, quite a few passersby were drawn in by Ye Zhi Qiu's dazzling five Soul Rings, until a crowd eventually formed at the village entrance.

By the time they had left the town, Ye Zhi Qiu's mind had calmed somewhat. Looking at the eight youths before him, he said in a deep voice, "I'll give you one more chance. It's not too late to admit your mistake now."

"We were at fault, but so were you. Apologies should be mutual." Fu Hua's clear voice rang out as she answered him this time.

Ye Zhi Qiu narrowed his eyes. He had noticed this youth before, but because Fu Hua had remained silent, he had paid no attention to her. Now that she had stepped forward and taken the lead, his thoughts began to turn once more.

"You spoke disrespectfully first. Naturally, you should be the ones to apologize."

Fu Hua stopped the fat boy, who was about to speak, and said without changing her expression, "Selfishness is an obstacle to helping oneself and helping others."

Ye Zhi Qiu's face instantly darkened.

"You arrogant brat! I'll teach you some proper respect for your elders on behalf of your teacher!"

She was actually lecturing him, calling him selfish.

"A teacher is a model for others. If one's conduct is upright, one will naturally earn respect."

"You..." Ye Zhi Qiu was beside himself with rage.

"One must be cautious when choosing a teacher!" Fu Hua shook her head with a sigh.

This sentence, however, was directed at the students behind him. As soon as her words fell, Ye Zhi Qiu let out a furious roar.

"Fine, brat, you've got a sharp tongue. Let's see if that tongue is still so sharp in a moment!"

Enraged, Ye Zhi Qiu's Soul Power surged throughout his body. Soul Power above level fifty pressed down on Fu Hua in waves, whipping up a gust before her and sending her ash-gray hair fluttering.

Her gaze remained calm. She removed the Black-rimmed Glasses from the bridge of her nose and slowly placed them into the breast pocket of her White Night Butler Uniform.

Her brows and eyes were cool and clear, her gaze spirited and sharp.

One hand behind her back, the other extended before her, she opened her palm toward him.

"My name is Fu Hua. Please enlighten me."

"Arrogant!"

Oscar could not help but remark, "Since when did Fu Hua become so good with words? She can insult someone without using a single curse, and somehow make it sound so artistic."

Ma Hongjun nodded in deep agreement.

Xiao Wu curled her lip.

"You make it sound like you know her so well."

Ye Zhi Qiu was truly enraged. No longer caring whether the other side had some powerful backing, he only wanted to teach them a harsh lesson.

Of the five Soul Rings around him, the third lit up.

He opened his mouth, and a stream of black water shot out.

Third Soul Skill, Mysterious Water Surge.

The bone-chilling cold rushed straight at Fu Hua's face. It was incredibly fast, reaching her in an instant, as though even she had failed to react in time.

Ye Zhi Qiu secretly sneered. She was nothing more than a sharp-tongued brat. She needed to suffer a little before she understood the proper order between young and old.

But before he could continue gloating, a crisp voice rang out from behind Fu Hua.

"Seven Treasures' Name, second: Speed."

A streak of colorful light flared behind her and instantly entered Fu Hua's body.

With Flash Step beneath her feet, her figure vanished from Ye Zhi Qiu's sight, and his Third Soul Skill naturally missed.

"What?"

Before he could recover from his shock, the sound of wind splitting came from behind him, followed by that clear voice again.

"First: Strength."

Bang!

A dull impact rang out. At the critical moment, Ye Zhi Qiu withdrew all five limbs into his turtle shell, but the immense force still sent both shell and man rolling away.

Rolling, rolling, rolling—like a spinning top.

Cries of alarm rose from the crowd. Even Tang San and the others could not help but be astonished. What incredible strength.

Ye Zhi Qiu extended his limbs. Though he had not been injured inside the shell, the rolling had still left him dizzy. His heart was filled with alarm.

He had not expected such tremendous power in the very first blow. And at that moment, he seemed to have heard the voice of a support Soul Master.

He looked to the side and happened to see Ning Rongrong holding the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. His heart immediately sank.

He had not expected to encounter a support Soul Master from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. No matter which academy this group belonged to, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alone was enough to make Ye Zhi Qiu wary.

In an instant, the urge to retreat arose in his heart.

But could he retreat so easily?

The answer was no.

Fu Hua shifted her footing, her figure becoming like the wind as she appeared before Ye Zhi Qiu once more. This time, she showed no mercy. Her fist force surged forth, and crushing pressure bore down on his face.

Ye Zhi Qiu inwardly cursed. His head instantly shrank into his turtle shell as his first and second Soul Rings lit up.

First Soul Skill, Mysterious Turtle Body Protection.

Second Soul Skill, Mysterious Water Ice Seal.

Both activated at once.

A freezing aura spread over the turtle shell. The slightest touch would result in frostbite, but Fu Hua had already thrown her punches and would not pull them back.

Her aura condensed as she lowered into a horse stance.

The Inch Heart Fist Style erupted.

Straight punch, uppercut, turning palm strike, knee strike, heavy kick, heavy punch, turning kick.

The seven moves flowed in one breath, so fast that the eye could not follow. They sent the hard, icy turtle shell flying, carving a beautiful arc through the air.

But it was not over yet.

Flash Step activated.

She followed closely behind, appearing in midair.

The Inch Heart Fist Style moved—Azure Dragon Emerging from Water, Inch Force: Rockbreaker.

She smashed it from the air back toward the ground.

Vermilion Bird Treading Clouds appeared. With two steps, she rooted herself to the ground before the turtle shell could plummet down at full speed.

Azure Dragon emerged from water once more—Inch Force: Cloud Mist.

The turtle shell, not yet having reached the ground, was launched skyward again before being smashed heavily into the earth, shattering soil and stone.

With a light tap of her toes, she soared into the air.

She turned midair to face downward, drawing both hands to her waist as power began to gather.

Soul Power drifting through the air began to converge, slowly forming a blazing wave under Fu Hua's guidance. Dazzling and scorching, it evaporated even the surrounding chill. Wisps of vapor spread out, forming a mist that obscured her figure within.

Inch Force: Thunderclap.

A scorching, surging wave composed entirely of Soul Power slammed downward. The turtle shell embedded deep in the ground was undoubtedly the perfect target—and one that did not move.

Rumble—!

The deafening blast made the earth tremble.

The surrounding crowd could not help covering their ears and noses to block the dust kicked up by the impact. The originally small circle of onlookers retreated again and again, only stopping after backing away a distance as wide as a spirit-fighting arena's platform.

At that moment, everyone eagerly raised their eyes to look inside, wanting to see the final outcome.

Fu Hua's series of attacks had been dazzling, leaving no time to react. If Ye Zhi Qiu had not possessed the Black Turtle martial soul, he would have already been defeated. But things were different now; it was simply unknown whether he had defended against every attack.

Especially that final strike—it was nothing like an attack a level-thirty Soul Grandmaster should have been capable of.

Within the arena, Ning Rongrong stood alone amid the dust, her eyes shining with wonder. Her position had not been affected in the slightest, clearly showing just how monstrously precise Fu Hua's control over her Soul Power was.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Rhythmic footsteps slowly approached. A familiar figure that made one feel safe emerged from the dust. Seeing her, Ning Rongrong could not help letting out a sigh of relief as the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand dispersed.

She walked forward with a smile.

"Fu Hua, you worked hard."

Fu Hua lightly nodded, brushing dust from herself that did not exist, her expression calm.

"This performance still wasn't perfect enough."

Ning Rongrong's brows knit in charming reproach as she sighed. What a monster.

If any other soul master had achieved this much, they would have long since been overjoyed. Yet Fu Hua was still dissatisfied. In all the world, she was probably the only one who would say such a thing.

As the smoke cleared, the scene in the arena came into everyone's view, immediately drawing cries of shock.

Fu Hua and Ning Rongrong stood side by side, graceful and untouched by dust.

Compared to how relaxed Fu Hua and Ning Rongrong looked, Canghui Academy had not been so fortunate. The flying dust had given them special attention, leaving even those students who had not participated in the battle looking utterly bedraggled.

The most miserable of all was Ye Zhi Qiu. He had been at the center of the attacks, so naturally he had not had an easy time.

First, Fu Hua had spun him around like a top. Then, he had fallen from high in the air. After going back and forth several times, even if he could defend against Fu Hua's attacks, the experience would leave a shadow in his mind.

What was more, he had not defended against them completely.

The moment Fu Hua activated Vermilion Bird Treading Clouds, his defeat had already been inevitable.

With two flashes, as though she were walking beyond time and space, Fu Hua's attacks dealt damage that ignored defense. Combined with Fu Hua's naturally terrifying power and Ning Rongrong's thirty-percent strength boost, the damage had long surpassed what a Soul King above level fifty could withstand.

Ye Zhi Qiu had actually been beaten until he vomited blood.

The Canghui Academy students were horrified. Ye Zhi Qiu's heart trembled, while the surrounding crowd looked at Fu Hua as though she were a monster. Even Dai Mubai and the others were no exception.

Even Dai Mubai, who had long known how formidable Fu Hua was, felt his heart shudder. He had never expected her to be this powerful.

While everyone else was stunned, Tang San was simply shocked.

He did not know whether it was an illusion, but the techniques Fu Hua had used seemed very similar to the martial arts from his previous life—yet also different.

The Tang Sect specialized in hidden weapons, so its martial arts naturally revolved around them. Yet during his previous life in the Tang Sect, Tang San had still seen martial arts techniques outside the sect. However, not a single one resembled Fu Hua's techniques.

Or rather, they resembled all martial arts techniques, yet were not limited to any one kind. It was as though she had integrated the martial arts of countless schools and formed her own style.

Tang San quietly tucked this question away in his heart.

PS: As for Fu Hua's techniques, I watched countless slow-motion replays with my own eyes, breaking down every movement one by one, then adding practical application on top of that. Who knows what I went through.

PS1: Speaking of which, I have two Fus now: one White Night and one Swift Feather. I'm still getting familiar with their moves. Swift Feather's skills are seriously too cool—they shake the earth and mountains!

PS2: To sum it up, with her strength sealed, Fu Hua can currently fight Soul Kings from level fifty-one to sixty alone. If she uses Yu Du Chen, she can match a Soul Sage evenly. Mm! That is Fu Hua's current strength, and this chapter shows it quite clearly. After all, she beat a Soul King until he vomited blood. Her strength and Soul Power will gradually improve afterward. Fighting above her level will not be a problem at all. At worst, I can use Open Heaven at the end and forcibly explain everything away. (Ah! I'm so handsome!)

PS3: Lastly, I shamelessly ask for likes! Every week, too! Although this is just an entertainment work, seeing so many people support it makes me very happy. So I'll shamelessly act cute here—likes! And please add it to your favorites! Hehe~(^_^)