Players, Not Protagonists

"Blue Silver Grass is really fun. All four skills are control-based. And this is only Blue Silver Grass, not the Blue Silver Emperor. Against opponents of the same level, I can practically crush all of them." Jia Youcai toyed with the Blue Silver Grass in his hand.

"Hey, hey, what are you spacing out for? The next match is starting. Stop dawdling." Yan Lingzhuo raised a hand and waved it vigorously in front of Jia Youcai, trying to pull his attention back.

Jia Youcai snapped out of it and said with a smile, "Let's go. Let's see what kind of opponents we run into this time."

Over the next few days, Jia Youcai and Yan Lingzhuo dominated the Dou Hun Arena. They took part in more than a dozen 2v2 matches and lost only one in total.

As for that loss, Jia Youcai's Martial Soul had been completely countered by the traits of the opposing Martial Soul, leaving him unable to unleash its proper strength. Yan Lingzhuo was also no match for either of the opponents and could only admit defeat helplessly.

That day, the two continued entering matches as usual, hoping to gain more real combat experience and improve their strength.

When they stepped confidently onto the stage, Jia Youcai nearly had his jaw drop when the opponent information appeared.

Two names were displayed prominently on the Dou Hun Arena's massive screen—Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Why are those two here too? This Dou Hun Arena really is full of hidden experts." Jia Youcai turned curiously toward Yan Lingzhuo and asked.

Yan Lingzhuo's expression also grew solemn. Frowning slightly, she said, "They're from Shrek Academy. This match won't be easy. We need to be careful."

A man and a woman slowly stepped onto the stage. The man was tall and straight-backed, his golden hair gleaming under the lights. His deep eyes carried an innate nobility and domineering aura. He was Dai Mubai. The woman was slender and graceful, with glossy black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. Her delicate face was cold as frost, and she exuded an icy, aloof air. She was Zhu Zhuqing.

Going by this timeline, neither of them should have reached level forty yet. Maybe we still have a chance. Jia Youcai stroked his chin thoughtfully.

However, when Jia Youcai carefully examined Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing through the system, his eyes widened. Dai Mubai's Soul Power had already reached level forty-nine, while Zhu Zhuqing beside him had reached level forty-seven.

"Damn, they're already this absurd? By the time of the Spirit Master Competition, won't their Soul Power break through level fifty? How are we supposed to fight this?" Jia Youcai exclaimed.

Most importantly, Jia Youcai was using the support-oriented Cloud Breath Fan. Although Yan Lingzhuo's Martial Soul was no inferior to theirs in quality, their average Soul Power was ten levels higher than hers.

As for his Second Martial Soul and soul bones, there was no way Jia Youcai could use them.

Over this period of time, Jia Youcai had come to understand that although he was a player, he was not the protagonist. In this world, he did not have a cheat that locked his health. If he died, there was still a chance that the soul bones on his body would drop.

"Ah, this..." Jia Youcai scratched his head and looked at Yan Lingzhuo beside him.

"Xiao Zhuo, their Soul Power is on average ten levels higher than yours, and they even have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Mine is only a support-oriented Martial Soul. Are you confident you can take them both down by yourself?" Jia Youcai asked half-jokingly.

Yan Lingzhuo shot Jia Youcai a speechless glance, then encouraged herself. "I-I'm not afraid of them! Even if there's a gap in Soul Power, we might not necessarily have no chance of winning."

"Wow, Xiao Zhuo, you're amazing. Then I'll leave those two to you. I'll support you with everything I've got," Jia Youcai said with a smile.

"L-leave them to me." Yan Lingzhuo patted her chest. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

By then, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had already taken their places on the other side of the stage. Dai Mubai folded his arms across his chest, his gaze cold. "Level forty-nine Attack-type Spirit Master, Dai Mubai. Please advise me."

Zhu Zhuqing merely gave them a cold glance. "Level forty-seven Agility-type Spirit Master, Zhu Zhuqing."

Jia Youcai and Yan Lingzhuo responded in turn.

"Level forty-five Support-type Spirit Master, Jia Youcai."

"Level thirty-eight Attack-type Spirit Master, Yan Lingzhuo."

With the referee's command, the match officially began.

Dai Mubai let out a roar, and his First Spirit Ring lit up. White light instantly enveloped his entire body as his form swelled, his muscles becoming even more solid and brimming with power. It was his First Spirit Skill, White Tiger Body Protection, which not only strengthened his defense but also increased his attack power.

Then he pushed off the ground, transforming into a fierce White Tiger as he charged toward Jia Youcai and Yan Lingzhuo.

Zhu Zhuqing did not remain idle either. Her body flashed, and she vanished from where she stood like a ghost. When she reappeared, she was already behind Yan Lingzhuo. Her Second Spirit Ring flickered as her hands transformed into sharp cat claws, slashing toward Yan Lingzhuo's back with fierce momentum. It was her Second Spirit Skill, Nether Hundred Claws, capable of launching repeated attacks in an instant, making it impossible to guard against.

"Xiao Zhuo, get into the air!" Jia Youcai shouted.

Almost at the same time, Jia Youcai fiercely swung the Cloud Breath Fan in his hand. A gentle wall of wind appeared behind Yan Lingzhuo, blocking Zhu Zhuqing's attack. At the same time, he muttered an incantation, his First Spirit Ring lighting up as brilliant light flared from the Cloud Breath Fan. Tiny wind blades shot toward Dai Mubai, attempting to slow his charge.

However, the wind wall only held Zhu Zhuqing back for a second or two before she broke through it. Fortunately, Yan Lingzhuo had already taken to the air by then.

Yan Lingzhuo's First Spirit Ring lit up, and two scorching bolts of lightning shot from her eyes. Yet they only left a charred mark on the ground in the end, completely unable to hit Zhu Zhuqing.

Dai Mubai, meanwhile, directly ignored Jia Youcai's wind blades and continued charging toward them. His White Tiger Body Protection knocked aside every wind blade, his momentum overwhelming.

No, no, I need to get into the air too. Otherwise, I can't possibly withstand the attacks of these two.

Jia Youcai's heart tightened. The Cloud Breath Fan in his hand whipped frantically through the air as fierce winds rapidly gathered beneath his feet, forming a powerful updraft. Riding that wind, he leaped upward and shot toward the sky.

"Xiao Zhuo, grab me!" Jia Youcai shouted at the top of his lungs from midair.

Hearing him, Yan Lingzhuo swiftly adjusted her position, twisting nimbly through the air and reaching for Jia Youcai's outstretched hand. Her fingers locked tightly around his wrist, and the two used that force to steady themselves in the air for a brief moment.

"Youcai, what do we do now?" Yan Lingzhuo frowned deeply. She could feel the immense pressure brought by Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. Their Soul Power far surpassed theirs, and their attacks were so sharp that one mistake would mean defeat.

"Uh... I don't know either..."