Air Kiss

Zhang Bufan's "Next one" was like a drop of water falling into a pot of boiling oil, instantly throwing the entire arena into an uproar.

The Rock Ash Academy students and teachers were both shocked and furious, but seeing their unconscious captain on the stage and Zhang Bufan's unfathomable strength, they ultimately did not dare send anyone else up. They conceded outright.

The Imperial Fighting Team claimed their first victory in the Promotion Match without shedding a drop of blood. Yet all attention was focused on that mysterious young man—Zhang Bufan—who had been on the field for less than ten seconds and had used only a single finger.

Zhang Bufan did not appear in the next few matches. Under Yu Tianheng's leadership, the Imperial Fighting Team continued to win, but their glory was completely overshadowed by Zhang Bufan's earth-shattering finger strike.

Although Yu Tianheng and the others had won, their feelings were complicated. On one hand, they were happy for the team's victory. On the other, Zhang Bufan's existence weighed on their hearts like a mountain. The gap between them was so vast it inspired despair.

Zhang Bufan, meanwhile, was happy to take it easy. Most of the time, he lounged in a chair in the rest area with his eyes closed, seemingly resting, while his Divine Sense had already spread out in search of that familiar red figure among the Audience Seats.

Finally, during a major match on the third day, he found her.

Imperial Fighting Team versus Godwind Academy!

Godwind Academy was one of the Four Element Academies, famed for its speed and offensive power. Its captain, Feng Xiaotian, was one of the foremost talents of the younger generation. His Self-Created Soul Skill, Gale Wolf Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes, possessed astonishing power.

More importantly, Feng Xiaotian was hopelessly in love with Huo Wu of Blazing Fire Academy. It was a "secret" known throughout the entire soul master world. Blazing Fire Academy happened to have a match today, so Huo Wu was very likely to come watch Godwind Academy's match and cheer for her "friend"—or perhaps scout a potential opponent.

Sure enough, as the teams entered the arena, Zhang Bufan's Divine Sense sharply caught that flame-like, dazzling figure in the Blazing Fire Academy section.

Huo Wu was dressed in a red team uniform today, one that perfectly outlined her graceful figure. She sat there with a focused expression, watching the stage—especially the man at the front of Godwind Academy's lineup, Feng Xiaotian, with his long teal hair, fairly handsome face, and carefree smile.

Feng Xiaotian seemed to sense Huo Wu's gaze. He flashed a confident smile toward Blazing Fire Academy and even waved.

Seeing that, Zhang Bufan narrowed his eyes slightly and snorted inwardly. Hmph. Smiling like a complete idiot. And he dares wave at my future wife? Looks like the lesson from the last match wasn't nearly painful enough.

At that moment, the referee announced the start of the match and called for the first competitors from both sides to take the stage.

On Godwind Academy's side, Feng Xiaotian actually stood up and became the first to step onto the stage!

The entire venue immediately erupted in gasps and chatter.

"Feng Xiaotian's going first? Is he trying to take down all seven by himself?"

"Looks like he wants to put on a good show in front of someone!"

"The Imperial Fighting Team is in trouble. Other than Zhang Bufan, who can stop Feng Xiaotian?"

Standing on the stage, Feng Xiaotian first shot a provocative glance toward the Imperial Fighting Team's rest area, letting his gaze linger briefly on Zhang Bufan. Naturally, he had heard about Zhang Bufan's performance in the first match, but he had absolute confidence in his own strength and Self-Created Soul Skill. Before Huo Wu, he would personally defeat this newcomer who had recently stolen the spotlight and prove who was truly the strongest of the younger generation!

Then, he looked toward Blazing Fire Academy again and gave Huo Wu what he thought was a dashing, handsome smile.

The mood on the Imperial Fighting Team's side was grave. Yu Tianheng's expression was ugly. He knew he was no match for Feng Xiaotian, but as captain, he could not back down. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to take the stage.

"I'll take this one."

Zhang Bufan's voice rang out again. At some point, he had already risen to his feet. He rolled his wrist, a faintly amused smile on his face.

Yu Tianheng did not object this time. He even felt a vague sense of relief. Against Feng Xiaotian, he truly had no confidence.

Zhang Bufan strolled leisurely onto the stage and stood opposite the high-spirited Feng Xiaotian.

"Zhang Bufan, right?" Feng Xiaotian looked at him with sharp eyes. "Your earlier performance was impressive. But your winning streak ends here. I'll show you what a real genius is!"

Zhang Bufan picked at his ear, his tone dismissive. "Oh. You sure talk a lot."

Feng Xiaotian was angered by his attitude, but he still maintained his composure and sneered. "I hope you can keep talking tough in a moment!"

After saying that, he ignored Zhang Bufan and looked again toward Huo Wu in the Audience Seats. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he made her a reassuring gesture.

Huo Wu watched from the stage with a slight frown. Although she had no romantic feelings for Feng Xiaotian, she still hoped her friend would win. Besides, she wanted to see just how capable Zhang Bufan was—the man who had defeated a Soul Ancestor with one finger.

Then, a scene unfolded that left everyone in the arena, including the Big Bosses in the VIP section, utterly dumbfounded!

Zhang Bufan completely ignored Feng Xiaotian, who was preparing to assume his stance. Instead, he suddenly turned around to face the Blazing Fire Academy section, his gaze locking precisely onto Huo Wu!

Then, beneath the gazes of tens of thousands, a wild, wicked grin curled across his lips. He raised his right hand, lightly pressed his fingers to his lips, and then... flung his hand toward Huo Wu in the distant stands!

A distinct, invisible kiss crossed half the arena and "shot" straight at the dumbfounded Huo Wu!

Silence!

An even more deathly silence than before!

Everyone was stunned!

The smile on Feng Xiaotian's face froze instantly, then turned livid at a visible pace. Veins bulged on his forehead! He had pursued Huo Wu for years and had not even held her hand, yet this bastard... this bastard dared... dared make such a frivolous gesture toward Huo Wu?!!

"You bastard! I'll kill you!!!" Feng Xiaotian completely lost his mind. With a roar like a wounded beast, terrifying Soul Power erupted uncontrollably from his body!

In the VIP section, Xue Ye was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh. "This boy... is rather interesting."

Ning Fengzhi also looked surprised before giving a bitter smile. "To be young..."

Bone Douluo Gu Rong grinned. "He's got character. I like him!"

After that brief deathly silence, the Audience Seats exploded into unprecedented commotion and jeering!

"Holy shit! What did I just see?! An air kiss?!"

"And it was aimed at Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy?! Is he insane?!"

"Right in front of Feng Xiaotian?! That's naked provocation! They're mortal enemies now!"

"Awesome! This guy is freaking awesome! I'm convinced!"

In the Blazing Fire Academy section, Huo Wu was completely dumbfounded.

She stared at the young man on the stage, who was grinning wickedly at her, her mind entirely blank. Her cheeks first went pale, then flushed crimson at an astonishing speed, like a ripe apple, all the way to the tips of her ears! She was angry—absolutely angry! Yet there was also an indescribable embarrassment and indignation!

That lecher! That shameless scoundrel! How could he... how could he dare do something so... so improper to her in public?!!

The other Blazing Fire Academy members finally snapped out of it, all of them furious. Huo Wushuang even rose to his feet, his fists cracking as he clenched them, wishing he could rush onto the stage and beat Zhang Bufan flat at once!

"Bastard! Just you wait!" Huo Wu gritted her teeth and squeezed out several words through them, her beautiful eyes blazing as she glared at Zhang Bufan. If looks could kill, Zhang Bufan would already have been burned to ashes.

Amid the uproar of the entire venue, Feng Xiaotian's fury, and Huo Wu's humiliation, Zhang Bufan seemed to have accomplished some great feat. Satisfied, he lowered his hand and winked in Huo Wu's direction.

Only then did he unhurriedly turn back toward Feng Xiaotian, who was on the verge of exploding from rage. That infuriating grin still remained on his face.

"Can we start now? I'm in a hurry."

His tone made it sound as though that arena-shaking "air kiss" had merely been an ordinary greeting.

Feng Xiaotian's eyes were bloodshot, his teeth grinding loudly as he snarled from deep in his throat.

"Zhang—Bufan! I—will—kill—you!"

Gale Wolf Martial Soul Possession! Two yellow and two purple Soul Rings rose instantly. Powerful Soul Power, accompanied by boundless killing intent, surged into the sky!

A battle sparked by a single "kiss," one destined to be incomparably brutal—for Feng Xiaotian, at least—was about to begin!