"You wretch! You went straight for the kill. Don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
[Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation]
Dai Mubai's solid combat instincts let him adjust in time. His Third Soul Skill boosted his attack, defense, and strength by 100%.
In this state, Zhu Zhuqing's ordinary attacks would have little effect.
[Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Intense Light Wave]
Blasts of white light shot from Dai Mubai's mouth, forcing Zhu Zhuqing to dodge again and again across the arena.
"Is running all you can do? Then try this!"
Fateful Battle
Watching the figure dart around the arena, Dai Mubai knew that continuing like this would only waste his Soul Power.
So he dispelled his Third Soul Skill. In an instant, Soul Power surged toward his legs.
The next moment, Dai Mubai, still in White Tiger Possession, suddenly appeared at the spot Zhu Zhuqing was about to reach.
"Is that... Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track?"
Dai Mubai's sudden move left everyone present stunned!
"No... It's nowhere near as refined as Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. This looks more like a simplified movement technique!"
Flender turned his gaze toward Tang San. Yesterday, after Tang San had regained consciousness, Flender had already ordered him and Yu Xiaogang to leave the academy.
Yu Xiaogang had even gotten into a huge argument with Flender over it, and they had parted on bad terms.
But this was Flender's territory. Besides, the master and disciple were only around Soul Power Level 30; they had little influence.
Flender had just been wondering why the two of them were still hanging around when Tang San unexpectedly helped Dai Mubai!
Zhu Zhuqing was fast, but Dai Mubai managed to get in her way ahead of time almost every time.
The tide of battle had turned. A fiercely predatory expression returned to Dai Mubai's face.
"You've spent all this time with Xia Ran and this is all you've learned?"
"Looks like that guy doesn't think much of you either!"
As he spoke, he activated [Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation] again. Facing Zhu Zhuqing's rapid movements, Dai Mubai seized his chance and appeared in front of her once more.
[Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Intense Light Wave]
Blazing white light erupted from the phantom tiger, shooting straight toward the girl's chest.
He was aiming to kill her with this blow.
The momentum of her rapid movement kept Zhu Zhuqing from changing course in time. She could only turn sideways, trying to reduce the area that would take the hit.
Flender held his breath outside the arena, eyes fixed on the center of the blast.
Dai Mubai's full-force attack, powered by 50% of his Soul Power, kicked up a cloud of dust that blocked everyone's view.
"Hmph! You're asking for it!"
"You think raising your Soul Power a few levels will let you stand up to me? You brainless fool!"
Soul Skills released by a Beast Martial Soul also gave the user a certain amount of feedback.
Dai Mubai could clearly feel that his attack had landed squarely on Zhu Zhuqing.
A speed-type Soul Master taking a full-force attack head-on from a power-type Soul Master would be lucky to survive with only a few broken bones.
A victorious smile spread across his face. At the same time, he glanced at Tang San outside the arena and gave him an approving look.
Dai Mubai wasn't a fool, either. Once he learned that Zhu Zhuqing was training with Xia Ran, he had sought out Tang San.
Of all the new Shrek students, Dai Mubai was undoubtedly the strongest. His Soul Power Level spoke for itself.
But the one whose abilities were the strangest was Tang San!
His bizarre movement technique, sinister Hidden Weapons, and all sorts of secret moves were things even he, the Third Prince of Star Luo, had never seen before.
So after repeated pleas and a generous offer, he had managed to get a decent footwork technique from Tang San.
That was what had allowed him to hold his own against Zhu Zhuqing!
"Dean Flender! The winner's decided. You don't need to stand guard here!"
Dai Mubai's expression was haughty, his face brimming with triumph as he called to the people outside the arena.
"As for what comes next..."
Before he could finish, a terrifying, razor-sharp aura suddenly struck from behind.
The instincts of a top-tier Martial Soul alerted him to danger. He immediately activated [First Soul Skill: White Tiger Shield].
The instant the Soul Skill took effect, two metallic-purple spider legs pierced straight into his shoulder blades, meeting no resistance at all!
Pfft!!!
The sound of metal piercing flesh rang out clearly right beside Dai Mubai's ear.
He looked back in terror at the figure behind him!
Zhu Zhuqing had taken off her outer garment, revealing the backless outfit underneath and her full figure.
Eight purple spider legs glinted coldly behind her. Two were embedded in Dai Mubai's shoulder blades, while the remaining six braced against the ground and lifted her into the air.
Flender and Yu Xiaogang were both aghast!
"External Soul Bone!!!"
Tang San studied the figure in the arena, examining the spider legs on her back. They seemed strangely familiar.
"That's the Man Faced Demon Spider that ambushed me that day!"
"Zhu Zhuqing actually absorbed its Soul Ring! But that beast was clearly two thousand years old. How could a Soul Elder possibly absorb it?"
"And that spider even had a Soul Bone inside it!!!"
The moment that thought crossed his mind, a figure flashed through his thoughts!
"Xia Ran!"
"Xia Ran's Second Soul Ring was already a thousand years old. He must know some kind of secret method to increase the age of the Soul Rings he can absorb."
"Zhu Zhuqing only absorbed her Soul Ring after receiving Xia Ran's instruction."
"If I could get my hands on that method too..."
Zhu Zhuqing activated the devouring ability of her Eight Spider Lances and began frantically draining Dai Mubai's Soul Power.
Unlike Tang San's Eight Spider Lances in the original story, Zhu Zhuqing's carried no poison, since her Martial Soul was the Hell Spirit Cat. Instead, they gave her an even greater boost to her speed.
"You've lost! This is what you get for being arrogant!"
Just as her opponent's Second Soul Skill was about to hit her, Zhu Zhuqing released her Eight Spider Lances and curled them into a shield, taking the blow head-on.
In the blink of an eye, Dai Mubai's Soul Power was completely drained. He collapsed rigidly to the ground.
He looked up at Zhu Zhuqing, suspended in the air. With the light behind her, he could make out only the outline of her figure.
"How is this possible? What kind of ability is that?"
"Why has all my Soul Power been drained?"
Dai Mubai stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what he was seeing.
He was the Third Prince of Star Luo, with Soul Power Level 37—and he'd lost to his intended fiancée.
A girl from a family that survived only by relying on the royal family had actually beaten him!
"Remember what you just said?"
"From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."
The girl couldn't be bothered to explain. Her cool voice carried a hint of relief and a longing for a new beginning.
Flender let out a breath outside the arena. At least nothing unexpected had happened. Whatever the two of them did about their feud from here on was up to them.
But Zhu Zhuqing's condescending attitude filled Dai Mubai with an overwhelming sense of humiliation.
He had lost in front of everyone: a Soul Power Level 37 defeated by someone at Level 34, a prince of Star Luo defeated by the fiancée his family had chosen for him...
Wave after wave of negative emotions flooded his mind, nearly driving him out of his senses.
"You wretch! You really want to get away from me that badly?"
"Is that Xia Ran really worth being so devoted to?"
"Well, I won't give you what you want. Tomorrow, I'll set off for the Star Luo Empire. Once I spread the word, countless Star Luo experts will hunt you down. Let's see if that Xia Ran can still protect you!"
"Hahahaha!"
Zhu Zhuqing Near Death, Tang San Flees
A cloud happened to drift across the sun, letting Dai Mubai see the girl's expression clearly.
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. Her eyes were full of contempt as she looked down at Dai Mubai, as if he were a hopeless piece of trash.
"Scum!"
She had clearly given up on him long ago. Zhu Zhuqing simply took a deep breath, withdrew her Eight Spider Lances into her body, and turned to leave.
She didn't spare Dai Mubai another glance.
But that very indifference sent Dai Mubai into a fit of rage!
"You wretch! Die!"
A short iron sword suddenly shot out, heading straight for Zhu Zhuqing's bare back.
"Watch out! Dodge!"
Before the girl could react, a poisoned Sleeve Arrow had already pierced her skin and sunk deep into her flesh.
Flender, a Soul Saint, was a step too slow once again. By the time he reached the center of the arena, Zhu Zhuqing could no longer support herself. Her body went limp and collapsed.
Seeing this, Tang San put on a guilty, thief-caught-in-the-act expression and hurriedly slipped away with Yu Xiaogang.
Before you continue