An Unexpected Outcome

"Hmph, that's not necessarily true!"

As the Blue Silver Grass lunged at her, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly unleashed her full power, charging towards Tang San at a speed far exceeding her previous maximum. Because it was so sudden, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass didn't react in time, and Zhu Zhuqing actually managed to break through the defense line and rush past.

"Not good!"

Tang San quickly retracted the Blue Silver Grass, attempting to trap Zhu Zhuqing like a turtle in a jar. However, the speed of the grass leaves couldn't match Zhu Zhuqing's full-throttle charge. Thus, Zhu Zhuqing reached Tang San first, with an advantage of five body lengths over the Blue Silver Grass:

"First Soul Skill, Hell Stab!"

Facing the sharp claws just inches away, Tang San remained unfazed. He used Mysterious Jade Hand on both hands to increase his defense, while also employing another Tang Sect secret skill: Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon. As long as he could entangle Zhu Zhuqing for less than three seconds, his Blue Silver Grass could construct a cage from which she couldn't escape. But just as Tang San's hands were about to touch Zhu Zhuqing, his vision suddenly blurred. He saw Zhu Zhuqing pivot on her left foot, her right leg drawing a circle like a compass, directly dodging Tang San's attack and appearing behind him.

"This is bad!"

Tang San hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to pull off such a move. He instinctively swung his wrist backward, his fingers already on the mechanism of the Sleeve Arrow.

"I win."

As Zhu Zhuqing's cold voice fell, the Hell Spirit Cat's claws stopped at the back of Tang San's neck.

"My goodness! What did I just see? A speed-type Soul Master, on a stage where it's difficult to utilize their strengths, instantly defeated a control-type Soul Master who had a higher Soul Power Level and was supposed to counter her!"

From the announcer's perspective, he couldn't see Tang San's hidden weapons, so he declared the result. After the match ended, Zhu Zhuqing deactivated her Martial Soul Possession and walked off the stage without a word.

"Hoo..."

Tang San let out a long sigh, retracting the Sleeve Arrow with a complex expression.

"Congratulations, congratulations, Zhuqing's progress is truly rapid."

On the other side, as soon as Zhu Zhuqing stepped off the stage, she was met by Feng Xinglie, who was applauding her:

"The feint of retreating at the start, the footwork techniques you used when fighting me, and defeating me within three moves. In less than half a day, you've perfectly summarized and incorporated all the combat methods you've encountered. Truly terrifying talent."

"Thank you, it's all thanks to your guidance that I was able to win this match."

Zhu Zhuqing seemed a bit shy at this moment, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and speaking with a slightly evasive gaze.

"Heh heh, I was just theorizing. You're the one who truly put them to use. However... in my opinion, you didn't win this battle; at best, it was a draw."

"What?"

Zhu Zhuqing, who had been feeling happy, turned her head in confusion upon hearing the last sentence. In her eyes, it was an undisputed, absolute victory; how could it possibly be a draw at best?

"Have you seen Tang San and Xiao Wu's tag-team battle? They used a weapon in that fight, a weapon hidden in their sleeves that could fire iron arrows. When you appeared behind Tang San, that iron arrow was also aimed at you. He only needed to pull the trigger to pierce your abdomen."

Zhu Zhuqing was deeply shaken by this.

She recalled that it had indeed been strange. At the time, Tang San's hands were empty, yet he had reached behind him and aimed at her. If Feng Xinglie was telling the truth, then...

She still found it hard to believe. It wasn't that she couldn't accept her defeat, but rather that Zhu Zhuqing couldn't imagine Tang San using such a dangerous weapon against her. As her mind raced, Feng Xinglie stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder:

"Don't take it too hard. He didn't actually go through with it, did he? Just be more careful in future battles; consider it a lesson learned."

Nodding, Zhu Zhuqing still found it difficult to accept and silently followed Feng Xinglie out of the Soul Dueling Arena. Outside, their classmates who had already finished their duels were gathered by the entrance. Seeing Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing immediately walked up and asked:

"Tang San, when you and Xiao Wu had your tag-team duel, you used a weapon hidden in your sleeve, right?"

"That's right."

Tang San nodded. The Tang Sect's hidden weapons were his pride, and there was nothing to hide about them.

"And when you dueled me, you were preparing to use it as well, weren't you?"

Tang San fell silent. He only realized afterward that using such a deadly hidden weapon against a classmate was somewhat inappropriate. However, the pride of the Tang Sect still made him nod.

"What? Little San, how could you use something like that on your own companion!?"

Before Zhu Zhuqing could say anything, Dai Mubai exploded. He had happened to witness that duel and knew the power of the Sleeve Arrow. If he had injured his future wife, who would perform the Martial Soul Fusion Skill with him? He hadn't expected that his unsolicited defense would not be appreciated.

"Enough, stop pretending. Dai Mubai, if you truly cared about me, you wouldn't have fled alone and left me to die waiting at the Zhu Family's place. Nor would you have been doing those disgusting things with those twin sisters after arriving at Shrek!"

"Don't push my buttons!"

Dai Mubai, who already had a short temper, had finally tried to help, only to have his past exposed in front of his junior schoolmates. The anger that had been building up over the past few days could no longer be contained, and he roared at Zhu Zhuqing:

"Bitch, who do you think you are to lecture me? Don't you understand the situation back then? If I hadn't run, where would I be now!? If you're so capable, why didn't you stay in the Imperial City and come here? Flirting with other men every day, you're just a subordinate meant to complement my Martial Soul Fusion Skill, so why are you yelling at me!?"

This outburst shocked everyone. For a long time, the only sound in the arena was Dai Mubai's heavy breathing.

"You... you see me like this?"

Tears welled up in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes:

"I endured my sister's pressure at home, was hunted down and fled here, all just to prove myself with you and return with dignity. And this... this is how you think of me?"

"No... no, Zhuqing, I..."

Dai Mubai, having calmed down after his outburst, finally realized what he had said and stammered, trying to backtrack. But he saw Zhu Zhuqing biting her lower lip, her reddened eyes glaring at him with disgust as she retreated behind Feng Xinglie.

"Heh heh, so you're a broken-backed dog who abandoned his responsibilities and ran here. You're useless and can only yell at girls, it's hilarious!"

"What?"

Dai Mubai mechanically turned his head, enunciating each word as he looked at Ning Rongrong beside him.

"What? Did I say something wrong? In Suotuo City, who doesn't know about your Casanova reputation, Young Master Dai? Call it being a romantic, or call it being a scumbag!"

Ning Rongrong, having unleashed her true nature, didn't care about anything. She said whatever came to mind. As the next successor of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had some knowledge of the Star Luo Empire's royal family and the Zhu family's affairs. Seeing Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Souls, and their relationship, she quickly understood most of it. Ning Rongrong wasn't stupid, and she immediately felt indignant on Zhu Zhuqing's behalf.