At that moment, in a clearing in the Star Dou Great Forest, Long Aotian was still taking a beating, coughing up blood again and again.
Power Attack System strength-type Soul Masters believed in seizing the chance to finish an opponent in one relentless combo, giving them no opening at all. That was exactly how Yu Daoyun was attacking Long Aotian.
As long as his opponent didn't beg for mercy, he would keep beating him until he did.
In just a few dozen exchanges, Long Aotian had been beaten until his flesh was mangled, and several chunks of the rock wall behind him had been smashed apart. Yet thanks to the Body Martial Soul's superior healing, he had managed to hold out this long.
"That's terrifying. I've gained a whole new appreciation for Yu Daoyun's explosive power and strength. That guy's becoming more and more like a human-shaped Ferocious Beast."
Watching Long Aotian take a beating, Dai Yueheng seemed to remember the time he'd been punched straight into the infirmary.
Ma Xiaotao clicked her tongue in amazement. "If that guy got close to me, I'm afraid I wouldn't escape a sound thrashing either. What terrifying strength."
Ling Luochеn mocked coldly, "You'd better not let him get close. You only have a higher Soul Power Level. If he catches an opening, he'll beat you down just the same. You have no idea how terrifying a strength-type Soul Master can be."
"As if you could take more than a few hits." Ma Xiaotao immediately shot back, not giving Ling Luochеn an inch.
Ling Luochеn replied calmly, "I never claimed I could beat him. Some people just have no idea where they stand. Evil Fire is still Evil Fire, no matter how powerful it gets. It'll always be suppressed by a true dragon."
"You..."
Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth, stung by the retort, and wanted to rush over and tear Ling Luochеn's mouth off.
Just then, Han Ruoruo stepped in to put an end to the two women's feud. "All right, all right. We're not even on the same path. Cultivation is hard for everyone. There's no need to fight to the death."
Ma Xiaotao snorted. "You don't even have Ultimate Ice. What are you putting on airs for in front of me?"
Ling Luochеn shot back, "A rotten Ju Zi is still a rotten Ju Zi."
While the two women were trading barbs, a world-shaking change was taking place among the Body Sect's ranks.
The Body Sect disciples' hearts had shattered.
The Body Sect's most talented senior disciple was being beaten senseless by a Shrek child, unable to fight back and left with no choice but to take the hits.
They began to wonder whether the Body Martial Soul was really that powerful.
Princess Veena cried out anxiously, "Sect Master, Aotian's about to be beaten to death!"
She was worried for the safety of the man she admired, afraid Long Aotian would be killed.
"I know..."
Du Busi sighed and took one last, reluctant look at the Soul Bone before calling to Long Aotian, "Aotian, admit defeat!"
"No way!"
Long Aotian gritted his teeth and protested loudly.
But the only response he got was another fist like a dragon's claw.
Just as Yu Daoyun was about to strike again, Du Busi flashed in front of Long Aotian and raised a hand to block the punch. "That's enough. Aotian admits defeat."
At the same time, he silently assessed the boy: That kid's strength could probably kill a high-ranked Soul King.
Long Aotian slowly raised his bloodied face and stammered, "Sect Master..."
Du Busi smiled. "It's all right. You haven't brought shame on the sect. You're a man with fire in your blood. I was afraid you'd die, so I admitted defeat on your behalf."
Long Aotian climbed out of the pit, warmth flowing through his heart.
The Sect Master hadn't blamed him. Instead, he'd acknowledged the strength of that savage Yu Daoyun.
Next time, I swear I'll beat him.
At that moment, Du Busi took out the prize they had wagered earlier and handed the Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone to Yu Daoyun. "I have to admit, you're truly exceptional. Your strength is even more terrifying than I imagined. Aotian really isn't your match."
"I've always been able to accept a loss. This Soul Bone is yours."
"But I believe that one day, Aotian will catch up to you. I hope you won't disappoint me when that day comes."
Du Busi's last sentence was meant for Long Aotian.
He didn't want the sect's senior disciple to be unable to recover from this setback. More than anything, he hoped Long Aotian would learn from it and grow stronger.
Though Du Busi looked down on Mu En, he didn't want the old generation's grudges to drag these young people into the feud.
Yu Daoyun held the Soul Bone and returned to his group with a smile. "I'll be waiting for that day."
Yan Shaozhe chuckled. "Senior, your disciple doesn't seem to measure up. He'll have to work hard at his cultivation when he gets back! I'll take these children back to the academy now."
As the dean of the Martial Soul Department, he was on top of the world.
Did the Martial Soul Department's strength still need proving?
Yu Daoyun had knocked the Body Sect's strongest disciple flat in just a few punches and kicks, proving everything with his strength.
Yan Shaozhe even wanted to say that he had nurtured the greatest Golden Dragon Soul Master. It had nothing to do with him, of course, but Yu Daoyun was a student of the Martial Soul Department, so he could still take credit and bask in the glory.
Du Busi waved a hand and said coolly, "I won't see you off!"
The Shrek party departed the Star Dou Great Forest in grand procession, leaving the Body Sect behind, stunned and reeling in the wind.
Princess Veena hurriedly bandaged Long Aotian's wounds.
Seeing the man she loved beaten so badly, she wept uncontrollably. Yet no one around them said a word, and the whole group was shrouded in gloom.
Du Busi looked at the children and sighed inwardly.
They'd really taken a fall this time, running into Shrek's strongest students in several hundred years.
Yu Daoyun's talent left Ma Xiaotao far behind.
For now, the most urgent thing was to comfort his disciples.
Du Busi said at once, "Aotian, don't be afraid of losing. No one can sit securely on the throne of the strongest forever. Those who come after always have a chance. As long as you cultivate hard, you'll catch up eventually."
"And the same goes for all of you. Don't doubt your Martial Souls. The Body Martial Soul has no limits."
Long Aotian clenched his fist and replied, "Sect Master, I'm not afraid. The next time we meet, I'll challenge that guy again."
The Body Sect disciples behind him spoke up in unison, their spirits undaunted.
Princess Veena wiped away her tears and smiled. "Aotian, I believe you'll catch up to him one day."
The heavy stone in Du Busi's heart finally fell.
Not only had these children avoided being crushed by the setback, they'd grown even more united. That was a good thing for the Body Sect.
The Body Sect will rise again one day...
Shrek Academy.
After the Soul Hunting Squad returned, Yan Shaozhe hurried straight into the Sea God Pavilion, intending to report to Mu En that Yu Daoyun had defeated Long Aotian, the Body Sect's strongest disciple.
This was the first time in recent years that Shrek had stood tall, and they'd done it right in front of Du Busi.
Mu En would be overjoyed to hear the news.
The Soul Hunting Squad broke up where they stood.
Because of her Martial Soul, Ma Xiaotao had to hurry back to suppress her Evil Fire, afraid it would flare up.
Ling Luochеn didn't want to help Ma Xiaotao suppress her Evil Fire, so she turned and went back to continue cultivating.
Friendships between girls could sink without warning. It was a common occurrence.
The rest of them went their separate ways, leaving only Zhang Lexuan, whom Yu Daoyun had asked to stay behind.
Zhang Lexuan blinked her beautiful eyes, her brows curving like crescent moons, and asked, "Junior, is there something you want to tell your senior sister? But I should warn you: you're too young to be thinking about love. That's for the future."
At the same time, Zhang Lexuan added silently in her heart: If he confesses to me, I'll definitely say yes. After all, he's my Child Groom.
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