Just a Sickly Cat

Xiao Yi had always been kind-hearted. He had never looked at the people of Shrek through the lens of his past life.

There were already more than enough differences in this world. What he had never expected was that there would be someone even more despicable than he remembered from his past life. Killing Huo Yutong's mother hadn't been enough; relying on his family's influence, he had even crippled her hand in full view of everyone. And the worst part was, there was apparently nothing Xiao Yi could do about it.

As far as the academy was concerned, Huo Yutong's value had yet to become apparent. Besides, they were both new students, so there was little they could say about a sparring match. On top of that, Dai Huabin was the young master of the White Tiger Duke Mansion. His backing was plain to see..

Xiao Yi was angry for two reasons. The first was the academy's inaction. Even if Huo Yutong didn't have much talent right now, the academy still couldn't just stand by when someone did something like that.

At the thought, Xiao Yi shot an unfriendly glance at the referee standing in the middle of the arena. That man was probably no good either. He silently filed the matter away, then turned his gaze to the haughty Dai Huabin across from him.

The other reason was that Xiao Yi's face turned icy. He would make this less-than-human beast feel despair.

"The purpose of this Soul Fighting match is to spar and learn from one another. Do not use excessive force," the referee said slowly, reciting the usual opening procedure.

After speaking, he waited until both of them were ready before stepping off the arena.

"Kid, you insist on standing up for that little bastard. If you end up like her, don't blame me." Dai Huabin gave a cold laugh. He glanced toward the referee, intending to do the same thing again and cripple this man's hands and feet too.

"Why say so much? We each answer for our own fate."

"Good. You said it yourself." As he spoke, three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—rose beneath his feet. A phantom white tiger appeared behind him. His clothes stretched over bulging muscles, his hands transformed into tiger claws, and a king-shaped marking appeared between his brows.

"Dai Huabin, level 33 Battle Soul Elder of the Power Attack System."

Xiao Yi didn't understand this custom of announcing your level at the start. Were people on Douluo Continent really all so earnest? Still, he respected the custom. This was his first time fighting a genius his own age; normally, he trained by sparring directly with his Soul Beast companions.

Three purple Soul Rings slowly rose beneath Xiao Yi's feet. Their color was even deeper than before, now tinged with a trace of black. He released his Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils Martial Soul.

"Xiao Yi, level 40 Battle Soul Elder of the Power Attack System." The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils turned slowly in his eyes, radiating an eerie, deep-green glow.

A series of gasps rose from the audience stands.

"Is he a new student too? You've got to be kidding. Level 40, with three Thousand-Year Soul Rings. How did he manage that?"

"Don't you know? This new student instantly defeated a Soul Emperor before. That old witch, Zhou Yi."

"Seriously? Then Dai Huabin is done for."

Tang Wutong, Tang Ya, and the others listened to the crowd's discussion and gasps about Xiao Yi from below the stands. They couldn't suppress their grins. Hope also flared in Tang Ya's heart. Xiao Yi had definitely seen through her little scheme, but he hadn't turned her down. There was a chance!

Bei Bei beside them hadn't noticed anything unusual at all.

"Xiaoya, could I ask you a favor?" Jiang Nannan suddenly tugged at Tang Ya. When Tang Ya looked over, Jiang Nannan leaned close to her ear and spoke softly.

"You want to find Xiao Yi?" Tang Ya gave her friend a strange look. Was her sister here to steal her man? But thinking it over, maybe that wasn't such a bad idea. It might even work better. Tang Ya rubbed her chin. She had already decided she'd give herself away if that was what it took to recruit him into the Tang Sect.

People said Tang Ya was a fool, but she was actually brilliant. All she had to do was date him, and she could make someone with unprecedented talent the Tang Sect's leader. And, she glanced at Jiang Nannan, there might even be an unexpected bonus.

Dai Huabin's face below the stands had gone ashen. Hearing the discussion from above, he remembered who the person before him was: someone who had instantly defeated a Soul Emperor. No matter how proud he was, he didn't think he could beat someone like that.

Xiao Yi looked at his ashen face and gave a cold laugh.

"Xiao Yi, I was wrong. I'm willing to apologize and make amends. Please, for the sake of the White Tiger Duke Mansion, show mercy." After a long struggle, Dai Huabin finally begged for mercy. The other man clearly intended to beat him within an inch of his life.

"You know how to beg now? Too late." Xiao Yi's second Soul Ring flashed. The Purple Lightning Flood Dragon possessed him, and a moment later, only an afterimage remained where he had stood.

Dai Huabin's heart jolted. What kind of speed is that? He had no time to do anything else and hurriedly activated the White Tiger Protection Barrier. Golden energy swirled around him, forming a shield.

The instant the shield formed, a whip kick carrying the power of thunder came flying at his flank.

"I see you." Dai Huabin was slightly startled. He activated the White Tiger Vajra Transformation, and his muscles swelled another size, making him look even more imposing. He reached for the whip kick aimed at him, but his hand closed on empty air.

"An afterimage!" He felt only a surge of electricity enter his body, leaving him numb. A chill shot straight through him as the scales on Xiao Yi's body turned icy blue.

Xiao Yi struck Dai Huabin in the back with his palm. A wave of cold spread over Dai Huabin, and before he could react, he was frozen into a block of ice, with only his eyes still able to move.

Seeing Dai Huabin frozen, the referee immediately prepared to call an end to the match. But before he could shout, a heart-rending scream rang out across the arena.

The scales on Xiao Yi's arm turned red, and crimson flames burst from his body. In no time, however, the flames turned transparent.

"I won't kill you. But this is just a little interest on the debt you owe Yu Tong. Heh heh heh." Xiao Yi gave a cold laugh, the sound sending chills down everyone's spine.

As Dai Huabin glared at him with bloodshot eyes, Xiao Yi sent a flame straight into his body. An explosion rang out, accompanied by Dai Huabin's scream and the shattering of the ice.

Transparent flames engulfed Dai Huabin, searing his skin and internal organs, even his soul. They weren't enough to kill him, but they could make him wish he were dead.

"Huabin!" A black-clad figure and the referee rushed onto the arena, wanting to examine Dai Huabin's condition but not daring to get too close.

"Student, the match is over. Put out those flames!" the referee barked angrily.

Xiao Yi ignored him. He watched as all the skin on Dai Huabin's body burned away, leaving raw, suppurating flesh. Only then did he stop. A charred figure lay on the ground, groaning.

"You!" The referee glared furiously. Soul Power surged through him, and he was about to attack, but before he could move, a phoenix's cry rang out from the sky. A fiery-red figure immediately appeared in front of Xiao Yi.

"Sister Xiaotao?" Xiao Yi called out in surprise. He hadn't expected Ma Xiaotao to return to the academy so early. Had she already found a Soul Beast?

Ma Xiaotao gave Xiao Yi an exasperated look.

"You rascal, do you know how much trouble you've caused? And you were hiding a Second Martial Soul too. You really kept that under wraps." Ma Xiaotao poked Xiao Yi in the forehead, unable to hide the delight and surprise in her eyes.

Not long after, two more figures, one white and one green, descended into the arena. They were Yan Shaozhe and Zhuang Yusen.

"Dean." Zhu Lu had just started to speak when Yan Shaozhe raised a hand to stop her. He already knew what had happened, so naturally he was going to side with Xiao Yi. Even if Xiao Yi had been avenging a girl with whom he had a close relationship, he wouldn't speak up for Dai Huabin. He wouldn't do it for Xiao Yi alone.

Elder Zhuang raised a hand and summoned his Tree of Life Martial Soul, sighing inwardly. Dai Huabin had brought this on himself. The Tree of Life glowed brightly, and leaves drifted down onto Dai Huabin. He began to let out pained whimpers.