Just a Sick Cat

Xiao Yi had always been a kind-hearted person, and he never viewed the people of Shrek through the biased lens of his past life.

There were already enough differences in this world, but what he never expected was that there would be people even more despicable than those in his memories. It wasn't enough for them to cause the death of Huo Yutong's mother; they actually used their influence to cripple her hand in broad daylight, and the worst part was that there seemed to be no way to hold them accountable.

As far as the academy was concerned, Huo Yutong's value had yet to be demonstrated, and since both were freshmen, it was difficult to intervene in a sparring match. Furthermore, Dai Huabin was the young master of the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and his background spoke for itself.

There were two reasons for Xiao Yi's fury. One was the academy's inaction; even if Huo Yutong's talent was currently lacking, the academy should not have sat idly by while such an act was committed.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yi cast a cold, unfriendly glance at the referee standing in the center of the arena. This person was likely no better than the rest. He silently noted this down and turned his gaze toward the arrogant Dai Huabin opposite him.

There was another reason, and as Xiao Yi's expression turned icy, he vowed to make this sub-human beast experience true despair.

"The purpose of this soul duel is for exchange and sparring. Do not use excessive force," the referee said slowly, reciting the opening procedures of the duel.

After speaking and seeing that both were ready, he stepped off the arena.

"Kid, if you insist on standing up for that little mongrel, don't blame me if you end up with the same fate as her," Dai Huabin sneered. After saying this, he glanced toward the referee, intending to follow the same method and cripple this person's limbs as well.

"Why talk so much? Life and death are up to fate."

"Good kid, you said it yourself." As he spoke, two yellow and one purple soul rings rose from beneath his feet. A phantom of a white tiger emerged behind him, his clothes strained as his muscles bulged, his hands transformed into tiger claws, and a "King" character mark appeared on his forehead.

"Dai Huabin, Level 33 Assault System Soul Elder."

Xiao Yi didn't understand this custom of announcing one's level at the start of a fight. Were the people of the Douluo Continent really this honest? Still, he decided to respect the tradition. Come to think of it, this was his first time fighting a genius of his own age; he usually trained directly with his soul beast companions.

Three purple soul rings rose slowly from beneath Xiao Yi's feet, their color deeper than before, tinged with a hint of black. He released his Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils martial soul.

"Xiao Yi, Level 40 Assault System Soul Elder." The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils rotated slowly in his eyes, emitting an eerie, deep green light.

Gasps erupted from the spectator stands.

"He's a freshman too, right? Are you kidding me? Level 40, three thousand-year soul rings—how did he do that?"

"Don't you know? This freshman just took down a Soul Emperor in seconds—that old hag Zhou Yi."

"Is that for real? Then Dai Huabin is finished."

Tang Wutong, Tang Ya, and the others listened to the surrounding discussions and exclamations about Xiao Yi from below the stage. They couldn't hide their smiles. At the same time, hope ignited in Tang Ya's heart; Xiao Yi definitely saw through her little schemes, but he hadn't rejected them. There was a chance!

Bei Bei, standing beside her, didn't notice anything unusual.

"Xiao Ya, could you do me a favor?" Jiang Nannan suddenly tugged at Tang Ya. Seeing Tang Ya look over, she leaned close to her ear and spoke softly.

"You want to find Xiao Yi?" Tang Ya looked at her close friend with some surprise. Was her sister trying to snatch a man? But thinking about it carefully, it didn't seem like a bad idea; it might even work better. Tang Ya stroked her chin, already prepared to give herself away to recruit him into the Tang Sect.

People said Tang Ya was foolish, but she was actually incredibly sharp. If she just started a relationship with him, she could make someone with unprecedented talent the Sect Master of the Tang Sect. Plus, she glanced at Jiang Nannan, there might be unexpected gains.

Below, Dai Huabin's face turned ashen. Hearing the discussions from above, he recalled the identity of the person before him. This was the man who had instantly defeated a Soul Emperor. No matter how arrogant he was, he didn't believe he could be a match for someone like that.

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

"Xiao Yi, I was in the wrong. I am willing to apologize and offer compensation. Please, for the sake of the White Tiger Duke Mansion, show mercy." After struggling for a long time, Dai Huabin finally begged for mercy. It was clear the other party was out to strip him of his dignity.

"You know to beg for mercy now? It's too late." Xiao Yi's second soul ring flashed as the Purple Lightning Flood Dragon possessed him, leaving only an afterimage in his place.

Dai Huabin was shocked. "What kind of speed is this?" He didn't have time to react and hurriedly activated his "White Tiger Protection Barrier." Golden energy swirled around him, forming a shield.

The moment the shield formed, a whip kick carrying the power of thunder struck his flank.

"I see you." Dai Huabin felt a jolt of alarm. He activated his White Tiger Vajra Transformation, his muscles expanding further, and reached out to grab the incoming kick, but he only grasped at empty air.

"An afterimage!" Feeling only a surge of lightning coursing into his body, bringing a numbing sensation, Dai Huabin felt a chill shoot straight to his skull. The scales on Xiao Yi's body had turned ice-blue.

Xiao Yi slammed a palm into Dai Huabin's back. A wave of cold spread through Dai Huabin's body, and before he could react, he was frozen into an ice sculpture, with only his eyeballs still moving.

Seeing Dai Huabin frozen, the referee immediately prepared to call off the match, but before he could shout, a heart-wrenching scream echoed across the arena.

The scales on Xiao Yi's arm turned red, and a crimson flame erupted from his body, though it quickly turned transparent.

"I won't kill you, but consider this the interest I'm collecting for Yutong. Hehehe." Xiao Yi gave a cold, chilling laugh.

Under Dai Huabin's horrified gaze, Xiao Yi injected a burst of flame directly into his body. An explosion followed, accompanied by Dai Huabin's screams and the shattering of ice.

Transparent flames burned on Dai Huabin's body, continuously scorching his skin, internal organs, and even his soul. It wasn't enough to kill him, but it would cause him excruciating agony.

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

"Student, the match is over! Extinguish those flames!" the referee shouted angrily.

Xiao Yi ignored him, watching coldly as Dai Huabin's skin was burned away and festered. Only then did he stop, leaving behind a charred, moaning mess on the ground.

"You!" The referee glared, his soul power surging as he prepared to strike. But before he could act, the cry of a phoenix echoed from the sky, and a fiery red figure blocked the path 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 soon. Could it be that she had already prepared the soul beast?

Ma Xiaotao gave Xiao Yi a look of exasperation.

"You brat, do you have any idea what kind of trouble you've caused? And you were hiding a second martial soul? You really are full of surprises." Ma Xiaotao poked Xiao Yi's forehead, though the joy and wonder in her eyes were impossible to hide.

Not long after, two figures—one white and one green—landed in the arena. They were Yan Shaozhe and Zhuang Yusen.

"Dean." Zhu Lu was about to speak, but Yan Shaozhe raised a hand to stop her. He already knew the sequence of events and naturally stood on Xiao Yi's side. Even if Xiao Yi hadn't been avenging a girl close to him, he wouldn't have spoken up for Dai Huabin for Xiao Yi's sake alone.

Elder Zhuang raised his hand and summoned his Tree of Life martial soul, sighing inwardly. This man deserved it. As the Tree of Life bloomed with light, leaves drifted down onto Dai Huabin, who began to let out pained whimpers.