Huo Yuhao knew exactly what this feeling was: a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!
But now wasn't the time to worry about that. Without another moment's hesitation, Huo Yuhao sprang into action.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately felt a tremendous force tug at her hand. As Huo Yuhao spun, he swung her up into the air.
After one turn, Huo Yuhao let go. Zhu Zhuqing flew toward A-Ying.
She instantly understood Huo Yuhao's plan. Their opponent couldn't fly, and she could easily soar over the man charging at them.
She curled into a ball midair, then hurtled toward A-Ying in a somersault.
Just before reaching her, Zhu Zhuqing snapped open her body. Her First Soul Ring lit up, and she accelerated again, claws outstretched as she pounced on A-Ying.
Huo Yuhao gave a slight nod at the sight, then focused on the man charging straight at him. The man swung his silver-white claws at him.
Huo Yuhao ducked as if he'd anticipated the attack, then greeted him. "What should I call you, big brother?"
The man snorted.
"My name's Luo Dong, kid. You've got guts, standing in my way alone! But you'll soon find out what happens when you do. Once I'm done with you, I'll deal with your little girlfriend."
Huo Yuhao shook his head and chuckled. "My only task is to keep you occupied until she gets here."
Then he unleashed his astonishing speed, darting backward so quickly that Luo Dong stared in shock.
Luo Dong sucked in a sharp breath, his face full of disbelief. "A Control-type Soul Master shouldn't be this fast!"
He realized at once that he'd been tricked. Just as he turned to help his teammate, Huo Yuhao appeared in front of him again and threw a lightning-fast punch.
Luo Dong instinctively raised both arms to block it. A tremendous force crashed into him. His arms felt as if they were about to break, and his whole body flew backward against his will.
"Sorry, but you'll have to keep me company until the fight over there is finished."
Huo Yuhao's voice rang clearly in his ears.
Luo Dong got back to his feet. A dull, numbing pain throbbed through his arms, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. That punch had shown him the gap between them. He probably couldn't break through this kid's defenses.
Now he could only pin his hopes on the fight over there. If A-Ying beat the girl and came to help him, they'd have a chance with two against one!
"You're really that confident your little girlfriend can beat A-Ying?"
Huo Yuhao paused, then smiled and nodded. "I believe in her."
"Hmph! Let's see how a Soul Grandmaster beats a Soul Elder! Until then, I'll play along and give you what you want!"
Luo Dong roared. His Third Soul Ring lit up, and his body swelled another size. Red fur sprouted across his skin, and most striking of all, his hands were engulfed in blazing flames.
"Come on!"
Huo Yuhao was taken aback. He hadn't expected Luo Dong to attack first.
A hint of fighting spirit rose in his eyes. They charged at each other and crashed together, arms locked as they stared one another down.
Feeling the surging power in Huo Yuhao's body, Luo Dong grew more and more shocked. He was still holding back!?
A fierce glint flashed in Luo Dong's eyes as his First Soul Ring lit up. Crimson Flame Breath! He opened his mouth wide, and a scorching fireball began to form, ready to blast Huo Yuhao.
But suddenly, a heavy blow struck his chin. Huo Yuhao punched his mouth shut.
"??"
Luo Dong was dumbfounded. His breath attack was incredibly fast to unleash. At close range, almost no one could react in time.
In his shock, he saw a black ring slowly turning in Huo Yuhao's eyes. His panic only deepened.
"This kid... he's a monster!"
Just then, the sound of something cutting through the air came from behind Huo Yuhao. A figure was rapidly approaching them.
Luo Dong's face lit up. "Kid, looks like your little girlfriend lost. You're next!"
With A-Ying's help, they'd have two against one. He'd show this boy what happened when he underestimated him!
When the figure behind Huo Yuhao leaped high into the air, Luo Dong's expression froze. The person who'd arrived was Zhu Zhuqing!
Huo Yuhao smiled and quickly backed away from Luo Dong. "Looks like my side came out on top."
As Huo Yuhao retreated, Luo Dong finally saw what was behind him.
A-Ying lay on the ground, her clothes torn and several scratches on her body. Fortunately, they were only superficial.
But Zhu Zhuqing wasn't in great shape, either. Her clothes were torn in several places, revealing great swaths of pale skin.
While Luo Dong stood there stunned, Zhu Zhuqing raked her claws across his chest, leaving a broad trail of bloody scratches.
Then she flashed over to Huo Yuhao's side. Her chest rose and fell sharply, showing how hard the fight had been.
Huo Yuhao looked at the girl before him, feeling a little awkward. He didn't know where to look. "Can you keep going?"
He'd held back, only trying to restrict Luo Dong's movements so Zhu Zhuqing could use him for practice. But judging by Zhu Zhuqing's condition, she probably couldn't handle Luo Dong now.
"I can."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't want to disappoint Huo Yuhao. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to circulate what little Soul Power she had left.
Huo Yuhao could tell she was nearly at her limit. He held out his hand. "Give me your hand."
Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing placed her hand in Huo Yuhao's again. That strange feeling welled up once more, and at last, she understood. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at Huo Yuhao.
"Want to try?" Huo Yuhao asked with a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head slightly, a blush crossing her face, and nodded.
The two embraced as if no one else were there. Golden light burst forth, and Huo Yuhao seemed to melt, turning into a pool of golden liquid that flowed into Zhu Zhuqing's body.
An even more brilliant golden light erupted. Within it, Zhu Zhuqing's silhouette seemed to undergo a tremendous transformation.
She grew half a meter taller, and her figure became even more voluptuous. Her ample curves would have been impossible for any man to forget.
The audience watched in astonishment. Not a single person made a sound, as if they were witnessing a miracle.
The light slowly faded, revealing Zhu Zhuqing to the crowd.
Her stunning face held a hint of cool detachment, like a noble goddess from the highest heavens. Flecks of starlight shimmered in her black hair as it fell down her back.
Her left eye was the same clear blue as Huo Yuhao's, while her right was a deep purple. Both still bore Huo Yuhao's signature golden pupils and black rings.
A long black dress, patterned with bright gold, hugged her voluptuous figure. She wore long boots in matching colors, tucked beneath the dress so not even a glimpse of her legs showed.
Zhu Zhuqing looked down at her hands and ornate dress, then met Luo Dong's shocked gaze. Reflected in his eyes was her own stunning figure, enough to captivate all who saw it.
"Is this... me?"
Her voice was clear, full of disbelief.
A moment later, Zhu Zhuqing remembered that the Soul Fighting match was still underway. She came to her senses, tapped the ground with her boot, and vanished from Luo Dong's sight.
The goddess before him had suddenly disappeared. Luo Dong, who'd been staring at her in a daze, snapped out of it and looked around in alarm. Cold sweat poured down his back. He couldn't sense her presence at all!
"It's over."
A clear voice came from behind Luo Dong. A cold touch brushed the back of his neck, and he lost consciousness, collapsing onto the platform.
Zhu Zhuqing was left standing there, her hand still extended.
Silence!
A moment later, the audience erupted into earthshaking cheers.
"A miracle! This is definitely a miracle!"
"She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen! So powerful! So beautiful!"
Voices rose and fell around them. Zhu Zhuqing looked up at the host. He'd nearly been bewitched, too, but jolted back to his senses and cleared his throat.
"What an unforgettable battle! It's left us all utterly astounded! Let's congratulate the Hao-Qing Duo on their victory!"