Zhu Zhuqing Injures Dai Mubai

The night wind carried rotten leaves in spirals through the forest. The killing intent rising from Shen Lian became almost tangible, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fists. Just as he was about to step forward, a slender figure blocked his path like Gui Mei.

Zhu Zhuqing's silver hair fluttered in the wind, and the moonlight coated her in a layer of cold frost. When she looked back at Shen Lian, her silver eyes churned with a violence utterly unlike her usual self. Then Zhu Zhuqing said to Shen Lian:

"Brother Lian, leave someone like him to me."

Zhu Zhuqing slowly turned around, her gaze shooting toward Dai Mubai like poisoned arrows.

Looking at the man who had once been her fiancé, Zhu Zhuqing felt her stomach churn. Her disgust was written plainly across her face as she said to Dai Mubai:

"Dai Mubai, you disgust me. You want to challenge Brother Lian? Take a look at who you are first. Your Soul Power isn't even as high as mine."

Before she had even finished speaking, the Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul suddenly possessed her. Jet-black fur covered her body like satin, while three Spirit Rings lit up behind her one after another.

Amid the two yellow and one purple halos, the three-thousand-year Spirit Ring covered in purple patterns was especially dazzling. Her thirty-eighth-level Soul Power swept through the surroundings like a storm, shaking dead leaves loose in rustling showers.

Dai Mubai's pupils abruptly contracted, disbelief filling his emerald eyes. He staggered as he raised a trembling finger, his voice shaking as well.

"Impossible. You're only twelve. How could your Soul Power be higher than mine?"

Those words struck Zhao Wuji and the others dumbfounded like a heavy hammer.

They knew all too well that Dai Mubai possessed the strength of a level-thirty-seven Soul Elder. Yet now they were being told that a twelve-year-old girl surpassed him. Such a gap was difficult for anyone to accept.

A mocking, icy smile curled Zhu Zhuqing's lips, and the Soul Power around her grew even sharper as she said to Dai Mubai:

"There are plenty more things you can't imagine. You can't even defeat me, so forget about fighting Brother Lian."

Hearing this, Dai Mubai's pitiful pride finally erupted. Veins bulged across his body as he roared, dazzling white light bursting around him.

"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

His muscles instantly swelled several times larger, and a metallic sheen appeared across his skin. Immediately afterward, his second soul skill, White Tiger Intense Light Wave, howled forth. A thick white beam, as wide as a bowl, carried fierce gusts of wind straight at Zhu Zhuqing's face.

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze sharpened, and her body turned into an afterimage as she vanished from where she stood.

The Thirty-Thousand-Year Soul Bone had already granted her speed far beyond that of ordinary people. Combined with the transformed body she had gained after being tempered by the Immortal Herb, Dai Mubai's attack appeared to move in slow motion before her eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing tapped off the ground, tracing a graceful arc through the air before appearing at Dai Mubai's side like Gui Mei. Purple light surged around her.

"Phantom Shadow Annihilation Strike!"

Three translucent claw shadows shot out like lightning, and sharp sonic booms rang through the air.

Dai Mubai hastily tried to defend himself, but his vision blurred. Five long, deep bloody wounds had already appeared across his chest, and blood instantly soaked his clothes.

The powerful impact sent him flying, and he crashed heavily into Tang San.

Tang San reacted quickly, hurriedly catching the tottering Dai Mubai. Yet even he was forced back several steps by the force, his face turning slightly pale.

Dai Mubai dropped to one knee, gasping heavily. Blood continued to pour from the wounds on his chest, while his eyes were filled with shock and unwillingness.

Zhu Zhuqing slowly withdrew her stance, elegantly flicking her bloodstained claws. She looked down at the miserable Dai Mubai, her voice as cold as a blade.

"Remember this: you're nothing but trash. Whether you live or die when you face Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi in the future is none of my concern. Once I defeat them, I'll go cancel the engagement. Then you can face Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi by yourself."

The night grew darker, and the atmosphere in the forest became taut with hostility.

Stepping over the mess strewn across the ground, Zhu Zhuqing gracefully returned to Shen Lian's side. Her silver hair swayed lightly with her movements, and the blood droplets clinging to it gleamed coldly beneath the moonlight.

She looked up at Shen Lian, a victorious curve on her lips and tenderness filling her eyes. She paid no attention at all to Dai Mubai's ragged breathing behind her.

At that moment, Tang San, who had been supporting Dai Mubai, slowly straightened up.

Dissatisfaction and anger churned in his deep-blue eyes. Though he had come from a martial arts world in his previous life, that world had also been a feudal dynasty. Feudal ideals had long been deeply ingrained in him. In his view, women should dutifully remain in their proper place, support their husbands, and raise their children.

Therefore, Tang San did not consider women to be all that important. Otherwise, his own daughter would not have ended up merely a Rank-Two God.

His son and grandson, meanwhile, had both attained God King-level divine positions.

To Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing publicly injuring her fiancé for another man was undoubtedly a challenge to moral order and ethics.

"You shameless woman, you actually injured your own fiancé for another man."

Tang San's voice was low and cold, every word like a blade, filled with harsh condemnation and disdain.

Shen Lian's expression instantly darkened, and the air around him seemed to freeze into ice.

He stepped forward, his aura surging out like a tide. The Dragon-Slaying Blade at his waist trembled faintly, as if it too could sense its master's fury.

"Tang San, watch your mouth."

Unconcealed killing intent filled Shen Lian's voice, his gaze shooting toward Tang San like sharp swords.

Just as Shen Lian was about to act, Zhao Wuji's huge body blocked the space between them like a small mountain.

His eyes gleamed as he swept his gaze back and forth between Zhu Zhuqing and Shen Lian.

The level-thirty-eight Soul Power Zhu Zhuqing had displayed was like a massive bomb, stirring enormous waves in Zhao Wuji's heart.

As an experienced Soul Saint, Zhao Wuji naturally understood what kind of terrifying talent it meant for a twelve-year-old to reach such a realm.

Then, recalling Dai Mubai's identity as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he guessed that Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai likely possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. At once, an image arose in his mind of the two of them unleashing that Martial Soul Fusion Skill together.

"Everyone, let's talk this out."

Zhao Wuji plastered a smile across his face, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. Yet the gleam in his eyes exposed the calculations in his heart.

"Young friend Zhu Zhuqing possesses extraordinary talent, a peerless genius rarely seen in a century. Shrek Academy has always cherished talent. Why not return with us? The academy will certainly treat you with due respect. Dai Mubai and young friend Zhu Zhuqing already have an engagement. If the two of you can reconcile, then with your powers combined, you will surely make a name for yourselves in the Soul Master world. That would be an enormous benefit to you and to Shrek Academy alike."

Although Zhao Wuji appeared to be sincerely persuading them, anyone with eyes could see that he was threatening them.

As Zhao Wuji spoke, he watched Shen Lian and Zhu Zhuqing's reactions. His thick palm waved through the air as he tried to convince them with words, while also giving the impression that he was ready to strike at any moment.

Zhao Wuji was making his calculations. As long as he could bring Zhu Zhuqing back to the academy, he could not only restore a powerful aid to Dai Mubai, but also add an unparalleled genius to Shrek Academy, enhancing the academy's prestige and strength.