Dai Mubai Calls Him Big Brother, Remember My Name Is Ao Yin!

"Once a gentleman gives his word, even four horses cannot chase it back. Call me Big Brother?"

Those few light words fell beside Dai Mubai's ear, yet they struck his heart like a thousand-pound hammer, leaving his chest tight and even his breathing slightly labored.

Scenes from their battle flashed rapidly through Dai Mubai's mind.

That staff's terrifying might, crushing everything in its path; that blazing staff technique capable of burning the heavens and destroying the earth; and that absolute, insurmountable gap in strength—every image sent chills through his heart and raised a cold sweat across his back.

More than anyone, he knew that Ao Yin had held back from beginning to end and had never used his true killing moves!

If the other party had gone all out just now, merely being knocked unconscious would have been the least of his worries.

At best, his bones would have shattered and his tendons snapped, leaving his body grievously injured and him crippled for life; at worst, he would have been torn apart on the spot by that violent power and died there and then!

Ever since childhood, his talent had been exceptional, his cultivation far beyond that of his peers. Wherever he went, he had always been the center of attention.

In sparring matches with those of his generation, he had never lost. Over time, he had developed an arrogant and unyielding pride.

But today, before everyone's eyes, he had been crushed head-on and thoroughly defeated by a youth younger than himself.

And now, in front of all these people, he had to lower his head and acknowledge that person as his big brother!?

Dai Mubai clenched his teeth hard, his knuckles turning white. His expression shifted between green and black as countless emotions churned within him.

Utter unwillingness, humiliation, shock, awe—countless feelings tangled together and roiled without end.

He knew he had lost completely, but he simply could not bring himself to yield in public.

Besides, he was no gentleman. He was a libertine!

"I won't!"

He gritted out.

Ao Yin raised an eyebrow slightly, as though he had expected it.

He had understood from the start that submission forced by words alone was meaningless.

Dai Mubai's pride ran deep, long since engraved into his bones.

As an imperial prince and a genius of Shrek Academy, he thought himself higher than the heavens and looked down on everyone else. Arrogance was ingrained in his very nature.

Winning a single match could only suppress him temporarily; it could never suppress him for a lifetime.

Even if he reluctantly admitted defeat aloud, he would still resist in his heart. That would only be false submission.

What Ao Yin wanted had never been a perfunctory form of address.

What he wanted was complete conquest!

He wanted Dai Mubai to fear him from the bottom of his heart, acknowledge him from the bottom of his heart, and willingly lower his head to follow him!

So he was not in the slightest bit anxious.

Before long, he would enter Shrek Academy and spend every day with Dai Mubai.

From then on, they would see each other daily, cultivate together, and undergo trials together.

He had plenty of time to gradually temper Dai Mubai and smooth away all his arrogance and conceit.

No matter how unyielding his pride was, before the daily crushing pressure of absolute strength, he would eventually submit completely!

Ao Yin did not press the matter. Instead, he calmly turned and walked straight toward the hotel counter.

This left Dai Mubai somewhat surprised.

At that moment, the entire Rose Hotel lobby was a miserable wreck.

Large sections of the floor had collapsed and cracked, dense fissures covered the entire hall, and all the tables and chairs had shattered apart. Wood chips and broken stones littered the ground, while traces of flames and lingering Soul Power from the battle could be seen everywhere.

A fine, luxurious high-class hotel had been utterly ruined by the two men's peak confrontation in just a few minutes.

The hotel owner cowered behind the counter, his face pale and his expression on the verge of tears.

Looking at his ruined establishment, his heart bled. Every damaged spot represented real money.

Yet he did not dare say a single word, much less ask for compensation.

The heaven-shaking battle just now, the violent eruption of Soul Power, and the apocalyptic scene had been etched deeply into his mind.

These top-tier Soul Masters, who could tear apart the ground and blast apart a hall with a casual gesture, were beings an ordinary man like him could never afford to provoke.

Even if he lost everything, he could only swallow his shattered teeth with a belly full of grievances, furious but afraid to speak.

Ao Yin saw the owner's embarrassment and unease. His voice was calm, without the slightest trace of superiority.

"Boss, don't be afraid."

"One hundred Gold Soul Coins will fully compensate for all the damage. It will be enough to repair your shop and replace the furnishings. Take it and deal with things."

With a soft clatter.

A heavy bag of freshly minted Gold Soul Coins landed steadily on the counter, brimming with weight.

The hotel owner's eyes widened instantly, his pupils shrinking as uncontrollable joy filled his face!

He had already prepared himself to accept his misfortune, suffer massive losses, and possibly go bankrupt. He had even secretly hoped that Young Master Dai might compensate him a little afterward.

But he had never imagined it!

This terrifying youth, only in his teens and strong enough to effortlessly crush a three-ring Soul Elder, was not only unrivaled among his peers in strength, but also impeccable in temperament, vision, and character!

He did not bully others with his power, nor did he act shamelessly or refuse responsibility. He was also incredibly generous!

"Thank you, young master! It's enough! More than enough!"

"You two may rest upstairs without worry! This humble establishment will not disturb you and will serve you with all its heart!"

The owner repeatedly bowed in thanks, his attitude respectful to the extreme.

Dai Mubai, who had just barely forced himself upright despite the aching numbness in his body, witnessed the entire scene. Another huge wave rose in his heart.

Ao Yin had casually thrown out a hundred Gold Soul Coins without even blinking. His bearing was steady, and his vision broad.

Compared with his own usual arrogant and carefree conduct, the difference was obvious!

At that moment, Dai Mubai became even more convinced that Ao Yin's background was unfathomable. He was definitely not some ordinary grassroots Soul Master; he most likely came from a top-tier great sect or had a supreme expert backing him.

Ao Yin turned his head, his gaze falling calmly on the complicated expression on Dai Mubai's face as he spoke with composure.

"I know you are still unconvinced."

"You must think that our Soul Power differs by two levels. I am level thirty-nine while you are level thirty-seven, and I only won because of my higher level—not because you are inferior to me."

The words struck precisely at the heart of it. Dai Mubai's body stiffened slightly, and he lowered his head in silence, unable to refute him.

That truly was his only remaining comfort.

A calm, confident smile rose on Ao Yin's lips. His tone was candid and carried absolute certainty.

"No matter. If you are unconvinced, I will give you another chance."

"After you successfully break through level forty, advance to a four-ring Soul Ancestor, and absorb your fourth soul ring."

"You may come find me at any time and challenge me again."

Hiss—!

Dai Mubai could not help sucking in a sharp breath. His entire body jolted as shock surged through his heart!

The leap from Soul Elder to Soul Ancestor was a qualitative transformation, with a vast difference in combat strength!

Yet Ao Yin, a Soul Elder, dared to say he would wait until Dai Mubai broke through before fighting him again!

That confidence was simply terrifying!

Ao Yin did not linger any longer. He turned with Xiao Wu and headed upstairs.

Dai Mubai suddenly raised his head and shouted loudly:

"Ao Yin! I will remember you!"

"I am Dai Mubai of Shrek! When I break through to Soul Ancestor, I will definitely witness your true strength!"

With his back to him, Ao Yin casually waved a hand. His frivolous laughter drifted back.

"True strength? Hahaha, there will be blood..."

Dai Mubai froze on the spot, utterly confused.

He could not make heads or tails of Ao Yin's words.

Just as he stood there dazed, Ao Yin paused and turned his head.

"Oh, right. Shrek only accepts monsters, correct?"

"Tomorrow, Xiao Wu and I will go register at Shrek."

Boom!

Dai Mubai's mind went blank instantly!

They were registering at Shrek tomorrow?

With the other party's talent, he would undoubtedly be admitted. That meant this monstrous genius who had crushed him would soon become his junior!

He still had a long way to go before reaching level forty and becoming a Soul Ancestor.

For a long time to come, this senior would be suppressed by his junior every single day!

At the thought of being crushed again and again, humiliated daily, and dying of embarrassment the entire time, the pressure on Dai Mubai was overwhelming.

But after calming down, he completely let it go.

In this sparring match, Ao Yin could clearly have made him lose all face, yet he had not gone too far and had preserved both his life and dignity.

After winning, he had remained neither arrogant nor impatient, taking the initiative to compensate the hotel for its losses. He was open-hearted and broad-minded.

This person was certainly not some overbearing tyrant. He was a true prodigy worthy of respect.

Losing to someone like that was not shameful!

Dai Mubai's gaze suddenly grew firm as he gently pushed the two women beside him away.

Everyone in the hall tensed at once, believing he had flown into a rage from humiliation and wanted to fight again.

But the next moment!

Before everyone's eyes, Dai Mubai—the dignified prince of the Star Luo Empire, the boss of Shrek, and a level thirty-seven battle Soul Elder—stood straight and bowed deeply at a full ninety degrees!

His booming voice shook the entire hall!

"Dai Mubai greets Big Brother Ao!"

In an instant, the entire hall fell dead silent. One could hear a pin drop!

Everyone was utterly dumbfounded, their minds frozen!

No one could believe it!

That Young Master Dai, who was usually unruly, arrogant, and domineering!

That top genius among Suotuo City's younger generation!

Had actually lowered his head in public and acknowledged a youth as his big brother!

If this matter spread throughout Suotuo City and reached Shrek Academy, it would undoubtedly cause a colossal uproar!

In the stairwell, Ao Yin, who had been walking slowly forward, paused slightly.

A moment later, a calm smile slowly appeared on his lips. His tone held a hint of elder-like approval.

"Not bad. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand tall."

Still, being called Big Brother by Dai Mubai felt rather awkward. Ao Yin waved his hand casually. "We will all be classmates in the future. No need to call me Big Brother. My name is Ao Yin—remember it!!"

"Ao Yin..."

Dai Mubai stood where he was, staring fixedly at the backs of Ao Yin and Xiao Wu as they went upstairs.

That earlier address of Big Brother had been sincere. There had not been the slightest hint of coercion.

The Dai Mubai of the past had truly been arrogant.

As Shrek's boss and a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he had never lost to anyone of the same level.

Others had always chased after him; he had never needed to catch up to anyone.

But today's battle had directly awakened him. The number one among the younger generation had changed.

From now on, the standard-bearer of genius in Suotuo City and Shrek Academy would no longer be Dai Mubai.

It would be Ao Yin.

For the first time, he had experienced such an unreachable gap in someone his own age.

And for the first time, a fierce fighting spirit rose from the depths of his heart.

He was no longer conceited, no longer looked down on everyone else.

Dai Mubai clenched his fists tightly, his gaze becoming incomparably resolute.

Level forty, Soul Ancestor!

That was his next goal!

The next time they fought, he absolutely would not be as miserable as he had been today, completely incapable of fighting back.

He would cultivate desperately and force his way forward.

He would close the gap little by little.

"Life at Shrek from now on will be... very interesting!"