Strength Clan

The class bell rang. Tai Long was the first to walk up to Xie Yue.

Seeing this, Xie Yue followed Tai Long out of the classroom with a smile. The two arrived at an open area.

The others also gathered nearby, preparing to watch the battle.

When Tai Long saw five soul rings rise beneath Xie Yue's feet, his face filled with shock. "What? You're actually a Soul King!"

A smile curled at Xie Yue's lips. "My martial soul is the Moon Blade. Blades have no eyes, and I'm afraid I might hurt you. How about we don't fight? Otherwise, if your family sees you injured, what if they come after me for bullying the weak?"

Hu Liena shouted from nearby, "You can't beat my brother. You'd better give up on pursuing me while you still can."

Tai Long's clenched fists trembled slightly. "Fearing battle is the mark of a coward."

Xie Yue said helplessly, "Fine, then. After we're done, hurry home and put some ointment on your wounds."

With that, Xie Yue entered a combat stance. He immediately used his first soul skill—Crescent Blade. Two curved Moon Blades shot toward Tai Long.

Immediately afterward, he used his third soul skill—Blood Moon Bloodlust. By accelerating the Moon Blades, he increased their attack power.

Tai Long used his soul skills to bolster his defense and strength, but he still could not withstand the Moon Blades' fierce assault. His arms were covered in wounds, blood dripping down without pause.

The Moon Blades spun tirelessly around Tai Long's body, restricting his movements and preventing him from attacking.

"Tai Long, are you still refusing to admit defeat? If you were an enemy, it wouldn't just be your arms getting hurt."

With no other choice, Tai Long finally yielded. "I admit defeat."

Xie Yue immediately recalled the Moon Blades and said to Tai Long, "In that case, as agreed, you are not to bother my sister again."

Tai Long nodded and gritted his teeth. "I keep my word. I will never bother Hu Liena again."

Seeing that the matter was over, the spectators gradually dispersed.

The next day.

Sure enough, Tai Long's father, Tai Nuo, came looking for Xie Yue, declaring that he would avenge his son.

Tai Long explained to Xie Yue, "My dad saw my injuries and couldn't swallow his anger. He insisted on coming to duel you."

Xie Yue shook his head helplessly. "See? I told you your family would definitely come looking to settle accounts with me."

Tai Nuo's eyes gleamed viciously. "I'll let you see what true, absolute strength is."

"First soul skill, Surge!"

Tai Nuo swung his slightly empowered fist and charged at Xie Yue.

Xie Yue remained calm and used his second soul skill—Full Moon Shield—to defend himself, easily blasting Tai Nuo away.

"Second soul skill, Condensation!"

Tai Nuo continued enhancing his strength and launched another attack at Xie Yue.

This time, Tai Nuo's fist and Xie Yue's Full Moon Shield were evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand as they fell into a stalemate.

"Third soul skill, Source of Strength!"

Tai Nuo then greatly increased his strength once more. At that moment, the Full Moon Shield seemed on the verge of no longer being able to hold out.

Seeing this, Xie Yue immediately used his third soul skill—Blood Moon Bloodlust—to increase the Full Moon Shield's defensive power, ultimately blocking Tai Nuo's attack.

"I refuse to believe it. Let's see how much longer you can hold on."

"Fourth soul skill, Force Shock!"

Tai Nuo suddenly sprang into the air and raised both fists before smashing them down at the ground. Rocks exploded from the earth, while dust and smoke filled the surroundings. When the haze cleared, Tai Nuo had left behind a massive crater.

When Tai Nuo saw that he had failed to hit Xie Yue, alarm bells immediately rang in his mind. He blurted out in confusion, "Where is he?"

The next moment, Tai Nuo felt a sharp pain in his back. Xie Yue had pierced his back with a Moon Blade held in his hand, teaching him a lesson.

"You've exhausted your soul power. You lost. Still, the fact that you forced me to use my fourth soul skill means your defeat was not undeserved."

Xie Yue pulled his Moon Blade from Tai Nuo's back and walked toward his younger sister, Hu Liena, who had been watching from nearby.

"Brother, your Phantom Moon Shadow really is amazing. Even I have no way of dealing with that move. I have to say, Yuhao's suggestion back then was truly brilliant," Hu Liena praised.

Xie Yue's fourth soul skill was an innate ability they had obtained under Huo Yuhao's suggestion after hunting a thousand-year Phantom Leopard. Its effect was the unity of man and weapon. Xie Yue could conceal himself within a Moon Blade and transform into one to attack his opponents.

Xie Yue watched the backs of Tai Long and Tai Nuo as they left, then nodded in response to his sister. "It really is powerful. It already feels somewhat like a Weapon Soul Avatar."

Following Xie Yue's gaze, Hu Liena raised an eyebrow and guessed, "Tai Long doesn't have a grandfather too, does he? You injured Tai Nuo today, so it looks like we'll probably be fighting again tomorrow."

Xie Yue sighed. "Why do these people love bullying the weak with their strength so much?"

Hu Liena said helplessly, "Because they have someone to back them up."

The third day.

Just as expected, Tai Long's grandfather, Tai Tan, came to find Xie Yue with Tai Nuo and Tai Long.

Tai Long urged Hu Liena and Xie Yue, "Run! My grandfather is an eight-ring Soul Douluo. You're no match for him at all."

Hu Liena helplessly held her forehead. "Do you think we can still run now?"

Tai Tan laughed. "At least you have some self-awareness. However, I am not someone who bullies the weak with his strength."

Tai Tan folded his arms and fixed his gaze on Xie Yue. "If you can withstand my pressure for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, I'll have my son and grandson apologize to you. Otherwise, you must join our Strength Clan."

"Restricting our freedom? That isn't fair!"

"Besides, isn't it a little excessive to bully the weak with your strength?"

Tang Wulin and Huo Yuhao walked over together at that moment, standing in front of Xie Yue and Hu Liena.

Tai Tan raised an eyebrow. "What does this have to do with you? Stop meddling in other people's business."

Huo Yuhao smiled faintly. "Because I should count as Xie Yue and Hu Liena's teacher. Of course I have the right to interfere."

"How about this? I'll take Xie Yue's place and withstand your pressure for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. If I lose, both Xie Yue and I will join your Strength Clan. Otherwise, you must join the Tang Sect."

Tai Tan rested his chin on his hand. "Tang Sect? Never heard of it."

Tang Wulin explained, "That's because Brother Yuhao only just founded the Tang Sect. For now, there are only a few of us members."

These little brats can't possibly cause much trouble anyway. Besides, the gap in soul power is so great that he can't possibly endure my pressure.

With that thought, Tai Tan finally nodded and accepted Huo Yuhao's proposal.

Tang Wulin, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue immediately retreated to the edge of the viewing area, joining Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, who had come to watch. Tai Long and Tai Nuo stood on the other side as spectators.

At that moment, Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji arrived under Dai Mubai and Oscar's lead. They watched the situation from afar.