Zhu Zhuqing: Should I Make the First Move?

Just as Dai Mubai was trembling with nerves, an announcement sounded in the lounge: "Soft Boned Enchanting Rabbit, please proceed to Soul Battle Platform Fourteen immediately!"

"That's me!" Xiao Wu jumped up excitedly.

"Let's go to the viewing area." Dai Mubai rose and beckoned everyone along.

The group passed through a dedicated corridor to the viewing area reserved for competing Soul Masters.

Things unfolded much as Dai Mubai remembered from the original story. Xiao Wu easily won her first match.

Next, Tang San faced Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing gave it everything she had, but her strengths lay in ambush, assassination, and reconnaissance. A head-on arena fight gave her little chance to use them.

Tang San also had the Tang Sect's techniques at his disposal, especially Purple Demon Eyes and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Zhu Zhuqing could make no use of her stealth or speed, and Tang San won.

The last one-on-one match belonged to Ma Hongjun.

His opponent was a level twenty-seven Agility Attack Soul Master, fast on his feet. But before the Evil Fire Phoenix's flames, which swept across the arena, he had nowhere to hide and was forced off the platform.

Ma Hongjun won as well.

With that, Shrek's one-on-one Soul Battles were over. Only two two-on-two matches remained.

First up were Tang San and Xiao Wu, the "Three-Five Combination."

Their opponents were the "Ironblood Combination," a pair of brothers named Iron Dragon and Iron Tiger. Both had hammers for Martial Souls.

The brothers' combat experience showed. In a split second, they managed to injure Tang San.

Xiao Wu flew into a rage and used the hidden weapon Silent Sleeve Arrow, trying to kill her opponent.

Fortunately, Tang San intervened and saved the brothers.

Dai Mubai saw it all.

He watched Xiao Wu's indignant face, as though she were the one who had suffered some terrible wrong, and could only shake his head.

Remembering how Tang San often went berserk whenever Xiao Wu was hurt, Dai Mubai sighed inwardly. They really are made for each other. Both of them are far too quick to turn violent.

Injuries were perfectly normal in the Soul Battle arena.

Blades had no eyes, and soul skills showed no mercy. Anyone who stepped onto that platform had to accept that they might get hurt.

But Xiao Wu?

Tang San had suffered a minor injury, and she had immediately tried to kill someone, firing her sleeve arrow straight at vital points like the eyes without a shred of mercy.

If Tang San hadn't still had a little humanity in him, two people might already have died in the Soto Great Soul Arena.

If everyone were as unable to bear a scratch as they were, nobody should compete at all. The Great Soul Arena might as well close its doors.

Next, it was the White Tiger Pagoda Combination's turn.

Because Dai Mubai held a Golden Soul Badge, their match would take place on the main Soul Battle platform.

Unlike the smaller platforms, which seated only a few hundred spectators, the main platform stood at the very heart of the Soto Great Soul Arena.

The circular platform was over a hundred meters across, its surface paved with solid slabs of Black Iron Rock.

Dozens of enormous spotlights shone down from the domed ceiling, illuminating the entire arena as brightly as daylight.

Tier upon tier of stands encircled it, with more than ten thousand seats. Every one was filled. The crowd surged like a dark tide, its cheers and shouts deafening.

"Next, please welcome the White Tiger Pagoda Combination!"

The host's rousing voice rang through the venue from a soul-powered amplifier.

"One member is the undisputed star of our Soto Great Soul Arena: the Evil-Eyed White Tiger! Joining him is his new partner, Seven Treasure Glazed!"

Before the words had faded, a golden spotlight struck the tunnel entrance.

Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong stepped out.

His long golden hair gleamed under the bright lights, haloed in pale gold.

He walked with steady, powerful strides. His almost impossibly handsome face showed no expression as he calmly swept his gaze over the roaring stands, carrying the natural dominance and composure of the White Tiger Martial Soul.

"White Tiger! White Tiger! White Tiger!"

The stands erupted.

Countless women screamed and waved glow sticks, while men pounded the arms of their seats. Their chants rose louder and louder, the crowd nearly delirious.

Beside him, Ning Rongrong was visibly thrilled. She kept waving her slender hands, clearly enjoying the attention of thousands.

As they walked, she called out, "Boss Dai, Boss Dai! Look, they're cheering for us!"

"Could you calm down a little?" Dai Mubai said, at a loss for words.

Ning Rongrong paid him no attention.

Meanwhile, in the competitors' viewing area beside the main platform, the other six members of Shrek watched it all.

Xiao Wu looked down at the adoring crowd, then remembered how quiet the stands had been during her and Tang San's match on a smaller platform. Resentment surged through her.

She pouted. "What's so special about him? He's just a Gold Soul. They're acting like he's some huge star."

"Come on, Xiao Wu, give him his due." Oscar looked proud of his friend. "Boss Dai's a legend at the Great Soul Arena. A Soul Ancestor at his age, a powerful White Tiger Martial Soul, a Golden Soul Badge, over three hundred wins, and a thirty-five-match winning streak. He's handsome, too, and carries himself well. He's probably the most popular Soul Master in Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena. Those noble ladies drive the price of VIP tickets up tenfold just to watch one of his matches!"

"Hmph!" Xiao Wu turned her face away, chin raised. "When Third Brother and I are his age, we'll definitely be stronger!"

Tang San stood beside her, his expression grave. Could I really achieve all that by his age?

Ma Hongjun shouted down at the platform, "Boss Dai! You've got this!"

At the far edge of the group, Zhu Zhuqing wore a conflicted expression.

She watched Dai Mubai on the platform, then Ning Rongrong beside him, smiling brightly and waving to the crowd. A bold thought rose in her mind. Should I... make the first move?

She had traveled through hardship and danger to find him. Hadn't she come so they could defeat her elder sister and Dai Weisi together and take control of their own fates?

Dai Mubai has the strength to do it now. So what am I hesitating for?

Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists without realizing it.

The host's voice rang out across the platform:

"Next, please welcome the White Tiger Pagoda Combination's opponents: the Rocksplitter Brothers!"

Two burly figures strode out of the opposite tunnel.

Both were sturdy Soul Masters who looked over thirty, their solid muscles and battle-hardened bearing marking them as seasoned fighters. They radiated a chilling air of violence.

"The Rocksplitter Brothers! The elder brother, Sun Lie: Earth-Splitting Battle Axe Martial Soul, level forty-seven Assault-type Soul Ancestor! The younger brother, Sun Yan: Black Iron Heavy Shield Martial Soul, level forty-six Defense-type Soul Ancestor!"

Gasps swept through the stands. Two high-level Soul Ancestors!

As expected, no one who reached the main Soul Battle platform was ordinary.

Both sides took their positions.

Sun Lie and Sun Yan stood shoulder to shoulder, axe and shield ready. Offense and defense complemented each other, their presence united.

Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong stood one behind the other. Dai Mubai shielded her completely.

"Both sides, summon your Martial Souls!"

The host raised his right hand high, and the entire venue fell silent.