Fire Loach, Electric Rat: Xue Qinghe, Meng Shenji, the Seven Treasures, and Poison Douluo All Invite Fang Fan

Across the tiger's body, every stripe turned into raging Dark Thunder, its arcs weaving a vast net that blotted out the sky.

The giant tiger soared upward, carrying Dark Thunder powerful enough to destroy everything. For an instant, the sky seemed to split beneath it. Dark clouds churned, lightning writhed, and the entire training ground fell under an apocalyptic black-purple glow.

Liu Erlong's pupils contracted. She no longer dared hold anything back.

Her seventh Soul Ring lit up. She unleashed her Martial Soul Avatar, merging completely with her Fire Dragon Martial Soul and becoming a giant Crimson Fire Dragon more than ten meters long.

Her scales gleamed like rubies, and flames roared from her outstretched wings. All her attributes doubled, the power of her first six Soul Skills surged, and her dragon breath grew hot enough to melt metal.

"Sixth Soul Skill—Explosive Fire Dragon Charge!"

The Crimson Fire Dragon compressed the flames around her body and hurtled toward Fang Fan like a blazing meteor.

The air warped in her wake. Heat cracked the Qinggang Stone beneath her across the training ground.

This was her killing blow. Empowered by a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, it combined crushing force with a double burn. Few Soul Saints of her level would dare take it head-on.

The two terrifying attacks collided in midair with a thunderous crash.

Dark Thunder tangled with flame, black against crimson. A massive shockwave swept outward, sending students in the Spectator Seats sprawling. Some tumbled beneath their chairs.

Sword Douluo raised a hand and formed a barrier of sword energy, shielding Ning Rongrong and the people behind her.

Poison Douluo also raised a barrier of poisonous mist, keeping Dugu Yan safely behind him.

Yet in the blink of an eye, the Dark Thunder tore through the crimson meteor.

The Explosive Fire Dragon Charge crumpled before the Dark Thunder Sacred Tiger like paper and burst apart.

Flames scattered across the sky, unable to touch the Dark Thunder. The tiger charged on without slowing, bearing straight down on Liu Erlong with unstoppable force.

"Impossible—"

Liu Erlong barely managed a horrified scream before the Dark Thunder swallowed her.

Boom—

One blow shattered her Crimson Fire Dragon Martial Soul Avatar. Liu Erlong fell from the sky like a bird with broken wings and slammed into the Qinggang Stone, gouging out a crater several meters wide. Stone chips flew, and dust billowed.

She lay at the bottom, her body scorched and her clothes torn in several places. She was still conscious, but she lacked the strength to stand.

One move.

One move again.

The entire arena fell silent.

A pin could have dropped.

Those who had thought Fang Fan would lose stared with their mouths open, as if someone had seized them by the throat.

A Level 66 Soul Emperor had defeated a Level 73 Soul Saint in one move.

He had crossed seven levels and the gulf between Soul Emperor and Soul Saint. He had used only his sixth Soul Skill. He had needed only one move.

"Genius" could no longer describe him. He was a monster, a once-in-centuries prodigy who defied everything Douluo Continent knew.

Chen Xin remained silent for a long while, then slowly exhaled.

He had been wrong. The boy was no Soul King. He was a true Soul Emperor—one whose strength far surpassed his peers and who could defeat opponents above his level.

He glanced at Ning Rongrong. Her face was flushed with excitement, and her eyes shone as she stared at Fang Fan in the arena. She looked at him as though he were a rare treasure.

Dugu Bo drew in a sharp breath, then threw back his head and laughed.

Wonderful! Truly wonderful! His Highness the Holy Son could defeat a Soul Saint at Level 66. With strength like that, the day Spirit Hall ruled the continent could not be far away.

For the Dugu family to have gained such a connection was a stroke of extraordinary luck.

Dugu Yan covered her mouth, her emerald eyes full of shock and admiration.

At last, she understood why her grandfather treated His Highness the Holy Son with such respect. It was no mere courtesy. His awe ran bone-deep.

Ning Rongrong jumped up and screamed, "You won! You won! You won! Fang Fan, you're amazing!"

Yu Tianheng stood beside the crater, staring at Liu Erlong lying helpless at its bottom, his face ashen.

His confidence, his pride, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul he treasured—all had been ground to dust.

Fang Fan withdrew his Martial Soul. His Soul Rings vanished, and he walked to the crater's edge with his hands behind his back, looking down at Liu Erlong.

"I told you,"

he said, his voice as calm as ever, "defeating a Soul Saint isn't difficult."

Liu Erlong lay in the crater and looked up at the backlit outline of the white-clad boy. Her lips moved, but no words came out.

Anger gave way to shock in her eyes, then confusion, until only defeat remained.

A Soul Saint, she had lost to a Soul Emperor. There had been no suspense, no room for doubt. Her defeat was complete.

Fang Fan turned away from her and looked at Yu Tianheng.

"It's time to pay up on that wager."

Yu Tianheng shuddered and clenched his fists, digging his nails deep into his palms.

He glanced at Liu Erlong in the crater, then at Dugu Yan, who was watching Fang Fan from a distance.

Fang Fan looked away from him and back at Liu Erlong, who was struggling to climb out of the crater. "Oh, and your Fire Dragon," he said mildly. "I think Fire Loach suits it better."

Liu Erlong froze, then jerked her head up, fury blazing in her eyes.

It was humiliating enough for a Soul Saint like her to lose to a boy in public. Now he was insulting her Martial Soul before everyone too.

She gritted her teeth and dug her nails into her palms, but could not utter a word.

Someone in the crowd failed to hold back a snicker.

"Still not going to say it?"

Fang Fan turned to Yu Tianheng, a chill entering his voice.

Yu Tianheng trembled all over. He closed his eyes, and tears slipped down his cheeks.

He drew a deep breath and roared with every ounce of strength he had.

"The Martial Souls of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—are all Electric Loaches!"

Once the words were out, all the strength seemed to drain from him. He collapsed to the ground, his face white as paper.

Silence filled the training ground.

The students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy lowered their heads, their faces burning. It was as if his words had shamed not just the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but every one of them.

The foremost Beast Martial Soul had been called an Electric Loach in public. Worse, its wielder could not beat the person who had demanded it. They could not even argue back.

Meng Shenji's expression darkened. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's greatest talent had been crushed before everyone.

But as the chief education commissioner, he knew how to conceal his feelings. He suppressed them in an instant, stepped forward, and forced a smile.

"Young man, would you be interested in joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

Before he had finished speaking, Dugu Bo appeared in front of Fang Fan with Dugu Yan, his manner deeply respectful.

"Meng Shenji, you certainly know when to try recruiting someone."

He turned to Fang Fan, his voice warm and eager.

"I've already prepared tea at my residence. I hope you'll honor me with a visit."

Fang Fan shook his head and said to Meng Shenji, "Not interested."

Meng Shenji's smile stiffened. He could only retreat awkwardly.

As they spoke, Xue Qinghe descended from the Spectator Seats. His pale, moon-colored robe was spotless, and he wore a gentle smile.

"You truly are an extraordinary talent, young master. Today's battle opened my eyes. Might you have time to visit the Crown Prince's Palace? I would be glad to host you."

"Your Highness." Dugu Bo frowned and stepped in front of Fang Fan. "I invited Young Master Fang first. Surely I should have the first chance to host him?"

Dugu Yan stayed beside her grandfather and gave Xue Qinghe a faintly displeased look with her emerald eyes.

At once, Ning Rongrong grabbed Sword Douluo and hurried over, her pink skirt fluttering like butterfly wings.

"And there's the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! Fang Fan, come visit us. Sword Grandpa likes you so much."

She tilted her bright-eyed face up toward Fang Fan. "I'm sure my father would want to meet you too."

Sword Douluo let Ning Rongrong drag him over by the sleeve. He stood beside her without expression, though the corner of his mouth twitched.

When had I ever said I liked this boy?

Three factions surrounded Fang Fan: Poison Douluo, the crown prince, and the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with Sword Douluo at her side. The students could only stare at such an impressive gathering.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy's greatest talent had just been beaten in public, yet now everyone was vying to invite his opponent over. The scene was absurd.

Fang Fan stood among them, his expression untroubled. He turned to Zhu Zhuqing beside him.

"Zhuqing, where would you like to go?"

Zhu Zhuqing's lips curved slightly. No matter how many people competed for his attention, her husband had asked her first.

"Whatever you decide, husband."