One Punch Sent Dai Mubai Flying

"Little Mingzi, from now on, you're staying by my side. Not one step away. Whatever you do, you report it to me."

"Otherwise... I'll break your legs."

Qian Renxue smiled coldly. She was so unyielding she looked ready to tie Lu Mingzi to herself.

What was this? Was she possessive to the point of madness?

If I refused, would Xue'er beat me into a bloody mist?

Lu Mingzi's expression froze. He had seen the look in Qian Renxue's eyes. Something unhealthy lurked there.

She Long: "..."

Ci Xue: "..."

Neither man dared say a word. Though they were Titled Douluo, all they could do was stand quietly to one side.

They had no choice. They were elders of Spirit Hall. If they defied the young mistress, the Great Enshrined would probably chop them in half.

If Lu Mingzi refused her, the two of them would likely tie him up and drag him back themselves.

"O-okay. I promise, Sister Xue'er. But could you calm down a little?"

Lu Mingzi's breathing had grown noticeably faster. Qian Renxue was practically pressed against him.

If I'd waited a few more seconds to agree, I really would've been done for.

"Good. Then let's set off. You mentioned in your letter that you wanted to see Grandfather, so we'll visit him at Douluo Hall first."

Qian Renxue had not forgotten what the letter said. Only then did Lu Mingzi nod, somewhat satisfied.

Still, the black markings troubled him. Over the past few days, Qian Renxue had channeled Soul Power into him, using the Six-Winged Angel to suppress his Demonic Qi.

That meant the Demonic Angel and the Six-Winged Angel had an extraordinary connection. Lu Mingzi wondered what would have happened without Qian Renxue.

Would I have fallen to the Demonic Path?

But that was not what had happened. Lu Mingzi had kept the black markings under control, and the Demonic Qi had stopped appearing.

Neither the markings nor the Demonic Qi returned during my fight with the two seniors. Looks like Qian Renxue really can help me suppress them.

"Sister Xue'er, before we leave, I want to visit the Great Soul Arena."

Lu Mingzi wanted to test how thoroughly the black markings had been suppressed, and how far he could push himself before they returned.

"Mm... all right."

Qian Renxue saw no reason to refuse such a simple request and agreed at once.

She had seen her disciple's strength. He had defeated two seniors with the combat experience of Titled Douluo while fighting them at the same level.

His strength was terrifying. Sending him into a one-on-one match at the Great Soul Arena was hardly a fair contest.

Lu Mingzi and the others arrived at the center of Suotuo City. This was his second visit, though six years had passed since the first.

Qian Renxue and the two seniors had changed into ordinary clothes. It was their first time visiting this Great Soul Arena.

They had spent nearly all their time amid the luxury and splendor of the imperial court. The surroundings here could not compare.

"Oh! Welcome to the Soto Great Soul Arena, honored guests!"

The young woman in black at the front desk immediately recognized that the four were no ordinary visitors and greeted them warmly.

"Hello. Arrange a one-on-one match for me."

Lu Mingzi stepped ahead of the others and produced the badge he had received from the Great Soul Arena six years ago.

The receptionist took it. Dust had gathered across its surface, but when she wiped it with her hand, her expression changed sharply.

"You're the Heavenly Demon? The one who fought under that name six years ago?"

She spoke in disbelief, her voice so loud that it drew everyone else's attention.

"Hahaha, kid Lu, looks like you're famous around here!"

Ci Xue laughed heartily and gave Lu Mingzi a heavy slap on the shoulder.

He nearly made Lu Mingzi cough up blood.

"I'll prepare a private box for you right away."

The receptionist led Lu Mingzi and the others to a private box.

Gold was set into its door, and the room within was spacious. One wall was made of glass, offering a clear view of the Soul Fighting Arena while keeping those inside hidden from view.

"Master Heavenly Demon, I'll find you an opponent at once."

A minute later, the receptionist opened the box door and brought him information on his opponent.

Lu Mingzi took it, saw a familiar name, and smiled.

Evil-Eyed White Tiger, level twenty-eight Soul Elder.

Qian Renxue and the others each glanced at the information.

"Evil-Eyed White Tiger? Isn't that the Martial Soul passed down through the Star Luo Imperial Family? Is this boy a prince?"

Ci Xue recognized the Evil-Eyed White Tiger Martial Soul.

"No. A prince wouldn't be sent to an enemy nation. Perhaps he's the second prince," She Long said calmly.

Dai Mubai's identity surprised them all, but there was no suspense about who would win the match.

Although Lu Mingzi was only level thirty-two, a full six levels below Dai Mubai, he had defeated She Long and Ci Xue.

That alone proved his combat strength stood at the very top among Soul Elders. Finding him a worthy opponent would be difficult.

"Little Mingzi, how do you plan to fight?" Qian Renxue asked.

"Mm... I'll hold back."

Lu Mingzi spoke as though it were nothing.

"Sister Xue'er, your Soul Power can suppress the black markings on my body. I want to use this fight to find out how much of that suppression holds."

He explained his reasoning slowly.

"Then be careful." Qian Renxue nodded.

"I will."

Lu Mingzi put on black clothes and a black mask, then walked out through the passage.

Beyond the dark passage, the vast Soul Fighting Arena came into view. Every seat was filled with spectators who had come for the match.

The Heavenly Demon would face the Evil-Eyed White Tiger again after six years. The promise of a rematch had drawn a crowd.

"Six years have passed. The Evil-Eyed White Tiger won't lose this time!"

"Six years later, a defeated opponent is still a defeated opponent!"

"If you ask me, the Soul Elder's bound to win."

Everyone else: "..."

The spectators split into Heavenly Demon and White Tiger camps, arguing passionately over who would win. Some who could not settle it with words even came to blows.

The arena fell silent as the two contestants entered. Then cheers erupted from the packed stands.

Six years have passed. I've fought at the headmaster's side and built up my experience. I won't lose to you this time!

Dai Mubai strode into the arena with confidence. Years of training had given him plenty of it.

He had trained his Soul Power day and night and honed his fighting skills for this very moment.

Today, he would repay the humiliation of six years ago with interest.

"You look confident," Lu Mingzi said calmly, mockery plain in his voice.

"I'm going to beat you today, Heavenly Demon."

Dai Mubai gave a cold snort and released his Soul Power. His Martial Soul appeared behind him: a fierce, savage white tiger.

Three distinct Soul Rings rose into view: two yellow and one purple!

Lu Mingzi saw no reason to conceal his own strength. He released the Demonic Fire Path Martial Soul, and three Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

One yellow and two purple!

Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!

Dai Mubai's body shuddered as he entered Martial Soul Possession and activated his Soul Skill. His frame swelled violently, muscles bulging across his body.

The entire arena shook. In that instant, his aura surged severalfold, his strength driven to its limit.

"Let's see if you can take this blow!"

Dai Mubai charged like a streak of white light. His right fist expanded into a tiger's paw.

He closed the distance in a flash and drove a punch toward Lu Mingzi's torso!

"Mm... wait."

Lu Mingzi was about to activate a Soul Skill when he noticed the suppressed black markings reappearing on his arm.

Then I'll have to finish you in one move.

His aura surged. He unleashed the Mystic Body, Fire-Bathed Method, flames bursting across his body as his strength increased severalfold.

"Oh no!" Dai Mubai's expression changed drastically.

Boom!

Lu Mingzi's fist struck Dai Mubai's tiger paw. Dai Mubai flew out of the arena like a cannonball.

He slammed into the wall and left a great crater in it. Gravely injured, he could no longer move.

At the same time, Demonic Qi poured from Lu Mingzi's body. Black vapor hissed around him, making him look like a wandering evil spirit.

"Hahaha! Well done, well done!"

"That's the fighting strength an inheritor should have!"

Black Egg's voice rang out from the Spiritual Sea. Yet Black Egg had vanished. In his place stood the unfamiliar figure of a person.