Zhu Zhuyun

"Do I know you that well?"

The Star Luo Prince's expression stiffened. Why didn't that trick work on him?

Could Azure Luan Douluo have a taste for men and prefer handsome young boys?

The thought flashed through his mind and vanished. The Star Luo Prince gave Dai Weisi a look that said, "You know what to do."

Dai Weisi's expression tightened. My turn at last! Surely my impeccable manners and handsome face will leave a deep impression on Azure Luan Douluo!

At last, Dai Weisi reined in his excitement, put on what he considered the most gracious smile of his life, and spoke in an exquisitely elegant tone:

"Azure Luan Douluo, you..."

He did not even finish his sentence.

Azure Luan Douluo glanced at the presumptuous little boy who had spoken without permission and calmly replied with a single word.

"Scram."

The Star Luo Prince and Dai Weisi both froze, utterly baffled.

"Pfft! Hahaha!"

Ning Rongrong could not hold it in anymore. Pointing at Dai Weisi and the prince, she said, "These two are so funny! Hahaha!"

Ning Fengzhi had only just managed to keep a straight face when he turned and heard his daughter laughing aloud. He hurriedly covered her mouth and gave an awkward chuckle.

"Children speak without restraint. Children speak without restraint. Hehe..."

"Ahem!" Gui Mei barely kept his composure before turning to seek Azure Luan Douluo's approval. "Third Offering, may we bring up the Angel Legion now?"

The Angel Legion belonged solely to Qian Daoliu. Even the Third Offering could temporarily mobilize a portion of it only with Qian Daoliu's authorization.

Gui Mei had even less authority to mobilize them, so he could only ask Azure Luan Douluo for permission.

"Yes."

Azure Luan Douluo raised his head and waved a hand.

The next instant, nearly a hundred winged Soul Masters with powerful auras leaped into the air.

Almost a third of them actually activated their Martial Soul Avatars!

Through some kind of formation, dozens of holy Angel True Bodies linked themselves to the power of the remaining sixty or seventy Soul Emperors, manifesting an immense angel martial soul that covered the sky above the entire field.

"Third Soul Skill, Angel Blessing!"

The angel martial soul had six wings on its back and held its hands crossed before its chest. Golden motes streamed from its entire body, falling evenly upon everyone in the stands.

"Wow! This feels so good!" Ning Rongrong looked blissful. "It feels like taking a hot bath!"

"Such a powerful Martial Soul Avatar. Even an ordinary Titled Douluo would probably be unable to withstand it. Quite an impressive display, Azure Luan."

A quiet voice came from beside Azure Luan Douluo.

The Star Luo Prince narrowed his eyes and turned to see who dared address Azure Luan Douluo directly by his title.

A middle-aged man in blue robes, carrying a sword on his back and standing straight as a pine, slowly came into view. Sword intent faintly swirled around him, cutting so sharply that it made their eyes ache.

"Sword Dao Chen Xin!"

Azure Luan Douluo's gaze grew more serious. Putting aside his earlier casual attitude, he said in a low voice:

"Sect Master Ning, you came to our Spirit City with Sword Douluo guarding you personally. Do you distrust the way our Spirit Hall conducts itself?"

"Of course not." Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Chen Xin was simply worried about Rongrong. He was afraid the girl might be bullied while away from home."

"Then Sword Douluo's concerns are quite unnecessary." Gui Mei smiled. "Our Spirit Hall has always acted openly and honorably."

"Uh..."

The corners of Ning Fengzhi's and the Star Luo Prince's mouths twitched at the same time.

Applying the words "openly and honorably" to Spirit Hall was truly... bizarre enough to be a spectacle.

"Enough. Pass down the order. The Graduation Exam may begin." Azure Luan Douluo waved his hand, signaling that it was time for the main event.

Below the stands.

The dean of students, Qian Shushi, received the principal's instructions and immediately announced to the members of Yan's Team and Nian's Team, who were already rubbing their fists and flexing their arms atop the arena:

"Begin the battle!"

Meanwhile, in the stands.

The principal approached the stands with an eager expression and light, careful steps, then addressed Gui Mei cautiously:

"Ghost Elder, would you like me to introduce the two teams to Elder Azure Luan and our distinguished guests?"

Gui Mei sought permission with a glance. Only after Azure Luan Douluo nodded did he reply to the principal, "Go ahead."

"Certainly." The principal steadied his nerves, coughed twice to clear his throat, and began:

"Yan's Team is led by Yan. His martial soul... his soul power is level 31... His teammates include Sun Chuantao and Li Kai... Their soul power levels..."

Surprise appeared on the Star Luo Prince's face. "To cultivate his soul power to the Soul Elder realm at thirteen or fourteen, this boy Yan truly has first-rate talent! I favor this team."

"It is still a little early to choose a side, Your Highness." Xue Qinghe noticed Xu Xiaonian among Nian's Team, and his smile deepened. "Nian's Team looks more spirited to me. I favor them."

Ning Fengzhi looked at the principal. "Mr. Principal, could you tell us about Nian's Team?"

The principal hurriedly explained, "Nian's Team is led by Xu Xiaonian. His martial soul is the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, and his soul power is level 16... His teammates include Hu Liena and Zhang Ping..."

When he finished.

Azure Luan Douluo, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Ning Fengzhi, and Dai Weisi all widened their eyes, varying degrees of shock showing in their gazes.

Ning Rongrong, however, looked blank, having no idea what caliber of martial soul that was.

Seeing these important figures' expressions, Gui Mei and Xue Qinghe could not help smiling faintly. They had been just as staggered back then, and this was merely the tip of the iceberg of that boy's monstrous talent.

Only Zhu Zhuyun stared dazedly, sinking into memories of her childhood.

Her mother's warning still echoed in her ears. "Zhu Yun, remember this. Marrying into the White Tiger Dai Family is the fate of our Netherworld Zhu clan, unless..."

Zhu Zhuyun hurriedly asked, "Unless what?"

Confusion and hope flashed across her mother's face. She murmured softly, yet spoke the words that would bury themselves deepest in Zhu Zhuyun's heart:

"Unless you encounter the legendary mutation of the White Tiger Martial Soul... the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger martial soul... The bearer of that martial soul will bring our Netherworld Zhu clan a chance to become gods..."

"Zhu Yun? Zhu Yun?" Dai Weisi looked concerned, but also somewhat puzzled. "Are you all right? Even if the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger is a god-level martial soul, there's no need to be this shocked, is there?"

As he spoke, Dai Weisi reached toward Zhu Zhuyun's forehead, intending to check whether she was feeling unwell.

What happened next, however, was something he had never anticipated.

As Zhu Zhuyun watched his hand approach, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes. She instinctively stepped back a full pace and avoided it.

"Zhu Yun, you..." Dai Weisi looked hurt, but quickly rallied. "We're already engaged, and our martial souls share a bond. I believe I'll win your heart sooner or later!"

At his words, Zhu Zhuyun looked at him with a complicated expression and said something laden with meaning:

"Dai Weisi, you know that every member of our Netherworld Zhu clan has always regarded revitalizing the clan as their foremost duty. Everything else is irrelevant."

"I know!" Dai Weisi was at a loss. "But isn't our marriage supposed to help you revitalize your clan?"

Zhu Zhuyun fell silent. It seems that once I return, I can have the clan help me break off this engagement, no matter the cost.

And that girl Zhu Zhuqing—the clan will probably soon arrange for her to marry the Third Prince, Dai Mubai. That cannot be allowed to continue either.

She knew the clan would support them wholeheartedly.

This was the best chance the two of them had to escape their fate of arranged marriages, even if it sent them plunging into the abyss of another fate.