The moment Su Mu conceded, before the cheers from the stands had even faded, a fiery-red figure shot onto the arena like an arrow loosed from its bow.
"Su Mu! How are you? Are you all right?"
Dai Yueyan anxiously steadied Su Mu, his gaze immediately darting behind him. "Your tails... are they hurt?"
Seeing his prince so worried sent a warm current through Su Mu's heart, but he then shook his head somewhat helplessly. He gently patted the back of Dai Yueyan's hand to reassure him.
"I'm fine, Yueyan. I only lost a few hairs. Nothing serious."
Su Mu turned toward Tang Wulin, who was reining in his aura nearby. A complicated look flashed through his eyes before he said earnestly to Dai Yueyan, "Sorry. I underestimated him. Tang Wulin... he really is strong."
Dai Yueyan's brows knitted tightly. Su Mu's defeat had clearly surprised him, but he offered no reproach, merely giving Su Mu's shoulder a firm pat.
At that moment, a tall figure slowly approached. It was Long Yue.
His bangs covered half of one eye, and his face betrayed little emotion. Yet unprecedented gravity flickered in his exposed dark-red eyes.
"It's all right."
Long Yue's voice was deep and powerful. He glanced at Su Mu, then looked past him, fixing his gaze directly on Tang Wulin.
"By the way, that Martial Soul Fusion Skill he used at the very end... I think it was called 'Silver Moon Asura.' He said so himself."
Long Yue narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly recalling what he had felt in that instant. "What did you think of its power? You conceded before even taking the attack. Was it too powerful, and you were afraid of getting hurt? Or was there another reason?"
Su Mu drew a deep breath, calming the Soul