An enormous crash resounded throughout the Soul Fighting Arena. Powerful winds rose, blowing the host on his cloud high overhead a considerable distance away. Dust filled his vision. He had never imagined that a battle between two Soul Elders could unleash such power.
The Soul Fighting Arena's protective barrier activated, and the stands erupted. Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan exchanged smiles, as though they had expected this outcome all along. On Tang San's side, however, both he and Zhu Zhuqing looked tense. Though Dai Mubai and the others were not nervous, the surprise in their eyes was no less than that of the other spectators.
Could two Soul Elders really force the Soul Fighting Arena's protective barrier to activate?
"So hard."
On the Soul Fighting Platform, Xiao Wu, who had intended to use her first soul skill, kicked Qian Renyue's Butterfly Wings. The blue-and-white wings wrapped tightly around Qian Renyue the instant Xiao Wu's kick landed. Not only did Xiao Wu fail to hit her, she ended up suffering a loss herself.
The Butterfly Wings were incredibly hard. Even Xiao Wu's powerful kick could not break through their defense. Unwilling to give up, Xiao Wu continued attacking Qian Renyue, pink light flashing back and forth through the air. Yet her attacks were little more than scratches to Qian Renyue. The beautiful wings remained completely undamaged. Tired from kicking, Xiao Wu realized Qian Renyue's strength was even more terrifying than she had imagined. With a slight frown, she flipped over, braced her hands against the ground, and retreated to her original position.
Dragging this out would do her no good. Rather than waste her strength, she might as well force Qian Renyue out. "What kind of hero hides behind wings? If you've got the guts, fight me fair and square! Tang Yue, is hiding your head in your shell all you can do?"
Xiao Wu's provocative words rang in Qian Renyue's ears. Qian Renyue snorted coldly. "Since you're begging for a beating, I won't hold back."
Sure enough, the wings enveloping Qian Renyue slowly opened the next moment. She pulled off the tail support beneath them, and the wings vanished in an instant. Three ice prisms appeared in her palm, merging with the tail support and transforming into a long silver-white sword. Qian Renyue drove it into the ground. The ground froze instantly, and icy air surged straight toward Xiao Wu!
"Little rabbit, did you enjoy hitting me just now?"
The pink haze around her right eye grew more pronounced. Qian Renyue's lips curved slightly as an extremely cold aura radiated from her body. Enhanced by the Demon Mask, she looked like a ghost that had just crawled out of hell!
This is bad!
Frost swept toward her, leaving Xiao Wu nowhere to dodge. Her brows knitted tightly. "Third soul skill, Teleportation!"
The moment she spoke, she suddenly appeared overhead. "First soul skill, Waist Bow!"
Her youthful face brimmed with murderous intent. Xiao Wu seized her opening. As long as she could lock Qian Renyue down, victory would be hers!
"First soul skill, Thousand Absolute Ice Prisms!"
Three ice prisms appeared in Qian Renyue's hand again. Xiao Wu hovered above her, and their eyes met like enemies coming face-to-face. Qian Renyue smiled faintly and launched the prisms at Xiao Wu. Realizing the danger, Xiao Wu immediately flipped aside. Crack-
Seizing that opening, Qian Renyue raised her foot and kicked Xiao Wu in the stomach. "So smug! Never been beaten before, have you?"
"Ugh!"
Xiao Wu flew backward, shock flashing across her little face. But remembering that Tang San and the others were watching, she quickly adjusted herself and landed safely in an instant!
She had barely landed when she noticed Qian Renyue watching her provocatively from nearby. Even with the Demon Mask on, the taunting air radiating from her was unmistakable. Xiao Wu gritted her teeth, trembling with anger as her features began to twist. She touched the hidden weapon Tang San had given her on her wrist, and a vicious idea formed in her mind...
"Tang Yue, take this!"
Xiao Wu charged at Qian Renyue again!
Their movements were as swift as lightning striking flint. They traded a rapid series of punches and kicks, shifting positions constantly. In an instant, Qian Renyue had reached a corner of the platform while Xiao Wu rushed toward her. Pressing forward in one fierce burst, Xiao Wu showed no mercy. Her attack power far exceeded Qian Renyue's, and as an Agility Attack System soul master, her speed surpassed Qian Renyue's as well. Yet throughout their exchanges, Qian Renyue suffered no injuries. Xiao Wu, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up with the soul power expenditure of her frequent Teleportation.
Almost all of Xiao Wu's strength was concentrated in her legs, while her Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul gave her exceptional flexibility. She kept exploiting her advantages, trying to lock Qian Renyue's neck. But Qian Renyue's reactions were quick as well. After an entire month of training at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, her physical condition and reflexes had improved enormously. Their back-and-forth battle gradually grew exceptionally fierce. Fists and feet flew, hands meeting hands amid interwoven light and shadows, neither willing to yield. Yet Qian Renyue was still holding back most of her strength, while she had already seen through nearly all of Xiao Wu's moves apart from the hidden weapon in her hand.
Qian Renyue fell back to defend. The ground had already frozen. She pulled the Silver Sword from the Soul Fighting Platform, flames burning in her hand, and poured them into the blade. Blue-White Lie Yan instantly appeared along the sword. She swung it, her aura overwhelmingly powerful. Their eyes met. Xiao Wu bit her lip hard, beads of sweat trickling down her forehead. She knew she might not be able to stand after this strike. But she would not simply lose like this. She would drag Qian Renyue down with her. She would!
The fighting onstage was fierce, and so was the discussion below. The match had reached a white-hot stage, and the soul masters in the stands were all talking-
"It's been ages since I saw such a satisfying match. Moonlight really makes you see her in a new light!"
"Doesn't she? I thought a Lotus Martial Soul was just an ordinary plant-type trash martial soul. Who knew this girl could cultivate it into something so special? It's truly astonishing!"
"Ah, looks like Soft Bone Charm Rabbit is going to lose. I just bet several Gold Soul Coins on her!"
"Me too! I bet on her too! Looking at things now, I don't think my Gold Soul Coins are safe!"
"..."
Exclamations and complaints mingled, but Guang Ling smiled more happily than anyone in the stands. He had known his little darling was the strongest. A mere Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that had only just taken human form-how could she possibly beat his Yueyue?
She was dreaming in broad daylight!
Seeing that the battle was nearly settled, Guang Ling stood to stretch his limbs. After sitting so long, his lower back felt a little uncomfortable.
One side was completely unworried, while the other was frantic.
Xiao Wu's inability to defeat Qian Renyue was already a nail driven firmly into the board. Ma Hongjun mourned his Gold Soul Coins while praying for Xiao Wu to win. He pressed his palms together and prayed to heaven and earth. Oscar was speechless. This attention seeker was making an utter spectacle of himself.
"Is Xiao Wu going to lose?"
Even as a support-type soul master, Ning Rongrong could see Xiao Wu's exhaustion on the platform.
Qian Renyue's soul skills were far too unusual. Though Xiao Wu countered her, she also countered Xiao Wu. In Ning Rongrong's view, a flight soul skill or an external soul bone could have given this match a different ending. Unfortunately, Xiao Wu had neither. Qian Renyue now controlled the field, and however Xiao Wu struggled, she was an arrow at the end of its flight.
As Xiao Wu's roommate, Ning Rongrong still did not want her to lose. She pressed her lips together, hoping a miracle might happen.
"No, something's wrong." Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. Onstage, Xiao Wu had stopped moving, but she seemed to be waiting for something. Her little face was resolute as she watched Qian Renyue. Qian Renyue swung her sword, with no intention of letting this damned rabbit off easily. She advanced straight at Xiao Wu, sword in hand, and Tang San cried out, "Don't! Xiao Yue!"
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing abruptly stood. "Oh no! Xiao Wu wants to use a hidden weapon!"
"Xiao Wu! Stop!"
Boom-
The Silver Sword slashed down, and cracks instantly appeared across the Soul Fighting Platform!
The host's hand trembled, nearly dropping his microphone. Fortunately, he had left the Soul Fighting Platform in advance.
Xiao Wu tumbled across the Soul Fighting Platform. Within the white mist, her body slammed hard against the ground, and the friction tore her clothes. After an indeterminate amount of time, the host saw that Qian Renyue was the one still standing and excitedly announced, "The winner of this match is Moonlight!"
"Woo, woo, woo! Moonlight! Moonlight! Moonlight!"
The match came to an exhilarating conclusion, and the stands erupted. Even though most spectators had lost their bets, witnessing such a spectacular match was well worth spending a few Gold Soul Coins. Amid the enthusiastic cheers, they rose to their feet and kept shouting "Moonlight," firmly engraving this dark horse in their hearts.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the stands, a man in a black robe prepared to leave the Great Soul Arena after watching the match. His gaze lingered on Tang San for a moment before he glanced at Qian Renyue onstage. Whatever crossed his mind, a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes. Then he turned and left.
The instant the protective barrier disappeared, Tang San rushed toward Xiao Wu without hesitation. Zhu Zhuqing followed close behind, though the two ran in opposite directions. Seeing this, Ning Rongrong hesitated briefly before following Tang San. Oscar went with Ning Rongrong, while Dai Mubai remained where he was. Ma Hongjun was so preoccupied with his Gold Soul Coins that he had no attention to spare for anyone else.
"Xiao Wu!"
Tang San rushed over and scooped up Xiao Wu, who had tumbled several times across the ground. Her face was scraped, her delicate skin covered in dust. She had abrasions all over her body, and her disheveled clothes exposed glimpses of skin.
Tang San's brows trembled at the sight. He quickly took off his coat and covered Xiao Wu with it, holding her with a face full of heartache.
He reached out to stroke the wound on Xiao Wu's face, and his eyes began to glisten with trembling tears.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar were deeply worried as well. They exchanged a glance, not knowing what to say.
This was a Soul Fighting match. Even if someone was injured, they could not go demand retribution from the opponent. Besides, Tang San had personally confirmed that the opponent was Tang Yue!
"Yueyue!"
Everyone else surrounded Xiao Wu, but Zhu Zhuqing ran straight toward Qian Renyue. Unless she had seen wrong, Xiao Wu had definitely used a hidden weapon on Qian Renyue just now. Injuries from hidden weapons hurt far more than those from soul skills. Rather than worry about Xiao Wu's superficial wounds, Zhu Zhuqing was more afraid that Qian Renyue had been struck by Xiao Wu's hidden weapon.
She knew perfectly well how powerful hidden weapons were. Even a Soul Emperor might not fare well against them.
"..."
When Zhu Zhuqing caught Qian Renyue's arm, Qian Renyue's body involuntarily tilted backward. "Yueyue!"
She hurriedly pulled Qian Renyue up and let her lean against her shoulder!
"Yueyue!"
Zhu Zhuqing called anxiously, gently patting Qian Renyue's back, wanting nothing more than a response.
"Yue'er!"
In the stands, Guang Ling also noticed something was wrong. He hurriedly flashed behind Qian Renyue and took her from Zhu Zhuqing's arms.
"Xiao Yue'er!"
Calling anxiously, Guang Ling immediately removed Qian Renyue's mask.
Qian Renyue's little face was deathly pale, her lips tinged blue-purple. She frowned and glared fiercely at Xiao Wu in Tang San's arms, her breathing beginning to quicken.
"What happened?! Xiao Yue'er!" Guang Ling's pupils widened. Qian Renyue had clearly held the upper hand, and that damned rabbit had been an arrow at the end of its flight. How could she have seriously injured his little darling at the very end?!
Impossible!
Just now, as Qian Renyue unleashed her final strike, Xiao Wu had simultaneously used the hidden weapon she had stolen from Tang San-the Godly Zhuge Crossbow.
The Godly Zhuge Crossbow's power was no weaker than the destructive force of Qian Renyue's Silver Sword. When they collided, the Silver Sword could not cut through the crossbow's long bolt. With her limited soul power, Qian Renyue had no choice but to use her magic treasure's flames to forcibly catch the bolt with her hand and throw it aside to avoid defeat!
But that very action caused the bolt's shaft to cut Qian Renyue's palm, sending blood trickling out. Even harder to guard against was the paralysis poison coating the shaft!
Looking at the blood dripping onto the ground, Guang Ling's eyes turned cold. A biting chill suddenly radiated from him. "So that's it. Playing dirty, are you?"
He ground his back teeth, looking as though he might freeze the entire Great Soul Arena into an ice sculpture the next instant. Sensing the murderous intent beside her, Qian Renyue withdrew her gaze and hurriedly caught Guang Ling's hand, frowning slightly. "Don't..."
Starting a fight here would not be a good thing.
Though their Worship Hall had no need to fear outsiders, they could not simply cause trouble wherever they pleased. If Guang Ling really attacked here today, what awaited him would likely be Qian Daoliu's belated reprimand and the legendary confinement. Besides, they still did not know whether Tang Hao was lurking in the shadows. If a fight truly broke out on the Heaven Dou Empire's territory, there was no way they would escape without suffering.
Qian Renyue did not want Guang Ling to put himself in a difficult position. "Grandpa Guang Ling, I'm fine. It's just a minor injury."
"A minor injury? How is this minor?" Guang Ling frowned, anger rising unbidden. "I don't care! Today, I'm giving that rabbit a beating!"
"Don't! Grandpa Guang Ling!" The paralysis poison slowly began to wear off, finally giving Qian Renyue the strength to hold tightly to his hand. She reasoned with him, "Grandpa Guang Ling, this was a Soul Fighting match, not a brawl. Injuries are inevitable. I really am fine. Once Sister Lingling comes to heal me, everything will be all right."
"Really, I'm really fine!"
"..."
Only after Qian Renyue's repeated insistence and the arrival of Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and the others did Guang Ling abandon the idea of beating Xiao Wu.
A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast parading around in public every day-sooner or later, he would beat that rabbit and make soup out of her!
"Yueyue, what happened?"
Dugu Yan and the others had rushed over after sensing that something was wrong with the atmosphere onstage. They had not expected to find blood on the ground as soon as they arrived.
Ye Lingling's eyes trembled slightly, and she immediately summoned her martial soul to heal Qian Renyue.
Beside them, Yu Tianheng noticed the bloodstained bolt on the ground. Frowning slightly, he crouched to pick it up. "This is..."
After some thought, he decided that since he had never seen such a thing before, he should keep it and investigate.
Nine Heart Begonia's healing ability was extraordinarily powerful. In just a few minutes, Qian Renyue's injuries had healed.
"..."
Seeing that Qian Renyue was all right, Zhu Zhuqing breathed a sigh of relief. She stood to one side watching Qian Renyue, wanting to interrupt her and her new companions as well.
"Yueyue, how do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"
Dugu Yan asked urgently, her eyes full of worry.
That little rabbit clearly had no weapon. How had her Yueyue's hand been injured?
Qian Renyue glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then shook her head at Dugu Yan. "I'm fine, Sister Yanzi."
"As long as you're fine."
Dugu Yan asked no further questions. Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her gaze.
Just then, the attention seeker and his good brother Dai Mubai suddenly appeared. Dai Mubai pulled Zhu Zhuqing behind him, then imperiously ordered Ye Lingling, "Since you've already healed her, you might as well heal Xiao Wu too."
"..."
The usually taciturn Ye Lingling rolled her eyes for once. "No."
She refused.
"You!"
Dai Mubai was about to explode when he suddenly caught sight of Guang Ling beside Qian Renyue.
Guang Ling was staring at him coldly, as though this place would become his grave if he dared take another step forward.
"..."
As a fallen prince, Dai Mubai naturally did not dare provoke a powerful soul master lightly. The threat stuck in his throat, and he could only swallow it back down and say it to himself.
"Fine, don't heal her! Who cares!" Throwing out those words, Dai Mubai grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hand and headed toward Tang San and the others.
Reluctance showed on Zhu Zhuqing's face, but she could not break free of Dai Mubai's grip. She frowned slightly and was about to speak when a warm hand suddenly caught her other hand. "She doesn't want to go with you."
Qian Renyue spoke with a smile, and Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled.
She turned back toward Qian Renyue in surprise, emotion shaking violently in her eyes. She could hardly believe Qian Renyue had taken her hand.
"You..."
Zhu Zhuqing's lips parted slightly. You're Xiao Yue, aren't you? You are, right?
"You?" Dai Mubai immediately turned back with a frown. "She's my fiancée and our teammate. If she doesn't want to go with me, who does she want to go with?"
"She has legs. She can walk on her own. You don't need to drag her." Qian Renyue met Dai Mubai's eyes. Their gazes clashed fiercely, neither willing to yield. Dai Mubai's grip on Zhu Zhuqing tightened, while Qian Renyue merely held her in place without hurting her.
"..."
Only then did Zhu Zhuqing realize that some people truly treated her as an object.
Looking at her wrist, which Dai Mubai had already gripped red, she gritted her teeth and jerked her arm hard, flinging his hand straight into his face. Smack! The crisp sound of flesh striking flesh rang across the Soul Fighting Platform.
Most people had already left the Soul Fighting Arena, making the slap sound especially loud and pleasing.
Wow~
Dugu Yan's eyes widened slightly, and she could not help raising her brows.
Nice hit!
Qian Renyue snorted softly. She should have fought back long ago.
"Zhu Zhuqing, you!" Having been slapped in public by Zhu Zhuqing-even if his own hand had struck his own face-Dai Mubai still felt humiliated. He involuntarily raised his other hand.
"Hitting a woman really is shameless!"
Yu Tianheng caught his wrist. Looking at Dai Mubai, he now understood who Qian Renyue had been talking about. Hearing the commotion, Oscar hurried over to restrain Dai Mubai as well. "Boss Dai!"
For some reason, seeing Dai Mubai suffer made Ma Hongjun feel a little happy. He did not show it, however, merely standing behind Dai Mubai and watching everything quietly.
Whenever Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing argued, Oscar was the one who broke it up. Oscar did not want to intervene either, but without him, things would only grow more complicated. He had practically worried himself sick over this "engaged couple."
"Who the hell are you? What gives you the right to meddle in our business?" Dai Mubai glared furiously at Yu Tianheng. If Oscar had not been holding him back, he would certainly have fought this meddlesome fellow!
"I'm just giving you a reminder. Whether you want to keep your dignity is up to you!" Yu Tianheng flung Dai Mubai's hand away. Then Qian Renyue produced a stick from somewhere, swung it, and struck the back of the hand still gripping Zhu Zhuqing.
"Ah!"
The pain made Dai Mubai abruptly release his grip. Qian Renyue immediately pulled Zhu Zhuqing behind her. Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan stood in front of Qian Renyue, ready to protect the girl they had taken as their younger sister at any moment.
"You! All of you!"
Faced with this situation, Dai Mubai was so angry he nearly failed to draw breath. With Guang Ling standing behind Qian Renyue, he did not dare make a reckless move. He could do nothing but rage helplessly. Oscar kept trying to comfort him, but could do nothing to ease Dai Mubai's wounded body and pride.
"Don't push us too far!" Tang San suddenly spoke, still holding Xiao Wu. He gritted his teeth and stared fixedly at Qian Renyue, hating himself for having believed all along that this girl was his sister-believed it even as she hurt him again and again, hurt Xiao Wu, and even humiliated Dai Mubai!
He had been wrong. He must have been wrong. His Xiao Yue could never do such things. This girl was not Tang Yue, not his sister. She was an enemy, an enemy who had hurt Xiao Wu!
Tang San's eyes brimmed with hostility. Meeting his gaze, Qian Renyue could not help sneering. So this was the sibling bond he spoke of: a brother who abandoned his sister, a brother who failed to recognize her, a brother who hated her for another girl. What use was a brother like that? To invite suffering upon herself?
Qian Renyue let out a cold "Hah," finding it rather laughable. "You think we're pushing you too far?"
"Tang San, the moment you gave your sweetheart that hidden weapon as her last resort, you should have anticipated this outcome. I, Qian Renyue, am not someone you can easily provoke, but I don't casually bully others either. Your sweetheart and I fought a fair duel. She lost because she wasn't as skilled. That has nothing to do with me. Don't snap at everyone here like a rabid dog. You disgust me!"
What?
A hidden weapon?
She knows about hidden weapons?
Tang San's gaze paused. He did not absorb anything Qian Renyue said afterward. His body trembled slightly. At present, Tang Yue was the only person in this world who knew about hidden weapons. If she was not Tang Yue, then how could she...
"..."
As though suddenly realizing something, Tang San sharply glanced at the hidden weapon in Xiao Wu's hand. Its bolt was already gone. He had only recently made this hidden weapon, and he had told Xiao Wu that it was poisoned!
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became. Tang San did not dare think any further. He did not know why Xiao Wu had become like this, nor why Xiao Yue had suddenly left him and become someone else. He knew nothing and could understand none of it. Toward Tang Yue, he felt guilt and regret, so when he once again confirmed that Qian Renyue was Tang Yue, he sank into endless self-reproach. He had failed to protect his own sister. That was why... that was why Yueyue had wanted to leave, wasn't it...
Tang San lowered his eyes slightly, tightening the arms holding Xiao Wu as though seeking some comfort.
Qian Renyue looked at him with a smile that never reached her eyes. Let the torment go on like this. The more Tang San suffers, the happier I am.
Even if she tortured him into a fractured mind, she did not care. She never would.
Reining in the unsettling smile on her face, Qian Renyue turned to Dugu Yan. "Sister Yanzi, I'm a little hungry. Shall we go eat?"
"Mm, all right." Dugu Yan nodded with a faint smile.
"Zhu Zhuqing, let's go." Qian Renyue took Zhu Zhuqing's hand. They exchanged a glance, and Zhu Zhuqing gave a knowing smile, following Qian Renyue out without the slightest hesitation.
"Zhu Zhuqing!"
"Zhu Zhuqing! Get back here!"
"You're my fiancée! How can you leave with someone else! Come back!"
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing leave with the others, Dai Mubai suddenly began barking furiously. He broke free of Oscar's embrace and charged forward, intent on dragging Zhu Zhuqing back. But before he could reach her, a bolt of lightning suddenly descended onto his head, instantly paralyzing his body. He toppled straight to the ground!
"Bully my younger sister, and I'll electrocute you to death!"
Before you continue