Chu Qing could feel it: his opponent really was showing no mercy.
His Second Soul Ring lit up in an instant. Feathered Transformation.
The Soul Power stored in the formation beneath his feet boiled at once, spilling out around him and taking the form of countless burning azure feathers of light.
All his attributes received a 100% boost, while his Soul Power consumption doubled.
Air currents compressed and coiled around his right hand, while a Thunderstorm Rasengan formed in his left.
He charged at Lone Bamboo Sword, and when he was still several dozen paces away, brilliant azure light burst from his eyes.
Battle technique: Radiance of the Azure Eyes.
Boosted by his second Soul Skill, Radiance of the Azure Eyes pinned Lone Bamboo Sword in place.
I can't move at all? Lone Bamboo Sword was still reeling in shock when Chu Qing's fist came flying at him.
His defenses were clearly far inferior to Long Aotian's. After three punches and two kicks, his ribs broke with a sharp crack.
Hearing the crisp sound of bone breaking, Chu Qing wondered whether he had hit too hard.
But Lone Bamboo Sword seized the opportunity during that moment of hesitation. A flash of black light shone as he unleashed his fifth Soul Skill.
Purple Emperor's Nether Forest.
Still airborne after Chu Qing's elbow strike, Lone Bamboo Sword violently flung the Bamboo Mourning Purple Emperor Staff downward. It flew from his hand and embedded itself in the ground, and a purple mist spread outward amid terrifying fluctuations of Soul Power.
In an instant, countless stalks of Purple Emperor Bamboo burst through the earth wherever the mist passed, growing madly into a dense forest.
Chu Qing hastily retreated in alarm, but before he could escape the bamboo forest, a stalk shot up beneath him and knocked him into the air.
When he looked up again, Lone Bamboo Sword, who had steadied himself against the bamboo, was already above him. Gripping the Bamboo Mourning Purple Emperor Staff in both hands, he raised it over his head. Its first segment instantly let out a bang like a firecracker, though it did not burst apart. Terrifying energy gathered at the tip of the staff, and he smashed it toward Chu Qing's stomach.
Bang!
With a tremendous boom, explosive energy raged outward.
Chu Qing was slammed into the Purple Emperor's Nether Forest below, leaving a deep, human-shaped crater.
The blow left Chu Qing feeling as though knives were slicing through his stomach, and he knitted his brows.
Lone Bamboo Sword wanted to follow up with another attack.
But Chu Qing unleashed countless electric serpents from his hands, each with a paralyzing effect.
Lone Bamboo Sword was affected, his body freezing in midair.
Chu Qing seized the chance to dodge.
With another tremendous boom, Lone Bamboo Sword smashed down, leaving an even larger crater in the ground.
The surrounding Purple Emperor Bamboo forest slowly dissipated.
Electric serpents gathered in both of Chu Qing's hands, and he unleashed them at Lone Bamboo Sword.
The electric serpents danced wildly all at once. Though their damage was low, they had a paralyzing control effect and covered a wide area.
Lone Bamboo Sword failed to avoid them all, and his body was paralyzed again.
Radiance of the Azure Eyes.
Chu Qing held nothing back and immediately immobilized Lone Bamboo Sword.
He rushed forward, a tornado compressed in his left hand and more than ten years of effort behind the punch in his right. Electric serpents coiled around his fist as he struck, sending Lone Bamboo Sword flying and spitting blood.
Still paralyzed by the electric serpents, Lone Bamboo Sword was swept up by another tornado before he could hit the ground.
Chu Qing's fists and feet followed close behind. A chain of controlling attacks left Lone Bamboo Sword unable to fight back, crackling sounds coming from his body.
Although he was benefiting from Chu Qing's fourth Soul Skill, its recovery effect grew stronger the more life one lost. He was a Power Attack System fighter, and his vitality was nowhere near as vigorous as Chu Qing's. Though it was the same Soul Skill, the two of them received different effects. Now Chu Qing's injuries were gradually healing, while his were growing worse.
Chu Qing clearly had the upper hand now.
The onlookers cried out in astonishment.
Chi Hengyu found it especially hard to believe as he watched Chu Qing kick Lone Bamboo Sword around in the air like a ball. He knew just how powerful Lone Bamboo Sword's explosive attacks were, yet Chu Qing had plainly taken one head-on and gotten back up as though nothing had happened. Not only that, he had swiftly counterattacked.
Does he really have only four rings? He could not help doubting it.
After venting some of his anger, Chu Qing stopped.
Lone Bamboo Sword finally landed and used a stalk of Purple Emperor Bamboo to prop himself up.
"Thank you for the match," Chu Qing said.
A trace of shame appeared in Lone Bamboo Sword's eyes as he said:
"You truly are a genius seen only once in ten thousand years. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."
Tang Wutong ran over, full of emotion.
"As expected of my junior brother. You really can take a beating."
More than Chu Qing's victory, she was amazed by his defenses.
Chu Qing did not want to talk about it. Although his fourth Soul Skill could heal him, getting hurt still caused very real pain.
He turned and walked away in silence.
After taking the chance to boast a little, Tang Wutong immediately hurried after him.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Don't be so petty. Are you angry already?"
"Isn't a junior brother supposed to go through fire and water for his senior sister?"
"Hey! Are you really ignoring me?"
Chu Qing could not help firing back.
"How about you try taking the beating next time?"
When Tang Wutong saw him speak, she started smiling and joking again.
"Actually, you can't blame me entirely, can you? I originally only wanted you to bully a few three-ring and two-ring fighters."
"You were the one who was so confident. And you were unlucky too, ending up fighting a five-ring fighter."
"To make it up to you, I'll treat you to a meal, but I don't have any money."
Chu Qing was about to refuse, but then he realized something was wrong and turned to look at her in disbelief.
"Weren't you spending money like there was no tomorrow a little while ago?"
"Right, that's why I don't have any now!"
Tang Wutong answered with a perfectly serious expression.
Chu Qing nodded in agreement. There was nothing wrong with that logic.
After a moment's thought, he abandoned the idea of hurrying back to the Soul Fighting Society and decided to take her to the teahouse.
"All right."
He spoke as though he were reluctantly agreeing.
"I'll take you to the Spirit Lake Teahouse. Travelers from all over often gather there, and it's a crossroads for all sorts of strange tales. I think you'll like it."
Tang Wutong brightened.
"Good, lead the way, junior brother. It seems I haven't spoiled you for nothing."
"I've been in Dou Ling for a month, and I'm practically growing calluses from staying here."
Chu Qing nodded, putting on the act of a good person.
"If you've spent all your money, once we get back to the Soul Fighting Society, I'll lend you half my share of the profits to spend for now."
Tang Wutong grew embarrassed.
"There's no need for that."
Chu Qing found that strange. Tang Wutong gave him the impression of someone who had been spoiled and lived freely, not someone who would feel burdened by spending his money.
"You really don't want it?"
"Since you're my senior sister, I suppose it's my bad luck. You don't have to pay me back."
Tang Wutong brightened.
"Really?"
"Of course. Money is only an external possession."
"All right, you said it!"
"Hehe, I'll tell you a secret. I actually ran out of money half a month ago."
"I misunderstood you before and thought you were too awful, so I've been buying things on credit in your name."
"What?"
Chu Qing was startled.
"Well, well, well. You really are my good senior sister."
Tang Wutong, however, did not care in the slightest.
"Money is just dung."
"Can't you be a little more magnanimous? If you curry favor with me now, all I'll need to do is sprinkle a little water around in the future to give you benefits you'd never expect."
"Just because I only have one ring, don't think I'm some ignorant, incompetent second-generation heir, all right? This is called a true master doesn't reveal-"
"Hey! Are you even listening?"
"Wait for me! You don't respect your senior sister at all!"
Chu Qing brought her to the shore of Swan Lake and took her into the lakeside teahouse.
The two had tea and several plates of pastries and snacks served. Tang Wutong pondered with interest and said:
"It would be great if there were some news about treasure or ruins. We could go exploring."
Chu Qing mercilessly dampened her enthusiasm.
"With your strength, I'm afraid a Soul Beast would eat you."
Tang Wutong looked smug.
"Hehe, don't worry. Even if I ran into one of the ten great Ferocious Beasts, I'd come away unharmed."
Chu Qing listened attentively, somewhat disappointed that he had not heard any rumors about himself.
He considered whether he should add a little more fuel himself, while Niu Tian was still away.