Felling Dai Mubai in One Move

Morning light pierced the thin mist as Little Jade rode the wind on four hooves, leaving a streak of jade-colored light along the main road. More than half a month had passed since they left Nuoding City. The forest had long since vanished behind them, replaced by boundless plains and increasingly prosperous villages and towns.

"A-Zu, Suotuo City's south gate is just ahead." Xiao Wu lay against Little Jade's neck, her pink scorpion braid fluttering in the wind. She pointed at the faint outline of the city walls on the distant horizon, her eyes full of excitement. "It's several times bigger than Nuoding City!"

Ning Rongrong sat behind Yan Zu, studying a yellowed parchment scroll-the Gazetteer of Mountains and Rivers they had obtained after saving Zhu Zhuqing that day.

Zhu Zhuqing sat at the very back, her fitted black clothes fully mended. Her gaze rested on Yan Zu's back, complex and inscrutable.

During their travels over the past few days, she had witnessed Yan Zu's cultivation method firsthand. It was not simply the circulation of Soul Power, but a more profound internal method for circulating it, and a peculiar rhythm accompanied his every movement.

What shocked her even more was Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu's strength. They looked to be about her age, yet they were far stronger than she was.

"Zhu Zhuqing, do your injuries still hurt?" Xiao Wu turned around and offered her a candied plum. "A-Zu said your meridians are still a little blocked. Once we get to the city, he can use his Soul Power to clear them for you."

Zhu Zhuqing took the plum, a trace of warmth flashing through her icy eyes. "It's nothing. I'm much better already." She paused and looked at Yan Zu. "Yan Zu, how... how strong are you really? When you fought that Soul Ancestor, you didn't seem to be using your full strength."

Yan Zu opened his eyes, his dark gaze as deep as a pool. "Strong enough to protect the people around me." Rather than answer directly, he patted Little Jade's neck. "Little Jade, conceal your presence. We're entering the city."

Little Jade gave a soft cry, gradually shrinking to the size of an ordinary horse. The auspicious cloud patterns on his back also dimmed, leaving him looking like an ordinary white exotic beast.

As the second-largest city in the Balak Kingdom, Suotuo City was far more prosperous than Nuoding City. Its ten-meter-high bluestone walls stretched on and on, and people streamed through the gates like woven threads. Merchant caravans, Soul Masters, and civilians came and went, their voices rising and falling in a constant din.

"Entry fee. Two Silver Soul Coins per person." The guard lazily held out a hand.

Yan Zu was about to take out the money when Ning Rongrong produced a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect token. "We're from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

The guard immediately became respectful. "So you're honored guests. Please, come in!"

Inside the city, shops lined both sides of the streets: Soul Tool stores, medicine shops, smithies, and more. Like a cheerful lark, Ning Rongrong tugged Xiao Wu along as she looked around.

Zhu Zhuqing, meanwhile, remained on guard, constantly scanning the surrounding crowd with the keen senses granted by her Nether Civet Martial Soul. Suddenly, she frowned. "Someone's following us. Three of them, with Soul Power fluctuations at the Soul Elder level. They've been on our trail since the city gate."

Yan Zu showed no reaction. "I know. They're local thugs who got greedy when they saw Rongrong's fine clothes. Ignore them. They wouldn't dare make a move on the main road."

Sure enough, after following them for two streets, those concealed presences seemed to notice something and quietly withdrew.

The Rose Hotel stood in the central district of Suotuo City, a luxurious five-story building. Pink from top to bottom, it looked like a rose in full bloom beneath the setting sun. Two rows of maids stood respectfully at the entrance, welcoming and seeing off richly dressed Soul Masters and wealthy merchants.

"Let's stay here," Ning Rongrong said. "This should be the best hotel in Suotuo City."

The four collected their keys and were about to head upstairs.

"Well now-these little beauties look unfamiliar. New in town?" A lazy yet brazen voice came from behind them.

Yan Zu's steps faltered.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing turned around at the same time. Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow, her lively, crystal-clear eyes showing a hint of anticipation for the show.

At the hotel entrance, a tall young man with loose blond hair leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded in a lazy pose. He wore an open white shirt that exposed his muscular chest.

Most eye-catching were the two girls he held on either side of him. They looked exactly alike-twins. Both wore revealing short red skirts and heavy, alluring makeup, and clung to him coquettishly.

"Young Master Mubai, what are you looking at?" the one on the left asked sweetly.

The one on the right chimed in, "That's right. Aren't we sisters enough for you to look at?"

Dai Mubai ignored them, his strangely wicked eyes roaming brazenly over Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing. When he got a clear look at Xiao Wu's delicate, lively face and Zhu Zhuqing's cool, stunning features, his eyes visibly lit up.

"Fine goods," he said appreciatively. "Fine goods you don't see every day."

Yan Zu stepped slightly to the side, shielding Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing behind him, and looked calmly at Dai Mubai.

"Can I help you?"

Dai Mubai's lazy gaze sharpened slightly as it fell on Yan Zu, then turned frivolous again. He pushed the twins aside, straightened up, and walked over. Tall and broad, he stood a full half-head above Yan Zu and looked down at him.

"Little brother, where are you from? Don't you know the rules in Suotuo City?"

"What rules?" Yan Zu's tone was flat, without the slightest fluctuation.

"The rules are-" Dai Mubai extended a hand and pointed at Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. "I've taken a liking to these girls. They'll drink with me tonight, and tomorrow you can go wherever you please. I won't make things difficult for you. Otherwise..."

Before he finished, three Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet: two yellow and one purple, the optimal Soul Ring Configuration. The enormous phantom of a White Tiger appeared behind him and roared at the sky. His Soul Power fluctuations had reached those of a rank thirty-seven Soul Elder!

"White Tiger Martial Soul..." Zhu Zhuqing's pupils contracted sharply, and her voice trembled. "You're... Dai Mubai?"

Dai Mubai looked at Zhu Zhuqing, a trace of puzzlement flashing through his eyes before turning to disdain. "What, you know me? No matter. Today, you lot..."

"Dai Mubai." Zhu Zhuqing's voice was as cold as ice. "The third prince of the Star Luo Empire. To avoid the struggle for the throne, you linger among flowers and wallow in self-abandonment. I thought the rumors might be wrong, but now that I've seen you, you really are trash."

The air froze in an instant.

Dai Mubai's face turned livid. He released the twins, and his White Tiger Martial Soul possessed him, black-and-white stripes appearing across his body. "Who exactly are you?"

"Zhu Zhuqing." She released her Martial Soul, and two yellow Soul Rings rose as the Hell Spirit Cat possessed her. "Your fiancée."

The instant Dai Mubai saw Zhu Zhuqing clearly, his pupils shrank slightly. The frivolity vanished from his face, replaced by a complex expression of irritation, embarrassment, and hostility.

He flung the women beside him away and stepped forward, his gaze falling coldly on Zhu Zhuqing, his tone openly accusatory:

"Zhu Zhuqing? What are you doing here?"

Before Zhu Zhuqing could speak, his gaze had already swept over Yan Zu, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong beside her. Finally, it fixed on Yan Zu shielding them, and his face darkened at once.

"You're my fiancée, yet you're walking around with another man. Have you thrown away all the face of my Dai Family and your Zhu Family?"

As his words fell, Dai Mubai's Soul Power surged, and the ferocious presence of his White Tiger Martial Soul erupted around him.

He stared fixedly at Yan Zu, his eyes full of undisguised killing intent and domineering arrogance.

"Kid, I don't care who you are. Get away from her right now."

"Otherwise, I'll deal with you too."

Yan Zu sighed softly, shielding the three women behind him. "Finished? Then let's fight."

"You're courting death!"

Dai Mubai roared, and a White Tiger Fierce Light Wave blasted forth!

The surrounding crowd cried out and scattered, while the maids at the hotel entrance went pale.

Yan Zu did not even release his Martial Soul. He simply punched the light wave, and it exploded in empty air.

"Hm?" Dai Mubai was startled. Before he could react, Yan Zu had appeared at his side like a ghost.

"First Soul Skill, White Tiger Protection Barrier!" Dai Mubai reacted quickly, immediately activating his defensive Soul Skill.

But Yan Zu did not attack. He merely extended a finger and lightly tapped Dai Mubai's shoulder.

Half of Dai Mubai's body went numb, and his Soul Power instantly grew sluggish. His White Tiger Martial Soul even showed signs of dissipating. His face changed in alarm, but before he could change tactics, Yan Zu's palm pressed down on his shoulder. A gentle yet irresistible force pushed him down onto one knee!

"You... what did you do?" Dai Mubai's face flushed red. He struggled desperately, but his Soul Power was like a clay ox sinking into the sea; he could not summon it at all.

Yan Zu looked down at him, his voice calm. "In a spar, you stop once a point is made. Dai Mubai, let today's affair end here. Do you admit defeat?"

"Admit defeat to you..." Dai Mubai was beside himself with shame and anger and was about to hurl abuse when he suddenly felt a bone-chilling killing intent lock onto him. It came from Zhu Zhuqing's gaze, along with the Soul Power fluctuations that had abruptly erupted from Xiao Wu-her Soul Power was no weaker than his!

A chill went through Dai Mubai. He realized that the seemingly ordinary youth and these girls were all far stronger than they appeared.

"Fine, very well!" Dai Mubai gritted his teeth. "Just you wait. I'm a student of Shrek Academy. Stay here if you dare!"

With that, he broke free of Yan Zu's hold, scrambled awkwardly to his feet, and slunk away with the twins, shooting Yan Zu a venomous glance before he left.

(If you enjoyed this, please cast a vote and add it to your collection so you don't lose track. Thanks to reader 8385 for the monthly ticket.)