Chapter 39: Fury Rising

Chapter 39: Fury Rising

The first yellow soul ring around Zhu Zhuyue shone brightly, and her five fingers transformed into five sharp daggers, aiming directly at Zhu Zhuqing.

As the attack rushed toward her, Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes in despair.

She didn't know whether Dai Yao would come to save her.

After nine years of endurance, Dai Yao had finally become a Great Soul Master, offering a glimmer of hope for vengeance. If he came today, he would only be joining her in death.

After all, in the eyes of the world, a one-ring Soul Master stood no chance against a Great Soul Master.

On one end, there was the nine years of sacrifice and revenge; on the other, there was her. She didn't know what choice Dai Yao would make.

But selfishly, she hoped Dai Yao would come, even if it was just to sit in the audience. It would prove that she held some place in his heart.

The deadly "Hell Claw" was drawing closer, and Zhu Zhuqing's heart sank deeper. It seemed that Dai Yao would not come to save her...

A flash of white lightning streaked across the sky, landing in the center of the arena with a cloud of dust.

This sudden change immediately caught everyone's attention. Many stood up, leaning over the fence to see what had happened.

In the center of the arena, Zhu Zhuyue furrowed her brows. She detected a familiar presence amid the dust.

It was the aura of the White Tiger Soul.

As the dust cleared, a white protective shield appeared, and when it vanished, Zhu Zhuqing was cradled in someone's arms.

Seeing this, many noble Soul Masters in the audience were filled with regret. They had missed the perfect opportunity to win her favor, letting someone else seize the chance.

When the man turned around, Zhu Zhuyue recognized him. She exclaimed in surprise, "Dai Yao?!"

"Dai Yao?! Isn't he the Fourth Prince?"

"The infamous, useless one?"

The name caused a stir among the audience. The Fourth Prince was widely regarded as useless in the academy, having refused countless challenges.

But the man standing in the arena now was completely different from the person they had imagined.

With sharp brows and starry eyes, exuding an unshakable confidence, he radiated strength and grace. He looked like a young, handsome man, certainly not someone who could be associated with the title of "coward."

Even Zhu Zhuyue was surprised by the transformation.

Seeing the injured Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Yao apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm late."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes. The familiar face was right in front of her, and tears streamed from her eyes.

"I'll get you off the stage and take care of your wounds. The rest will be left to me," Dai Yao said softly, offering comfort.

"Don't! You haven't gained your second soul ring yet. You can't defeat them!" Zhu Zhuqing, ignoring the pain in her body, worriedly tried to stop him.

"Trust me, everything will be fine."

Just as he turned to carry Zhu Zhuqing off the stage, Zhu Zhuyue stopped him. "Aren't you being a little too audacious? This is clearly a duel between my sister and me. You're butting in and showing me no respect!"

"You're treating Zhuqing this way, forcing me to step in. Fine, I accept your challenge. I'll replace Zhuqing in the duel," Dai Yao said, understanding their intentions.

"Good!" Zhu Zhuyue's eyes sparkled with delight.

For the past two years, she had been sending people to challenge Dai Yao, but he had always refused. Today, she had finally forced him to appear using Zhu Zhuqing. There was no way she would let him leave now, or he might go into hiding again for another three years.

The Second Prince, who had remained expressionless throughout the scene, finally spoke. He turned to Zhu Zhuyue and said, "Zhu Zhuyue, you step down and let Fatty take the stage."

Zhu Zhuyue had already used a tremendous amount of soul power in her previous battle with Zhu Zhuqing, and now only had about thirty percent of her energy left. She had heard that Dai Yao had a self-created soul skill that could boost his speed, allowing him to match agility-type Soul Masters. Given the enhancement of the White Tiger Soul, she didn't have much of a chance to win. It would be wiser to let the 25th-level Fatty fight instead.

In fact, the Second Prince wanted to fight himself, but he had to consider the public's perception. As the Second Prince and a Great Soul Master, it would hurt his reputation to bully a one-ring Soul Master in front of so many witnesses. He was already in a weak position in his competition with the First Prince; if his reputation were to be ruined, he would truly have no hope.

Fatty, eager to fight, said, "Thanks, Your Highness!"

For the past three years, Dai Yao had been training day and night while Fatty had been taunting and provoking him, trying to make him fight. He had even wasted a lot of his own training time. Fatty was now thrilled that Dai Yao had finally been forced to appear.

Today, Fatty was going to make Dai Yao pay for the resentment he had accumulated over the years.

Fatty jumped onto the stage, looking at Dai Yao with ill intentions. "Stinky kid, I thought you'd always hide in your hole! Didn't expect you to be such a romantic!"

He did admire Dai Yao for risking his life to save Zhu Zhuqing, but his anger toward him had built up for too long to just let it go.

But Dai Yao paid him no mind. He only glanced coldly at Dai Yaming and said, "Today's events will be repaid with blood. Since you've sent him up, I'll collect a little interest first."

Fatty, completely ignored, was infuriated. "What's so arrogant about a one-ring Soul Master?" He raised his voice, "Stinky kid, cherish your time now. You won't leave this arena standing today!"

His soul ring burst out, and a powerful aura expanded from Fatty's body, pressing outward.

Many one-ring Soul Masters in the audience could feel the immense pressure and sighed for Dai Yao's ignorance. Even from a distance, they could feel the crushing pressure. How could Dai Yao, standing so close, not be under even more strain?

A one-ring Soul Master could never hope to cross that level gap and defeat a Great Soul Master. The disparity in soul power, not to mention the lack of a second soul ring, was insurmountable.

Fatty arrogantly faced Dai Yao. "I'm a 25th-level Battle Soul Master, with the War Mammoth Soul. Please, teach me!"

Dai Yao's aura erupted in response.

After summoning his White Tiger Soul, Dai Yao didn't bow but directly took a combat stance. His expression was as cold as ice, and his eyes locked onto Fatty.

"Dai Yao, 20th-level Battle Soul Master, White Tiger Soul!" Dai Yao announced.

Under Dai Yao's cold gaze, Fatty suddenly felt a sense of unease, as if a wild beast was locking onto him.

"Is this the so-called coward?" someone murmured, rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

His companion, equally stunned, said, "I think... maybe it is?"

"He's how old? And already a 20th-level Soul Master?!"

Dai Yao's overwhelming presence stirred the crowd into a frenzy once again. The image they had of him as weak and cowardly was rapidly shattering.

End of Chapter

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