Chapter 33: Berserk Flying Mushroom — The Rise of Oscar

"How dare you!"

"You've got some nerve!" No one expected those words to come from Oscar—neither Yun Yibai nor Dugu Yan did.

Without warning, Oscar had stepped in front of them, pointing his finger at the arrogant nobleman's nose.

"What on earth is he barking about?" The twisted nobleman, unused to being called out so directly, was taken aback.

"Kill him!" He recovered quickly and shouted.

"Hmph!" Oscar stood his ground for once. His Martial Soul erupted, revealing three spirit rings—two golden, one purple.

"A soul master?!" That voice sounded surprised.

"Haha, he's only a Soul Lord. My father's the city lord here in Sémù City! I, Yang Wei, can do whatever I want."

"Go crush that white-haired guy and bring that little girl to me!"

"Yes, Young Master!" The guards smiled wickedly as they advanced.

"Boom boom boom…" Spirit rings glowed a golden yellow beneath their feet—clearly soul masters or even Grand Soul Masters.

"Oh no, these three outsiders hit the wrong place at the wrong time!"

"This is Sémù City's childhood tyrant, Yang Wei—his father's the city lord. These poor souls are doomed. Sad for that young lady."

"…"

"Shut it!" The noble, now guarded, shot a cold glare at the onlookers. None dared to speak further.

"Oscar, fall back." Yun Yibai's voice was calm. He was pleased Oscar had spoken up but knew one or two men were different from a whole group.

Obediently, Oscar retreated.

"Sssssss…" The hum of electricity vibrated around Yun Yibai—signaling his mood had shifted.

"Boom!" A thunderous explosion cracked through the air.

"Crack!" A blinding bolt struck from the sky.

"Aaaah!" One guard screamed as lightning consumed him—his body encased in golden light.

In an instant, his skin blackened like burnt wood, smoke curling from his mouth. He collapsed, still twitching—the electricity hadn't finished with him.

Yun Yibai spared another second's glance and another guard was struck—electrocuted.

Within moments, the remaining guards scattered.

"What a bunch of trash!" Yang Wei raged, glaring at Yun Yibai with venom.

"Looks like you're a bit more capable—so what?" He sneered. "My father's the city lord and a high-rank Soul Emperor. As long as I don't cross that family, no one can touch me!"

"Now watch me…"

Yun Yibai wasn't in the mood to hear Yang Wei's mouthy threats. He surged forward in one arrow-like step, wrapped in golden thunder. "Lushan Rising Dragon Strike!" He punched forward, lightning coiling around his fist—one strike took out the remaining guards.

Silencing the lackeys, Yun Yibai turned his attention to the arrogant noble.

"Young Master, watch out!" A black-robed figure stepped forward to protect Yang Wei, spirit rings glowing—two golden, two purple.

"Boom!" Yun Yibai clashed with the figure head-on.

Their clash emitted a shockwave that lifted Yang Wei off his feet.

"A spirit-rank guard, huh? Is that your power?" Yang Wei spat, unable to stand yet.

Meanwhile, Oscar rocketed toward him, wings of pale cyan spirit energy flashing behind—activated "Berserk Flying Fresh Mushroom." He could fly as fast as the Cuilu Bird for three full minutes.

Thanks to years of Yun Yibai's training, Oscar had some skill—and he had help from soul-linked gear, giving him enough prowess to hold his own.

Oscar struck swiftly before Yang Wei could recover—but Yang Wei was no weakling. Three spirit rings glowed as he formed his Martial Soul, managing to block the assault.

"Damn it! Anyone dares to challenge me—go to hell!"

"First technique: Demon Ape Possession!"

"Come on!" Oscar grinned. The clash confirmed Yang Wei was merely a Soul Lord—and not an especially strong one.

Thus two battles broke out:

Yun Yibai's match with the spirit-rank guard, now in his Berserker Dragon form (two gold, one purple rings), shows the power that rivaled a Soul Lord.

And Oscar versus Yang Wei, pitting Soul Lord against Soul Lord.

"That kid's so sinister… I'm a Level 45 Soul Lord, yet that one Soul Lord has taken hit after hit from him."

Dugu Yan watched calmly, poised and composed—what outsiders saw as trouble, she saw as par for the course.

Time passed steadily. Yang Wei troubled that his guard still wasn't defeating the intruder, panicked.

"Who the hell are you?" he demanded, voice trembling.

Yun Yibai glanced at him coldly, lightning flickering in his eyes—as if ready to consume him.

"I—I warn you! My father is the lord of Sémù City! If you dare harm me, he'll never let you go!" Yang Wei drooled in panic, trying to sway them with his connections—especially with Dugu Yan present.

It wasn't long before urgent footsteps came—a squad led by the city lord's guard captain arrived.

They froze at the scene—never expecting to see their Young Master in trouble.

"Young Master, are you alright?" the guard captain asked anxiously.

"Stop the chit-chat! Arrest them all!" Yang Wei barked, regaining composure. Meanwhile, Oscar and Yun Yibai continued battling, clearing a decisive message: connections mean nothing.