...
Looking at the young man in the green robe in front of him, holding a long sword, his gaze sharp but with a smile on his lips, he appeared calm and composed. Dai Mubai felt nervous and a sense of crisis. He hadn't expected this person to be so powerful, and to be of similar age. He didn't even know what his soul ring was, which made him feel frustrated.
"Why don't you use your soul ring? Do you look down on me?" Dai Mubai stared at Zeng Yi with his blue eyes, his voice cold, carrying a hint of anger.
Seeing Dai Mubai's words, Zeng Yi shook his head, saying, "No, your strength is formidable, and I do not mean to look down on you. But I prefer not to show my soul ring to others. It's a way to conceal my strength from enemies and have a confusing effect in battle."
"However, you are the strongest Soul Elder I have encountered so far, and I will give my all against you."
In the Douluo Continent, a soul ring was the symbol that best expressed one's strength as a Soul Master. Displaying one's soul ring to the enemy also had a deterrent effect, showcasing one's power. Over time, it became an unwritten rule for Soul Masters to display their soul rings before battle.
However, it was entirely up to the individual to release their soul ring or not. Zeng Yi, on the other hand, didn't like showing his soul ring to others. The main reason was that his soul rings were a bit abnormal: one purple, one yellow, and one purple again. The lifespan of all three soul rings had exceeded the normal limit, which was different from ordinary people. Such a soul ring configuration, if displayed to others, would eventually attract unwanted attention from certain individuals or forces, causing unnecessary trouble. That's why he wouldn't showcase his soul rings in front of others.
Of course, this was because Zeng Yi was alone and still relatively weak. If he had a force like the Three Clans behind him, or a father with the title of a Titled Douluo, he would have been showing off long ago.
Therefore, before having the strength and self-protection abilities, one must keep a low profile. Otherwise, they wouldn't even know how they died.
However, did he forget something?
...
"So that's how it is!" Dai Mubai nodded after listening.
"Since that's the case, let's start the third round! Hahaha~"
Dai Mubai burst into laughter. His purple soul ring lit up, and his third soul skill instantly activated. His body's soul power began to surge violently, exerting tremendous pressure that distorted the surrounding air. His evil eyes turned blood-red, gleaming with a bloodthirsty light. Following that, his body underwent a second transformation. His originally sturdy build once again expanded, muscles bulging to the point that his shirt burst open, revealing terrifying muscles. Veins like twisted snakes protruded under his skin, showcasing his increased strength. His skin even displayed black lines similar to tiger stripes.
What was most peculiar was that Dai Mubai was enveloped in a strong golden light, as if his whole body had been gilded. He appeared exceedingly fierce and domineering.
"Roar~"
Dai Mubai let out a roar of fury, releasing his immense soul power. A raging wave surged out from his center, causing a shocking disturbance in the aura.
Feeling the even stronger soul power oppression from Dai Mubai compared to before, Zeng Yi became more cautious, putting away his playful attitude.
Indeed, the powers granted by a millennium soul ring truly made a significant difference!
Zeng Yi's gaze locked onto Dai Mubai, his eyes, originally pitch-black like ink, instantly turned deep and indifferent, silver in color. His entire temperament changed, becoming ethereal and exuding a cold and heartless aura.
Second soul skill: Sword of Selflessness!~
His whole person instantly merged with the sword, a mysteriously profound realm. His own strength also greatly increased.
"Come."
Zeng Yi gripped the sword's handle, the sword tip pointing downward. With a calm gaze, he faced Dai Mubai and calmly uttered a single word, his voice ethereal and devoid of any emotion.
Seeing the approaching tiger claws, Zeng Yi swiftly used Flashing Sword to evade, passing by Dai Mubai. His speed was like that of a ghost, and his figure appeared behind Dai Mubai in an instant.
His speed had become even faster!
Zeng Yi's figure suddenly disappeared in front of Dai Mubai, leaving him startled. He had thought his increased strength could match Zeng Yi's speed, but he didn't expect him to be so fast that he couldn't even see his movements.
He became even stronger, even faster!
Suddenly, he felt a chilling sharpness coming towards him. Dai Mubai quickly activated White Tiger Protection, forming a protective barrier around himself.
Boom~
Zeng Yi's sword struck the barrier, causing a resounding tremor.
It's so tough! Is he really an offensive Soul Master and not a defensive one?
Seeing this situation, Zeng Yi couldn't help but feel some doubt.
This attack couldn't succeed, and Zeng Yi wasn't surprised. Following the failed attack, another claw tore through the air towards Zeng Yi.
Zeng Yi reacted swiftly, instantly dodging with a Step Forward Slash. He passed by Dai Mubai's side, his speed ghost-like, appearing behind Dai Mubai.
He had become even faster!
The sight of Zeng Yi's disappearing figure before Dai Mubai's eyes made him strain. He thought his increased strength would be enough to keep up with Zeng Yi's speed, but it seemed Zeng Yi was even faster than he expected, to the point of being invisible.
He's even stronger now, even faster!
Suddenly, a bone-chilling frosty aura struck him. Dai Mubai quickly activated White Tiger Protective Barrier, forming a more intense glow of light to protect himself.
Boom~
Zeng Yi's sword struck the protective barrier, creating a loud noise.
So tough! Is this really a Soul Elder's move?
Dai Mubai was dumbfounded by the situation, and he wasn't the only one. The spectators below were also in shock.
Dai Mubai, in his state of White Tiger Diamond Transformation, unleashed the second soul skill White Tiger Radiant Wave. He knew the power of this skill, something that even a Soul Ancestor wouldn't dare to confront head-on. Yet it was effortlessly torn apart by a single strike from Zeng Yi.
If your power is like this, then I accept my defeat.
Zeng Yi stared ahead with his silver eyes, his gaze growing intense. The sword in his hand, Ronin Sword, emitted a faint blue radiance.
The wind rose, swirling around the sword, causing the entire arena to be hit by strong winds. The wind whistled fiercely, and the air carried a sharp sword aura.
Winds begin to blow!
The commotion was immediately noticed by those present.
The wind was strong, and everyone in the arena could feel it. The raging wind carried a chilling momentum. It was fierce and sharp, like a sword.
Ma Hongjun looked at the visible whirlwind and the sharp sword aura within it. He couldn't help but shrink his neck.
"Is this... really a Soul Elder?"
The aura of this move made Ma Hongjun shiver.
Can Dai Mubai survive this move?
He began to doubt.
...
Seeing Zeng Yi charging towards him, the raging wind howling and sword intent ravaging the battlefield, Dai Mubai couldn't help but feel a chill.
Is this really a technique that a Soul Elder can unleash?
He must do everything to block this attack; otherwise, he would die!
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, urging all his soul power throughout his body, activating his defensive skill, White Tiger Protective Barrier. A more intense barrier of light formed, protecting himself.
Zeng Yi's attack, based on his Wind-Controlled Sword Technique, infused wind power and soul power, combined with his swordsmanship, creating a unique sword technique that used the wind as a sword. Among all his skills, this was the most powerful one.
This sword skill was called...
Winds of Decisive Slash!
Zeng Yi's figure instantly flashed in front of Dai Mubai. Ronin Sword swung out with his sword in a split second, striking the protective barrier. In that moment, it felt as if time had frozen.
Then, the raging wind exploded, forming a violent tornado in the arena. The wind howled, and the airflow became as sharp as swords, sweeping across the entire field.
"No!"
"Dai Mubai!"
Seeing this scene, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ma Hongjun stared in horror, shouting with overwhelming emotions. They hadn't expected the battle between the two to be so fierce, nor could they have anticipated that Zeng Yi's attack would be so powerful. Even from outside the arena, they could feel the energy's force. The powerful and sharp sword aura, the chaotic wind—it was a force that a Soul Elder could not withstand.
Next, he'll die! Dai Mubai will really die!
They didn't expect Zeng Yi to kill Dai Mubai.
"If anything happens to Dai Mubai, I won't let him go!" Ma Hongjun gritted his teeth, his voice full of hatred. His eyes were bloodshot.
Tang San didn't say a word, his gaze gloomy as he watched the whirlwind in the arena. Although he had only known Dai Mubai for two days, as classmates, if anything truly happened to him, Tang San would never let it go so easily.
Xiao Wu's pale face revealed her current state of mind. She looked at the arena with an unbelieving expression.
Zhu Zhuqing, holding the trembling Xiao Wu, stared at the field with a complex gaze, remaining silent.
In the howling of the wind, their voices seemed so insignificant.
And in the next moment, the howling wind abruptly ceased, and Zeng Yi's figure appeared behind Dai Mubai. Ronin Sword had already been sheathed.
At this moment, the entire arena fell silent, as if frozen.
Crack~
A faint sound of cracking broke the silence, audible to everyone in the arena. The white protective barrier on the field was covered in cracks, like shattered eggshells.
Thud~
The entire barrier shattered like glass, revealing a figure inside. It was Dai Mubai, but at this moment, his Martial Soul fusion had been released, and his body had returned to its original state.
"Dai Mubai!"
"So, you're not dead!"
Seeing Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ma Hongjun's expressions brightened, excitedly calling out to him. Zhu Zhuqing, who had been on edge, finally let out a sigh of relief.
Upon hearing the words of his companions, Dai Mubai turned his gaze towards them, nodding in their direction. Then he turned and looked at Zeng Yi.
"I lost," Dai Mubai said with a firm tone, but there was a strong sense of unwillingness. However, he acknowledged his defeat; he wasn't so prideful as to deny it.
"But I will definitely win back. Remember that!"
"Hehe, then you better work hard!" Zeng Yi turned his body, smiling at Dai Mubai, encouraging his courage and confidence.
However, his once handsome face became rather ugly when he smiled, as blood flowed from the seven openings on his face, resembling a ghost from hell.
"What the f*ck! Buddy, are you okay?"
This scene startled Dai Mubai, rushing over to support Zeng Yi's body.
"Ha, nothing's wrong. It's just backlash from the power. I'll be fine after a few days," Zeng Yi said nonchalantly, but only he knew his suffering. He had tried to act cool, using his Winds of Decisive Slash for the first time against someone, but because he felt that Dai Mubai probably couldn't withstand it, he forcibly retracted the move. Now, he was suffering from the backlash of that decision, causing his face to bleed from the seven openings, and his whole body was in pain.
He had definitely overdone it; this was his first time using such a move on others. There were many other ways to win against Dai Mubai, but he couldn't help but go big. Now things had turned out like this; it truly felt like he was courting death!
Then his throat tightened, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out.
Splurt~
---
[T/N: I know some folks might question why MC ended up hurting himself in that battle. Is he a masochist? Well, I totally get it, because I was puzzled too while translating.
The deal is, it was MC's first time fighting an human opponent who was just as skilled and tough as he was, and he got all pumped up. So, he unleashed all his power. But then it hit him that his opponent couldn't handle his full force and might end up toast. So, he kind of held back halfway through, and that decision backfired, leaving MC injured.
Don't worry, though. His injuries aren't that bad. He'll be back in action in no time, thanks to his awesome self-healing abilities.]