Chapter 226: Zhu Zhuqing vs. Zhu Zhuyun
Silence blanketed the arena.
Dai Davis, a high-level Spirit Elder, had been defeated in a single strike, utterly powerless to counterattack. Now, all that filled the arena was the sound of sharp intakes of breath. Among the remaining teams, one collective thought took hold: they could not face Oakridge Academy—not if it meant going up against that monster!
Even the Spirit Hall team felt a jolt of shock.
"Those wings…are they part of Dai Yao's external spirit bone?" Hu Liena asked, frowning. She had known from Salas's reports that Dai Yao possessed an external spirit bone, but she hadn't anticipated it would be a pair of wings.
Though she didn't envy him—the wings might be more versatile than her own external spirit bone, her fox tail had an exceptional compatibility with her Sky Fox martial soul.
But others in the group weren't so indifferent. Ordinary spirit bones were rare enough, let alone an external spirit bone. While Hu Liena was untouchable, protected by the Pope, Dai Yao had no such defense. And as an uninitiated member of the Spirit Hall, his external spirit bone was, to some, worth any consequence—even reprimands from the Pope herself.
"An external spirit bone?" The other members of Spirit Hall's team fixed their gaze on Dai Yao, barely concealing their avarice.
Noticing, Hu Liena shot them a cold look. "Don't even think about it. Dai Yao's absorbed the external spirit bone fully, so even killing him wouldn't release it. Dai Yao's performance today should remind you to rein in your arrogance."
"There's no shortage of talent on this continent. To win the Pope's reward of three spirit bones won't be easy," she said, cautioning them.
Her words had nothing to do with sentiment for Dai Yao. Instead, Hu Liena was keen to prevent conflict between Dai Yao and Spirit Hall members. Being groomed as the future Pope, she had her eyes on Spirit Hall's greater good. For her, preserving order and legitimacy was critical; when a treasure became the cause of murder, Spirit Hall was no different from dark spirit masters.
By enforcing a strict order, Spirit Hall could keep attracting new young spirit masters and maintain its strength for generations.
Turning, her gaze fell on Yan, and she asked, "Yan, you saw Dai Yao's attack. Could you defeat Dai Davis in a single strike?"
Yan's face grew serious as he responded after a moment, "No, Liena. I may not think much of Dai Davis, but I can't deny his strength. I could probably suppress him, but a clean one-hit defeat? That's beyond me."
Hu Liena exchanged a glance with Xie Yue, noting the wariness in each other's eyes.
"Brother," she murmured, her voice full of allure, "it seems we've met a real opponent this time." Those close to her knew her tone changed only when she encountered someone she found fascinating.
Xie Yue arched an eyebrow, his handsome face cold as ever. "To beat him, we'll have to use our martial soul fusion skill. The idea of being forced into it by a Spirit Elder is…a little frustrating."
Hu Liena smiled, agreeing. Spirit Hall's Golden Generation were considered the strongest in their rank, and this perception had instilled a natural pride. The Pope had tempered this, keeping arrogance from blinding them, but even so, they hadn't deemed the Heaven Dou and Star Luo soul masters serious contenders.
Dai Yao's strength, though, was undeniable. Even if this level of attack was hard for him to sustain, at his current age he was already leagues ahead of them when they were his age.
Watching the three, Bibi Dong's lips curved in a subtle smile. "Very good. Liena and the others have started to shed their conceit. It seems choosing Dai Yao as their test stone was the right move."
As her gaze shifted to the eight-winged Dai Yao, admiration glimmered in Bibi Dong's eyes. "A divine martial soul, an external spirit bone, a ten-thousand-year spirit ring… possessing even one of these is enough to be a prodigy, but you possess all three. Few in the history of Douluo Continent could match this."
"Dai Yao, I look forward to the day you join Spirit Hall."
At that very moment, as Dai Yao unleashed his fourth spirit ability, a deep sigh echoed through a secluded hall nestled in the mountain range surrounding Spirit City.
"The Thunder Prison Vine… A spirit beast carrying the Thunder God's bloodline, felled, it seems, by the hand of fate—again. Only this time, it fell to humans," said an aged voice, laden with an ineffable sorrow.
This remote yet imposing hall, adorned with a statue of an angel radiating divine sanctity, rivaled even the grandeur of the Pope's palace. This was the Hall of Worship.
"Vis!" Zhu Zhuyun cried in anguish.
Just as she moved to rush to Dai Davis's side, a cold figure intercepted her path.
"Your opponent is me," Zhu Zhuqing said, her voice a calm edge.
Her Dark Sovereign martial soul had taken form, with the crystal crown atop her head exuding an aura of noble dignity. A thin, icy veil enshrouded her, veiling her flawless figure in an ethereal mist that, combined with her noble air, made her a breathtaking presence.
Zhu Zhuyun's gaze left Dai Davis, her eyes wary as they focused on Zhu Zhuqing. She knew from Zhu Zhuqing's formidable Dark Sovereign martial soul that her opponent would be anything but easy. A single misstep, she sensed, could spell her defeat.
With a flash of her silver teeth, she hissed, "What happened to your martial soul? Isn't it supposed to be the family's Dark Nether Cat?"
"Martial soul variation," Zhu Zhuqing replied curtly, not willing to divulge more.
Taking the hint, Zhu Zhuyun refrained from pressing. There was no time for idle questions—Dai Davis awaited her aid. Sinking into a fighting stance, her eyes glinted coldly. "Fine. The sooner I defeat you, the sooner I can get to Vis."
"The same goes for you. I'm eager to end this quickly," Zhu Zhuqing replied, her voice resolute as her spirit power began to surge, filling the arena with a biting chill—the chill of the Netherworld.
Her Domain—Nether Realm unfurled, an icy mist billowing across the stage. Zhu Zhuqing was holding nothing back from the outset. Like Dai Yao, she had been waiting for this moment for years, eager to give Zhu Zhuyun a taste of her true power.
The frigid air caused even some of the soul masters watching to shiver.
"Th-That's…a domain?!"
The entire arena fell silent as Zhu Zhuqing unleashed her Nether Sovereign martial soul. The powerful aura emanating from her domain instantly caught the attention of Ghost Douluo, who appeared beside the Pope's Palace, trembling with excitement. When he sensed the Nether Realm itself unfolding on the battlefield, his thrill turned to awe, leaving Chrysanthemum Douluo beside him baffled.
"Old Ghost, I know those who possess a domain are rare, even more so than us, who don't possess one. But why are you so worked up?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, puzzled by his old friend's reaction.
"You don't understand," Ghost Douluo muttered, barely suppressing his elation. "That girl is far more extraordinary than you realize! If you understood her significance, you'd be as astonished as I am."
Chrysanthemum Douluo raised an eyebrow, glancing at his friend. "Really? Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"
Ghost Douluo scoffed, too overwhelmed to argue. "She is to me what the Yearning Heartbroken Red herb is to you. Her importance surpasses even that!"
This statement left Chrysanthemum Douluo speechless, his initial skepticism fading. "Could a martial soul truly be that powerful?"
Ghost Douluo's eyes narrowed. "You think I'm exaggerating? That girl's power isn't something to take lightly."
As he spoke, Ghost Douluo turned to Bibi Dong, bowing deeply. "Your Eminence, I have an urgent request. When Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing join the Spirit Hall, may I be granted permission to take Zhu Zhuqing as my disciple?"
After a moment of thought, Bibi Dong's gaze turned contemplative. "Zhu Zhuqing is indeed extraordinarily gifted, and with her domain ability, she is truly a one-in-a-million talent within the Spirit Hall. If I immediately designate her as Ghost Elder's disciple, it could raise dissent among the elders."
"Your Eminence, I…" Ghost Douluo began, his tone unusually strained as Chrysanthemum Douluo pulled him back, visibly perturbed.
But just then, a small smile crept onto Bibi Dong's lips as she lightly tapped her scepter on the ground, sighing softly. "However, considering Ghost Elder's loyal service over the years, I will grant your wish. Leave the other elders to me."
Astonished, Ghost Douluo dropped to his knees, overcome with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Eminence."
By seemingly giving only a little, Bibi Dong had deftly secured Ghost Douluo's devotion and Zhu Zhuqing's likely gratitude in the future. This was the art of governance. Bibi Dong's methods solidified Ghost Douluo's loyalty, adding yet another invaluable layer to the Spirit Hall's unity.
On the battlefield, Zhu Zhuyun's expression darkened.
"What is this?" she muttered, struggling against the cloying weight of Zhu Zhuqing's Nether Realm. Her spirit power moved sluggishly as though ensnared in quicksand, leaving her vulnerable.
A sharp gleam streaked through the air toward her, and Zhu Zhuyun's instincts screamed. It was Zhu Zhuqing, whose speed had only increased with her martial soul evolution. Clad in her new ice-crystal armor, a refined, agile battle suit seemed to flow over her form, seamlessly balancing defense and elegance.
Clenching her teeth, Zhu Zhuyun's gaze grew icy as she rushed to counter. "Fine. Let's see what you're made of after all these years!"
Both sisters streaked forward like twin comets, their clawed strikes clashing with violent sparks. In an instant, Zhu Zhuyun's confident expression was shattered, replaced by disbelief as the force of Zhu Zhuqing's strike sent her flying back, her arm numb from the impact.
In mere seconds, it was clear she was outmatched; Zhu Zhuqing's strength had far surpassed hers, combining the agility of an agility-type spirit master with the devastating force of an attack-type spirit master.
As Zhu Zhuyun watched her sister charge at her again, she realized her trembling arms could barely muster a defense. Time slowed, and she felt a pang of dread mixed with shock as Zhu Zhuqing's flawless, resolute face closed in, blurring the line between them.
Her words carrying a cold edge, Zhu Zhuqing pressed her hand against Zhu Zhuyun's chest, murmuring, "Fourth spirit ability, Netherworld Domain!"
In an instant, icy shards exploded outwards, spreading across the arena in a circle of jagged crystals, each glistening in spectral blue hues. The frigid air seeped into Zhu Zhuyun's core, robbing her of breath and leaving her with a mortal chill.
Blood sprayed from her mouth as she was hurled through the air, her form crumpling against the icy ground. Struggling to rise, Zhu Zhuyun managed a weak, bitter laugh. "Well, sister, you've won."
Her voice was bitter, trembling with disbelief. Despite being nearly a decade older, Zhu Zhuyun had been easily overpowered. Lying on the cold ground, her pride shattered, she could hardly reconcile the outcome.
Zhu Zhuqing stood above her, the glacial armor shifting back to a more relaxed form. The specter of vengeance she had once held close felt faint, leaving her with an unexpected sense of emptiness. It was a moment she had anticipated for years, yet the victory brought little satisfaction. The hazy memory of being taunted and bullied at the Zhu family estate felt distant and vague now, as though the pain had faded into insignificance.
Dai Yao had been her salvation, pulling her from that merciless world. In his light, the bitter memories had long begun to melt, quietly vanishing without her realizing.
A faint smile crept onto her typically reserved face, a radiant beauty like spring blossoming after a long winter.
Gazing down at Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuqing's voice held a calm disdain. "Sister? Do you think we have sisterly bonds? Our family—our Zhu family's daughters—are raised with schemes, betrayals, and rivalry. That's no sisterhood."
"Throughout it all, you never questioned it, basking in the power you held as the instigator."
Zhu Zhuqing's tone softened, almost as if speaking to herself. "Who was right or wrong hardly matters anymore. I have no intention of settling scores with any of you. But one day, Dai Yao and I will return to Star Luo to end this."
Zhu Zhuyun, transfixed by Zhu Zhuqing's icy resolve and the newfound warmth in her expression, couldn't help but stare, spellbound by this stranger she once thought she knew.
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