Chapter 458: The Narrow Minded Dai Huabin Part Four
On the Soul Battle Platform
Huo Yu'er had used one of her Six Styles, Moon Step, to return to the platform. She looked at Dai Huabin with contempt. "So, this is your limit? You can't even finish a fight properly. If you'd seized that moment when I was in mid air, you actually might have won."
Dai Huabin's face flushed. He'd let his guard down in his premature celebration, allowing her to regain her footing on the platform. Gritting his teeth, he readied himself as Huo Yu'er adjusted her stance, her gaze cool and detached.
"Now it's my turn."
Although she could easily attack outright, Ye Wen had taught her that reputation was essential for a soul master aiming to achieve greatness. The stronger her image as a dignified and righteous fighter, the better it would serve her in the long run.
Dai Huabin, however, felt insulted. To him, her words were simply mockery.
At this point, Huo Yu'er had assessed his skill set: he was still relying on the same old three techniques, without any real variation. She decided to end this tedious match quickly.
"Six Styles Triple Shunpo!
Six Styles Finger Gun: Twin Yellow Lotus!"
The sheer speed of her attack caught Dai Huabin by surprise. His expression shifted, realizing too late that he could not keep up with her.
The crowd fell silent as they watched, captivated by Huo Yu'er's fluid movements. Shrek Academy may have clung to its "traditional" methods of fighting, but many were beginning to see that she represented a more innovative, adaptable approach.
As she attacked, Huo Yu'er felt a slight resistance and immediately retreated, noticing a yellow barrier protecting Dai Huabin. She smirked with disdain.
"A protective shield? No, this isn't an Invincible Shield those require at least a Grade Five soul tool. This must be a defense grade soul tool, usable for only a few seconds. So, this is your trump card? How pathetic for a noble son of the White Tiger Duke."
Across the continent, it was well known that Star Luo Empire held a deep seated hostility toward the Sun Moon Empire. During the early days of conflict, the White Tiger Duke family had been forced to turn to soul tools to defend themselves, despite their traditional disdain for such tools.
Seems like the White Tiger Duke family isn't as opposed to soul tools as they claim, Huo Yu'er thought, remembering the White Tiger Dagger that Dai Hao had once given her mother.
As murmurs rippled through the audience, Dai Huabin tried to defend himself. "Shrek has no rules against using soul tools, and the academy even has an entire department dedicated to them. As long as I'm not using one time tools, I'm following the rules. Or are you scared, Huo Yu'er? If so, just concede now! I'm sure a 'pauper' like you couldn't even afford these Grade Three tools!"
But Huo Yu'er remained impassive, unaffected by his taunts.
Such a basic attempt at provocation was beneath her. Though she had already expended nearly half her spirit energy, she knew that the advantage was still firmly in her favor.
"Childish tricks. Use all the soul tools you want; they won't save you. The Sun Moon Empire has been at war with the three original Douluo countries for years, yet our cultivation system still dominates. Your reliance on these tools shows only one thing: your fear. Remember this, Dai Huabin. In the face of overwhelming strength, all such theatrics are meaningless."
"Exactly! She's right real power isn't about flashy gadgets!"
"Yeah! Knock him out, little sister! I've got my bets on you!"
The spectators cheered in support of Huo Yu'er, their words deepening the shadow on Dai Huabin's face.
Huo Yu'er exhaled slowly, raising her index finger with focused intent.
"All things in this world have their limits."
Her finger began to darken, turning a shade of ominous black. This was Iron Stance: Concentrated a technique that harnessed her spirit energy to its absolute limit.
Although still a rank 20+ Spirit Grandmaster, Huo Yu'er's mental strength and body, enhanced by the Celestial Chrysanthemum, allowed her to condense her power to levels typically achieved only by Spirit Ancestors.
With Ye Wen's teachings, she had mastered Hell Thrust.
Huo Yu'er's sharp, focused spirit energy locked onto Dai Huabin, making him feel that evasion was impossible, no matter which way he turned.
She stripped away all unnecessary defenses, focusing every bit of her power into her next strike. Her cold gaze met his as she delivered her ultimatum.
"Concede now, Dai Huabin. I might not be able to hold back the force of my next move. If you end up crippled, don't expect the White Tiger Duke family to blame anyone but you."
The words were a direct, searing humiliation, and Dai Huabin's face burned with rage. "Who do you think you are?!"
The crude insult sparked a cold fury in Huo Yu'er. Her eyes flared with a murderous light.
She may not be able to kill him here, but she was ready to leave a lasting mark a reminder of the debt his family owed her.
Extreme Shunpo!
Huo Yu'er crouched slightly and exploded forward, her entire being becoming a swift blue blur as she bore down on him.
Seeing her approach with blinding speed, Dai Huabin panicked, pulling out two Grade Three soul shields and bracing himself.
Defensive soul tools came in two types: one for repelling spirit energy attacks, the other for physical impact. These specific shields required at least a Spirit Elder's power to activate.
But two Grade Three shields wouldn't be enough to stop her. With a sneer, Huo Yu'er broke through his defenses effortlessly. She aimed to leave him without an arm a fitting token of her contempt.
Within an instant, she closed the gap to less than two meters. Dai Huabin froze, paralyzed by fear as his vision filled with her darkened finger, which seemed to grow larger with each heartbeat.
"I'm…dead…"
The thought crossed his mind as an attack shot from the audience, streaking directly toward Huo Yu'er!
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