"Boss Dai, what's wrong?" Ma Hongjun asked when he saw Dai Mubai suddenly stop in his tracks.
"Nothing." Dai Mubai shook his head slightly, forcefully suppressing the bitterness in his heart as he continued walking forward.
The family rule was clear: when Dai Weisi turned 25, the competition for succession would end. This Soul Master Tournament was essentially Dai Mubai's last chance to rely on his team to gain qualification. Once this chance was gone, the only option left would be to challenge Dai Weisi directly before he turned 25 — but that was something Dai Mubai could never hope to accomplish. He simply couldn't win.
Dai Weisi was 6 years older, already 23. At his pace, he was not far from breaking through to Soul King. Yet Dai Mubai was only at soul rank 43. In less than two years, it was impossible for him to reach Soul King. A Soul Ancestor against a Soul King, a full major realm apart — how could he ever win?
'From now on, I probably can't return home. Dai Weisi will never let me go,' he thought bitterly.
'Heh, so your hope of gaining succession through the team battle has already collapsed?' On the viewing platform, Ning Rongrong noticed Dai Mubai's expression change, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
As the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she naturally knew the rules of the Star Luo Empire's royal succession.
Her mood suddenly brightened.
She had never liked Dai Mubai — not since the day he had told her, "First grow strong, then kill. Grow stronger, kill again."
Glancing back at Yu Xiaogang, she secretly sneered. She didn't like that old man either. Maybe it was because she had argued with him during training plan discussions, or maybe because after Jiangzhu acted as the anchor for their Seven-in-One Fusion Technique, her own position had been marginalized. Since then, Yu Xiaogang had gradually pushed her to the sidelines, only arranging her to appear in battles against weaker opponents.
She didn't mind.
Her dislike of Yu Xiaogang was simple: the man was half a bucket of water, yet always pretended to be full. Honestly, she had lost count of how many tactical mistakes he had made in past matches that had cost them dearly.
Against Skywater Academy, Blazing Academy, Godwind Academy, and Heaven Dou Royal Academy — Yu Xiaogang had misjudged all of them. In matches against strong teams, he had been utterly useless.
And against weaker teams? The only reason they managed was because of Tang San's strength and the team's raw power.
'Those involved can't see the truth. But as a sidelined observer, I see it clearly.'
Her evaluation of Yu Xiaogang was blunt: empty theory with no practical experience, blind arrogance, and no self-awareness.
'And look at those teammates whose foundations have been ruined — weren't they all victims of Yu Xiaogang's conceit?'
'If not for Grandpa Bone, I would've been one of them too.' She frowned slightly and turned back to watch the match.
"My good brother-in-law, you'll have to show mercy later," Zhu Zhuyun called across the field with a sly smile, her tone dripping with mockery.
Yang Yunhai smiled faintly but gave no reply.
"...!" Back in the rest area, Dai Mubai's fists clenched tightly, his face dark.
There was no doubt. Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun were trying to pull Yang Yunhai, and through him, Dugu Bo, to their side. Once the tournament ended, they would likely persuade the emperor to annul Zhu Zhuqing's marriage contract.
But when Dai Mubai glanced sideways at Tang San and Yu Tianheng, a cold smile flickered across his face. His team had gathered all three heirs of the Upper Three Sects.
'The deer's life or death is not yet decided. If Father learns of Tang San, Yu Tianheng, and Ning Rongrong, perhaps he will still give me another chance.'
That thought eased his heart slightly.
He sat down heavily, his eyes sweeping toward Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing, gleaming with murderous intent.
"Yang Yunhai, you've already offended the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Tang San. Even if Dugu Bo stands behind you, how can you withstand the combined targeting of the Upper Three Sects?"
"When that day comes, I'll make sure to torment you — and those two little sluts at your side!"
His gaze lingered on Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan's alluring figures, flashing with vile light.
"Begin the match!" the referee's loud voice echoed.
"Zhuyun!" Without hesitation, Dai Weisi extended his hand and locked fingers with Zhu Zhuyun. Yang Yunhai was known for his control and devastating lightning attacks. He had once single-handedly defeated both Thunderclap Academy and Shrek Academy. Dai Weisi dared not take him lightly. Nor did he dare to split his team apart. The safest choice was to immediately unleash their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Roar!
Brilliant light flared as a massive white tiger with purple stripes appeared on the stage.
"Follow me!" Dai Weisi shouted to his teammates. The bond between him and Zhu Zhuyun guided the Nether White Tiger straight forward. The fusion skill drained their soul power quickly — they had to strike fast.
Boom, boom, boom.
Each leap of the white tiger shook the arena floor violently.
"Li Yang, be ready!" Zhu Zhuyun commanded.
"Scatter! Execute the plan!" Yang Yunhai barked as he released Blue Silver Grass, transforming them into writhing vine-serpents that spat parasitic spores across the battlefield.
"Third soul skill, Windstorm!" Yu Feng's wings beat furiously, scattering the spores across the enemy formation. With a burst of speed, he lunged toward Li Yang, their agility-type Soul Master.
"First soul skill, Jade Phosphor Snake Bind!" Behind Yang Yunhai, Dugu Yan calmly lifted her finger. Two tiny green phosphor snakes slithered down her waist, dropped to the floor, and darted into the cracks of the marble tiles.
"Second soul skill, Shadow Assault!" Oslo's body flashed with dark light as he sped to the right flank, targeting their support Soul Master, Yang Mingming.
"Fourth soul skill, Netherworld Possession!" Zhu Zhuqing became a streak of black light, darting from the left flank toward their other support, Dong Hui.
"It's Netherworld Possession! Zhu Zhuqing already gained this soul skill at the Soul Ancestor stage!? And that speed — so this is the power of a 10,000 year soul ring..." Inside the Nether White Tiger, Zhu Zhuyun's face paled. Zhu Zhuqing's speed was far beyond her imagination.
"Tang Hongyu, Ying Wei, intercept them! Li Yang, hurry!" Dai Weisi commanded rapidly. "Zhuyun, we have to crush Yang Yunhai and Ye Lingling first!"
In unison, the fused pair poured more soul power into the Nether White Tiger.
A shimmer of light appeared in front of them, manifesting into a massive mirror. At the same time, another mirror appeared above Yang Yunhai.
Roar!
The Nether White Tiger leapt into the mirror and emerged from the one above Yang Yunhai.
Shi Mo quickly shielded Ye Lingling and fell back.
"They even have a teleportation skill!?" Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in shock from the stands.
'Master, why don't you ever know anything?' Ning Rongrong cast him a sidelong glance.
"First soul skill, Extension!" Yang Yunhai's arm swept forward, and countless vines shot upward, binding around the Nether White Tiger.
"Fourth soul skill, Petrification Gaze!" Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes flared, releasing two beams of pale light that struck the beast's brow. Gray spread instantly, sealing its eyes. But the massive body still lunged forward.
The vines, thick as tree trunks, wrapped around its limbs, halting its charge.
Because of the petrification blinding its eyes, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun lost their vision inside the fusion. Still, they could feel the immense pressure constricting their body. No doubt it was Yang Yunhai's vines binding them.
The Nether White Tiger had been caught.
"Roar! White Tiger Light Wave!" With a deafening roar, it opened its maw and unleashed a blazing pillar of white energy downward.
Boom!
The vines shuddered under the impact, not breaking, but being forced back, dragged down by the overwhelming force.
(End of Chapter)
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