Tang San: "???"
Was this really necessary?
Watching the incoming barrage of soul skills, Tang San was stunned.
Who starts a battle by unleashing all their soul skills? At least throw a punch or two first!
In the confined space of the arena, all five opponents launched their attacks simultaneously. Despite his mastery of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Purple Demon Eyes, there was no way for Tang San to dodge them all.
He could only choose to take on the weaker attacks directly.
Just as he made his decision, a sudden, invisible mental assault struck him. The source was the Emperor Team's newest member, a young woman with a fox martial soul. Her appearance was somewhat enchanting, though far inferior to Hu Liena's allure.
The psychic attack caused Tang San to momentarily freeze. Ironically, it also triggered a backlash against its caster. The fox spirit girl, overwhelmed by Tang San's immense mental power, collapsed straight to the ground, her expression filled with terror.
It was a case of mental backlash—similar to when Xiao Wu had tried to use her charm ability on Zhao Wuji and ended up fainting herself.
Her martial soul's quality was average at best, and reaching the Soul Ancestor level had likely required her to absorb a significant amount of "evil fire."
In contrast, Tang San's spiritual strength, bolstered by years of cultivating Purple Demon Eyes and his millennium-grade head soul bone, was formidable enough to resist even the Seven-in-One Fusion Skill of Canghui Academy. How could this girl's mental strength compare?
Though her attack failed to incapacitate Tang San, it caused a brief hesitation. That momentary lapse was enough—none of the Emperor Team's soul skills missed their mark.
"Pfft…"
Tang San spat out a mouthful of blood as his body was sent flying off the stage. He landed outside the arena and passed out.
The crowd: "…"
"Is she okay? I didn't expect Tang San's mental power to be this strong—enough to backfire on a Soul Ancestor!" Yu Tianheng remarked without turning, his tone calm.
"She's fine, captain," came the reply. "It was just mental backlash; she'll wake up soon."
"Such a pity. We should've saved that move for Dai Mubai," Yu Tianheng sighed.
Dai Mubai: "…"
Planning this in front of me—is that really wise?
Not to mention, with his spiritual strength and the protection of the Death Scythe's spirit guardian, even divine-level mental powers couldn't harm him. What could a mere Level 41 soul master hope to achieve?
"Dai Mubai," Yu Tianheng called out firmly. "We've taken care of the distraction. Now, we want to see just how big the gap is between us. Give it your all!"
His determination burned brightly—he was desperate to grow stronger, to win back Dugu Yan's heart, and to create a world where she could belong.
Dai Mubai smirked, unimpressed.
"Give it my all? Even your grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, might struggle against me. And you want me to go all out?"
The mockery was evident in his tone.
"If this is the extent of your strength, you're not worth my full effort," Dai Mubai said, clasping his hands behind his back and tilting his head arrogantly. "I don't even need to use my martial soul. I could beat you with both hands tied behind my back."
"YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR!" Yu Tianheng roared, his entire body crackling with blue lightning as his Thunder Dragon martial soul flared to life. He was livid—this wasn't just an insult, it was humiliation.
In the Star Luo Academy's rest area, Zhu Zhuyun raised an eyebrow and glanced at Dai Mubai's elder brother, Davis.
"Davis, what exactly has your brother gone through these past few years to turn into such an insufferable brat?"
Even the audience seemed ready to storm the stage and teach Dai Mubai a lesson. His strength had yet to be proven, yet his arrogance knew no bounds.
Not using his martial soul? Fighting with no hands? Even a Titled Douluo wouldn't dare speak to a Soul Douluo like this!
"I have no idea," Davis replied, shaking his head with a wry smile.
Though the Emperor Team's strength was slightly weaker than Star Luo Academy's, it was still respectable. Yet Dai Mubai treated them like they weren't worth his time.
Back on the stage, Dai Mubai ignored Yu Tianheng's growing fury.
"Let's not waste time. I've got another match to prepare for," he said nonchalantly.
With that, his figure "vanished."
He hadn't truly disappeared—it was simply his speed. To ordinary spectators and lower-level soul masters, he moved so fast he was invisible.
"Good heavens! What kind of speed is this? Even at my Soul Saint level, I can barely catch a blur!"
"No soul skill, no martial soul activation, and no soul bone abilities—there's no soul power fluctuation at all!"
The next moment, Dai Mubai appeared directly in front of Yu Tianheng.
Their eyes met, and Yu Tianheng's pupils contracted. Sweat trickled down his brow as his mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
So fast. Still so fast.
When Dai Mubai was at the Soul Elder level, Yu Tianheng couldn't follow his movements. Now, even as a Soul Ancestor, he still couldn't keep up.
"I can't see him—I really can't see him!" Yu Tianheng shouted, a trace of madness in his voice. He lashed out with Thunder Dragon Claw, blindly striking where he thought Dai Mubai might be.
But it was futile. A gust of wind struck from behind. Yu Tianheng's eyes widened as he realized his defeat.
"Boom!"
Yu Tianheng was sent flying off the stage, arms outstretched as he soared through the air. In that fleeting moment, he felt a strange sense of peace.
He had tried. He had fought. Dai Mubai had even given him a chance. Yet he had still lost.
Lying outside the arena, Yu Tianheng ignored his injuries. Clenching his fists, he wept openly. No one could truly understand the despair he felt during that brief eye contact with Dai Mubai.
"Have I… ultimately lost?"
"Yan…"
"Grandfather…"
"I'll keep training harder. Next time…"
(End of Chapter)