On the Soul Arena Stage—
Huo Yu'er coldly stared at Dai Huabin before her. Though she had long since given up any hope for this despicable family, she absolutely could not forgive him for daring to threaten her with such a reason.
While most of Class One's students came from well-off families, few were as arrogant as Dai Huabin. As a result, his popularity in the class was rather poor. Many classmates had gathered to watch, curious to see how the strongest student in the class would teach Dai Huabin a lesson.
Wu Feng, the lily-like witch, sneered at the scene while mockingly addressing Zhu Lu, who stood silently watching the fight.
"Zhu Lu, how does your beloved Dai Huabin plan to defeat Huo Yu'er?
Even their Spirit Fusion Technique couldn't handle her. Isn't this just pure masochism? And why did Huo Yu'er agree to this fight so strangely? Do you know something we don't?"
Zhu Lu simply glanced at her and said nothing.
It wasn't that Zhu Lu feared Wu Feng, but rather the true master behind her—Ning Tian. Compared to the already declining White Tiger Duke Family, the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect was currently at the height of its power, and no nation dared to offend them lightly.
The reason was simple—the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect knew how to thrive.
At this moment, Ning Tian watched the arena with great interest. As the most talented direct disciple of this generation in the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect, Ning Tian was already aware of her destiny.
Unfortunately, Huo Yu'er, who possessed such strength despite lacking background, was a girl. Otherwise, Ning Tian would have pursued her long ago.
Initially, Ning Tian had even considered introducing Huo Yu'er to her brothers within the sect to bring her into their fold.
What did it matter if her first spirit ring was a white one? After all, it was only the first spirit ring. As long as someone held enough value, anything was possible—this was the creed of the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect.
Moreover, Ning Tian gazed deeply at Huo Yu'er's golden eyes.
Unlike ordinary or lower-tier soul masters, Ning Tian understood how to evaluate the worth of Body Spirits.
One could only say that Huo Yu'er, this rough gemstone, would shine brightly when the time came.
However, Ning Tian recalled that Huo Yu'er had recently joined an obscure sect called the Tian Xing Sect. Though this sect had never made a name for itself on the continent, everyone understood what hidden sects truly meant. Furthermore, based solely on Huo Yu'er's displayed strength, it was clear this sect was far from ordinary.
A graceful smile curved Ning Tian's lips. "How interesting. I wonder how the Body Spirit Sect will react upon learning about Huo Yu'er's situation and how they'll clash with this Tian Xing Sect. But what does it have to do with us? We can simply sit back and enjoy the show."
Meanwhile, the Soul Arena stage had already announced the start of the duel.
"First Soul Skill—White Tiger Protective Barrier!
Third Soul Skill—White Tiger Adamantine Transformation!"
Dai Huabin immediately unleashed his two enhancement-type soul skills.
Though these techniques were relics from ten thousand years ago, one couldn't deny that the White Tiger Dai Family had some substance. Unlike ordinary soul masters who prioritized offensive skills early on, two of the White Tiger Dai Family's first three soul skills focused on enhancing their base attributes.
The second soul skill also compensated for the awkwardness of the Evil-Eyed White Tiger spirit's lack of ranged attacks in its early stages.
As for close combat—
Though the Evil-Eyed White Tiger spirit wasn't among the top-tier animal spirits, it was undeniably powerful within its category.
The reason Dai Mubai had been beaten so badly upon his debut stemmed partly from his indulgence and partly from his failure to learn the royal family's true teachings, relying instead on brute force alone.
But Dai Huabin was not Dai Mubai.
Having received elite training since childhood, close-quarters combat was Dai Huabin's forte. In the original timeline, he had even been able to tear apart thousand-year-old soul beasts by hand at the three-ring level, proving that the Evil-Eyed White Tiger spirit was no mere gimmick!
Seeing Dai Huabin charging straight at her, Huo Yu'er frowned slightly before activating her own spirit.
Though her two spirit rings—one white and one yellow—looked weak and unimpressive, they didn't make Huo Yu'er appear feeble in the slightest.
Ye Wen had once taught Huo Yu'er that knowing both herself and her opponent was key to victory. She had long since memorized Dai Huabin's attack patterns.
"How boring. If this is all Dai Huabin has, how did he have the courage to challenge me to a duel?"
Though she inwardly mocked him, Huo Yu'er remained vigilant. Ye Wen had also taught her that even when fighting a rabbit, a lion must use its full strength—a single misstep could lead to disaster.
"Second Soul Skill—Holy Pupil!
First Soul Skill—Spirit Detection!"
At this moment, Huo Yu'er's mind was clearer than ever. All unnecessary emotions vanished from her eyes as she used the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist to precisely defend against every one of Dai Huabin's attacks.
Soon, Huo Yu'er noticed something unusual about Dai Huabin.
Currently, Dai Huabin was relying entirely on his physically augmented strength from his spirit skills to engage her in close combat, without expending additional soul power for attacks.
The words "attrition warfare" flashed through Huo Yu'er's mind. Did Dai Huabin really look down on her so much that he believed he could outlast her in terms of soul power?
Thinking this, Huo Yuer's eyes turned icy.
Did he really think she was some ordinary soul master without depth? Her body had been tempered under her master's hellish training, refined through countless trials.
Dai Huabin was secretly alarmed. Though he had known Huo Yu'er's martial arts were strong, he hadn't expected them to be this formidable. Even the ancient Dai Family combat techniques passed down through generations couldn't overpower her.
Moreover, Huo Yu'er was solely focused on defending against Dai Huabin. The killing move from their Spirit Fusion Technique that he had imagined would decisively end the fight during competitions hadn't appeared.
An anxious glint flickered in Dai Huabin's eyes.
Huo Yu'er, who had been observing the entire battle, suddenly felt enlightened. So there was something off about Dai Huabin—but what exactly?
However, Huo Yu'er wasn't in a rush. So far, less than ten percent of her soul power had been consumed. If it was attrition he wanted, then so be it—who was afraid of whom?
Suddenly, a fierce glint flashed in Dai Huabin's evil eyes.
"Second Soul Skill—White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"
Dai Huabin's second spirit ring lit up intensely, generating a violent surge of soul power that rushed directly toward Huo Yu'er's face.
This energy attack was beyond what Huo Yu'er's Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist could fully defend against. Reacting instantly, Huo Yu'er chose to retreat rapidly, creating distance while simultaneously using the Rigid Form to protect her entire body.
The intense wave of soul power sent Huo Yu'er flying backward.
During the earlier fight, Huo Yu'er had unknowingly moved very close to the edge of the Soul Arena stage.
A flicker of joy appeared in Dai Huabin's eyes. Though he didn't understand why Huo Yu'er seemed so weak now, forcing her off the stage would still count as his victory.
But soon, Dai Huabin's expression froze.
Just as Huo Yu'er was about to be flung off the stage, she suddenly kicked into empty air, her body returning to the stage in an utterly illogical posture.
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