Chapter 35:
On that very same day, his mind set on confronting those who had wronged his friend, Song Qing, accompanied by the ever-present Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, made his way towards the inner palace of the Star Luo Empire. His status as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall granted him access to even the most heavily guarded areas.
Reaching the residence of the First Prince, Dai Weisi, Song Qing requested an audience. His name, coupled with the imposing presence of the two Titled Douluo, ensured that his request was granted swiftly, albeit with a palpable air of apprehension among the palace guards.
Dai Weisi, a tall and somewhat arrogant-looking young man of sixteen, with the characteristic white hair of the Dai family, greeted Song Qing with a forced smile. Standing beside him was Zhu Zhuyun, nearly fourteen, her expression a mixture of curiosity and disdain as she looked at the much younger boy.
"Your Holiness the Holy Son," Dai Weisi began, his tone polite but carrying a hint of condescension, "it is an honor to receive you in my humble residence. What brings you here?"
Song Qing looked directly at the First Prince, his dark eyes unwavering. "Prince Dai Weisi, I have heard much about the power of the Spirit Fusion ability between you and Miss Zhu Zhuyun, the Hell White Tiger. I am quite curious about it. I was wondering if you would be willing to grant me a private spar to witness its strength firsthand." He then turned his gaze to Zhu Zhuyun. "And of course, to test my own abilities against it."
Dai Weisi exchanged a surprised look with Zhu Zhuyun. He had indeed heard whispers about the extraordinary talent of the Spirit Hall's Holy Son, a mere eight-year-old who had already reached the Soul Ancestor rank with a soul power of 44. While the thought of fighting someone so much younger seemed almost ridiculous, a part of him, fueled by arrogance and curiosity, wondered if he and Zhuyun, with their powerful Spirit Fusion, could actually defeat this prodigy.
'He's just a kid,' Dai Weisi thought, a smirk forming on his lips. 'Even if he's a Soul Ancestor, experience matters. And with our Hell White Tiger, we can definitely give him a run for his money.' He also figured that if they somehow managed to defeat the Holy Son, it would be a significant boost to his reputation.
"A spar, Your Holiness?" Dai Weisi said, trying to sound nonchalant. "Against both of us? That seems a bit… unfair to you, wouldn't you say? You are so much younger."
"Age is but a number, Prince Dai Weisi," Song Qing replied coolly, a hint of a challenge in his voice. "I am confident in my abilities. And I assure you, I will not hold back. I simply wish to experience the strength of the Hell White Tiger." He glanced at Zhu Zhuyun. "And perhaps offer some… pointers."
Zhu Zhuyun scoffed softly, but remained silent. She was just as curious about this Holy Son and his rumored power.
Dai Weisi considered for a moment. A private spar with limited witnesses… there would be no real glory in defeating an eight-year-old, but it would be interesting to gauge his strength. And if they lost, well, who would know?
"Alright, Your Holiness," Dai Weisi agreed, a confident smirk returning to his face. "We shall grant you your spar. But let's keep this private, shall we? No need to make a spectacle of it." He gestured towards a spacious training yard within the palace grounds. "We can use the training area there."
Song Qing nodded, a hint of anticipation flickering in his dark eyes. "That would be perfect."
As they moved towards the training yard, Song Qing subtly instructed Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo to observe from a distance but to be ready to intervene if necessary. The two Titled Douluo nodded silently, their senses already scanning the area.
Reaching the training yard, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun stood opposite Song Qing. Dai Weisi's spirit, the Evil Eyed White Tiger, materialized behind him, a majestic white tiger with piercing golden eyes. Two yellow soul rings and one purple soul ring circled his body. Zhu Zhuyun's spirit, the Hell Spirit Cat, appeared beside her, a sleek black panther with glowing red eyes, adorned with two yellow soul rings.
Song Qing's Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit materialized behind him, its shadowy form exuding an aura of immense power. Three purple soul rings and a single, deep black soul ring swirled around his small body. The sight of the black soul ring sent a shockwave through Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. 'A ten thousand year soul ring?!' they both thought in disbelief. For someone so young to possess such a high-level soul ring was unheard of.
Without a word, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun exchanged a look and initiated their Spirit Fusion. A blinding white light erupted between them, and when it subsided, a magnificent Hell White Tiger stood in their place. Its massive form exuded a terrifying pressure, its eyes glowing with an eerie purple light.
"Prepare yourself, Holy Son!" Dai Weisi's voice boomed from within the Hell White Tiger. "Let us see if your reputation precedes you!" The Hell White Tiger roared, its powerful limbs digging into the ground as it prepared to pounce.
Song Qing remained calm, his dark eyes fixed on the fused spirit. 'Impressive,' he thought, a hint of genuine excitement rising within him. He activated his first soul ring, Abyssal Shadow Dash. His figure blurred, leaving behind shadowy afterimages as he moved with incredible speed, dodging the Hell White Tiger's initial lunge.
"Not bad for a little kid!" Dai Weisi taunted, controlling the massive beast with surprising agility. The Hell White Tiger swung its massive claws, each strike carrying immense force. This was Dai Weisi's Third Soul Ring ability, White Tiger Claw, capable of tearing through steel.
Song Qing activated his second soul ring, Shadow Dominion. A field of darkness expanded around him, enveloping the training yard. Within the darkness, Song Qing's senses were enhanced, and he could clearly perceive the Hell White Tiger's movements, while its senses seemed slightly dulled. He then activated his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings, their silver feathers shimmering in the dim light of the Shadow Dominion. With a powerful flap, he soared into the air, easily avoiding another swipe from the Hell White Tiger.
"Flying won't save you!" Zhu Zhuyun's voice hissed from within the fused spirit. The Hell White Tiger unleashed its Second Soul Ring ability, Netherworld Slash, sending out waves of dark energy blades towards Song Qing.
Song Qing activated his third soul ring, Abyssal Draconic Claw. A massive claw of pure abyssal energy materialized around his right hand, crackling with dark power. He met the incoming energy blades with his own attack, shattering them with a resounding boom.
'Their fusion is indeed powerful,' Song Qing thought, a hint of seriousness entering his mind. 'But it's still not enough.' He activated his fourth soul ring, Frost Spike Barrage. Dozens of razor-sharp ice spikes, infused with abyssal energy, shot forth from his body, targeting the Hell White Tiger from all directions.
The Hell White Tiger roared in pain as the frost spikes pierced its hide, leaving trails of frostbite. Dai Weisi activated his First Soul Ring ability, White Tiger Barrier, creating a layer of white light around the fused spirit, deflecting some of the spikes.
"Is that all you've got, Holy Son?" Dai Weisi sneered, pushing through the pain. The Hell White Tiger unleashed its First Soul Ring ability, White Tiger Howl, a deafening roar that carried a disorienting force.
Song Qing, protected by his enhanced mental energy from the Crimson Soul King's Crown, was barely affected. He flapped his wings, gaining altitude, and activated his Second Soul Ring's second ability, Shadow Concealment. A wave of shadow energy enveloped him, making him virtually undetectable.
The Hell White Tiger roared in frustration, unable to locate its target. "Where did he go?!" Zhu Zhuyun's voice exclaimed, filled with annoyance.
Suddenly, Song Qing reappeared above them, diving down with incredible speed, using his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings' Draconic Descent. He channeled draconic energy into his wings, his body becoming like a silver meteor as he crashed into the Hell White Tiger.
The impact was tremendous. The Hell White Tiger stumbled backward, a pained roar escaping its lips. Song Qing landed gracefully, activating his third soul ring's second ability, Dragon's Might. A focused burst of draconic pressure slammed into the Hell White Tiger, causing it to stagger.
"You little brat!" Dai Weisi roared, regaining control. The Hell White Tiger unleashed its Third Soul Ring ability again, White Tiger Claw, this time aiming directly at Song Qing's chest.
Song Qing smirked coldly. He activated his first soul ring again, using Abyssal Shadow Dash to narrowly avoid the attack. He then activated his fourth soul ring's second ability, Abyssal Flame Dragon Breath. A torrent of black flames erupted from his mouth, imbued with the corrosive power of the abyss, engulfing the Hell White Tiger.
The fused spirit shrieked in agony as the black flames burned away its fur and seared its flesh. The corrosive power of the flames began to rapidly deplete its soul power.
"This is just my way of strengthening you," Song Qing taunted coldly, his voice echoing through the Shadow Dominion. "You seem to think beating up someone weaker in a spar is helping you grow. Let me show you what true strength feels like."
He continued his relentless assault, using the agility granted by his wings and the power of his soul rings to batter the Hell White Tiger. He focused his attacks on its limbs, aiming to break bones. He could hear Dai Weisi's pained grunts and Zhu Zhuyun's frustrated cries from within the fused spirit.
The battle raged on, the Shadow Dominion filled with the roars of the Hell White Tiger, the crackling of abyssal energy, and the whoosh of Song Qing's wings. Song Qing deliberately prolonged the spar, wanting to thoroughly beat them down and instill a healthy dose of fear and respect. He dodged their attacks with ease, his precognitive glimpses from the Crimson Soul King's Crown allowing him to anticipate their every move. He countered with brutal efficiency, his abyssal attacks leaving deep wounds and draining their energy.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity for Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, the Hell White Tiger roared one last time before dissipating, the Spirit Fusion ending. Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun collapsed to the ground, bruised, battered, and panting heavily.
But Song Qing wasn't finished. He landed gracefully beside the prone figures, his eyes still burning with cold fury. He stepped towards Dai Weisi, who was groaning in pain, and unleashed a series of swift, precise kicks, targeting his legs and arms. He could hear the sickening crack of bones breaking. Dai Weisi screamed in agony before finally losing consciousness.
Song Qing then turned his attention to Zhu Zhuyun, who was watching him with wide, terrified eyes. He had already beaten her thoroughly during the Spirit Fusion, but he hadn't inflicted any permanent damage. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over her trembling form.
He leaned down, his voice a low whisper in her ear. "This is just the beginning," he said, his tone sending a shiver down her spine. "For every tear you made Zhuqing shed, for every moment of fear you instilled in her, I will make you pay. Slowly. Slowly. And no one will be able to save you from me."
A shiver ran down Zhu Zhuyun's spine, her face pale with terror. She knew, with absolute certainty, that the seemingly innocent boy standing before her was a force to be reckoned with, and his threat was not to be taken lightly.
He then stood up, his cold gaze sweeping over their broken bodies before softening slightly. He had made his point. For now, it was enough. He had sent a clear message.