"Aiya, Rongrong, what are you doing?" Dugu Yan complained. "I never said I'd come out to wander around with you."
"What's the big deal? Keeping your nerves too tense isn't good either—it'll age you faster."
Dugu Yan stiffened, pointing at herself. "I just turned twenty. Besides, didn't you say this tournament was important?"
"I heard from Dad that you were especially nervous during the qualifiers, taking the field every time."
"To avoid any problems," Dugu Yan sighed.
Since Ning Rongrong had entrusted the team to her, she had to give it her all! Otherwise, if they failed the qualifiers, wouldn't that be utterly humiliating?
"But I'm back now, aren't I?" Ning Rongrong said.
"Rongrong, you've been acting really strange lately!" Dugu Yan eyed her suspiciously. "You're not cultivating at all, just running around looking for fun. Should we go check out that 'fireworks place' you mentioned?"
"Uh, let's not go there," Ning Rongrong's expression froze.
Hadn't she seen enough in the City of Slaughter? Compared to the depravity there, everything else was child's play—hardly worth watching.
So, she and Dugu Yan spent their time eating, drinking, playing, and shopping!
Finally, by afternoon, their storage-type soul tools were stuffed with who-knows-how-many things as they casually strolled back to the arena.
Just in time for the match about to begin:
Shrek Academy vs. Star Luo Imperial Academy.
"Yanyan-jie, who do you think will win?" Ning Rongrong leaned lazily against the railing, watching the arena below.
"Is that even a question?" Dugu Yan rolled her eyes. "That Tang San isn't your average Soul King—he has a domain. Forget Soul Ancestors, even multiple Soul Kings might not be his match."
Having fought Tang San before, Dugu Yan had the authority to speak.
Sure, she had won.
But Tang San's strength was no joke—in some ways, it could rival a Soul Emperor's.
"Heh, true." Ning Rongrong didn't argue.
Though Tang Long hadn't appeared, Tang San plus Shrek's team, along with another Soul Ancestor-level Clear Sky Hammer user, made for a solid lineup—one Soul King leading six Soul Ancestors.
But what about Star Luo Imperial Academy's lineup?
Seven Soul Ancestors…
Their strength seemed mediocre at best.
The match began with the red-robed bishop's command.
Tang San struck first, ambushing with his innate skill—Blue Silver Entanglement.
Tough vines erupted from beneath the opponents' feet, binding them tightly. In moments, three Soul Ancestors were completely restrained and instantly eliminated.
The remaining Star Luo students reacted with fury, launching attacks at Tang San.
But no amount of courage could bridge the gap in strength.
In the end, they resorted to their martial soul fusion skill—Netherworld White Tiger.
This was their last hope for a comeback.
However, Zhu Zhuqing appeared beside Dai Mubai. Without even moving, his soul power began merging with hers.
"Zhu Zhuqing, you—"
"Stay quiet and watch. This doesn't concern you," Zhu Zhuqing said coldly.
Manipulating Dai Mubai's soul power, she summoned a Netherworld White Tiger several times larger than the first, its aura dark and eerie.
"ROAR—"
With a deafening roar, the tiger pounced, its jaws clamping down with brutal force—"RIP—"
The opposing Netherworld White Tiger was torn to shreds.
"How is this possible?!" Dai Weis and Zhu Zhuqing gasped in shock.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's fusion skill had forcibly shattered theirs.
Logically, their teamwork should have been superior.
"It's over!"
A massive tiger paw swiped through the air, claws rending space with a piercing screech.
"PUH—"
"PUH—"
Dai Weis and Zhu Zhuqing spat blood simultaneously, sent flying out of the arena.
Their faces paled drastically.
Zhu Zhuqing canceled the fusion skill and walked off the stage without a word.
Dai Mubai stood dumbfounded, utterly confused.
His soul power had been hijacked, used to unleash the fusion skill—and they'd defeated his greatest rival, Dai Weis?
Yet, despite the victory, he felt no sense of accomplishment.
Dai Mubai opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
But Zhu Zhuqing had already left.
Helpless, he could only sigh bitterly and clench his fists:
"I have to get Zhu Zhuqing back. Only then can I truly stand against Dai Weis."
No matter what she had just done—
That was their combined martial soul fusion skill. Their shared victory, not hers alone.
Dai Mubai tightened his grip.
The red-robed bishop leisurely stepped onto the stage, announcing Shrek Academy's victory.
"My, my, what an unexpected surprise!" Ning Rongrong remained sprawled over the railing, her expression one of utter indifference.
"By the way, have you ever encountered a situation like that before?" She glanced at Dugu Yan.
After a moment of silence, Dugu Yan shook her head. "No. They must have been holding back."
"But that fusion skill of hers felt... eerie."
"Is that so? I thought the same." Ning Rongrong's gaze shifted toward a certain corner.
"Your Holiness, skulking in the shadows isn't very becoming, is it?" she said calmly.
The Pope?
Dugu Yan stiffened, following Ning Rongrong's line of sight.
From the shadows of the spectator stands, Bibi Dong emerged, dressed in casual attire—like a college student ready for a trip.
Yet, her breathtaking beauty made her impossible to overlook.
"As expected of you, Ning Rongrong."
"To detect me even like this." Bibi Dong walked to Ning Rongrong's side. "I'm curious—how did you find me?"
Ning Rongrong wasn't fazed by the question. "Is that Zhu Zhuqing your disciple? She seems... interesting. Her power system resembles yours."
Without waiting for Bibi Dong's reaction, she grabbed Dugu Yan's hand and bolted from the arena.
Kidding me? This was a Level 99 powerhouse!
If there was no reason to fight, why provoke her?
Still, to inspire fear, one needed an air of unfathomable strength.
Her earlier revelation of Bibi Dong's location had been part of that act.
As for Zhu Zhuqing's situation, Bibi Dong probably already knew the reason and had no real interest in pursuing her.
Sure enough, after Ning Rongrong left,
Bibi Dong's gaze fell upon the arena, her eyes flashing with ruthlessness:
"Hmph, the Rakshasa God, huh…"
"Found another innocent girl, I see."
"Though I wonder what price she'll pay if she undergoes the divine trial."
The Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul, coupled with her personality, did make her a likely candidate for the Rakshasa God's selection.
But Zhu Zhuqing had come from the City of Slaughter. If the Asura God wasn't aware of her divine trial, he might as well hang himself.
The collaboration between Rakshasa and Asura was a certainty.
"Ah, the Spirit Hall's path grows ever more difficult."
Bibi Dong stared at the tightly shut doors at the edge of the stands, lost in thought.
"That little girl Ning Rongrong... she's no simple character either. Which side will they stand on, I wonder?"