On the Training Grounds
Lu Feng stared at the Star Crown martial soul and said, "So you're from the Star Crown Clan, a member of the Xu family."
Xu Wei smirked arrogantly. "You figured it out a little too late. What, scared now? If you admit defeat and let me kick you in the face, I might go easy on you this time."
Lu Feng yawned lazily. "You're overthinking it. Well then, here I come."
"Bring it on."
This time, Xu Wei grew cautious, shedding his earlier underestimation of Lu Feng. He had agreed not to counterattack within three moves but that didn't mean he couldn't dodge.
Lu Feng's speed and strength had left a deep impression on him.
If things went wrong, he could still rely on his soul power to briefly take to the skies. His left leg soul bone granted him twenty seconds of flight.
Once those twenty seconds were up, he could dive down from above, delivering a crushing blow. With a burst of soul power, he could easily pin Lu Feng down.
The spectators found the situation strange.
Why was Lu Feng so calm and fearless when facing an opponent far stronger than himself?
Was this some kind of strategy?
Zhu Zhuqing's red lips parted slightly as she uttered, "Be careful."
She was usually sparing with words, so these two alone showed her concern for Lu Feng though she wasn't truly worried.
She knew Lu Feng's third soul skill perfectly countered Xu Wei's support abilities.
At that moment—
Lu Feng unleashed his Star Tree martial soul. A towering, star-veiled tree materialized behind him in a grand, phantom display.
Holding a single hand in a sword-finger gesture, he chanted an ancient syllable before pointing directly at Xu Wei.
"Third Soul Skill—Nature's Decree!"
A massive, invisible soundwave erupted from Lu Feng, expanding rapidly and enveloping Xu Wei in an instant.
Xu Wei's face twisted in shock.
All the buffs on his body vanished in a flash.
Not only that, his attributes plummeted drastically.
His soul power, originally near the 49th rank, suddenly dropped to around the 30th rank.
At the same time, he felt Lu Feng's soul power surge overwhelmingly.
The boost Lu Feng received came from Starlight Blessing and Star's Protection, effects that had once belonged to Xu Wei.
This was the terrifying nature of Lu Feng's third soul skill.
Nature's Decree, when used on an enemy, stripped them of all buffs and transferred them to Lu Feng himself while simultaneously weakening the target's soul power, endurance, defense, and other attributes for a short time.
But if used on himself or an ally, Nature's Decree would instead purge all debuffs, such as binds, stuns, slows, and stat reductions.
This soul skill was every support-type soul master's worst nightmare!
"You—what kind of—?"
Xu Wei's voice trembled with panic as he felt his strength drain away.
Before he could finish, a surge of green light enveloped his head, choking his words into a pained gasp.
Toxins seeped into his body, sapping his vitality and slowing his movements further.
Then, helplessly, he watched as roots burst from the ground, coiling around his legs, while Lu Feng's emerald-gold vines lashed out, binding him tightly like a wrapped dumpling.
Defense shattered in an instant!
Xu Wei regretted everything. If only he hadn't agreed to let Lu Feng attack first, if he had struck first, he might've stood a chance.
But in truth, he never needed three moves. The moment Nature's Decree hit him, his fate was sealed.
Now, Lu Feng gripped the vines tightly and yanked lifting Xu Wei into the air, his body spinning helplessly.
Like a cowboy preparing to lasso a wild horse, Lu Feng swung Xu Wei overhead twice before—
WHAM!
He slammed him into the ground with enough force to crack the earth, sending dust and debris flying.
And this was only the beginning.
Using the rebound force, Lu Feng whipped the vines again, hoisting Xu Wei high, only to smash him down on the other side.
Left. Right. Left. Right.
The brutal cycle continued.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The ground trembled as two massive craters caved in, each one formed by Xu Wei's body being ruthlessly slammed into the earth.
And this was no ordinary training ground. The surface had been specially reinforced to withstand extreme force.
The spectators stared in stunned silence, their jaws nearly hitting the floor.
No one had expected Xu Wei to lose, let alone this quickly, this brutally.
This was a hundred times worse than getting kicked in the face.
The Zhu family disciples sucked in sharp breaths, their faces pale with shock as they looked at Lu Feng with newfound awe and fear.
'Thank the heavens we didn't provoke him.'
In an instant, their attitudes shifted. They now wholeheartedly supported Lu Feng's marriage to Zhu Zhuqing.
Because they understood, a monster like Lu Feng would bring unimaginable glory and resources to the Zhu family in the future.
And as members of the clan, they would all benefit.
Not all "geniuses" were equal.
A talent like Xu Wei might have a chance to become a Titled Douluo, but the path would be grueling.
Lu Feng, on the other hand? He was the kind of prodigy who could reach the pinnacle of Supreme Douluo, maybe even beyond. Especially when they saw his soul rings: two purple, one black.
"Lu Feng, that's enough! You've already won!"
Zhu Yan swooped down from the sky, stepping in before Lu Feng could pummel Xu Wei into paste.
After all, Xu Wei was his beloved concubine's nephew, the heir of the Star Crown Clan and a prince of the Southwool Duchy. If he got crippled here, the fallout would be messy.
Lu Feng stopped immediately, clasping his hands respectfully toward Zhu Yan.
Xu Ruyun rushed to Xu Wei's side, her face tightening at the sight of him, his face swollen and twisted, his clothes in tatters, looking like a half-dead beggar.
Multiple broken bones, internal bleeding, severe injuries but at least he'd live.
She exhaled in relief before shooting Lu Feng a reproachful glare. "Did you have to be so ruthless?"
"Ah, Thirteenth Aunt! My apologies, I got a little carried away with the combo," Lu Feng replied with an easy grin.
He'd met Xu Ruyun at a family banquet before. Zhu Yan had introduced her as his "eighteenth concubine," but Zhu Zhuqing later corrected him—it was thirteenth.
Xu Ruyun was a poised and stunning young woman, her vibrant red hair catching the eye and radiating natural warmth. A black, sheer dress hugged her flawless figure, accentuating her ample chest, which strained against the delicate fabric.
At that moment, she crouched slightly, her hips forming a striking curve, while her long, shapely legs peeked sensually from beneath the gauzy skirt.
Her voice, slightly husky and magnetic, paired with her entrancing phoenix eyes and the mature allure in her every movement, could spark endless fantasies in any man.
No wonder Zhu Yan, despite his many wives, favored her above all. Of course, her prominent status in the Xu family didn't hurt either.
"A… combo?" Xu Ruyun nearly choked before turning back to Xu Wei. "His skin's still green, he's poisoned! Call a healing-type soul master!"
Zhu Zhuqing stepped beside Lu Feng, her voice cool. "Won't work. Even the best healers in the empire can't cure this poison."
The crowd's eyes snapped to Lu Feng.
Her meaning was clear: Only the poisoner can undo it.
"The poison Lu Feng uses… only Lu Feng can remove," Zhu Zhuyun added sourly.
Both she and Zhu Zhuqing had suffered under that toxin before.
And both had been "treated" by him.
Yet no one dared demand Lu Feng cure Xu Wei. Not anymore.
Respect for the strong, this was the privilege of power.
With this battle, Lu Feng had cemented his reputation. From this day forward, the Zhu family, no, the entire Star Luo Empire, would regard him with genuine reverence.
Before, his God-level martial soul had only shown potential. Today, he'd proven his real strength.
But to Zhu Yan, curing Xu Wei was a minor issue. He had bigger news.
Eyes shining with excitement, he declared:
"As the head of the Zhu family, I hereby announce the official engagement between Zhu Zhuqing and Lu Feng!"
Then, beaming, he turned to the couple. "Son-in-law, Zhuqing, today is an auspicious day. How about we hold the betrothal banquet tonight?"
Lu Feng and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance before smiling in unison.
"Thank you for your blessing, Father," Lu Feng said warmly.
Zhu Zhuqing tightened her grip on Lu Feng's arm, her hands trembling slightly, this time from sheer joy.
Her father had finally made it official. After Lu Feng had proven himself beyond any doubt.
Lowering her head, she murmured shyly, "Thank you, Father."
The picture-perfect image of a devoted wife, blissfully in sync with her husband.
The envy of everyone watching.
Xu Ruyun sighed. "Well, since we're all family now… would you mind curing my nephew?"
Lu Feng grinned. "Of course."
A beam of white light erupted from his palm, enveloping Xu Wei's broken body.
"Mmm…!" Xu Wei let out a groan, one that sounded suspiciously pleasured.
The odd noise drew raised eyebrows from the crowd.
But the effect was undeniable. The green poison faded from his skin, his wounds stabilizing instantly.
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks flushed pink as she remembered the same light washing over her—that same, unbearable, full-body relief.
Nearby, Zhu Zhuyun bit her lip, her smile bitter. 'That damn light is just as embarrassing as the 'injection.''
Even Lu Feng couldn't control it. When he used Life Light on himself, the overwhelming sensation forced him to grit his teeth to stay silent.
Though the poison was gone, Xu Wei's shattered bones and damaged meridians would take time to heal. Unable to stand, he was carried away on a stretcher, a far cry from the arrogant prince who'd swaggered in earlier.
As the medics passed by, Lu Feng blinked. "Wait, what was his name again? Xu… something?"
"Pfft—!"
On the stretcher, Xu Wei spat blood, this time from sheer rage.
.He beat me to a pulp… humiliated me in front of everyone… and he didn't even bother remembering my damn name?!.