Watching Tang San speak, Yu Xiaogang gave a slight nod from the sidelines. "The battle has already begun—he's targeting his opponent's mindset first. Truly, Xiao San…"
Yet Dai Chengfeng simply stood still, his silver-white battle robe unmoving in the breeze.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips—as if he'd just heard an amusing joke.
"Heh."
Dai Chengfeng let out a soft laugh—quiet, yet it carried clearly through the hushed arena.
He offered no retort, no rebuttal. But that very posture—that utter indifference, as if Tang San were beneath notice—was more provocative than any words could be.
Tang San's eyes narrowed, his wariness deepening.
This reaction was wrong.
Normally, such verbal provocation would provoke anger or biting sarcasm—but Dai Chengfeng? He didn't even seem to care.
Ning Rongrong, standing beside Dai Chengfeng, flushed with indignation at the insult.
"Tang San! Don't flatter yourself so much!"
"Chengfeng's strength was forged in countless battles—earned through wisdom and courage!"
"What do you know?"
Her voice was crisp, unusually sharp for the gentle princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—now a lioness defending her kin, eyes blazing.
Tang San frowned slightly. "Ning Rongrong, you're nothing but a sheltered flower under your clan's protection. What right do you have to speak?"
"You—!"
Ning Rongrong clenched her teeth, ready to retort—but Dai Chengfeng raised a hand, silencing her.
"Rongrong, no need," he said calmly. "Some people only understand their mistakes when they're lying flat on the ground."
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
She stepped back half a pace, hands clasped before her chest as soul power surged around her.
"Seven Treasures, turn forth Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
Her clear chant rang out. A crystalline tower materialized in her palms, radiating seven dazzling colors—breathtakingly beautiful.
But just as the crowd assumed this was the famed Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—
—a sudden transformation erupted!
The tower blazed with unprecedented brilliance. Its seven hues shifted, merging with two entirely new colors: one deep, mysterious violet; the other pure, sacred moon-white!
The tower itself elongated, growing more refined. Its original seven tiers stretched upward—becoming nine!
"Nine… Nine-Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
In the VIP box, an elder in Seven Treasures Glazed Tile robes shot to his feet, his teacup shattering on the floor.
He trembled, eyes wide as saucers, fixed on Ning Rongrong's tower.
Not just him—every member of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in the VIP section stood, faces alight with disbelieving joy.
"Nine tiers! It's truly nine tiers!"
"The legendary… the legendary Nine-Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda! Only our founding ancestor ever awakened this supreme martial soul!"
"Miss Rongrong… she's shattered the limits of the Seven Treasures!"
Beside the elder, a middle-aged man stammered in excitement, grabbing his companion's arm:
"Quick! Send word to the Clan Head! No—I'll go myself! He must know immediately!"
"The Nine-Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda has returned… Heaven blesses our sect!"
He nearly bolted from the box—but the elder yanked him back.
"Stay calm!" Though equally thrilled, the elder retained his composure. "It's too late to send word now. After the match, we escort Miss Rongrong back to the sect at once!"
"But—but—" the man protested.
The elder's eyes gleamed. "Miss Rongrong's breakthrough must be tied to Dai Chengfeng. Watch this match closely—we may uncover more."
---
In the arena, Ning Rongrong stood bathed in nine-colored light, the Nine-Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda floating above her palm like a goddess descended.
"Nine-Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, First Treasure: Strength!"
Her voice rang clear, decisive.
Three beams of nine-colored light shot forth, striking Dai Chengfeng, Hu Liena, and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Nine-Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Second Treasure: Speed!"
A second wave of light amplified their agility dramatically.
Tang San's expression turned grim. Though unfamiliar with the exact amplification, the aura's intensity and Ning Rongrong's surging soul power confirmed it far surpassed the Seven Treasures.
"Can't let her keep amplifying them!"
Mind racing, Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Illusion Steps, becoming a blue blur as he lunged straight for Ning Rongrong.
Eliminate the support first—always the priority in team battles.
But the moment he moved, a black shadow blocked his path.
Zhu Zhuqing—already swift—was now near-invisible under the Nine-Treasures' boost.
Without a word, her second soul ring flared: Hell Hundred Claws!
Her hands became talons, shrieking through the air toward Tang San's throat.
Tang San's pupils contracted. His Purple Extreme Demon Eyes strained to track her motion.
He sidestepped, vines erupting from the ground to ensnare her.
But Zhu Zhuqing vanished—first skill Hell Rush Stab—reappearing behind him, claws descending again.
Meanwhile, Hu Liena struck.
She ignored Tang San, charging instead toward Shrek's rear—Oscar and Ma Hongjun.
Her second soul ring shimmered: Fox Charm!
A massive pink fox phantom materialized behind her, tails swaying as waves of allure crashed over them.
Oscar, mid-sausage creation, froze—eyes glazed for a critical instant.
Ma Hongjun fared little better. Though his soul power was strong, his mental fortitude wasn't. He barely held his mind against Hu Liena's charm.
"Phoenix Fire Wire!"
Ma Hongjun rallied, unleashing his first skill —a searing flame streaking toward Hu Liena.
Hu Liena laughed softly, dodging like a wraith while activating her first skill: Demon Fox Enthrallment. An invisible mental shockwave slammed into Ma Hongjun's mind.
He grunted, movements faltering again.
Finally, Dai Mubai moved.
He'd been seething—and seeing Tang San pinned by Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar and Ma Hongjun neutralized, he locked onto Dai Chengfeng.
"Dai Chengfeng! Fight me!"
Dai Mubai roared, activating White Tiger Vajra Body and White Tiger Barrier simultaneously. Golden light enveloped him as his third skill, White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, charged.
Yet Dai Chengfeng remained still—no soul rings fully lit.
He watched Dai Mubai charge, shaking his head faintly.
"My foolish elder brother… still so impatient."
As the words left his lips, Dai Mubai's attack arrived.
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