On the training ground.
The silver-haired girl stood quietly like a solitary orchid blooming in a secluded valley. Her beautiful eyes were downcast, her expression distant, as if she wasn't paying attention to anything around her.
This couldn't help but make Dai Mubai, standing opposite her, frown.
Even though he had expressed confidence before the match, he knew how strong Fatty was—especially after his martial soul mutated. Now, he wasn't entirely sure he could beat him.
And anyone Fatty warned him about was someone he'd take seriously.
Dai Mubai didn't think Gu Yuena was looking down on him—she simply didn't care about the match at all.
That made him even more annoyed.
"Dai Mubai, martial soul: White Tiger. Spirit power level: 37. Assault-type battle spirit master. Please guide me."
His voice was firm as he raised his fist in a formal salute.
"Hmm?"
Gu Yuena looked up slightly, her amethyst eyes blinking in confusion. She clearly didn't understand what Dai Mubai meant.
"Very well. I hope you keep that confidence later!"
"White Tiger—Possession!"
Seeing her lack of response, Dai Mubai's face darkened. He gave a soft shout and immediately activated his martial soul.
In the stands, the red-haired boy silently covered his face.
I forgot to explain this part to her. I'll have to go over it later. It could cause a misunderstanding.
"Let's go, Sister Nana! Beat him up!"
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu raised their fists in the air, cheering loudly for Gu Yuena. Zhu Zhuqing remained silent but offered her support through her eyes.
Gu Yuena looked even more puzzled. She didn't understand what they were doing or why.
But strangely, it didn't feel bad.
"Hmph. We'll see who ends up beaten! White Tiger—King Kong Transformation!"
Dai Mubai snorted coldly, and his third soul ring lit up!
His body bulked up once more, black stripes streaked across his skin, his golden hair turned black and white, and a distinct 王 ("King") character appeared on his forehead. His aura grew fierce and overwhelming.
Facing an unaware Gu Yuena, Dai Mubai chose to go all out, hoping to end the match in the shortest time possible.
The powerful White Tiger surged toward her like a storm. But Gu Yuena still didn't move—she only lifted her gaze at last.
The huge white tiger closed the distance quickly. As it neared, it suddenly swerved left, then opened its jaws wide. His second soul ring flashed as a white energy sphere formed and shot forward.
"White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"
With a roar, the energy blast and the tiger's claw attack came at her from both sides, leaving no room to dodge.
"That's so dirty!"
Xiao Wu clenched her fists in frustration, clearly upset by Dai Mubai's deceptive attack.
"No, Boss Dai's approach is correct. In a fight between soul masters, there's no such thing as morality. Don't forget that. The best strategy is the one that wins."
Ma Hongjun looked seriously at Xiao Wu.
"Just because you value fairness doesn't mean your opponents will."
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong nodded in agreement. Although they disliked Dai Mubai's attitude, they couldn't deny the logic behind his fighting style.
"Oh…"
Xiao Wu twirled her scorpion braids and pouted. "I still don't really get it. Can I ask Brother Hongjun to teach me later?"
"Of course."
The red-haired boy nodded without thinking—then paused as he noticed a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
Oh, so that's what she's up to. As if she doesn't understand already.
Xiao Wu, since when did you become so sneaky?
"Of course, I'll teach you after this!"
Ma Hongjun answered with exaggerated righteousness, putting emphasis on the word "teach."
Suddenly, Xiao Wu's cheeks turned red. Her legs instinctively squeezed together, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong didn't seem to notice the strange atmosphere. Ning Rongrong even sighed.
"At this rate, Sister Nana's going to lose. She's underestimating her opponent."
To them, Gu Yuena had no options left. Whether she blocked the Fierce Light Wave or the claw swipe, she would be forced into a losing position.
And once it became close combat, the White Tiger—one of the strongest beast-type martial souls—had the same fearsome presence as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
"Not necessarily."
Ma Hongjun shook his head calmly.
"Oh?"
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong looked at him in surprise. From the start, Brother Hongjun had been unusually confident in Gu Yuena.
Could she really turn things around?
The red-haired boy didn't answer but smiled mysteriously.
If it were anyone else, the match would already be over. But this is Gu Yuena.
In just a few heartbeats, the energy sphere and the charging white tiger had already reached Gu Yuena from both sides, completely sealing off her movement.
It was a perfect trap—nearly impossible to escape.
I've won.
Dai Mubai was sure of it. Maybe the girl had been too scared to react?
Hmph, you really think I got the title of Boss for nothing?
As he looked at her still unmoving figure, Dai Mubai grinned smugly. He decided to hold back a little—she was still a teammate, after all. No need to injure her too badly.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, Gu Yuena finally lifted her hand.
Huh?
Before he could react, his pupils contracted.
BOOM!!!
A massive silver dragon claw appeared out of thin air, effortlessly shattering the Fierce Light Wave, and then slamming the White Tiger form straight into the ground!
It all happened in less than a breath.
The move was so fast that not only Dai Mubai, but even the entire audience was stunned. No one could react in time.
"Is it over?"
A soft, emotionless voice came from the stage. The dragon claw faded away, revealing Dai Mubai collapsed, foaming at the mouth and unconscious.
"Gu Yuena… he…"
Ma Hongjun smiled wryly and stepped forward to lift Dai Mubai.
"He's fine. Don't worry."
Gu Yuena's eyes rippled softly. Her tone became gentler as she nodded to the red-haired boy, then calmly returned to her spot.
"Wow! Sister Nana, you're incredible!!"
Ning Rongrong rushed over excitedly, wrapping her arms around Gu Yuena's.
"Yeah! So strong!!"
Xiao Wu cheered too, hugging her from the other side.
Zhu Zhuqing, a bit shy, didn't get so close, but her cheeks flushed slightly as she looked at Gu Yuena with admiration.
"Uhh…"
The sudden closeness caught the silver-haired girl off guard. Instinctively, she wanted to push them away.