Perhaps this is what giant pandas looked like in ancient times, not the adorable little pandas we see today.
Wild giant pandas are ferocious beasts, and they used to be carnivorous, only switching to bamboo due to environmental changes.
Lately, they seem to have taken a liking to milk.
They have been known by imposing names since ancient times, such as the iron-eating beast, the white bear, and the fierce leopard. Legend has it that Chi You even used it as a mount.
Furthermore, historical research shows that giant pandas are among the longest-living creatures, with most of their contemporaries now extinct.
Of course, the appearance of Dai Mubai and Xiang Chengxian after their martial souls merged only resembled a giant panda. Ma Hongjun, upon closer inspection, discovered significant differences.
While undeniably cute, the powerful aura and rising black and white demonic flames gave off a sense of dread. The biggest difference was their physique; unlike a giant panda that curls up in a ball, they were streamlined, with an exceptionally long tail, like a black and white whip.
It moved.
"Black and White Demonic Tiger!"
Two tiger paws lashed out, the left paw glowing black, the right white, like two giant wind blades, each carrying the aura of a holy demon. Wherever they passed, everything turned black and white, clearly distinct.
The grove was clearly separated by these two lines. Silently, as if no damage had been caused, merely a stain.
The Black and White Demonic Tiger vanished, the martial spirit returned to his body, and Dai Mubai collapsed from Xiang Chengxian's back, exhausted.
Xiang Chengxian could still barely stand.
Ma Hongjun quickly ran over and helped Dai Mubai up.
"How are you, Mubai? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just exhausted. My soul power is less than Xiang Chengxian's, so it was depleted prematurely."
"Come and see how it went."
The power of the martial spirit fusion technique had never been doubted since ancient times; their attack couldn't have been just a stain.
The three walked over to observe the stained trees.
The black and white were two different auras, dissipating into the air. Soon, both auras vanished completely. The grove returned to calm. As if nothing had ever happened.
However, when Ma Hongjun touched the trees engulfed by the black flames, the trees were already dead, their trunks shattered and reduced to splinters. A mere touch was enough to reduce them to a pile of wood chips.
With the evening breeze, the line stained black was lifeless, everything reduced to dust.
The white area, however, seemed unchanged; the trees remained the same.
Dai Mubai was deep in thought, while Xiang Chengxian was in shock. It was the first time she had witnessed the power of a Soul Fusion Technique, and she seemed unable to believe the damage she had inflicted.
This Soul Fusion Technique was probably too much even for a Soul Master to withstand; even a Soul King could pose a threat to her.
Ma Hongjun also marveled at the power of the Soul Fusion Technique; no wonder the Golden Iron Triangle and the Peerless Dragon and Snake couple could challenge Title Douluos.
"Mubai, what are you thinking about?"
Dai Mubai was still deep in thought; the power of the Black and White Demon Tiger far exceeded his expectations. The damage caused by the black flames alone was already comparable to the power of the Netherworld White Tiger.
The Black and White Demon Tigers and the White Flame—though the White Flame's function wasn't immediately apparent, its ability to rival the Black Flame suggested it was powerful. Dai Mubai had a vague suspicion that it was related to his Evil Eye mutation.
Perhaps a few days later, a return visit would confirm his suspicions.
Dai Mubai grinned, letting out a hearty laugh.
"Chengxian, thank you! This Martial Soul Fusion Skill has given me hope.
You must join Shrek Academy and do me a favor, or rather, save my life!"
Xiang Chengxian suddenly froze, taken aback by Dai Mubai's affectionate address, her face flushing red.
"What is it that you're making such a big deal out of it?" Xiang Chengxian asked, puzzled. For this young man to be so serious, he must be extraordinary.
"Yes, Mubai, explain yourself clearly. Why did it suddenly turn into a life-saving talk?" Ma Hongjun pressed on, pressing further.
"Well, let's sit down over there, I'll explain slowly," Dai Mubai said, pointing to a large rock. He was exhausted and needed to sit down to explain.
As the evening glow painted the sky, slightly dimming, the lights of Soto City remained bright in the distance. The three walked to a large rock near the grove.
Ma Hongjun and the others sat down on the rock, and Dai Mubai began a heartfelt conversation.
"Hongjun, Chengxian, actually I am a prince of the Star Luo Empire. However, unlike other princes who enjoy such glory, our family has a very cruel set of competitive rules. The most outstanding prince among us will be chosen as the crown prince.
To avoid internal strife, those who are eliminated have only one fate: death. Of course, they may also be crippled, losing all their soul power cultivation, which is no different from death. This is also why the Star Luo Empire is so powerful—there is no emotion, only cruel competition, and only the strong are recognized.
Because of my outstanding talent, I was chosen as a competitor, but before meeting you two, I saw no hope of victory at all. My brother, Davis, has the same talent as me, but he is six years older than me and has the full support of the family. He is almost certain to be the heir. Choosing me as a backup is just to give my brother more pressure and motivation. So, I had already resigned myself to my fate, which is why I was so despondent before. The family
's test is set in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. I need to defeat my brother while he is participating in the tournament. He is eighteen years old now, and the age limit for participating in the Soul Master Tournament is twenty-five. I still have seven years."
"You two are my hope. The Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is a team competition, and Hongjun, you are a powerful teammate.
Because of you, my martial soul underwent a double eye mutation. Although I haven't fully understood the effects of this mutation yet, there's no doubt it will make me stronger.
Most importantly, this martial soul fusion skill..."
Dai Mubai paused, looking at Xiang Chengxian with deep affection, and continued,
"This test is actually a joint effort between two families. The other family's martial soul is the Netherworld Cat, and they also use the same method to choose their successor.
The Netherworld Cat martial soul and our family's White Tiger martial soul have a historically inherited martial soul fusion skill, the Netherworld White Tiger.
This has made our two families very close. The two families have a long-standing tradition of intermarriage; my brother is betrothed to the eldest daughter of the Netherworld Cat family. They will participate in the Soul Master Tournament together, meaning they will know the powerful Netherworld White Tiger martial soul fusion skill."
"However, Chengxian, comparing the Netherworld White Tiger and the Black and White Demon Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Techniques we just used, I discovered that the damage caused by the black flames alone is comparable to that of the Netherworld White Tiger.
Besides the black flames, we also have the white flames, whose effect is certainly no less than that of the black flames, but we don't know their specific function yet.
If you can participate in the Soul Master Competition with me, our Martial Soul Fusion Techniques will definitely crush the Netherworld White Tiger. Relying on the power of the Martial Soul Fusion Techniques, we can make up for the difference in soul power levels.
Therefore, I need you!"
Dai Mubai's last words were very gentle, and he looked at Xiang Chengxian with deep affection, his domineering yet pleading expression.
Ma Hongjun turned his face away, realizing that he was completely superfluous at this moment, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into. He
cursed inwardly,
"You two are a pair of scoundrels!" "
Xiang Chengxian was clearly lost in thought at Dai Mubai's almost confessional request, her flushed face starting to burn.
However, this was indeed a question that needed careful consideration. She didn't rush to answer, choosing instead to avoid looking at Dai Mubai's sincere and handsome face, allowing herself to calm down.
Seeing the atmosphere had reached this point, Ma Hongjun even held his breath to avoid disrupting the flow.
Unsurprisingly, Xiang Chengxian would definitely say, 'I'm willing, I'll help you.'
But Ma Hongjun was wrong. A woman's thought process, her perspective on problems, and her approach to answering questions are simply beyond a man's comprehension; they are wondrous creatures.
After half a minute of thought, Xiang Chengxian finally spoke.
'So, do you also have a marriage prospect?'
Man: Drink more hot water!
Woman: Go to the hospital!
Man: What do you say?
Woman: Drink more hot water!
The result is the same, but women just like to go in circles."
(End of Chapter)