Chapter 263: Fight for Seven? The Battle for Ning Rongrong
"This… this is impossible. Absolutely impossible."
Feeling the overwhelming aura radiating from Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San instinctively took two steps back.
Behind him, his teammates were equally stunned. Even Dai Mubai, despite his deep seated hatred, momentarily forgot his rage as he stared at Zhu Zhuqing in shock.
The audience in the stands was also surprised, but their reaction was more about seeing another ten thousand year fourth ring and the first Soul King appearing in the tournament.
However, Tang San and his team knew better.
Before disappearing, Zhu Zhuqing had only been at Rank 33, not even surpassing them.
Now, just six months later, someone please tell them how in the world she had jumped two major ranks, straight to Soul King, and by the feel of her aura, she wasn't even a newly advanced one.
How was this even possible?
"It's completely reasonable."
In the VIP stands, Han Li sat with a calm, amused smile, casually responding to Ning Fengzhi and the three Academy Elders.
"When I found Zhu Zhuqing in the Star Dou Forest, she was severely injured, unconscious inside a cave. Beside her, there was a rather peculiar plant."
"Unfortunately, I didn't have a healing type Soul Master with me. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that her Martial Soul had a similar energy fluctuation as that plant."
"In such a dire situation, I had no choice but to gamble. I fed her the fruit from that plant, hoping for the best. Miraculously, it turned out to be her fated opportunity."
"Not only did she survive, but her Martial Soul evolved. Even her Soul Power surged naturally. Later, when she awoke, she found a Soul Bone inside the cave, which was highly compatible with her abilities."
"After a series of lucky breaks, she successfully absorbed both the Soul Bone and a ten thousand year Soul Ring. That's the gist of it."
Han Li spread his hands, his tone full of envy.
"Honestly? I'm kind of jealous of her."
A Story Too Good to Be True
"You really… found her in the Star Dou Forest?"
Ning Fengzhi was skeptical. Han Li's story was too perfect, but… it also made perfect sense.
There were no visible flaws in his logic.
"Of course," Han Li feigned mild surprise, his expression slightly wounded.
"Was the great Ning Sect Master doubting my words this whole time?"
His disappointed tone and bewildered look shook Ning Fengzhi's confidence for a moment.
Was he overthinking it?
Snow Night Emperor and the elders also fell into deep thought.
Perhaps… Han Li really had just stumbled upon Zhu Zhuqing by chance?
That would explain why no internal spies were ever discovered because there had never been one to begin with.
Qian Renxue's Hidden Amusement
Seated nearby, Qian Renxue maintained a straight face, but internally…
She was struggling not to burst into laughter.
"How sinister!"
If she hadn't known about Han Li's actual methods, she might have believed him too.
This level of deception seamlessly blending lies with truth was masterful.
"Han Holy Son…"
Ning Fengzhi hesitated, then turned to Han Li.
But before he could even finish, Han Li cut him off with a sigh, waving dismissively.
"Ning Sect Master, don't even think about it. Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"After discovering such a miraculous phenomenon, I immediately scoured the entire area. The result? Nothing."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi, the elders, and the emperor all looked visibly disappointed.
But they quickly accepted the reality.
After all, a treasure capable of evolving Martial Souls wouldn't just sit there waiting to be picked up.
"Enough. Let's watch the fight."
Snow Night Emperor redirected everyone's focus.
Besides, if Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul had truly evolved, then Star Luo Empire would become even more hostile toward Spirit Hall.
For him, this was excellent news.
Arena: Zhu Zhuqing's Calm and Clarity
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Zhu Zhuqing remained unaffected by her former teammates' shock.
After all, she was still the weakest among Han Li's people so what was there to be arrogant about?
She took a deep breath, her expression cool and composed.
"Skywater Academy, Zhu Zhuqing. Level 55 Agility Attack System Soul King. Please, instruct me."
She realized now she no longer hated these people.
If not for them, she might never have met Han Li and the others, never have gained the strength to escape her chains.
She wouldn't have been free.
So now, she would simply treat them as strangers.
Of course, when it came to fighting she wouldn't hold back.
Except for Ning Rongrong.
Since Xiu'er had said to beat them mercilessly, that likely meant Han Li approved.
If Han Li had given his blessing…
Then she would see this fight as a mission.
Her eyes sharpened.
"My god, a Level 55 Soul King! Isn't that the highest ranked student we've seen so far? Anyone know how old she is?"
"If I remember correctly, she's also the youngest contestant. She's not even 15 yet."
"A 15 year old Soul King? Damn, that's terrifying."
"You think she could solo the entire opposing team?"
"Solo my ass! Have you forgotten who she's fighting? This is Royal Battle Team 2! Whose side are you even on?"
"Of course, I'm supporting Skywater Academy! I bet money on them winning. Besides, Royal Battle Team 2 losing doesn't even matter. Their first team already got a direct pass to the finals. And losing to Skywater isn't even embarrassing; they're also from the Heaven Dou Empire."
…
The crowd was in heated discussion, some debating out of loyalty, some out of money, and others purely comparing strength. The entire stadium was in an uproar, already hyped up before the match had even started.
"Level 55?!"
Tang San and Dai Mubai held their breath, their teeth nearly grinding to dust.
Why?!
But time was not on their side.
With the sound of the whistle, the match officially began.
The moment the whistle blew, it was as if Zhu Zhuqing's instincts had been awakened.
Without the slightest hesitation, a faint black mist rose around her her figure vanished from the spot.
"Not good! Defend the backline!"
Tang San reacted instantly, his Purple Demon Eyes flashing at full power.
But even with his enhanced vision, all he could see was a blurred shadow, swiftly weaving around their three front liners, heading straight for the backline.
It was an ironclad rule in the continent if an enemy team had a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda support, they had to be eliminated first.
Zhu Zhuqing was no exception.
Even though Ning Rongrong's own level wasn't high, and Zhu Zhuqing had a clear advantage, this was still a 1v7 fight.
Even if all Ning Rongrong did was cast buffs, it would instantly increase the enemy's combat power.
Not to mention…
Zhu Zhuqing genuinely wanted to get her off the field early, to avoid accidentally injuring her later.
"She's aiming for me."
Ning Rongrong was no fool.
She had long gotten used to being every enemy's top priority.
The moment she realized she couldn't even track Zhu Zhuqing's movements, she didn't hesitate
Her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda spun rapidly, sending six beams of light straight toward Tang San and Dai Mubai.
That should shut them up, right?
She was helping them!
She wasn't betraying them!
They couldn't complain now, could they?
Ning Rongrong smirked inwardly.
Honestly, she didn't want to fight Zhu Zhuqing.
And helping Dai Mubai? Disgusting.
So fine, she gave them her buffs, now it was their problem.
"You idiots better protect me, or else I'll just let myself get eliminated first. At least I already did my job."
"Xiao Wu!"
Tang San wasn't thinking the same way.
He knew that if they wanted to stand a chance, Ning Rongrong absolutely could not be eliminated.
Her buffs were their only real hope.
Xiao Wu immediately understood his intent.
Before Ning Rongrong could even process what was happening
A purple Soul Ring flashed above Xiao Wu's head.
In the blink of an eye
She teleported.
Xiao Wu's Third Soul Skill: Instant Teleportation
Ning Rongrong was still dazed when Xiao Wu wrapped an arm around her waist and kicked off the ground, retreating back to the center of the formation.
There was no time to explain.
Because the moment Ning Rongrong's feet left the ground
Zhu Zhuqing appeared right where she had just been standing.
And above Zhu Zhuqing's head
Her first Soul Ring flickered.
"Damn it!"
Xiao Wu's expression changed.
She knew exactly what was coming.
Having once been teammates, how could she not recognize this move?
Nether Spike.
Not only was it an attack, but it also doubled Zhu Zhuqing's speed for a short burst.
"I have no choice!"
Xiao Wu didn't even have time to think.
She had already used Teleportation once, and now she had to use it again, even while holding Ning Rongrong.
Even though Teleportation consumed a lot of energy, it was better than getting eliminated.
Her third Soul Ring flashed again.
And in the next instant
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong vanished midair, reappearing beside Tang San and Dai Mubai.
"I… I got rescued?"
Ning Rongrong landed on her feet, finally processing what had happened.
"Missed…"
Zhu Zhuqing halted her strike, watching Ning Rongrong disappear before her eyes.
She had expected this.
She knew Xiao Wu's abilities.
But that didn't matter.
She had already succeeded.
She had forced Xiao Wu to waste two teleportations.
And now
She would continue.
"Let's see how you escape this time."
Without even pausing, Zhu Zhuqing spun on her heel, vanishing again
This time, heading straight for Oscar.
Let's see if they could save him too.
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