I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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In contrast to the playful expressions on Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena's faces, the group on the opposite side let out a collective groan of despair upon realizing their opponents were once again Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena.
"Are you serious…? Why are they here again?!"
Yu Feng's face fell, and he nearly crouched down in despair. "Boss, I still haven't fully recovered from the beating I took last time!"
Oslo's expression wasn't much better than Yu Feng's. His lips twitched as he muttered under his breath, "Ugh… just what we didn't want."
"After barely winning several days in a row and climbing up the ranks, we've barely advanced, and now we're facing them again!"
The Shi brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo (the other), exchanged glances. Though they were usually taciturn, their tightly furrowed brows and subtle backward steps revealed their inner resistance.
The memory of Dai Chengfeng shattering their Xuan Turtle Shield with a single punch still lingered, making their arms ache just thinking about it.
The two new members of the team were also visibly nervous, their palms sweating profusely.
As for Yu Tianheng, the captain of the Imperial Battle Team, his face was as dark as a storm cloud.
He instinctively rubbed his chest, which inexplicably throbbed with pain. The humiliation of being publicly defeated by Dai Chengfeng last time surged back like a flood.
Gritting his teeth tightly, his nails almost digging into his palms.
"Such bad luck!"
At this moment, Yu Feng leaned closer to Yu Tianheng and whispered hesitantly, "Boss, why don't… why don't you ask your uncle-in-law?"
"Maybe he can talk to the Great Spirit Arena officials and get us reassigned or rescheduled? It'd be such a shame to lose our winning streak just because of this."
Yu Tianheng's lips twitched violently at Yu Feng's suggestion. He growled lowly, "Shut up! If you think it's a good idea, you go ask!"
"The prestigious Tian Dou Imperial Academy Team, chickening out before the fight even starts and trying to pull strings behind the scenes? How pathetic is that!"
Though his words sounded noble, deep down, Yu Tianheng couldn't deny that a similar thought had crossed his mind.
But his intense pride made it impossible for him to bring himself to ask—especially when it came to his "uncle-in-law," whose presence only added to his stress and complexity.
And just as Yu Tianheng hesitated, Dai Chengfeng seemed determined not to give him the chance.
Dai Chengfeng stepped forward.
Looking at Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, Oslo, and the others, he greeted them with his trademark smile—one that appeared hearty but secretly infuriated Yu Tianheng.
"Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, Oslo… and the Shi brothers, we meet again, huh? Shall we get started?"
"Huh?"
Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's words, Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena instinctively turned their heads slightly, their cold and alluring eyes both flashing with confusion.
Hu Liena whispered in a voice only the three of them could hear, "Dai Chengfeng, since when did you get so close to them?"
"What do you mean, 'we'?"
Hu Liena remembered their last encounter; the atmosphere hadn't been friendly then, especially with Yu Tianheng, who had looked ready to tear Dai Chengfeng apart.
Logically, things should have been similar this time.
So how… had Dai Chengfeng become so familiar with them?
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything, but the questioning look in her eyes was just as clear.
Dai Chengfeng glanced at the two women, smiled mysteriously, and said, "That's a long story. I'll tell you all about it later when we have time."
"For now, they are our opponents."
On the other side, upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's "friendly" greeting, Yu Feng and Oslo immediately forced smiles more painful than tears, hastily responding:
"D-Dai Boss, good afternoon! What a coincidence, haha, truly a coincidence…" Yu Feng laughed awkwardly.
"Hello, Big Brother Dai." Oslo and the Shi brothers also mustered the courage to greet him.
Only Yu Tianheng remained silent, his face tense. His bloodshot eyes glared fiercely at Dai Chengfeng, his chest rising and falling slightly, his expression a mix of emotions.
Dai Chengfeng pretended not to notice Yu Tianheng's conflicted gaze. His smile grew even brighter as he deliberately asked,
"Tianheng, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see an old friend?"
Inside, Yu Tianheng was screaming: "Happy my ass! You're the last person I want to see in my entire life!"
But under the watchful eyes of everyone present, he couldn't afford to lose face, especially in front of his teammates.
With great effort, he forced a stiff, painful smile onto his face and ground out through clenched teeth, "H-How… could I not be happy? I'm… thrilled."
Dai Chengfeng seemed satisfied with this answer and chuckled heartily, no longer teasing him.
He turned around, his expression becoming slightly more serious as he looked at Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing.
"The last time we faced them, though we won, it was mostly due to my personal brute-force breakthrough."
"But this time, it's different."
"Our team has been training together for so long. Your coordination has improved, and our synergy is far better than before."
Pausing momentarily, a sharp glint flashed in Dai Chengfeng's eyes. "Perfect. The Imperial Battle Team isn't weak, and their lineup is fairly complete. Let's use them as the perfect test."
"It's time to evaluate the results of our special training!"
"Let me see how much energy you two can unleash without me carrying the team—or rather, without me breaking through the deadlock."
Instantly, fiery determination ignited in Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes—the anticipation and fighting spirit of true warriors.
Without hesitation, they nodded. Their auras began to subtly gather.
"Don't worry, leave it to us!" *2
Dai Chengfeng smiled at the confident pair and then turned back to Yu Tianheng and the others, announcing loudly, "We can catch up after the match."
"Everyone, are you ready?"
Yu Feng immediately chimed in with a grin, "Big Brother Dai, remember to go easy on us! We're practically half-friends now, right?"
Oslo and the two new members quickly echoed, "Yeah, yeah, Big Brother Dai, just hold back a little, alright!"
Dai Chengfeng flashed an incredibly kind and warm smile, reassuring them firmly, "Of course."
"After all, we're friends now, aren't we?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Feng and the others visibly relaxed, their earlier tension fading. They even began to hope that maybe this time they wouldn't get completely crushed.
However, what they didn't see was that the moment Dai Chengfeng turned back to face Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena, his kind smile instantly transformed into a sly and mischievous grin. In a low voice, he quickly instructed,
"Don't listen to them."
"Our tactics remain the same, but this time you two will take the lead, and I'll support."
"Remember, as long as you don't kill or cripple them, hit them where it hurts the most. Let them… remember this lesson well!"
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena simultaneously rolled their eyes at Dai Chengfeng, silently mocking his deviousness.
But at the same time, their lips couldn't help but curl into excited, devilish smirks.
Clearly, the idea of getting to "beat up friends" openly pleased them immensely.
And at that moment, the referee in the center of the arena scanned both sides, confirming their readiness, and swiftly brought his raised hand down!
"Both sides get ready! Soul Battle—begin!"
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