"Yu Tianheng, stop pestering my cousin! You've chased her for so long, and she's never agreed. Did you really think it was just because she was being coy?
The truth is, she only tolerated you because of your status. She didn't want to hurt your pride by rejecting you outright.
So stop with these meaningless tricks already!"
The moment Dugu Feng's words rang out across the stage, the entire arena erupted into an uproar.
Everyone had thought he would be flattened by Yu Tianheng in just a few moves. Then, they'd get to witness a fairy-tale couple's union, an event that would become the talk of Heaven Dou City for years to come!
But instead of that, Dugu Feng dropped a bombshell.
Veins bulged on Yu Tianheng's forehead as he glared at Dugu Feng. Then his eyes flicked toward Dugu Yan, doubt gnawing at him.
Could what he said… be true?
Dugu Yan was caught off guard. "Dugu Feng, stop spouting nonsense!"
"Don't worry, Cousin. The Dugu Clan has its own strength. If you don't like him, then you don't like him, then no one can force you!
For years, you've endured humiliation for the clan's sake. But this can't go on.
Today, I'll settle this once and for all.
Yu Tianheng, if I defeat you here, will you finally stop bothering my cousin?"
His purple eyes gleamed coldly as they locked onto Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng's eyes widened, rage flooding him. His carefully prepared confession, all turned into nothing more than a shameless farce!
To Dugu Feng, his pursuit wasn't persistence, but shameless clinging?
To Dugu Feng, he wasn't the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's heir, but just a pitiful bootlicker?
His fists clenched tight.
"Yan, is that true?"
Yu Tianheng ignored Dugu Feng's words and looked straight at Dugu Yan.
Panic flickered in her eyes. "Don't listen to him! As long as you defeat him, I'll agree to be your girlfriend!"
Her flustered tone soothed Yu Tianheng's heart.
"Dugu Feng, whatever your reason for trying to drive a wedge between me and Yan, today I'll make sure you regret it."
Yu Tianheng's voice was cold.
Dugu Feng only sneered. "Then let's settle this with our fists. If you can't even defeat me, what right do you have to chase after my cousin?"
"Don't worry, Cousin. I'll definitely defeat Yu Tianheng!"
Dugu Yan's heart clenched with regret. She hadn't expected Dugu Feng to twist the situation so sharply!
Originally, she had only wanted to see him humiliated.
But now? Even if Yu Tianheng won, a crack had been driven between them.
And it was Dugu Feng who had pressed Yu Tianheng's face into the dirt, that too in front of the entire academy.
"Don't hold back because of who he is. Teach him a lesson!" Dugu Yan urged coldly.
Yu Tianheng nodded. He was convinced now that Dugu Feng was deliberately stirring trouble.
"Jade Phosphor Serpent—Martial Soul, possess!"
Dugu Feng acted first. A diamond-shaped emerald scale appeared at his brow, his purple eyes flashing as he declared,
"Dugu Feng, martial soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent. Rank twenty-nine, two-ring Battle Spirit Master. I fight… for my cousin's freedom!"
His voice was solemn.
"Yu Tianheng, martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Rank thirty-six, Battle Spirit Master. Please!"
Since when did I become the villain? Yu Tianheng roared inwardly.
Blue light burst from his forehead, a bolt-shaped mark gleaming.
In an instant, arcs of lightning spread across his body. Blue serpents of electricity coiled around him, crackling with menace.
But the greatest transformation was his right arm.
Already exposed in previous battles, it now swelled monstrously, blue dragon scales covering it from shoulder to claw.
Two yellow rings, one purple—his three spirit rings wrapped themselves tightly around that arm like shackles.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's signature move, its terrifying right arm!
Yu Tianheng launched himself forward. His first spirit ring lit up, thunder flaring.
Lightning surged into a massive translucent claw, his first spirit skill—Thunder Dragon Claw!
Air twisted and snapped under the speed of his strike.
But Dugu Feng was faster.
The killing art of the Dugu Clan, Jade Phosphorus Twelve Fingers, shot forth.
Two strikes aimed directly for Yu Tianheng's eyes.
And they weren't alone, many more followed in quick succession, targeting his heart, joints, even his face.
The Jade Phosphor Finger was no ordinary strike. It was designed to kill!
Yu Tianheng's pupils shrank.
Mid-air, there was no time to dodge.
He could only thrust his thunderclaw forward, colliding head-on.
Bang! Bang!
The thunderclaw and the poisonous finger strikes clashed violently, lightning and venom scattering across the stage.
Yu Tianheng's attack was fierce. Dugu Feng's was sharp and unrelenting.
And he never let up.
Every strike flowed seamlessly into the next.
Dugu Feng could have unleashed his Killing God Domain right then and there, one surge of murderous intent and Yu Tianheng's spirit would falter!
But he chose restraint.
He wanted to test his true limits.
His fingers danced like death itself.
And with every clash, toxins spread further.
Yu Tianheng realized this instantly.
If he let the battle drag out, the poison would be his end.
His second and third rings flared at once.
First, the third skill—Thunder's Wrath. Lightning power surged, doubling his strength.
Then the second—Ten Thousand Thunders.
The serpents of lightning around him exploded outward, transforming into countless bolts raining down from every direction.
Paralysis, suppression, annihilation!
No one under Spirit Elder can withstand this storm.
"I'll see just how strong your lightning really is!"
Dugu Feng's cold voice rang out.
His hands blurred. Dozens of jade-colored finger strikes shot forth in answer.
The stage filled with thunder and poison.
Crackling! Hiss!
Everywhere, arcs of lightning clashed against sharp, venomous strikes.
The duel had only just begun.