Zhu Zhuqing glanced at him lightly and said coldly, "What is there for us to talk about?"
Her voice was like frost, stabbing straight at Dai Mubai.
In Zhu Zhuqing's view, Dai Mubai was mostly envious of her significant increase in soul power. Just like Tang San and the others, he wanted to know more about the Immortal Herb.
"Ahem." Dai Mubai coughed unnaturally, the smile on his face stiffening.
"Zhuqing, I was foolish to abandon you before. Now I've changed my mind. Can we have a good talk?"
Originally, Dai Mubai had also given up on fighting for the throne. Although his innate soul power was as high as level nine, the age gap between him and Davis was too great.
Dai Mubai knew clearly that if he forcibly fought for the throne, he would surely die without a burial place.
So, from the beginning, he planned to join the army.
Zhu Zhuqing, his fiancée in name, was dispensable to him. Moreover, her talent was ordinary, and she was too young; she was just a burden.
But now, Zhu Zhuqing's soul power had broken through to become a Soul Ancestor, even surpassing him. Dai Mubai was surprised to discover that the two of them actually possessed the ability to compete with Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
That was the throne!
A fire rose in Dai Mubai's heart. He felt that his relationship with Zhu Zhuqing could still be salvaged.
Hearing this, a mocking smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's lips, as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Changed your mind? Dai Mubai, put away your hypocrisy."
She raised her head slightly, her eyes full of disdain. "You abandoned me? Hmph, that was just because I was too young back then and left too late."
"You don't think I came to Suotuo City to chase after you, do you?"
"Laughable!"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's shoulders trembled slightly, and he secretly clenched his fists. Since childhood, he had never begged anyone so humbly. Especially a woman.
He took a deep breath and said, "Zhuqing, leaving the Star Luo Empire wasn't an escape. I haven't stopped cultivating my soul power all these years. I'm two months away from being seventeen, but my soul power has already reached the Soul Ancestor level. Doesn't this show my effort?"
"In fact, I was just waiting for an opportunity. Now, with the strength of both of us, why can't we give it a try?"
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"I know you like that Lu Feng. I won't interfere. When I inherit the throne, you will be the Empress in name. At that time, I won't interfere with however many gigolos you want to keep."
After speaking, Dai Mubai slowly unclenched his fists. This was already the biggest concession he could make, even personally putting a green hat on his own head.
However, as long as he could ascend to the throne, everything was worth it.
A flash of hostility passed through Dai Mubai's eyes. As long as I sit firmly on the throne, I'll have plenty of time to deal with this pair of 'adulterous dogs'!
Zhu Zhuqing sneered and said mockingly, "Oh, really? Then you really are enduring enough."
Hearing this, a light rose in Dai Mubai's eyes, and he nodded. "That's right! Zhuqing, everything I do is forbearance. Think back to when the Founding Emperor had not yet risen to power..."
"Stop dreaming!" Zhu Zhuqing shouted sharply, interrupting Dai Mubai.
"What do you take me for? A tool?"
"Didn't you often say: women don't count as population, they count as resources? Why are you begging me so humbly now?"
Zhu Zhuqing sneered, cold light flashing in her eyes. "Put away your fake act. It disgusts me."
With that, she turned and left, leaving Dai Mubai with only a cold back view.
"Bang!" Dai Mubai punched the wall heavily, instantly denting it.
"Stinking bitch!"
Dai Mubai cursed through gritted teeth in his heart.
Anger burned in his chest, and he secretly vowed: One day, I will make this pair of adulterous dogs pay the price!
"Mubai, you'll have to pay for the damage here according to the price."
Just then, Flender pushed open the door and frowned at the messy corridor.
"Yes, Dean." Dai Mubai nodded, then turned and left.
"Ai, I'd better not get involved in the affairs of these big families, lest someone block my door again." Flender shook his head helplessly as he watched Dai Mubai's retreating figure.
Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena. Countless shouts and cheers rang out.
The opening ceremony of the Heaven Dou Empire Division of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament officially began today.
As the grandest competition in the Soul Master world, from the imperial family and nobles to commoners, every citizen treated this tournament as the biggest festival.
There were more than eighty thousand spectators in the stadium. In the VIP seats, dozens of distinguished guests, including Emperor Xue Ye, sat in their seats.
Directly in front of the central arena was a podium. Lu Feng sat in the center of the podium, dressed in a golden suit, looking very eye-catching.
On either side of him were a male and a female host, both dressed entirely in silver.
The man was named Owen, one of the Spirit Arena's signature hosts. The female host was Dou Dou. As the Rookie of the Year, she was directly appointed by the Spirit Arena management committee.
"Heaven Dou City Division, twenty-eight teams competing for five qualifying spots. Chief Host Lu, which one do you favor?" Owen's slightly magnetic voice sounded.
Among the hundreds of hosts in the Great Spirit Arena, Owen's professional knowledge was considered the most extensive. He was also one of the commentators who coordinated best with Lu Feng on stage.
Lu Feng smiled. "Among the teams in this competition, I do favor one team. Moreover, they are very likely to win the final championship of this tournament."
"Oh?" Owen asked in surprise. "I wonder which team has received such favor from Chief Host Lu?"
Lu Feng smiled mysteriously. "As for which academy this team belongs to, I cannot reveal it for the time being."
At this time, the audience had already begun a heated discussion, guessing which team Lu Feng was talking about.
In the VIP seats, Emperor Xue Ye turned slightly and said to Dugu Bo behind him, "I heard that Title Douluo Dugu's granddaughter has already broken through level 50. A Soul King under twenty years old... the younger generation is truly formidable."
Dugu Bo waved his hand and pretended not to care. "Eh, it was just luck."
His words were casual, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but grin.
"Hmph!" At this moment, the old man sitting next to Xue Ye snorted coldly.
The old man wore a large red robe and a five-pointed platinum crown on his head. He was none other than the Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall, Salas.
Salas glanced at Dugu Bo disdainfully but didn't speak. He had received news earlier that Dugu Yan had broken through to level 50. However, he didn't care too much.
Dugu Yan's talent was certainly strong, but that didn't mean the Heaven Dou Imperial Team could take the championship this time.
Salas knew that the Spirit Hall team had three people titled the 'Golden Generation', and every one of them was a Soul King.
"Victory will surely belong to Spirit Hall!" Salas pondered to himself.
Soon, the first team walked into the arena. The young Soul Masters stood tall and strode forward with heads held high, looking as if they looked down on the world.
In the Shrek rest area.
Yu Xiaogang held a notebook in his hand, his face serious, emphasizing matters to pay attention to in the qualifiers.
"Last point... ahem!"
Yu Xiaogang looked at the distracted crowd and coughed heavily.
At this, Ma Hongjun spread his hands and couldn't help saying, "Grandmaster, this is the third time you've said 'last point'. What earth-shattering thing do you have to say right now?"
Yu Xiaogang kept a straight face. "I've been investigating intelligence on other teams these past few days. As far as I know, Dugu Yan of the Imperial Team is already a Soul King. Does this count as an earth-shattering thing?"
"What? Soul King!" Hearing this, everyone in Shrek was shocked.
Except for Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.
"A Soul King? How are we supposed to fight that?" Ma Hongjun leaned weakly on the sofa, his eyes listless. His legs were stretched out, his hands drooping at his sides, looking completely paralyzed.
Ma Hongjun's current soul power was only level 35. Facing a Soul King-level opponent, he doubted he could last even a minute.
The others had similar worries, more or less. After all, the strongest in the team, Zhu Zhuqing, was only at level 45 soul power.
"Fatty, don't be discouraged. When the time comes, this young miss will support you. I'll make sure you go out with dignity," Ning Rongrong joked.
Her father had told her about Dugu Yan long ago, but Ning Rongrong didn't care. In her eyes, this so-called elite competition was just an interesting game.
At this moment, Tang San tentatively asked, "Teacher, since you are analyzing tactics with us at this time, you must have a solution, right?"
Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San's shoulder. "Correct. Soul power level is important, but in my opinion, the most critical thing in a team spirit battle is wisdom. As long as tactics are used properly, a Soul King is not invincible."
Tang San nodded. "Teacher, what is your tactic?"
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back and said loudly, "In the Heaven Dou City Division qualifiers, you five little monsters can only field a maximum of three at a time in each match."
"Moreover, Ning Rongrong definitely cannot take the field. I will be conducting special training for her during this period."
"Ah? Only three?" Ma Hongjun couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. "Grandmaster, we might not even win if we go all out. If we only field three people, we might as well just surrender."
Unexpectedly, Yu Xiaogang nodded and said, "When encountering special teams, we can indeed surrender directly."
"Ah?" Now even Tang San was stunned.
Grandmaster said calmly, "Your true opponents are in the ranking competition. If you expose your strength to your opponents too early, how difficult will the road ahead become?"
As Yu Xiaogang's words fell, the Shrek crowd fell into silence.
Tang San and Dai Mubai thought quietly, their faces serious. Ma Hongjun was slumped on the sofa, eyes glazed. The original members from Blue Tyrant Academy seemed relaxed; in their view, as long as they did their best, it was fine.
As for Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, one didn't care at all, and the other also didn't care at all.
Tang San thought for a moment and said, "Teacher, I understand. You want us to conserve our strength and amaze the world with a single brilliant feat at the critical moment."
"Correct. What's more, your teacher still has a secret weapon," Yu Xiaogang said proudly.
"Secret weapon?" Tang San asked doubtfully.
Grandmaster patted his favorite disciple on the shoulder. "Little San, you are responsible for the tactical arrangements on the field, and you will decide the participants. And you have only one goal, and that is the championship!"
Tang San nodded heavily. "Teacher, I understand!"
Just then, the host's voice came from outside: "The last to enter, the Shrek Team! Their registration slogan is: Champions without rivals!"
"Let's go, partners. It's our turn." Tang San said loudly.
As soon as the group entered the venue, a burst of laughter erupted from the audience.
The color of Shrek Academy's uniform was a cross between yellow and green. If one had to describe it, it was poop-green.
The most bizarre thing was that on everyone's back, there were a few distinct large characters embroidered in red thread: Seeking Title Sponsorship.
"What academy is that? Look at that fatty, he looks like a ball."
"Shrek? I think it should be 'Shit-rek'. Hahaha, did they just crawl out of a latrine?"
"Shh, keep it down. They're Soul Masters, after all. But they're probably just here to go through the motions."
Zhu Zhuqing turned a deaf ear to the mockery. The others lowered their heads, wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Ning Rongrong hid behind Zhu Zhuqing and whispered, "Zhuqing, aren't you afraid at all?"
"Afraid? Why should I be afraid?" Zhu Zhuqing asked doubtfully.
She pointed to the surrounding crowd. "What do the opinions of others have to do with me! These people are so impassioned now, but if they stood alone in front of me, they probably wouldn't dare to speak loudly."
As her words fell, the Shrek crowd all turned their gazes toward her.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong immediately puffed out her chest. "That's right. No matter where this young miss goes, she is the center of attention."
Tang San and the others also felt Zhu Zhuqing's words made sense. One by one, they held their heads high and strode forward.
But they only lasted a few seconds before being defeated. Tang San was the first to take out a mask to cover his face. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun quickly followed suit. Tai Long and the other three didn't have this equipment, so they could only cover their faces with their hands, looking as wretched as could be.
The entrance ceremony was just a small interlude. Soon, the audience's attention was focused on the drawing of lots.
"First round of the qualifiers, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Second Team versus Shrek Academy."
On the sidelines, Ma Hongjun cracked his knuckles, producing a series of popping sounds. "Great, the first match is ours. This time, let's show them what strength is."
Tang San, however, had a bitter smile on his face. Becoming the focus on the first day of the tournament did not quite fit with Grandmaster's plan.
Soon, the two teams walked onto the stage.
To hide their strength, Zhu Zhuqing did not take the field. In Tang San's plan, she and Ning Rongrong were the team's final trump cards.
At this moment, Ma Hongjun carefully counted the members of the opposing team and asked doubtfully, "Huh, why do they only have six people?"