"What did you just say?" Dai Weisei locked eyes on Ning Rongrong, his aura overwhelming. Ma Hongjun and Oscar quickly stepped in front of their big sister, but even they were forced to take a few steps back under the pressure.
Although Dai Weisei wouldn't dare truly attack Ning Rongrong, it was fine to scare her a little. She had provoked him first—if he didn't react, others might think the Xingluo heir was spineless.
Dai Weisei was extremely powerful, appearing to have reached the peak of level 49, with one foot already in the Soul King realm. He was on par with Yu Tianheng and certainly outmatched Ma Hongjun and the others who had just entered the Spirit Ancestor rank.
"My Rongrong said you're just an evil-eyed cat who bullies women. Got a problem with that?"
No one noticed when Jun Tianlin appeared behind Dai Weisei. The moment he did, a chill ran down Dai Weisei's spine. Someone had gotten so close to him without him sensing it at all. If Jun Tianlin wanted his life, it would've been as easy as flipping a hand.
Dai Weisei instinctively pulled Zhu Zhuyun back. He felt genuinely unsafe being near Jun Tianlin.
"Brother Jian!" Ning Rongrong ran happily into Jun Tianlin's arms "This guy bullied Zhuqing and me—teach him a lesson!"
Ning Rongrong's ladylike demeanor was reserved only for those she liked. When faced with someone as vile as Dai Weisei, the little witch in her came out full force.
"Hmph. Sword Lord or not, it's against the rules to interfere in Xingluo's internal affairs" Dai Weisei snapped "Don't forget, you're from Heaven Dou."
Jun Tianlin ignored him and turned to Zhu Zhuqing "Zhu Zhuqing, Sister Lingling is a friend of mine. She healed you last time and asked if I could help you. I agreed."
"But Dai Weisei is right about one thing—I can't interfere with your family's rules. So there's little I can do directly. I just want to ask you one thing: Which matters more to you—life or freedom?"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't quite understand, but she answered honestly "Both are important. But if I have to choose, I'd rather have freedom."
"Good answer." Jun Tianlin smiled "Dai Weisei, this competition is the last chance your family gave to Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai. Realistically, it makes no difference whether you give it or not. Their strength is far beneath yours—they have no chance of winning."
"What? You want me to let them go? That's impossible" Dai Weisei snapped "If I do, and they surpass me one day, I'll be the one to die."
"I'm not asking you to let them go" Jun Tianlin replied calmly "What I hope is this: If you defeat them, give them a quick death. Then exile them from that cold home of yours—grant them freedom in death. That's the last shred of familial affection you could show."
The crowd around them was stunned. Ye Lingling stared at Jun Tianlin in disbelief. Her eyes silently asked, *Is this what you meant when you said you'd help?* She hadn't expected him to ask for Zhu Zhuqing's death.
But before she could say a word, Zhu Zhuqing answered "I agree! If I must die, I just want to leave that cold home behind forever. That ending is enough for me."
"Brother Jian, are you planning something?" Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled. She knew her Brother Jian wasn't a cruel man. She could guess what he truly intended and didn't object.
"Why should I agree to this?" Dai Weisei said coldly. He didn't actually want to kill Dai Mubai—he preferred to destroy him completely.
It wasn't because of any brotherly affection. It was the same logic Emperor Xue Ye had used when he asked Xue Qinghe not to kill Xue Beng. A stable throne still required some semblance of mercy.
The current emperor of Xingluo had three heirs. Dai Weisei was the eldest. The second was long since killed by him. Dai Mubai, the youngest, was better off being crippled and discarded than outright killed.
As for Zhu Zhuqing—he would never let her go. She was even more beautiful than her sister Zhu Zhuyun, and he'd coveted her for a long time.
"Because of this!" Qin Ming's voice cut in. He had recovered after a few days of rest and now approached holding a sheet of paper—tomorrow's match schedule.
Spirit Hall Academy had a bye. Shrek Academy would face Thunder Academy. Tiandou Royal Academy was scheduled to battle Xingluo Royal Academy.
Dai Weisei wouldn't get to fight Dai Mubai or Zhu Zhuqing. Instead, he'd face Jun Tianlin.
"What a coincidence! That makes things easier" Jun Tianlin said with a grin "I can cripple you tomorrow. That way, I'll fulfill Sister Lingling's request. After all, a cripple can't become the emperor of Xingluo. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing will be safe."
Soul fights didn't allow killing, but crippling injuries weren't uncommon.
Dai Weisei's face darkened. He hadn't expected to draw such a tough opponent. He could easily suppress Dai Mubai, but Jun Tianlin was a different story entirely.
He could forfeit. But doing so would spread a saying across the continent:
*When Xingluo meets Tiandou—they surrender without a fight!*
If that happened, Dai Weisei's father might kill him himself.
Tianlin likely wouldn't go that far—Zhu Zhuqing wasn't worth starting a war over. But Dai Weisei couldn't bet on that. Just like Jun Tianlin couldn't bet on Bibi Dong being sane, Dai Weisei couldn't be sure Jun Tianlin wasn't insane.
He still had a bright future ahead. Dai Mubai posed no real threat. The throne was nearly in his grasp. If Jun Tianlin ruined that now, who could he complain to?
Even if he survived, if Jun Tianlin used his soul power to instantly defeat him as he had done before, the shame would haunt the Xingluo Royal Family forever.
He was stuck. Fight and risk being crippled. Forfeit and disgrace the empire.
Jun Tianlin smiled again "How about a bet, Dai Weisei? If you win, Rongrong and I won't interfere—you can do what you want. But if you lose, you give Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing a swift end and let them go free in death. To keep things fair, Gu Ran and I, the two Soul Kings, won't play tomorrow."
Dai Weisei fell into deep thought. No matter how he looked at it, the bet favored him. Even in defeat, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing would be gone. The only real loss would be the chance to appear merciful—and Zhu Zhuqing's beauty.
But if he won? He'd gain everything—honor, power, and the girl.
With Gu Ran and Jun Tianlin absent, Xingluo and Tiandou were evenly matched. He and Zhu Zhuyun had their Netherworld White Tiger fusion skill. The odds were on his side.
After careful thought, Dai Weisei replied "Alright, Sword Lord, I'll give you this face. I accept the bet."
With that, he left with the Xingluo Royal Academy team to rearrange their strategy.
"Thank you!" Zhu Zhuqing approached Jun Tianlin. Although he hadn't saved her life yet, he had at least secured her freedom.
Ye Lingling, however, walked over with a less-than-pleased look "Xiaotian, explain yourself. I asked you to save her, not to gamble her life."
"Senior Sister, don't be angry. When have I ever let you down?" Jun Tianlin smiled "As long as we win tomorrow, I promise I'll keep my word."
"Since Gu Ran and I won't be participating, it's up to you and Tianheng to take on Dai Weisei. Think you can handle it?"
"Handle it? What are you talking about? They're just two kittens—one black, one white. Don't forget, I'm a dragon!" Yu Tianheng laughed proudly.
He actually preferred it this way. With Jun Tianlin sitting out, the world wouldn't just see Jun Tianlin's strength—it would witness the might of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan once more.
*Author's Note: Dai Weisei and Zhu Zhuyun are based on the enhanced anime version—the originals were too weak.*
TL:tell me if there is any copy and paste of the chapters i'll fix it