As their gazes locked, Zhao Wuji finally recognized the battered figure before him.
This is Dai Mubai?
How could he have been beaten so badly?
If not for Dai Mubai's distinctive heterochromatic eyes, even Zhao Wuji wouldn't have realized that this disfigured wreck was one of Shrek Academy's star pupils.
"Kid, do you realize the gravity of your actions, beating a student of Shrek Academy like this? Are you not afraid of death?" Zhao Wuji growled, his expression dark as a storm cloud.
Moments ago, he had admired Li Si's ruthless techniques, only for the realization to hit him like a slap in the face—the victim was one of his own!
And not just any student, but the future heir of the Star Luo royal family. To make matters worse, the boy had been humiliated in such a brutal manner.
The Counter-Threat
"I know who you are—Zhao Wuji, the Immovable King," Li Si said calmly, showing not a trace of fear.
Zhao Wuji stiffened. This brat knows me?
Though Li Si's spirit power was lower than Zhao Wuji's, he remained utterly unbothered.
"Still wanted by the Spirit Hall, I see," Li Si continued, his tone casual but edged with menace. "If they knew you were hiding in Shrek Academy, and that your spirit power has reached level 76..."
Li Si paused, smirking slightly. "I doubt they'd send anything less than a Contra to hunt you down."
Zhao Wuji's face fell. This brat wasn't just strong—he was sharp-tongued and cunning as well.
"And even if Spirit Hall isn't interested, I'm sure Titan of the Strength Clan would be delighted to hear about your location," Li Si added.
Cold sweat broke out on Zhao Wuji's forehead. How did this boy know so much?
Spirit Hall, Titan… these are people I can't afford to offend. And it's true—I do have grudges with both.
He winced, remembering the time he had beaten up one of Titan's younger relatives. That grudge had led to a year and a half of relentless pursuit by the Strength Clan patriarch.
If Titan learned Zhao Wuji's whereabouts, the nightmare would surely resume.
A Dangerous Plan
As the implications sank in, Zhao Wuji's expression twisted into something dangerous.
If I kill this kid here and now, no one will know what happened. My secret will die with him.
Zhao Wuji clenched his fists, the cracking of his knuckles echoing ominously.
"Kid, you've crossed the line. As Shrek Academy's vice principal, I ought to break your limbs and cripple your spirit power to avenge Dai Mubai."
He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with malicious intent.
"But I've changed my mind. If you die here, Spirit Hall and Titan won't hear a thing."
Li Si raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He glanced around. While the immediate area was sparsely populated, a large crowd had gathered just beyond the fifty-meter mark to watch the drama unfold.
"Kill me?" Li Si's voice carried an amused edge. "Sure. But can you kill everyone watching, too?"
Zhao Wuji faltered.
"Let even one of them escape, and your secret won't stay hidden for long," Li Si added. To emphasize his point, he casually slapped Dai Mubai again, eliciting a groan.
Zhao Wuji ground his teeth in frustration. While the spectators didn't know the specifics of his past, the risk of exposure wasn't something he could dismiss.
"Besides," Li Si continued, his voice tinged with mockery, "how do you still not understand? None of them know what you've done, so why would they bother reporting you to Spirit Hall or Titan? Do you think they're bored enough to chase trouble for no reason?"
Zhao Wuji blinked, momentarily stunned.
"And even if they did," Li Si said with a shrug, "why would Spirit Hall or Titan listen to random gossip about you?"
Realization dawned on Zhao Wuji, but it only served to fuel his rage.
"You brat—you've been playing me this whole time!"
"Is it my fault you're this dense?" Li Si replied, his tone dripping with disdain.
The Onlookers
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but laugh out loud. She had heard of the Immovable King Zhao Wuji before, a veteran powerhouse in the spirit master world.
Yet here was this young man, daring to toy with him like this. Either his strength was extraordinary, or his brain was broken.
Clearly, it wasn't the latter.
Zhu Zhuqing, meanwhile, remained silent, her frosty expression betraying none of her thoughts.
The moment Dai Mubai had revealed his martial spirit, Zhu Zhuqing had known his true identity. Watching him now, humiliated and beaten, she felt nothing but satisfaction.
For a long time, she had assumed the rumors about Dai Mubai in Star Luo City were fabrications, part of a scheme by Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
But seeing the real Dai Mubai now, she realized the truth was far worse than the rumors.
Zhao Wuji's Fury
Zhao Wuji's anger boiled over as he activated his martial spirit.
"Vigorous Vajra Bear, possess!"
Two yellow, two purple, and three black rings rose from beneath him, circling his body.
The sight sent chills down the spines of the onlookers.
"A Soul Sage…"
"In all of Soto City, how many Soul Sages even exist?"
"This young man dared to provoke a Soul Sage? He must have a death wish!"
Terrified of being caught in the crossfire, the crowd retreated to a safer distance, finally stopping some 200 meters away.
Zhao Wuji glared at Li Si.
"Kid, offending a Soul Sage is a grave mistake. And you," he turned to Xiao Wu, "you'd better run far away before his blood splashes on you."
Xiao Wu blinked, momentarily taken aback.
This guy isn't all bad. He's about to attack my man, yet he's telling me to get to safety.
Li Si, meanwhile, nodded ever so slightly. For all his flaws, Zhao Wuji still had a shred of decency.
Seeing Li Si's calm expression, Xiao Wu hesitated. But after a brief exchange of glances, she retreated as he silently reassured her.
She knew Li Si too well. In the six or seven years they had spent together, he had always played the role of a fragile food-type spirit master. Yet his confidence now was unshakable.
(End of Chapter)