Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 17: The Curtain Falls

"Creak, creak—"

The Queen ground her teeth in anger, her eyes filled with hatred as she glared at Dai Yao. Her once beautiful face twisted into a terrifying grimace.

Elder Five had been overjoyed at Dai Yao's performance. Once Dai Yao unleashed his self-created Soul Skill, he had a chance to win. If given more time, wouldn't he have a shot at the throne? Such a genius would surely take the empire to new heights as the Emperor of Star Luo.

However, upon noticing the Queen's expression, Elder Five's mood turned dark.

"Hmph! This woman must be plotting something. If she wants to harm Dai Yao, she'll have to go through my Bloodthirsty Demon Tiger first." In his younger years, Elder Five had traveled the continent, renowned for his strength and hot temper, earning him the nickname "Bloodthirsty Demon Tiger."

The situation on the battlefield changed in an instant.

Dai Yao's Soul Skill manifestation naturally caught Dai Mubai's attention. Dai Yao had already surprised him many times, and this self-created Soul Skill was no longer as astonishing to him.

"So, my previous attacks prevented him from using this Soul Skill. Now that the formation has changed, it's given him the opportunity to use it." Dai Mubai thought, feeling deeply regretful.

"Is this your self-created Soul Skill?" Dai Mubai asked.

"Yes," Dai Yao, still gathering energy, responded.

Without the Blue Lotus, there would be no Eight Extremes Crash. But without Dai Yao's accidental discovery, there would be no Eight Extremes Crash either. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this was Dai Yao's self-created skill.

"Then let me see just how powerful this Soul Skill of yours really is." Dai Mubai, unafraid, prepared to clash head-on with Dai Yao.

"Alright," Dai Yao answered.

Dai Mubai tensed his whole body, as if drawing a bow to its maximum, before unleashing all his power in an explosive attack toward Dai Yao.

At the same time, the Eight Extremes Crash was fully charged.

The two collided like sparks meeting the earth.

A white shield appeared around Dai Mubai's body, and he showed a triumphant expression. Both had activated Soul Skills—Dai Yao's was offensive, while Dai Mubai's was defensive.

As long as the White Tiger Body Shield blocked Dai Yao's attack, Dai Mubai's charged punch would strike Dai Yao directly. This time, Dai Yao wouldn't have the chance to activate the White Tiger Body Shield.

Dai Yao couldn't use his first Soul Skill, the White Tiger Body Shield, while unleashing Eight Extremes Crash. A one-ring Soul Master simply didn't have the ability to use two Soul Skills simultaneously.

The Eight Extremes Crash collided with the shield, cracking it like spiderwebs, yet it still failed to break through.

Given the power of the Eight Extremes Crash, even a seven-hundred-year-old Xuan Shui Turtle's water shield could be shattered. Yet it couldn't break Dai Mubai's White Tiger Body Shield. This demonstrated just how much effort Dai Mubai had put into his first Soul Skill.

As the shield remained intact, Dai Yao realized the situation was dire.

Dai Mubai flashed a knowing smile, swinging his massive tiger paw with an unstoppable force, preparing to deliver the final blow that would declare Dai Yao's defeat.

"Danger!!!" Dai Yao's heartbeat accelerated, and his vision blurred as the imminent strike neared.

"Explosive Step!" He infused his Soul Power into his legs, unleashing his second self-created Soul Skill. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, the strain on his body immense, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on, his expression fierce.

Dai Mubai suddenly saw a blur before his eyes. Dai Yao's figure vanished, and his seemingly certain punch landed in the air. His astonished expression froze on his face, not understanding what had just happened.

Dai Yao, using Explosive Step, moved at an incredibly high speed. Before Dai Mubai's punch could even land, Dai Yao was already upon him.

"Eight Extremes Crash!" Dai Yao struck Dai Mubai's abdomen with a powerful palm.

This time, the Eight Extremes Crash didn't require much Soul Power, so there was little buildup involved.

Dai Mubai's surprised expression quickly turned into one of pain. A mouthful of blood spurted out, and his body was sent flying backward like a cannonball.

With a loud thud, Dai Mubai's body slammed into the wall beneath the stage, before crumpling to the ground, unable to get up.

This all happened in the blink of an eye. Most of the audience hadn't even seen what occurred, but Dai Mubai had been sent flying, landing hard on the ground.

The arena fell silent, as though a spell had been cast. After a few seconds, cheers erupted in a frenzy. Of course, some cheered, while others left in disappointment. They sighed as they exited the arena.

Some jumped down from the stands, rushing to the arena to joyously lift Dai Yao into the air. At that moment, there was no bias, only a shared bloodline.

Dai Mubai, lying on the ground, tilted his head slightly, looking at Dai Yao with eyes full of envy. He had been so sure of his victory. If only he had worn down Dai Yao's Soul Power and waited for him to exhaust it, the victory would have been his.

But because of his mother's instructions, he had tried to end the fight quickly, leaving an opening for Dai Yao to unleash his self-created Soul Skill, which led to his downfall.

He felt an immense sense of regret.

Up in the stands, Elder Five and Bishop Ferdinand exchanged glances. What they had witnessed was beyond anything they had ever seen before. A child who had just obtained a Soul Ring had defeated a Soul Master of level 17.

"This kid really did manage to pull off the impossible." Elder Five said, a satisfied expression on his face.

Bishop Ferdinand, however, smiled at the Queen, his smile laced with malice. "Your Majesty, this Fourth Prince is truly exceptional. If he keeps growing like this, in a few years, even the First Prince might not be able to compare."

Clearly, the bishop was trying to provoke the Queen, urging her to act against Dai Yao.

The Queen, her chest rising and falling in anger, was clearly disappointed in Dai Mubai. She had come to witness a resounding victory, not a humiliating defeat. Not only had she not been able to ease her resentment, but she had also lost face.

She lifted her skirt, casting a final glance at Dai Mubai, her eyes devoid of emotion, as if she were looking at a stranger. She then turned and walked out of the arena, almost as if fleeing. A group of palace maidens followed her out.

Elder Five stepped in front of Bishop Ferdinand.

"What do you want?" Elder Five's voice was icy. His golden hair burned like fire, and his powerful aura radiated as though ready to strike if the bishop said one wrong word.

He understood the bishop's malicious intent—he didn't want Dai Yao to survive.

"N-nothing... I was just joking." A cold sweat broke out on Bishop Ferdinand's fat face.

He had heard of the Bloodthirsty Demon Tiger's reputation. This man was a madman, unafraid of anything. It was best not to provoke him unless absolutely necessary.

"I hope that's truly what you mean," Elder Five scoffed coldly.

"The winner of this duel is Dai Yao!" The referee declared the result.

From this point onward, everyone knew that Dai Mubai had lost his chance to compete for the throne. His fate would only be decided after the next Emperor ascended to the throne.

In contrast to Dai Mubai, Dai Yao had become a shining new star, though he was still not on par with the First or Second Princes.

After being lowered by the crowd, Dai Yao approached Dai Mubai and helped him up.

In truth, Dai Yao admired Dai Mubai's straightforwardness in battle. However, due to their different positions, they could never be friends.

Dai Mubai gave Dai Yao a complicated glance before turning and following the Queen out.

(End of Chapter)

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