Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 53: Testing the Waters

At the other end of the passage, a figure dressed in simple white slowly appeared.

With golden hair gently falling to his shoulders, his features were strong and resolute, his posture upright like a spear.

His black eyes were like cold stars in the night sky.

The moment he appeared, the arena erupted in noise, and many girls secretly felt their hearts race, mesmerized by his appearance.

On the high platform, a few cold snorts immediately sounded—one from Zhu Zhuyue and the other from Davis.

Davis felt a surge of annoyance. He thought to himself that this brat, Dai Yao, was showing off even more than him. He snorted in irritation.

"This brat is really flaunting. Just wait until after today, and you'll see how smug you are." Zhu Zhuyue thought angrily.

She then looked at Zhu Zhuqing with ill intent, but was blocked by Dai Hengyu.

Dai Hengyu, with a rather teasing tone, raised his eyebrows and said to Zhu Zhuqing, "Dai Yao's little girlfriend, if you find anyone too irritating, why don't you come sit next to me?"

When she heard the words "little girlfriend," Zhu Zhuqing's face turned red. She subtly distanced herself from Zhu Zhuyue.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, things were unfolding.

"You finally decided to stop being a turtle?" Dai Yaming sneered, looking at Dai Yao in the distance.

Ever since Fatty's battle with Dai Yao, Fatty hadn't been able to move due to his injuries, and even with the help of an auxiliary soul master, Fatty was still immobile.

His defeat had caused him great shame. Many of the nobles who had followed him had abandoned him, shrinking his influence significantly. Dai Yao was the main cause of it all.

Upon hearing Dai Yaming's words, Dai Yao merely smiled faintly, "You know the reason for the bad reputation. Why waste your breath? A few simple words won't affect my mentality."

Dai Yaming's face darkened significantly. Though he was powerful, he was more accustomed to being a strategist than a warrior in battle.

At this moment, the Soul Emperor-level referee ascended to the arena.

He flew high above the battlefield, raising his hand for silence: "Please, everyone, maintain silence. Do not disturb the outcome of the match."

He then approached the two contestants and spoke, "No knives or hidden weapons are allowed during the match. Anyone who falls off the stage or admits defeat will be considered the loser. Do either of you have any objections?"

"No objections," Dai Yao and Dai Yaming said in unison.

Their gazes met in mid-air, both filled with fierce battle intent.

"The match begins!"

With the referee's hand falling, the battle officially started.

Dai Yaming was the first to summon his martial soul. The royal character on his forehead exuded an overwhelming aura that no one could directly look at.

"Dai Yaming, level 29 assault-type battle soul master, martial soul White Tiger, please advise me!"

Even from a hundred meters away, the immense wave of soul power made the breath of the first-row spectators grow heavy, as if a giant stone was pressing on their chests.

Even those in the highest tier of seating felt a faint sense of oppression.

The difference in martial souls created an immense pressure for the audience, and the overwhelming surge of soul power left them shaken.

It was hard to imagine the kind of pressure Dai Yao was under as his opponent.

However, Dai Yao felt no pressure at all.

His skin vibrated, expelling all the pressure. Despite the six-level difference in soul power between him and Dai Yaming, it had no effect on him whatsoever.

"Three years of hard training... it wasn't in vain after all," Dai Yao silently rejoiced.

Under the waterfall, enduring three years of intense training, withstanding the pressure, all for this moment!

He would never again be affected by the difference in soul power.

He clasped his hands and said, "Dai Yao, level 23 assault-type battle soul master, martial soul Holy White Tiger, please advise me!"

Before the words had fully left his mouth, he activated his Explosive Step, shooting forward like a streak of white lightning toward Dai Yaming.

As he sprinted, the Holy White Tiger martial soul enveloped him. While the wings on his back couldn't allow him to truly fly, they did increase his speed significantly.

In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Dai Yaming.

"So fast!" Dai Yaming thought, his face filled with shock.

From the moment Dai Yao finished speaking to when he appeared in front of Dai Yaming, only a few breaths passed.

"How is this possible? My soul power isn't affecting him at all!" Sweat beaded on his face.

The speed was like lightning, causing an uproar in the arena, waves of gasps and cheers rising in unison.

What stunned the crowd wasn't just the speed, but the martial soul in the white light.

The terrifying pressure from the martial soul.

Some of the spectators with weaker mental fortitude couldn't hide the fear on their faces.

If Dai Yaming's White Tiger martial soul had felt like a stone pressing on their hearts, then the Holy White Tiger martial soul felt like an entire mountain crushing them.

It was suffocating.

"Truly beautiful," Bishop Ferdinand remarked, captivated by Dai Yao's martial soul.

This was his third time seeing this martial soul, and every time, he was left in awe.

In just the opening moments, the situation had taken a dramatic turn.

Dai Yao stared coldly at Dai Yaming, clenched his right fist, and felt the liquid soul power surging through his body like a roaring river!

"Eight Extremes—Crush!"

His punch, carrying an ear-splitting wind, shot toward Dai Yaming with an unstoppable force.

This punch carried hidden power. If it hit Dai Yaming, it would briefly incapacitate him, just like his previous battle with Fatty—decisive and swift.

But Dai Yaming was no pushover, especially as someone Davis had personally chosen to face off against.

The first yellow soul ring lit up, and the White Tiger's protective barrier activated!

Boom—

A massive collision resounded throughout the entire arena. The ground beneath Dai Yaming's feet cracked.

This arena was designed to withstand battles at the Soul King level!

Many people covered their ears as the sound was so deafening that it nearly hurt their eardrums.

When they looked at the arena again, they saw that the two had separated.

After the Eight Extremes—Crush was blocked, they exchanged a few more blows. Dai Yao realized that he was clearly being overpowered by Dai Yaming.

Without using soul skills, he wasn't Dai Yaming's match. Their gap in combat experience was too great, much like his previous battle with Dai Mu Bai three years ago.

The difference in battle experience.

After all, these three years, Dai Yao had been sitting in seclusion, diligently training his soul power, with little time to focus on practical combat.

"So this is the move you used to defeat Fatty? You defeated him with this move, so of course, I came prepared." Dai Yaming said with a faint smile.

"According to Fatty, after he took your blow, he felt as though his internal organs were being crushed. This must be your hidden strength, right?"

Dai Yao smiled and shook his head. Since Dai Yaming had already anticipated the hidden force of the Eight Extremes—Crush, it seemed he couldn't end the fight quickly after all.

The Eight Extremes—Crush could secure a one-hit victory, but it seemed Dai Yaming had been prepared for it.

Without breaking through the White Tiger's protective barrier, the hidden force of the Eight Extremes—Crush had no effect on Dai Yaming.

When Dai Yao was still at the first ring, the Eight Extremes—Crush was powerful enough. But now, as a Soul Master, it had gradually lost its effectiveness. It was only natural that it couldn't break the White Tiger's defense.

"Now, let the real battle begin!" Dai Yao's eyes flashed with determination. Since his trick hadn't worked, he would fight this duel with integrity and win fair and square!

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