Huo Yutong's team faced Dai Huabin's squad.
Du Weilun intercepted their fusion-skill collision—unfamiliar with Huo Yutong's ability, he prioritized safety.
Blue-violet-gold light streaked across the arena, leaving warped brilliance. Against it, a white barrier absorbed both the tri-colored beam and the White Tiger's assault. Eight textbook-perfect rings (yellow-yellow-purple-black-black-black-black) shone around Du Weilun.
Silence fell.
Fusion skill vs. fusion skill.
This freshman tournament had birthed three fusion techniques—plus a Soul Ancestor with a 10,000-year ring.
An Zhen watched Dai Huabin's triumphant smirk as he wounded Du Weilun.
Cherish this, Dai Huabin—your last White Tiger fusion.
He approached, refreshing Huo Yutong and Wang Dong'er with their morning "templates."
"Excellent performance," Du Weilun declared, his wound already clotting. "To wield fusion skills so young..."
All eyes fixed on him.
After a pause, he pointed to Huo Yutong's team. "Victors: Huo Yutong, Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao!"
"Why?!" Dai Huabin roared, supported by Zhu Lu. "Is this payback for my earlier outburst?!"
His gaze snapped to An Zhen—his nightmare.
"Are you questioning my judgment?" Du Weilun's tone frosted over.
An Zhen sat cross-legged.
Virtual world.
Summon Dai Huabin's NPC puppet.
A phantom tiger appeared—once kingly, now sickly frail.
Back in reality, Du Weilun explained:
"A Soul Elder/Grandmaster fusion can't pierce a Soul Douluo's defense. Only The Path of Gold enabled it. Had Xiao Xiao's control held the White Tiger, your team would've taken a direct hit and lost."
"Big Brother!" Huo Yutong's adorable face filled An Zhen's vision.
(Her boy-voice still unnerved him.)
"That Dai Huabin threatened you nonstop!"
"Like a rabid dog!" Wang Dong'er mimed snapping jaws.
"Ignore him," An Zhen waved. Mad trash isn't worth my mood.
With Wu Feng, Ning Tian, and Xiao Xiao, they headed to the cafeteria. All six knew of An Zhen's "dream world," but this was their first group meal.
An Zhen to Wu Feng/Ning Tian: "They're friends."
To Huo Yutong/Wang Dong: "They're teammates."
He sipped broth calmly—four of these five girls shared intimacy with him.
"Final match this afternoon!" Wang Dong'er shook a fist, eyes narrowed at An Zhen sandwiched between Wu Feng and Ning Tian. Why does this feel... off?
"Can you reuse your fusion skill?" An Zhen asked.
"Uh..." She faltered.
Ning Tian watched Huo Yutong—the boy who called An Zhen "Big Brother."
Boys say "bro," not "big brother." And why's he so... cute?
Does An Zhen swing both ways?
She slid his free hand under the table onto her thigh.
"Mmph!"
"Young Mistress?!" Wu Feng jumped.
"Choked..." Ning Tian coughed into her soup, cheeks flushed.
Confirmed: He likes girls.
Probably not both.
Xiao Xiao ate quietly.
Why's the air so tense?
"Xiao Xiao, right?" An Zhen smiled post-meal.
"Y-yes!" The petite girl flushed. Her forest-green ponytail, lively eyes, and girl-next-door charm held a unique appeal.
(A walking hormone to teenage girls.)
"Stop daydreaming!" Wang Dong'er smacked her shoulder. Hands off my man!
"Not daydreaming!" Xiao Xiao protested—but An Zhen's team had left.
"Girls crush—it's normal!"
"Hey," Xiao Xiao nudged Wang Dong'er. "Since you're close... what girls does An Zhen like?"
"He likes... cute types!" Wang Dong'er amended, eyeing Huo Yutong.
"Perfect! I'm cute!" Xiao Xiao beamed. "Help me?"
"No!"
"Would you doom a friend to singleness?"
Would you doom your boyfriend to singleness?! Wang Dong'er heard.
"I respect friends' choices," she lied.
Afternoon: Third-Place Match
Dai Huabin vs. Huang Chutian.
Huang Chutian struck perfectly—Dai Huabin couldn't reuse his fusion skill after morning's effort. Against the Lan twins' Heavenly Net, his charm paled before Huo Yutong's soul shock. As Zhu Lu fell, Dai Huabin fought desperately—then vomited blood. Fourth place.
Finals
"I won't use Light Holy Dragon," An Zhen declared.
"I don't need pity!" Wang Dong'er crossed her arms.
"Pity?" An Zhen grinned. "I'll go all out—and expect you to!"
"Deal!"
"Prepare!" Du Weilun took center stage.
"Elder Xuan?" Yan Shaoze startled as the disheveled elder (Xuan Zi) appeared on the platform.
"Here to watch."
"An Zhen's victory is certain," Yan Shaoze said—a sentiment shared by all. Fusion skills couldn't be reused daily.
"That boy's full of surprises," Xuan Zi mumbled through chicken.
"An Zhen." Ning Tian glanced over.
"Enjoy the show."
"BEGIN!"
An Zhen charged.
Wang Dong'er's butterfly wings unfurled as she intercepted. Xiao Xiao's flute slowed An Zhen—while Huo Yutong's mental interference shattered against his psyche.
"Impressive."
A yellow ring ignited.
Two identical phantoms materialized behind An Zhen. Blue light erupted as their hair lifted—crystallizing into azure strands.
"Heavenly Net?!" Xiao Xiao gasped.
Huo Yutong paled. Oh no—he wouldn't—
Blue hair-nets compressed their movement. No soul shock could save them now.
"You can't reuse your fusion... but I can!"
A colossal eye and glowing butterfly manifested behind An Zhen. The butterfly melted into the eye—blazing with blue-gold fire.
(Months of soul training paid off.)
The nets vanished—but the flute's drone slowed them anew.
A bit cringy, but...
"PATH OF GOLD!"
"AN ZHEN—!" Wang Dong'er's outraged scream echoed.
(End of Chapter)
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