"Second Soul Skill — Nether Hundred Claws!"
Zhu Zhuqing's twin hands transformed into a flurry of spectral claws, raining down in a violent storm.
Each strike landed against Meng Yiran's staff with sharp, metallic clangs, each claw imbued with fierce, cutting energy.
The audience gasped at the blinding flurry of blows.
Yuan Longxuan's teachings echoed in her mind:
"If one strike doesn't break through, retreat immediately.
Agility-types must master timing—the window between attack and evasion decides victory."
Zhu Zhuqing obeyed that principle instinctively.
As her final claw strike landed, she dissolved into shadow once more, vanishing from Meng Yiran's sight.
Meng Yiran panted, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.
Her heart pounded in disbelief. Too fast... she's too fast! I couldn't even counter properly!
If not for her Serpent Form's defense and the durability of her martial spirit, she might already have lost.
But before she could regain her composure—
Rustle.
A faint sound came from behind her.
"Not good!"
She whipped around, her phantom tail lashing backward—only to slice through empty air. The "Zhu Zhuqing" she struck shattered like mist.
A mere afterimage!
"First Soul Skill — Nether Thrust!"
Her voice came from above!
Meng Yiran's pupils shrank. Reacting purely on instinct, she swung her staff upward.
"First Soul Skill — Serpent Blade!"
The twin attacks collided midair with a resounding clang!
But Zhu Zhuqing didn't stop there.
"Second Soul Skill — Nether Hundred Claws!"
A storm of claws descended once more, tearing through the air.
Even protected by her Serpent Form, Meng Yiran couldn't withstand the relentless assault.
Her dress was slashed apart in several places, faint red lines appearing on her pale skin beneath.
Teeth clenched, Meng Yiran poured every last ounce of spirit power into her staff.
"Serpent Blade — Full Power Release!"
A massive arc of emerald energy burst forth, roaring toward Zhu Zhuqing with the force of desperation itself—her last, all-or-nothing strike.
The moment Meng Yiran launched her counterattack, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes sharpened.
Her claws flashed faster, movements like streaks of black lightning.
The clash between her Nether Hundred Claws and Meng Yiran's Serpent Blade erupted midair with a series of explosive impacts.
Sparks danced, shockwaves rippled, and waves of spirit power surged outward like a violent tide.
The audience was completely spellbound. Every gaze was locked onto the arena as the two beautiful soul masters exchanged dazzling blows.
Gasps and exclamations rippled through the stands again and again.
From the luxury booth above, Yuan Longxuan's eyes gleamed with appreciation.
Watching Zhu Zhuqing's refined combat instincts and explosive speed, he couldn't help but smile.
"As expected of Zhu Zhuqing," he murmured. "And to think, I didn't even give her any soul bones to aid her advancement…"
It had been just over a month since she began training under him, yet her fighting sense and soul power had both risen at an astonishing pace.
In truth, Zhu Zhuqing's innate talent wasn't considered exceptional — but the environment here was heaven itself for a cultivator.
She ate soul beast meat rich in energy at every meal, practiced advanced yoga techniques that doubled cultivation efficiency, and above all, possessed an unyielding will.
After all, in the original story, Zhu Zhuqing was a relentless training maniac ..... the most hardworking among the Seven Monsters.
Now, blessed with such superior conditions, her rapid growth seemed only natural.
The battle soon reached a fever pitch. Both combatants were giving it everything they had.
But Yuan Longxuan could already tell — the match was over. Zhu Zhuqing had won.
As expected, in a fleeting instant, she sidestepped Meng Yiran's final Serpent Blade with a graceful twist, her first spirit ring flaring to life behind her.
"Nether Spike!"
Her figure blurred — a ghostly shadow darting forward like a phantom.
Meng Yiran's pupils shrank. She had no time to react. At that instant, she was like a fish laid bare on a cutting board, powerless before the hunter's blade.
"Referee! We surrender! Stop her!"
An urgent, trembling voice cried out from the sidelines — but it was too late. Zhu Zhuqing's claws had already struck forward.
The crowd held its breath, bracing for blood ..... but none came. The arena fell utterly silent.
"I win."
Zhu Zhuqing's soft voice echoed faintly. Her sharp claws had halted in midair, a mere inch from Meng Yiran's neck.
The green-clad girl's body went limp, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. For her, the battle had been a journey to the edge of death and back.
A moment later, an elderly woman descended onto the arena, rushing to check Meng Yiran's condition.
The referee finally regained his senses and looked at Zhu Zhuqing with undisguised respect.
"I hereby declare— the winner of this match: the Nether Cat, Zhu Zhuqing!"
Thunderous applause erupted through the great arena.
Yet Zhu Zhuqing didn't bask in the cheers. Her face had gone pale, her soul power utterly depleted.
She could barely stay on her feet, driven only by sheer determination.
Her steps wavered as she turned to leave the ring. A few young nobles jumped down from the stands, clearly intending to approach the beautiful soul master .... but before they could take another step, a golden-robed figure appeared beside her like a flash of light.
"Good work, little one," Yuan Longxuan said softly.
The murmurs in the arena stopped.
Zhu Zhuqing blinked up at him. The man who had once taken her in was smiling faintly, pride in his eyes.
Her lips curved, a small smile blooming through her exhaustion.
"Mm."
She nodded weakly. Her body could no longer support itself.
"I'll carry you back," Yuan Longxuan said. "You've overdrawn your soul power and mental strength."
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