Chapter 123: You Lost

"You?"

This caught the Grand master by surprise, as he glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. It could be said that she was the most diligent one in the team of seven. Not only did she complete the training assigned to her during the day, but she also secretly practiced on her own at night. Hard work always pays off, and she is now at the twenty-ninth level of soul power, the strongest among the others except for a few Soul Masters. It should be noted that she is also the youngest among the seven, and in about half a year, she will be able to break through to the thirtieth level and become a Soul Elder.

However, the master knew that Zeng Yi was a Soul Elder, while Zhu Zhuqing was only a Grandmaster. The gap between the two was quite significant.

"How about it, Zeng Yi? Will you accepting my challenge?" Without waiting for the master's answer, Zhu Zhuqing asked Zeng Yi in a calm voice.

"Sure, since you're so confident, I'll have a few moves with you," Zeng Yi replied with a smile as he looked at Zhu Zhuqing's cold and stubborn expression.

Speaking of which, he had also taught her cultivation and had a mentor-apprentice relationship with Zhu Zhuqing.

"Since that's the case, I'll allow you to fight," the Grandmaster said. Originally, he wanted Tang San and Zeng Yi to have a match. But seeing Zhu Zhuqing's determination, the master had to agree to her request.

Once the master said that, the other people stepped back, creating space for the two of them.

"Brother, be gentle," Dai Mubai walked past Zeng Yi and quietly pleaded. Having fought Zeng Yi before, he knew very well about his strength, and Zhu Zhuqing was definitely no match for him. Dai Mubai was currently pursuing Zhu Zhuqing, although she always ignored him, he still didn't want to see her get hurt.

After glancing at Dai Mubai and then at Zhu Zhuqing, Zeng Yi seemed to understand something.

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on her," Zeng Yi replied softly.

"Thanks, I'll invite you for a drink sometime."

With everyone stepping aside, only Zeng Yi and Zhu Zhuqing remained on the training ground, facing each other. The atmosphere began to tense up.

"Zhuqing, do your best! Teach this jerk a lesson!" Ning Rongrong shouted from the sidelines. She had heard that Zeng Yi was a powerful Soul Elder, and Zhu Zhuqing had no chance against him. But she still wanted to see Zeng Yi fail.

"How long do you think Zhu Zhuqing can hold on against Zeng Yi?" Ma Hongjun couldn't help but ask.

"She should be able to last for about ten minutes," Oscar thought for a moment and answered.

"No," Tang San shook his head, recalling Zeng Yi's terrifying speed, making him feel immense pressure. "If Zeng Yi goes all out, I don't think Zhu Zhuqing can last even ten seconds."

"Really? Although Zeng Yi is a Soul Elder, Zhu Zhuqing is also a twenty-ninth level Great Soul Master. How is it possible for her not to last ten seconds?" Oscar couldn't believe it. During their previous training battles, Zhu Zhuqing was able to hold her own against Dai Mubai for more than ten minutes, even though Dai Mubai was going easy on her. She could last about ten minutes against Tang San and Xiao Wu as well.

"Oscar, you haven't seen how Zeng Yi instantly defeated Dai ge-ge," Ma Hongjun shook his head and sighed at Oscar's naivety.

When he heard his past being brought up to ridicule him, Dai Mubai's face went dark.

"Alright, let's get started, Xiao Zhu! Let me see how much progress you've made these days," Zeng Yi looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who was somewhat nervous, with a faint smile.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything, but her ten fingers flicked, and sharp claws protruded from them. Two black, furry cat ears grew on top of her head, and a long, slender tail swung behind her, instantly completing her martial soul fusion.

Her soul power surged, and two yellow soul rings rose, shining and pulsating around her delicate body. Her soul power fluctuated and converged, becoming as calm as still water.

"It seems like you've improved a lot since last time. Well done, you have good control over your soul power," Zeng Yi commented with admiration upon seeing Zhu Zhuqing's appearance.

The last time they fought was when they came to Suotuo City together. At that time, she would always release her soul power in an agitated manner during battles, wasting her soul power. So Zeng Yi taught her how to control her soul power.

And now, Zhu Zhuqing could control the aura of her soul power to be as calm as tranquil water. This was enough to show her talent and her determined will from hard work.

"That's just like you."

Seeing Zeng Yi's calm and indifferent expression, Zhu Zhuqing's sharp eyes narrowed, feeling somewhat displeased.

During their previous battle, Zeng Yi didn't use any soul power or soul skills. He only relied on his physical qualities, swordsmanship, and techniques to suppress her when she went all out. This made Zhu Zhuqing very discontented. After consulting Zeng Yi, she had been diligently cultivating. Now, she could clearly feel that she had become much stronger than before.

She knew she couldn't defeat Zeng Yi, but she couldn't afford to lose as miserably as before.

"Zhu Zhuqing, Beast Martial Soul, Hell Civet. Twenty-ninth level Agility Attack System Grand Master, please enlighten me," Zhu Zhuqing suddenly said, which surprised Zeng Yi for a moment before he laughed.

Do you all report your information to your opponents before the fight? That's such a strange and foolish behavior.

But well...

A slight smile appeared at the corner of Zeng Yi's mouth. "Zeng Yi, Tool Martial Soul - Ronin Sword, thirty-sixth level, Sword Master, please enlighten me too."

Thirty-sixth level?

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes narrowed as she had just seen him as a thirty-fifth level in their last battle. To think that he had advanced another level in just two months, making him even stronger.

However, I've also become stronger!

She whispered in her heart, giving herself a boost, and her figure moved instantly, rushing straight towards Zeng Yi. A string of blur shadows trailed behind her due to her incredible speed.

Her soul rings shone, and she unleashed her first soul skill, Hell Rush Stab.

The sharp claws on Zhu Zhuqing's hand grew sharper in an instant, exuding a bone-chilling cold glint. Her body suddenly accelerated, closing the distance between her and Zeng Yi instantly. She aimed directly at his neck with her claws.

So fast!

Zhu Zhuqing's speed surprised Zeng Yi, as he felt a cold sensation enveloping his neck even before the attack arrived. He drew the long sword at his waist.

Zhu Zhuqing's claws struck the shiny sword, producing a clear tremor and sparking bursts of fireworks from the clash and friction.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes met Zeng Yi's profound gaze. Zeng Yi smiled faintly, his handsome face causing her to feel a bit distracted. But in the next moment, she felt a chill approaching from the side, and her body quickly retreated.

Looking over, she saw a flying sword floating in the air, aimed directly at the spot where she had just been.

That was close.

Seeing Zeng Yi wielding a sword and controlling another floating sword in the air with a fierce momentum, Zhu Zhuqing's expression became extremely serious, but she also felt a bit happy.

At least she managed to force him to reveal some of his techniques. He no longer defeated her without even using his soul power, as he did before.

"Be careful during the fight!" Zeng Yi lightly laughed as he reminded her.

Outside the arena.

"Is that his soul skill? Sword control?" The Grandmaster couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Tang San looked at Zeng Yi with a serious gaze, shaking his head. "It shouldn't be a soul skill, but rather a sword technique."

"A sword technique that can achieve such power without being a soul skill?"

Tang San explained, "Teacher, Zeng Yi is a swordsman. He cannot be measured with the normal standards of soul masters. Swordsmen have many exquisite and powerful sword techniques that can match the power of soul skills."

Tang San knew that in his previous world, swordsmen were such existences, each with tremendous individual strength and renowned names in the martial fraternity. Swordsmen even possessed a powerful sword technique called Sword Control. Using Sword Control, their swords could be manipulated with mysterious and unpredictable moves that were difficult to defend against.

Tang San didn't expect Zeng Yi's swordsmanship to reach this level. Even if he used hidden weapons, it would probably be difficult to match him.

"Be careful," Zeng Yi smiled. He swung his sword, and an invisible sword aura swiftly slashed towards Zhu Zhuqing.

The cold and sharp sword momentum caused Zhu Zhuqing's hairs to stand on end. She quickly dodged to the side, and the sword aura cut a neat crack about a meter long in the ground.

She knew that she couldn't just keep dodging, as it would only lead to a faster defeat. Only by taking the initiative and attacking could she defend herself. This was the fighting style of an agility attack system Soul Master.

Zeng Yi stood in place without moving, and Zhu Zhuqing continued to charge towards him. She knew that the gap in their strength was huge, and simply evading would only lead to a quicker defeat. Only by taking the initiative, attacking and defending at the same time, could she fight as an agility attack system Soul Master.

Zhu Zhuqing used her soul skill Hell Rush Stab, quickly closing the distance between her and Zeng Yi. Her soul rings shone, and she unleashed her second soul skill - Hell Hundred Claws.

Countless claw shadows formed a net, quickly enveloping Zeng Yi.

In the face of this attack, Zeng Yi smiled lightly, continuously swinging his sword.

The clear clash of impacts resounded as Zeng Yi successfully blocked Zhu Zhuqing's fast and elusive claw strikes.

Whoosh!

A breaking sound rang out, and a sword swiftly shot towards Zhu Zhuqing. Sensing the sharp sword intent, in the blink of an eye, Zhu Zhuqing leaned backward and bent down, forming a beautiful arc. The sharp sword flew past her delicate nose, and the sharp gusts made her face sting.

Zhu Zhuqing performed three backflips in the air before landing steadily on the ground. Her breath was somewhat hurried, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her smooth forehead.

The attack just now had scared her for real. In that instant, she could feel the aura of death.

When she glanced over, her eyes instantly contracted.

Zeng Yi's figure disappeared before her eyes.

"You lost, Xiao Zhu."

A calm voice sounded behind her, and Zhu Zhuqing immediately felt a chilling sensation on her neck as the sharp sword intent made her body tremble.