Chapter 24

Chapter 24: You Look More Like My Taste  

Zhao Ling noticed Yu Xiaogang's hostile gaze and couldn't help but smirk. This fool deserved a lesson, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to test his damage transfer ability.  

Silently activating the skill, Zhao Ling raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the left cheek.  

"Pa!"  

The loud, crisp slap echoed across the bustling audience area, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.  

All eyes turned to Zhao Ling, their expressions a mix of confusion and surprise. What's wrong with this guy? Why would he slap himself like that? Doesn't it hurt?  

Ah Yin rushed over, grabbing Zhao Ling's hand in alarm, worried he might hit himself again. Even she was caught off guard by his sudden and forceful self-inflicted slap.  

Bibi Dong also looked on in shock. What's wrong with Zhao Ling? Why would he strike himself so hard? Isn't he afraid of the pain?  

As confusion rippled through the crowd, Yu Xiaogang, standing among the Spirit Hall members, suddenly felt a searing pain on his face. His left cheek burned fiercely as if struck by an iron hand. Staggering backward, he lost his balance and fell hard to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth along with five or six teeth.  

Dazed and in agony, Yu Xiaogang struggled to comprehend what had just happened. 'What's going on? Why does my face hurt so much? Why did I lose teeth? What just hit me?!'  

The pitiful sight of Yu Xiaogang lying on the ground quickly attracted attention. People began glancing between Zhao Ling and Yu Xiaogang, feeling that something didn't add up.  

It seemed almost theatrical—Zhao Ling had slapped himself, yet Yu Xiaogang was the one sprawled on the floor, battered and bloodied. To many, it seemed like Yu Xiaogang was faking it to gain sympathy or frame Zhao Ling.  

Ah Yin looked at Zhao Ling with concern, her voice soft but urgent. "Are you okay? Why did you slap yourself like that?"  

Rubbing his cheek casually, Zhao Ling flashed her an innocent smile. "It's nothing. My face felt a little itchy, so I slapped it to stop the itch."  

He uncovered his face, revealing smooth, unblemished skin—no redness, no swelling, no sign of any pain.  

Indeed, Zhao Ling felt no discomfort. Although the slap had been forceful, the damage transfer ensured the pain and impact were redirected entirely to Yu Xiaogang. Without this ability, such a slap would have left his cheek burning.  

Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang bore the full brunt of the strike. His left cheek was grotesquely swollen, resembling an inflamed abscess. Combined with his missing teeth and ordinary appearance, his disfigured face now looked downright comical.  

A kind passerby helped Yu Xiaogang to his feet, only to recoil in shock at the sight of his mangled face.  

"What happened to you?" the man exclaimed. "How did you fall and end up like this? Why is your face swollen like a pig's head?"  

The man couldn't understand. Yu Xiaogang was a soul master with over ten levels of cultivation. How could he be so fragile? Did he think he was made of glass?  

Bibi Dong glanced at Zhao Ling's unmarred, handsome face and then at Yu Xiaogang's grotesque, swollen one. She instantly pieced together what had happened and barely stifled a laugh.  

'So that's what happened. Zhao Ling must have used some kind of damage transfer ability. To slap himself in public and make Yu Xiaogang take the hit—what a peculiar yet brilliant technique. And the best part? There's no evidence to trace it back to him. Truly ingenious.'  

With Yu Xiaogang in such a state, she knew he wouldn't be bothering their group for a while. Gesturing to one of her subordinates, she whispered instructions for the Great Fighting Soul Arena staff to remove Yu Xiaogang.  

When the arena's manager heard that the second son of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family was injured again, he was exasperated. Is this guy cursed?  

Just yesterday, Yu Xiaogang had been beaten severely and healed by their soul masters. Now he'd managed to injure himself all over again. Why can't he just stay in bed and recover? Why must he keep causing trouble?  

Reluctantly, the manager had his staff escort Yu Xiaogang to receive healing once more. As the staff carried him off, the manager muttered bitterly to himself, 'If it weren't for fear of provoking his family, I'd throw this guy out myself.'  

Watching Yu Xiaogang being led away, Zhao Ling felt immensely satisfied. The fool had dared to flirt with his Bibi Dong and even glared at him with hostility. This punishment was well-deserved.  

As he basked in his success, Bibi Dong walked over and leaned in close, her voice low and amused.  

"Well done. That guy is so annoying. He's been lurking around the Great Fighting Soul Arena since morning like a pest."  

Zhao Ling blinked, unsure if she was serious. Hesitant, he asked, "You really find him annoying? Are you sure you don't like him?"  

At this, Bibi Dong chuckled, her laughter soft and melodious. "Of course I hate him. Do you think I'd fall for someone like that? I'm not blind. There are plenty of men far more capable and handsome than him. Why would I waste my time on trash? Compared to him… you're much more my type."  

Her teasing smile and playful words left Zhao Ling stunned. Bibi Dong laughed again and turned away, joining the Spirit Hall entourage as they headed for the VIP seats to prepare for their matches.  

Watching her leave, Zhao Ling felt a mix of triumph and disbelief. He knew his arrival in the Douluo World had caused a butterfly effect, making this version of Bibi Dong very different from the original.  

But hearing her outright disdain for Yu Xiaogang shattered the worldview he had formed based on the original story.  

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(End of this chapter)