"What did you just say?" Dai Weisi's gaze locked onto Ning Rongrong, his aura overwhelming. Ma Hongjun and Oscar quickly stepped in front of their big sister but were still forced back several steps by Dai Weisi's imposing presence.
Although Dai Weisi didn't dare to attack Ning Rongrong, scaring her a little was no problem. Besides, Ning Rongrong was the one who provoked him first. If he didn't respond at all, people would say that the Star Luo Empire was weak.
This Dai Weisi was extremely strong. It seemed he had already reached the peak of level forty-nine, with half a foot in the Soul King realm—about on par with the current Yu Tianheng. He was not someone newcomers like Ma Hongjun could match.
"My Rongrong said you're just an evil-eyed cat who bullies women. Got a problem with that?"
No one noticed when Tian Lin appeared behind Dai Weisi. Dai Weisi broke out in a cold sweat—someone had gotten so close to him without him sensing it at all. If Tian Lin wanted his life, wouldn't it be as easy as taking something from a pocket?
Dai Weisi quickly pulled Zhu Zhuyun back. He didn't feel safe being that close to Tian Lin.
"Brother Sword!" Ning Rongrong happily threw herself into Tian Lin's arms. "Brother Sword, this guy just bullied Zhuqing and me. Help me teach him a lesson!"
Ning Rongrong's noble and elegant temperament only showed to those she approved of. Faced with a jerk like Dai Weisi, her little witch personality couldn't be hidden.
"Hmph, Sword Prince, even if it's you, interfering in Star Luo's internal affairs is against the rules. Don't forget, you belong to Heaven Dou." Dai Weisi said angrily.
Tian Lin ignored him and walked straight to Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhu Zhuqing, Lingling is my friend. After she healed you last time, she asked me if I could help you, and I agreed."
"But Dai Weisi is right. I can't interfere with your family's rules, so there's not much I can do for you. Let me ask you one thing: for you, which is more important—your life, or your freedom?"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't understand Tian Lin's meaning, but she still answered honestly: "Both are important. But if I can't have both, I'd rather give up my life for freedom."
"Very good." Tian Lin smiled and nodded. "Dai Weisi, as far as I know, this tournament is your family's last chance for Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai, right? To be honest, giving them this chance or not makes no difference. Because of the age difference, their strength is too far from yours. They have no chance of winning."
"So, are you asking me to let them go? I can tell you very clearly, that's impossible." Dai Weisi wouldn't risk his own life.
If he let Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing go, and they surpassed him in the future, he'd be the one to die.
"I'm not making such an impossible request. I just hope that after the tournament, if you defeat them, you'll give them a quick end, then expel them from that cold family. Give them freedom after death. Consider it the last bit of kindness you two siblings can give them." Tian Lin replied.
Everyone present was shocked, especially Ye Lingling, who looked at Tian Lin in disbelief, her eyes questioning him: You promised to help Zhu Zhuqing, and this is how you help? You're just going to let her die?
But before she could speak, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly said, "I agree!"
"If I must die, I just hope that after death, I can leave that cold place forever. That's a good ending too."
"Is Brother Sword planning...?" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. She understood—her Brother Sword was not so cruel. She'd already guessed how Tian Lin planned to help Zhu Zhuqing, so she didn't object.
"Why should I agree to this?" Dai Weisi still didn't want to agree. He didn't want to kill Dai Mubai, just cripple him completely.
Of course, this wasn't because he pitied his brother. It was like how Emperor Xue Ye forbade Xue Qinghe from doing more harm to Xue Beng—it was about showing a bit of mercy for the sake of stability.
The current Star Dou emperor had three heirs: Dai Weisi (the eldest), Dai Mubai (the third), and the one in the middle, who had already been eliminated by Dai Weisi. So, for the last one, Dai Mubai, crippling him but not killing him was best.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Weisi was even more reluctant—she was even more beautiful than her sister Zhu Zhuyun, and he'd been coveting her for a long time.
"Because of this!" At this moment, Qin Ming walked over slowly. After a few days of rest, he was fully recovered. He held a piece of paper—the match schedule for tomorrow.
Spirit Hall Academy had a bye. Shrek Academy was up against Thunderclap Academy. Heaven Dou Imperial Academy was against Star Luo Imperial Academy.
Dai Weisi didn't end up facing Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing but instead met Tian Lin.
"What a coincidence. Good, that saves me some trouble." Tian Lin smiled at Dai Weisi. "In tomorrow's match, I can personally cripple you. That way, I'll fulfill Lingling's request. After all, what's an invalid talking about becoming the Star Luo emperor? Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing will be safe."
Soul skills can't be distinguished. The tournament forbids fatal injuries, but crippling someone by accident is common.
Dai Weisi's face darkened. He hadn't expected such bad luck. Of the four academies, of all possibilities, he had to face the Emperor Battle Team. He could bully Dai Mubai because he was stronger. But the same principle meant that someone stronger—Jun Tian Lin—could bully him.
It was easy to break Tian Lin's threat: just don't fight, surrender. But if he did, starting tomorrow, a certain phrase would echo across Douluo Continent:
"Star Luo meets Heaven Dou—surrenders without a fight!"
His father would kill him.
In reality, Tian Lin would never really do this. Zhu Zhuqing alone wasn't worth offending the Star Luo Empire to the death for. Plus, if he did, Spirit Hall could use it as an excuse to disqualify him. But Dai Weisi couldn't afford to bet, just as Tian Lin couldn't bet that Bibi Dong was crazy—Dai Weisi couldn't be sure Tian Lin wasn't insane.
He had a bright future ahead of him, and Dai Mubai was no real threat. His throne was practically guaranteed. But if Tian Lin crippled him now, who could he complain to?
Even if Tian Lin didn't cripple him, as long as he did what he did today—using overwhelming spiritual power to instantly defeat them—once news spread that Star Luo's heir was instantly defeated by Heaven Dou, the royal family would still lose face.
Now, Dai Weisi was stuck, unable to fight or not fight—a dilemma.
Seeing this, Tian Lin smiled slightly. "Dai Weisi, how about a bet? The wager is what I just proposed: give them a quick end. The way we bet is in tomorrow's match. If you win, do whatever you want—I and Rongrong won't interfere. If you lose, do as I said. And to be fair, neither I nor Gu Ran, the two Soul Kings, will play tomorrow."
Hearing this, Dai Weisi fell into thought. No matter what, this couldn't go badly for him. Even if he lost and killed Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, he'd eliminate all threats. He just couldn't show off his kindness and would lose a beauty.
But if he won, he'd gain a lot: the glory of Star Luo beating Heaven Dou, Dai Mubai's life, and Zhu Zhuqing's body.
As long as the two Soul Kings from the Emperor Battle Team didn't join, there wasn't much difference between the teams, and the average levels weren't too far off.
Plus, he and Zhu Zhuyun had the Nether White Tiger fusion skill, so their chances of winning were high.
After thinking, Tian Lin's bet was all gain and no loss for him, so he didn't hesitate. "Fine, Sword Prince, I'll give you this face. I accept the bet."
With that, Dai Weisi took the Star Luo team and left—they needed to rearrange their strategy.
"Thank you!" Zhu Zhuqing walked up to Tian Lin and thanked him. Although Tian Lin didn't save her life, he at least fought for her freedom.
But Ye Lingling walked up, looking displeased. "Xiao Tian, give me an explanation."
She wanted Tian Lin to save Zhu Zhuqing's life, not send her to die.
"Sister Lingling, don't be angry. When have I ever let you down? As long as you win tomorrow, I guarantee I'll keep my promise." Tian Lin smiled. "But since Gu Ran and I can't play tomorrow, Tianheng, it's up to you to deal with Dai Weisi. Okay?"
"Haha, what are you saying? Aren't they just two little kittens, one black, one white? Don't forget, I'm a dragon!" Yu Tianheng said proudly.
For him, it would be better if Tian Lin didn't play. Otherwise, people would think the Emperor Battle Team was just Tian Lin alone. Now, tomorrow, the world could once again witness the power of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.