Two drops of Azure Tears rolled down Dai Mubai's face: "I was wrong, I can swear, I'll never trouble you again."
It's often said that a man's tears are not shed lightly, only when truly heartbroken. Dai Mubai felt his limbs going numb. He was only fifteen this year, with many years ahead to squander. If he were crippled now, he couldn't imagine what his future would hold.
Even if he were to one day successfully vie for the throne against his elder brother or avenge today's humiliation, it would likely feel hollow.
"Wrong? I don't believe it." Li Xun's heart stirred, and the tree beneath him seemed to soften, slowly tilting to lower him near Dai Mubai.
The marriage contract was one of his objectives for this trip. Originally, he had planned to deal with Dai Mubai discreetly after returning, but it seemed that doing so openly was also effective.
"Write a written agreement, a guarantee, anything will do!" Hearing a response, Dai Mubai's spirits lifted, and he quickly shouted, fearing Li Xun might change his mind.
Compared to Zhu Zhuqing, whom he had only met a few times in childhood and had no feelings for, his own safety was far more important.
"A written agreement? Great! I like that sort of thing." Li Xun chuckled. By now, the tree had carried him and Ning Rongrong to stand before Dai Mubai.
Li Xun took out paper and a pen from his Soul Guiding Device and handed them to Dai Mubai.
"..."
Seeing Li Xun's actions, Dai Mubai was momentarily stunned, his eyes flashing with surprise. Feeling the searing pain in his body, he hurriedly said, "Can you promise to let me go?"
"Haha, though I'm not a good man, I do have my limits." Li Xun smiled with a hint of amusement. "I can agree to that. But you'd better make the most of this opportunity!"
"...Alright."
Dai Mubai closed his eyes in pain, his heart heavy with despair.
It had always been him seducing women; he never imagined he'd one day fall to such a state. He dared not open his eyes, afraid that if he did, Li Xun would see the boundless hatred within them.
"Oh? You've got some ideas, huh?" Li Xun's peripheral vision caught Ma Hongjun cautiously crawling towards him. With a swift movement, he kicked Ma Hongjun in the abdomen.
Ma Hongjun was sent flying over ten meters, and as he tumbled, the wooden spear on his buttocks kept hitting the ground, causing him to scream in agony. Soon, he passed out from the pain.
"Li Xun, Ma Hongjun is already defeated. Why must you be so ruthless? Truly despicable!" Tang San stood on the rooftop, his expression dark as he glared at Li Xun, his anger burning like flames. "Dare to face me in a proper fight!"
He had just arrived at Li Xun's previous location when the other moved, making Tang San feel as though Li Xun was toying with him.
"Don't rush, I'll deal with you in a moment." Li Xun glanced at Tang San. "If you're in a hurry, then come after me."
Tang San's eyes were icy cold as he leaped from the rooftop to the street below.
Though Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had been defeated miserably, it had given him the chance to analyze the opponent's skills.
Tang San's gaze flickered. Li Xun's first two Spirit Rings were passive, and he hadn't yet used his Third Soul Skill. If he wasn't mistaken, Li Xun's ability to manipulate plants was likely the effect of his third Spirit Ring.
Though this ability was powerful, almost miraculous, it couldn't compensate for Li Xun's lack of Soul Skills.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun lost because they were both power-attack types, yet they insisted on fighting in a narrow street.
On the other hand, both he and Li Xun were plant-type control Soul Masters, and he also had Hidden Weapons, so they were not restricted by the terrain. Moreover, Li Xun had been using his abilities continuously, so his Soul Power was likely nearly depleted.
Ignoring Tang San, Li Xun walked up to Dai Mubai, untied her hands, and manipulated vines to create a table. He then took a book from his Soul Guiding Device to place under the paper.
"Don't think Tang San can save you; he might not even be able to save himself in a moment," Li Xun said, considerately handing her a towel. "Wipe your hands, don't dirty the paper."
"..."
Dai Mubai endured the intense pain and carefully wiped her hands. "How should I write this?"
"Write whatever you want," Li Xun smiled kindly, then reached behind him. Instantly, a Vine Wall appeared between Tang San and them. "And it's not like you have to write it..."
Dai Mubai's heart tightened. Suppressing the dizziness from excessive blood loss, she picked up the pen and quickly started writing. She needed to finish before her consciousness faded.
After a moment, Dai Mubai, pale-faced, put down the pen. "Do you keep your word?"
"Please wait a moment," Li Xun smiled as he picked up the paper from the makeshift table and carefully reviewed it.
"Good, now there's just one last step," Li Xun said, taking out a box of ink paste from his Soul Guiding Device and placing it in front of Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai looked at the ink paste on the table, trembling with anger. Her pale face changed color, and a sense of immense humiliation spread through her heart.
Then, shakily, she extended her index finger.
"Not enough, use both hands," Li Xun glanced and slowly shook his head. In an era without precise verification methods, it was better to be cautious.
"You..." Dai Mubai's eyes seemed to burn with flames, her humiliation turning into overwhelming hatred. But given the circumstances, she had no choice but to press both hands into the ink.
"Done."
Li Xun picked up the paper, exhaled a cold breath, and quickly dried the moisture on it. "But I must remind you, our conditions have been met. Please cherish this opportunity."
Above the tower in Suotuo City, Sword Douluo watched the battle below with a smile.
"Tang Hao, two of your son's side have already lost their fighting ability. The remaining Soul Beast transformed girl probably won't last another round."
"The outcome of this battle is decided. Shall we call it off now?" Since Li Xun's return, the frustration Sword Douluo had felt from his earlier subtle confrontation with Tang Hao had dissipated, and he hadn't stopped smiling.
Now, he had both face and substance. Considering that Li Xun's attacks were too heavy, and injuring Tang Hao's son might provoke an emotional outburst, he thought it was about time.
"This kid's talent is extraordinary. It seems this little one is quite important to your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?" Tang Hao frowned slightly, a glint in his half-closed eyes.
From his perspective, this little guy clearly still had some strength left. Xiao San might not be his match at this stage.
Sword Douluo's eyes turned cold as he stared intently at Tang Hao.
Li Xun's importance to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was unquestionable. Everyone was waiting for him to grow up, driven by both emotion and interest.
Because no matter how strong these old-timers are, there will come a day when they return to dust, and the world will ultimately belong to the younger generation.
With Li Xun's talent, the descendants of the sect will be sheltered under his wings for the next few hundred years.
(End of chapter)