"Ye Zhiqiu? What kind of thing is that? Fatty, have you heard of him?"
Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow, his tone full of disdain.
Ma Hongjun crossed his arms, looked Ye Zhiqiu up and down, and sneered:
"No idea, Boss Dai."
"Who knows what kind of character this Ye Zhiqiu is? I think he might just be a giant turtle that gained sentience!"
"I think so too!" Dai Mubai stroked his chin, deliberately raising his voice.
"The way he swallowed his anger earlier was exactly like a turtle pulling its head back into its shell!"
The two of them bantered back and forth without any restraint, and even some bystanders watching the spectacle couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Ye Zhiqiu's face turned pale then flushed with anger, the veins on his forehead throbbing visibly. He was clearly infuriated by the arrogance of these two juniors.
"How dare you!"
He roared furiously, glaring viciously at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
"Ignorant brats who know no respect! I, Ye Zhiqiu, will teach you a proper lesson today on behalf of your elders, so you learn your place!"
Before his words faded, Ye Zhiqiu's Soul Power erupted abruptly. Accompanied by a low, tortoise-like hum, a thick, dark tortoise shell instantly covered his back.
The shell's patterns were ancient, emanating a sturdy texture—this was the state of his Black Tortoise Spirit after Martial Soul Avatar!
Immediately after, five Soul Rings rose from his feet: one white, two yellow, and two purple!
The five Soul Rings circled neatly around him, and the aura of a Soul King spread out, attempting to intimidate the young men before him.
Ye Zhiqiu crossed his arms, looking smugly at Dai Mubai and the others, his eyes filled with certainty.
These four brats would surely be scared out of their wits at the sight of his Soul Rings and Martial Soul, kneeling and begging for mercy.
However, after three breaths, the expected fear did not materialize. Instead, an even louder burst of raucous laughter exploded.
"Hahahaha! Boss Dai, did you see that? It really is a giant turtle Martial Soul!"
Ma Hongjun laughed so hard he couldn't stand straight, pointing at the tortoise shell on Ye Zhiqiu's back, tears nearly streaming from his eyes.
Dai Mubai also doubled over with laughter, waving his hand and saying, "Fatty, don't talk nonsense… although it really is hilarious!"
"But his is called the Black Tortoise Spirit, not a giant turtle… Haha! Haha!"
By the end, he couldn't hold back either, laughing even louder than Ma Hongjun.
The surrounding laughter grew louder, and even those who had initially been wary of Ye Zhiqiu's status as a Soul Saint couldn't help but join in.
Ye Zhiqiu's face instantly turned the color of liver. What he hated most in his life was people laughing at his Martial Soul, calling it a turtle!
Now, being publicly mocked like this by two juniors, he felt a surge of rage rush to his head, his Soul Power nearly spiraling out of control.
"You're asking for death!"
He bellowed, the Soul Rings around him suddenly glowing brightly, clearly enraged.
"If I don't beat you into a pulp today, I won't go by the name Ye! First Spirit Ability • Dark Tortoise Body Protection!"
As he spoke, the Soul Rings at his feet shone brilliantly, and a faint gleam spread over the dark tortoise shell as he charged fiercely toward Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai's laughter cut off abruptly, his eyes sharpening instantly. His Soul Power surged around him, yellow and purple Soul Rings lighting up simultaneously as his aura soared abruptly:
"Well met! I'll show you who really deserves to be taught a lesson!"
"White Tiger Spirit Possession! First Spirit Ability • White Tiger Protective Barrier!"
With a low shout, black and white fur instantly covered his entire body as his muscles bulged, causing Dai Mubai's figure to grow several inches taller. A faint "king" character pattern emerged on his forehead, and a pair of tiger claws gleamed with a chilling cold light.
Before his words faded, Dai Mubai had already closed in, Soul Power concentrated in his right fist as he slammed it fiercely toward Ye Zhiqiu.
Seeing this, Ye Zhiqiu didn't hesitate to turn around, presenting his thick black tortoise shell toward the incoming punch.
"Boom!"
Fist and tortoise shell collided heavily, producing a dull, thunderous noise as shockwaves rippled outward.
Dai Mubai felt a tremendous recoil force surge from his fist, instantly numbing his arm. He was forced back three steps before regaining his footing.
Shaking his stiff right hand, he maintained his arrogant expression and retorted defiantly, "Hah! Your tortoise shell is quite hard, but I'm determined to shatter it today!"
Ye Zhiqiu was also pushed back half a step by the punch, inwardly surprised. This kid is so young, yet his strength is formidable—no wonder he dares to be so insolent. But he showed no trace of it on his face, instead letting out a cold laugh. "You? Still too green! Come on, try again if you dare!"
"Bring it on! See if you can hide in that shell forever!"
Battle intent blazing in his eyes, Dai Mubai's second Soul Ring flared brightly at his feet as he gathered Soul Power in his throat.
"Second Spirit Ability—White Tiger Light Wave!"
A razor-sharp golden light blade shot from his mouth, aimed directly at Ye Zhiqiu's face with blinding speed.
"Go, Boss Dai! Tear off that old turtle's shell!"
Ma Hongjun, watching excitedly from the side, rolled up his sleeves and shouted encouragement, itching to join the fray himself.
Seeing the incoming golden blade, Ye Zhiqiu curled his lips into a cold smile. Instead of retreating, he advanced.
Spinning abruptly, his limbs and head retracted into the thick black tortoise shell with a swift "shua" sound.
"Boom!"
The White Tiger Light Wave struck the shell squarely, shockwaves billowing out and kicking up a cloud of dust!
Yet, the expected shattering didn't occur.
The tortoise shell merely shook violently, its surface patterns glowing dimly before returning to normal—the defense remained completely intact!
"What?"
Dai Mubai's pupils contracted slightly, unable to believe his eyes.
Although his White Tiger Light Wave wasn't his strongest Spirit Ability, it was powerful enough to break through an ordinary Soul Elder's defense. Even against a Soul King, it shouldn't have left the shell completely unscathed.
From within the shell, Ye Zhiqiu's muffled, triumphant voice rang out, "Well? Know your place now, kid? My black tortoise shell isn't something you can shake!"
The next moment, Ye Zhiqiu's head emerged from the shell, followed leisurely by his limbs stretching out.
"Hmph, Boss Dai, I'll help you!"
Seeing Dai Mubai stymied by the shell, Ma Hongjun immediately stepped forward.
Spreading his arms in a grand gesture like a roc taking flight, he flashed a mischievous grin. "Perfect for a late-night snack—let's try some charcoal-grilled turtle tonight!"
Before his words faded, his Soul Power erupted violently, two yellow Soul Rings lighting up beneath his feet.
"Wicked Fire Phoenix, possess me!"
A clear phoenix cry pierced the air as a phantom of a phoenix wreathed in violet-red flames spread its wings behind him.
Ye Zhiqiu's face twitched with rage upon hearing Ma Hongjun's words:
"You insolent brat! Do you truly believe my Mysterious Turtle is easy to provoke?"
Pointing a trembling finger at Dai Mubai, his beard bristling with fury, Ye Zhiqiu was clearly infuriated by the "charcoal-grilled turtle" remark.
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