Late at night, after drinking at the dinner party, the girls returned to their rooms to rest.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Tianyang, feeling restless, set off with Ma Hongjun and the others toward Suotuo City.
However, an unexpected incident occurred along the way, involving Tang San.
Still, it wasn't a big deal—Tang San was a man too.
Besides, knowing his character, he wouldn't go around spreading what happened tonight. Bringing him along wouldn't cause any trouble.
As they traveled, Ma Hongjun recounted his earlier confrontation. But the reality was worse than expected.
What had started as a mere quarrel had escalated to an ambush. If not for the progress he had made in his training over the past few months, he might not have made it out alive.
"When did a simple argument become worth taking someone's life over?" Dai Mubai's expression darkened, his anger simmering.
"What were their martial souls? Do you remember?" Xiao Tianyang asked, his tone calm but carrying a hint of curiosity.
"One of them had a Broken Blade, the other a Black Cloud…" Ma Hongjun shook his head. "That's all I remember."
"That's enough." Xiao Tianyang had already made up his mind.
Tang San tilted his head. "So, what's the plan?"
"The plan?" A cold glint flashed in Xiao Tianyang's eyes. "If they want to be ruthless, we'll be even more ruthless."
Dai Mubai inhaled sharply. "You're not thinking of killing them, are you?"
"If you don't pull weeds up by the roots, they'll grow back with the spring breeze." Xiao Tianyang's voice was icy. "These people were willing to kill over a mere quarrel. Do you think a simple lesson will change them?"
Dai Mubai fell silent. As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he understood the necessity of eliminating threats, but he had never personally crossed that line before.
Ma Hongjun opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. This situation had started because of him. His brothers were willing to stand by him—if he hesitated now, it would be an insult to their loyalty.
Oscar, on the other hand, was more detached. "Is that why you didn't bring the girls along?"
Xiao Tianyang's demeanor returned to normal as he grinned. "Bloodshed is inevitable in our future, but if we can shield them from it for now, we should."
The group nodded in agreement, then fell silent as they continued toward Suotuo City on their bicycles.
Though Suotuo City was not dazzling in the dead of night, its entertainment district was as extravagant as ever. Otherwise, Ma Hongjun wouldn't have chosen to spend time there.
At that moment, a thin figure emerged from a luxurious hotel. As he passed by a woman, he reached out and groped her, his face filled with intoxicated pleasure. To onlookers, he appeared utterly wretched.
"Tonight's newcomer was nice. Let's bring her back again tomorrow."
Just as he finished speaking, someone blocked his path.
Bu Le looked up, stunned.
Before him stood a young man with silver hair and gray eyes, tall and imposing, his features so striking that even women would pale in comparison.
It was Xiao Tianyang.
"Hey, kid, what do you think you're doing standing in my way?" Bu Le sneered, his tone lecherous.
Xiao Tianyang smiled. "Looking for trouble."
"Hah! Looking for trouble?" Bu Le burst into laughter. "You? A little brat trying to pick a fight before you've even grown a full head of hair?"
Then, as his expression twisted into something even more sinister, he added, "But with looks like yours, if you were sold to a—"
"Boom!"
Xiao Tianyang's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he delivered a devastating kick to Bu Le's abdomen.
The force sent Bu Le flying like a cannonball. He crashed through a nearby wall, rubble burying him as a cloud of dust rose. His fate was uncertain.
"Hiss… I think I heard bones crack." Oscar shivered from his hiding spot.
"That wasn't just bones," Tang San swallowed. "I think I saw… fragments of internal organs."
A single kick had left a four-ring Soul Ancestor in such a miserable state—it was hard to fathom.
"Well, that fool brought it upon himself by talking like that to Tianyang," Dai Mubai smirked. "He was asking for death."
"Exactly!" Ma Hongjun nodded, eyes filled with satisfaction.
At that moment, two figures appeared at the end of the alley.
One was tall and burly, exuding raw strength, while the other was thin as a reed.
Together, they made for an odd but formidable pair.
"It's them!" Ma Hongjun recognized them immediately. "Those are the two Soul Kings! They're with that perverted bastard!"
"Then let's move!" Dai Mubai wasted no time, stepping up to stand beside Xiao Tianyang.
The others followed.
While Xiao Tianyang could undoubtedly handle things alone, they had agreed beforehand that the two Soul Kings would be their fight. Xiao Tianyang would only intervene if necessary.
"Tianya, Bu Le is… barely alive."
The burly man, Old Goose, stepped forward, pulling Bu Le from the rubble, his face twisted in rage.
At this point, Bu Le had more air going out than coming in. Fragments of his organs clung to his lips—his injuries were beyond saving unless a top-tier healing Soul Master intervened.
"R-revenge…" Bu Le's voice was faint, barely forming words.
"Damn it!" Old Goose's eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Tang San and the others. "You bastards will die here tonight!"
"Come, I'll hold the line."
Xiao Tianyang's expression was indifferent as he leaped onto a wooden barrel.
"Third soul skill—White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
Dai Mubai stomped forward, his third soul ring glowing as his body surged with power. Then, in a flash, he charged straight at Tianya and Old Goose.
"Second soul skill—White Tiger Intense Light Wave!"
A brilliant white light gathered in his mouth and shot forward.
"So fast!"
Tianya's pupils contracted. He tensed as five soul rings—white, yellow, yellow, purple, and purple—lit up around him. Though not the optimal configuration, it was still formidable for a civilian soul master.
With the Broken Blade in hand, he slashed down, splitting Dai Mubai's attack in two.
But what happened next caught him completely off guard.
Instead of dissipating, the White Tiger Intense Light Wave exploded on impact!
"Boom!"
Tianya staggered backward, his face filled with shock.
"A mere Spirit Elder actually forced me back?!"
Before he could react further, he suddenly felt something constricting his legs.
Looking down, he saw dark purple vines wrapped around him like venomous snakes.
"Old Goose, these guys are tougher than I thought!"
Tianya roared, hacking at the Blue Silver Grass entangling him.
…
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