"Huo Wu!"
A breathless voice cut through the crowd, stopping the group in their tracks. A figure in green hurried towards them, his expression a mix of relief and anxiety.
"Huo Wu, I finally found you," gasped Feng Xiaotian.
Yesterday, he had gone to find Huo Wu, only to be told by Huo Wushuang that she was not available. Feeling sympathetic, Huo Wushuang had reluctantly shared the news of Huo Wu's involvement with Su Bai.
Feng Xiaotian had been stunned, refusing to believe it. Since then, he had been searching frantically for her, leading to the current confrontation.
Huo Wu, seeing him, furrowed her brows in annoyance. "Feng Xiaotian, why are you here?"
Ignoring her question, Feng Xiaotian's gaze shifted to Su Bai, then back to Huo Wu. "Is it true what your brother said? Have you really chosen him?" he asked, pointing at Su Bai, his voice laced with disbelief and resentment.
"So what if it's true?" Huo Wu replied, clearly irritated.
Feng Xiaotian's face paled as he noticed Shui Bing'er standing beside Su Bai. His anger flared up. It wasn't just Huo Wu; even Shui Bing'er was with Su Bai. This man was a shameless womanizer!
"How can you be with him?" Feng Xiaotian pleaded. "Huo Wu, you must be coerced. Don't worry. Even though the Five Great Elemental Academies don't have a Titled Douluo, we're not weak. You don't have to be afraid."
Turning to Su Bai, he declared, "Even if you are a Titled Douluo, I won't let you force Huo Wu into anything against her will."
Su Bai's brows furrowed in irritation. Before he could respond, Shui Bing'er's voice cut through the tension, cold and stern. "Feng Xiaotian, you can't speak for the Five Elemental Academies. Stop making baseless accusations."
Huo Wu's voice was equally icy. "Feng Xiaotian, stop imagining things. Everything between Brother Bai and me is consensual. And stop calling me that; we're not close. I don't want Brother Bai to misunderstand."
"Huo Wu..." Feng Xiaotian's face drained of color, shock and disbelief written all over it. Just recently, she had been cheering for him, and now, this man had taken her away? What did that make him?
Unable to accept the reality, Feng Xiaotian's mind spiraled into madness. He refused to believe that Huo Wu had chosen this of her own will. Convinced that Su Bai had coerced her, he decided to act.
Even if he wasn't strong enough, he would fight to reclaim Huo Wu.
With that thought, Feng Xiaotian activated his martial soul, the Wind Twin-Headed Wolf, and charged at Su Bai, his aura that of a Soul Elder.
"Huo Wu, you—"
Smack!
Before Huo Wu could finish her sentence, Feng Xiaotian was sent flying by a single slap from Su Bai. Blood splattered from his face, and he collapsed, unconscious and defeated.
Huo Wu was both furious and frustrated. She was angry at Feng Xiaotian's foolish actions and annoyed by his lack of self-awareness. A Soul Elder challenging a Titled Douluo was sheer madness.
"Brother Bai, let's go. I don't want to see this fool again!" Huo Wu said, grabbing Su Bai's hand and pulling him away. Su Bai nodded, holding Huo Wu's soft hand as they left, with Shui Bing'er following close behind.
Feng Xiaotian lay there, unconscious and bleeding, ignored by all.
As time passed, the National Elite Soul Master Competition's preliminary rounds drew to a close, and the rankings were announced. Unsurprisingly, Tianshui Academy secured first place with an undefeated record. Blazing Academy followed in second place, having lost only once, that loss being to Shui Bing'er.
To everyone's surprise, Shrek Academy also advanced. Thanks to Dai Mubai's relentless efforts, they barely managed to qualify for the next stage. However, given their current strength, their chances of progressing further seemed slim.
With the preliminaries over, the final stages awaited, but first, there was the award ceremony, hosted by Emperor Xue Ye himself. Ning Fengzhi was present, and so was Su Bai, though Bibi Dong had to leave due to an urgent matter.
"Let's congratulate Tianshui Academy and Blazing Academy for securing the top two positions in the preliminaries," Emperor Xue Ye announced. "Now, let's invite the captains of Tianshui Academy and Blazing Academy to say a few words."
Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu stepped onto the stage. Huo Wu spoke first, "I owe my current success to Su Bai. Without him, I wouldn't be here. Thank you!" She bowed deeply towards Su Bai.
Not to be outdone, Shui Bing'er followed, "Su Bai saved me in the Star Dou Forest. I owe him my life. Thank you!" She too bowed to Su Bai.
All eyes turned to Su Bai, his presence more commanding than even the champions. Tang San, standing below, glared at him with deep-seated resentment. Had it not been for Su Bai, he wouldn't be in his current state, forced to absorb a ten-year spirit ring and robbed of his treasured herbs.
With Su Bai's interference, Tang San's dreams of glory were shattered. He vowed to become strong and reclaim everything that was his, including Xiao Wu.
Emperor Xue Ye continued, "To celebrate the emergence of such talented individuals, I have decided to host a banquet tonight. Everyone is invited to attend."
Turning to Su Bai, he added, "Senior Su, I hope you will honor us with your presence."
Su Bai, initially surprised, quickly understood the Emperor's intent. Clearly, Xue Ye still hoped to win him over. After a brief hesitation, Su Bai nodded in agreement.
Emperor Xue Ye beamed with pleasure. As Su Bai left, flanked by Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er, an idea formed in the Emperor's mind, a possible way to gain Su Bai's favor.
Meanwhile, Feng Xiaotian, watching the closeness between Huo Wu and Su Bai, felt his heart shatter. Huo Wu should have been his, but Su Bai had taken everything from him. Clenching his fists, he glared at Su Bai's retreating figure with hatred.
To Su Bai, Feng Xiaotian was nothing more than a minor annoyance, an ant that could be crushed effortlessly.
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