Chapter 168: Abyssal Brawl!
At the Sea God Lake, Du Qianjue was now the center of everyone's attention as all awaited his decision. The proud daughters of heaven from Shrek Academy, all distinguished members of the inner court, were inexplicably willing to take a lesser position for him—a thought almost inconceivable! Were it anyone else, they might have accepted them all without hesitation.
Feeling the gazes around him, Du Qianjue unwrapped his arms from around Xue LingLong's waist and smiled faintly, gently lifting the veil from her head. The crowd watched in curiosity, not understanding his timing for such an act, but they were intrigued. Aside from Zhang Lexuan, none had seen Xue LingLong 's true face. Despite Du Qianjue often walking around Sea God Island with Xue LingLong, only the academy's teachers really had any direct interaction with them.
Everyone was curious about what Xue LingLong truly looked like, even the other Sea God Maidens. When the veil was finally lifted, revealing cascading silver-white hair that perfectly complemented her pure white dress, the crowd was astounded by her beauty. Her face was perfection, her ice-blue eyes sparkling with a hint of laughter, completely capturing Du Qianjue's gaze. Her elegant and statuesque figure nearly matched Du Qianjue in height, her beauty and presence seemingly illuminating her surroundings.
"Xue'er," Du Qianjue called softly. Xue LingLong hummed in response, leaning into his embrace. Her voice, melodious as a songbird's call, melted many a heart, even causing some of the male students to flush with emotion.
"I once said that once I take you away and you agree to follow, you will be my only wife for life, and nothing will change my mind," Du Qianjue said as he stroked her silver hair, his voice calm yet tender. "This is not a promise, nor a vow, but my response to you and my feelings for you."
Xue LingLong 's heart trembled slightly, her previous jealousy and bitterness evaporating in the moment, her eyes brimming with tears. Despite her formidable strength, being a soul beast made her feel out of place in the human world, especially with the deep-seated animosity between humans and soul beasts on Douluo Continent. She feared her identity might one day become a wedge between them, which is why she had even suggested Du Qianjue take a human wife.
"The best way for a married couple to express their love is by wearing rings given to each other," Du Qianjue said as he pulled out a box from his storage device and slowly opened it in front of Xue LingLong. The soft cyan light from the box caught everyone's attention. Xue LingLong looked down curiously, unaware of these rings as Du Qianjue and Electrolux had made them when she wasn't around.
"Will you wear my ring and be my wife?" Du Qianjue knelt on one knee, holding the two rings in one hand and taking Xue LingLong 's hand with the other, his eyes filled with endless tenderness. Tears of joy welled up in Xue LingLong's eyes as she nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion but filled with joy, "I will, I do!"
As everyone watched Du Qianjue and Xue LingLong express their love, even though they weren't students of Shrek Academy, everyone silently blessed them in their hearts. Zhang Lexuan questioned herself repeatedly if she could intervene in such a relationship, but the answer was always no. Realizing this, her blessings for Du Qianjue and Xue LingLong slowly turned into deep envy and jealousy. "Why can't I have such love? Why must I cling to vows that bind me for life without meaning? Why, Beibei, are you so cruel?"
As Du Qianjue placed the Wings of Union ring on Xue LingLong, the scene was so touching that even Ma Xiaotao, feeling envious and blessed, burst out in anger. She, a descendant of the original Shrek Seven Monsters and a direct disciple of Yan Shaozhe, had been willing to be lesser for Du Qianjue, yet he hadn't even given her a second glance.
The chaos that ensued was unprecedented in the history of the Sea God's Matchmaking. What started as a romantic moment quickly turned into an abyssal brawl as nearly twenty people declared their intention to intervene. The scene was so chaotic that even the hosts, Han Ruoruo and Gongyang Mo, could only exchange helpless glances, laughing at the absurdity of the situation.
"Well, Du Qianjue, now there are thirteen male students and nine Sea God Maidens—a total of twenty-two people—who have challenged you for your bride. Do you accept their challenge?" Gongyang Mo asked, his expression showing just how daunting the number seemed to him.
The number made Han Ruoruo take a sharp breath as well. "Exciting, very exciting," she thought. The prospect of such juicy gossip, especially involving her good friend Zhang Lexuan, made her all the more eager to see how things would unfold. "Please, make it more dramatic!"
Han Ruoruo's eager gaze didn't escape Du Qianjue's notice, who scoffed. "Enjoying the show, huh? Causing trouble, huh? Do you really think I, who can thrash even Xuanzi, can be so easily disregarded?"
Releasing the hand that held Xue LingLong's, Du Qianjue walked off the lotus leaf with a proud demeanor. He stood ten centimeters above the lake's surface, arms crossed, and gazed coldly at the crowd. "A challenge for my bride? Interesting. I accept!" Du Qianjue said calmly.
"I'll go first!" Ma Xiaotao immediately prepared to attack, but Han Ruoruo stopped her. "Hold on. Du Qianjue, you can start picking your opponents now," Han Ruoruo quickly intervened to maintain order.
Ma Xiaotao had no choice but to pause, her dark red eyes fixed on Du Qianjue. "Pick? Pick what!" Du Qianjue scoffed disdainfully, scanning the faces of Shrek Academy's students. "Don't waste my time. I want to go home and sleep with my wife. All of you, come at once!"
"What?!" "Such arrogance!" "Are you looking for death?" "How dare you disrespect us!" "Brothers, let's go together!" The male students were instantly enraged, their eyes blazing as they summoned their soul spirits, lighting up with various glows as they prepared to battle Du Qianjue.
The students transformed according to their soul spirits; some burst out of their academy uniforms into werewolf forms, while others gripped steel pipes, ready for a real fight. The shining soul rings illuminated the lake with vibrant colors, their light representing their fury. "Let the flames of my anger burn!"
On the female side, aside from the hot-tempered Wu Ming and Ma Xiaotao who were visibly upset, the others seemed okay. Especially the group led by Ling Luochen, who were primarily there to enjoy the spectacle, their eyes nearly spilling over with gossip excitement. "So bold! I love it! This makes the gossip even tastier!"
Zhang Lexuan's emotions were the most complex. Since declaring her intent to claim Du Qianjue, she couldn't stop staring at him, making his skin crawl. This was why he had reacted so strongly. Zhang Lexuan was indeed making him sweat with her intense gaze. The last gaze that had this terrifying effect on him was that of Meng Hongchen from the Sun Moon Empire.
"Wait a moment, if you want to claim the bride, come together now!" Du Qianjue shouted, the overwhelming sensation making him yearn to return to Xue LingLong's comforting embrace. Only her warm and soft embrace could soothe his agitated spirit. "Let's go!" Ma Xiaotao snarled, flames of anger almost tangible in her eyes. "Since you're so confident, let's see how strong you really are!"
With a loud phoenix cry, fierce flames erupted around Ma Xiaotao as she launched her first attack. Similarly, Wu Ming unleashed her Golden Crow True Fire, turning her into a blazing sun. Both showed their prowess by lighting up their sixth soul rings, launching their most powerful skills.
Not just them, almost everyone attacked. The serene Xue LingLong, surrounded by roses and rings, was unaffected by the chaos. The male students also unleashed their soul skills, casting a barrage of attacks toward Du Qianjue. From wolf strikes and whirling slashes to lightning whirlwinds and breath-stealing gusts, the air was filled with a spectrum of soul techniques. The lake roiled under the onslaught, water blasting in all directions from the force of their combined powers.
Watching the fireworks-like display in the sky, Zhang Lexuan frowned slightly, a look of concern crossing her perfect features. Turning to Xue LingLong, she found the latter still calm and collected, as if unconcerned about Du Qianjue's predicament. "Aren't you worried at all?" Zhang Lexuan's melodic voice reached only Xue LingLong, who shifted her gaze from the roses and rings to her with a serene smile. "You don't understand him, but I trust him," Xue LingLong chuckled softly, "Such attacks won't harm him."
"Really…" Zhang Lexuan fell silent, her worries easing somewhat. Unbeknownst to when it began, she had placed Du Qianjue in a crucial part of her heart. Even though it was Du Qianjue who chose to face everyone at once, she wished she could shield him from their attacks, even at the risk of her own life.
As the explosions and dust settled, the obscured view left everyone questioning Du Qianjue's fate. "Is he dead?" one student wondered aloud. The group exchanged uncertain glances, realizing perhaps they had been too impulsive in their fervor.
"No, something's not right," Wu Ming exclaimed, spotting something amiss amidst the dust. A chilling laugh echoed over the lake, "Ha ha ha… Your attacks are over, now it's my turn
The flames on Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming, already at their peak, flared even more intensely. The male students also wasted no time, having already summoned their martial spirits, they unleashed their strongest attacks.
Zhang Lexuan, however, remained motionless, her eyes fixed on Du Qianjue. If it weren't for the gently spinning crescent moon behind her, Du Qianjue might have thought she had frozen like a high-ping character in a game.
"Is this a joke?" Du Qianjue smirked as he looked at the students, who seemed like circus clowns. These attacks, even combined, couldn't compare to a casual strike from Xuanzi. He could easily match Xuanzi in a fight.
Dealing with these students was child's play to him.
Closing his eyes, Du Qianjue slowly spread his arms, and a pair of large, jet-black wings unfolded behind him, drawing everyone's gaze with their deep, mesmerizing darkness.
"Ha ha ha ha ha…"
His arrogant laughter echoed across Sea God Lake as his black wings folded around him, forming a spherical shield.
Dark Devilgod Tiger: Devilgod's Protection!
It didn't matter if they attacked together. With just one skill, he could stand still and let them attack without breaking his defense.
Why not just tank the hits directly?
Du Qianjue wasn't foolish. Even if he wouldn't get injured, it would still hurt.
"Boom!" The sound of exploding flames echoed as two massive birds, one purple-red and the other gold, charged towards Du Qianjue.
The male students also released their soul skills, sending a barrage of attacks his way.
"Howling Moon Wolf Strike!"
"Crescent Wheel Slash!"
"Lightning Whirlwind Slash!"
"Gale End Slash!"
"Spirit Rhino Double Shot!"
"Boom!"
"Crash... Bang!!!"
...
Multicolored soul skills bombarded the black sphere that Du Qianjue had formed, creating continuous explosions and metallic clashes, accompanied by the sound of shattering crystals. The terrifying soul power turbulence caused waves to erupt from Sea God Lake, spreading in all directions.
Watching the scene, Zhang Lexuan frowned, concern etched on her face. Turning to Xue LingLong, she saw her expression was still serene and indifferent, as if she didn't care about Du Qianjue's situation.
"Aren't you worried at all?" Zhang Lexuan's melodious voice reached Xue LingLong's ears, using soul power to ensure only she could hear.
Xue LingLong moved her gaze from the roses and ring in her hands to Zhang Lexuan, a serene smile appearing on her flawless face.
"You don't understand him, but I trust him," Xue LingLong chuckled softly, "Such attacks can't hurt him."
"Really…" Zhang Lexuan fell silent, her worries easing somewhat. Unbeknownst to her, she had already placed Du Qianjue in a crucial part of her heart. Even though he had chosen to face everyone at once, Zhang Lexuan wished she could shield him from their attacks, despite the risk to herself.
As the explosions and dust settled, the heavy smoke obscured everyone's view, making it impossible to see Du Qianjue's condition.
"Is he dead?" a male student asked, looking at his martial spirit in confusion.
The others exchanged glances, speechless. They realized they might have been too impulsive, attacking so recklessly. Their combined efforts could overwhelm even a Titled Douluo.
"No, something's not right!" Wu Ming shouted, eyes flashing with realization.
A sinister, eerie laugh echoed from within the smoke.
"Ha ha ha ha ha... Your attacks are over, now it's my turn!"