"Soul beasts have no owners. Whoever catches one, it belongs to them."
Beibei and his group neither seriously injured nor captured the Datura Snake. It was Su Yu who subdued the Datura Snake, so saying it belongs to Su Yu isn't entirely wrong from a certain perspective.
"You're just twisting words!"
Tang Ya's pretty face flushed with anger. She had never encountered someone so shameless before.
"Exactly, we were here first! You're being unreasonable!"
Huo Yuhao also protested indignantly.
Of course, he had to stand up for his teacher Tang Ya and senior brother Beibei. Ever since his mother passed away, they had been the kindest people to him.
Su Yu glanced at him.
"Adults are talking, kid. Stay out of it. What do you know?"
Even though they were the same age—Su Yu perhaps only a few months older than Huo Yuhao—Su Yu was at least half a head taller. Huo Yuhao's physical condition lagged far behind ordinary soul masters, let alone compared to Su Yu, whose body was as powerful as a soul beast's.
"You!"
Huo Yuhao's face turned red with anger, but he didn't know what to say.
Tang Ya, protective as ever, comforted Huo Yuhao and then glared at Su Yu fiercely.
"You! Are you looking for a fight?"
"You want to fight me?"
Su Yu glanced at Tang Ya and smirked.
"Blue Silver Grass, a trash martial soul!"
"You!"
Now Tang Ya was truly enraged.
"Beibei, teach him a lesson for me!"
To dare call Blue Silver Grass a trash martial soul—it was an insult to the Tang Sect's ancestral masters! Tang Ya could no longer hold back her fury.
"Friend, you've gone too far," Beibei said, stepping forward. There was no helping it—Tang Ya was genuinely angry.
"I'm just stating a fact. Blue Silver Grass is a trash martial soul; that's common knowledge across the continent," Su Yu shrugged indifferently.
"Our Tang Sect's first ancestor, Tang San, became a powerful figure by cultivating Blue Silver Grass. He even ascended to godhood, becoming a legend of the continent for ten thousand years."
"And you dare call Blue Silver Grass a trash martial soul?"
Tang Ya retorted, unwilling to accept it. Her Tang Sect's founder, Tang San, had dominated the world with Blue Silver Grass.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Su Yu's smile held a trace of sarcasm.
"Was Tang San just an ordinary Blue Silver Grass user?"
Tang Ya was momentarily speechless, seeing Su Yu's smile. Indeed, Tang San wasn't an ordinary Blue Silver Grass user—he wielded the Blue Silver Emperor. This was recorded in the ancient texts of the Tang Sect, but most of the outside world only knew that Tang San's martial soul was Blue Silver Grass. But how did this guy know?
"Cat got your tongue? Well, it doesn't matter to me. Blue Silver Grass, Blue Silver Emperor—it's all the same to me. I'm not interested."
"But I am interested in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. If this gentleman's strength can impress me, then maybe, just maybe, I'll consider giving you the Datura Snake."
As Su Yu spoke, icy energy emanated from his left hand, freezing the Datura Snake solid. A thousand-year Mandala Snake wasn't worth his attention.
What intrigued him more was Beibei's strength. Beibei was one of the most outstanding students in the outer courtyard. By gauging his strength, Su Yu could estimate the general power level of the outer courtyard students. Moreover, he was genuinely curious about the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Getting some insights wouldn't hurt.
Beibei glanced at Tang Ya and saw the encouragement in her eyes.
"Beibei, do your best! Beat this guy so badly he'll be searching for his teeth on the ground!"
Tang Ya waved her hands animatedly, eager for Beibei to vent her frustrations.
"Friend, it seems this battle is inevitable," Beibei's eyes turned serious as lightning flickered around him.
"Come on then. Just remember to give it your all. Otherwise, you won't get that Datura Snake so easily," Su Yu bent his right hand slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
"Aren't you going to release your martial soul?"
"If you have the strength, I will," Su Yu's light voice drifted over.
Beibei's expression darkened. Even though he was usually calm and composed, being looked down upon like this made him uncomfortable.
"Then, be careful."
A flash of blue light burst from the lightning mark on Beibei's forehead, and in the next moment, layers of electric light surrounded him. Beibei took a step forward, his first soul ring glowing, and his Thunder Dragon Claw shot straight toward Su Yu.
Su Yu lightly moved his feet, effortlessly dodging Beibei's attack.
Beibei remained calm, controlling the Thunder Dragon Claw to twist and strike again toward Su Yu's back—Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon, one of the Tang Sect's secret techniques.
Simultaneously, his second soul ring lit up. A bolt of lightning appeared and spread out into a web, enveloping Su Yu.
It was the second soul skill, Thunderous Might!
With a lightning web in front and a Thunder Dragon Claw from behind, Beibei unleashed two powerful soul skills in tandem. He wanted to force Su Yu to release his martial soul.
"Interesting."
A smile played on Su Yu's lips. Just as the lightning web and dragon claw closed in, his figure flashed like a gust of wind, easily evading their attack range.
"So fast!"
Beibei was startled. Before he could react, he felt a chill behind him.
He hurriedly used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track footwork to dodge. However, a single foot still landed effortlessly on him, sending him flying over ten meters.
Behind him, Su Yu's figure materialized.
"Beibei!"
Tang Ya cried out in alarm, and worry filled Huo Yuhao's face.
"I didn't use much force. Come on, again!"
Su Yu waved his hand.
"Show me some real skill!"
Beibei stood up, wiping the dirt from the corner of his mouth, his eyes growing more serious. That speed was too fast—an agility-type Soul Elder wouldn't be much faster. But Beibei wasn't someone who backed down from a strong opponent.
His third soul ring glowed, and the lightning around him surged violently, becoming even more intense. The fierce lightning was dazzling, and crackling sounds echoed from Beibei's body.
The third soul skill, Thunder Fury. This could greatly enhance his attack power and boost his lightning abilities. With this skill, Beibei dared to confront even Soul Ancestor head-on.
Surrounded by lightning, Beibei charged at Su Yu with overwhelming momentum. His left claw surged with thunder as it reached for Su Yu.
Su Yu's eyes flickered, and his right hand shot out, intercepting Beibei's dragon claw.
Beibei's dragon claw evaded Su Yu's hand with a quick twist. At the same time, the dragon claw opened wide, and a suction force enveloped Su Yu, attempting to pull him in—Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon again!
Su Yu's body trembled slightly, dispersing the force, and his right hand formed a fist, punching toward Beibei.
Beibei was about to defend when an invisible force suddenly enveloped him, dragging his dragon claw to the side and restricting his movements.
At that moment, Su Yu's fist struck his body. The lightning covering Beibei was completely useless, instantly frozen by ice, and even Beibei's body was once again sent flying.
"Beibei!"
Tang Ya couldn't hold back any longer. She cried out in alarm and quickly ran over to Beibei.
Beibei struggled to stand up, feeling a heavy pressure in his chest, as though he couldn't catch his breath. Su Yu's punch had been too powerful. He could tell that Su Yu had held back, but even so, Beibei had barely managed to withstand it.
After calming himself with his soul power for a while, Beibei finally began to feel better. Seeing the worried look on Tang Ya's face, he forced a weak smile.
"Xiao Ya, I'm fine."
"Beibei, let's stop. I don't want the Datura Snake anymore," Tang Ya said, her eyes red with worry. The Datura Snake was indeed suitable for her, but if this continued, Beibei would end up seriously injured. She could tell that Beibei wasn't a match for Su Yu at all.
Beibei smiled slightly and was about to speak when suddenly, a voice interrupted.
Su Yu, with his hands behind his back, strolled over leisurely.
"Your attack power is decent, but it's not enough. Is this all the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon has to offer?"
Su Yu looked down at Beibei, his ice-blue eyes radiating an imposing pressure.
"You have an even more powerful force inside you. Why aren't you using it?"
Beibei was a descendant of Mu En, and within his body lay the latent bloodline of the Bright Holy Dragon. If he were to awaken that power, his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon could temporarily evolve. Su Yu was curious to see just how special this Bright Holy Dragon bloodline was.
Beibei's pupils contracted, and a look of shock crossed his face.
"What are you talking about? I don't understand," he denied firmly. This was his greatest secret, something he could never reveal easily.
"It's rumored that the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy has a Pavilion Master whose martial soul happens to be the rare Bright Holy Dragon," Su Yu said with a mysterious smile, his words full of meaning.
Hearing this, Beibei's eyes narrowed again. He understood that the young man in front of him wasn't speaking nonsense—he genuinely knew his background. Mentioning his great-grandfather? He was hinting at him! But how did this person know?
Shock, confusion, and doubt filled Beibei's heart as he stared intently at Su Yu.
"Can you stop with the nonsense? Beibei doesn't have any hidden power," Tang Ya stepped forward, glaring fiercely at Su Yu.
"So what if you're stronger? Does that give you the right to bully us? I'm telling you, I'm not afraid of you!"
Tang Ya stood in front of Beibei, speaking fiercely despite her delicate voice.
Beibei was startled and quickly pulled Tang Ya back. Su Yu's intentions were still unclear, and his strength was formidable. Angering him now wouldn't be wise.
"Young lady, aren't you old enough to know that strength is what matters?"
Su Yu smiled slightly.
"Besides, weren't you the one who wanted to fight me? And now you're acting like it's my fault?"
"Moreover, if you want to take something from someone else, it's never that simple."
Su Yu raised his left hand, showing the frozen Datura Snake, and looked at Tang Ya.
"If you want something of mine, you'll have to satisfy me first."
"I..."
Tang Ya tried to argue, but Beibei pulled her back.
"That's enough, Xiao Ya."
Now wasn't the time for a confrontation with Su Yu. Someone who hadn't even released his martial soul but easily defeated Beibei—his strength was beyond imagination.
Beibei took a deep breath. Though young, he was mature for his age, and he understood what decision would be most beneficial.
"Since you're so eager to see it, I'll grant your wish."
Beibei looked at Su Yu, a hint of battle intent rising in his eyes.
Su Yu had mentioned his great-grandfather, meaning he knew a lot about him. At this point, there was no use hiding anything. He might as well go all out—maybe he could still walk away and even obtain the Datura Snake.
"You're quite straightforward, my friend. Young lady, you should learn from him," Su Yu said with a glance at Tang Ya, smiling.
"Who are you calling 'young lady'? Are you even older than me?"
Tang Ya flared up, offended by Su Yu's remark.
Beibei quickly pulled Tang Ya back again, calming her down. Tang Ya stepped aside but continued grumbling under her breath, with Huo Yuhao eagerly agreeing with every word like a loyal follower.
"Be careful," Beibei said, his expression turning deadly serious. Then, a roar erupted from his mouth.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, the lightning surrounding him turned golden, and brilliant golden light flashed. A dazzling golden glow condensed above his head.
In his Thunderous Fury state, the dragon scales on Beibei's left arm rapidly spread, covering his entire body in an instant. His aura transformed dramatically. It was a proud, domineering presence, exuding an overwhelming power and regal might that was hard to describe.
Beibei's aura had reached its peak. He took a step forward, shouting, "Tyrant Sovereign, Thunder Domain!"
A wave of golden light burst out, formed from countless arcs of lightning. Everywhere it passed was bathed in gold, covering an area of over ten meters in diameter. A wild, oppressive force surged toward Su Yu.
This was Beibei's true power at full strength—by awakening the bloodline of the Bright Holy Dragon, he showed his true form.
"Interesting," Su Yu said, nodding to himself upon seeing Beibei's unique Bright Holy Lightning Tyrant Dragon. With this power, Beibei could probably hold his own against a strong Soul Ancestor. One of the two most outstanding students in Shrek's outer court certainly had some skills.
"Alright, that's enough. Let's call it a day."
Having seen what he wanted, Su Yu didn't want to waste more time.
In a flash, Su Yu leaped into the air, unleashing a powerful gust of wind with a kick.
"Wind Sweeps the Tower!"
Su Yu executed the Wind God Leg technique, Wind Sweeps the Tower. His body spun rapidly, stirring up a violent whirlwind. Centered around Su Yu, a small tornado formed, and everything nearby was sucked toward him by the wild force.
Tang Ya's face turned pale with fright. Taking advantage of the fact that the suction wasn't too strong yet, she quickly grabbed Huo Yuhao and retreated. They had just stepped back when the whirlwind expanded, sweeping across a radius of several dozen meters.
The fierce wind surged toward Beibei.
Beibei's expression remained serious. A golden wave of energy surged from his body as he used the power of his Tyrant Sovereign: Thunder Domain to meet the incoming storm head-on.
The wind howled, and countless golden lightning arcs were torn apart. In the next moment, there was a brilliant flash of light followed by a deafening explosion.
Beibei's body was thrown into the air, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Su Yu landed lightly on the ground as the surrounding winds gradually dissipated. Feeling a slight numbness in his foot, he glanced at Beibei with some surprise.
"Not bad. Too bad you haven't fully mastered it yet. But still, I must say, you've managed to impress me."
PS: To us readers, Su Yu's personality seems typical of internet keyboard warriors who criticize their favorite stories because they find something they dislike—largely because we can read his monologues. However, to outsiders, Su Yu appears to be the cool guy with too much pride, much like Gilgamesh from Fate/Zero.