"Is this Nine You really pure control?"
Even the weakest thugs have at least a "mother's embrace" skill for some extra damage! Zhuge Lan couldn't help but admire the absurdity.
Three seconds passed.
Nine You, regaining his composure, stood confidently with his hands on his hips.
[Emotion Points +23]
"As a defense-type, what can you even do to me now?" he taunted. "Watch closely as I toss you off the stage!"
He manipulated his black vines, slowly dragging Zhuge Lan toward the edge of the arena.
Zhuge Lan: (￣ω￣;)
Originally, he had planned to pull off a big stunt before leaving Soto City. But now...
"You leave me no choice," Zhuge Lan sighed. "The next move... I can't control the outcome. Soto Arena, you'd better reinforce your defenses."
Seeing Zhuge Lan's serious expression, and recalling his "legendary track record," the referee instinctively raised his position in the sky.
Hummm—
The soul barrier device activated, enveloping the entire stage. They gave him plenty of respect.
But Nine You remained unfazed.
"Just an empty threat!" Nine You sneered. "You've already used all three of your soul skills, and now you're trapped in my control. What could you possibly do next? Surely you don't have a second martial soul, do you?"
He laughed at his own suggestion.
As if! Dual martial souls were so rare, they'd never appear in a small place like Soto Arena.
Absolutely impossible!
Zhuge Lan chuckled too. He did have a second martial soul, but he wasn't planning on using it now.
Instead, Zhuge Lan's left eye began to glow with golden light, and the Saint's Eye spirit bone manifested. He carefully adjusted his angle, making sure that both Nine You and most of the audience were aligned.
Then, in a slow and deliberate tone, he chanted:
"What is filial piety?"
"What is love?"
[Emotion Points +999]
Zhu Zhuqing's face turned pale as she grabbed Ning Rongrong, who had been watching eagerly. They hurriedly activated their clumsy Spiral Nine Shadows technique, racing toward the deeper part of the contestant tunnel.
"Feel the greatness of maternal love!" Zhuge Lan declared.
"Warrior's Appraisal Technique!"
In an instant, the Saint's Eye emitted a golden radiance, like a small sun, illuminating more than half of the Soto Arena.
However, the light wasn't blinding—it penetrated straight to the heart.
Nine You quickly checked himself and confirmed that he wasn't physically harmed. Just as he was about to mock Zhuge Lan, he caught sight of his opponent's pitying gaze, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.
"What... what is that look for?" Nine You stammered. "You didn't even hurt me, so why are you..."
Thud—
A dark figure crashed to the ground. It was the referee who had distanced himself earlier. He clutched his belly in terror and pain, his soul rings glowing as he attempted to do something—anything.
But it was no use.
Nine You quickly looked down at himself.
[Emotion Points +49]
"What did you do to me...?"
He couldn't finish the sentence. A wave of excruciating pain ripped through his body, causing him to bite his tongue in shock.
[Emotion Points +49]
His legs gave out, and with a loud thud, he collapsed to the ground.
[Emotion Points +49]
Though a Soul Elder, he still had his dignity, so he didn't scream out in agony.
But...
"Ouch—ouch—OUCHHHH!"
"Help me!"
"What is this pain?!"
A chorus of screams erupted from the audience behind him.
No way...!
Struggling, Nine You turned his head around.
[Emotion Points +55]
He was dumbfounded!
What... is this?!
[Emotion Points +59]
[Emotion Points +69]
[Emotion Points +79]
Shame and terror overwhelmed him, and his mind completely shattered.
"I was wrong!"
"I shouldn't have been so arrogant!"
"I surrender!"
"Please, stop the soul skill!"
Despite Nine You's repeated pleas for mercy, Zhuge Lan didn't respond.
Because...
[Emotion Points +9]
[Emotion Points +9]
[Emotion Points +9]
The numbers were small, but they were accumulating fast! At a rate of tens of thousands per second, they were skyrocketing!
In the blink of an eye, the points surged past 400,000, heading for 500,000.
At this rate, today might be his first time earning a million emotion points!
Zhuge Lan rubbed his hands together in excitement, unable to suppress his glee.
This was too thrilling! Why would anyone bother with petty grudges when they could have this much fun?
Who could stop him now?
He'd rent an eighth-level soul device just to keep this up.
Whoosh—
The sound of someone approaching interrupted his thoughts, and a figure landed in front of him.
Zhuge Lan glanced up.
It was a middle-aged man, exuding authority. He was stronger than Zhuge Lan, but weaker than Flender—somewhere between a Soul Elder and a Soul Saint.
The man spoke with a commanding tone, "I'm the chief officer of Soto Arena. You may call me Director Ao."
"Ah, something wrong?" Zhuge Lan asked, playing dumb.
[Emotion Points +199]
Director Ao didn't get angry. Instead, he pointed toward the audience.
"You've already won. Please dispel the soul bone skill."
Zhuge Lan shrugged and spread his hands, acting innocent.
"I can't cancel this soul bone skill once it's cast. It'll wear off in about an hour."
[Emotion Points +599]
[Emotion Points +199]
[Emotion Points +99]
Director Ao, the referee, and Nine You were all stunned!
He couldn't cancel it?
An hour?!
They were doomed!
Director Ao glanced at Zhuge Lan's left eye, noting that the soul bone had been retracted. Just like with soul rings, a soul bone needed to be activated to trigger a skill.
He believed Zhuge Lan was telling the truth.
But...
Looking at the chaos in the audience, his heart sank. If the spectators' safety couldn't be guaranteed, who would ever dare visit Soto Arena again?
With such a major incident on his hands, Director Ao would undoubtedly be held responsible—unless...
"I gave a warning beforehand," Zhuge Lan interrupted, "and I've never used this technique on such a large crowd before. I didn't expect the effect to be so strong."
[Emotion Points +999]
Director Ao fell silent.
Zhuge Lan had indeed fulfilled his duty by giving notice. But so what? This was a world where the strong ruled over the weak.
Zhuge Lan's soul bone skill had such a wide range that it affected even the audience. That was enough to hold him accountable.
However...
Zhuge Lan's identity was mysterious. He seemed wealthy or well-connected and was associated with other talents, like a young Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda user and a Soul Saint.
Director Ao couldn't afford to offend him.
After weighing his options, Director Ao sighed and accepted his fate.
[Emotion Points +1111]
"Fine, you can leave," Director Ao said reluctantly.
"Can I still compete in the next match?" Zhuge Lan asked.
[Emotion Points +1111]
After all this, he still wanted to compete?
How bold!
But having already chosen not to antagonize him, Director Ao decided to go along with it.
"The arena never refuses any soul master from competing," Director Ao said carefully, "except those blacklisted."
The implication was clear.
If Zhuge Lan used that "pregnancy empathy" soul bone skill again, the arena would ban him.
Zhuge Lan clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Such a great opportunity for easy points, and he could only use it once?
That didn't sit well with him.
With a single sentence, Zhuge Lan left Director Ao completely speechless.
He said...
---
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