"Uncle Sword, from what I know about Qin Jian, he doesn't seem like the type to get involved in unnecessary commotion…"
A hint of confusion appeared in Ning Fengzhi's eyes. "He must have his own reasons, right?"
Sword Douluo shook his head. "Yu Tianxin and Dugu Yan? I really can't think of any relationship of interest between Jian'er and those two."
"Let's keep watching. We'll find out sooner or later." Ning Fengzhi tapped his cane lightly.
Sword Douluo nodded subtly.
Inside the Soul Hunting Arena
Having received Qin Jian's response, Yu Tianxin was reassured and launched a full-force attack on Dugu Yan.
However, with both being at Rank 30, their Soul Power was nearly equal, and each had only two soul skills. Even though Yu Tianxin's offensive power was slightly superior, he couldn't quickly overpower Dugu Yan, who was defending with all her might.
"Yu Tianxin, how long can you keep up this level of attack? Once your Soul Power is depleted, I'll make you taste the venom of my Jade Phosphor Serpent!"
Dugu Yan's expression was icy, clearly enraged.
"I think… you won't have the chance to find out because…"
Yu Tianxin suddenly retreated, leveraging the force to create distance. Three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—lit up around him.
"Because I've already obtained my third Soul Ring!"
Crackling lightning surrounded him as his body swelled with power, muscles enhanced and enveloped in a storm of electricity.
"Third Soul Skill: Dragon's Wrath!"
Activating the berserk mode of his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, Yu Tianxin's attack power surged by 100%!
"Now, can you still withstand me?"
Swoosh!
"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!"
Electric light gathered in his hand, forming the shape of a dragon's claw, which struck fiercely toward Dugu Yan.
"Ugh!"
A cry of pain escaped Dugu Yan's lips as her body was sent flying.
Without hesitation, Yu Tianxin transformed into a streak of lightning, charging forward again. "Apologies, but your hunt ends here!"
He raised his claw, poised to strike.
If this attack landed, Dugu Yan would undoubtedly suffer severe injuries and be forced to exit the Soul Hunting Arena.
As Yu Tianxin's Thunder Dragon Claw bore down on her, Dugu Yan's eyes were filled with resentment but lacked the strength to resist.
"Um…"
At that critical moment, a somewhat apologetic voice rang out.
"I've decided to intervene, just a little…"
Yu Tianxin looked up abruptly and saw Qin Jian holding hands with Ning Rongrong, appearing behind Dugu Yan.
"Rank 20? Are you seeking death?"
Consumed by the battle, Yu Tianxin dismissed Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong entirely, clawing toward all three of them.
"Rongrong, let him witness the strength of Rank 20," Qin Jian said with a faint smile.
Faced with the dazzling Thunder Dragon Claw, Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance and then—suddenly embraced each other tightly.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan almost cursed aloud.
She had hoped Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong could stall Yu Tianxin, giving her a chance to win.
But now they were hugging? What on earth were they thinking?
The audience outside wore equally baffled expressions.
Huo Wu crossed her arms and laughed mockingly. "Has Qin Jian resigned himself to fate? Stepping in for a moment of flair before losing outright?"
"No… I trust he has a plan," Shui Bing'er murmured softly, her voice too low for Huo Wu to hear.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo remained unfazed, as if fully aware of what was coming.
The next moment, the spectators' astonishment reached its peak.
From Qin Jian's body, a violent storm of sword energy erupted!
Boom!
The shockwave blasted Yu Tianxin away.
Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong stood protectively before Dugu Yan, still tightly embracing.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Sword Pagoda Protection!"
The two extended their palms simultaneously, releasing a stream of endless sword energy.
Swoosh!
The sword energy coalesced into a radiant purple sword pagoda, enveloping Qin Jian, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan.
"It's a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"
Yu Tianxin's pupils contracted.
The audience fell silent, stunned.
Shui Bing'er's eyes sparkled brightly, while Huo Wu's face darkened.
"You could've told me you had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!" Huo Wu clenched her fists, inwardly fuming. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered fighting earlier!"
Inside the Soul Hunting Arena, Yu Tianxin quickly recovered.
"Even if it's a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, I'll fight to the end!"
He had no choice but to press on. His third Soul Skill didn't provide indefinite enhancement and would expire in less than a minute.
Swoosh!
Yu Tianxin appeared before the Sword Pagoda, his hands transforming into lightning-infused dragon claws.
"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!"
Clang!
The sound of metal striking metal echoed as Yu Tianxin's claws were repelled, leaving his hands numb. The Sword Pagoda remained unshaken.
"What incredible defense!"
Gritting his teeth, Yu Tianxin unleashed another surge of lightning.
"Second Soul Skill: Thunderous Might!"
His combat strength increased by another 30%, and he launched relentless attacks.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The barrage of strikes caused the Sword Pagoda to ripple slightly but not break.
"Hey, can your Martial Soul Fusion Skill withstand his third Soul Skill?" Dugu Yan asked nervously.
Qin Jian, holding Ning Rongrong, appeared calm. A violet sword and a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda hovered around them.
"His third Soul Skill alone won't break our defense," Qin Jian said nonchalantly.
"Our Martial Soul Fusion Skill wasn't even destroyed by an avalanche; a mere Rank 30 Soul Power attack is laughable."
He glanced at the Sword Pagoda. "At most, it'll last another 30 seconds."
"Relax," Qin Jian continued, "as long as we block his third Soul Skill, the rest is up to you."
Dugu Yan's short green hair swayed as she raised her hands. Wisps of jade-green venom seeped from the ground, gradually spreading toward Yu Tianxin.
Caught up in his frenzied assault, Yu Tianxin failed to notice.
Outside, the audience was captivated.
Meng Shenji of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy sighed.
"As expected of Sword Douluo's disciple. Qin Jian intervenes at precisely the right moment every time."
"His calmness and clarity of thought are remarkable. If his martial soul were more suited for control, he'd make an excellent control-type Soul Master."
Shaking his head, he lamented, "Ah, my curiosity to test his limits ended up offending Sword Douluo. Now I've lost the chance to recruit him to the academy. What a pity…"
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