Oppressive, suffocating.
Dai Mubai felt as if he were drowning, surrounded by darkness. He struggled to open his eyes, but a wave of intense weakness washed over him like a tide.
His vision darkened, and he nearly fainted again.
His gaze gradually cleared, and he laboriously looked around, discovering he was still in that room.
White walls, golden decorations, the floor covered in delicate rose petals, a rich fragrance lingering at his nose.
However, at this moment, all of this looked like the setting of a nightmare in his eyes.
"Cough, cough." Dai Mubai coughed violently a few times, each cough accompanied by a piercing pain.
He used all his strength, trying to prop himself up.
But having just lifted himself a little, like a puppet with its strings cut, he fell heavily back down with a "thump."
Dai Mubai took a deep breath and silently circulated the soul power within his body.
However, the next moment, his eyes suddenly widened, filled with horror.
"My... my soul power, I can't feel it at all!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he subconsciously covered his own mouth.
Because his voice had turned into an old, hoarse rasp. Like sandpaper rubbing repeatedly, it was rough and grating.
Dai Mubai tremblingly raised his hand. That hand was pale without a trace of blood, just skin and bones, withered like tree bark in winter.
"This... what is going on?" Dai Mubai's eyes were written with terror, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
"Yo, Young Master Dai, you're awake?" Just then, a mocking voice sounded.
Dai Mubai turned his head and saw a tall man looking down at him from above.
"Lu... Lu Feng, it's you! Where is Zhu Zhuqing?" Dai Mubai screamed in horror, his voice trembling.
He struggled to prop himself up, but found he didn't even have the strength to lift his arm.
At this moment, he lay powerlessly on the ground, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
Hearing this, a cunning smile curled the corner of Lu Feng's mouth. He deliberately pinched his throat and said softly, "Young Master Dai, I'm right here."
Seeing this, Dai Mubai's pupils instantly contracted sharply. Because the voice coming from Lu Feng's mouth was exactly the same as Zhu Zhuqing's.
"You... you..." Dai Mubai looked at Lu Feng in horror, unable to speak for a moment.
"Hmph!" Lu Feng snorted coldly, looking down at him with eyes full of disdain.
"Dai Mubai, you never thought there would be a day when you fell into my hands, did you?"
Dai Mubai gasped for air, trying hard to calm his chaotic emotions.
He knew clearly in his heart that he had fallen into a dead end.
The seeds of hatred between him and Lu Feng had been sown back in that tavern in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Then, the other party had actually stolen his fiancée!
However, Dai Mubai had been enduring, waiting for the opportunity for revenge.
But Dai Mubai never expected that he would fall into the other's hands so easily.
At this moment, Dai Mubai forced himself to calm down.
"No, how can I fall here? I must survive." A gleam of unwillingness flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes.
He took a deep breath, endured the humiliation in his heart, and pleaded, "Lu Feng, I was blind before and offended you. I'm just trash. Be the bigger person and let me go."
His voice carried a sob, bordering on despair.
"As long as you let me go, I swear, I will absolutely never trouble you again."
He paused, then continued, "Don't you like Zhuqing? I don't care at all what you two do. Although she was once my fiancée, I haven't even touched her hand."
As he spoke, Dai Mubai's tears and snot flowed uncontrollably, looking extremely wretched.
"Let me go, I beg you."
"I'll be your dog from now on. I'll do whatever you tell me to do."
Lu Feng looked at Dai Mubai mockingly. This tearful appearance really made Lu Feng want to laugh.
Regardless of whether Dai Mubai truly repented or was just faking it, it was already too late.
"Ahem." Lu Feng cleared his throat slightly, the corner of his mouth curling into a playful arc.
He said slowly, "Young Master Dai, don't be like this yet. Let me tell you a piece of bad news first, then you can beg me."
Hearing this, Dai Mubai looked at Lu Feng blankly, his eyes full of confusion.
"I have a very special soul skill that can absorb a Soul Master's soul power."
Lu Feng paused, a cunning glint flashing in his eyes.
He deliberately dragged out his tone, admiring Dai Mubai's increasingly terrified expression.
"Unfortunately, Young Master Dai, your soul power has been sucked dry by me."
Saying this, he even pretentiously touched his nose, the playfulness on his face even stronger. "Sorry, Young Master Dai, from now on, you really are trash."
"Wh... what?" Dai Mubai's eyes widened, his pupils shrinking.
In the Star Luo Empire, he had heard of a type of Soul Master whose cultivation method was extremely cruel and extreme.
They used human flesh, blood, essence, and souls as nutrients to frantically increase their soul power. Their soul power cultivation speed far exceeded those orthodox Soul Masters who cultivated diligently every day.
This type of Soul Master had a unified name: Fallen Ones.
At this moment, associating it with Lu Feng's abnormally astonishing soul power growth rate, Dai Mubai's mind instantly went blank.
"Then the herb you gave me before... why?" He suppressed the fear and anger in his heart and questioned.
He remembered clearly that after consuming that Immortal Herb, his soul power had increased by five levels.
The qi and blood in his body surged, and even the quality of his Martial Soul had improved. That powerful feeling was still etched in his memory.
"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?" Lu Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Because I had absorbed other Immortal Herbs before, and couldn't take another one within a short period, I used your body as a filter."
"How about it? Young Master Dai, do you still want to beg me to let you go?"
A faint smile curled the corner of Lu Feng's mouth. That smile was like the warm spring sun, and paired with his handsome face, anyone who saw it would feel refreshed.
However, in Dai Mubai's eyes, this smile was more terrifying than a demon's grimace.
At the same time, Dai Mubai's heart turned completely cold, like falling into an ice cellar.
He knew in his heart that since Lu Feng told him this news, he had no intention of letting him go.
"Pah!" Dai Mubai used all his strength to spit at Lu Feng.
But he was so weak now that the spit drew a feeble arc in the air and actually landed back on his own face.
"You devil, Spirit Hall won't let you go."
"Hahaha!" Dai Mubai's face twisted, laughing ferociously, his laughter filled with endless despair and madness.
"Fallen One, Spirit Hall will never tolerate you."
"Your deeds will be exposed sooner or later. The Angel God's glory will illuminate every corner of the Douluo Continent."
At this moment, Dai Mubai seemed to be experiencing a terminal lucidity, his chest heaving violently. His originally pale face actually regained some color.
"Hahaha, I'll be waiting for you in hell!"
In this desperate situation, Dai Mubai felt a strangely pleasant mood.
He seemed to have already seen Lu Feng's miserable end in the future. That image was like a life-saving straw, allowing him to find a trace of pleasure in despair.
At the same time, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.
Of course, this regret was not for making an enemy of Lu Feng, but regret that his useless subordinate back at the forest bazaar hadn't completely killed Lu Feng.
"There is one thing Young Master Dai might have misunderstood." Lu Feng smiled lightly.
As he spoke, a burst of hot and warm energy suddenly erupted from his body. In an instant, light burst forth, illuminating the entire room as if it were day, like a golden ocean.
Bathed in this light, Dai Mubai miraculously felt some strength return to his body.
Lu Feng unhurriedly took out a badge from his Soul Tool. On the front of the badge, three long swords shone brilliantly, emitting a sacred and majestic aura.
"I, Lu Feng, a loyal believer of the Angel God."
"Possessor of the Light Attribute."
"Third-Class Knight of Honor."
"Guided by the Angel's glory, ordered to expel the Fallen Ones of the continent."
Lu Feng's face was solemn, his voice dignified. "Dai Mubai, your crimes are exposed! The Angel God's glory will purify your sins."
"Accept judgment!"
As his voice fell, the golden light in Lu Feng's body shone brightly. The light was like a surging tide, instantly submerging everything in the room, dyeing everything golden yellow.
However, just as the golden light was about to break through the window, it encountered a layer of pale blue barrier.
That barrier was like an indestructible shield, reflecting all the golden light back.
Looking from outside the window, it was as if nothing had happened in the room.
Dai Mubai was trapped in this prison of interwoven gold and blue light, wailing in pain.
"You devil, the Angel God must be blind." Dai Mubai cursed hoarsely, his voice full of unwillingness and despair.
"No! Lu Feng, let me go."
"Please..."
His pleading became weaker and weaker.
Gradually, the voice became almost inaudible. Only a pair of eyes rolled weakly, the life in them fading bit by bit.
Just then, Lu Feng's body began to change slowly.
His hair grew rapidly, turning from black to a dazzling gold in an instant. The muscles on his face wriggled slightly, and gradually, a face identical to Dai Mubai's appeared.
Dai Mubai didn't know where he got the strength, but his eyes suddenly widened, the terror in them instantly reaching its peak.
At this moment, looking at Lu Feng felt like looking in a mirror.
Even those unique heterochromatic pupils were exactly the same.
"From now on, I am the Third Young Master of the Dai family."
"Dai Mubai, leave your throne to me." The corner of Lu Feng's mouth turned up, his eyes full of mockery.
"And your fiancée. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Zhuqing in the future."
With that, Lu Feng's body emitted a great golden light. The light was like a roaring beast, completely devouring Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai didn't even have time to utter a final wail before his body dissipated completely like clouds in the wind.
The golden light gradually dissipated, and ripples appeared in the air.
The surrounding pale blue light also disappeared, and everything returned to calm.
"Whish, whish, whish..."
Several lights flashed, and the figures of several small beasts quietly emerged, appearing at Lu Feng's feet.
They yawned listlessly, their eyes revealing drowsiness, obviously having consumed a lot of energy just now.
This barrier originated from the formation Lu Feng learned from the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record—the Four Symbols Formation.
This formation used the four ancient divine beasts—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—as the formation eyes, borrowing the source power within the divine beasts to lay down a powerful barrier.
In the setting of this Four Symbols Formation, the Azure Dragon governs vitality, the White Tiger controls slaughter, the Vermilion Bird symbolizes change, and the Black Tortoise represents storage.
Once this barrier is formed, it becomes a domain of its own.
Opening up an independent small world outside the time and space of the Douluo Continent.
Inside the barrier, time and space were completely different from the outside world.
Lu Feng had cultivated in the barrier for ten days, yet only three days had passed outside. It had to be said, this Four Symbols Formation was truly an essential skill for home travel and murder.
However, with the current strength of these four small beasts, the barrier Lu Feng set up could at most be maintained for about ten days.
If the time were any longer, Lu Feng's body would be drained.
In these ten days of cultivation, Lu Feng had completely refined Dai Mubai's soul power.
Level 59!
One Immortal Herb, plus the soul power of a Soul Ancestor, had raised Lu Feng's soul power by another four levels.
At first glance, this four-level increase didn't seem obvious.
But in reality, relying solely on Dai Mubai's own soul power, after removing the impurities, Lu Feng would have found it difficult to increase his soul power by even one level.
This was also why Lu Feng never devoured other Soul Masters.
Devouring ordinary people, to increase soul power by one or two levels, the amount of flesh and blood required would be enormous.
To put himself in a position where everyone wanted to beat him for this little soul power growth was truly not worth the loss.
"Time to go back. I wonder if my wife Zhuqing misses me." Lu Feng murmured in a low voice, the corner of his mouth unconsciously curling into a smile.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed to react suddenly and quickly spat.
"Pah, saying that while wearing this skin is really disgusting."
In the Shrek rest area, the atmosphere was heavy.
Several teachers sat around the table, looking anxious, their brows furrowed tightly.
"Bang." The door was slammed open, and Flender walked in with quick, large strides.
"How is it? Flender, did you find Mubai?" Yu Xiaogang stood up abruptly, his tone urgent, his eyes full of worry.
Flender walked straight to the table, grabbed a teacup, and drank the tea in one gulp.
"Ah." Flender put down the cup and let out a long breath.
"Speak! Did you find him or not?" Yu Xiaogang was anxious and couldn't help urging.
"Xiaogang, be patient."
Flender paused, then suddenly pointed to the door, a mysterious smile on his face. "Mubai, come in. Give them a big surprise!"
Hearing this, everyone looked joyfully toward the door. A tall figure walked in.
1.8 meters tall, broad and thick shoulders, handsome face. Dressed in a tight white outfit, looking heroic and striking.
"Hm?"
Ma Hongjun stood up directly from his seat and rushed to Dai Mubai's side in a few steps. Looking up, he examined him with a face full of curiosity.
"Boss Dai, why has your hair turned black?"
"And why have your eyes changed? Where did your domineering heterochromatic pupils go?"
'Dai Mubai' raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a confident, light smile.
"Fatty, I got a good treasure. My Martial Soul and body have undergone some changes."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's gazes focused on him instantly. Even the usually cold Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help casting a curious glance.
"What treasure?" Ma Hongjun scratched his head, his face full of confusion.
'Dai Mubai' glanced at Tang San intentionally or unintentionally, smiling meaningfully. "I obtained an Immortal Herb."
"Immortal Herb!"
These two words exploded in everyone's hearts like a thunderclap.
Tang San could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart. He bounced up from his chair like a spring, reached Dai Mubai in two steps, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Mubai, what herb did you get?"
Tang San looked as if he was the one who had obtained the Immortal Herb, not Dai Mubai.
"I consumed a chrysanthemum, completely golden, with fuzzy stamens. After I consumed it, not only did my soul power skyrocket, but my Martial Soul also seems to have evolved."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's eyes instantly lit up, his voice trembling with excitement. "Martial Soul evolution? Mubai, can you let me see your Martial Soul?"
He had spent most of his life studying the problem of Martial Soul mutation.
Now, with a living example of Martial Soul evolution before him, how could he not be excited?
"Huu!"
The soul power in 'Dai Mubai's' body surged like a tide. His muscles instantly swelled, stretching his tight outfit taut, and his hair flew wildly.
A sacred aura emanated from his Martial Soul. Everyone felt a wave of warm energy rushing toward them.
However, beneath this warmth lay a strong impact like a volcanic eruption.
Everyone's eyes widened, their mouths slightly open, looking stunned. Around 'Dai Mubai', five soul rings—two yellow, two purple, one black—slowly emerged.
As dazzling as a dream, yet carrying a powerful sense of oppression.
"Soul King!" everyone exclaimed in unison.
At this moment, Tang San looked so excited he seemed about to burn. His eyes were red as he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum! It must be the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum!"
Ning Rongrong looked blank and asked doubtfully, "Tang San, what is the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?"
Seeing two partners break through due to Immortal Herbs in succession, ripples rose in Ning Rongrong's heart, and she had some new ideas.
Currently, her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul only had seven levels. Her father, the strongest in the clan, was only at level 79 soul power and could never break through to the Soul Douluo level in his life.
But according to the clan's ancient records, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was not limited to seven levels; it had the potential to evolve. It could evolve up to a maximum of nine levels, allowing a Soul Master to break through to the Titled Douluo realm.
Tang San's body trembled slightly, his fists clenched tight, his eyes full of excited light.
"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, a neutral Immortal Herb. Eating it circulates Qi through the four limbs, clears blood through the eight meridians, and can train an Indestructible Vajra Body!"
"Holy crap, Indestructible Vajra Body, that fierce!" Ma Hongjun was so surprised his jaw almost dropped.
Tang San nodded, affirming, "Boss Dai's Martial Soul is the White Tiger, which follows a path of fierce power. It is simply a perfect match for this Immortal Herb."
At the same time, Tang San suppressed his inner excitement and asked sincerely, "Boss Dai, where did you get this Immortal Herb?"
With that, soul power surged in Tang San's left hand, and he said solemnly, "Boss Dai, I won't ask for your information for free. As long as you tell me, the friendship between the Clear Sky Clan and the Star Luo Empire will last for a hundred generations."
"And me." Ning Rongrong also sat up straight and said seriously, "Dai Mubai, as long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has it, just ask!"
Hearing this, 'Dai Mubai' turned his head and looked Ning Rongrong up and down, thinking to himself: Tsk, this plain little girl has grown up without me noticing.
Thinking of this, he deliberately revealed a gaze like a big gray wolf looking at a little white rabbit.
Ning Rongrong was frightened pale by this gaze. She hurriedly hid behind Zhu Zhuqing and said angrily, "Hmph, except for me, you can set any other condition."
Seeing this, 'Dai Mubai' just smiled.
He really had no interest in this little girl Ning Rongrong. He did this just to maintain Dai Mubai's original persona, to avoid arousing suspicion.
"Ahem."
'Dai Mubai' coughed lightly and said seriously, "When I was in the Star Luo Empire, I secretly cultivated a group of death-sworn subordinates to collect resources for me everywhere. I encountered this Immortal Herb in the Extreme North Forest. But as for the specific location..."
As he spoke, he gave Tang San a meaningful look. "After the tournament is over, I will naturally tell everyone."
"Alright, since Mubai is back, let's continue discussing the tactics for the next match." Yu Xiaogang laughed heartily.
Dai Mubai breaking through to Soul King was undoubtedly great news.
At the same time, he was also calculating in his heart how to get more information about the Immortal Herbs out of Dai Mubai.
Night.
'Dai Mubai' came to the rooftop and saw the black-clothed girl who had been waiting for a long time at a glance.
A teasing smile curled the corner of his mouth as he joked, "Zhuqing, calling me out in the middle of the night... do you want to do some things we love to do?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes instantly turned cold, as if covered in a layer of ice. She said coldly, "Don't talk to me wearing that face. I find it disgusting."