Chapter 71: Defeating Zhu Zhuyun
Qi Tian hadn't challenged Zhu Zhuyun publicly, so the two didn't go to the clan's official Soul Fighting Arena.
Fortunately, the Zhu family courtyard was spacious enough. They decided to have their duel right there.
After all, Zhu Zhuyun often cultivated at home. A little fluctuation of soul power wouldn't alarm the Zhu family members.
Qi Tian had no reason to refuse. In a space of this size — not too small, not too large — his Dragon Beard Needles could perform at their best.
"Wait… you want me to fight Zhu Zhuyun?"
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned when she realized Qi Tian planned to use her body for the duel.
She was only at Rank 22, while Zhu Zhuyun had already surpassed Rank 30. Could she even win?
Still, she couldn't help but hope Qi Tian would triumph. The stronger he became, the greater her own hope of reaching Title Douluo someday.
She didn't dare speak, afraid to disturb Qi Tian during the battle.
"Sister! Let's begin!"
Qi Tian activated his Martial Soul. Two soul rings glowed beneath his feet, and his senses immediately sharpened.
Heightened perception, explosive speed, and deadly strikes—the Hell Spirit Cat was truly a top-tier agility-type martial soul.
"Very well," Zhu Zhuyun sneered. "Let me see what gives you the confidence for such ridiculous thoughts."
The next moment, she too entered her Martial Soul. Three soul rings shimmered under her feet.
Her cultivation was higher, and the transformation was even more pronounced. Her face became more alluring, her legs slender and graceful, cat ears twitching, and a long, sleek tail swaying behind her.
Zhu Zhuqing's future transformation, Qi Tian mused, would probably look quite similar.
"Zhuqing, your cultivation's lower. I'll let you make the first move," Zhu Zhuyun said coolly.
"You said it yourself!" Qi Tian's eyes lit up — he wasn't one to waste such an advantage.
The first soul ring beneath his feet flared.
[Hell Rush Stab] — activated!
His speed spiked in an instant, body turning into a streak of black as he lunged toward Zhu Zhuyun. But he knew this strike wouldn't land.
After all, Zhu Zhuyun possessed the same soul skill. With her higher cultivation, her speed far outclassed his. Catching her head-on would be difficult.
So, as Qi Tian closed within three meters of her, he swiftly channeled soul power into his Dragon Beard Needles.
The thin silver needles extended, his frontal charge serving as a decoy while several needles shot out unseen.
Having a Body Martial Soul, Qi Tian understood the human structure intimately.
He knew exactly where to strike to maximize restriction.
As expected, when his shadowy form slashed forward with cat claws, Zhu Zhuyun, relying on superior speed, evaded the attack with ease.
But she failed to notice the fine silver needles that had already embedded themselves in her body.
"That's it?" Zhu Zhuyun smirked. "You can't even keep up with me. How do you plan to beat me?"
"Same skill, different results. Let me show you what a real Hell Rush Stab looks like!"
She had felt a faint tingle earlier but dismissed it. The needles were thinner than hair, less painful than a mosquito bite. She assumed it was just her imagination.
But as soon as her words fell, her soul rings flared again, and her figure blurred into a black shadow lunging toward Qi Tian.
Qi Tian used the same skill once more — but not to attack. This time, he used it to retreat.
His speed might be slower, but escaping was another matter entirely.
As he darted away, he silently counted down in his heart—
"Three… two… one… contract!"
He had calculated the limit of his soul power. Once it ran out, the Dragon Beard Needles would retract on their own.
And when needles embedded in flesh contracted… they dragged everything around them inward.
As Zhu Zhuyun's strike missed and she prepared to continue her assault, sudden sharp pain erupted from several of her body's vital points.
"Hiss—!"
Zhu Zhuyun's breath hitched sharply. Her soul power nearly went out of control, and even her martial soul's possession almost collapsed.
Qi Tian seized the opening. While maintaining [Hell Rush Stab], he unleashed a flurry of Dragon Beard Needles, followed immediately by his second soul skill — [Hell Hundred Claws]!
Despite the stabbing pain, Zhu Zhuyun retaliated fiercely. In an instant, the small courtyard filled with countless shadowy claw strikes, intertwining like a storm of black phantoms.
The claws of the two Hell Spirit Cats clashed repeatedly. Though Zhu Zhuyun's cultivation was higher, she was already wounded. Their exchange gradually evened out — one strike for another, neither able to gain the upper hand.
But as more of Qi Tian's needles pierced her body, Zhu Zhuyun's strength began to falter. Her movements grew slower, her speed fading with every breath.
Before long, she could no longer keep up with Qi Tian's rhythm. Her Martial Soul, weakened by internal injuries, started to unravel.
"What… did you do to me?!"
Zhu Zhuyun clenched her teeth, her body trembling as cold sweat drenched her clothes.
She had underestimated her sister.
If she had used her agility-type martial soul's full advantage from the start, the fight could've ended quickly. But she had chosen to "let her sister strike first."
Now, she was paying the price for that arrogance.
The pain made it impossible to maintain her martial soul, let alone unleash her thousand-year soul skill to finish Zhu Zhuqing.
Qi Tian exhaled softly when he saw her Martial Soul fade. He, too, withdrew his martial soul.
"Sister, that was just a little trick of mine. Are you alright?" Qi Tian stepped forward to support her.
"So it was your doing…" Zhu Zhuyun murmured, disappointment flickering in her eyes.
His method was underhanded — but defeat was defeat.
She had always been magnanimous. But what if her younger sister surpassed her one day? Would that pride still hold? Her expression turned complicated.
Seeing her shaken, Qi Tian quickly said,
"Sister, let's go inside. I'll help you treat your injuries."
"No need. I can handle it myself," Zhu Zhuyun refused firmly. She didn't want her younger sister to see her in such a weak state.
"Sister, these injuries can only be treated by me. If you try on your own, you'll make them worse!"
Qi Tian's voice softened but carried resolve.
"And besides… I already said it — I'll change the Zhu Family's fate with my own strength!"
"Once I've treated you, I'll be leaving Star Luo City," he added.
Zhu Zhuyun frowned slightly.
"You're not going to find Dai Mubai, are you? You still haven't given up on competing with me?"
Before Qi Tian could reply, Zhu Zhuqing's voice echoed from within his mind — calm, confident, and resolute.
"Mother once said that a daughter of the Zhu family must only marry a true man.
A coward who runs away — like Dai Mubai — is not worthy of being my fiancé!"
Qi Tian repeated her words aloud.
Zhu Zhuyun's eyes trembled. Her expression grew even more conflicted.
Her sister's response brought back memories of their carefree childhood — of a time before pride, duty, and distance had wedged between them.
But at least now… those words gave her peace.
"Zhuqing," she whispered, voice soft but steady,
"Don't worry. If you ever fail… I'll protect you with my life."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's soul inside Qi Tian's mind completely let go of her lingering resentment. Because Qi Tian had helped her defeat Zhu Zhuyun, the burden that had long weighed on her heart finally disappeared.
With no more pressure holding her back, she could now face her true feelings — and rebuild the sisterhood she once cherished.
"I understand," Qi Tian said with a helpless smile.
"Come on, let's go inside. I'll treat your injuries."
—
End of Chapter