Chapter 66: Origins with Shui Bing'er

Nian Yun kept his right hand behind his back early on, ready to pull his opponent into his domain for a one-on-one battle at any moment.

The presence drew closer by the second, and the rustling sound grew deafeningly loud near his ears.

Facing the poisonous mist, Nian Yun adopted the same strategy as before, casting shields for everyone while holding the Tulip of Usui in his hands.

"Old White Crane, what on earth is that? Is it a soul beast or something else?" The fear of the unknown pressed heavily upon Niu Gao, and a surge of agitation rose instantly.

"Cough, cough. It's... the Poison Douluo."

Just as White Crane finished speaking, a massive serpentine body encircled them all, and then a colossal snake head slowly emerged from above the toxic fog. Standing right atop it was none other than Dugu Bo.

The moment the snake head appeared, the heavy stone in Nian Yun's heart finally dropped. He withdrew his martial soul and stepped forward, pace by pace.

While the others had not yet recovered their senses, Nian Yun had already walked out of the formation. Seeing this, White Crane and Niu Gao were both filled with lingering fear, wanting to step forward, yet they were pinned in place by the piercing glare of that pair of serpentine eyes.

"Senior Dugu."

"Little fellow, hahaha! I didn't expect it to be you. I thought some brash youngster had the nerve to break into my herb garden and steal things."

Dugu Bo chuckled as he walked down the snake's head, resting a hand on Nian Yun's shoulder. This sight frightened White Crane and the others so much that not a single one of them dared to breathe loudly.

"Little fellow, Xue Qinghe has won this direct clash of the royal family in the end. Although you have some ties with him, I advise you to stay out of it."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Dugu, but for now, I'm afraid the choice is no longer mine to make."

"Alright, since it's you, I have nothing to worry about. Also, just because you have the Tulip of Usui, don't you go eyeing my herb garden all the time."

"Senior has no use for them anyway, why let them go to waste?"

"You rascal."

Soon, Dugu Bo departed under the pretext of cultivation, casting one last glance at Niu Gao and the others as he left.

Just as the group was still reminiscing about the friendly banter between Nian Yun and Dugu Bo, Nian Yun approached them. "Senior White Crane, Senior Niu Gao, let's continue our journey."

After freezing for a few seconds, White Crane and Niu Gao exchanged a glance and smiled simultaneously at Nian Yun. "Let's go, let's go."

Along the way, Niu Gao pulled White Crane aside to whisper about something, while Bai Chenxiang naturally drifted to Nian Yun's side to chat casually.

Following the path Dugu Bo had taken to arrive, the party did not encounter any soul beasts and smoothly exited the Sunset Forest.

As soon as they emerged from the forest, Niu Gao bid farewell to the others to return to his clan. Before leaving, he exchanged numerous meaningful glances with White Crane, all of which White Crane acknowledged.

"Now that matters are settled, this junior should also take his leave."

"Ah, we were able to make it out safely this time thanks to you. I was actually hoping to invite you to stay at our clan for a few more days; otherwise, I still feel somewhat indebted to you. How about I send someone to escort you back to the academy in a few days?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all."

---

Xinfeng Academy Soul Arena

"While visiting the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for academic exchange, I heard tales of Brother Yun single-handedly defeating the seven members of the Royal Dou team. Now that the stage is set, I wonder if Brother Yun would grace us with his presence."

To Yun Nian, Feng Xiaotian's ill intentions were nothing more than a child's game. "With the three academies gathered here, how could I possibly steal the spotlight from Brother Yun? I think we'll pass."

"Ah, Brother Yun doesn't understand. The three academies gathered here precisely upon hearing of Brother Yun's reputation. If Brother Yun refuses to fight, wouldn't that cause the three academies to return in defeat?"

Feng Xiaotian's aggressive posture was taken in completely by Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang not far away.

Huo Wushuang noticed it early on and quickly pulled Huo Wu down. "Huo Wu, Yun Nian represents the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy right now. We must absolutely not act on impulse."

"Brother, even if we fight later, Yun Nian possesses twin martial souls, and we..."

Huo Wushuang let out a bitter sigh. Among their peers, Yun Nian's talent was simply too terrifying. "All we can do now is try our best to negotiate with Yun Nian to preserve our academy."

Before long, a neatly attired Yun Nian slowly walked into the soul arena, while on the opposing side—

Water-blue long hair, paired with delicate and refined facial features, Shui Bing'er took the lead in entering the arena alongside Shui Yue'er, smiling gracefully as a gesture of greeting to Yun Nian.

Boom!

Immediately following that, a ball of fire plummeted from the sky, generating a blast wave to the left of Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er. Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu abruptly appeared. Gazing at the masked Yun Nian, Huo Wu felt an unfamiliar flame rising within her heart.

Finally, amidst cheers from the entire arena, Feng Xiaotian transformed into a whirlwind, rushing to the foremost position of the five and hovering in mid-air with wings spread.

Yun Nian swept a glance across them and asked playfully, "Brother Feng, aren't you missing two people?"

"No, this is enough. Release your martial souls!"

At his words, all five simultaneously erupted with soul power. Each of them possessed three soul rings, configured in the standard optimal setup of two yellows and one purple.

Huo Wu and Shui Yue'er: Level 37 Battle Soul Elders.

Shui Bing'er and Huo Wushuang: Level 38.

As the Gale Double-Headed Wolf emerged, a wave of soul power infinitely close to level 40 burst forth.

Initially, the students in the surrounding spectator stands were still cheering for Feng Xiaotian. However, when Yun Nian raised his hand, displaying the "Mistsplitter Reforged" alongside four dazzling soul rings—especially when the fourth black soul ring appeared—the entire arena fell silent.

"Level 48 Power-type Battle Soul Ancestor, martial soul 'Mistsplitter Reforged'."

Upon seeing this from outside the arena, Zhang Ping retreated several paces. Soon after, yelps of pain echoed from the spectator stands as spectators were paralyzed by the sudden bolts of purple lightning.

Once both sides had summoned their martial souls, Feng Ren shouted from the high platform at the top of his lungs, "Adhering to the principles of unity and friendly exchange, I declare the soul duel—begin!"

The moment his voice fell—

A whistling gale and rapid footsteps rushed forward.

Yun Nian stood motionless. Just as Feng Xiaotian swept his wings toward him, Yun Nian transformed into a streak of lightning, dodging past and charging directly toward the oncoming Huo Wushuang.

This evasion not only bypassed Feng Xiaotian but also avoided the patch of ice that suddenly shot up from beneath his feet. Shui Bing'er was startled; his speed was simply too fast!

Having learned from his previous defeat, Huo Wushuang did not dare to be careless as two soul rings rose around him simultaneously.

The "Mistsplitter Reforged" smashed down. Relying on the desperate support of his dragon claw martial soul, the ground began to cave in, while the blazing majesty of the thunder also forced the three backing figures to retreat a step.

"Second Soul Skill: Zero-Degree Impact!"

"Second Soul Skill: Flame Shadow Wave!"

Shui Yue'er and Huo Wu each raised a yellow soul ring simultaneously, and the martial souls behind them unleashed frost and fire in tandem, targeting Yun Nian.

"Second Soul Skill: Divine Transformation - Narukami!"

Twisting the blade, Yun Nian unleashed the full might of his thunder power, a purple halo materializing behind him. With a sharp "swish," a single slash sent Huo Wushuang—whose arms were thoroughly numbed—flying backward. Landing on the ground, Yun Nian ducked low to avoid a sneak attack from Feng Xiaotian, then smoothly retreated.

"Thunderprint: Electro-Sting!"

Raising his left hand, Yun Nian caused the orb of lightning to morph into a web of thunder, blocking the joint ice and fire assault. The circular wheel behind him flickered, and purple lightning crackled forth.

"Ah—!"

The current was conducted through the two elements into the bodies of Shui Yue'er and Huo Wu, causing both to experience a wave of dizziness simultaneously.

Having witnessed Yun Nian's speed, Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang were forced to fall back in defense. Sure enough, the moment the two turned back to guard, Yun Nian had already dashed alone before all five of them.