Chapter 135: The Duke Zhu Who Nearly Played Himself to Death

"With your strength, this isn't a wise choice."

Duke Zhu's gaze was fixed on Zhao Wuji, his voice deep, "Trying might actually lead to death."

His voice was unmistakably laced with a threat, clearly undervaluing Zhao Wuji.

"Everyone will die someday, and I, Zhao Wuji, am no exception. But I believe, it definitely won't be today."

Zhao Wuji, undaunted by Duke Zhu's gaze, retorted, "I think the Duke would do well to worry about himself instead."

"Threatening me?" Duke Zhu laughed loudly, "Hahaha, with just you?"

"Yes, just me!"

As Zhao Wuji spoke, a powerful soul force pressure burst forth from him.

His body also began to expand, becoming significantly larger and more imposing.

Compared to him, Duke Zhu's slender figure seemed particularly small.

But that wasn't what shocked Duke Zhu; it was Zhao Wuji's soul rings.

"Eight soul rings, a Soul Douluo!"

"I hadn't expected you, Zhao Wuji, to have reached the level of a Soul Douluo!"

A genuine look of astonishment appeared on his face.

According to his intelligence, even if Zhao Wuji could become a Soul Douluo, it would take a few more years.

"Duke, does my strength now catch your eye?"

Zhao Wuji asked mildly.

"Hmph, even if you've become a Soul Douluo, my cultivation wasn't achieved through sheer luck."

Duke Zhu, sensing the sarcasm in Zhao Wuji's voice, snorted coldly, releasing his spirit, the Netherworld Spirit Cat, as eight soul rings appeared beneath him: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black.

After completing these preparations, he faced Zhao Wuji and bowed, saying in a deep voice, "Level 85 agility-type Soul Douluo, at your service!"

Boom.

Zhao Wuji also clasped his hands together, "Level 82 strength-type Zhao Wuji!"

Undoubtedly, both were serious about clashing.

However, neither was in a rush to make the first move, indicating their mutual respect for each other's prowess.

After all, in a battle between powerhouses, the one who attacks first might reveal a flaw in an instant.

Suddenly, a breeze started to blow by the lake, causing ripples across the calm surface.

"Duke, are we fighting or not? If not, please leave. The cafeteria is about to start serving."

Zhao Wuji, not known for his patience, was openly grumbling.

"You, insolent!"

Duke Zhu was furious. As a Soul Douluo, and his cultivation three levels higher than Zhao Wuji's, why was Zhao looking down on him?

As his voice fell, the fifth soul ring on his body lit up, and he suddenly split into countless shadows.

Netherworld Hundred Shadows!

The shadows, each possessing a certain degree of attack power, weren't meant for attack but to create opportunities for a lethal strike by confusing the opponent.

Unquestionably, Duke Zhu went straight for a killing move, intending to quickly dispose of Zhao Wuji.

However, he oversimplified things.

"Such speed."

"These shadows, they all feel just like the real body."

Zhao Wuji frowned, "But no matter how you slice it, there can only be one real body!"

"Gravity Enhance!"

As his voice fell, his third soul ring shone brilliantly, significantly increasing the gravity within his vicinity.

Then, letting the shadows' attacks hit him, he sharply looked to the side, grinning, "Found you!"

"Great Strength King Kong Palm!"

In an instant, Zhao Wuji's second soul ring lit up, and his hands transformed into huge bear paws, harshly striking a shadow of Duke Zhu.

"Hmph!"

The shadow let out a muffled groan, retreating repeatedly.

Zhao Wuji's powerful and heavy attack made Duke Zhu retreat several steps before stopping.

He looked incredulously at Zhao Wuji, "How could you identify me among hundreds of shadow clones?"

"Is it that hard?"

Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow, "Soul force isn't affected by gravity, but the real body is. Sometimes, eyes aren't the only way to judge; you have to rely on feeling."

"Gravity, I see!"

Chapter 136: The Duke Zhu Who Nearly Played Himself to Death

"With your strength, this isn't a wise choice."

Duke Zhu's eyes first flashed with realization, then he couldn't help but express his admiration, "As expected of the Immovable Vajra Zhao Wuji, who escaped from the siege of the powerful fighters of the Spirit Hall, truly extraordinary!"

"Heh, you flatter me too much, Duke."

Zhao Wuji first smiled, then his expression became serious again, "However, I must fulfill the orders of Thunder Emperor Lei, don't think a few courteous words will persuade me to let you stay."

"Then, let's see the truth through combat."

Duke Zhu said solemnly, lighting up his seventh soul ring.

Without needing further explanation, it was clear this was the core skill of a Soul Douluo, the martial soul true body.

Boom!
Powerful soul force enveloped Duke Zhu.

The next moment, Zhao Wuji saw not Duke Zhu but a Netherworld Spirit Cat exceeding three meters in size before him.

"It seems you're determined to fight to the end?"

Zhao Wuji recognized Duke Zhu's intention.

No choice but to clash head-on.

"Evil God's Protection!"

Facing such resolve, Zhao Wuji activated his eighth soul skill directly.

According to Qin Xiao's advice to Zhao Wuji, "Let the strong be strong, the breeze sweeps the mountainsides."

If someone wants to attack you forcefully, let them.

In the end, whether they break through your defense or not, they'll be exhausted, and what happens next is entirely up to you, isn't it?

So.

Zhao Wuji stood his ground.

Letting Duke Zhu launch his attacks on him.

Tink tink tink tink...

Zhao Wuji watched as the Netherworld Spirit Cat's claws sparked against the pale black protective shield.

Duke Zhu, transformed into the Netherworld Spirit Cat, looked increasingly ferocious.

Yet, even with all his might, he couldn't break through Zhao Wuji's defense.

"What kind of soul skill is this? Why is its defense so domineering?"

Duke Zhu's mentality began to crumble.

He was nearly exhausted, while Zhao Wuji remained unmoved, as if he felt nothing.

This left him feeling futile, like stirring a vat with a toothpick.

Of course.

If he knew that Yu Luo, the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, had once felt this powerless, he would have felt somewhat comforted.

"I'm done fighting."

"But, thinking I'll just leave, that's impossible."

Duke Zhu decided not to waste any more time with Zhao Wuji.

Continuing would just be a waste of time.

"Duke, that's not the way out of the academy."

Zhao Wuji saw through Duke Zhu's intentions and said gloomily.

"Hmph, Zhao Wuji, I admit I can't break your defense, can't do anything to you. But where I wish to go, you can't stop me."

Duke Zhu snorted coldly and turned to leave.

He remembered, Qin Xiao and Zhu Zhujing had disappeared in this direction.

"If that's how you see it, then you're really underestimating me, Zhao."

"That's pushing me to take drastic measures."

Zhao Wuji's expression suddenly turned ice-cold.

At the same time, his fourth soul ring lit up.

Position Tracking!

Boom!
The next moment, he propelled himself into the air, crashing towards Duke Zhu like a cannonball.

"Did you think you could succeed?"

Duke Zhu snorted coldly, his voice full of disdain.

Believing in his superior speed, he was confident he could outpace Zhao Wuji.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh.

The next moment, his body began to shift positions rapidly.

But Zhao Wuji managed to keep up, relentlessly attacking him.

"What kind of cursed ability is this, allowing him to follow me?"

Duke Zhu couldn't help but curse.

Was this forcing him into a head-on confrontation?

"I'm an agility type, and you're a power type, forcing me into a head-on clash, isn't this bullying?"

"No."

"This is downright hooliganism!"

Fighting and fighting, Duke Zhu felt somewhat wronged.

But at this point, did he have any other choice?

"Damn it!"

"All in!"

Duke Zhu stopped fleeing, ready to face Zhao Wuji head-on.

However...

Chapter 136: The Duke Zhu Who Nearly Played Himself to Death

Seeing the Great Strength King Kong Bear descending from the sky, Duke Zhu was dumbfounded.

"Zhao Wuji, this kid, doesn't follow the code of honor. It's one thing to clash head-on, but to actually activate his martial soul true body? Who is he trying to kill?" Duke Zhu inwardly lamented.

Boom!
The Netherworld Spirit Cat and the Great Strength King Kong Bear collided fiercely.

The ground trembled.

A deep crater was formed in the clearing by the lake.

In reality, this was the result of Zhao Wuji and Duke Zhu exerting control; otherwise, the destruction would have been much more extensive.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Emerging from the dust, Zhao Wuji appeared, holding someone in his hand.

Unquestionably, it was the previously spirited Duke Zhu.

Only now, the Duke's clothes were torn and tattered, and he looked like a beggar on the street.

In contrast, Zhao Wuji appeared dignified and imposing.

How the tables have turned.

Thus, he dragged Duke Zhu to the front gate of Blue Tyrant Academy.

"Thump."

Duke Zhu was dumped outside the gate.

"Duke, please don't come back here. This time, the Emperor gave you a chance by letting me act. If there's a next time, you might not be so lucky."

Zhao Wuji seriously warned Duke Zhu, "As far as I know, the Emperor usually only gives people one chance. Most don't even get that before being executed."

"Am I lucky then?" Duke Zhu raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Wuji nodded earnestly, "You could say that."

"Cut it out."

Duke Zhu dismissed him, "I am a Duke of the Star Luo Empire, with a noble status. What if Qin Xiao is a Title Douluo? Does he think he's invincible? Even if he was given several guts, would he dare to kill me?"

Zhao Wuji laughed, "Hehe."

How ignorant one must be to say such a thing?

"Is my statement amusing to you?"

Duke Zhu frowned.

"If you knew more about Emperor Lei, you'd realize how laughable your statement is."

Zhao Wuji whispered in Duke Zhu's ear, "A Duke of the Empire counts for nothing. Title Douluo-level powerhouses are like ants to him. The Haotian Sect, powerful as it was, has been eradicated by him."

"What?"

Duke Zhu was shocked.

He couldn't accept what Zhao Wuji said.

The Haotian Sect was the top sect in the world!

How could Qin Xiao possibly have destroyed it?

"Believe it or not, that's up to you. I've said what I needed to say. With your status, it wouldn't be hard to verify."

"Alright, I'm only speaking out of consideration for Zhu Zhujing. Duke, take care of yourself."

Without further argument, Zhao Wuji left these words behind and returned to Blue Tyrant Academy.

Duke Zhu was left with a storm of emotions.

"How could this be?"

"Did Qin Xiao really destroy the Haotian Sect?"

Reflecting on Zhao Wuji's words, he found himself believing them.

After all, Zhao Wuji had no reason to lie.

Moreover, Zhao wasn't foolish; if he wanted to boost Qin Xiao's reputation, there was no need to involve the Haotian Sect.

"I must return to the Star Luo Empire immediately to investigate the truth behind Zhao Wuji's claims."

Duke Zhu made up his mind.

However,

As he stood up, he faced a dilemma.

"How do I explain this to the Emperor if I return like this? Tell him I couldn't find Zhu Zhujing?"

"We're not children; would he believe that?"

"By admitting that I failed due to Qin Xiao's protection, wouldn't I be admitting incompetence? And that's just the start; who knows what kind of wrath the Netherworld clan would face."

Duke Zhu was distressed.

Advancing, he couldn't deal with Qin Xiao. Retreating, he couldn't face the Emperor—a real dilemma.

After a long while,

The Duke's expression suddenly firmed up.

He had made up his mind.

"Let the hardship be mine alone."

"Who else but I should bear it, as the head of the family?"

With that, Duke Zhu concentrated soul power in his palm and struck his chest fiercely.

Crack, crack, crack—
The sound of at least four or five ribs breaking.

The pain twisted the Duke's face.

He gasped for air, sweat dripping down his cheeks.

"This should suffice. I'll say I nearly died trying to bring back Zhu Zhujing. Even if the Emperor has doubts or dissatisfaction, he won't blame me or the Netherworld clan for now."

"Damn it, Qin Xiao didn't hurt me, but I almost killed myself."

"Now, to return to the Star Luo Empire. If I delay, the wounds will heal, and I'll suffer again."

Muttering curses under his breath, he staggered off into the distance, enduring the pain in his chest.

Duke Zhu was indeed ruthless, resorting to a desperate measure that nearly cost him his life.

(End of Chapter)

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