Chapter 74: Provocation
"Yu Tianheng, stop pestering my cousin.
You've chased her for so long, and she's still refused you.
Do you really think she's just being shy?
She's only held back because of your family's status—she didn't want to hurt your pride.
So stop making a spectacle of meaningless things."
The moment Dugu Feng stepped onto the platform, his words rang out cold and clear.
The entire crowd below fell into uproar.
Everyone had expected Dugu Feng to walk into a quick defeat beneath Yu Tianheng's might. They came to witness a romantic fairy-tale ending—
a perfect confession between two powerful heirs.
Instead, Dugu Feng dropped a verbal thunderbolt on them all.
Yu Tianheng's face darkened, veins bulging on his temples as he glared furiously at Dugu Feng—then turned to look questioningly at Dugu Yan.
Could what he said be true?
Even Dugu Yan was stunned. "Dugu Feng, what nonsense are you spouting!?"
"Don't worry, Sister," Dugu Feng said calmly. "Our family has influence of its own. If you dislike him, no one can force you.
You've endured enough these years for the family's sake—that can't continue.
Today, I'll end this for you.
Yu Tianheng, if I defeat you here and now, you'll stop troubling my cousin, won't you?"
His gaze was icy as it fixed on Yu Tianheng.
Humiliation burned in Yu Tianheng's chest.
He had painstakingly planned this dazzling confession, only to have it twisted—portrayed as if he were clinging to her by political advantage.
Yes, his father had once told him: winning Dugu Yan would secure their clan's alliance with the Poison Branch, with the Emerald Phosphor Douluo himself.
But Yu Tianheng prided himself on his own talent. Was Dugu Yan not fortunate to win his affection?
And yet Dugu Feng's words made him sound like a shameless fool, a pathetic suitor.
"Yan, is that true?" Yu Tianheng asked, ignoring Dugu Feng entirely.
Dugu Yan panicked. "Don't listen to him! If you can defeat him, I'll agree to be your girlfriend!"
Seeing her flustered expression, Yu Tianheng's rage dulled slightly.
"Dugu Feng," he said coldly, "I don't care what you're trying to do, but for sowing discord between us, I'll teach you a lesson today!"
Dugu Feng's lips curved faintly. "Then show me what you've got.
If you can't even defeat me, what right do you have to pursue my sister?"
"Sister, don't worry," he added calmly. "I'll defeat Yu Tianheng."
Dugu Yan regretted everything immediately. She had only meant to make Dugu Feng lose face.
But she hadn't expected his sharp tongue would twist the situation so much worse.
Even if Yu Tianheng won now, his pride would bear a scar; Dugu Feng had publicly stepped between them.
She shot Dugu Feng a glare filled with hatred. "Ignore his family name—teach him a lesson!"
Yu Tianheng nodded grimly, convinced Dugu Feng's words were nothing more than provocation.
"Jade Phosphor Serpent—Spirit Possession!"
Dugu Feng's spirit erupted first. Emerald scales shimmered across his forehead, his violet eyes gleamed, exuding chilling intent.
"Dugu Feng, martial soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Level twenty-nine, dual-ring Battle Soul Master.
Please—this battle is for my sister's freedom."
He spoke with solemn calm.
Yu Tianheng's anger surged. "Yu Tianheng, martial soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!
Level thirty-six, Battle Soul Master! Prepare yourself!"
When did I become the villain here? he thought furiously.
He activated his martial soul, a piercing blue glow bursting from his brow. Lightning swirled around him, etching an electric dragon sigil into the air.
Arcs of azure thunder spread across his body like living serpents. His right arm swelled massively, his sleeve burning away, exposing thick, gleaming blue scales that culminated in a dragon's claw.
Two yellow rings and one purple ring spiraled upward—three in all—encircling his transformed arm.
The signature trait of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—physical transformation amplifying absolute might.
His aura roared like thunder.
With a leap, his first spirit ring pulsed brightly.
Crackling lightning condensed into a translucent Thunder Dragon Claw, which slashed downward from midair.
His attack moved faster than the eye could follow—the air screamed from its pressure, snapping with sharp electric detonations.
Lightning fast, unstoppable—his intent was to crush Dugu Feng in one blow.
But Dugu Feng was faster.
He raised his hand, and twin streaks of viridian light shot from his fingers straight toward Yu Tianheng's eyes.
Then more followed, each targeting another vital point—heart, joints, face—every strike precise enough to kill.
The legendary Jade Phosphor Twelve Fingers—each finger strike imbued with his will, each a deadly spear of energy aimed at an opponent's weak spots.
Yu Tianheng's pupils shrank.
Mid-leap, dodging was impossible.
He hardened his stance, interposing his energy-forged claw.
"Bang! Bang!"
Violet energy and blue lightning collided in bursts of sound and light, the shockwave rattling the arena.
Yu Tianheng's lightning claw was overwhelmingly powerful, but Dugu Feng's finger force was equally unyielding, striking in relentless, rapid succession.
He gave Yu Tianheng no chance to breathe.
If Dugu Feng activated his Killing God Domain now, Yu Tianheng's mind would crumble under the pressure of the murderous aura alone.
But Dugu Feng restrained himself. He wanted to measure his limit—pure, without divine help.
Polished through countless battles in the City of Slaughter, his fingers moved like flowing death.
For a poison master like him, combat was simple—poison your enemy and wait for the end.
Each clash spread trace toxins through the air. Sooner or later, they'd take hold.
Yu Tianheng understood the danger.
Realizing brute force wouldn't suffice, he shifted strategy. His second and third spirit rings glowed simultaneously.
The third—Thunder's Wrath—amplified his power, doubling the intensity of his lightning.
The second—Thunderfall—transformed the arcs of lightning dancing around him into countless bolts, each arrowing toward Dugu Feng from every angle.
Such attacks could overwhelm any Soul Master below the Soul King realm. Each bolt carried paralyzing energy—one hit would seize a body in numb stillness.
"I'd like to see how strong your lightning really is!"
Dugu Feng's voice rang out sharply.
He raised both hands—countless jade finger-lights shot forth, intercepting the torrent of electric snakes.
The arena erupted into a chaotic thunderclap of colliding energy.
Blinding flashes, constant crashes—poison and lightning tore through the air.
(END CHAPTER)
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