Soul Land: Bibi Dong Is My Martial Soul

Chapter 122: Zhu Zhuqing's Betrayal

"I hereby declare Heaven Dou Imperial Team victorious!"

After a fierce battle, the announcer finally proclaimed the victory of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team.

The Star Luo Team had been at a disadvantage against Su Mo and his teammates from the start. Dai Weisi had pinned all his hopes on executing their martial soul fusion technique with Zhu Zhuyun.

However, Su Mo had tactically prevented them from using the technique, leaving the strongest duo of the Star Luo Team unable to unleash their trump card.

Under such circumstances, Su Mo managed to hold off Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun single-handedly, leading to their defeat. The rest of the Star Luo Team were systematically eliminated by Yu Tianheng and the others, and eventually, even Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun fell in battle.

The two of them were left seething with frustration, unable to execute their martial soul fusion until the very end.

With Heaven Dou Imperial Team's victory, only six teams remained in the tournament, including the two teams that had a bye in the previous round.

The next stage of the competition would involve no byes, with the top three teams being decided from the six.

The fourth-round matchups were soon announced:

Heaven Dou Imperial Team vs. Dragon Sunflower Team.

Blazing Fire Team vs. Tianshui Team.

Spirit Hall Team vs. the team that had a bye along with Tianshui Team in the last round.

Though the matchups were drawn, the fourth round would take place the following day, allowing the teams to rest.

Later that evening...

"Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing!"

"How long are you two planning to hide in the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"After this tournament is over, come back with us!"

Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun confronted the Shrek Team, addressing Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing directly. This was the first time the brothers had spoken since reuniting during the tournament.

"I won't go back with you!"

Dai Mubai coldly rejected them without hesitation.

He knew full well that returning now would mean losing to Dai Weisi. Dai Weisi was on the verge of breaking through to Soul King, while Dai Mubai was uncertain when he would reach the same level.

As for Zhu Zhuqing, she was even weaker. Returning to the Star Luo Empire now would leave them with almost no chance of defeating Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun in the competition for the throne.

Staying away from the Star Luo Empire was their only option.

Though time was running out for them, Dai Mubai pinned his hopes on the next Soul Master Tournament. If Shrek Academy could secure the championship, their return to the Star Luo Empire would carry more weight, giving them a sliver of competitiveness.

"I'm just informing you," Dai Weisi said with a sneer. "It's up to you whether you return or not. But if you don't come back now, you'll have no chance later."

With that, Dai Weisi turned and left without another word.

Dai Mubai's refusal delighted him. A wandering prince in the Heaven Dou Empire could never compete with him.

Displaying his abilities and gathering support could only be done in the Star Luo Empire, where their father and the empire's ministers could witness it.

Dai Weisi had only extended the invitation out of courtesy as a Star Luo prince. Now that he had, the matter was Dai Mubai's to deal with.

"Zhuqing, I'll be waiting for you in the Star Luo Empire," Zhu Zhuyun said with a smirk before leaving with Dai Weisi.

"Damn it!"

Dai Mubai glared at their departing figures, anger boiling within him.

Yet, faced with their current predicament, a sense of powerlessness overwhelmed him.

Returning now meant losing outright, but staying away offered little time to change their fate.

Dai Mubai's hope rested entirely on winning the next Soul Master Tournament, but by then, Dai Weisi might already have gained the recognition of their father and the ministers, solidifying his position as crown prince.

If that happened, the only fate awaiting Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing was having their martial souls and cultivation crippled, then being exiled.

Or worse—if Dai Weisi decided to be ruthless...

The thought made Dai Mubai's expression grow even darker.

"Is there no hope for us anymore...?" Zhu Zhuqing murmured, her voice tinged with despair.

For once, Dai Mubai couldn't bring himself to offer words of encouragement.

"It's because you're too weak!" he snapped instead, his frustration boiling over. "If you cultivated as fast as Ning Rongrong, we might still stand a chance!"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and stormed off, seeking an outlet for his anger.

"..."

Zhu Zhuqing stood frozen, watching Dai Mubai's retreating figure, her expression blank.

For the first time, she felt utterly hopeless—not just because of her perceived inability to compete with her sister Zhu Zhuyun, but also because of Dai Mubai's attitude.

"What should I do...?"

She whispered, lost and unsure.

Chasing after Dai Mubai from the Star Luo Empire to the Heaven Dou Empire had been her way of escaping her family's brutal competition.

She didn't want to lose. She wanted to change her fate.

Even though she hadn't truly forgiven Dai Mubai, she had forced herself to trust him and focus on their shared goal of using their martial soul fusion technique to win.

But now, she realized that even her sacrifices seemed futile. Compared to Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, she and Dai Mubai were woefully unprepared.

Far from the Star Luo Empire, they had no chance of winning their family's recognition or support.

There was no hope in sight.

"Zhuqing, are you okay?"

A familiar voice pulled Zhu Zhuqing from her thoughts. She looked up to see Ning Rongrong, accompanied by Su Mo.

"...I'm fine," Zhu Zhuqing replied flatly, quickly masking her despair. She didn't want them to see her vulnerability.

"..."

Ning Rongrong hesitated, unsure how to comfort her.

"Zhu Zhuqing," Su Mo spoke up, his voice calm and steady. "Have you ever considered that escaping your fate doesn't have to mean winning your family's competition?"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

"You mean... leaving my family entirely?"

"That's impossible. The Star Luo Empire wouldn't allow it!"

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at Su Mo with a blank expression. She didn't question how he knew about her predicament, simply shook her head woodenly.

She had considered escaping before, avoiding the punishment that came with losing the family competition.

But she believed it was hopeless. Others had tried fleeing before, only to be caught by the Star Luo Empire's relentless pursuit.

Moreover, she didn't want a life spent in constant hiding, always running from the shadows.

"That depends on where you escape to," Su Mo said calmly. "If you leave the Douluo Continent and head overseas, the Star Luo Empire won't be able to touch you."

"Or, if you don't want to leave the continent, you could choose to join the Spirit Hall."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in disbelief at Su Mo's words. "What? Join the Spirit Hall?"

The Spirit Hall and the two great empires had always cooperated begrudgingly but were fundamentally at odds.

The thought of joining the Spirit Hall had never crossed Zhu Zhuqing's mind. To her, the Spirit Hall was the enemy of the Star Luo Empire.

"Yes, join the Spirit Hall. I'm confident they'd gladly accept you," Su Mo said with a faint smile. "With the protection of the Spirit Hall, the Star Luo Empire wouldn't dare touch you."

In truth, Su Mo wasn't entirely sure if the Spirit Hall would dare to shelter Zhu Zhuqing.

But he believed that Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, would. Such an act would undermine the Star Luo Empire's prestige, and someone with Bibi Dong's ambitions—aiming to unify the continent—would relish the opportunity.

At the very least, joining the Spirit Hall would allow Zhu Zhuqing to escape the punishment of failure: being crippled or even executed.

If it were him in Zhu Zhuqing's position, he would choose either to flee the Douluo Continent or seek refuge in the Spirit Hall.

Joining the Heaven Dou Empire was another option, but compared to the Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire was unlikely to risk accepting her and antagonizing the Star Luo Empire.

"..."

Zhu Zhuqing stood frozen, stunned by Su Mo's suggestion.

The idea of joining the Spirit Hall had never crossed her mind before.

But as she mulled it over, she realized there was merit in what Su Mo said. If the Spirit Hall were willing to accept her, they could indeed protect her.

Yet...

Joining the Spirit Hall would mean betraying her family and the Star Luo Empire.

And there was no guarantee that the Spirit Hall would actually take her in.

"Think it over carefully," Su Mo said, seeing her hesitation. Taking Ning Rongrong's hand, he turned and walked away.

"Su Mo, why did you suggest that Zhuqing join the Spirit Hall?" Ning Rongrong asked as soon as they left.

"It's nothing. We're classmates, and I don't want to see her destroyed by her family and the Star Luo Empire," Su Mo replied casually.

"You know about the Star Luo Empire's royal family and the Zhu family's competition rules, don't you?"

"The losers either disappear during the competition or are crippled and exiled at best."

"For Zhuqing, escaping overseas or joining the Spirit Hall are her best options. She and Dai Mubai have no hope of winning against Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun."

Su Mo smiled faintly as he explained. He wasn't acting out of personal interest—just a passing attempt to guide Zhu Zhuqing.

In some ways, it was a way of alleviating his guilt, knowing that his presence might have altered her fate.

"..."

"You're right. If Zhuqing doesn't want to face the consequences of losing, she has no choice but to follow your advice," Ning Rongrong admitted after a moment of silence, her voice tinged with sympathy for Zhu Zhuqing.

"But even if Zhuqing goes to the Spirit Hall, would they dare accept her? That would offend the Star Luo Empire!"

"That depends," Su Mo said with a chuckle. "Accepting Zhu Zhuqing would deal a blow to the Star Luo Empire's reputation without entirely severing ties. The Spirit Hall might just take that risk."

"It would be different for Dai Mubai. As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, his status makes him a far more sensitive case."

"You're probably right." Ning Rongrong sighed. "I just don't understand why the Star Luo royal family and the Zhu family insist on such a brutal competition system."

"Don't think too much about it," Su Mo said. "In the end, the decision lies with Zhuqing."

"Join the Spirit Hall!"

"Could I really do that?"

After Su Mo and Ning Rongrong left, Zhu Zhuqing remained rooted to the spot, Su Mo's suggestion echoing in her mind.

She had never considered such an option to escape her fate.

But now, the more she thought about it, the more the idea appealed to her.

Her beautiful eyes sparkled with newfound determination.

"Dai Mubai and I have no chance of defeating Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun. The decision for the crown prince won't take much longer."

"Especially with me and Dai Mubai avoiding the competition entirely. How could we possibly gain recognition from the emperor or the ministers?"

"Dai Mubai's plan is completely unrealistic."

"Five years? The crown prince will likely be decided long before then!"

Zhu Zhuqing analyzed her situation with clear logic. If she and Dai Mubai didn't return soon, their chances would disappear entirely.

Unless they could achieve outstanding results in the Soul Master Tournament—better than the Star Luo Team—they had no leverage to re-enter the competition.

But that wasn't going to happen. The Star Luo Team was stronger, and their results reflected it.

Faced with no viable path, Zhu Zhuqing finally saw why she had been so filled with despair and hopelessness.

"Su Mo is right. Joining the Spirit Hall is the only way to escape my fate!"

"That heartless family? If betraying them is the price, so be it!"

Her resolve hardened as she recalled Zhu Zhuyun's past attempts to assassinate her.

Turning on her heel, Zhu Zhuqing's figure flickered as she headed in the direction of the Spirit Hall.

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