Chapter 97 The Death of Dai Mubai
Everyone stood frozen in shock.
Even Luo Ling was momentarily taken aback by the evolution of his Crow Shadow Puppet. The extreme evil attribute far surpassed mere extreme darkness—its power was overwhelming, almost unfathomable.
The scene had already been unbelievable: Dai Mubai's betrayal had left everyone stunned, but Luo Ling's effortless display of strength eclipsed even that.
Bu Le stared wide‑eyed at the youth standing a few meters away. The four soul rings beneath Luo Ling's feet hadn't even lit up, which meant—he'd killed Tian Ya without using a single soul skill.
What kind of strength was that?
If a Soul King like Tian Ya could be slain in an instant, then what chance did he himself have?
A creeping fear gripped Bu Le's heart—and even Dai Mubai began to panic.
He had already overestimated Luo Ling's power, but now he realized he'd underestimated it terribly.
The silence was stifling. Dai Mubai, Bu Le, and Lao E stood together, the earlier arrogance completely gone.
"You were saying something about me just now?" Luo Ling's calm, chilling voice cut through the air. The pressure he exuded made it difficult for anyone to even breathe.
Ning Rongrong hurriedly helped the wounded Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to Luo Ling's side. Oscar and Ma Hongjun followed suit, instinctively retreating behind him for safety.
Sweat dripped down Dai Mubai's temple as his gaze darted between the collapsed Lao E—his wings shredded and poisoned—and the pale‑faced Bu Le beside him.
The situation had turned hopeless. His plan relied on Tian Ya, Bu Le, and himself combining forces to challenge Luo Ling. Now, with Tian Ya dead, there was no hope left.
"Luo Ling—it's all a misunderstanding! I never meant to target you!" Dai Mubai stammered, suddenly forcing a sycophantic smile. "The one I want dead is Tang San!"
He laughed nervously, his desperation apparent. "That filthy peasant didn't deserve an external soul bone! I was going to kill him and give the soul bone to you, Luo Ling! Someone like you—only you—deserves such a divine treasure!"
Everyone gawked at Dai Mubai's shamelessness.
Even Luo Ling, usually calm, found himself mildly astonished that the proud prince of the Star Luo Empire could debase himself so quickly.
Unfortunately for Dai Mubai, his life was already forfeit.
Luo Ling's gaze shifted lazily toward the darkness above the rooftops. A heavy murderous aura simmered there.
A crow perched on a distant branch, its crimson eyes fixed upon a cloaked figure hidden in the shadows.
Tang Hao?
Luo Ling's eyes narrowed slightly. At this hour, only Tang Hao—or perhaps Ghost Douluo—could be lurking unseen.
But this presence wasn't Ghost Douluo's. The immense pressure felt completely different.
Sensing Luo Ling's silence, Dai Mubai wrongly assumed his words were working. A flicker of hope flashed in his eyes.
"Luo Ling, wait—I'll finish Tang San right now and bring you the soul bone myself!"
He turned quickly toward Tang San's unconscious body.
But before he could take a step, a tall figure cloaked in black materialized behind him.
Dai Mubai froze. "Who are you?"
The answer came in the form of a fist.
The cloaked man's punch landed squarely on Dai Mubai's chest, imbued with terrifying soul power.
The impact sent him flying like a ragdoll, slamming into a stone wall with a sickening crunch that left a crater in the bricks.
Gasps filled the alley; even Luo Ling raised an eyebrow.
The aura radiating from the newcomer was immense—far beyond that of an ordinary Soul King. Ning Rongrong, experienced as she was, instantly sensed terrifying strength.
Every hair on Xiao Wu's body stood on end. The shadowed figure exuded lethal intent that chilled her to her core.
Slowly, the man turned his head. Beneath the hood, only an unshaven jaw was visible. His hidden eyes swept calmly over the group, pausing momentarily on Luo Ling and Xiao Wu.
Feeling that gaze, Xiao Wu trembled and instinctively clutched Luo Ling's sleeve.
He gave her a quick glance but said nothing.
The cloaked man's attention shifted back toward the ruined wall where Dai Mubai had crashed.
Among the falling debris, Dai Mubai stirred—alive, but barely.
"Who the hell are you?! Why did you attack me?!" he screamed, staggering to his feet, face contorted with rage and panic.
The cloaked figure gave no answer, only advancing step by slow step. Each footfall weighed on the air like a hammer, suffocating the onlookers.
Dai Mubai clenched his teeth. He could see the truth now—the man intended to kill him.
His hands trembled. That one blow had shown him the vastness of their difference in power. It was hopeless.
Desperate, he looked toward Luo Ling.
"Luo Ling! He must be trying to steal our soul bones! Help me kill him!" he shouted, his voice cracking with panic.
It was all he could think of—Luo Ling was the strongest among them, perhaps the only one capable of fighting this monster.
But Luo Ling only watched silently, his expression flat, as though enjoying a performance.
Dai Mubai had no idea who the cloaked man was—but Luo Ling did.
He had no desire to interfere. This wasn't the time to oppose Tang Hao.
The man—Tang Hao—continued forward, his murderous aura thickening.
Still, Luo Ling didn't move.
Realizing there would be no help, Dai Mubai roared in despair. His martial soul burst forth.
"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
"White Tiger Barrier!"
"White Tiger Light Wave!"
His body swelled with muscle as golden light enveloped him. A brilliant beam of energy shot from his hands straight at the black‑cloaked figure.
But Tang Hao didn't even flinch.
He merely lifted a calloused hand—its surface tough as steel—and blocked the blast effortlessly.
The beam dispersed harmlessly against his palm, not leaving as much as a scorch mark.
"How… how is this possible?" Dai Mubai screamed, losing his composure entirely.
Step by step, Tang Hao—still shrouded in shadow—approached.
Then his massive hand rose and came down.
The sound was like smashing a melon.
Dai Mubai's skull caved in with a single strike, blood erupting in a crimson spray. His body fell limply, twitching once before going still.
The Shrek group recoiled in horror. Even battle‑hardened fighters like Tang San's friends turned pale at the brutal sight.
After finishing, Tang Hao looked up, his hidden gaze fixing on Luo Ling.
For a moment, the two locked eyes. Luo Ling simply smiled faintly.
He felt no fear. With his current power, even a clash with Tang Hao wasn't out of reach—and if he chose to flee, not even the Clear Sky Hammer could stop him.
Besides, Luo Ling was certain Tang Hao wouldn't attack him—not now.
Tang Hao hadn't used his martial soul, which meant he didn't want to reveal his identity.
He must have stepped in only because of Dai Mubai's threat—to dig out Tang San's soul bone. Conveniently, that saved Luo Ling the trouble of doing it himself.
Later, when the Star Luo Empire sought accountability, the blame could easily be pinned on Tang Hao.
"Fatty," Luo Ling said suddenly, breaking the silence, "get Tang San back and treat his injuries."
He knew Tang Hao was watching closely, gauging his intentions toward Tang San's soul bone. This was his way of showing he had none.
(END CHAPTER)
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