Chapter 130: Betting on Yourself
Huo Wu felt a deep sense of regret.
A talent like Feng Wutong should have been able to fully unleash her potential at the Blaze Academy. In the Oakland Academy, her abilities would only go to waste.
Was it really worth it, throwing away her future for a man?
Huo Wu closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm the emotions roiling within her. When she opened her fiery eyes again, she coldly glared at Dai Yao:
"Hmph, hiding behind a woman—what kind of man does that make you? If you're really a man, step forward."
Upon hearing this, Feng Wutong grew anxious. A hint of cold sharpness flickered in her eyes, and she was about to stop Huo Wu when Dai Yao extended his hand to stop her.
"She's said it now, how can I still stand behind?" Dai Yao said with a smile.
"But..." Feng Wutong still tried to persuade him.
"Do you not trust me?" Dai Yao asked, gently combing Feng Wutong's fiery red ponytail as he spoke, offering her comfort in a soft voice.
With Dai Yao's touch, Feng Wutong's troubled heart settled. Her anxiousness vanished as though his hands possessed some magical power.
She took a step back, hands clasped in front of her, her usually proud eyes lowered slightly. In front of Dai Yao, all her sharpness seemed to disappear, almost as if she were a servant.
"Yes, Master," she said softly.
The onlookers were stunned by Feng Wutong's actions.
"Did she just call that man 'Master'?"
"I can't believe my ears!" one person murmured.
"She's so talented, so beautiful, and yet she's just his maid?"
Fatty and Oscar, who were in the crowd, had already recognized Dai Yao. They had just wanted to greet him, but when they saw Huo Wu arguing with Feng Wutong, they decided to watch the entire scene unfold.
When they heard Feng Wutong call Dai Yao 'Master,' they exchanged looks filled with shock.
"I think Dai Yao is better at wooing girls than he is at being a soul master," Oscar said with a bitter smile.
Fatty swallowed hard. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong by Dai Yao's side made his eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.
Especially after seeing how proud and aloof Feng Wutong had been in front of others, but now so docile in front of Dai Yao—he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
"Sigh…" He sighed dejectedly and muttered, "Oscar, if you learned a few tricks from him, wouldn't you have a better chance with Ning Rongrong?"
Oscar's eyes lit up.
"What?"
Huo Wu looked at Feng Wutong's behavior in shock. Then her gaze shifted to Dai Yao, and she scrutinized him again, but couldn't find anything particularly unusual about him.
Why would a fire attribute genius soul master serve him as a maid?
Huo Wu thought, even if Feng Wutong had fallen for Dai Yao, it should have been Dai Yao's huge blessing. But the reality seemed too far-fetched—Feng Wutong was just his maid.
Her fiery gaze flickered with frustration, her thoughts racing. She lifted her elegant white neck and asked, "What's your name?"
"Dai Yao."
When Huo Wu heard the name Dai Yao, it felt vaguely familiar, like she had heard it before.
She sniffed disdainfully and arrogantly said, "Dai Yao, you are not worthy to be Wutong's master. If you are wise, you will let her go, and it will be better for you."
"What does that have to do with you?" Dai Yao coldly responded.
"You…"
Huo Wu's anger flared, and she stood up like a blazing fire, pointing an accusing finger at Dai Yao.
"Fine! We're both soul masters, dare you to fight me in a soul battle? If I win, Wutong will come with me!"
Feng Wutong's face showed concern as all eyes turned to Dai Yao, waiting for his response.
Dai Yao shook his head slightly. This Huo Wu was truly arrogant and domineering, not caring about the feelings of others. Did she think that just because she wanted to challenge someone, they had to accept?
However, he did find this challenge interesting.
"Since you're issuing a challenge, then if you lose, what will you do?" Dai Yao said with a playful tone.
Judging by the timeline from the original story, the Elite Soul Master Tournament was half a year away, and at the time, Huo Wu was a 40th-level soul master when she fought Tang San.
Now, Huo Wu was likely at level 38 or 39, even approaching the rank of Soul King.
If Huo Wu were still a Soul Sect, this battle would be nothing more than a cakewalk for Dai Yao.
If she had reached Soul King, Dai Yao wouldn't be afraid, as his power now far surpassed that of most soul masters of the same level.
Huo Wu stared at him blankly, unsure of what to make of Dai Yao's confidence. She never considered the possibility that she could lose.
"What? You haven't even considered what will happen if you lose?" Dai Yao teased.
Huo Wu seemed to find this amusing. She was a top-tier soul master at Blaze Academy and was confident in her 41st-level power.
She couldn't believe there was anyone of her age at the Oakwood Academy who could defeat her.
But now, she had no idea what she was betting.
Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Dai Yao smiled and said, "How about you bet on yourself? If you lose, you'll become my maid."
"You…" Huo Wu gritted her teeth, glaring at Dai Yao. She had never expected him to be so bold.
"How audacious!" Huo Wu's brother, Huo Wushuang, suddenly roared. His eyes were wide with fury, staring at Dai Yao, a dangerous glint in his pupils.
How dare Dai Yao target his sister?
Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong both frowned as they realized Dai Yao was getting bolder.
Hearing Dai Yao's challenge, the onlookers couldn't help but smirk. Huo Wu was a talented soul master from Blaze Academy, beautiful and fiery, but she was also arrogant.
Many of them were somewhat irritated by Huo Wu's pride, and seeing her being put in her place felt somewhat satisfying.
The students from Oakwood Academy grinned, knowing well the extent of Dai Yao's abilities. No one from the same level had ever defeated him.
"What's the matter? Aren't you brave enough?" Dai Yao laughed.
With her proud nature, Huo Wu couldn't stand Dai Yao's taunt. Her temper flared, and without thinking, she agreed.
"Fine! I'll bet with you! But we need to write it down first!"
Huo Wu was a little worried Dai Yao might back out if he lost, but she didn't even consider the possibility that she could lose.
After drafting the written agreement, under everyone's watchful eyes, Dai Yao and Huo Wu ascended the Soul Arena.
As the captain of the Oakland team, Feng Qianli took the role of referee without hesitation.
After briefly explaining the rules of the match, he dropped his hand.
"Begin the match!"
Huo Wu's eyes locked onto Dai Yao with intensity. She was determined to show him the difference in their strength.
"I'll make you realize just how far apart our abilities are!" Huo Wu declared.
Dai Yao smiled lightly, "We'll see."
Seeing his calm confidence, Huo Wu scoffed. She couldn't wait to see how long he could maintain that composure.
Her palm glowed, and a red flame rose from it. Behind her, a red, illusory figure appeared, surrounded by four soul rings.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple!
She was clearly a four-ring Soul Sect!
(End of Chapter)
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