Chapter 156: Fearing My Brother's Hardship, Yet Dreading His Luxurious Life
Although the first Soul Battle match had ended, the astonishment among the audience lingered.
They discussed the brilliant moments from the day, the team lineups, the elegance of the world's best auxiliary soul master, Ning Fengzhi, the attire and appearance of various high-profile figures, and so on.
But the most talked-about subject, undoubtedly, was that terrifying 10,000-year fourth soul ring.
With the match concluded, Dai Yao's name began to spread from Tiandou Imperial City throughout the entire continent.
At the Soul Battle Arena, the two teams slowly withdrew.
In contrast to the dejected mood of the Elephant Armor Sect, the members of the Oakland Academy were in high spirits.
After a wild laugh, Dai Yuan said joyfully, "I didn't expect the Elephant Armor Sect to be so fragile. A single Soul Venerable like me was able to tie down two of their Soul Venerables."
Hearing this, Luo Ling snorted coldly, detached from the four-person team with Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, and Dugu Yan, then quickly approached Dai Yuan. With her amplification staff, she sharply jabbed him in the waist.
After Dai Yuan let out a painful scream, she said in a sweet voice, "Hmph, you're taking credit? You, a single Soul Venerable, tying down two Soul Venerables? Shameless! If it weren't for my assistance, you would've been turned into a meat bun by those two giant lumps of flesh!"
"And don't get too cocky! The real hero of this match is Dai Yao. If it weren't for him blocking the two strongest Soul Kings and a Soul Venerable of the Elephant Armor Sect, do you think you'd dare charge into their team?"
Rubbing his sore waist, Dai Yuan helplessly said, "Dai Yao... is he even human? His fourth soul ring is a 10,000-year soul ring! There's never been someone like him in the entire history of the continent!"
Hearing their bickering, the group couldn't help but smile.
Feng Qianli turned around and looked at Dai Yao's back, saying, "Dai Yao, thank you for this match. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have won against the Elephant Armor Sect, one of the Five Elemental Academies."
Dai Yao smiled faintly and replied, "Captain, you're being too polite. I'm part of the Oakland team, after all."
Hearing this, Feng Qianli's worries faded. After all, Dai Yao had only joined Oakland midway through. His strength was overwhelming, and he might not think much of Oakland Academy. Feng Qianli had been concerned that Dai Yao might feel the academy wasn't worthy of him. But Dai Yao's words finally reassured him.
Feng Qianli paused, then laughed, "It's my mistake. I owe you an apology."
Up front, Jackson basked in the respectful looks from the crowd, feeling as if he'd just drunk a cold beverage on a hot day—his heart soared.
"After this match, I can't wait to see the expressions on those who used to look down on Oakland Academy," Jackson said.
As the Oakland group walked down the path, several academy leaders approached them simultaneously.
Seeing them, Jackson cleared his throat and resumed his usual calm demeanor. "Oh, it's Old White Heron from Purple Star Academy and Old Pig from Flame Radiance Academy. What's the matter?"
"Hehe," laughed the two men, whom Jackson had humorously referred to as Old White Heron and Old Pig. They glanced at the Oakland team behind them, then immediately pulled Jackson to the side. They cast a soundproof barrier and started chattering noisily.
Although they were arguing, their eyes were unmistakably focused on Dai Yao.
"Old Bull! You're really heartless, hiding such a trump card in your academy without telling us!" Old White Heron scolded.
"Exactly, exactly! Dai Yao's second soul ring is a 1,000-year soul ring, and his fourth soul ring is a 10,000-year soul ring! No one has ever seen someone like him in history! How did such a genius end up in your Oakland Academy?" Old Pig added, his voice full of jealousy.
Jackson glanced at the two, whose eyes were filled with envy, and stroked his beard, speaking slowly, "Ahem, Dai Yao's talent is indeed impressive, but our Oakland Academy isn't bad either. How can we not be worthy of him?"
"Pah!" Old White Heron spat on the ground, mocking, "Your crappy Oakland Academy? We used to be brothers, didn't expose your shortcomings to save face, but now you shamelessly say that you're worthy of Dai Yao?"
Old Pig added without hesitation, "Hmph! Our Flame Radiance Academy did better than Oakland in the last competition. I bet the only person from your academy who's decent is Feng Qianli."
"Dai Yao and those girls, with their martial souls, could go to any academy! Even the Five Elemental Academies would fight to recruit them. They'd break the single-element rule just to get them!"
"How dare you say that!" Jackson replied awkwardly, his face turning a bit red from the teasing.
In front of these familiar old friends, all his secrets were exposed. He helplessly said, "Hey! What's wrong with Oakland Academy? Dai Yao is part of our team, so you just have to be jealous!"
Old White Heron and Old Pig exchanged glances, both seeing the veins bulging on each other's forehead. They grinned mischievously and approached Jackson. "Old Bull, if you don't stop, we'll remind you of how we used to beat you up at Tiandou Royal Academy."
The three of them had been in the same year at Tiandou Royal Academy and shared a dorm. Their bond was strong, and despite their different paths afterward, they continued to support one another. However, now that Oakland Academy had Dai Yao, it was clear they would no longer be the "small struggling group."
Jackson shuddered, seemingly recalling something unpleasant. "Alright, alright, I'll talk," he sighed.
The two stopped their teasing and waited for Jackson to speak.
Jackson sighed deeply, "To be honest, with the strength of Oakland Academy, how could we have recruited a genius like Dai Yao?"
The two nodded in agreement, but still couldn't understand how Oakland Academy managed to recruit someone like Dai Yao.
Jackson's face twisted into a sly grin. "But luck is just that crazy. One day, Dai Yao came to us and asked to join. Of course, I agreed!"
"Wait, Dai Yao came to you of his own accord?!"
The two couldn't believe it. Then, their expressions turned slightly worried.
"Old Bull, does Dai Yao have some secret? Why else would he join Oakland Academy? Don't let your greed put you in danger," they warned.
"Yes, as your old brothers, we just want to remind you," they added.
Jackson, moved by their concern, smiled. "Don't worry, you know? Dai Yao was sent by the Spirit Hall directly, and he's also a distinguished guest of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Through Dai Yao, I've even connected with them."
Upon hearing this, their worries vanished. With Spirit Hall backing him, what was there to fear?
But their worries quickly turned into jealousy.
With Dai Yao being such a genius, and with connections to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, wouldn't this mean Oakland Academy's development would accelerate even more?
They could hardly contain their jealousy and promptly gave Jackson a good-natured beating.
Truly, they feared their brother's hardships, but they also dreaded him driving a Land Rover!
Just as the three of them argued, a group of unwelcome guests surrounded the members of the Oakland team.
These people, resembling massive mountains of flesh, were none other than members of the Elephant Armor Sect.
(End of Chapter)
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