Douluo Dalu: Sign in to the Flame Princess

Xiao Chenyu's father was the lord of Nuoding City, which was the reason for his arrogance. As long as he didn't go too far, even the teachers rarely interfered with him.

Having grown up watching his father navigate the political world, he had absorbed some of that atmosphere. That was why his first thought was to investigate Zhao Ming's background.

His father had repeatedly warned him that some noble families in this world were absolutely untouchable. They were even more terrifying than the imperial family. While the royal family still cared about maintaining appearances, these noble families did not. Offending them meant certain destruction.

"Are you really a working student?" Xiao Chenyu couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Ming gave a calm nod. From his perspective, as long as he defeated Xiao Chenyu, he would have far fewer troubles at Nuoding Academy. Not only would this resolve the issue of working students being bullied, but it would also establish his own authority.

"Make your move."

The bow was already drawn, and the arrow had to be released. If Xiao Chenyu backed down now, his authority among his followers would take a severe hit. Regardless of who Zhao Ming was, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and charge forward.

However, he was not reckless. Even if he won against this first-year working student, he couldn't afford to injure him. Otherwise, even if Zhao Ming was just an ordinary person, the academy's teachers wouldn't let him off.

In the past, they ignored his bullying because the people he targeted weren't worth the trouble of offending him. But this person in front of him was too much of a genius. If something happened to Zhao Ming, those people would definitely not give him any leeway.

Xiao Chenyu was the second person Zhao Ming had faced in battle. The first was Hu Liena. At that time, Yan Lingji had a complete elemental advantage over Hu Liena, which allowed Zhao Ming to unexpectedly defeat her, despite her being at Rank 21. Otherwise, if he had faced any other Grand Soul Master, he would have been utterly defeated.

According to the system, Yan Lingji's actual combat strength was roughly at the level of Rank 16 or 17.

After all, "Nine Songs Of The Sky" was a low-martial world, and the abilities Yan Lingji had mastered were not the strongest. On top of that, she had to rely on Zhao Ming's soul power to unleash her attacks. Even so, her current power was already impressive.

But for someone like Xiao Chenyu, she was more than enough.

Xiao Chenyu lunged toward Zhao Ming at full speed. After obtaining his first soul ring, his strength far surpassed that of ordinary students.

As soon as he pounced, his soul power spread out, covering a three-meter radius around Zhao Ming.

Xiao Chenyu was well aware of his advantages. As a Beast Martial Soul user, his explosive power and high-speed attacks made his strikes exceptionally lethal.

However, just as he was about to reach Zhao Ming, his body suddenly froze in place.

A stunningly beautiful woman had appeared before him.

Her long black hair flowed gracefully.

Her delicate face was flawless.

Her figure was curvaceous and well-defined.

Her slender waist was soft and supple.

For a moment, Xiao Chenyu was completely dazed.

Realizing he was about to crash into her, he frantically tried to stop.

But at such high speed, it was impossible for him to halt his momentum at will.

Due to inertia, he fell forward, landing face-first onto the ground.

Right in front of Yan Lingji.

A powerful gust of wind lifted the hem of Yan Lingji's dress, revealing her smooth, snow-white legs.

"So beautiful…"

Two streams of blood trickled from Xiao Chenyu's nose, but he didn't even notice. Instead, he stared in a daze, a faint smile on his face.

"Die."

A soft but cold voice escaped from Yan Lingji's lips, and she stepped down hard on Xiao Chenyu's face.

"Wait! Don't kill him!"

Zhao Ming's expression changed as he hurriedly commanded Yan Lingji.

Hearing his order, her foot stopped just before applying fatal pressure. She still kept it on Xiao Chenyu's face but did not proceed further.

Zhao Ming hadn't expected Xiao Chenyu to be subdued so quickly. But that was for the best.

Walking up to him, Zhao Ming asked, "Do you yield?"

Xiao Chenyu didn't respond. Instead, he seemed dazed.

Zhao Ming was puzzled.

But soon, he realized what Xiao Chenyu was staring at.

Lying on the ground with his face up, even with Yan Lingji's foot pressing on him, his vision was not obstructed. His gaze was fixated on the small exposed section of her snow-white calf.

"Son of a…!"

Zhao Ming was enraged and kicked Xiao Chenyu away.

I haven't even enjoyed the sight myself!

And you dare to fantasize about my puppet?!

Zhao Ming cursed inwardly.

Xiao Chenyu, now sent flying, finally snapped out of his daze.

His eyes darted between Zhao Ming and Yan Lingji.

"This… is your Martial Soul?" Xiao Chenyu asked in shock.

Zhao Ming nodded without saying much.

"My apologies for today. I won't target you again."

Zhao Ming hadn't expected Xiao Chenyu to back down so easily. But since he was conceding, there was no need to pursue the matter further.

A flash of an orange soul ring, and Yan Lingji disappeared. Retracting his Martial Soul, Zhao Ming looked around.

At this moment, the staircases on both the first and second floors were crowded with spectators—both students and teachers.

Among them, he spotted two familiar faces: Tang San and the Grandmaster.

Clearly, they had come to watch the show.

Their expressions varied—shock, envy, fear, resentment…

But one thing was certain: after today, Zhao Ming's name would spread throughout Nuoding Academy.