After dodging that strike, Tai Yuan had no leverage to attack again. His cultivation hadn't reached Spirit Saint, so he couldn't stay in the air.
However, while Tai Yuan had no leverage, Wang Nan had other means.
His spirit tool thrusters had been with him for three years, and he was already very proficient in controlling them. As the light from the spirit tool thrusters continuously flickered, Wang Nan quickly adjusted his posture in the air, then swept his Coiling Dragon Staff towards Tai Yuan, who was falling.
Tai Yuan's second spirit ring flickered, and the skin on his arm became tougher. He raised his arm to meet the Coiling Dragon Staff, and their collision produced a dull thud.
Tai Yuan frowned slightly after landing. In that brief contact, he had already used four Spirit Abilities, while Wang Nan had only used his first Spirit Ability, which was the lowest-ranked. Although he was a Spirit King, if this continued, he would be the one to exhaust his spirit power first.
Tai Yuan looked in Wang Nan's direction, let out a low roar, and clapped his arms against his chest, making a "bang, bang" sound. Then he leaped up again, clenching his right fist, and his fourth Spirit Ability flickered, making his fist seem to grow another size.
This strike was powerful and heavy, even disturbing the surrounding energy flow. The air around Wang Nan seemed to be drawn by that fist, pushing Wang Nan towards it.
Unfortunately, no matter how powerful a Spirit Ability, if it doesn't hit the enemy, it can't cause any damage. Wang Nan dodged again, and the Coiling Dragon Staff lightly tapped Tai Yuan's arm, deflecting Tai Yuan's punch elsewhere.
After two consecutive missed strikes, Tai Yuan gave up the idea of actively attacking.
Continuing like this would only waste spirit power to no effect.
Thinking of this, Tai Yuan simply raised his arms, guarding against Wang Nan's attacks. His second Spirit Ability, Wall of Power, could convert his own strength into defense. Coupled with his spirit power advantage, he was prepared for a stalemate.
Wang Nan had been flying in the air using his spirit tool thrusters, and Tai Yuan didn't believe that Wang Nan could outlast him in this situation.
And indeed, although Wang Nan's spirit tool thrusters were only a third-grade spirit tool, continuous flight in the air was still a considerable drain on him. Seeing Tai Yuan focused on defense, he controlled the spirit tool thrusters to slowly descend onto the arena.
Wang Nan pondered for a moment, then his heart stirred. He gripped the Coiling Dragon Staff with both hands, continuously injecting spirit power into it, and the Coiling Dragon Staff grew larger and larger. Wang Nan raised both hands, lifting the Coiling Dragon Staff high, and smashed it towards Tai Yuan.
Tai Yuan's heart lit up with joy at the sight. He naturally wasn't afraid of a direct confrontation. As long as Wang Nan didn't just dodge like before, he would have a better chance of winning.
Third Spirit Ability, Burst of Power, and Fourth Spirit Ability, Giant Spirit Fist. Tai Yuan unleashed his third and fourth Spirit Abilities simultaneously, throwing a punch to meet the Coiling Dragon Staff.
However, what he didn't expect was that the moment his fist met the rod, Wang Nan actually let go with both hands, and the Coiling Dragon Staff was sent flying by Tai Yuan's punch.
'Why did he let go?'
Tai Yuan had studied in Shrek Outer Courtyard for six years and had experienced many combat situations, big and small. Seeing such an anomaly, his first reaction wasn't that Wang Nan had made a mistake, but rather that he was guessing what trump card Wang Nan had.
Looking closely, Wang Nan had already used the boost from his first Spirit Ability to get behind Tai Yuan. He swung his right palm, and a faint dark glow appeared on his right arm.
'Spirit Bone?'
Tai Yuan's heart tightened. He didn't know what effect Wang Nan's Spirit Bone had. In a hurry, he could only twist his body, putting his arms between himself and Wang Nan, and activating his second Spirit Ability again.
Tai Yuan's arms tensed, ready to receive Wang Nan's palm, but Wang Nan's palm landed on him with no force at all.
Wang Nan quickly retracted his arm, his right hand forming a loose fist. The Coiling Dragon Staff, which had been sent flying by Tai Yuan, changed direction in the air and flew rapidly towards them. Before Tai Yuan could even think clearly, one end of the Coiling Dragon Staff slammed hard into his back.
Tai Yuan's attention was completely drawn by Wang Nan's Spirit Bone, and his defense was aimed at Wang Nan's right hand. Who would have thought the attack would come from behind?
Even with Tai Yuan's physical strength, taking such a sudden blow, he still felt his insides churn, his throat sweet, and an involuntary grunt escape his nostrils.
Looking at Wang Nan again, the light from his spirit tool thrusters flickered, and he had already quickly moved away from Tai Yuan.
For most attack system Spirit Masters, a Tool Spirit like the Coiling Dragon Staff requires the Spirit Master to hold it to exert its maximum power. But Wang Nan, relying on the skill of his right arm bone, could exert power not inferior to holding it, even by manipulating it in the air.
Since obtaining the right arm bone, Wang Nan had been using its passive effect for meditation and to strengthen his body. This was his first time using its active effect in combat.
The Spirit Ability provided by the Spirit Bone was indeed powerful, but this single strike consumed ten percent of Wang Nan's spirit power. However, the effect of this strike was also very significant. Taking this blow completely unprepared, Tai Yuan clearly suffered a not-insignificant internal injury.
Wang Nan seized the opportunity to swing his rod in a feigned attack, but Tai Yuan dared not be careless. His second spirit ring flickered again, clearly indicating he dared not take Wang Nan's attack head-on.
After several rounds, Tai Yuan's heart sank.
Wang Nan's attacks were unpredictable. Tai Yuan didn't know if Wang Nan's next attack would be a real one or just a probe, but he had to respond seriously. Coupled with his internal injuries, he would undoubtedly lose if this continued.
Thinking that this might be his last battle at Shrek Academy, Tai Yuan simply stopped thinking about the outcome of the battle and decided to unleash his full strength.
At this thought, Tai Yuan forcefully clapped his chest several times, and his fifth spirit ring lit up.
This was his ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability, Fifth Spirit Ability: Power Shakes Mountains and Rivers.
He slammed his clenched fists onto the arena, and the arena surface rippled like the sea, spreading outwards from Tai Yuan.
Wang Nan naturally noticed such a huge commotion and was about to fly up again, but then met Tai Yuan's gaze. Wang Nan suddenly changed his mind, and his third Spirit Ability lit up, the Coiling Dragon Staff also smashing towards the arena.
A thousand-year Spirit Ability naturally couldn't compare to a ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability. The tremors caused by Tai Yuan overwhelmed Wang Nan's third Spirit Ability and continued towards Wang Nan.
But it wasn't without effect. The waves on the ground were stopped a few meters in front of Wang Nan, unable to advance an inch.
Seeing this, Tai Yuan suddenly revealed a relieved smile.
He knew it. Even if Wang Nan's strength wasn't as great as his, he could definitely contend with him for several rounds. If he couldn't completely overwhelm him in his own area of expertise, then losing to Wang Nan, who had more means, was only natural.
"I surrender!" Tai Yuan didn't wait until his spirit power was exhausted, but instead actively called out to Cai Meier.
"Junior Brother, I am completely convinced." Tai Yuan walked up to Wang Nan and cupped his fists.
"You flatter me. I merely used a trick."
Tai Yuan shook his head. "That's the wisdom of battle. Never mind, let's not talk about this. I still want to congratulate Junior Brother. My home is in Heaven Dou City. If you have a chance in the future, you can come and visit."
With that, Tai Yuan jumped off the arena with great ease.