This novel has been finished on Patreon! Thank you to all my Patrons for the support over this and the other novels <3
------------------------------------------------------
"Begin the match!"
As Ye Wen finished speaking, the referee announced the start of the match.
Though Huo Yu'er had activated her martial soul, as Ye Wen had stated and she had previously promised, she did not engage in the fight. Instead, she stood aside with a detached expression, watching the spectacle unfold.
"Tender and fragrant tofu!"
"Youthful and beautiful garlic clove!"
(T/N: Reminder: the author is using Manhua Oscar's martial soul Tofu, not the Donghua martial soul Sausage.)
After several matches of practice, Oscar was no longer as inexperienced as before. He instantly used his first and second soul skills to empower Dai Mubai.
Oscar's first soul skill, tender tofu, provided stamina recovery and external wound healing. His second soul skill offered a degree of poison resistance, though its effects were weak. However, it could suppress or neutralize any type of poison, making it akin to a rule-based ability.
Though the pungent garlic clove was a bit much for Dai Mubai's taste, he had grown accustomed to it over time. In two quick bites, he swallowed it down, then surged forward toward Ye Wen with explosive force.
Ye Wen's Nana martial soul appeared soft and harmless, but its silvery appearance reminded Oscar of mercury. Out of caution, he had given Dai Mubai an extra garlic clove for added protection against potential toxins.
If Ye Wen had known what Oscar was thinking, he might have laughed.
After all, anyone familiar with Douluo knew that serious powerhouses didn't rely on poisons.
Hmm… except for those who used them to disgust others rather than kill.
"First Soul Skill—White Tiger Barrier!"
While sprinting, Dai Mubai activated his reinforcement soul skill, then threw a punch at Ye Wen with tremendous force.
Ye Wen didn't back down. Instantly, he activated his first soul skill, Armor, enhancing his defense and physical attributes.
Boom!
Their fists collided in a straightforward manner, but the muffled impact spoke volumes about the raw power behind their strikes.
Dai Mubai winced in pain, but thanks to Yu Xiaogang's grueling weighted training and other enhancements, he had developed a significant tolerance for pain compared to his earlier, weaker self.
Amidst the pain, Dai Mubai was also shocked—how was the opponent's strength gradually overpowering his own?
"What kind of joke is this? I'm not the same person I used to be!"
Gritting his teeth, Dai Mubai activated his third soul skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, entering a powered-up state.
Sensing the sudden surge in his opponent's strength, Ye Wen's expression shifted. He quickly reduced the force in his fist and lunged toward Dai Mubai.
Self-Created Soul Skill—Iron Mountain Charge!
Though Ye Wen wasn't proficient in Bajiquan, he understood the principles behind its finishing moves well enough to mimic them.
Moreover, with a strengthening soul skill like Armor, it would have been unreasonable not to train in close-quarters combat.
Although Dai Mubai had learned Boundless Heavenly Strength from Yu Xiaogang, its essence was still about controlling soul power. His physical combat abilities remained woefully inadequate.
As for the self-created soul skills passed down by the Star Luo Imperial Family, how much of their essence could a boy who fled from home at a young age truly grasp?
Feeling the immense force crashing into his chest, Dai Mubai's face changed instantly, and he was sent flying backward.
Ye Wen pressed his advantage relentlessly. He had said he would beat Dai Mubai, and he intended to do just that—to vent his anger.
With a burst of strength from his legs, Ye Wen shot forward, closing the distance.
Though Dai Mubai's overall strength only surpassed that of ordinary civilian soul masters by a small margin, his inherited White Tiger martial soul was among the top-tier ones below super martial souls. Moreover, it was a beast-type martial soul particularly adept at enhancing a soul master's physique.
Ye Wen's Iron Mountain Charge left Dai Mubai in considerable pain, but it wasn't enough to incapacitate him.
Seeing Ye Wen throw another punch, Dai Mubai gritted his teeth and raised his hand, using Boundless Heavenly Strength to weaken the force of Ye Wen's attack.
The two slid a considerable distance, but in the end, Dai Mubai managed to block Ye Wen's assault thanks to his superior cultivation and robust physique.
"Second Soul Skill—White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!"
Golden lightning surged, then shot directly toward Ye Wen from Dai Mubai's mouth.
By now, Dai Mubai had realized that Ye Wen's close-combat abilities likely surpassed his own. Engaging in close-range combat would only put him at a disadvantage, so he opted for a long-range attack instead.
Though Dai Mubai himself wasn't particularly impressive, the soul ring hunting techniques passed down by the Star Luo Imperial Family were top-tier. They not only enhanced physical prowess but also excelled in both offense and defense.
Facing the oncoming White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, Ye Wen's expression darkened slightly. Though the Nana martial soul specialized in elemental manipulation, that didn't mean it was immune to lightning-based attacks.
However, Ye Wen quickly smiled confidently, retracted his fist, and retreated hastily.
"Third Soul Skill—Earth Element Mastery."
With a flick of his fingers forming a seal, Ye Wen conjured a relatively thin shield of earth elements in front of him.
Boom!
The earthen shield shattered instantly.
But even this seemingly fragile barrier effectively disrupted the continuation of Dai Mubai's White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, causing it to dissipate into the surrounding air.
Dai Mubai's White Tiger Fierce Light Wave was indeed a formidable long-range attack, but it wasn't a true light wave—it was merely a bolt of lightning. If the leading edge of the attack was disrupted, the subsequent tracking became meaningless.
At this moment, Dai Mubai's expression turned grim. He finally recognized that this younger-looking opponent was a true expert. Any carelessness could cost him the match.
In this tense moment, Dai Mubai spotted Zhu Zhuqing in the audience, her face filled with disdain. His expression grew even heavier.
When Zhu Zhuqing appeared, Dai Mubai realized that if he continued to slack off, his future would be bleak.
Thus, the usually unrestrained Dai Mubai earnestly accepted Yu Xiaogang's guidance, setting aside his flirtatious tendencies and arrogance. He focused solely on winning back his former fiancée's heart.
But if he lost today to this child—who clearly wasn't from a major noble family—it would be tantamount to saying that all his recent efforts had been in vain. If he couldn't even defeat such a casually trained noble youth, how could he hope to overcome his imperial brother?
Thinking of a future where his cultivation would be nullified and he'd be imprisoned for life, Dai Mubai's face turned pale. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
For my future, I have no choice but to fight.
Once a cowardly and timid youth, Dai Mubai had run away out of ignorance. But now, having grown up and realizing he couldn't escape his fate, he began his final struggle, like a cornered beast.
"Xiao Ao, prepare the tofu!"
After speaking, Dai Mubai focused intently, beginning to gather Boundless Heavenly Strength.
What followed would be a fierce battle. Boundless Heavenly Strength was a technique that consumed a large amount of soul power to boost combat effectiveness, so Dai Mubai had to plan ahead accordingly.
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.