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When those "daggers" struck the amber-colored shield, they only caused faint ripples to spread across its surface.
The onlookers were dumbfounded, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
A Rank 95 powerhouse using his fifth soul skill to attack this shield—and all it did was create tiny ripples?
And this was just Zhongli's first soul skill!
How could a mere hundred-year soul skill possibly withstand such an attack?!
A flash of bewilderment crossed Yue Guan's face, his expression momentarily blank. Because of the "gap in soul power," he had gone all out!
This attack was his strongest without resorting to his Spirit Avatar enhancement.
Yet the man before him had blocked it so effortlessly?
"I know you're strong, but couldn't you at least use your third or fourth soul skill to block it?!"
"Doing it like this makes me look bad!"
Yue Guan roared inwardly.
Seeing Yue Guan's exasperated expression, Zhongli was puzzled. What was wrong?
He had used an attack skill, and Zhongli had countered with a "defensive skill"—wasn't that how it was supposed to work?
If not for the fact that outright blocking Yue Guan's attack without using a "soul skill" would be too shocking, he wouldn't have even bothered activating one.
Sparring and battles in the Douluo Continent were almost turn-based—you unleash an attack skill, and instead of dodging, I activate a defensive skill to tank it.
Next turn, I attack, and you defend…
And so it went.
Of course, true geniuses didn't fight like this.
This method was only suitable for practicing soul skills.
"Elder Yue Guan, be careful."
Zhongli kindly reminded him. Yue Guan seemed distracted, which was dangerous in a fight.
With just this momentary lapse, Zhongli could have killed him several times over—assuming, of course, Yue Guan had that many lives to spare.
Hearing this, Yue Guan shuddered and immediately snapped back to attention.
If Zhongli is warning me about his next move… does that mean his soul skill is especially powerful?
With that thought, Yue Guan gulped.
Zhongli clenched his right hand, summoning a surge of energy—
Then, as if remembering something, his "second soul ring" flickered.
Hopefully, no one noticed anything amiss just now.
This was a case of "act first, explain later."
After so many years of combat experience, suddenly having to "flash a soul ring" before attacking felt somewhat unnatural.
As the "soul ring" shimmered, a "spear" materialized in Zhongli's hand.
A spear that looked almost casually formed, its entire body gleaming with a radiant amber hue, condensed power coursing through its length.
In the original timeline, Tang San's fifth soul skill had been the Blue Silver Overlord Spear—a weapon conjured by a soul skill, which wasn't particularly rare in the Douluo Continent.
Thus, Zhongli's move didn't raise any eyebrows among the spectators.
Yue Guan instinctively took two steps back. From this spear, he sensed a lethal threat!
Wait, hold on—
This was just a second soul skill!
By now, the crowd of onlookers had grown, many having rushed over to witness the clash between Titled Douluo.
Among them were members of Shrek Academy.
"Being alive is great!"
Ma Hongjun trembled, subconsciously glancing at Dai Mubai.
Back at the city gates, Dai Mubai had actually shouted "Those who don't seek trouble are mediocre!" and provoked this Martial God-ranked expert. That wasn't just reckless—it was suicidal!
A Rank 98 powerhouse could wipe out their entire Shrek team with a single slap.
"???"
Wait a minute—weren't they here to watch the spar? Why was Dai Mubai's gaze fixed in a completely different direction?
Following his line of sight, Ma Hongjun's eyes landed on—
"Hiss—"
In an instant, he understood!
That woman—she was scorching!
"Big Bro Dai, is it really okay to stare at her like that?"
Ma Hongjun muttered nervously. He had suffered too many setbacks; if not for his "evil fire" affliction, he might have already reformed.
"Pfft, shut it…"
Dai Mubai shoved Ma Hongjun aside. "What do you know?"
"Fatty here knows plenty!"
"Tch."
Dai Mubai gave him a disdainful look, flicking his golden bangs with practiced elegance before declaring solemnly:
"When looking at a girl, always start with her eyes."
"Oh? The eyes are the windows to the soul. Through eye contact—"
Before Ma Hongjun could finish, Dai Mubai rolled his eyes and cut him off.
"If she isn't looking back at you, then move on to her legs!"
Ma Hongjun fell silent, lips parting slightly before closing again.
"Mubai, a man should be faithful!"
Even Flender couldn't take it anymore, patting Dai Mubai's shoulder in admonishment.
How could such a devoted dean raise these troublemakers?!
Ma Hongjun had no choice due to his condition, but Dai Mubai and Oscar were different!
Oscar also had his fair share of girlfriends, though he wasn't as openly womanizing as Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
"Dean, I want to be faithful, but someone isn't giving me the chance!"
The "someone" in question stood not far away, yet she seemed completely oblivious to his words.
Dai Mubai's fists clenched involuntarily.
After a brief glance in her direction, his attention returned to Hu Liena.
This one was truly "aging like fine wine." That feeling—how should he describe it?
Like an itch right over his heart.
Flender considered imparting his own lofty theories on love but ultimately decided against it.
Dai Mubai wouldn't appreciate such refined wisdom.
"Fatty, let me teach you one more thing."
"?"
"One glance is respect. Staring is continuous respect!"
How such shameless words could leave Dai Mubai's mouth was beyond comprehension.
"So white…"
"..."
Hopeless.
After Zhongli activated his "second soul skill," Yue Guan's back felt icy, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Spirit Avatar!"
Under overwhelming pressure, Yue Guan resorted to his Spirit Avatar first.
The Chrysanthemum of Eternal Frost revealed its true magnificence, greatly enhancing his power—yet the sense of impending doom still lingered.
"No good. I'll still be instantly crushed!"
With that thought, Yue Guan's eighth soul ring flashed.
"Eighth Soul Skill: Radiance of Ten Thousand Lights!"
Yue Guan channeled his soul power, conjuring countless Chrysanthemums of Eternal Frost, each radiating dazzling brilliance.
Using these luminous flowers as a medium, he launched a barrage of light-based attacks at Zhongli.
"Using offense as defense. Not a bad idea."
Zhongli offered an objective assessment.
He stood his ground, calmly taking a step forward—directly into the path of Yue Guan's eighth soul skill.
And this was an eighth soul skill enhanced by his Spirit Avatar, making it even more formidable.
When the golden radiance clashed with Zhongli's shield, something astonishing happened—
Once again, it only produced tiny ripples?!
Wait, just how strong was this shield?!
It had tanked a fifth soul skill, then an eighth soul skill, and still remained intact. Once the attack faded, the ripples vanished without a trace, as if nothing had happened at all.
"Gulp…"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 140 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.