Chapter 170: The Great Wilderness Prisoner's Palm
As Xiao Qiang uttered the five words—"Great Prisoner of Heaven"—a terrifying surge of soul power and mental energy erupted from his body. A massive blue palm materialized from the energy, roaring through the air with divine pressure. Without hesitation, Xiao Qiang stepped forward, meeting Fan Yu's charge head-on.
What greeted Fan Yu was not a simple soul skill, but a fully formed Susanoo palm, complete with bone, flesh, and skin. This was no mere illusion—Xiao Qiang had manifested an entity that carried an overwhelming sense of pressure and power.
Xiao Qiang, now in the state of the Mangekyō Sharingan, had activated the second awakening of his original martial soul. In the Douluo world, such an event brought with it an immense boost in soul power due to the world's underlying rules governing martial spirits. At this moment, Xiao Qiang's soul power level was comparable to that of a Soul Saint. Although there was still a qualitative gap between a Soul Saint and a Soul Douluo, the support of Susanoo allowed Xiao Qiang to narrow the gap.
In the Naruto world, the Susanoo ability required both Mangekyō Sharingan to fully manifest. A single Mangekyō could never unleash the full might of the Susanoo if it hadn't been awakened before. Such were the strict laws of that world.
But in Douluo, it was different.
Whether due to the rules of the Douluo universe or the adaptation of Xiao Qiang's martial soul, this version of Susanoo was no longer a pure divine manifestation. It had evolved into something akin to a self-martial soul fusion skill—a unique transformation blending his ocular martial souls into one terrifying combat entity.
The innate soul power of a one-tomoe Sharingan was only at level five. While Xiao Qiang wasn't sure of the innate potential of a two-tomoe Sharingan, he could confidently conclude that the three-tomoe Sharingan was equivalent to a full innate soul power martial soul.
The Mangekyō Sharingan, however, represented a qualitative leap. Even a single Mangekyō surpassed the threshold, qualifying as a top-tier martial soul. The evolution was so profound that Xiao Qiang's two eyes, once a single martial soul, had now become two independent martial spirits. This was similar to early-stage Douluo characters possessing twin spirits.
Both of Xiao Qiang's Mangekyō Sharingan shared the same soul ring, but now operated as distinct martial souls, allowing for an advanced combination: the self-martial soul fusion technique.
Thanks to this fusion, and despite the side effects of recently detonating a soul ring, Xiao Qiang's weakness was limited. Even when facing Fan Yu, an eight-ring Soul Douluo, he fought evenly and without panic.
Still, Xiao Qiang wasn't fully satisfied.
"Tch… the soul ring is a bit lacking." He scowled inwardly as fatigue from the shattered first soul ring lingered in his body.
Originally, Xiao Qiang had planned to smash Fan Yu decisively with Susanoo's palm. But due to the weakness from detonating a soul ring and his current soul power still being under level 70, the attack didn't fully land with intended impact. Even so, he gained the upper hand in the clash—just slightly.
Despite Xiao Qiang's dissatisfaction, the spectators were utterly stunned.
Fan Yu—Director of Shrek Academy's Soul Guidance Department, a member of the Sea God Pavilion, and a formidable Soul Douluo with a soul ring combination of two yellow, two purple, and four black—was unable to subdue a teenager. And not just any teenager, but a boy who had yet to reach seventeen years old.
No one could believe it.
"Impossible! Teacher Fan Yu didn't use any soul tools, but his soul power has already reached level 86! That's almost at the realm of a Title Douluo!" He Caitou cried out in disbelief.
As Fan Yu's direct disciple, He Caitou had full knowledge of his master's soul power level. The moment Fan Yu charged at Xiao Qiang, he thought it was over. Yet, in a heartbeat, Fan Yu was slapped back by the towering Susanoo. A seventeen-year-old had forced back a Soul Douluo.
This scene shocked not only He Caitou, but also Ling Luochen, Ning Tian, and all the students from both Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy. It defied all logic. Xiao Qiang, less than seventeen years old, had not only blocked but pushed back a level 86 Soul Douluo.
Still recovering from the recoil, Fan Yu's expression darkened. He had no time to process the shock. With a flash, his seventh soul ring lit up, and he activated his Martial Soul True Body, reaching his peak state.
He had no choice.
He needed to end this quickly. If reinforcements from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy arrived before he subdued Xiao Qiang, everything would fall apart. The moment they discovered the stolen blueprints, Shrek Academy's credibility would be irreparably damaged. Capturing Xiao Qiang was now their only hope.
The arrow had already left the bow. There was no turning back.
"Not good! Protect Lord Xiao!"
A level 7 Soul Engineer from the Sun Moon side roared. Though he knew he couldn't match a Soul Douluo in Martial Soul Avatar state, he charged anyway.
To everyone watching, Xiao Qiang had already done the impossible—he had held his ground against a Soul Douluo at under 17. Geniuses like this were national treasures, and no one would allow such a talent to fall. Even if they had to die, they would protect him.
"Protect Lord Xiao!"
"Protect Lord Xiao!"
The guards of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy surged forward. But Fan Yu, now fully transformed in his Martial Soul Avatar, ignored them. Even if several Soul Saints attacked him simultaneously, it would take time to wear him down. With only two Soul Saints present, he had nothing to fear. He was confident he could seize Xiao Qiang and retreat before they stopped him.
Or so he believed…
Until Xiao Qiang activated the half-body Susanoo, clad in complete armor.
"Great Wilderness Prisoner Heaven Hand!"
This time, the palm was not the same—it was many times stronger than before.
Fan Yu braced himself. Even with the enhanced state of the Martial Soul Avatar, he barely held on. The titanic right hand of Susanoo descended upon him, and just when he thought he had stabilized—
BOOM!
Susanoo's left hand crashed down like a hammer against its right, amplifying the force by an overwhelming margin.
Fan Yu had no time to react.
The ground shattered as Fan Yu's body was smashed deep into the metal floor of Mingde Hall. The impact shattered his Martial Soul Avatar, forcing him out of his true body state. A second later, he lost consciousness.
Silence.
A deathly silence fell upon the hall.
Not a single sound was made. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the fallen Soul Douluo, Fan Yu, sprawled unconscious beneath the crater.
For two full minutes, no one moved. No one spoke.
Then, one of the Soul Engineers from the Sun Moon Empire slowly raised a trembling finger toward the unconscious figure on the ground.
"…Is he… really a Soul Douluo?"