Chapter 38: Softness Breathing Technique
Soon, it was Xiao Wu's turn to take the stage.
Despite the shock Lin Yang had just delivered, a commotion still broke out in the audience when Xiao Wu's petite figure stood on the stage.
Although she wore a mask, it was still clear that she was an extremely cute young girl.
Yet, such a young girl who should have been pampered was now standing on a life-and-death arena filled with blood and violence, with bloodstains still lingering beneath her feet.
Like a little white rabbit voluntarily walking into a pack of bloodthirsty wolves, it defied all common sense.
Even the host paused visibly, unable to resist asking an extra question.
After receiving a clear and definite answer from Xiao Wu, the host said no more.
The Great Spirit Arena had its own rules; he had already technically violated them just now.
The Spirit Battle began immediately.
Xiao Wu's opponent was an extremely burly man.
This man stood at a staggering height of about two meters.
With a broad waist and wide back, his muscles pulsed like coiling dragons, exuding a powerful sense of pressure.
He had level nineteen Soul Power, and his Martial Soul was the Vigorous Bear, a lower-tier Soul Beast compared to the Vigorous Vajra Bear.
One could tell from the name that its strength was astonishing and its defense was quite impressive, though its speed was relatively weak.
Standing before him, Xiao Wu looked as delicate as a figurine—the kind that would burst into tears if hit by a single punch.
"Hey, little girl, is your Martial Soul a rabbit?"
Bear Strength grinned, the flesh on his face trembling, his wide mouth revealing a sinister smile.
"I, for one, love eating rabbits the most."
Xiao Wu's expression turned cold. "Then I'll make sure you tremble with fear every time you see a rabbit from now on."
Having said that, Xiao Wu lowered her body slightly, assuming a combat stance.
Bear Strength let out a thunderous roar.
"Spirit Possession!"
The phantom of a giant bear flashed behind him, and his already exaggerated muscles swelled even further.
A yellow Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.
The battle began!
Xiao Wu took the lead, lunging forward like an arrow released from a bowstring.
The distance of over ten meters vanished in an instant. With a light tap of her toes, she left the ground and kicked toward Bear Strength's neck.
Whether for a Soul Beast or a Soul Master, the defense around the neck was always relatively weak.
However, just as Xiao Wu was about to land her hit, a glint of cunning flashed in Bear Strength's fierce eyes as if his scheme had succeeded, and the Soul Ring beside him quickly lit up.
"Hahaha, Little Rabbit, you've delivered yourself right to me."
"First Soul Skill, Berserk!"
In an instant, the fierce aura around Bear Strength surged abruptly, adding a touch of frenzy.
His two palm-sized hands extended sharp claws and slammed together toward the center.
At first glance, it looked as if Xiao Wu had voluntarily lunged into his embrace.
In the audience, Lin Yang raised an eyebrow. This big guy looked simple-minded, but his actions since stepping onto the stage were full of calculation.
He knew he wasn't good at speed, and a rabbit was obviously known for it.
To avoid being kited, he had started with a provocation.
He deliberately provoked Xiao Wu to lure her into close quarters, then suddenly erupted, hoping to win with a single blow.
"A pity..." Lin Yang shook his head slightly.
"The idea is good, but the gap in strength is too large!"
At this moment, Xiao Wu also sensed Bear Strength's intention. With a soft snort, she twisted her slender waist in mid-air, using the momentum to grab his shoulders with both hands and suddenly spin.
"Softness Breathing Technique, Fifth Form: Gale, Wheel Dance!"
As she spun, invisible gusts of wind suddenly transformed into unseen blades, slicing into Bear Strength's body one after another.
Shua shua shua—!
The wind blades, carrying the force of the rotation, instantly left countless fine bloody gashes on Bear Strength's body.
Blood splattered, and he looked as if he were soaked in it.
The Softness Breathing Technique was a derivative Breathing Technique created by Xiao Wu, based on her own soft skills and integrated with the high speed and cutting power of the Wind Breathing.
Although it wasn't as good for cultivation as the Sun Breathing, it pushed the lethality of her soft skills to the extreme, perfectly matching her fighting style.
At least within the three-ring level, once in close quarters, it was very difficult to escape her combat rhythm.
Lin Yang had originally thought of naming it "Beast Breathing" or "Rabbit Breathing," but Xiao Wu found them unpleasant, so it was eventually changed to "Softness Breathing Technique."
However, this name did sound quite appropriate!
"Roar—!"
In pain, Bear Strength let out a wild roar, and the surging Soul Power around him instantly erupted.
"Big dumb bear, you're too slow!"
Xiao Wu snorted softly, used the momentum to flip over, and landed a kick right in the center of his chest.
"Softness Breathing Technique, Third Form: Bone Crusher, Single Strike!"
Bang!
Accompanied by a dull thud, a soft yet bone-penetrating force, carrying Soul Power, seeped through his skin and flesh, striking directly into his bones.
Soft force can also shatter steel!
"Ugh—!"
Bear Strength's chest visibly collapsed, and a short, suppressed cry of pain escaped his throat.
His Soul Power dissipated, and his Spirit Possession was also deactivated.
His eyes widened in a daze and unwillingness; he swayed twice before crashing backward.
Bang!
A dull thud echoed on the stage, accompanied by the shouts and roars from the audience.
The host was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward to confirm that Bear Strength had fainted before asking,
"Contestant Charming Rabbit, will the match continue?"
If it continued, the match would only end once Xiao Wu personally finished off Bear Strength.
Xiao Wu shook her head. "No need."
The host nodded slightly and then announced loudly,
"The winner—Charming Rabbit!"
The announcement echoed throughout the venue, followed by a wave of even more enthusiastic cheers.
Returning to the audience area, Xiao Wu found Lin Yang.
Before she could speak, Lin Yang began to clap lightly. "Nicely done!"
"Of course," Xiao Wu smiled proudly.
"He's just a One-Ring Soul Master; he's a piece of cake for me."
"Since you're so confident, I suppose you can handle the two-on-two battle later by yourself."
Xiao Wu's eyes widened, looking at Lin Yang in disbelief.
How could this person say such cold words in such a calm tone?
"Lin Yang, you... you're joking, right?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Lin Yang countered.
The matchmaking for two-on-two is based on the highest Soul Power level in the team.
If a Soul Master and a Great Soul Master team up, their opponents will inevitably be a team that also has a Great Soul Master.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Soul Power levels of two people teaming up for a Spirit Battle wouldn't differ by much.
This meant that if Lin Yang didn't step in, Xiao Wu would have to face the onslaught of two Great Soul Masters alone.
At this thought, the Little Rabbit stomped her foot, a bit flustered.
"You're using a public matter to settle a private grudge! This is personal revenge!"
"You're overthinking it," Lin Yang's tone remained flat.
"I'm doing this for your own good. Let's go!"
After saying that, he stood up and walked toward the exit of the venue.
Xiao Wu followed dejectedly, muttering under her breath.
"Stingy guy, black-bellied man... all because I made you eat a sour hawthorn berry."
Walking ahead, Lin Yang paused, his lips twitching slightly.
"I can hear you."
"Hmph," Xiao Wu turned her face away.
"I'm saying it for you to hear, stingy guy, black-bellied man."
With that, she swung her scorpion braid and angrily stormed ahead toward the exit.
As she passed, she stomped hard on Lin Yang's foot.
First, they went to register their points. Since both had won a match, they each received five points and one hundred gold coin.
Winning a match in the Gambling Zone earned one point and ten gold coin.
The Life-and-Death Zone was more dangerous, so the rewards were naturally more generous.
After accumulating one hundred points, one could upgrade their Iron Spirit Fight Badge to a Bronze Spirit Fight Badge.
If it was a winning streak, the points earned at once would be even higher.
After registering their points, they went to the Eighth Sub-Arena to conduct their two-on-two Spirit Battle.
After the draw, while waiting, Xiao Wu took the time to meditate and recover her Soul Power, as there would surely be a tough battle ahead.