Even though Gu Xuan's soul power rank was two levels lower than his own, Shi Mo still felt an immense pressure radiating from him. The scene of Gu Xuan overwhelming Yu Tianheng yesterday still echoed in his mind from time to time.
Thinking this, Shi Mo couldn't help but sigh inwardly once again. 'Is this the sheer power of limit-surpassing soul ring absorption?'
"Shi Mo, bring out your full strength. I won't be showing any mercy. I was dissatisfied with your performance during training this morning, so now I'll be taking Teacher Qin's place to drill you," Gu Xuan said slowly.
At those words, a flash of embarrassment crossed Shi Mo's face. The morning training was something he wouldn't soon forget. None of the movements were complex; they were simple exercises that anyone could understand at a glance. However, when it came down to actually doing them without using his Martial Soul or soul power, he had barely managed to complete a hundred push-ups.
Although it was his first time doing such specific drills, it exposed a significant issue. If he stripped away his identity as a soul master, he might not even be as capable as an ordinary person.
Of course, that was a bit of an exaggeration, but Shi Mo couldn't deny that he felt somewhat useless.
Had anyone else said those words, he would have charged forward to give them a sound thrashing. But coming from Gu Xuan, he truly lacked the courage to try.
With a look of helplessness, Shi Mo replied in a muffled voice. "Come then. I won't give up without a fight."
"Heh," Gu Xuan grinned. "That's the attitude I'm looking for."
Watching from the side, Qin Ming nodded with satisfaction. Although he had only known Gu Xuan for less than two days, he was extremely pleased with him. In fact, if Gu Xuan weren't just a Soul Elder, Qin Ming felt he would be qualified for a teaching position.
Now, hearing Gu Xuan's words, Qin Ming also wanted to see how he would train Shi Mo. After all, Gu Xuan's training methods could be useful even to someone of his level, so he was highly anticipating the young man's next move.
"I'm coming!" Gu Xuan called out a warning.
As the words fell, the muscles in Gu Xuan's legs bulged, and he erupted with speed far exceeding that of a typical Power Attack Type soul master, charging straight at Shi Mo.
During this process, the first yellow soul ring on Gu Xuan's body lit up.
"First Soul Skill, Bone Dragon War Body!"
With the release of the skill, Gu Xuan's body appeared to be clad in a layer of heavy, silver-white armor. His pair of bone claws became even more massive. Clenching his claws into fists, a massive blow descended directly toward Shi Mo.
Shi Mo naturally wasn't going to stand there and take a beating. Even though his Black Tortoise shell had incredible defensive power, he knew what Gu Xuan had done to Yu Tianheng.
"First Soul Skill, Shield Transformation!"
Shi Mo gave a loud shout as his first soul ring flashed. His skill was identical to his brother Shi Mo's. With its release, the tortoise shell originally attached to his body detached and transformed into a green tortoise shell shield, 1.5 meters high and 60 centimeters wide.
Clang!
A sound like fine iron striking a great bell rang out as Gu Xuan's massive, domineering fist slammed into Shi Mo's heavy shield.
Although Shi Mo blocked the attack, Gu Xuan's terrifying strength directly blew him back nearly a meter.
This was only the first tentative exchange, but it allowed Shi Mo to experience Gu Xuan's dread firsthand. His first soul skill not only transformed his shell into a shield but also boosted his strength by 30%.
Yet, even so, his strength was actually inferior to Gu Xuan's, whose soul power rank was two levels lower than his own.
However, there was no time for Shi Mo to remain in shock. As Gu Xuan's first punch landed, the second followed immediately, then the third...
Gu Xuan's leg muscles surged as he followed up, and the muscles in his arms exploded with power. His massive, silver-white bone fists fell like raindrops, smashing against the shield in Shi Mo's hands, creating a rhythmic clattering like a blacksmith at his anvil.
Shi Mo mustered every ounce of his strength, trying to block the falling fists, but it was to no avail. Gu Xuan, whose hands had transformed into bone claws, felt no pain at all. Every punch landed with the weight of a thousand pounds, making the shield in Shi Mo's hands vibrate violently.
Shi Mo's legs were locked straight, yet he was still pushed back inch by inch because Gu Xuan's strength was simply too monstrous.
He had never felt this helpless, even against Yu Tianheng. Gu Xuan's punches fell too fast, almost without pause, leaving him no opening to release a different soul skill.
If he forced a skill now, he would surely take several hits from those terrifying fists. While it might not result in a heavy injury, it would definitely be agonizing.
The others watching might not have a direct sense of the impact, only seeing Gu Xuan pinning Shi Mo down with his output. But Shi Mo knew that if one of those punches hit him directly, it could easily snap several ribs.
Gu Xuan's stamina was sufficient to keep suppressing Shi Mo this way. As long as Shi Mo didn't resist, Gu Xuan planned to simply "push" him off the Soul Battle stage.
Occasionally, Gu Xuan would deliver a particularly heavy blow, causing Shi Mo to slide back two or three meters.
The stage was a hundred meters in diameter. At the start, they were in the center with a twenty-meter gap, meaning Shi Mo was originally forty meters from the edge of the stage.
Three minutes had passed, and Shi Mo was now less than ten meters from the edge.
Though he wasn't injured thanks to the defense of the Black Tortoise shield, his arms were aching, and his internal organs were jarring from the sheer force. However, this was still within his limit of endurance.
"Heh, do you plan on staying cooped up in that shell forever?" Gu Xuan couldn't help but mock him.
At the sound of this, Shi Mo wasn't provoked at all. He was used to it; Qin Ming's training focused on ensuring a soul master's emotions weren't swayed by the enemy.
Shi Mo didn't respond, and Gu Xuan's attacks grew even more ferocious. His second yellow soul ring flashed, and his massive bone fists transformed into a pair of dark-gold bone claws, frantically attacking the tortoise shell shield.
Skreeeee!
Every time the sharp bone claws made contact with the shield, they kicked up a shower of blinding sparks. Shi Mo, holding the shield in defense, felt a wave of shock in his heart. Gu Xuan's attack power had reached such a terrifying level.
Shi Mo felt that if he continued to defend like this, Gu Xuan might actually shatter his shield through brute force before he even had a chance to retract it.
Shi Mo knew he couldn't let this continue.
Suddenly, Shi Mo thought of a way to counterattack. When Gu Xuan's dark-gold claws next descended, Shi Mo used the force to slide backward, coming within less than two meters of the edge of the stage.
But at that exact moment, the purple third soul ring on Gu Xuan's body ignited. As Shi Mo retreated, countless sword-like spinal bones erupted from the ground in front of Gu Xuan, instantly engulfing Shi Mo.
"Third Soul Skill, Bone Dragon Purgatory!"
(End of Chapter)
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