In close combat, Gu Xuan was completely in his element, even when facing a two-on-one disadvantage and opponents like Xiong Da and Xiong Er whose soul power ranks were higher than his own.
He single-handedly suppressed both men, and since Gu Xuan was the one constantly taking the offensive, the sight left the spectators boiling with excitement.
However, those who had bet on the Brutal Bear Brothers were cursing under their breath. They couldn't believe two people couldn't take down one, let alone be pushed back so relentlessly.
Soon, Xiong Da and Xiong Er were genuinely incensed. It was humiliating! Being suppressed in a two-on-one fight made them realize Gu Xuan was a true monster, but they believed they still held an advantage. After all, the Undying Bone Dragon duo relied solely on Gu Xuan for damage.
They engaged in raw physical combat for nearly three minutes. Both brothers were covered in bruises and cuts, and while Gu Xuan had a few bloody scratches on him, he was clearly the one dominating the fight.
Xiong Da and Xiong Er gave Gu Xuan no room to breathe. No matter how exquisite his combat techniques were, facing two opponents meant his soul power consumption would surely outpace theirs.
But just as they launched their next coordinated assault, the purple third soul ring on Gu Xuan's body ignited.
"Third Soul Skill: Bone Dragon Purgatory!"
As the skill was activated, bone spurs as sharp as rapiers erupted from the ground in front of Gu Xuan one after another, lunging directly toward the two brothers.
Facing such a wide-range attack, the two melee fighters couldn't dodge in time. However, they had been on guard.
The moment Gu Xuan released his third skill, the purple rings on the brothers' bodies lit up as well.
"Third Soul Skill: Brutal Bear's Rage!"
Their skills were identical. Their third soul skill was an enhancement type; upon activation, their defense increased by 100%, and their attack power rose by 50%.
The brothers combined their strength to meet the Bone Dragon Purgatory head-on. However, the power of those bone rapiers far exceeded their imagination. If they had chosen to dodge, they might have stood a chance, but they chose to tank it instead!
Clearly, they had overestimated their own defense. The bone swords shot up, piercing through their thick fur and drenching them in blood instantly. The eruption didn't stop there, completely engulfing them in a forest of bone.
"Agh! Argh! Haa!"
As the bone swords pierced their bodies, the marrow-deep pain forced agonized cries from their throats. In a single instant, the gap in power was made clear. They had lost.
"Lingling, heal them," Gu Xuan said calmly as he retracted his Martial Soul.
Following his lead, Ye Lingling's voice rang out. "The Begonia has a name; life flows without end!"
Petals of purple light drifted down, covering the bodies of Gu Xuan and the two brothers. The scratches on Gu Xuan healed instantly, while the puncture wounds on Xiong Da and Xiong Er began to close at a pace visible to the naked eye.
When the bone swords had struck, they had avoided vital organs, only hitting their arms and legs. Under Ye Lingling's treatment, their conditions stabilized; the wounds scabbed over, and the bleeding stopped.
The brothers looked at Gu Xuan and Ye Lingling with a measure of respect. "Thank you! We've lost," Xiong Da said in a heavy voice.
As they spoke, the commentator's voice boomed. "Undying Bone Dragon vs. Brutal Bear Brothers—Undying Bone Dragon wins! Let us congratulate the Undying Bone Dragon duo on securing their first victory!"
The audience erupted into thunderous cheers, though for every happy soul, there was a bitter one. Those who had bet on the brothers were swearing and filled with regret.
Gu Xuan and Ye Lingling walked off the stage and returned to the lounge. Since Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan were still in the middle of their matches, Gu Xuan sat down to meditate and recover his soul power.
Ye Lingling's consumption was minimal, but she joined him in meditation. This battle had once again redefined her perception of Gu Xuan's strength. To defeat two opponents so easily was a feat beyond her imagination.
By six in the evening, the rest of the team had finished their individual and duo matches. Notably, because Ye Lingling was paired with Gu Xuan, Dugu Yan ended up teaming with Yu Tianheng.
This was something Gu Xuan had overlooked earlier. He had simply wanted to help Ye Lingling progress and forgot about the consequences; otherwise, he definitely would have teamed up with Dugu Yan.
After all, 'the one closest to the water enjoys the moon first.' If he could play the hero on the stage, what girl could resist?
Gu Xuan felt like slapping himself. Overconfidence wasn't always a good thing; sometimes it made him lose focus. This was a lesson he would remember.
As the matches concluded, everyone except Gu Xuan and Ye Lingling looked exhausted. They had never trained at such a high intensity before.
Even Qin Ming had never pushed them this hard. Now, because of Gu Xuan, they felt a desperate need to pressure themselves.
To be fair, the Emperor Team had no shortage of talent or powerful Martial Souls. They simply lacked a sense of crisis, feeling that as long as they followed their regular cultivation path, they would be fine.
In normal times, that would be true—living a relaxed and happy life is important.
But Gu Xuan knew that within ten years, undercurrents would turn into a storm. If they remained this complacent, they would eventually be discarded by the era.
Truthfully, compared to the Shrek Seven Devils, these individuals weren't inferior in background or talent. But the Shrek group knew how to grind. They were either orphans looking to marry into wealth or princes fighting for their lives; they all had a survival instinct.
Even with the help of Immortal Herbs in the future, the Shrek Devils' own efforts were crucial. If Yu Tianheng and the others could wake up now, reaching the Titled Douluo rank wouldn't be a problem.
If their character passed the test and earned Gu Xuan's approval, he might eventually give them Immortal Herbs. With that, they wouldn't fall short of the original Shrek group's achievements.
Of course, that was a matter for the future. Currently, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had nothing to do with him, and he had only been with these people for a few days.
Although he had shown off his talent and shared some secrets to gain their trust, those weren't the most important things. Secrets would eventually come out, but Immortal Herbs were limited.
If Gu Xuan was going to use them, he had to 'place the good steel on the edge of the blade.' Otherwise, it would be a waste.
After the matches, the group went to Doutian Manor to unwind, enjoying themselves from seven until eleven before returning to the academy.
At six the next morning, Gu Xuan was already up. This time, no one stayed behind; they all followed his lead. By seven, they were in the cafeteria, and by eight-forty, they were in the training hall.
From that day on, Gu Xuan began one-on-one sessions with Shi Mo and Shi Mo, teaching them techniques for the Black Tortoise Flying Shield. Though he didn't possess their specific ability, his experience and perspective from two lifetimes allowed him to teach them principles they could successfully apply.
This suggestion was a godsend for the brothers. Furthermore, Gu Xuan had previously shared the cultivation method for Heart Separation Control.
While the technique wasn't a total secret among major powers, the version from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was the most perfect and complete. Gu Xuan's willingness to share it solidified his place in the brothers' hearts.
Gu Xuan had played his cards perfectly. In just a few days, he had become the core of the group, a fact that even Yu Tianheng had to admire.
Even though Gu Xuan was subtly replacing him as the leader, Yu Tianheng felt no jealousy—only deep admiration and a bit of envy.
He resolved to cultivate harder, no longer content with mediocrity. He would push himself, if not to surpass Gu Xuan, then at least to ensure he wasn't left too far behind.
(End of Chapter)
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