As the commentator's voice fell, both Gu Xuan and Feng Xiaotian moved simultaneously.
"First Soul Skill: Wind Blade Burst!"
The first yellow soul ring on Feng Xiaotian's body lit up. With a casual wave, several wind blades condensed from soul power manifested, slicing through the air toward Gu Xuan with blinding speed.
Gu Xuan charged straight ahead. His first and second soul rings ignited in rapid succession. Bolstered by the buffs of two soul skills, his pair of dark gold bone claws reached out and crushed the wind blades one by one. His claws didn't sustain even a scratch.
Feng Xiaotian's eyes flickered at the sight, gaining a clearer understanding of Gu Xuan's raw power.
While the attack power of his wind blades wasn't overwhelming, their cutting ability was top-tier among those of the same rank. For Gu Xuan to crush them with his bare hands while remaining unharmed was proof enough of his strength. After all, Feng Xiaotian possessed Rank 40 soul power, while Gu Xuan was only at Rank 33.
Any ordinary Rank 33 Soul Elder, even one of the Defense Type, would likely be lacerated by those blades. None would be able to emerge unscathed like Gu Xuan, let alone shatter them.
Gu Xuan could not be measured by common logic. Perhaps this was the power of a Titled Douluo's progeny; born with a golden spoon, his awakened Martial Soul directly inherited the formidable power of his predecessor.
With his two buff skills active, Gu Xuan closed the distance instantly after shattering the wind blades. Feng Xiaotian showed no fear. His second yellow soul ring flared as he prepared for close-quarters combat.
"Second Soul Skill: Double Wolf Body Enhancement!"
Feng Xiaotian's second skill was also an enhancement. Under its influence, his attack, strength, and defense were boosted by 50%. His hands transformed into two ferocious wolf heads with gaping maws. Two rows of sharp fangs glinted with a cold light, looking capable of tearing through any defense.
Bang!
The two collided in a melee. Dark gold bone claws clashed against the wolf heads. The impact of bone against fangs produced the clanging sound of metal hitting metal, with sparks flying at every contact.
In just a few breaths, they exchanged several blows. Both were well-prepared in offense and defense; neither could gain the upper hand.
However, this brief encounter left Feng Xiaotian even more astonished. As a Rank 40 soul master who was only a single ring away from becoming a Soul Ancestor, he found himself merely breaking even with a Rank 33 Soul Elder after using his second soul skill buff.
Feng Xiaotian had not underestimated Gu Xuan, but he never expected the boy to be this formidable. How could a Rank 33 Soul Elder possess power equivalent to his own?
He was truly a monster!
The wolf heads snapped and tore frantically. Feng Xiaotian's first soul ring lit up again, releasing several wind blades at point-blank range. The sharp, cutting aura was suddenly right in Gu Xuan's face.
It had to be said that Feng Xiaotian's combat techniques and awareness were top-notch. In the original records, he had nearly handled a Tang San who had already consumed Immortal Herbs using only his own strength. Had Tang San not possessed the Clear Sky Hammer as a second martial soul, the outcome would have been uncertain.
Gu Xuan now felt Feng Xiaotian's strength firsthand. Had it not been for his own deep foundation—having absorbed three rings beyond his level—and a physique comparable to a Soul Ancestor, he might have been suppressed by Feng Xiaotian in this melee.
Facing the point-blank wind blades, Gu Xuan reacted with lightning speed. He used his arms to forcefully shove Feng Xiaotian's wolf heads back, then used his dark gold bone claws to once again crush the incoming wind blades.
However, because he was distracted by the blades, Feng Xiaotian's right leg whipped into his waist. Gu Xuan stumbled back three steps before regaining his balance.
In this moment, Feng Xiaotian held the advantage!
The spectators who had bet on Feng Xiaotian erupted in cheers. Gu Xuan was a monster, but Feng Xiaotian was incredibly strong too! At this stage, Feng Xiaotian clearly had the upper hand.
Gu Xuan steadied his stance, his dark grey eyes locking onto Feng Xiaotian. "You're quite good," he said softly. "To be honest, among those our age, you're the strongest I've met."
Feng Xiaotian chuckled in response. "You're not bad either. To reach this level of strength with Rank 33 soul power—you truly are Bone Douluo's grandson!"
Though they spoke, the attacks never ceased. Gu Xuan's bone claws tore through the air like the wind, his offensive power reaching its peak. Every collision with Feng Xiaotian's wolf heads caused their glow to dim slightly.
Feng Xiaotian was surprised internally, but his expression remained unchanged. He didn't fear a war of attrition. His soul power rank was higher; as long as he exhausted Gu Xuan's reserves, the final victory would be his.
Suddenly, Gu Xuan's right claw lunged toward Feng Xiaotian's face. Feng Xiaotian used the wolf head on his left hand to pin the claw down. Instantly, Gu Xuan's left knee snapped upward, aiming for Feng Xiaotian's face. Feeling a chill down his spine, Feng Xiaotian raised his right leg to block. The two were locked in a test of leg strength.
At the same time, Feng Xiaotian launched his own strike. The wolf head on his right arm opened its maw, fangs radiating a sharp light as it lunged for Gu Xuan's head. Gu Xuan raised his left bone claw to intercept. For a moment, both men were standing on one leg, locked in a stalemate, restricting each other's movements.
Gu Xuan's strength was indeed terrifying, but Feng Xiaotian was no slouch either. With Rank 40 soul power and the buff from his second skill, neither could overpower the other.
But in that moment, Gu Xuan smiled. Simultaneously, the purple third soul ring on his body ignited. Feng Xiaotian was completely pinned; he had nowhere to run!
"Third Soul Skill: Bone Dragon Purgatory!"
Gu Xuan's indifferent voice rang out right in front of Feng Xiaotian. Sensing disaster, Feng Xiaotian tried to break free of the hold, but Gu Xuan's strength was equal to his own. Escaping now was easier said than done.
Bone rapiers erupted from the ground, threatening to transfix Feng Xiaotian's body. At such close range, if he were hit, it wouldn't just be an injury—it would be a devastating blow.
Just as the bone rapiers were about to strike, Feng Xiaotian's body exploded with a violent cyan light, accompanied by the purple glow of his own third soul ring.
"Third Soul Skill: Stormwind Wings!"
With the release of his third skill, a pair of cyan wings manifested on his back. Relying on the explosive power of their first flap, he broke Gu Xuan's hold and soared into the sky, narrowly avoiding the piercing bone forest.
Gu Xuan's expression didn't change as Feng Xiaotian escaped. Having read the original records, he knew the third skill was a flight ability. It made Feng Xiaotian a dual-type threat—capable of both Power Attack and Agility Attack styles.
As Feng Xiaotian ascended, Gu Xuan's right dark gold bone claw seemed to darken. The five claws elongated instantly, becoming even more lethal. This was his external soul bone—the Darkgold Terrorclaw.
Gu Xuan's movements were subtle. He had used the soul bone a few times this month without being caught. Because the Terrorclaw looked similar to his second soul skill, it was hard to notice unless used continuously. The soul power fluctuations of his second skill effectively masked those of the soul bone.
"Sky-Tearing Claw!"
Gu Xuan casually swiped at the ascending Feng Xiaotian. Five dark gold blades of energy surged upward, chasing the soaring wolf.
Reacting quickly, Feng Xiaotian unleashed his first soul skill, sending waves of wind blades down to intercept the attack.
But this time, Feng Xiaotian was left in disbelief. His wind blades were sliced through cleanly by the five dark gold energy blades, which continued their ascent toward him without losing momentum.
"How is that possible?!" Feng Xiaotian couldn't help but cry out in shock.
(End of Chapter)
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