Dai Mubai's Shock

"Good. You've got some strength. You're qualified to be my opponent." Dai Mubai shouted coldly as he sprang into motion. This time, he leaped off the ground and, in an instant, arrived above Xia Tianling.

His body unfolded strangely in midair, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, like a Hungry Tiger Pounces.

This was Dai Mubai's proud signature move. No matter how his opponent blocked or attacked, he had countless ways to respond. Though his posture appeared full of openings, it was actually packed with variations. One careless move, and he would tear his opponent apart.

Yet in Xia Tianling's eyes, this move was riddled with flaws.

In a fight, the greatest taboo was jumping around recklessly. Don't be fooled by how impressive and flashy those martial arts heroes looked as they leaped about in films. That was all choreography designed for visual appeal.

Once airborne, one's movements and ability to exert force were severely limited.

Just like now, Dai Mubai's seemingly "invincible" move was actually full of holes.

Xia Tianling took a large step to the right at incredible speed while extending his right fist and swinging it fiercely toward the upper left, straight at Dai Mubai's ribs.

Dai Mubai was in midair and had no way to change direction by pushing off the ground. His reach also fell short of the nearby walls, leaving him unable to brace himself and move sideways. He could only twist his body to the limit and take the blow head-on with both palms and his abdomen.

Thus, the tiger descending the mountain became a battered tiger taking a beating. Dai Mubai flew sideways, smashing several furnishings in the inn.

That blow made Xiao Wu cheer excitedly from the side.

Though Zhu Zhuqing showed no expression, she inwardly found it deeply satisfying.

Amid the swirling dust, Dai Mubai clutched his stomach and staggered to his feet.

His expression was somewhat grim. He had underestimated his opponent. He had never expected this boy, who looked several years younger than himself, to be so powerful.

"I heard no one in Suotuo City failed to recognize Young Master Dai. Is that all you've got?"

Xia Tianling rolled his neck, his vertebrae cracking, his eyes full of mockery.

"Don't celebrate too soon. If you can force me to use Soul Power, then I've lost this match. But how could I be satisfied without properly exchanging a few moves with you? No matter what happens afterward, I'll give you this room today!"

With that, Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. The disdain from before was gone, replaced by solemn seriousness.

"White Tiger, possess!"

A surge of white light flowed forth, and Dai Mubai abruptly transformed into a burly tiger-man.

Three shining rings rose in succession beneath his feet. Two yellow and one purple. As the soul rings revolved, surging Soul Power formed a wave-like pressure that bore down on everyone.

"Dai Mubai, White Tiger Beast Spirit, Level Thirty-Seven Battle Spirit Master! Please enlighten me!" Amid his imposing aura, Dai Mubai announced his Spirit and level. This signified a formal challenge.

Tang San, standing behind him, was somewhat worried. He stepped forward and whispered, "Brother Ling, Dai Mubai doesn't look easy to deal with."

He had secretly clasped two Hidden Weapons in his hand, while his sleeve arrows were ready to fire. If Xia Tianling was in danger, he could act immediately.

Xia Tianling smiled faintly and gave Tang San a reassuring look.

"It's just a match. Put those things away. Haven't I told you before? You need to know your limits when doing things. Don't always think about taking someone's life at the slightest provocation."

Compared to Tang San's slight worry, Zhu Zhuqing had complete confidence in him. After all, he was someone who had surpassed the limits of soul rings and could instantly kill a Soul Elder. Even his Soul Power was a full two levels higher than Dai Mubai's.

Xia Tianling had always thought it was rather stupid to announce one's strength before a fight. Still, since he was in Douluo, he might as well respect the local customs. It wasn't a fight to the death anyway.

"Xia Tianling, Dawnbreaker Tool Spirit, Level Thirty-Nine Battle Spirit Master!"

Over the past six years, he had been mocked many times by the people of Spirit Hall, and even some outsiders, for having an awful Spirit name. So he had changed it afterward.

Dawnbreaker, he would just call it Dawnbreaker.

After all, the axe genuinely had armor-piercing effects, so the name fit perfectly.

If split apart, perhaps it could be called the Shadow Battle Axe and Starshatter Hammer?

Forget it. I'll deal with that later. I love Dawnbreaker.

"Y-you, what did you say? Level Thirty-Nine?" Dai Mubai froze on the spot. "How old are you?"

"Thanks for asking. I'm in Holy Soul Village and just turned twelve."

Dai Mubai: My heart is so tired. I'm already regretting issuing this challenge. Is it too late to regret it now?

"You're not summoning your Spirit?" Feeling somewhat exhausted, Dai Mubai saw that his opponent had stopped moving after announcing himself and asked in confusion.

"Oh, there's no need." Xia Tianling spoke indifferently.

If I summon my Spirit, I'll one-shot you. How am I supposed to enjoy myself then?

Dai Mubai flew into a rage. He, the mighty Young Master Dai, had dominated Suotuo City for years. When had anyone ever dared to look down on him like this?

"Watch out!"

With a loud shout, he charged straight at Xia Tianling.

Intense white light suddenly flared. Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes abruptly turned white. His first soul ring shone brilliantly, forming a white shield around him.

White Tiger Bodyguard Barrier!

Immediately afterward, the second soul ring on his body lit up as well. Vast white light instantly condensed, and accompanied by Dai Mubai's tiger roar, a milky-white sphere shot from his mouth.

White Tiger Fierce Light Wave!

This time, he did not underestimate his opponent. He opened with two Soul Skills, one offensive and one defensive, leaving no gaps.

Watching the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave rushing toward him, with Dai Mubai close behind it, Xia Tianling calmly raised his right hand and uttered a single syllable.

Among everyone present, only Tang San understood it. It was the Chinese pronunciation of the word "condense."

An enormous amount of Water Element instantly gathered in the air, forming the shape of a concave lens. A burst of cold followed, freezing the water into solid ice.

The white light wave slammed viciously into the ice mirror, then rebounded at extreme speed.

What? How is that possible?

Dai Mubai's pupils contracted. "Aren't you a Tool Spirit Master? How can you control elements too?"

"As you can see, it's very simple." Xia Tianling waved away the ice mirror and used the scattered light waves as cover to close in, hammering the White Tiger Bodyguard Barrier with punch after punch.

"There's plenty more you can't imagine!"

With a bang, Xia Tianling directly shattered the white circular barrier through brute force.

Dai Mubai stared at Xia Tianling, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "Such powerful strength. If you can take this move of mine, I'll admit defeat immediately!"

The purple ring lit up instantly, and even the air around Dai Mubai's body began to distort. Suddenly, his body turned blood-red.

A second transformation, a thousand-year Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation!

At that moment, Dai Mubai's muscles swelled grotesquely, his upper garments completely bursting apart and exposing terrifying muscular contours. Most bizarrely, black stripes appeared across his skin. His entire body was shrouded in golden light, carrying the dominance of a king among beasts.

"You still won't summon your Spirit? Then don't blame me!"

After unleashing his Third Soul Skill, Dai Mubai saw his opponent still standing there as calm as ever. Instantly furious, he charged forward in a wild rage.

"Brother Ling... can he beat that big tiger?" Seeing such a ferocious sight, Xiao Wu grew somewhat worried and tugged on Tang San's clothes.

Tang San looked at Xia Tianling's calm face, then at Zhu Zhuqing in the corner, who was full of confidence yet wore an expression of hatred. He said firmly, "I believe in Brother Ling. There definitely won't be a problem."

After all, he was a transmigrator even stronger than me!