"Good. You've got some strength. You're qualified to be my opponent." Dai Mubai gave a cold shout and sprang into action. This time, he launched himself from the ground and reached Xia Tianling's position in an instant.
His body unfolded strangely in midair, like a tiger descending the mountain, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.
This was Dai Mubai's proud signature move. No matter how his opponent blocked or attacked, he had countless ways to respond. His posture appeared full of openings, but it was actually packed with variations. One careless mistake, and he would tear his opponent apart.
But in Xia Tianling's eyes, this move was riddled with flaws.
When fighting, the biggest taboo was jumping around recklessly. Those martial arts movie heroes might look impressive and flashy as they leaped about, but that was just choreography designed to look good.
Once someone was airborne, their movements and ability to exert force became severely limited.
Just like now, Dai Mubai's seemingly "invincible" move was actually full of holes.
Xia Tianling took a huge step to the right at tremendous speed, then thrust out his right fist and swung it fiercely toward the upper left, aiming straight beneath Dai Mubai's ribs.
Dai Mubai was in midair and had no way to change direction by pushing off the ground. His arms could not reach the nearby walls for leverage, either. He could only twist his body to the limit and take the blow head-on with his palms and stomach.
Thus, Tiger Descends the Mountain became a battered tiger taking a beating. Dai Mubai flew sideways and smashed through some of the inn's furnishings.
The strike made Xiao Wu cheer excitedly from the side.
Although Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained unchanged, she also felt immensely satisfied inside.
Amid a cloud of dust, Dai Mubai clutched his stomach and staggered to his feet.
His face looked rather grim. He had underestimated his opponent. He had never expected this boy, who looked several years younger than him, to be so powerful.
"I heard no one in Suotuo City failed to recognize Young Master Dai. Is this all you've got?"
Xia Tianling rolled his neck, his vertebrae cracking loudly as mockery filled his eyes.
"Don't get cocky too soon. Since you forced me to use Soul Power, I've already lost this match. But how could I be satisfied without properly trading blows with you? No matter what happens next, this room is yours today!"
With that, Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. His earlier disdain was gone, replaced by solemn seriousness.
"White Tiger, possess me!"
White light surged, and Dai Mubai abruptly transformed into the form of a powerful tiger-man.
Three gleaming rings rose beneath his feet in succession. Two yellow and one purple. As the Soul Rings revolved, surging Soul Power formed a wave-like pressure that crashed toward them.
"Dai Mubai, White Tiger Martial Soul, level thirty-seven Beast Spirit Battle Spirit Master! Please instruct me!" Amid his imposing aura, Dai Mubai announced his Martial Soul and rank. This signified a formal challenge.
Tang San, standing behind them, was somewhat worried. He stepped forward and said quietly, "Brother Ling, this Dai Mubai doesn't look easy to deal with."
He had secretly clasped two Hidden Weapons in his hand, and his sleeve arrows were ready to fire. The moment 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? Keep a sense of proportion when you do things. Don't always think about taking people's lives at the slightest provocation."
Unlike the slightly worried Tang San, 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. His Soul Power was also a full two levels higher than Dai Mubai's.
Xia Tianling had always thought that announcing one's strength before a fight was rather stupid. Still, when in Douluo, he might as well respect the local customs. It was not a fight to the death, anyway.
"Xia Tianling, Dawnbreaker Martial Soul, level thirty-nine Tool Spirit Battle Spirit Master!"
Over the past six years, people from Spirit Hall, and even some outsiders, had repeatedly complained that his Martial Soul's name sounded terrible. So he had changed it.
Dawnbreaker. He would just call it Dawnbreaker.
After all, the axe really did have armor-piercing effects, so the name fit.
If split apart, perhaps it could be called the Shadow Battle axe and the Starshatter hammer?
Forget it. He would deal with that later. I love Dawnbreaker.
"Y-you said what? You're level thirty-nine?" Dai Mubai froze on the spot. "How old are you?"
"Thanks for asking. I'm in Holy Soul Village, and I just turned twelve."
Dai Mubai: I'm so tired. I already regret issuing this challenge. Is it too late to regret it now?
"You're not releasing your Martial Soul?" Dai Mubai, feeling rather exhausted, saw that his opponent had stopped moving after introducing himself and asked in confusion.
"Oh, there's no need." Xia Tianling said carelessly.
If I release my Martial Soul, I'll one-shot you. How am I supposed to enjoy myself then?
Dai Mubai flew into a rage. He, the great 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 roar, he charged straight at Xia Tianling.
Intense white light suddenly flared. Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes abruptly turned white, and his first Soul Ring shone brilliantly, forming a circle of white light around him.
White Tiger Bodyguard Barrier!
Immediately afterward, the second Soul Ring on his body lit up as well. Enormous white light condensed instantly. Accompanied by Dai Mubai's tiger roar, a milky-white sphere of light 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 openings.
Watching the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave hurtle toward him, followed closely by Dai Mubai, Xia Tianling calmly raised his right hand and uttered a single syllable.
Of everyone present, only Tang San understood it. It was the pronunciation of the character meaning "condense."
A vast amount of Water Element instantly gathered in the air, taking the shape of a concave lens. Then a wave of cold spread out, freezing the water into solid ice.
The white beam smashed viciously into the ice mirror, then rebounded at tremendous speed.
What? How is that possible?
Dai Mubai's pupils contracted. "Aren't you a Tool Spirit Master? How can you control elements too?"
"Just as you can see. It's very simple." Xia Tianling waved away the ice mirror, rushed forward through the scattered light, and slammed punch after punch into the White Tiger Bodyguard Barrier.
"There's a lot more you can't imagine!"
With a bang, Xia Tianling shattered the white spherical barrier through sheer brute force.
Dai Mubai stared at Xia Tianling, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "What incredible strength. If you can take this move of mine, I'll concede immediately!"
The purple ring lit up at once, 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!
Dai Mubai's muscles swelled exaggeratedly. His upper clothing burst apart completely, exposing terrifying muscular contours. Most bizarrely, black stripes appeared across his skin. His entire body was shrouded in golden light, carrying the domineering aura of a king among beasts.
"You still won't release your Martial Soul? Then don't blame me!"
Having activated his Third Soul Skill, Dai Mubai saw that his opponent was still standing there as calm as ever. Fury immediately surged through him, and in a wild frenzy, he charged straight forward.
"Can Brother Ling beat that huge tiger?" Seeing such a ferocious sight, Xiao Wu grew worried and tugged at Tang San's clothes.
Tang San looked at Xia Tianling's calm expression, then at Zhu Zhuqing in the corner, whose face was full of confidence but also hatred. He said with certainty, "I believe in Brother Ling. There definitely won't be a problem."
After all, he was a transmigrator even stronger than me!
Before you continue