Bloodlust, the Final Battle

"The taste isn't bad." Xue Xiao Ran licked his lips and gave his assessment.

Just moments ago, he had absorbed all of Xiao Hong Chen's Toad Poison into his body, then circulated his Soul Power to analyze and digest it bit by bit.

And then, he learned how to use Toad Poison.

The word "Extreme" in Extreme Poison was no joke.

Xue Xiao Ran's constitution allowed him to absorb any poison without suffering any negative effects, further analyze it, and learn how to use it.

Before learning poison, one had to Test Poison on Oneself.

That was the very first sentence on the first page of the Poison Scripture personally written by Dugu Bo.

"Mon... monster." Xiao Hong Chen's face twitched, causing Jing Hong Chen in the stands to narrow his eyes.

This boy was far too terrifying. He was practically the nemesis of his grandson and granddaughter. What if they stood on opposing sides in the future?

"Have them try to befriend Xue Xiao Ran. If they cannot become friends, then we can only kill him," he muttered to himself.

If Xue Xiao Ran intended to become their enemy, he would be an enormous threat.

Xue Xiao Ran raised his hand. Black mist mixed with Toad Poison slowly drifted from his palm as he looked at Xiao Hong Chen, his meaning obvious.

I have even learned the poison in your martial soul. Is there any need to continue?

Xiao Hong Chen's expression darkened. Asking someone as proud as him to utter the words "I concede" was simply impossible.

"Kill!"

Xiao Hong Chen roared. A Rank 2 offensive Soul Tool slipped over his hand, looking like a gauntlet from afar.

His speed suddenly increased as he charged straight at Xue Xiao Ran. The Rank 2 Soul Tool gave off a faint red glow, clearly showing that he had gone all out.

Xue Xiao Ran lightly waved his right hand, and the mist immediately dispersed.

Then he assumed a stance as if preparing to throw a punch. No one present could tell which sect's boxing technique it was.

Naturally, they did not know.

Because this was the opening stance of the Thunder God Fist.

"Thunder on Flat Ground." Xue Xiao Ran snorted. His waist twisted slightly, and his entire body slid out of the Rank 2 Soul Tool's attack range. At the same time, his hands crossed as he used his elbow like a weapon, driving it into Xiao Hong Chen's chest.

"Urgh!" Xiao Hong Chen's face turned green as the blow struck his chest, and he found it difficult to breathe.

But if he fell here, then he would not be worthy of the name Xiao Hong Chen.

"Fight!"

He forcefully exhaled a mouthful of stale air and lunged forward once more.

They had originally been poison-element Soul Masters, yet their battle now resembled two Assault System Soul Masters fighting in close quarters. Neither used a soul skill. They relied entirely on bodies filled with Soul Power, along with sheer strength and willpower.

Although Xue Xiao Ran was fighting against a Rank 2 Soul Tool, and Xiao Hong Chen's Soul Power Level exceeded his, Xue Xiao Ran's Thunder God Fist did not leave him at any disadvantage. Those watching seemed to hear the faint sound of wind and thunder with every swing of his fists.

A barely perceptible trace of appreciation appeared in Xue Xiao Ran's expression. Though the brat before him remained as arrogant as ever, at least he was not as weak as Xue Xiao Ran had imagined.

To fight him until now through sheer bloodlust, courage and ferocity were indispensable.

"Let's end this."

Several tears had appeared in Xue Xiao Ran's yellow school uniform. His fists were crimson and bleeding. That was the result of clashing head-on with a Rank 2 Soul Tool. It could be said that Xiao Hong Chen's actions had earned Xue Xiao Ran's respect and acknowledgment.

Xue Xiao Ran only acknowledged those with strong hearts, and Xiao Hong Chen had clearly earned his respect.

"Bullshit! It's not over yet!"

Xiao Hong Chen coughed violently. The internal force from the Thunder God Fist manifested at that moment. He could no longer feel the place where he had been struck, as though he might collapse the next instant.

Blood flowed over his Rank 2 Soul Tool, Xue Xiao Ran's blood left behind on it.

A streak of blood ran down his forehead, obscuring half his vision.

"You have earned my respect." Xue Xiao Ran frowned. "You no longer have the strength to fight. Concede."

Xiao Hong Chen straightened his back and declared loudly, "If I concede here, then I am unworthy of being a member of Class A, and unworthy of being called Xiao Hong Chen!"

"Fine. Then as you wish."

Xue Xiao Ran took a deep breath and raised both fists.

"Hah!" Xiao Hong Chen shouted. The Rank 2 Soul Tool in his hand suddenly blazed with light. That faintly unsettling red glow represented the strongest attack the Rank 2 Soul Tool could unleash.

Xue Xiao Ran remained silent. A violet glint flashed through his Jade Eyes as he lowered his head and dodged the punch aimed straight for his face. Then, without panic, he drew back his arm and slammed a fist viciously into Xiao Hong Chen's jaw.

Xiao Hong Chen staggered back several steps before falling to the ground unconscious.

"Th-the winner is Xue Xiao Ran!"

The referee finally came to his senses and announced it loudly.

When the students in the stands heard those words, applause erupted.

The applause was not only for the victor, Xue Xiao Ran, but also a reward for Xiao Hong Chen's perseverance, courage, and bloodlust in fighting until the final moment.

Light glinted off Jing Hong Chen's glasses, but only the observant could see the faint, gratified smile at the corner of his mouth.

"With such a presence who is both friend and rival, Xiao's progress will surely advance by leaps and bounds."

He was delighted to see a quality in his grandson that had not originally belonged to him. Even Jing Hong Chen nodded repeatedly in approval at the courage Xiao Hong Chen had shown in fighting to the very end.

Though he had lost this battle, this defeat would also serve as a spur for Xiao Hong Chen.

It would make him realize that there were other geniuses on this continent.

Thinking of this, Jing Hong Chen began clapping as well, setting aside his earlier intention to eliminate Xue Xiao Ran.

Xue Xiao Ran stood in the arena and shook the blood from his hands. He had no desire to treat his injuries and merely let his arms hang at his sides.

His matches for today were not yet over.

Sure enough, after Xue Xiao Ran shook off the blood, the referee loudly announced, "Freshman Competition finals: Class A's Xue Xiao Ran versus Class B's Flame Demon Team!"

Under countless watchful eyes, the Flame Demon Team descended from the stands step by step.

The captain of the Flame Demon Team had long fiery-red hair. Only when she approached did Xue Xiao Ran see clearly that she was a proud, aloof young woman.

Her mature, alluring figure, utterly mismatched with her age and seeming as though anyone who came one step closer would be burned to ashes, left many students in the stands dry-mouthed.

The girl stopped before Xue Xiao Ran and said calmly, "I am Yan Yuyan, captain of the Flame Demon Team. I will not take advantage of you. I can wait until you finish recovering your breath before we fight."

"No need."

Xue Xiao Ran's calm expression did not change. He gestured with both hands, indicating that the bleeding had already stopped.

Yan Yuyan gave Xue Xiao Ran a long look, then nodded to the two girls behind her.

All three members of the Flame Demon Team were women. That alone was enough to keep Xue Xiao Ran from underestimating them.

"I don't know what Class A is thinking, sending only one person to participate in this competition. I can only say that the reason for your defeat will be your excessive arrogance."

"One day, I will replace you."

Yan Yuyan spoke coldly, a resolute will flashing through her pale-red eyes.

"Then come and try." Xue Xiao Ran slipped his hands into his pockets as one yellow and one purple soul ring floated around him. "You do not understand Class A's pride."

"You do not understand my pride either."