Stealing Beats Fighting!

A wave of astonished exclamations instantly echoed throughout the entire camp.

Across from him, Xie Yue and Yan wore gloomy expressions.

They finally understood why even His Holiness the Pope had been alerted when Xiao Xuan absorbed his spirit ring.

Just what level of talent did it take

to break convention and absorb a thousand-year spirit beast ring as one's second ring?

Then again, Xiao Xuan was already a freak.

With Three Lives Martial Souls, was an overpowered spirit ring configuration really something to be surprised about?

But compared to this man's talent,

the potential they had once taken pride in, believing it unmatched beneath the heavens,

really did seem... rather laughable!

"If we were the same age,

your combat strength would undoubtedly crush ours.

"But at least right now, the advantage isn't yours. Blame yourself for being too arrogant!"

As Xie Yue spoke, even his voice trembled slightly.

It was clear that the blow had sunk deep into his bones.

If they could defeat him today, perhaps the impact would be less severe.

But if they lost, Xiao Xuan's name would likely become a shadow over their path forward.

"Enough. There's no turning back.

"Let's begin. We'll talk after the fight!"

As the owner of the ancient martial soul, Flame Lord,

Yan had always possessed a fiery temper. How could he endure such provocation?

Seeing this, he let out a low roar to bolster his courage.

As he roused Xie Yue, Soul Power transformed into a great quantity of magma.

It solidified over the surface of his body, forming a layer of rock armor.

It was this guy's second spirit skill, Granite Armor!

"Careful. Don't get burned to death!"

"First spirit skill! Hell Lava Charge!"

As a rock layer covered his body, the man suddenly charged forward.

His speed utterly defied his current bulk.

In an instant, he had rushed before Xiao Xuan.

It had to be said that, as part of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation,

although Yan was something of a simp and easily flew into a rage,

his personal strength was indeed exceptionally outstanding.

With such speed and strength, coupled with the searing flames of the Flame Lord,

not to mention spirit masters of the same or lower rank, even those one ring above him would likely struggle to withstand it.

Moreover, this guy's skills worked well together.

With the enhancement of his second spirit skill, Granite Armor,

the Hell Lava Charge he unleashed became even more formidable.

Had Xiao Xuan not already known this guy's skills,

he might truly have been caught off guard.

"Giant Soldier's first spirit skill, Divine Strength Enhancement!"

"That was close. I shouldn't have underestimated you."

"Still, if I steal a skill now, I'd probably get Hell Lava Charge, right?"

"Doesn't seem very useful. I'll wait."

As Yan's fist came smashing toward him,

scorching flames flared around it, carrying a faint pressure from the shockwave.

Xiao Xuan made his decision at once and used an enhancement skill as well.

As all his attributes surged, he secretly weighed his options.

Sky Dragon's second spirit skill consumed far too much Soul Power.

If he were only going to steal some useless skills, he might as well not use it for now.

There was no doubt that Yan's so-called first spirit skill

dealt decent damage, but it was far from the power of Thunder Summon and was also a semi-close-combat ability.

Rather than risk replicating it, he might as well wait.

With that thought, Soul Power had already begun gathering in his palm.

He swiftly formed a Thunder Summon, preparing to launch a probing counterattack.

But just then,

his enhanced perception suddenly detected immense danger.

A circular blade flashing with cold light and covered in Soul Power came flying toward him.

If he did not evade it, his arm would certainly be struck.

Even with Divine Strength Enhancement active,

whether he could withstand such a sharp weapon cutting directly into him was far from certain.

"So that's it. In this pair's combination,

Yan is responsible for the main assault and drawing attention.

"Though Xie Yue is a power-attack type himself, his weapon form leans more toward agility attacks.

"He waits for an opening, then completes the coordination!"

Xiao Xuan instantly grasped the key. The Thunder Summon he had just condensed

had not finished charging, so he directly hurled it at the Moon Blade.

Although it knocked the blade aside, the lack of sufficient charge meant it did not inflict any noticeable damage.

Of course, none of that mattered.

From this brief observation, he had already roughly figured things out.

These two fought and used their skills no differently from how they had in the original work.

That meant their weaknesses were actually quite obvious.

"Heh, did you think we didn't know?"

"That Thunder Summon is Sky Dragon's first spirit skill.

"It needs time to charge before it can unleash tremendous power.

"As long as Xie Yue uses his Moon Blade to harass you, you won't be able to deal enough damage!"

Seeing that their coordination was working, excitement appeared on Yan's face.

It seemed that although Xiao Xuan possessed extraordinary talent,

he was still only a Rank 29 Great Spirit Master.

He had not fully matured yet, and his use of spirit skills was fairly ordinary.

Their warning today had hope of succeeding!

"Looks like you studied me long ago.

"But unfortunately, your information is a little outdated!"

"That just now was a test. The game is only beginning now."

Hearing his opponent's taunts, Xiao Xuan remained expressionless.

As he spoke, he suddenly charged at the man.

His enhanced speed exploded forth in that instant.

There was no way the sluggish Yan could react.

Especially since this guy was still wrapped in thick granite.

It was fine for short bursts of force, but how could he possibly remain agile the entire time?

The next second, the two sides had already collided.

"Hmph, are you kidding?"

"You think a simple head-on collision like this can break my defense?"

"Second spirit skill! Granite Armor! Strengthen!"

Yan mistakenly believed Xiao Xuan had been angered by his mockery

and wanted to come over for a direct clash.

A faintly mocking expression appeared on his face as the granite covering his body grew ever thicker...

Yet he had completely misunderstood.

"Thanks for cooperating, buddy. This is exactly what I was waiting for."

"Sky Dragon's second spirit skill, Skill Replication!"

"See you. I'll come back to keep you company later!"

Sensing that his opponent had used the spirit skill he wanted,

Xiao Xuan revealed a sly smile and copied it without hesitation.

Then, he lightly leaped into the air.

His foot kicked off the man's thick granite arm.

Borrowing the recoil, he abruptly pounced toward Xie Yue, who was watching the show from nearby!

He was incredibly fast, leaving no room for retreat!

"Hm? Looking to die?"

"Xiao Xuan, Giant Soldier's first spirit skill

may be an extremely rare enhancement that boosts all attributes,

"but that also means it is inferior to spirit skills that enhance a single attribute.

"You gain a little speed, a little attack power, and only a little defense."

"Yan being unable to break your defense doesn't mean I can't!"

Xie Yue frowned and froze for a moment.

Then he curled his lip, revealing confidence and disdain.

Setting everything else aside, at least in terms of attack power and penetration, his Moon Blade had never been lacking!

Charging straight at him like this—wasn't that just offering up his life?

With that thought, his first and third spirit skills activated.

The first was Slash, the third was Break, both enhancing his weapon martial soul, the Moon Blade.

The weapon traced elegant arcs through the air around them.

Adjusting its angle, it shot straight toward Xiao Xuan's back.

Everything appeared flawless.

But at that moment,

to the surprise of everyone present,

Soul Power gradually condensed into physical form over Xiao Xuan's body.

It actually transformed into layer upon layer of rock, forcefully boosting his defense.

Then the Moon Blade struck.

It carved a shallow cut before being bounced away in an instant, nearly chipping its edge.

(End of Chapter)