Chapter 34

Facing attacks from both front and rear, Lin Ran remained calm and unhurried, as though he had anticipated this situation long ago.

Black light covered his body, while a purple-blue net of lightning enveloped him.

Lin Ran's body stiffened slightly, but in the next instant, his black second soul ring lit up.

At that moment, the blood within him seemed to boil, his heart pounding violently. He could even faintly hear the roar of blood rushing through his veins.

Incomparably powerful Soul Power fluctuations erupted from his heart and from every drop of blood in his body. An enchanting blood-red radiance rose from him, and even his hair turned crimson. His entire aura seemed to surge severalfold.

Rage of the Gushing Spring.

This was his second soul skill, an immensely powerful enhancement-type soul skill. Under normal circumstances, he could store Soul Power within his blood and heart. The stronger his body was, the more Soul Power he could store.

Over the past two years, he had undergone medicinal baths and extreme training, giving him an extraordinarily powerful physique. On top of that, the Longevity Skill and Marrow Cleansing Scripture had built up his foundation and strengthened his roots, causing his basic attributes to far surpass those of soul masters at the same level. With Rage of the Gushing Spring's enhancement added on top, soul masters of the same rank facing him were like facing an overpowered boss.

After activating the soul skill, the stored Soul Power could be converted into an enhancement to all of his attributes. With his current physical strength, the Soul Power stored in his blood and heart could increase all his attributes by two hundred percent for ten minutes.

Moreover, at the instant the soul skill was activated, it could also remove his negative effects.

If his first soul skill gave him extraordinary long-range detection abilities, then the purification and immense enhancement effects of his second soul skill directly turned him into a stats monster.

The pitch-black Mysterious Nether Tremor and purple-blue lightning power were shattered by the powerful Soul Power fluctuations and Blood Qi the instant he activated his second soul skill.

Lin Ran grabbed the still-vibrating Turtle Shell Shield, swung his arm, and hurled it back at Xu Sanshi at an even faster speed.

"Holy shit, what kind of violent freak is this?!"

Xu Sanshi stared dumbfoundedly, his mouth hanging open as he cried out in shock.

Faced with the heavy, powerful attack from his own martial soul, he hurriedly dodged aside.

"Bang!"

The Turtle Shell Shield smashed into the ground behind him, sending dust flying and leaving behind a crater more than two meters wide.

When the Turtle Shell Shield returned, Xu Sanshi suffered backlash from his martial soul. His head spun, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Lin Ran looked toward Bei Bei. He kicked off the ground with his right foot, leaving another small pit behind before launching forward like a bolt of lightning, hurtling toward Bei Bei before he could react.

The second soul ring on Bei Bei's arm lit up. Countless serpent-like arcs of electricity expanded before him at the same time, transforming into lightning arrows that flashed through the air and formed a dense net of thunder, intending to envelop Lin Ran.

However, before the lightning net could take shape, Lin Ran had already arrived before Bei Bei. His fist slammed forward, producing a piercing explosion.

Bei Bei calmly closed his eyes.

Lin Ran's fist stopped precisely before Bei Bei's face. He said indifferently, "You lost."

Bei Bei opened his eyes. Seeing the fist stopped barely two centimeters from his face, he could not help letting out a breath of relief.

He could almost still feel the unstoppable force of Lin Ran's fist wind.

"We lost." Bei Bei gave a bitter smile.

The gap between them was simply too great. They hardly seemed like soul masters of the same level.

No matter what soul skills Xu Sanshi and he used, Lin Ran simply endured them head-on and crushed through with his fists.

No technique, just raw stats.

Lin Ran withdrew his fist and gave a slight nod.

At that moment, Xu Sanshi also recovered from his dizziness. He ran over to Bei Bei's side, looked at Lin Ran with a lifeless expression, and complained, "Brother, you're seriously a freak!"

This was the first time he had been knocked unconscious by his own martial soul. He might even have been the first person in the entire Douluo Continent to suffer such a fate.

What a humiliation.

Lin Ran looked at the two with their arms around each other's shoulders and said with a smile, "You and Double Bei are quite something too."

Bei Bei's mouth twitched.

Like Xu Sanshi, he had gained himself a nickname.

Xu Sanshi's face brightened. "Really? Looks like he and I are pretty strong after all."

Lin Ran said, "I meant the relationship between you two is quite something."

Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei's expressions froze. The two immediately recoiled from each other in mutual disgust.

Lin Ran smiled, then shifted his gaze past them to Mu En. Cupping his hands, he said, "This junior has won. I ask that Senior fulfill our agreement."

"Du Busi truly accepted a fine disciple."

Mu En let out a faint sigh. With a flick of his hand, two branches glowing with a soft golden light floated toward Lin Ran.

Sensing the dense life force within the branches, Lin Ran's eyes lit up.

He could feel his martial soul's longing for such pure, Ultimate Life force.

He accepted the branches of the Golden Ancient Tree and happily thanked Mu En. "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior. If Senior wishes to find more soul masters of the same level to wager against this junior, this junior will certainly not refuse."

Having gained benefits, he did not mind saying a few pleasant words.

Mu En's expression stiffened for a moment, then he shook his head with a chuckle. "There's no need for opponents of the same level."

Who among soul masters of the same level could possibly beat you? This child truly was Du Busi's disciple—just as shameless as Du Busi.

Lin Ran thought for a moment and said, "One rank higher than me would work too."

Mu En merely shook his head with a smile. "Next time, for sure."

After collecting his reward, Lin Ran gave Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi a slight nod before turning and leaving.

At that moment, Bei Bei spoke up. "I'll challenge you again."

Lin Ran paused briefly, then continued walking forward. "Anytime. But this time was probably the closest you'll ever come to defeating me."

Bei Bei frowned. "What do you mean?"

Lin Ran's calm words reached his ears as though they were simply a matter of fact.

"I've cultivated for only two years, yet I can already crush you. Give me a few more years, and you won't even be able to see my back."

Bei Bei clenched his fists, only to let them fall limply a moment later.

He was only eight! What kind of freak was that?!

Then, he suddenly recalled the first time he had seen Lin Ran and Tang Ya—the sight of the two of them embracing and kissing—and his expression turned strange again.

He already knew how to flirt with little girls at eight. Definitely a freak!

Forget it. He wouldn't compare himself to a freak, or he might become a freak too.

After claiming a small moral victory in his heart, some of Bei Bei's unwillingness and dejection finally faded.

Once Lin Ran returned to his side, Du Busi saw the Golden Ancient Tree branch in his hand and bid Mu En farewell in high spirits.

"Mu En, now that the wager is over, let the grudge between our sides be settled as well. Thank you for Shrek's Gift. Mountains and rivers may differ, but we shall meet again."

With that, he laughed heartily and led Lin Ran and Tang Ya toward the Star Dou Great Forest, leaving only his bright laughter echoing through heaven and earth.

This time, he had truly won big against Shrek, gaining both substance and face.

The Golden Ancient Tree branch and the power of faith attached to the statue were both tangible benefits.

Moreover, he had taught Xuan Zi a lesson, while Lin Ran had berated Shrek until they were left speechless and could only resort to violence. He had even used the opportunity to battle Mu En, finally resolving the knot in his heart that had lingered for many years.

He truly felt refreshed.

Even if they unfortunately ran into Di Tian during this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, he would still be smiling.