Phantom Demon Fox and Ice Jade Scorpion, the Future is Yours, Now

Chapter 48: Phantom Demon Fox and Ice Jade Scorpion, The Future Is Yours, But the Present Belongs to Me (4K)

"Ming Ge, are you just going to let that kid keep challenging?"

High above Spirit Ice Plaza, Saint Spirit Douluo Yali looked down at the two youths facing off on the Ice Arena, her emerald eyes rippling with worry.

"Let him fight." Yun Ming smiled. "Shrek Academy is revered as the Continent's First Academy. Students come here with a pilgrim's heart, strictly following the rules, docile as quails. It's been years since we've had a student with this much personality.

Handsome and refined, yet reckless in action—not bad. He's got a personality like mine."

Ya Li let out a light laugh and gently punched Yun Ming. After years of growing old together, she naturally understood her husband's implication.

Back then, he had charged alone to Mingdu with his spear, snatched her away in front of everyone, and promised to take on all her love rivals. That battle shook heaven and earth, nearly tearing space apart, and in the end, he won the beauty's hand.

"The academy has been too calm for too long. A little turbulence now and then is fine. Outer Court students will feel the gap and gain motivation. But there's no referee down there—safety isn't guaranteed." Ya Li reminded him.

Yun Ming waved toward the distance, dismissing the academy enforcers rushing over, and said, "Zhao Xuanzhen knows his limits. Earlier, when the Holy Angel fell, he could have followed up with another strike, but he gave up the chance to land a heavy blow.

The Holy Angel understood that his opponent held back, which is why he admitted defeat while still having a trace of strength to resist.

The highest on the Young Genius List is only a Soul King. With you and me here, there's absolutely no chance of an accident. Just watch with peace of mind."

"Well said."

Ya Li relaxed. Even if Qingtian Douluo Yun Ming weren't here, she alone, as a Level 98 Super Douluo, would be more than enough to save both sides.

Could a Level 98 Title Douluo fail to stop a Soul King?

How embarrassing would that be!

On the Ice Arena, Li Qiankun's muscles bulged all over his body as he stood there like an insurmountable peak. Four noble purple soul rings rose around him, a golden halo shimmering over his form. Between his loosely clenched fingers, a gilded bronze ball engraved with ancient runes materialized out of thin air.

The Qiankun Ball, a top-tier Defense Type Tool Martial Soul. Li Qiankun was also known as the Number One Defense on the Young Genius List!

"Zhao Xuanzhen! Li Qiankun is a Tool Soul Master—attack his body!"

The silver-haired girl stood in the front row of the audience, her eyebrows and eyes curved, her stunningly beautiful face flushed with excitement. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted encouragement.

Inside Information always spread the fastest. After the Ben Ti Battle Angel match, more and more onlookers gathered, word spreading from one to ten, ten to a hundred, igniting the atmosphere on-site.

All members of Class One, Second Year had arrived: Swan Mo Jue, Lan Dian Yu Yuanheng, Ning Xian, Chu Yan... They stood united, all there to support their class monitor, Li Qiankun.

In another corner, Ye Xinglan bit her red lips tightly, her slightly curved chest heaving violently. She stared unblinkingly at the arena, flames blazing in her eyes.

Two steps away from Ye Xinglan, the little fatty Xu Lizhi gazed at the two Battle Soul Masters, Zhao Xuanzhen and Li Qiankun, with undisguised envy. If he had combat power, maybe everything would be different.

"Buzz--"

The first and second soul rings lit up in succession. Soul power surged from within, and the Qiankun Ball formed a pale golden light shield. The First Soul Skill, Qiankun Shield, firmly protected Li Qiankun's towering figure. Then, a fist of black and white two colors slammed heavily into the light shield. Where the two met, dazzling sparks burst forth, as breathtaking as a fiery tree of silver flowers in that instant.

The Taiji Yang Hand was ferociously powerful. Qi energy seeped through the light shield, invading continuously. Li Qiankun grunted, stepping back half a pace. He dropped his body into a horse stance, subtly adjusting the soul power output of the Qiankun Shield, his entire frame curling inward as if he had no intention of counterattacking.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

A series of violent explosions rang out across the arena. With each punch Zhao Xuanzhen landed, rings of black-and-white light radiated outward.

Li Qiankun held the Qiankun Shield with both hands. The muscles in his arms, thighs, and face were tensed so hard they looked as rigid as a sculpture. Veins bulged at his temples, and his pupils contracted to pinpricks.

He looked so passive, yet he remained half-crouched in place, unmoving, maintaining both soul skills. Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze darkened. Li Qiankun's rank, pressing down on Yu Yuanheng, was no accident—every attack that landed on the Qiankun Shield carried a rebounding force!

The Qiankun Ball's Second Soul Skill, Qiankun Shock!

The skill effect was similar to Yin Yang Reversal, but the difference was that Yin Yang Reversal reflected long-range attacks, turning the enemy's own power against them, while Qiankun Shock countered close-combat damage. It was practically a divine skill for Defense Type Soul Masters!

Li Qianzhen gritted his teeth, his nerves taut as steel cables.

Qiankun Shock could indeed inflict counter-damage, but only if Li Qiankun first endured Zhao Xuanzhen's attacks. Taijiquan carried both fierce and gentle Qi energy, the interplay of hardness and softness nearly making him vomit blood. Any lapse would lead to instant defeat!

"Bu Po Li Qiankun, living up to his name..."

Zhao Xuanzhen sighed abruptly. The Top Three of the Young Genius List were all monsters, one in a million. Li Qiankun's defense was the strongest he had ever faced among his peers!

"Golden Awakening is only once a day. I can't waste it on you, so..."

Compared to Li Qiankun, ranked third, the Top Two of the Young Genius List were Zhao Xuanzhen's real hunting targets this time. True Self Golden Awakening couldn't be used now.

The next second, Li Qiankun heard the crack of bones. He watched helplessly as Zhao Xuanzhen rotated his wrist, and every bone from his wrist to the soles of his feet snapped and popped in sequence, like countless gears turning, locking every gap tightly together!

Ben Ti Secret Technique, Battle Bone!

Muscles tightened one by one, bones adjusted themselves—the top-tier secret technique of the Blood and Flesh Lineage of the Body Sect. His physical strength rose another level, a perfect combat form!

"Not good!"

Li Qiankun roared. The Third Soul Skill, Qiankun Power, erupted. A light shield twice as dense with pale golden light covered the Qiankun Shield, and a layer of Qi energy pushed outward!

In a crisp cracking sound, a palm shattered the Qi barrier, reached through a crack in the Qiankun Shield, and struck straight at Li Qiankun's chest!

At the critical moment, Li Qiankun could only press the Qiankun Ball against his abdomen, taking Zhao Xuanzhen's Shocking Palm head-on!

"Boom--"

It was as if a Fixed Soul Tool Cannonball had slammed into his chest. From his sternum to his ribs, they all let out an agonized groan of unbearable strain. If Li Qiankun weren't a Soul Master known for his defense, this blow would have been enough to send him straight into a peaceful sleep on the spot!

Even so, his burly body was still sent flying by the immense force of the Shocking Palm. Just then, Li Qiankun lit up his Fourth Soul Ring!

Golden light poured into his meridians like molten lava. Li Qiankun's muscles bulged and swelled, his skin coated in a cold metallic sheen. The moment his feet touched the ground, he stomped a half-foot-deep pit into the Ice Arena!

Like Yin Yang Reversal, Qiankun Shock had its limits. Li Qiankun's combat experience was rich—he knew clearly that Zhao Xuanzhen in Battle Bone form had already surpassed his defensive limits. Defensive counterattacks were no longer effective; he had to switch from defense to offense!

The Qiankun Ball's fourth soul skill, Ding Qiankun!

Pouring all remaining soul power into the Qiankun Ball, the gilded bronze sphere plummeted like a falling meteor, a pitch-black vortex trailing behind it. As if heaven and earth were overturned, it unleashed a powerful suction force, dragging Zhao Xuanzhen's body.

Zhao Xuanzhen clenched his fist, his first soul ring flashing. Black and white qi energy twisted and interwove, Yin and Yang Dual Qi converging into a single point. The force resonated, violently tearing a rift through the Qiankun Ball's suction vortex!

Collapse Force · Block and Parry Hammer!

The Qiankun vortex was shattered into fragments by the Collapse Force. The bronze sphere wailed as it flew backward. Li Qiankun spat blood, his towering form suddenly collapsing.

"Class Monitor!"

Class One, Second Year, cried out and swarmed forward. Half of them scrambled to help Li Qiankun up, while the other half formed a human wall in front of Zhao Xuanzhen, their crimson eyes seeming to say: If you want to touch him, you'll have to step over our corpses!

"Don't act rashly, I'm fine..."

Li Qiankun calmed his classmates, stood up, and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He said in a deep voice:

"Unfathomable power... I, Mo Jue, and Yu Yuanheng lost without grievance. Class One, Second Year, will train diligently and challenge you again once we've improved."

Zhao Xuanzhen focused his mind, recovering his soul power, and nodded. "I'll be waiting anytime."

With a fist-and-palm salute, Li Qiankun led Class One, Second Year, away with long strides. High in the sky, Saint Spirit Douluo Yali's eyes shimmered with strange brilliance:

"Among the criteria for the Young Genius List, combat strength carries the most weight. Defeating Li Qiankun in a one-on-one match means Zhao Xuanzhen will be an undisputed third when the list updates next..."

Pausing here, Ya Li hesitated, a hint of confusion in her voice: "Ming Ge, I feel Xuanzhen could have fought more cleanly. The Qiankun Ball excels at close-range defense. If he had bombarded it with lightning elements, the Qiankun Ball's defense wouldn't have remained unbreachable."

"Your reasoning is sound, but you haven't understood his intent." Yun Ming stroked Ya Li's silky emerald hair and explained, "Defeating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon with lightning, suppressing the Holy Angel in aerial combat, and shattering the Qiankun Ball's defense with Ancient Martial Combat Skills. Each time, he breaks through his opponent's strongest domain head-on. He wants absolute suppression."

"So sharp-edged, Zhao Xuanzhen..." Ya Li marveled.

"And that kid fights smart. He basically only uses his first soul skill. That secret technique for controlling his own bones doesn't enhance a Ben Ti Soul Master as much as a Second Awakening, but its consumption is also much smaller. After two battles, his soul power hasn't dropped much; he's still at his peak. I think he's saving himself for the last two opponents. After all, they're not on the same level as Li Qiankun."

On the Ice Arena, the watching Shrek students were no longer agitated. With Le Zhengyu and Li Qiankun's consecutive defeats, plus Lan Dian Yu Yuanheng's crushing loss, their gazes toward Zhao Xuanzhen gradually filled with respect.

On the Douluo Continent, the strong are revered.

From all around, voices of encouragement for Zhao Xuanzhen rose. Na'er glanced at the calm-faced boy on the stage. Through the tears in his clothes left by the Ben Ti Secret Technique's Wing Transformation, the taut lines of his side waist were faintly visible. The girl muttered softly:

"Stupid Zhao Xuanzhen, deliberately showing off your waist to flirt with little girls."

"Tap, tap, tap."

The noisy Spirit Ice Plaza suddenly echoed with the crisp sound of high heels striking the ground. A fair, long leg, curving in a graceful arc, stepped onto the arena. A seductive figure swayed like a flower branch with every step.

The woman had an exceedingly enchanting face, with thin red at the corners of her eyes, full, glossy lips, and a smile that carried an unfinished charm.

Seeing the woman's delicate face and voluptuous figure, Na'er's expression shifted dramatically. She couldn't help but secretly compare herself, then stomped her foot in frustration. This time, her age held her back, and her figure was a complete loss!

"Damn it! Three years on the river, three years off the river—don't bully a young girl for being flat!"

The silver-haired girl's heart roared in protest!

"Second on the Young Genius List, Vice Class Monitor of Class One, Third Year, Meihu Nangong Yao."

The woman's voice was tender and soft, like a small hand gently stroking the listener's brain. The Shrek students who knew her quickly shook their heads, expelling the sound from their minds.

Li Qiankun was the Number One Defense on the Young Genius List, while Nangong Yao was the Number One Mental Soul Master. Her Charm Technique with her Martial Soul, the Phantom Demon Fox, had reached an extremely profound level!

The phantom fox's shadow flickered like a flame. Five purple, Thousand-Year Soul Rings bloomed wildly. The faint pink halo at the tip of her fox tail rippled outward.

A strange peach color rose in Nangong Yao's eyes. Pink mist spread silently, carrying a cloying, fishy fragrance. Where it passed, the wind seemed to lose its bones, congealing into a viscous current.

Combined Soul Skill, Phantom Mist!

Perception reduced by thirty percent, soul power suppressed by thirty percent, movement slowed by thirty percent!

"Little Brother, a Soul King isn't someone you can challenge. The game ends here."

Her fox tail exploded into a thousand phantom images, the fur steaming with peach-colored haze. Nangong Yao's body danced, and as her fingertips brushed her neck, her Fifth Soul Skill, Charm of the Demon Fox, activated.

Mental-type soul skills directly target the Sea of Consciousness. Everything Zhao Xuanzhen saw twisted. The woman's fair lotus arms coiled around him, her lips and tongue smiling seductively, her breath like orchid. She twisted her waist bewitchingly, whispers flooding in from all directions. The Phantom Demon Fox burned its mark onto his retina.

Nangong Yao curled her lips, a charming and confident smile, but it quickly froze. She saw a pair of eyes, a dazzling Brilliant Gold, awe-inspiring.

Pressure poured down like the Milky Way. Nangong Yao felt a will of steel, transmitted through the Charm of the Demon Fox, pressing back onto her with even greater force.

The whole world seemed to spin chaotically. She couldn't tell up from down. Her ears rang, her eyes bloodshot. The Phantom Mist receded like an ebbing tide. Chaos and pain filled her mind.

Until a tearing pain shot through her delicate face. Nangong Yao snapped back to reality. Her vision was filled with a fist, the wind from the punch lifting the hair from her forehead.

"You were faking it! You were never under the charm!" Nangong Yao spat hatefully. "I still have my battle armor..."

"So I had to subdue you in one strike."

The Brilliant Gold slowly faded. Zhao Xuanzhen said calmly.

Spirit Collapse Erosion, a Mental Combat Skill self-created by Illusion Brain Douluo Han Tianyi. It stimulates brain activity, temporarily skyrocketing the user's Mental strength, collapsing and eroding the target's Sea of Consciousness!

In another timeline, Mo Jue and Li Qiankun forged their complete One-Word Battle Armor in the second semester of their third year. Nangong Yao was currently in the first semester of her third year. Zhao Xuanzhen guessed her One-Word Battle Armor was mostly complete.

A perfectly matched One-Word Battle Armor could provide a twenty-level soul power boost. Zhao Xuanzhen would never allow Nangong Yao to release her battle armor, even if it was incomplete.

A One-Word Battle Armor made of non-Spirit Forged Metal had a fatal weakness: the soul master had to wear it. The best way to deal with a One-Word Battle Armor Master was to attack with lightning speed, preventing them from donning their armor.

"Little Brother, I'll remember you!"

Nangong Yao's gaze burned as she twisted her seductive waist and stepped down from the Ice Arena, making Na'er's temper flare.

Zhao Xuanzhen ignored Nangong Yao, his pitch-black pupils fixed on a youth a hundred meters away who stood with arms crossed. Their eyes met across the distance, and the youth read the emotion conveyed within—an unyielding, chilling resolve.

"Tang Dong, are you just going to keep watching?"

"I thought Nangong Yao would win. Didn't expect she couldn't even release her One-Word Battle Armor." Tang Dong grinned.

In the distance, Nangong Yao's pretty face instantly darkened, her silver teeth grinding audibly.

"Junior Brother Zhao, the fact that you recognized me proves you've at least looked into me."

Tang Dong spread his hands helplessly. "Next month I turn eighteen and automatically withdraw from the Young Genius List. Wouldn't it be easy to just claim the top spot? Why not wait?"

"The top spot is earned through strength." Zhao Xuanzhen said flatly. "Part of the reason I entered Shrek Academy was to fight you before you turned eighteen."

"I like your courage. As a Third Grade senior, for fairness, I won't use battle armor." Tang Dong slowly climbed onto the arena, his tone flippant.

"High-sounding words. You're breaking through to Fifth Ring Soul King at eighteen—all your effort's gone into training soul power, hasn't it? How many pieces of battle armor have you made? Half of Nangong Yao's?"

"Damn."

Tang Dong shrugged in frustration. "I was trying to look cool, but you saw right through me.

Might as well tell you—I only have one chest armor piece, and Nangong Yao with eight pieces still can't beat me."

Martial Soul Possession. Tang Dong's arms were covered in diamond ice crystals, his emerald green tail hook raised high, its tip a gleaming silver-white point, boundless cold erupting!

"Junior, the future is yours, but the present belongs to me."

Purple, purple, purple, black, black!

Five soul rings rose fiercely. The first on the Young Genius List, Extreme Ice Tang Dong, Martial Soul: Ice Jade Scorpion!