Absolute Supremacy!

Qiangu Wuji had no idea his full-powered mental strength would be so terrifying.

As early as last month, his mental strength had reached six hundred points and broken through to the Spirit Sea Realm. Unfortunately, he hadn't had a chance to test just how powerful mental strength at this level could be.

But the moment he tried it today, he regretted it.

He'd forgotten that Heavenly Six Eyes turned mental strength into an attack-type Martial Soul. With six hundred points of mental strength, there were hardly any people present who could withstand it.

What a careless mistake!

Thinking this, he withdrew his mental strength and looked up at the person in front of him.

Just as he'd expected, Tang Wulin hadn't been affected much by his mental strength. He only looked a little more serious now.

According to the original story, Tang Wulin's mental strength at this point was probably around one hundred ninety, close to two hundred.

Although that was nowhere near his level, it would be difficult to affect Tang Wulin unless he attacked him directly.

Still, even if he couldn't take Tang Wulin down outright, the show of force had done its job.

Qiangu Wuji said calmly,

"Now, do you think I'm qualified to fight you?"

Tang Wulin was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Sure, absolutely!"

With that, he turned to Wu Zhangkong.

"Teacher Wu, shall we start here?"

Wu Zhangkong gave him a long look, then said calmly,

"To the arena."

With that, he turned and walked off without looking back.

The two said nothing and silently followed.

The students still standing there watched them leave, their expressions hesitant.

Zhou Changxi came over to Xie Xie and patted him on the shoulder, saying with a heartfelt sigh,

"Should we go watch? Those two are terrifying. Are they really the same age as us?"

Xie Xie didn't answer. He only clenched his teeth, his mind filled with Qiangu Wuji's image.

Before he'd entered the academy, he'd been quite proud of himself, thinking that with Twin Martial Souls, he'd reached rank eighteen before turning ten.

But after seeing Qiangu Wuji today, he suddenly realized how laughable his confidence had been.

Even so, he wasn't discouraged. He wanted to see which of them was stronger: the genius who'd nearly robbed him of the power to fight back with mental strength alone, or the other fellow, who was practically a monster.

After hesitating for a moment, he clenched his fist and said fiercely,

"Let's go!"

The arena for Tang Wulin and Qiangu Wuji's duel was at the Intermediate Department's Drill Ground. It was mostly empty now because of the opening ceremony.

After leading the two there, Wu Zhangkong briefly explained the rules.

"Don't use lethal force. The match ends when one side falls or calls for a stop."

"Understood?"

"Understood."

Qiangu Wuji and Tang Wulin answered at the same time.

Wu Zhangkong said no more. He silently stepped off the arena and left the stage to them.

On the arena, Tang Wulin slowly summoned his mutated Blue Silver Grass, letting it coil around him like a python.

His black Soul Ring stood out prominently.

"You probably never imagined this, either: the good-for-nothing you once left far behind would one day stand before you, becoming someone you have to look up to."

"I never thought you were a good-for-nothing. In my eyes, you're a worthy opponent."

Qiangu Wuji shook his head and slowly summoned his own Martial Soul. Two purple Soul Rings appeared beneath his feet.

Tang Wulin glanced at them, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking smile.

If this had been the old him, seeing Qiangu Wuji like this would probably have made him feel utterly helpless.

But things had changed. Now he was the one others had to look up to.

"Heh, you know, I've always thought you were a hypocrite..."

As Tang Wulin muttered, he slowly drew in his Blue Silver Grass, then swung his arms hard. His hands transformed into gleaming golden dragon claws.

He pointed his dragon claws diagonally downward and said with confidence,

"But whatever. Today, you'll lose! I'll grind your pride into the dirt!"

This guy...

Qiangu Wuji stared at the Golden Dragon Claw in Tang Wulin's hand, secretly astonished.

Good grief, he already had the Golden Dragon Claw—and judging by how it looked, he'd broken more than one seal!

But though Qiangu Wuji was surprised, he didn't let it show. Facing Tang Wulin's incessant taunts, he simply widened his eyes, and the First Soul Ring around him blazed brightly!

"Soul Shock!"

His mental strength had reached six hundred points, making Soul Shock almost tangible. The space before them visibly warped.

Watching this, Wu Zhangkong clicked his tongue in astonishment. What a terrifying mental attack. This strike was already as powerful as a Three-Ring Soul Master's full strength.

Although Qiangu Wuji's Soul Power couldn't match Tang Wulin's, his formidable mental strength let him display strength on par with his opponent.

That was what a genius was!

No wonder he was the son of two Limit Douluo!

And yet...

Just as the attack was about to hit Tang Wulin, he seemed to sense it in advance and crossed his arms in front of his forehead.

A mental attack couldn't be resisted physically, and in fact, Tang Wulin failed to withstand it. When Soul Shock hit him, he let out a muffled groan and staggered backward several steps.

Still, he managed to withstand the strike.

"Haha! Hahaha! Did you really think I was still the same person I used to be?"

After blocking the strike, Tang Wulin laughed wildly, his face twisted with madness. Even with a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, he was still unbearably smug.

"I'm no longer the good-for-nothing you left far behind!"

Qiangu Wuji frowned at him, deeply impressed. As expected, the Golden Dragon King's body was far too monstrous. It would be difficult to take Tang Wulin down with mental strength alone.

Tang Wulin saw him keep quiet and assumed Qiangu Wuji was stunned by his strength, so he grew even more pleased with himself.

"Well? Your best trick—mental strength—isn't working. Doesn't that make you feel helpless?"

"If you kneel and beg me now, admit you're inferior to me, and I might go easy on you later."

Qiangu Wuji pursed his lips in displeasure. Even his good upbringing couldn't stop him from wanting to swear.

Was this guy an idiot? He'd only tested him with a casual strike, and now he was acting like this?

He suddenly thought Gu Yue had been right earlier. This guy was like a dog, barking through every fight.

With a sigh, he said nothing. He only put one hand behind his back and made a provocative gesture, clearly telling Tang Wulin to attack.

Tang Wulin understood at once, and his anger flared.

"Hmph. You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Fine, don't blame me for holding back!"

As he spoke, he bent forward slightly and shot toward Qiangu Wuji like a cannonball.

Qiangu Wuji tensed and hurriedly pulled back to increase the distance. He was confident, but not foolish enough to try matching the Golden Dragon King's physical strength.

"Trying to run? You think you can get away?"

Tang Wulin seemed to have expected this. Seeing Qiangu Wuji retreat, he gave a sinister grin, and the first of his three Soul Rings lit up.

Heavenly Six Eyes had already encompassed the entire arena, so Qiangu Wuji immediately sensed the mass of Blue Silver Grass reaching around behind him as Tang Wulin used his Soul Skill.

He didn't panic. He simply flipped backward in midair, slipping through the gaps between the strands just as the Blue Silver Grass was about to ensnare him.

At the same time, Tang Wulin's attack arrived. His powerful Golden Dragon Claw swept past Qiangu Wuji's body, bringing a series of sonic booms with it.

"Tsk, you really know how to run!"

Their first exchange soon came to an end.

Qiangu Wuji landed steadily, not a speck of dust on him. But anyone with sharp eyes could tell he hadn't come away unscathed: a lock of golden hair above his forehead had been cut off.

Tang Wulin noticed it too and sneered.

"I thought you'd be more nimble. Your escaping skills are only so-so."

Qiangu Wuji didn't reply. He touched the spot where a lock of hair had been cut off and frowned again.

After a moment's thought, he stepped forward. A flame shot from his body, then swiftly wrapped around him. At the same time, his right hand began to transform at high speed, becoming a dark-red claw.

"Come on!"

Once his transformation was complete, he beckoned again.

Tang Wulin was surprised by the change, but didn't think much of it. He snorted and charged forward again.

"Die!"

And so the second round of their battle began.