The Strongest in History VS the Strongest of the Modern Era

At the Xiao Clan's training grounds.

They called it a training ground, but it was just the same plaza where they had tested Soul Power that day.

Because Xiao Yulü and Xiao Yan had agreed to duel, the plaza was packed to the brim at this very moment.

Xiao Yan was the most talented person the entire Xiao Clan had seen in recent years. He could be called the strongest in history.

Xiao Yulü, on the other hand, was the second genius to appear after Xiao Yan's swift rise and sudden fall.

He didn't cultivate Soul Power or use Soul Skills. He relied solely on honing his martial arts, yet could crush Soul Masters of the same generation. He deserved to be called the strongest of the modern era.

Their duel was like the strongest in history versus the strongest of the modern era. With a contest this exciting, how could anyone miss it?

The blazing sun beat down, heating the stone slabs of the training ground until they were almost scorching. At the center of the arena, Xiao Yulü stood ramrod straight in a fine robe, like a sundial.

As his shadow stretched from one side to the other, the crowd gathered around him grew louder, their discussions rising in wave after wave.

"Hey, it's almost noon. Xiao Yan still isn't here?"

"Not here? Hah, I say Xiao Yan got scared and chickened out."

"I think so too. Xiao Yan only has three levels of Soul Power. What could he possibly use to compete with Young Master Xiao Yulü, who can take on a level-thirty Soul Grandmaster with just ten levels of Soul Power? If he showed up, he'd only be asking for humiliation and pain."

"Hey, and Young Master Xiao Yulü even treated him as a worthy rival, setting up this contest just to motivate that good-for-nothing."

"If you ask me, Young Master Xiao Yulü would be better off taking his recommendation letter to Shrek Academy and studying there himself."

Xiao Yulü heard every word of the hubbub around him.

The crowd's anticipation had gradually turned to disdain and mockery. Even the elders and clan elders in the viewing stands were now frowning deeply.

"Is Xiao Yan really not coming? Does he really think so little of Yulü?"

"Hmph! I said from the start that there was no point in holding this ridiculous contest. That boy isn't worthy!"

"Hey, hey! Yulü, come down. Let's count this contest as your win."

Xiao Yulü looked at the elders and clan elders, then gently shook his head.

"Elders, I'd like to wait a little longer."

"Ah, if Yulü says so, then we'll wait another quarter of an hour."

Xiao Yulü turned around. His gaze seemed to pass through the shifting crowd and land on Xiao Yan.

He didn't believe that the cheerful older brother who had helped him three years ago could have become dispirited and cowardly.

He couldn't believe that he would become a coward who didn't even dare to keep his appointment.

Time passed second by second. After a quarter of an hour, Xiao Yulü didn't move. After another quarter of an hour, he still didn't move.

After yet another quarter of an hour, the elders began to grow restless, but a clan elder beside them held them back.

"One last quarter of an hour. If Xiao Yan still doesn't come, we'll count it as his forfeit."

"..."

The final quarter of an hour slipped away quietly. In the viewing stands, the clan elder presiding over the contest rose to his feet, displeasure on his face, and announced loudly:

"Time's up!"

"Since Xiao Yan was too afraid to fight and failed to show, this contest goes to Xiao Yulü..."

"Clan Elder, wait!"

Before the clan elder could finish speaking, a figure suddenly charged in through the entrance, kicking up a cloud of dust. To the crowd's astonishment, he leaped nimbly into the air, crossed the throng in a few bounds, and landed steadily on the training ground.

The newcomer was none other than Xiao Yan, who had just finished cultivating.

His breathing was ragged, and beads of sweat clung to his temples.

The moment he saw the calendar, his mind had gone blank. He hadn't had time to think; he'd simply bolted for the training ground. He'd made it just in time.

"You came."

Xiao Yulü looked at him. Even his eternally stiff, zombie-like face seemed to soften, and he managed to force out a smile. Xiao Yan caught his breath, then nodded calmly.

"I came. I shouldn't have, but I came anyway."

"...?"

Xiao Yan swept his gaze across the arena. Face after face stared back at him, stunned and scornful, all waiting for a good show. At last, his gaze settled on Xiao Yulü.

"I'll finish the line for you. You're welcome."

The black-haired boy's lips curled into a smile, even more arrogant and unrestrained than Xiao Yulü's.

As his words fell, a heavy pressure spread outward from him.

It was the turbulence caused by surging Soul Power. He was no longer hiding his cultivation: ten levels of Soul Power, laid bare!

"Th-this is... ten levels of Soul Power!"

Someone shouted. In the next instant, the entire training ground erupted.

"Ten levels of Soul Power! How is that possible? Didn't he test at only three levels yesterday?"

"He went from three levels back to ten overnight? What kind of monster is Xiao Yan?"

The crowd below burst into chatter. Their earlier mockery had now become boomerangs, flying back to smack them squarely on the forehead with pinpoint accuracy.

Across from him, Xiao Yulü wasn't startled at all. The smile in his eyes only grew brighter, even fervent.

Yes, that's it, Xiao Yan! That's more like it! This is the rival fate chose for me! My worthy opponent!

"Excellent!"

He roared too, and his own aura surged skyward. Ten levels of Soul Power, released without restraint, met Xiao Yan's in a deadlock.

"Come on!"

Xiao Yan rolled his wrists and strode forward.

"Then let the contest begin!"

The strongest in history VS the strongest of the modern era!

Xiao Yulü raised one hand, palm up. In the next instant, a gigantic ruler appeared in his grasp.

The ruler was pitch-black, bearing some resemblance to the Heavy Profound Ruler, the Xiao Clan's ancestral Martial Soul. At the same time, a dazzling, flowing layer of flames burned across its surface.

"It's Young Master Xiao Yulü's Mutated Martial Soul, the Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler!"

Some people gasped in surprise, while others cheered.

But the moment Xiao Yan saw the ruler, the corner of his mouth twitched.

Buddy, how about paying the copyright fee?

He cast aside the ill-timed thought and extended his own right hand.

"Come forth, my partner! Xiao Fire Dragon!"

"Char!"

Flames surged upward. A strange creature appeared before the crowd, its body a golden yellow, with a small tuft of flame burning at the tip of its tail.

The whole arena fell silent again.

If the earlier silence had come from shock at Xiao Yan revealing ten levels of Soul Power, then now everyone looked utterly confused and bewildered.

"Th-that... what kind of Martial Soul is that?"

"Wasn't Xiao Yan's Martial Soul an egg? What the heck hatched from it?"

"A strange-looking fire lizard? This is his Innate Full Soul Power Martial Soul? How is it supposed to fight Young Master Yulü's Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler?"

The clan elders exchanged glances. They'd lived most of their lives and had never seen such a bizarre Martial Soul. They couldn't begin to gauge its strength.

Both sides revealed their Martial Souls. Xiao Yulü struck first, sweeping the Giant Ruler across with a thunderous whoosh. The blow came hurtling toward Xiao Yan with crushing force.

"Little Fire Dragon, Scratch!"

Xiao Yan focused his thoughts. The little golden dinosaur on the arena blurred, then darted forward instead of retreating, stretching out its tiny claws toward the Giant Ruler.

"Clang!"

A crisp clash of metal rang out!

Little Fire Dragon's claws collided with the ruler, yet it emerged completely unscathed. It used the impact to flip through the air and landed steadily on the ground.

Xiao Yulü's pupils contracted.

Before he could change his move, Little Fire Dragon opened its mouth.

"Ember!"

A small flame shot out. It didn't look like much, but it flew straight toward the spot where Xiao Yulü was about to plant his foot, forcing him to break off his attack and dodge sideways.

What quick reflexes, and what precise control!

"Interesting!"

Xiao Yulü stopped holding back. Soul Power poured into the ruler as he shouted:

"Martial technique—Flame Splitting Wave Devouring Ruler!"

He brought the Giant Ruler crashing down. A gigantic flaming ruler-shadow, several zhang long, tore free of its blade and swept toward Xiao Yan and Little Fire Dragon with the force of burning mountains and boiling seas!

"Come back!"

Xiao Yan gave a low cry and recalled his Martial Soul, then hurriedly retreated himself, barely dodging the devastating strike.

Boom!

The ruler-shadow slammed into the arena. It left a deep, charred mark in the hard stone slabs.

"Can you dodge this?"

Xiao Yulü surged forward.

Xiao Yan planted his feet and watched his charging opponent, his gaze sharpening.

"Martial Soul, possess me!"

Little Fire Dragon turned into a streak of golden light and instantly merged into his body.

In the next moment, fine, sturdy golden scales appeared across Xiao Yan's arms. The tips of his fingers sharpened into claws, and a surge of strength far beyond what he'd felt before coursed through his entire body!

Facing the Giant Ruler Xiao Yulü swung at him again, Xiao Yan neither dodged nor retreated. Golden flames coiled around his right arm. He raised both hands high, and as the flames soared, a crimson Fire Lotus appeared between his palms!

Thanks to the Flame Emperor for open-sourcing this!

"Take this—Buddha Fury Fire Lotus!"