Feng Ling reminded him helplessly, but before she could finish speaking, she saw the boy switch to a rocket launcher. She felt even more helpless.
This was a spar, not an invitation to kill someone.
"I'm just a Soul Scholar without even a Soul Ring, while she's a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor. How am I supposed to fight her?"
Yang Hao had no intention of simply letting himself get beaten.
"That's your problem."
Feng Ling replied with a beaming smile. She knew the little guy was incredibly strong, so clearly he had secrets of his own.
"Then I'll have to use this."
Putting away the rocket launcher, Yang Hao activated a body-protecting art he had created on the foundations of the Strength Clan's Iron-Forging Hand and the Tang Sect's Mysterious Jade Hand from the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.
"Cold Iron Indestructible Body!"
Soul Power turned into a thin, iron-gray film that covered his whole body, radiating a bone-chilling cold.
This was a fused martial art combining the Iron-Forging Hand and the Mysterious Jade Hand, expanded to cover his entire body.
The Mysterious Jade Hand began with the hands, and its highest level was to refine the bones until they were like jade. He had extended the Mysterious Jade Hand to his whole body.
With the insight granted by his Golden Finger, Yang Hao had forcibly comprehended the Mysterious Jade Hand. He had also relied on the power of the Gold of Life to repair his meridians and open the eight extraordinary meridians, allowing him to use it ahead of time.
Combined with the Iron-Forging Hand's surface protection, this had given rise to the Cold Iron Indestructible Body divine art he used now.
Of course, this wasn't a simple combination. The techniques had fused to create a body-protecting art.
"A Self-Created Soul Skill?"
Feng Ling was surprised. The little guy really did have more tricks up his sleeve.
"It looks a bit like the Strength Clan's Iron-Forging Hand."
Ma Xiaotao recalled the Strength Clan's Iron-Forging Hand. There was a member of the Strength Clan at Shrek Academy, too, and she had seen him use the technique. It had the same iron-gray appearance.
"It is the Strength Clan's Iron-Forging Hand. I used it as the foundation and fused it with the Tang Sect's Mysterious Jade Hand, creating the Cold Iron Indestructible Body divine art I use now."
Yang Hao explained. There was no need to hide it.
"But you're still just a punching bag that can take a beating."
Ma Xiaotao scoffed and promptly summoned her Martial Soul.
"Phoenix Possession!"
"First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fire Line!"
A line of fire shot out, but Yang Hao blocked it with one hand.
It wasn't easy, though. The Phoenix Flame was powerful, and it burned through the protective layer of Yang Hao's Cold Iron Indestructible Body, rapidly draining his Soul Power.
"It really is worthy of the Fire Phoenix Martial Soul."
He shook off the Phoenix Flame, took up the Demon Blade, and charged at Ma Xiaotao using the Grass-Gliding lightness skill.
"So fast!"
Ma Xiaotao was surprised, but she didn't take him seriously.
"Second Soul Skill: Bathing Fire Phoenix!"
"First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fire Line!"
With the second Soul Skill's boost, the power of the first Soul Skill's Phoenix Fire Line surged.
Before, the Phoenix Fire Line had been just a streak of flame. Now it was a pillar of fire.
"Demon Blade Slash!"
A domineering blade aura, thick with evil energy, cut through the air and cleaved the pillar of fire apart. It was the Tyrant Blade Slash, from the Tyrant Tiger Soul-Refining Blade, the weapon from which the Demon Blade had evolved.
That was one of the great advantages of a Soul Bone Skill: it didn't demand much Soul Power from its user, yet it could unleash tremendous power.
Of course, boosting it with powerful Soul Power would make it even stronger.
Though Ma Xiaotao was surprised by the explosive power of Yang Hao's strike, she reacted quickly and immediately used her third Soul Skill.
"Phoenix Wing Soar!"
She leapt into the air, beating her wings to rise rapidly and evade Yang Hao's charge.
"Little brother, just settle down and be my punching bag!"
Ma Xiaotao gave him a wicked smile and unleashed the Phoenix Fire Line again, using him as a target to beat up.
Your big sister can fly!
Yang Hao was thoroughly frustrated and could only dodge with the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
His Cold Iron Indestructible Body could withstand the attacks, but they burned through his Soul Power, and the drain was enormous.
After dodging for a while, Yang Hao seized an opening, took out a short spear, and hurled it with all his strength. It was the only attack he was proficient in.
Ma Xiaotao had been raised as an elite and had plenty of combat experience. She kept her eyes on Yang Hao, and the moment he took out the short spear, she grew alert.
She beat her wings and twisted aside to dodge it, but a second and third short spear came right after the first. Yang Hao even put away his Demon Blade and hurled the spears with both hands.
Ma Xiaotao didn't try to block them. She beat her wings and climbed higher, making it easier to dodge.
She could fly and had the initiative. There was no need to risk a direct clash.
Besides, that guy didn't have much Soul Power. Maintaining a Self-Created Soul Skill like that had to consume a lot. He couldn't keep it up for long.
Sure enough, three minutes later, Yang Hao had no choice but to admit defeat.
The Cold Iron Indestructible Body's defenses were powerful, especially against fire-attribute attacks, but his Soul Power was his weakness. For now, he could maintain it for only three minutes.
"Little brother, hurry up and call me big sister."
Victorious, Ma Xiaotao looked smug. She even felt a little satisfaction from getting back at him.
That punching bag really was a good one.
Yang Hao's expression darkened. Then he took out a notebook and started writing furiously, pouring all his frustration into it.
Ma Xiaotao leaned over curiously to read it, and then she couldn't hold it in.
"Shrek Destruction Plan Two!"
Those were the words at the top, and what followed was even more alarming.
It described strapping small bombs to rats, sending them through Shrek Academy's sewer network, and having them spread throughout the academy in the dead of night before detonating on a timer and destroying the whole place.
"Are you really that sore about losing?"
Ma Xiaotao was furious. How could anyone act like this?
"That's a pretty good idea."
Feng Ling, however, was quite interested. She would have to send someone to scout out Shrek Academy's sewer network later.
As for controlling rats, that wouldn't be hard. They could use Martial Soul abilities or lure them with food.
And this method wasn't just useful against Shrek Academy. It could work against other forces, too.
Chapter 26: The Hunt Begins
Yang Hao's life at the Holy Spirit Cult was full and busy. He trained while serving as Ma Xiaotao's human punching bag. It was frustrating, but it really did help improve his combat experience.
Aside from that, he was making knockoffs—no, developing firearms—and figuring out how he could get in touch with that Death God Douluo in a way that wouldn't raise suspicion.
Although he had become the Holy Spirit Cult's Holy Son, his position was rather hollow. The main problem was that he wasn't strong enough.
And when it came to making explosives and developing firearms, he could be replaced.
This was the Holy Spirit Cult, full of Evil Soul Masters. He didn't think they were the sort to feel gratitude or anything like it.
For now, the chances of being replaced were low, but as everyone knew, he, Yang, was an orphan desperately in need of a stable source of affection. He was terribly insecure.
If he wanted to truly secure his position, he had to cling to Death God Douluo's mighty leg. He was also one of the few top experts with a weakness in his heart.
But getting close to him would be no easy task. Even meeting him would be difficult.
Just as Yang Hao was wondering how to get in touch with Death God Douluo without raising suspicion, the man came looking for him himself.
That day, Yang Hao was taking Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue to further improve his physical strength.
He had bought quite a lot of Whale Glue at the Starlight Auction House, and the Holy Spirit Cult had also procured a large supply for him. He had already taken all the thousand-year-grade glue, and now he was working on the ten-thousand-year-grade.
Whale Glue had a powerful aphrodisiac effect. Fortunately, the Cold Jade Heart helped steady his emotions, allowing him to focus and circulate his Soul Power to refine the medicinal effects.
But after all, it was ten-thousand-year-grade Whale Glue. Taking it and refining it was an immense test not only for his body, but also for his mental fortitude. The Cold Jade Heart wasn't omnipotent.
He treated it as a trial to temper his mind and will. Just then, a soft, alluring voice rang out.
"So you're the little fellow who's been giving Xiaoyao so much trouble these past few days?"
He opened his eyes, his gaze still a little hazy. The first thing he saw was a blood-red gown, then a pair of long, pale legs and a full, generous bosom.
She was a stunningly beautiful woman, sitting on the edge of the bathtub and studying him with interest.
"Mom!"
Seeing her wicked air, Yang Hao called out "Mom" without thinking, keeping the dazed look brought on by resisting the side effects of the Whale Glue.
That had been a completely instinctive reaction, the most genuine expression of familial affection.
Ye Xishui froze at the form of address. Then her expression turned cold. Soul Power formed a blood-red hand that grabbed the boy by the throat and lifted him up, unleashing an overwhelming pressure.
"Brat, I really don't like being called that."
A ferocious look crossed Ye Xishui's face. She hated that form of address because Zhongli Wu had once called her that.
That child was her shame, and an even darker past.
The feeling of suffocation grew stronger, but Yang Hao remained calm inside, for he had already guessed who she was.
Only one person in the Holy Spirit Cult would address Long Xiaoyao so casually. It was none other than the mighty figure he had been yearning to cling to.
The hunt begins... no, it was time to put on a show!
After all, the best hunters often appeared in the guise of prey.
He struggled instinctively, even activating the Soul Bone Skill of his Soul-Devouring Spider Leg Bone and possessing himself with his One-Eyed Vajra Martial Soul. The Cold Jade Heart's defensive skill flared to life, and the three Martial Souls of the Demon Blade, Holy Sword, and Divine Spear emerged from his Storage Soul Tool. Propelled by the Metal Control Soul Skill, they shot toward Ye Xishui.
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