As Gu Rong used his Soul Skill, countless thick bones erupted from the ground, forming a prison-like domain that trapped Xue Hen inside.
Picking a fight with a young Super Douluo over a cousin Ning Fengzhi barely had any affection for was hardly worth it. But neither Gu Rong nor Ning Fengzhi had a choice, because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a clan-based power.
Ning Pianpian was a member of the Ning clan. She was being hunted, and if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect didn't step in to protect her, wouldn't that leave the sect's people divided and disheartened?
They would all think, Today, the sect was willing to abandon Ning Pianpian to avoid offending a Super Douluo. Would it abandon me tomorrow over some other matter? If the sect master is willing to abandon me, can't I abandon him too?
In the end, they would abandon one another and cease to stand united. How could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect maintain its footing on the continent then?
So they absolutely couldn't hand Ning Pianpian over willingly. Even if it meant fighting a monster like Xue Hen, they wouldn't hesitate!
Inside the Bone Prison.
Xue Hen glanced at the bones surrounding him and nodded. His expression unchanged, he said, "A thousand-year fourth Soul Skill actually has a hint of a domain about it. Bone Douluo, you're quite impressive."
As he spoke, he raised the Imperial Power Sword in his hand and pointed its tip at Gu Rong. "But since you've chosen to stand against me for that wicked woman, I can only treat you as an enemy—and give you... the edge of my sword!"
Boom! Xue Hen's gaze sharpened. He swung the Imperial Power Sword, releasing a sharp golden sword aura that shot straight at the bones ahead. In an instant, the hard bones created by Gu Rong's fourth Soul Skill were shattered with a crash, tearing a hole in the Bone Prison.
Xue Hen looked at the opening and raised an eyebrow in faint disdain. Then, with a single teleport, whoosh! He passed through it like a ghost and darted forward.
Gu Rong's pupils contracted violently. He immediately shouted, "Give me your amplification!"
As he spoke, the fifth Soul Ring beneath his feet glowed black.
Fifth Soul Skill, Bone Tornado!
Gu Rong unleashed his fifth Soul Skill, summoning a massive tornado made of densely packed bones and sending it at Xue Hen as he charged toward him. This move could exert tremendous suction on an enemy and inflict heavy, sustained damage. It was one of Gu Rong's signature techniques!
"Yes, Elder!" Behind him, the twelve Soul Emperors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, guarded by numerous Battle Soul Saints and Battle Soul Emperors, shouted in unison. Their Soul Rings all shone brilliantly as they used their Soul Skills to amplify Gu Rong.
Their Soul Skills included "Strength Amplification," "Speed Amplification," "Defense Amplification," and "Soul Power Amplification."
With the various boosts from the twelve Soul Emperors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Gu Rong's aura surged up a level in an instant, despite his Soul Power being only Level 95. At least on the surface, he seemed almost as powerful as Xue Hen.
"Futile resistance." Xue Hen regarded the incoming Bone Tornado and felt Gu Rong's aura grow stronger, yet his expression and speed remained unchanged. He spoke as casually as if it were nothing.
As he spoke, the third Soul Ring beneath his feet glowed purple.
Third Soul Skill, Human Emperor Body Protection!
"Hmm—" A golden aura of humanity radiated from the sword in his hand. Powerful sword energy circled his body, automatically blocking the damage from the Bone Tornado. And that was not all: the formidable sword-energy defense seemed to reflect attacks, hurling the tornado's bones and gale force back toward Gu Rong and the others outside it.
"Hm?" Gu Rong's pupils contracted. How was that possible? Xue Hen had blocked his fifth Soul Skill with a third Soul Skill—and could even reflect part of its power back at him?
There was no time to think. Gu Rong let out a shout, and his third Soul Ring flashed. He immediately used his own third Soul Skill, White Bone Shield!
A defensive shield of thick bones appeared before him. It could effectively block all kinds of physical and Soul Skill attacks, making it a core defense technique for protecting himself and his allies.
Xue Hen had reflected only part of the fifth Soul Skill's power. Gu Rong could easily block that with his third Soul Skill, especially since he had used the fifth Soul Skill before receiving the amplification, while he was now boosted!
Gu Rong was absolutely confident he could stop the reflected attack.
However...
Sixth Soul Skill, Sword Settles Mountains and Rivers!
As Gu Rong summoned the White Bone Shield, Xue Hen emerged unharmed from the massive tornado of densely packed bones, protected by his third Soul Skill, Human Emperor Body Protection. He swung his arm and hurled the Imperial Power Sword at Gu Rong!
In the next instant, the Imperial Power Sword, accompanied by the reflected bones and gale force, struck the shield in front of Gu Rong. From the point of impact, a vast shockwave and a burst of sword energy erupted.
Rumble!
A deafening explosion rang out in front of the Seven Treasure Mountain Gate. The White Bone Shield Gu Rong had created with his Soul Power turned to dust in the blink of an eye under the immense destructive force of Xue Hen's attack. Worse still, the power that remained after shattering the shield continued forward, sending Gu Rong and the many disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind him flying like dead leaves before a gale.
"Pfft!" Gu Rong had stood at the very front and borne the full force of Xue Hen's attack. Despite being in Martial Soul Possession and hailed as the Number One Defense Douluo, he was sent flying backward, blood spurting from his mouth. Like a kite with its string cut, he crashed hard to the ground alongside the disciples behind him.
"How could he really be... this strong? Pfft!" After hitting the ground, Gu Rong gasped for breath and stared at the young man standing motionless before him after using his sixth Soul Skill. His old eyes were filled with disbelief, and even a trace of fear. Then his throat worked, and he spat out another mouthful of blood.
A month ago, he had already seen Xue Hen use this move on the Sky Screen. Xue Hen had killed the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Life Giant Whale with that single strike. But Gu Rong still couldn't accept it. After all, he was the strongest Defense Douluo. How could his defense possibly compare to that of a Soul Beast like the Life Giant Whale?
Well, the Life Giant Whale had died on the spot after taking that blow, while he was still alive.
But...
He had been amplified by twelve Soul Emperors who possessed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!
And although he was still alive, he had... he had almost no fighting strength left!
This guy really was that strong. He clearly hadn't even reached Level 98 yet, so how could he be absurdly powerful?
"Bone Douluo, you've lost. Hand over Ning Pianpian and Xue Tian, or you'll regret it." Xue Hen raised the Imperial Power Sword again and pointed its tip in Gu Rong's direction, speaking to him one word at a time.
"Gulp." Faced with this situation, even Gu Rong, who had weathered countless storms in his life, couldn't help swallowing nervously.
He had weathered countless storms, but life-threatening ones like this? The old man hadn't seen many of those!
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