Darkness: Freezing Volt

"Was he insane?"

More disciples arrived beside Ma Xiaotao. Yu Longyue and Yu Longxing, the sister and brother, asked the question.

Qiangu Zuiren and Qiangu Liren, the two siblings standing nearby, also watched Mu Baobao in disbelief as he slowly approached the Thunder Prison Vine.

With thirty-five thousand years of cultivation, an ordinary soul beast might only possess the strength of a Soul King or Soul Emperor. But the Thunder Prison Vine possessed the bloodline of the God of Thunder. Like the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, at around fifty thousand years, it was already comparable to a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.

At that level, it could very likely possess Ultimate Lightning and Ultimate Evil. Calling it as strong as a Soul Douluo would not be an exaggeration. Yet he wanted to face it alone.

"Why aren't you going to help him? Did you two have a fight?" Yu Longxing joked, only to receive a glare from his older sister, Yu Longyue. He wisely shut up. "Let's see what he intends to do first. With four Title Douluo watching, nothing will happen. At worst, we'll step in."

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black—six Soul Rings.

They slowly emerged as Mu Baobao walked forward. The phantom of Kyurem, the Strongest Dragon, followed close behind him. Dragon Might flooded the entire land, as though he reigned over the world.

"Ah! Roar?"

The Thunder Prison Vine was instantly roused completely awake, baring its fangs and claws as it fought his majesty with its own.

As a soul beast with the bloodline of a first-rank God of Thunder, it sensed that its dignity had been provoked. Even within the domain ruled by the Dragon God, only the Nine Great Dragon Kings had been God Kings.

Only the outstanding among dragonkind could ascend to become first-rank gods. Human deities were indeed exceptionally gifted; even without superior bloodlines, they could become first-rank gods and God Kings through effort. Every one of them had been prodigies of their respective continents.

The surroundings instantly became a sea of lightning. Combined with bolts descending from the sky, it formed a cage of lightning that enveloped Mu Baobao.

"The Thunder Prison Vine's Forest of Lightning."

The onlookers exclaimed in shock. Its power was enough to electrocute a Soul Saint until he was charred inside and out, and they watched Mu Baobao with some fear.

With Ultimate Ice, he might be able to endure this wave of attacks, but the second wave would be truly difficult.

In past years, some people would sacrifice themselves to hold back the Thunder Prison Vine while the others climbed the hundred steps. When they fell into danger, the Soul Douluo and Title Douluo would rescue them, and they would have to wait until the following year.

"Ice is suppressed by lightning, but I possess Ultimate Ice. Even if its level is two ranks higher... what do I have to fear?" Mu Baobao said with overwhelming confidence, without the slightest hint of fear. If those around him had not felt that the pressure was unevenly matched, they would have thought he had everything under control.

"What is that?"

Their eyes widened. With a wave of his hand, Mu Baobao summoned a Soul Coin before him.

It then shone brilliantly, and an iron case roughly half a meter long appeared. Engraved upon it was the image of his Martial Soul. As he poured Soul Power into it—

The iron case erupted with dazzling light, completely covering him. Eleven pieces of armor equipped themselves onto his body in order. A crimson cape billowed dominantly with a wave of his hand, and everyone was horrified to discover that his aura had grown stronger.

"Third Soul Skill, Freezing Wind."

Snowflakes fluttered through the air, blanketing the land for miles. In an instant, Ultimate Ice covered the black wasteland with the white of a bitter winter, draping it in silver.

Extreme cold corroded the lightning. The originally intangible cage froze into a magnificent sculpture of ice.

Crack! It shattered at once.

Ice blocks, shards, and splinters—the lightning cage went through the entire process before scattering around Mu Baobao, adorning this king like silver dust.

"His strength has risen to that of a Soul Saint?"

Top-tier, ultimate, and special Martial Souls all possessed the ability to fight above their rank. Even though the gap between ranks grew increasingly larger later on, that ability still existed.

With the boost from that armor, Mu Baobao had reached the level of a Soul Saint and could now battle a Soul Douluo.

It was not only the observing disciples who could not believe it. Battle Heaven Douluo, Unyielding Douluo, and the two elderly figures on the plaza were equally astonished.

"Hehe, Your Excellency Qiankun, there's no need to be so shocked. I received a message from Uncle Mu En that this boy had been granted exceptional admission into the Sea God Pavilion."

"The Sea God Pavilion has an eighteen-year-old member!" The great-granduncle of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan chuckled happily as he leaned on his cane. Across from him sat an elderly man who looked somewhat younger, though his hair was still snow-white and his beard long. "Are you joking with me?"

Universe Douluo was a rank ninety-seven Super Douluo. His appearance was not as aged and frail as Unyielding Douluo Mu En's, because his youthful injuries had left him in this state.

Thunder Douluo, like Radiant Sacred Dragon, Evil Eye White Tiger, Evil Fire Phoenix, and the rest, was a title passed down through a clan. Universe, however, came from the fact that this old man had been a crazed God of Slaughter in his youth.

The nine forms of the Unyielding Staff Technique were said to be capable of shaking heaven and earth. One of its staff techniques was even named Qiankun.

"What do you think of that armor?" Thunder Douluo asked.

"Comparable to a full set of hundred-year Soul Bones," Universe Douluo answered. "Its effects should be even greater."

Great-granduncle revealed a faint smile. "Indeed. Compared to it, Soul Bones lack the ability to evolve, repair themselves, and provide manifested defense. But what if this armor is merely the weakest kind? What if there are sets comparable to thousand-year, ten-thousand-year, or even hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones?"

"Some people spend their entire lives unable to gather a complete set of Soul Bones. Even if they do collect enough, there is no guarantee they will form a complete set. Yet this armor includes no External Soul Bone, whose appearance rate is less than one in ten million."

"Fed with Soul Power, spiritual power, and life force, it can evolve through different stages. It is called Battle Armor."

"And he is its creator!"

"Thunder Hell!"

At this moment, the battle within the Forest of Lightning continued. The Thunder Prison Vine launched its second offensive.

The sky darkened. Within the dark-purple heavens, clusters of lightning spheres rapidly condensed and rose. Every lightning sphere resembled a volcano that could erupt at any moment, and the devastating force after its explosion could affect an area spanning a thousand meters.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Ice Beam."

The snow fell even harder. Every snowflake was like a mirror, reflecting each lightning sphere.

Countless lightning spheres shot out from around the Thunder Prison Vine, but Mu Baobao still showed no panic. The snowflakes formed smooth mirror surfaces.

White vortices fired beam after beam of light, each one striking a lightning sphere with perfect accuracy. Then, the same process unfolded: they froze into ice sculptures, shattered into ice blocks, and scattered into icy fragments...

"His Soul Skill evolved?" Ma Xiaotao had seen Mu Baobao use this Soul Skill before. The number was clearly wrong.

The Soul Skills one acquired were not always ones they liked or suited them. This was why powerful soul masters wished to create Self-Created Soul Skills, though there was a process before that.

It was the extension of a Soul Skill—causing it to undergo a qualitative change through a full-power burst. The Blue Silver Omnidirectional Thorn derived from Blue Silver Cage was one example, an advanced version... Those capable of achieving such a feat were all monstrous geniuses.

"He's weakening!"

The disciples and the elders of the clans still noticed that Mu Baobao had grown somewhat exhausted. He had consumed too much Soul Power.

Battle Armor and evolved Soul Skills were both things that consumed Soul Power. Though they had forcibly raised his strength to the same level as the Thunder Prison Vine, his life force and spiritual power could not increase along with it.

Soul Spirits, a system created by Huo Yuhao, could provide soul masters with one or more Soul Rings. They could even be considered independent entities capable of growth. Their Soul Power, spiritual power, and even life force could be transferred to the soul master. Later on, they could fight like spirit beasts. Without their assistance, it was naturally extremely draining.

"Since that is the case, we cannot be blamed," Qiangu Zuiren said with a faint smile. The other disciples looked at him doubtfully. "Big Brother, you intend to...?"

"In past years, the Qiangu Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would each send several sacrifices to hold it back so the rest could reach the summit. The clan leaders, Title Douluo, and Super Douluo ancestors all approved of this approach, saying it was some laughable spirit of sacrifice. Now, isn't there already a warrior doing it for us?" he said with a smile.

The disciples found it difficult to accept. "But he saved us. Otherwise, we would have already lost our qualifications."

Qiangu Liren looked at her brother, Qiangu Zuiren, in disbelief. Ever since he had returned from his training journey, his personality had undergone a complete reversal.

He had once been refined, gentle, and filled with positivity. Though he was now merely sinister and cunning toward outsiders... he still treated his own people as before, yet they remained afraid. Was the world truly that terrifying?

"If you want to help him, then help him. I think that kind of righteousness is quite admirable. But I still need to teach you a lesson: every man for himself, and heaven and earth will destroy those who do not."

"There isn't much time," Qiangu Zuiren said. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Sea God Tang San have suppressed us for ten thousand years. I have always wanted to see them suffer. He saved you once, and now you're overflowing with gratitude?"

"This guy only happened to come to our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan out of the blue. In other words, his saving you was entirely an accident."

At that moment, the Thunder Prison Vine had gone all out, using Thunder Dance... The lightning aura between heaven and earth became almost tangible, like liquid.

Streams of lightning plasma were drawn in by the Thunder Prison Vine, transforming into countless Thunder Dragon-like phantoms that attacked Mu Baobao. Every one of them was no weaker than the fourth Soul Skill Qiangu Youchou had used—Dragon Breaks the Firmament.

If you could risk your life, then so could others. Many believed Mu Baobao would certainly lose against this move. Battle Heaven Douluo and Thunder Douluo both prepared to intervene at any moment.

"I hope you can make it through!"

Seeing this, Qiangu Zuiren took his sister Qiangu Liren's hand and headed toward the hundred steps.

They passed by Mu Baobao. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciples cursed inwardly at how shameless they were, yet they could only watch helplessly.

After being suppressed for ten thousand years, could one act of rescue truly erase all past enmity? That was impossible even with one's toes.

"Big Sis! What about us?"

Yu Longxing was still seeking her opinion when Ma Xiaotao charged out without hesitation. The Evil Fire Phoenix cried out, and a meteor shower smashed apart a Thunder Dragon.

Fireline, Cloud-Piercing Strike, Sky-Howling Strike...

"Damn it, save him!" Yu Longyue gritted her teeth, transforming into a ferocious fire dragon and violently ramming into a Thunder Dragon.

Mu Baobao's appearance had been an accident, so the Qiangu Clan took it for granted. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, on the other hand, had been destined for elimination anyway.

Losing would change nothing. A large group of disciples rushed forward, red, blue, and purple lights flashing without end.

Earth dragons, wind dragons... each chose a Thunder Dragon to fight. The Thunder Prison Vine itself was instantly dumbfounded. This was different from previous years—why had everyone come?

"Kid, you definitely aren't an idiot. You must have a trump card, right? Take it out already!"

Yu Longyue unleashed Explosive Fire Dragon Rush, smashing away while shouting. In her heart, she still cared more about Qiangu Zuiren's transformation. The person who had gone out and the person who returned were not the same.

The younger generation did not know about those matters, and most of them had enjoyed very good relationships. The friction between the Panlong Twins and the Blue Lightning Twins had been especially intense, even carrying hints of something unusual. Quite a few had become couples.

"The outside world?" Yu Longyue was briefly distracted. Fortunately, Yu Longxing's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon erupted and collided with a Thunder Dragon. "Sis, we'll find out someday."

"As you wish!"

Mu Baobao smiled. At this moment, the disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had completely pinned down the Thunder Prison Vine. That move would definitely hit it.

Under everyone's puzzled gazes, a long wedge slowly emerged from above his head, then opened and burst with light. It was a pitch-black stone, radiating Ultimate Evil and lightning.

The Dark Stone and DNA Splicer fused abruptly just as everyone wondered what they were.

Kyurem raised its upper body and stood on two legs. Its right ice horn was replaced by a horn resembling Zekrom's, and pupils could be seen in its eyes.

Its right forelimb was replaced by a claw similar to Zekrom's, while its left forelimb was a replica of the right one formed from ice. Its original wings retracted into its shoulders.

Above them grew a right wing resembling Zekrom's wing and a left wing made by replicating that right wing with ice. Black hide grew over its chest, back, and face. The ice at its tail vanished completely, becoming a curved, three-pronged disk wrapped around a black organ resembling Zekrom's tail, capable of generating electricity.

Black Kyurem... had appeared. Lightning and ice entwined every inch of its body, turning its entire form black and snow-white as Ultimate Evil and battle intent poured forth.

Mu Baobao's aura surged to the level of a Soul Douluo. The phantom even became increasingly solid. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciples fighting alongside him, the Qiangu Clan disciples on the steps... the Soul Douluo elders and the Title Douluo ancestors—

"Martial Soul Evolution?" They were bewildered. Some god-tier Martial Souls were so powerful that they were innately in a partially evolved state and could evolve at critical moments.

"Wrong. It's Martial Soul Fusion." Mu Baobao stood atop Black Kyurem's head and smiled. "Though it is somewhat similar. My Martial Soul has not yet hatched; you can understand it as still being in a dragon egg state."

"The Thunder Prison Vine will unfortunately become its first Soul Ring, as well as nourishment for its hatching."

Many clans capable of Martial Soul Fusion Skills arranged marriages over long periods. First, this ensured that both individuals could achieve greatness. Second, if someone developed Twin Martial Souls someday, could they also use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?

The Evil Eye White Tiger and the Spirit Cat... the two clans of the Star Luo Empire had done exactly that. In the era of Legend of the Dragon King, ten thousand years later, there really was a Shrek Academy student, Wu Sidu, who possessed both Martial Souls and could use the Hell White Tiger fusion skill.

Ultimate Evil and Ultimate Lightning? Ma Xiaotao's eyes widened. She had thought Kyurem's Ultimate Battle Intent and the Battle Armor were his hidden cards.

He had another Martial Soul that had yet to hatch, also possessing two ultimate attributes, and it could even perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Damn it, if he had said so from the beginning, then even if it was not the Radiant Sacred Dragon... Dragon God Douluo Mu En and Shrek Academy would have poured every resource into nurturing him.

No wonder he said he was not afraid. The Thunder Prison Vine only had a chance to attain Ultimate Lightning at a hundred thousand years, while his unhatched second Martial Soul already possessed it. Mu Baobao glanced at them. What was there to be shocked about?

There were still his Three Martial Souls and that absurd two-person combination with four Martial Soul Fusion Skills to come. But for now, he had to deal with the matter before him.

Black Kyurem's Dragon Might far surpassed that of Kyurem and Zekrom individually. Not to mention that every Thunder Dragon formed from the vine's branches had been stopped and was trembling. Mu Baobao slowly spoke.

Evil, battle intent, lightning, and ice between heaven and earth all surged into Black Kyurem in great torrents.

"Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Freeze Shock."