Yao Lao Makes a Move

The appearance of the Golden Dragon Claw sent Guang Biao stumbling backward in a major tumble.

The two stood their ground. Tang Wulin did not continue his assault—not because he didn't want to, but because that last strike had nearly drained his entire blood essence, and his soul power was all but exhausted. He simply lacked the strength to launch a second attack of that caliber.

Guang Biao, meanwhile, felt a lingering wariness toward the bizarre claw on Tang Wulin's hand and the intangible pressure it radiated.

Tang Wulin's peripheral vision remained fixed on the Soul Guidance Communicator on his left wrist. Finally, as the time ticked over to 8:15, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"Senior, the five minutes are up."

Only then did Guang Biao recall his earlier promise: if the three of them could hold out against him for five minutes, he would let them go.

"Hahaha!" Guang Biao clapped his hands and laughed. "I have to admit, you lot really have some skill. No wonder my younger brother ended up in such a state at your hands."

"So, Senior, will you honor your word?" Tang Wulin asked in a low voice.

"Of course!"

Hearing Guang Biao's reply, Tang Wulin let out a long breath and retracted the Golden Dragon Claw.

"Gu Yue, Xie Xie, how are you holding up?" Tang Wulin walked over to them and helped Xie Xie to his feet.

"He's fine, just unconscious." Gu Yue had already checked Xie Xie's injuries and confirmed there was nothing critical.

"Let's head back to the academy first."

Tang Wulin hoisted Xie Xie onto his back and supported Gu Yue with his other arm.

"Wait a moment!" Guang Biao suddenly appeared in front of Tang Wulin. "Did I say you could leave?"

"What is the meaning of this, Senior?" Tang Wulin gritted his teeth.

The corners of Guang Biao's mouth curled upward. "If I recall correctly, I said that if you could hold out for five minutes, I would consider letting you go. Well, I've considered it, and I've decided not to!"

"You...!" A fierce glint appeared in Gu Yue's eyes as she glared viciously at Guang Biao.

Tang Wulin grabbed Gu Yue's arm, signaling her not to act rashly.

"Then what exactly do you want, Senior?"

Guang Biao stroked his chin, feigning deep thought, before wearing a lecherous grin. "It's simple. Since you broke my brother's hand, I'm going to chop off your right hand. I'd like to study those golden scales that were on it earlier. As for the little girl beside you, she's coming with me to be my personal maid. And as for the one on your back? Hmph... I'll show mercy and let him go!"

"Don't even think about it, Tang Wulin! Let's fight him to the death!" The soul rings beneath Gu Yue's feet rose, and she seemed prepared for a desperate final stand.

Tang Wulin raised a hand to block Gu Yue, shaking his head at her.

"Senior! I can compensate you with one of my own hands for your brother's sake, but you must let the two of them leave together. That is my final bottom line."

Guang Biao sneered. "Bottom line? Do you really think you have the right to negotiate with me?"

"So, there's no room for discussion, Senior?" Tang Wulin gritted his teeth.

"What do you think?" Guang Biao sneered and reached out to grab Tang Wulin.

In that very instant, Tang Wulin tossed the unconscious Xie Xie onto Gu Yue, his thousand-year soul ring flared to life, and the Golden Dragon Claw manifested on his right hand once more.

The soul spirit Golden Scale also appeared beside Tang Wulin, bathed in a sudden burst of golden light. Having absorbed thirty percent of the Golden Dragon King's essence, Golden Scale was now capable of providing Tang Wulin with a boost to both his strength and mental power.

"Gu Yue, take Xie Xie and go! I'll hold him off."

"Tang Wulin!"

Gu Yue tried to pull him back, but Tang Wulin had already charged toward Guang Biao.

"Do you think you can get away?" Guang Biao snorted coldly. His first soul ring lit up, and a layer of iron-gray scales instantly covered his body.

"Bang!"

Tang Wulin's punch, fueled by his remaining strength, didn't even touch Guang Biao's skin; it was blocked by that layer of protective aura.

After all, Guang Biao was still wary of the Golden Dragon Claw's destructive power.

Simultaneously, Guang Biao's second soul ring lit up. A massive gravitational suppression slammed Tang Wulin to the ground, rendering him completely unable to move.

Guang Biao's mouth twisted into a smirk as he reached out and clamped his hand around Tang Wulin's throat.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you just yet. I still need to take you back and study that golden claw of yours properly."

The overwhelming sensation of suffocation caused Tang Wulin's legs to kick uncontrollably. The golden scales on his right hand faded, and Golden Scale returned into his body.

"You... get out of here!" Tang Wulin struggled to turn his neck, casting a look of grim determination at Gu Yue and Xie Xie.

"You're overthinking things!"

Guang Biao tightened his grip, and Tang Wulin instantly lost consciousness, tossed aside like a ragdoll.

In the next heartbeat, Guang Biao appeared before Gu Yue, reaching out to seize her.

Gu Yue gritted her teeth, silver light erupting from her body as she attempted to Teleport.

Guang Biao snorted, and the gravitational suppression flared, instantly interrupting her Teleportation.

"Pfft!"

A spray of blood erupted from Gu Yue's mouth. The gravitational pressure was simply too immense; her physical constitution was not as robust as Tang Wulin's, and her internal organs suffered severe damage under the strain.

But just then, a somewhat aged and ethereal voice echoed from behind Guang Biao.

"A dignified Soul Emperor, bullying three children? I'm embarrassed for you!"

"Who's there?"

Guang Biao whipped his head around, his six soul rings instantly lighting up beneath his feet, yet he saw no one.

"Why not come out and talk, Excellency? What kind of behavior is it to hide in the shadows?"

"I certainly intend to come out, but I haven't quite grown accustomed to this little fellow's body yet!"

If Tang Wulin were conscious right now, he would surely recognize that the owner of this voice was none other than Yao Lao.

In an instant, Guang Biao felt the surrounding temperature begin to plummet, quickly dropping to dozens of degrees below zero as a faint mist began to rise all around him.

Guang Biao dared not move recklessly; he hadn't even sensed a single ripple of soul power, which likely meant the opponent's strength far exceeded his own.

"Alright, alright! It's time to settle the score with you."

At this moment, the surrounding mist began to dissipate, and a figure emerged from within it.

It was... Tang Wulin!

Guang Biao's expression shifted. The child he had knocked unconscious was now standing, yet he seemed different. There wasn't a trace of soul power fluctuation on him, yet he carried an intense sense of oppression, and his eyes no longer held the naivety of a youth, but rather a shrewd and calculating gaze.

"If Your Excellency leaves now, you shall be a friend of our East Sea City Mecha Brigade from this day forward. Why not consider it?"

Guang Biao had already realized that Tang Wulin's body had been taken over by a powerful expert; anyone capable of such a feat was at the very least a Title Douluo-level powerhouse.

"A friend?" Yao Lao sneered and said, "My temper has never been particularly good. As it happens, the child you bullied is my first friend in this world. Do you really think I would let you off?"

"Then is Your Excellency determined to set yourself against the entire East Sea City Mecha Brigade? You must understand, the Federation stands behind the Mecha Brigade!" Guang Biao gritted his teeth as he spoke. He dared not underestimate this old man's strength, so he could only try to leverage the Mecha Brigade's backing.

"What Mecha Brigade? What Federation! I don't know them! I'll give you a chance: I won't use my martial soul or soul skills. Let's trade a couple of blows," Yao Lao said indifferently.