Martial Arts Trial: Yi Hongchen and Yue Hongchen Spar (5500)

After the three of them finished discussing the name of their martial soul fusion skill, Yan Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen were still sprawled on the training ground.

That fusion attempt had nearly drained both of their soul power. They had recovered a little by now, but their legs were still weak, and they did not even have the strength to stand.

Meng Hongchen hurried over, took out two fully charged milk bottles from her waist, and stuffed one into each of their hands. The bottles were warm to the touch, their stored soul power like a mild liquid with a faint milky-white glow.

"Use them, quickly. Don't force yourselves." Her tone was concerned, but she did not waste words.

Yan Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen exchanged a look, then pulled out the stoppers at the same time and slowly absorbed the soul power from the milk bottles.

Ring after ring of milky-white ripples spread from their bodies, like waves across water. They rolled outward, then swiftly drew back in, cycling over and over.

Xiao Hongchen let out a breath of stale air, and some color returned to his pale face. Yan Hongchen likewise felt his meridians being nourished by soul power once more.

The discomfort of utter exhaustion ebbed away like a receding tide, replaced by a warm sense of fullness that left them refreshed and clear-headed.

Liu Yueming stood at the edge of the field, and the worry she had been holding onto finally eased. She stepped forward, her gaze moving back and forth across the two children's faces to make sure they were unharmed.

She spoke slowly. "Xiao'er, Little Yan, rest well. The martial soul fusion skill has succeeded, but using one consumes the martial soul's origin. Generally speaking, it takes at least a week to recover. If one's martial soul foundation is weaker, it may take even longer."

Yan Hongchen nodded, dismissing the thought of attempting a martial soul fusion with Meng Hongchen. In a few days, Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen still needed to conduct an attack test of "Mortal Longing" on Yi Hongchen. He could not let her consume her martial soul origin at a time like this.

Besides, the Phantom Water Spirit Toad had also said that Meng Hongchen's martial soul origin had yet to fully recover. Though Meng Hongchen's martial soul was also among the very best, the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad, king of the crevices in the Extreme North, was ultimately inferior to the hidden divine beast bloodline within Xiao Hongchen—the Three-Legged Golden Toad.

The enhancement Xiao Hongchen's latent divine beast bloodline gave his body was not the least bit inferior to Yan Hongchen's body martial soul. The two of them recovered quickly, but Meng Hongchen was somewhat weaker in that regard.

The sky gradually darkened, and the last streak of sunset at the horizon was swallowed by dusk.

Liu Yueming had a quiet dinner with Yue Hongchen and the three children, then reminded everyone to rest well and await Yi Hongchen's emergence from seclusion.

Time flew by.

When Yi Hongchen emerged from his cultivation chamber, the aura around him had clearly grown much deeper and more substantial. He had successfully broken through to Rank 84, taking another step closer to the Titled Douluo bottleneck.

After coming out, he first sought out Liu Yueming and listened as she told him in detail about everything that had happened at home recently. Afterward, he went to see Yue Hongchen.

The two cousins had not seen each other in a long time. The moment they met, they exchanged a solid embrace. Yi Hongchen heavily patted Yue Hongchen's back, while Yue Hongchen gave his shoulder a firm punch. They looked at each other and laughed, their eyes filled with the joy of reunion.

Their relationship had always been close. Yi Hongchen knew in his heart that if their family had failed to return from the Extreme North back then, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen could only have been entrusted to Yue Hongchen, along with the burden of the family.

Yue Hongchen was someone to whom he could entrust his back.

The two sat down, and after several cups of wine, the conversation began to flow.

Yue Hongchen could not help sighing. "Cousin, you and your wife truly had three wonderful children. That martial soul fusion skill of Xiao'er and Little Yan's was astonishingly powerful."

"Judging from its power alone, it crossed at least two realms. And that was while their soul power consumption during the initial fusion was too great, yet they could still unleash a full-force attack right after fusing. In a few days, when you test Xiao'er and Meng'er's martial soul fusion skill, you'd better be careful."

Hearing this, Yi Hongchen solemnly nodded. For there to be two martial soul fusion skills among the three children was already extraordinarily rare. He was both proud and heartsore.

Xiao Hongchen bore the heavy responsibility of inheriting the Hongchen Family's soul engineer line. Meng Hongchen did not need to work quite as hard, but the martial soul poison of the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad would sooner or later become a hurdle on her path of cultivation.

And Yan Hongchen... his talent and temperament were both exceptional. Yi Hongchen had originally only hoped that the child would grow up safely and peacefully, but now he bore both the responsibility of curing Liu Yueming and the bargain with the Snow Empress.

Yi Hongchen lifted his wine cup and took a sip, his gaze darkening slightly. For now, all he could do was cultivate—raise his body, spiritual power, and cultivation level.

Yan Hongchen had ordered him to break through to Titled Douluo within three years. He had not stated the exact reason, but Yi Hongchen could roughly guess it. By then, Yan Hongchen would give him an unexpected ninth soul ring.

He set down his wine cup and turned to Yue Hongchen, genuine delight in his voice. "Cousin, you've already reached Titled Douluo. Yueming told me that you'll need your ninth soul ring before long. When the time comes, there will also be a place for you at Mingde Hall. Once Father returns, we'll make proper arrangements."

Yue Hongchen nodded in agreement. Breaking through to Titled Douluo was indeed a major joyous occasion. Naturally, he had to obtain his soul ring as soon as possible and become a true Titled Douluo. He had already decided that his title would be Iron Armor.

The cousins talked for a long time, all the longing from their prolonged separation melting into cup after cup of wine. Neither used soul power to dispel the effects of alcohol, and though they were pleasantly tipsy, neither became dead drunk.

Neither wanted to embarrass himself before the other, nor did they want Liu Yueming to come deal with two men drinking themselves senseless.

In the end, they each returned to their rooms beneath the moonlight, their steps a little unsteady but their hearts warm.

At noon the next day, Jing Hongchen finally returned after being gone for more than half a month.

He was travel-worn, with a hint of fatigue between his brows, but his eyes remained calm and resolute.

He had to return to keep watch, lest something major happen at home. He also had a few matters to disclose.

At that moment, Jing Hongchen and Liu Yueming stood side by side at the edge of the training ground.

In the field, Yi Hongchen stood on one side. Opposite him stood Yue Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and Yan Hongchen.

Yi Hongchen had specifically invited Yue Hongchen to oversee the match. During their conversation the night before, he had asked his cousin to keep an eye on things in case anything happened to the children.

Yue Hongchen naturally agreed. He also wanted to see just how far Yi Hongchen's strength had progressed.

Yi Hongchen was the first to activate his eighth soul skill. "Eighth Soul Skill, Frost Iron Mountain-Shattering Fury!"

A deep-blue radiance burst forth from within him, and the power granted by his eighty-five-thousand-year Ice Bear soul ring surged through his body like a tide.

His figure seemed to grow taller by several inches, while a thin layer of ice armor formed over his skin. Beneath that armor, a metallic gleam could faintly be seen flowing.

This soul skill could greatly increase his physical defense and strength, combining the traits of the Ice Bear and the Riftblade Giant Toad.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had long been prepared. Yan Hongchen stood behind them and activated his two soul rings, respectively applying his first soul skill, "Source Gathering Reflux," to both of them—but using only the "Reflux" effect.

When the two used their martial soul fusion skill, their soul power consumption would be halved, while Yan Hongchen had to pay with his own soul power.

Though this was only Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's martial soul fusion skill, it also contained Yan Hongchen's soul power enhancement. If their martial souls had truly fused, this could already have counted as the prototype of a three-person martial soul fusion skill.

As for the "Source Gathering" effect, Yan Hongchen did not use it for the time being. That effect was actually more suitable for his own use, or for use while in the Phantom Water Golden Body state.

Everyone had limited ability to sense and gather dispersed soul power. It was better for him to first sense it and gather it into a source, then use his own body to replenish others with soul power or accumulate it himself for a breakthrough. Overall, this soul skill was quite commendable; its flaws did not overshadow its strengths.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen exchanged a glance, then activated their martial souls at the same time. Immediately, a pillar of mixed golden and icy-blue light shot into the sky, instantly swallowing both of them within it.

The pillar of light condensed, twisted, and took shape in midair, gradually transforming into an enormous toad. Most bizarre of all, when all the light converged upon the toad, its color underwent a dramatic change.

The gold of the Three-Legged Golden Toad and the icy blue of the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad vanished completely at that moment, replaced by a reddish gold that gave off a metallic sheen.

That reddish-gold luster made the five-meter-tall giant toad incomparably resplendent, like an ancient divine statue cast from reddish gold.

Its pair of eyes were abyssal black, deep and bottomless. Its huge mouth opened, revealing a faint reddish-gold vortex spinning violently within, ready to erupt at any moment.

A closer look revealed that the reddish-gold toad had three legs, retaining the distinctive traits of the Three-Legged Golden Toad.

Yet at the moment it was about to unleash that reddish-gold vortex, its eyes turned identical to those of the Vermilion-Eyed Ice Toad—blood-red and blazing.

As the golden halo spread outward, "Mortal Longing" erupted.

Yan Hongchen promptly warned, "Dad, here it comes!"

The vortex-like reddish-gold light transformed into a torrent that poured down, surging straight toward Yi Hongchen.

The reddish-gold radiance carried the clanging hardness of metal and the frigid severity of ice. More terrifying still, the instant it appeared, its intense heat violently distorted the air.

The hardness of metal, the cold of ice, the heat of flame—multiple contradictory forces gathered together, forming a madness that was nearly warped and hysterical.

Amid the reddish-gold brilliance of Mortal Longing, the entire martial arena seemed to have turned into a sea of lava. The air burned, and the ground trembled.

Yi Hongchen's gaze sharpened as he made a rough assessment of the martial soul fusion skill's formidable power.

Although Yan Hongchen's support only provided soul power, it was enough to ensure that the two would not be exhausted after unleashing it.

He nodded slightly and activated his right arm bone skill. "Ice Bear Right Arm Bone Skill—Ice Bear Gold-Shattering Palm!"

Yi Hongchen's right arm suddenly swelled, stretching his sleeve taut, while his palm seemed to transform into the massive paw of an ice bear.

His five fingers spread wide, the edge of his palm carrying a sharp metallic cutting edge like a sharpened giant axe.

He struck forward, and the enormous palm collided head-on with Mortal Longing's reddish-gold torrent.

Boom—!

The blast wave exploded outward, cracking several of the arena's stone slabs.

Today's spar had been meant to test the effects of Yi Hongchen's Ice Bear soul ring and soul bone. Stopping at the right point would have been enough.

But Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen clearly had no intention of letting up easily. Waves upon waves of reddish-gold light from Mortal Longing surged forth, attempting to break through Yi Hongchen's giant palm.

Yet Yi Hongchen stood as steady as a boulder. His giant palm did not budge in the slightest; instead, it continually closed the distance.

One step, two steps, three steps—he forcefully withstood Mortal Longing's shockwaves and advanced toward the reddish-gold toad one step at a time.

Once he had drawn close enough, he controlled his strength and struck with a backhanded palm. A condensed soul power shockwave instantly spread out, precisely hitting the reddish-gold toad's main body.

The reddish-gold toad shuddered violently, as though its vital point had been struck by an invisible sledgehammer.

Immediately afterward, the reddish-gold light abruptly collapsed. Like shattered glass, it became countless motes of light that drifted down from the sky.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen reappeared amid the falling motes. Their bodies were unsteady, and before they could react in midair, they plummeted straight down.

Yan Hongchen reacted swiftly. In an instant, he spread his external soul bone, and a pair of azure wings abruptly unfurled behind him.

The wing bones were slender yet tough, gleaming like jade. The wing membranes were as thin as cicada wings, their color fading from a deep azure at the roots to a clear sky blue at the edges.

Feather-like patterns had naturally grown across them, layer upon layer, with every vein clearly visible. Azure streams of light seemed to slowly flow through them.

The three had already activated Spiritual Sharing. Yan Hongchen's thoughts rang clearly in Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's minds: "Circulate your soul power and make your bodies lighter. Retreat, quickly... otherwise, we're going to suffer."

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen immediately complied. Yan Hongchen grabbed one wrist in each hand and beat his wings, rising into the air. The azure wings traced an elegant arc through the sky as the three landed safely beside Jing Hongchen and Liu Yueming.

After landing, Yan Hongchen withdrew his wings into his body and could not help turning back to look at the arena.

That aged Ice Bear's soul ring and soul bone skills looked pretty fierce.

He wondered what the result would be when Yi Hongchen fought Yue Hongchen later.

The moment Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen landed, they eagerly crowded around him.

Xiao Hongchen grabbed Yan Hongchen by the shoulder. "Bro! Since when did you have wings? What are those?"

Meng Hongchen also leaned closer, her gaze falling on the pair of azure wings that were retracting, her eyes full of amazement.

Yan Hongchen gave a brief explanation. "They came from the soul beast that was sacrificed for my second soul ring. The compatibility is pretty good. Unlike certain vicious and uncontrollable external soul bones, these are easy to get the hang of. A little practice is all it takes to use them."

After hearing that, Xiao Hongchen grimaced sourly. He recalled the Phantom Water Golden Body martial soul fusion skill he shared with Yan Hongchen. Though powerful, it could not use soul bone skills.

No wonder Yan Hongchen had hidden them so well. If not for today's spar, he probably would have kept hiding them.

Meng Hongchen's attention was elsewhere. Staring at the wings as they gradually vanished, she sincerely praised, "They're so beautiful—so full of life."

Yan Hongchen could not help grumbling inwardly, Sis, in a few years, if you meet Wang Dong and see those wings of the Radiant Goddess Butterfly, you'll probably be completely smitten. Will you even remember your little brother then?

By then, you might not even listen to Xiao Hongchen. You'll speak up for the enemy and make him so furious that he'll slap you...

He was actually curious about that daughter of the God King as well.

The Radiant Goddess Butterfly—the most beautiful butterfly martial soul on the continent. It was said that only the most beautiful women could possess it.

Wang Dong was already eye-catching enough while dressed as a man, and both Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er looked quite good. Only Tang Wutong...

How should he put this feeling? It was like being given three kinds of cards: SSR, SR, and R, with the rule being SSR > SR > R > SSR.

Wang Dong'er and Wang Qiu'er were both SSR-tier, yet they had lost to Tang Wutong, an R-tier. It did not sit well with them, but they had to accept the result.

Yan Hongchen shook his head, casting aside those messy thoughts. Such an exciting battle was unfolding right before him—who had the time to think about such nonsense?

"Let's see whether Dad or Uncle Yue wins first." He lifted his chin toward the arena. "I think Uncle Yue will come out worse."

In the arena, Yue Hongchen had already activated his Martial Soul True Body. The gray-black phantom of the Ironclad Giant Toad merged with him, and a rocky shell emerged over his skin, making him look like a moving fortress.

Immediately afterward, he unleashed his strongest soul skill. "Eighth Soul Skill, Iron Toad Indestructible Body!"

A dark golden barrier spread out from within him, condensing into a heavy suit of armor over his body. Faint toad patterns seemed to writhe across it, radiating an unshakable, weighty aura.

Seeing this, Yi Hongchen knew that Yue Hongchen was planning to face him head-on. But since Yi Hongchen had come here to stand guard, he had never intended to stop at this point.

The two moved at the same time. There was no flashy clash of soul skills, no long-range probing or attrition—only a close-quarters brawl, every punch landing against flesh.

Every punch Yi Hongchen threw carried the dual enhancement of gold's sharpness and ice's sharpness. Wherever his fist wind passed, the air was torn apart with a piercing shriek.

His attacks possessed powerful armor-piercing, freezing, and bone-shattering effects. Every time they struck Yue Hongchen's Iron Toad armor, they left behind a faint crack.

Yue Hongchen gritted his teeth and endured the blows, inwardly amazed as he felt the power granted by Yi Hongchen's eighth soul ring.

In terms of Martial Soul quality, the two were nearly equal; but in terms of soul ring and soul bone configurations, he lagged far behind.

Moreover, he could tell that Yi Hongchen was not even using his full strength. He was currently only using the power of his eighty-five-thousand-year Ice Bear soul ring and right arm bone—he had not even activated his Martial Soul True Body.

The reason Yue Hongchen had activated his Martial Soul True Body first was because he wanted to fight Yi Hongchen in his strongest state. Offense was not his strong suit; otherwise, he would not have been able to hold Yi Hongchen back at all.

More importantly, Yue Hongchen knew full well that Yi Hongchen still had a soul skill that had made him suffer before—the sixth soul skill, Golden Toad Shatters Mountain.

Though the name of that soul skill was rather disrespectful toward Yue Hongchen, its power was undeniable. It had broken through his defenses back then.

Golden Toad Shatters Mountain possessed two special effects:

The first was Tremor—the point where the fist force landed would produce a violent secondary shockwave, like a collapsing mountain, leaving spiderweb-like golden cracks across the target that continued to tear them apart;

The second was Penetration—the sharp golden energy was like needles and awls, capable of ignoring part of a target's soul power defenses and piercing straight into their body. At best, it disrupted the body internally; at worst, it could shatter internal organs.

If Yi Hongchen stacked his sixth and eighth soul skills while in his Martial Soul True Body state, he would not be at a disadvantage even against a close-combat Titled Douluo. He could even break through their defenses.

If the combined effects of those two soul skills landed, Yue Hongchen would be severely injured even if he survived. Seeing Yi Hongchen's punches growing increasingly fierce, Yue Hongchen hurriedly shouted, "Stop, stop, stop!"

At his words, Yi Hongchen's fist abruptly halted three inches from Yue Hongchen's chest armor. The lingering force of the punch blew against the armor with a muffled buzz. He withdrew his fist and took a step back, his breathing steady and his expression unchanged.

Yue Hongchen also withdrew his Martial Soul True Body, panting heavily, his forehead covered in sweat. He lowered his head to look at the dense cracks covering his chest armor, then looked back up at Yi Hongchen and gave a bitter smile.

"You bastard... Did you come out of seclusion specifically to tear me down?"

The corner of Yi Hongchen's lips lifted slightly. He reached out and patted Yue Hongchen on the shoulder, neither too hard nor too lightly. "Cousin, your defenses are still as solid as ever."

Yue Hongchen rolled his eyes and slapped his hand away irritably. His defenses could not even compare to Yi Hongchen's offense now, so there was nothing to be proud of.

At the edge of the training ground, Jing Hongchen watched the scene and nodded faintly, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.

Liu Yueming stood beside him, a faint smile resting on her lips.

Xiao Hongchen was shouting about how amazing his dad was, Meng Hongchen was fixing her windblown hair, and Yan Hongchen stood quietly to one side, his gaze fixed on the two men in the arena as he pondered.

This spar ended with restraint, yet it allowed everyone to see one another's strength and progress.

There was still a long road ahead, but at least at this moment, they were all together.