Huyan Hao

Registration required presenting a Soul Master handbook. Once they saw the records inside, they would definitely be shocked.

Their first thought would be that Tie Li had used some kind of evil secret technique, followed by an attempt to arrest him.

A Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster escaping alive from Spirit Hall's enforcement squad?

The outcome seemed predetermined.

For now, he could only give up the Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster stipend.

Ten Gold Soul Coins a month was not worth risking his life for.

"First, I'll head to the Great Soul Arena." A flicker of excitement flashed through Tie Li's eyes.

The eight-hundred-year Thunder Python Soul Ring had not only granted considerable physical enhancements, but also perfectly matched the attributes he needed.

Both Soul Rings came from the same type of Soul Beast, achieving the best possible enhancement for his Martial Soul.

Upon arriving at the Soul Fighting Arena section of the Great Soul Arena, he registered for the next one-on-one Soul Master match.

Among Two-Ring Soul Grandmasters, a Soul Power Level of twenty-two offered no advantage. Most opponents he encountered would be above level twenty-five.

After successfully being matched with an opponent, a staff member led Tie Li to a smaller Soul Fighting Arena.

A fierce Soul Master match had just ended in this smaller arena.

The spectators were still swept up in excitement, wave after wave of cheers seeming to welcome the next Soul Masters onto the stage.

"That last match was truly spectacular! The next two Soul Masters certainly won't disappoint us; let us welcome the gifted Soul Master from the Elephant Armored Sect, Huyan Hao!"

When the referee on the Soul Fighting Platform saw the introduction on the list, even he could not help but be startled.

It was actually the Elephant Armored Sect, one of the seven top sects, possessing the finest defensive Martial Soul: the Diamond Mammoth.

Sure enough, when the audience heard the words Elephant Armored Sect, the entire venue fell silent for a second before erupting in overwhelming cheers.

"My god, he's actually a disciple of the Elephant Armored Sect!"

"Hahaha! I bet a full ten Gold Soul Coins on him. The odds are terrifyingly low, but this money is practically free!"

"Then isn't his opponent in for a miserable time?"

Only then did the referee's gaze fall upon Tie Li's introduction.

"His opponent is Giant Strength, a Soul Master with the Iron Hammer Martial Soul."

Compared to his opponent's introduction, the referee's voice was far more flat, even carrying a trace of disdain.

Though both were Two-Ring Soul Grandmasters, how could he compare with a disciple of the Elephant Armored Sect who possessed a top-tier Beast Martial Soul?

Amid the spectators' cheers, the two stepped onto the Soul Fighting Platform.

This was Tie Li's first time facing an opponent who put him under considerable pressure. The other man's body resembled a mountain of flesh, with smooth bare patches on either side of his forehead and a strange ponytail tied behind his head.

"Huyan Hao, level twenty-eight, Diamond Mammoth Martial Soul, Defense-Type Battle Soul Master!"

He announced his Martial Soul and Soul Power Level out of respect for his opponent.

Huyan Hao sensed a threat from Tie Li.

"Giant Strength, level twenty-two, Forging Hammer Martial Soul, Power Attack-Type Battle Soul Master!"

After both sides announced their Martial Souls and Soul Power Levels, the referee declared the match begun.

As a member of the Elephant Armored Sect, Huyan Hao had the optimal Soul Ring configuration and a top-tier Beast Martial Soul. In terms of Martial Soul quality, Tie Li was inferior; in Soul Power Level, Huyan Hao surpassed him by six levels.

But Tie Li's body had been strengthened by a Soul Bone, so he might not necessarily be weaker.

Both of them possessed the optimal Soul Ring configuration. Two yellow Soul Rings appeared around each of them.

A streak of lightning flashed in Tie Li's hand, and the roar of a Thunder Python could faintly be heard behind him.

An invisible pressure descended upon Huyan Hao.

Tie Li struck first. He launched himself forward with force beneath his feet, his Forging Hammer howling through the air as it smashed viciously toward Huyan Hao's chest.

For a Soul Master with a top-tier defensive Martial Soul, there was nothing less frightening than a frontal power attack.

With a loud roar, Huyan Hao completed Martial Soul Possession. The loose fat on his body rapidly contracted into exaggerated, terrifying slabs of muscle. A layer of dark yellow keratinous armor covered his entire body, gleaming with a metallic luster. His nose extended and lengthened, his upper lip curled back, and two tusks a full foot long protruded from his mouth.

Huyan Hao extended his enormous palm and actually caught Tie Li's explosive strike head-on.

The lightning on the Forging Hammer was easily blocked by the keratinous armor, unable to inflict much damage.

"Your strength is impressive, but compared to mine, you're still a little lacking." Huyan Li shook his arm and forced Tie Li back.

With his fingers interlocked, he formed a massive flesh hammer and smashed it down toward where Tie Li had landed.

Tie Li had just landed and could not dodge in time. He could only hold the Forging Hammer horizontally before him to block Huyan Hao's attack.

Bang!

Tie Li felt an immense force pressing down on him, forcing his body to bend slightly. Fortunately, he managed to withstand it.

His Second Soul Ring lit up. Bolts of lightning gathered around the Forging Hammer before a surge of lightning burst forth.

This was Tie Li's Second Soul Skill, Thunderclap Break!

The lightning released by condensing and firing his own thunder power would forcibly knock back the enemy, inflict lightning damage, and leave them briefly stunned.

Using the Second Soul Skill alone resulted in Thunderclap Break.

But if he activated the First Soul Skill before releasing the Second Soul Skill, it produced a different effect: pure single-target damage.

Both Soul Rings came from the same kind of Soul Beast. With the enhancement of the First Soul Ring, the perfect attribute compatibility of the Second Soul Ring, and the aid of the Thousand-Year Thunder Python Inner Core, how could his Second Soul Skill be so simple?

Still, to break free from Huyan Hao's suppression, Thunderclap Break was the most suitable option.

It forcibly knocked Huyan Hao back and left him briefly stunned.

Seizing the chance to counterattack, Tie Li's First Soul Ring lit up.

The Forging Hammer transformed into the Thunder Hammer form. Thunder Armor rapidly spread from the hammer's handle onto Tie Li's arm, this time covering all the way to his joints.

His Second Soul Ring lit up once more.

Second Soul Skill, Thunder Strike!

Pure single-target damage also meant exceptionally high attack power.

The briefly stunned Huyan Hao suddenly regained consciousness. Sensing danger, he forcibly shook off the stun.

This was one of the advantages of a top-tier Martial Soul.

First Soul Ring, Second Soul Ring—activate!

His already exaggerated body swelled further, reaching a staggering height of four meters. A dark gleam flashed across the keratinous armor covering his body.

First Soul Skill, Copper Wall, Iron Bastion!

Second Soul Skill, Mammoth Strength!

Both Soul Skills were enhancement-type skills, massively increasing Huyan Hao's defense and physique.

Bang!

Buzz!

Huyan Hao actually endured Tie Li's full-force strike. Mammoth Strength not only increased his defense, but also enhanced Huyan Hao's strength.

As he blocked the attack, he spun around and threw a punch.

Tie Li immediately raised his left arm before himself to resist the blow.

Boom!

Tie Li was blasted away, crashing into the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Cough, cough!

Half-collapsed on the ground, Tie Li struggled to rise. His left arm trembled unnaturally; Huyan Hao's punch had nearly shattered the bones in it.

Was this the power of a top-tier Martial Soul?

This was only the early stage, yet the gap between them was already this great. If both of them were six-ring Soul Emperors, the difference would only be even more outrageous.