Monster! Monsters Will Be Killed by Ultraman!

He brought his hands together before him, and a long-handled Dark Nether Halberd condensed in his palms. Its entire body was dark cyan, its blade gleaming with cold light and carrying a dense aura of water element as it cleaved down at Tang Wulin's head.

Tang Wulin raised his left hand, meeting the Dark Nether Halberd with his Golden Dragon Claw.

The instant claw and halberd collided, a muffled boom erupted, like thunder rolling deep within the clouds.

Fine cracks burst across the Dark Nether Halberd's shaft. Xu Sanshi's hands went numb from the shock, and he involuntarily staggered back two steps, his soles scraping two pale marks across the bluestone floor.

A serious look finally appeared on his face. All the earlier laughter and ease had completely vanished.

He took a deep breath and activated his second soul skill again. The remaining two Dark Nether Shields closed together in front of him, forming a thick tortoiseshell shield half a man tall. Layer upon layer of patterns covered its surface, pushing its defensive power to the limit.

The enhancement from his third soul skill was still active. Dark cyan turtle patterns emerged over his arms, and his strength reached its current peak.

Tang Wulin gave him no chance to catch his breath.

He suddenly pushed off with his feet. Dark golden dragon scales spread upward from the backs of his hands, covering his forearms. His pace was faster than before, every step like a heavy hammer striking the arena floor and leaving a trail of shallow footprints.

His right Golden Dragon Claw was wrapped in dense golden blood energy. Fine golden patterns curled over its talons as it crashed brutally into the closed tortoiseshell shield with a nearly tyrannical tearing force.

"Boom—"

An incomparably muffled blast exploded from the point of impact. The soul power pillars at all four corners of the arena lit up at once, their defensive patterns spinning rapidly and dispersing most of the shockwave, yet the spectators still felt a distinct tremor.

Xu Sanshi braced both hands against the tortoiseshell shield, his back bent and his feet deeply embedded in the ground as the force drove him three steps backward.

He gritted his teeth, veins bulging across his forehead as a low groan escaped his throat.

Tang Wulin's second claw followed immediately after.

But he did not put much force into it. If he crippled the guy in one move, where would he find such a good punching bag to play with later?

Xu Sanshi felt his entire arm go numb. The vibrations traveled from the shield into his arms, then from his arms into his chest, shaking his internal organs along with them.

He was already having trouble keeping his footing. His boots kept sliding backward over the bluestone slabs, leaving several uneven scrape marks.

When the third claw came down, the tortoiseshell shield finally developed its first penetrating crack. Dim light leaked from the fissure like a wound that had been forcibly torn open.

The fourth claw widened the crack into a gap as wide as a palm, and the patterns flowing across the shield began to dim and break apart.

Tang Wulin drew back his right claw, lowering into a stance. In that instant, the blood energy throughout his body gathered into his right arm. Dark golden light spread from his wrist to the tips of his claws, and his five fingers suddenly clenched like an iron vise.

His entire body was like a fully drawn bow, then it abruptly sprang loose. His right arm tore through the air with a howl of wind, and that claw landed directly in the center of the deepest crack in the tortoiseshell shield.

"Crack—"

A shattering sound crisper than any of the previous collisions rang out across the arena.

The thick tortoiseshell shield completely broke apart from the crack, countless dark cyan fragments shooting in every direction before dissolving into scattered motes of light in midair.

Xu Sanshi's body swayed sharply as he stumbled back four or five steps, his back nearly crashing into the soul power pillar at the edge of the arena.

His arms hung limply at his sides. His palms were bright red, and the skin between his thumb and forefinger had split open, tiny beads of blood seeping out.

He panted heavily, his forehead covered in sweat the size of beans. His knees were slightly bent, as though he had exhausted all his strength just to keep from dropping to his knees.

He raised his head and looked at the youth opposite him, the golden blood-energy halo around Tang Wulin still slowly rotating. His lips moved twice before he finally gave a bitter laugh, his voice carrying self-mockery and unwillingness. "...You really are a monster."

Oh, a monster!

One day, monsters will be killed by righteous Ultraman!

Damn it, my thoughts got derailed again!

Damn Jiang Nan!

Scrawny Eriyi!

Tang Wulin withdrew his hands, and the layer of dark golden dragon scales over their backs slowly faded away, revealing normal skin beneath.

He smiled at Xu Sanshi, his tone warm and carrying the open ease unique to a young man. "Your defense is pretty good. You're the toughest among people my age that I've met. If you ever want someone to spar with, you can come find me anytime."

Xu Sanshi opened his mouth, then closed it again. In the end, he gave a muffled "Mm," flipped down from the other side of the arena, and lightly bent his knees when he landed. His legs were clearly still a little weak.

The stands fell silent for a moment before erupting in cheers even louder than before.

A first-year student had defeated a fifth-year student. This was simply unbelievable!

Tang Wulin turned around, about to jump down from the arena, when the corner of his eye swept over a seat in the third row of the stands.

His gaze froze.

Gu Yuena was sitting there quietly, her long silver-white hair cascading over her shoulders and glowing softly beneath the afternoon sun.

Her hands were folded over her knees, her posture as well-behaved as a porcelain doll's. Yet Tang Wulin could clearly see light slowly flowing deep within those clear purple eyes.

At first, it was only a faint thread of silver-violet, like someone had lightly stirred the ripples deep beneath a lake's surface. But the light grew brighter and denser.

An incredibly fine ring of six-colored light emerged in the center of her pupils—crimson gold, deep blue, azure green, earthy brown, bright silver, and silver-white. The six elements converged and circulated within her eyes, blending with one another while remaining distinctly separate.

The air around her began to ripple faintly, like a stone thrown into still water, invisible waves spreading outward from her side in ring after ring.

The fingers resting on her knees curled slightly, as though she were desperately suppressing something trying to surge out.

Tang Wulin jumped down from the edge of the arena and quickly crossed the aisle in the stands. Squatting before her, he gently waved a hand in front of her eyes and lowered his voice. "Na'er? Are you okay?"

Gu Yuena blinked, and the six-colored light in her purple eyes slowly receded, returning them to their usual crystal-clear appearance.

She looked up into Tang Wulin's concerned eyes, her lips curving into a smile tinged with innocence and dependence. "I'm fine, Brother. It's just... when I saw you fighting just now, it felt like something inside my body was moving too... wanting to be with you, Brother..."

Tang Wulin looked at her utterly unaware expression and gently rubbed the top of her head. He said nothing more, merely smiling and giving a soft "Mm."

He straightened up and turned away. A trace of deep contemplation passed through his eyes, only to be covered again by his gentle, composed smile.

Gu Yue?