Battle with Yu Tianheng

At that moment, their heads were all buzzing. Qin Ming's was no exception.

What kind of thing was that to say?

How could he say something so shocking so casually?

He was only nine years old, for crying out loud. Did he have to defy the heavens like that?

"If you don't believe me, Brother Xue can vouch for me."

Seeing their reactions, Huo Linfei thought they didn't believe him, so he added that.

There was still one thing he hadn't told them: he had even killed a Soul Ancestor.

He was afraid someone among them might have a weak heart. If an accident happened, that would be bad.

After all, if they went and asked, they would find out it was true.

With Xue Qinghe as his guarantor and Huo Linfei sounding so certain, he hardly seemed to be lying. The looks on everyone's faces grew even graver.

That also told them who stood behind Huo Linfei.

Almost everyone swallowed at the same time.

The child before them wasn't even ten, yet he already had such a past. Young as he was, he was ruthless to the bone. If he lived long enough to grow stronger, he would turn the entire continent upside down.

"Ahem. You know what? I think I'll pass on sparring with you, junior."

Dugu Yan came back to her senses. The look she gave Huo Linfei had grown considerably clearer.

She was confident she was stronger than the Soul Master Huo Linfei had killed, even though she was one level lower.

But a match wouldn't let her gauge his true strength anyway. And if the little fellow didn't know when to hold back, she would be in for a miserable time.

He didn't look like the sort to go easy on a woman. After thinking it over, Dugu Yan decided to let it go.

Later, she would learn just how wise that decision had been.

"In that case, let Tian Heng do it. What do you two think?"

Qin Ming spoke, looking at Yu Tianheng and Huo Linfei.

"No problem."

They answered at the same time.

Yu Tianheng looked at Huo Linfei, who stood a head shorter and was seven or eight years younger. Far from relaxed, he looked grave.

He considered himself unbeatable against anyone of the same rank and capable of defeating opponents one or two levels above him. Yet facing Huo Linfei, he felt far less certain.

"Please."

With everything settled, the two prepared to spar. The others moved at least five meters away.

Both revealed their Soul Rings.

When Huo Linfei's two purple Soul Rings lit up, everyone still fell into a daze. They were simply too dazzling.

They felt they would never see such a sight on anyone else in their lives.

Compared with Huo Linfei's, Yu Tianheng's Soul Rings were conventional: two yellow and one purple. Even that purple ring was only about as deep in color as Huo Linfei's First Soul Ring.

"I'm coming, Huo Linfei. Be careful."

Yu Tianheng looked at Huo Linfei, took a deep breath, and cleared away his stray thoughts.

"I will. You be careful too, senior."

Huo Linfei answered.

No sooner had he spoken than both moved. Their Martial Souls lit up, and two imposing figures appeared, one red and one blue. The red phantom resembled a qilin, with crimson flames winding around its body like ribbons.

The blue phantom was a long dragon wreathed in white lightning.

Both were astonishingly fast. In almost an instant, they clashed.

They threw punches at the same time. Neither used any tricks; both chose to meet force with force!

Bang!

Their powerful Soul Power collided, and their fists met with a thunderous crack!

The force sent both of them staggering backward!!

Yu Tianheng took seven steps back. Huo Linfei took seven as well.

Their clash of raw strength looked like a draw, but Yu Tianheng had actually lost.

Their Soul Power Levels differed by a full six levels. And when Yu Tianheng unleashed all his Soul Power, he could strike with force two levels above his own. That punch had been equivalent to a level thirty-seven Soul Elder's.

"He really is strong!"

After that exchange, no one doubted Huo Linfei's strength any longer.

The first round of probing was over. Now came the second.

"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!"

"First Soul Skill: Fire Fist!"

They unleashed their First Soul Skills at the same time. The claw of a huge blue dragon, wreathed in white lightning, slammed toward Huo Linfei!

At that same moment, an enormous crimson fist of flame appeared and met the dragon's claw!

Boom!

The two Soul Skills collided with a violent roar. After struggling against the blue Soul Power for a moment, the red Soul Power canceled it out!

"Another draw!"

Dugu Yan couldn't help crying out.

She knew Yu Tianheng's strength and the power of his Soul Skills. She knew them very well.

The others, none as strong as Dugu Yan, watched the fight with extraordinary expressions. Their eyelids twitched, and their hearts pounded in alarm.

Fierce. Far too fierce!

They couldn't even get past Dugu Yan, let alone Yu Tianheng.

Seeing Huo Linfei trade blows with Yu Tianheng, they were deeply glad they hadn't stubbornly insisted on fighting him.

They weren't the only ones thinking that. Dugu Yan felt the same.

"Second Soul Skill: Thunderous Might!"

Yu Tianheng unleashed his Second Soul Skill.

It was a wide-area attack.

As Yu Tianheng's words fell, the sky above Huo Linfei darkened. Clusters of lightning charged with violent power began to flicker and surge. At last, countless bolts as thick as bowls crashed down, blotting out the sky!

"First Soul Skill: Fire Fist!"

The instant the lightning fell, Huo Linfei looked up and drove a ferocious punch toward the sky!

The flaming fist shot upward and scattered the falling lightning. No matter how many bolts struck, it did not dissipate. Instead, it soared skyward with unstoppable force!

Beneath the flaming fist, Huo Linfei stood unharmed.

The next instant, the fist plunged into the darkened sky. Red light flashed, and the storm clouds scattered at once, vanishing without a trace!!

"So strong... He broke the captain's Second Soul Skill with his First."

"I never thought he could use his First Soul Skill like that..."

The others couldn't help marveling at the sight.

Qin Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, staring straight at Huo Linfei.

It now seemed everything the little fellow had said was true. His reactions were sharp, too. No wonder he could overcome a gap of several levels and kill a Soul Elder.

Yu Tianheng showed little surprise when his Second Soul Skill was broken. He had expected it.

His Second Soul Skill dealt damage over an area, so its power against a single target couldn't match his First. Besides, his opponent's First Soul Skill came from a thousand-year Soul Ring. It was only natural that it could break his attack.

"Phew. Watch out for this next move, junior."

Yu Tianheng let out a breath and addressed Huo Linfei.

"All right. Show me what you've got, senior."

Huo Linfei answered with an inviting gesture.

"Third Soul Skill: Dragon's Wrath!"