Battle in Progress (Part Two)

Hearing Yu Bingcheng introduce himself, Tang Chen yawned and gave his own introduction.

"Tang Chen. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Level forty-four Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor."

"What?"

Yu Bingcheng's eyes widened in shock at Tang Chen's introduction.

"You've got to be kidding! A kid who's only eight years old is level forty-four? Did he start cultivating in the womb? Even that wouldn't be enough!"

The crowd below was just as stunned. Eight years old and already past level forty-four?

Golden Crocodile Douluo lost his composure and shot to his feet, a fierce surge of Soul Power bursting from his body.

At the sight, Tang Yue stood as well. He released an equally powerful surge of Soul Power and forced Golden Crocodile Douluo's back.

He said coldly, "Golden Crocodile Douluo, a Titled Douluo ought to show some dignity."

Golden Crocodile Douluo wanted nothing more than to strike and pull this genius Tang Chen out by the roots.

But he was deep within the Clear Sky Sect, surrounded by Titled Douluo. He was certain that if he made a move, it would end badly for him.

So Golden Crocodile Douluo backed down.

"Hmph."

After a snort, he sat back in his chair.

Yu Bingcheng felt as though the sky had fallen.

Come on, man. I knew you were strong, but this is ridiculous.

That's just outright cheating!

Tang Chen, meanwhile, paid Yu Bingcheng no mind at all.

He merely crooked a finger, signaling Yu Bingcheng to attack first.

Yu Bingcheng had lost all will to fight, but he could not disgrace the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He could only give it everything he had and try once more.

Yu Bingcheng activated Martial Soul Possession. Blue-violet lightning crackled and burst around him as dragon scales rapidly spread across his skin. His hands became savage dragon claws, thunder coiled and coursed around his body, Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, and a chilling dragon aura exploded outward.

"Third Soul Skill, Thunderous Fury! First Soul Skill, Thunder Dragon Claw!"

Yu Bingcheng activated an enhancing Soul Skill first, then followed it with his first Soul Skill to close in for melee combat.

And Tang Chen?

Tang Chen only yawned, taking none of it seriously.

Seeing Tang Chen look down on him like this stoked Yu Bingcheng's anger.

He charged at Tang Chen.

Tang Chen neither dodged nor retreated. He threw a full-force punch at Yu Bingcheng.

Fist and claw collided.

To Tang Chen's surprise, although he had used only half his strength and no Soul Skills, the blow actually knocked him back a step.

Yu Bingcheng, on the other hand, stumbled back dozens of steps and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Tang Chen let out a surprised "Huh?"

Looks like I underestimated him a little, Tang Chen muttered to himself.

Seeing that Yu Bingcheng had not been knocked off the arena, Tang Chen had no choice but to step forward and finish the job.

He slowly walked up to Yu Bingcheng and kicked him off the arena.

After Tang Chen's victory, the host stepped forward and announced, "Number six, Tang Chen, versus number twenty-five, Yu Bingcheng. Tang Chen wins!"

The following matches were fiercely contested. Without a monster like Tang Chen whose sheer power dwarfed everyone else, Soul Skills flew and clashed in dazzling succession. The sight left the crowd full of feeling.

"Now that's a real Soul Master duel!"

Before long, the day's matches were over.

Tang Chen had easily defeated his second opponent as well.

Tang Ao, however, had run into one of Spirit Hall's geniuses and lost after being overwhelmed by his opponent's speed.

Seeing Tang Ao lose again, Tang Chen sighed. I thought everyone on the Douluo Continent was supposed to be an idiot. Why are there so many people who know how to dodge skills?

Tang Chen figured Tang Ao was simply unlucky. Look—level thirty-eight Tang Ao had failed to advance, while Tang Xiao of the Clear Sky Team had made it through. That proved there were still plenty of fools on the Douluo Continent.

Once they returned to their rooms, Tang Xiao and the others seized every moment to restore their Soul Power and prepare for tomorrow's fights.

Tang Chen, meanwhile, lay on his bed, snoring away without a care.

Tang Yue had also returned home, but he could not sleep.

"That brat went and told everyone his Soul Power Level. He didn't even use a Soul Ring or any Soul Power. Great. Just great."

The more Tang Yue thought about it, the more troublesome it seemed.

Besides, Tang Yue had seen utter arrogance in Tang Chen's eyes. Tang Chen had not taken a single opponent in the tournament seriously.

"Haah..."

Tang Yue could only heave a deep sigh.

He had no way to change Tang Chen's arrogance, nor did he want to.

Things had gone too smoothly for Tang Chen.

Tang Chen had never suffered a real setback.

He had lost before, to be sure, but only to Soul Masters many years older than him, or to those whose Soul Power exceeded his by more than twenty levels and who countered him besides.

Forget anyone his own age—even a Soul Saint would have no chance against Tang Chen as he was now.

It was no exaggeration to say that if a Titled Douluo fought without Soul Skills, he could not beat Tang Chen fighting without Soul Skills either.

Tang Chen's physical body had already surpassed that of an ordinary Titled Douluo, and his strength far exceeded theirs.

Add Tang Chen's many domains, and with his current power, he could roam anywhere on the Douluo Continent unhindered as long as he did not run into a Limit Douluo.

At the thought, Tang Yue sighed deeply.

"Haah... I'll just let things take their course."

Then Tang Yue settled into meditative cultivation.

Before long, the sun rose again.

Another day had arrived.

The host made the usual announcement.

"Lords Soul Master, today we'll decide the winner."

The thirteen contestants were randomly shuffled and paired with whoever stood nearby.

Those who had chosen their opponents could begin at once.

Before long, everyone except Tang Chen had an opponent.

No one would choose Tang Chen, so he received a bye.

"Next up: Tang Xiao of the Clear Sky Sect versus Qian Gu Xifeng of Spirit Hall."

Qian Gu Xifeng summoned his Coiling Dragon Staff and walked forward step by step.

"Qian Gu Xifeng. Martial Soul: Coiling Dragon Staff. Level forty Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder."

"Tang Xiao. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Level thirty Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster."

Exactly ten levels separated them.

Qian Gu Xifeng truly was the scion of a distinguished family. His manners were impeccable.

Before attacking, he cupped his hands, said, "Please," and only then began.

Tang Xiao followed his example, returning Qian Gu Xifeng's salute as best he could.

Only then did the two truly begin their fight.

"Ha!"

Qian Gu Xifeng swung his Coiling Dragon Staff down in a blow that could cleave Mount Hua.

Tang Xiao refused to yield. He raised his Clear Sky Hammer and smashed it toward the Coiling Dragon Staff.

Their weapons rang out as they traded blows, neither giving ground.

But Tang Xiao had ten fewer levels of Soul Power than Qian Gu Xifeng. His stamina fell far short, and his strength was only a notch above Qian Gu Xifeng's—not enough to give him a decisive advantage.

Qian Gu Xifeng's spirits rose at finding a worthy opponent. It had been a long time since he had met someone who could fight him on such even terms.