The seal was lifted, and Taotie Douluo Xuan Fan stood up.
His muscles and bones rumbled in a chaotic series of cracking sounds. Although Heaven Dragon Douluo had not consulted him regarding the choice of combatants for this match, the Sky Screen was broadcasting live right now-could he possibly say no?!
How would old Xuan ever show his face in the future if he did?
Heaven Dragon Douluo had just delivered that stirring, passionate speech about "brightening the sword" and "the meaning of cultivation," getting everyone's blood boiling, only to turn around and chicken out the moment he was called upon?!
Once this whole affair blew over, would Heaven Dragon Douluo come looking for trouble with him?
Would the entire Sun Moon Empire imperial family pick a bone with him!
Never mind that he was the Supreme Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult; even if he were the biological father of the Holy Spirit Cult's master, he would still be utterly finished!
Therefore, he could not back down. Once he retreated, he would no longer have any standing whatsoever on the Sun Moon Continent.
Although the strength of the young man before him was indeed worthy of recognition, he also possessed his own pride.
He was the Godly Taotie Bull, carrying the Dragon God Bloodline, standing at the absolute pinnacle among beast martial souls. Furthermore, his cultivation had reached the peak of Level 98, meaning his combat power was virtually indistinguishable from an ordinary Limit Douluo.
Although he had been beaten up by Red Dragon Douluo earlier and even sealed, his combat power was currently only slightly off its peak state-it should still be more than enough!
He stepped forward, the phantom of the Godly Taotie Bull materializing once more behind him. Lifting his gaze to look at the graceful figure of Ye Su opposite him, a cold and fierce battle intent gradually rose in his expression:
"Heroes truly come from the youth. If you and I were to contend at the same tier, I would certainly be no match for you.
"However, First Prince, today I represent the dignity and honor of the Sun Moon Empire, and can only unleash the full extent of my Level 98 cultivation. It may be slightly unfair, but I ask for your understanding."
Ye Su stood rooted to the spot, his white robes fluttering gently in the wind. His demeanor remained as warm and poised as before, resembling a young noble out on a spring excursion, holding a sheepskin scroll in his hand without a shred of murderous aura about him.
"You jest, Your Excellency. The rules were established by both empires simultaneously, and the combatants were chosen of our own free will. There is no so-called unfairness.
"Even if I lose, my Blue Silver Empire will never go back on our word."
Before his voice faded, Ye Su lightly lifted his fingertips, and the yellowish pages of the Sheepskin Heavenly Book turned gently, a strand of supremely pure Life-Origin Dao Resonance flowing outward.
"Restore."
With the single word, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged abruptly at his fingertips.
The next moment, boundless and pristine life essence transformed into a pale golden stream of light visible to the naked eye. It surged toward Xuan Fan, swiftly replenishing the latent weariness he had suffered during his clash with Red Dragon Douluo. Even his blood vitality and spiritual soul recovered to their absolute peak in this very instant, wiping away every trace of exhaustion.
The Godly Taotie Bull phantom behind Xuan Fan solidified to the ultimate limit. Ye Su's maneuver had left him completely dumbfounded.
What in the world is this kid playing at?
Is he asking me to go easy on him later?
Ah, I got it!
Just watch and see, I'll definitely make sure you don't lose too ugly a match.
Believing he had completely grasped Ye Su's subtext, Xuan Fan even blinked at Ye Su to signal that he understood.
Goosebumps instantly broke out all over Ye Su. What kind of weirdo was this old man, blinking at him with such a lewd expression? Disgusting!!
Meanwhile, a cascade of glowing reviews was already rolling in across the Sky Screen.
[Blue Silver Continent · Sky Screen Reviewer Liu Er]:
"As expected of the First Prince! I could cry! What magnanimity, what overarching vision!!"
[Sun Moon Continent · Academy Instructor Liu San]:
"Tell me, what is he?!"
"A real man!!"
"A real man!!"
"A real man!!"
On the battlefield, Xuan Fan shuddered all over, clearly sensing the brim-full, ultimate power within his body. His understanding of Ye Su's methods deepened, leaving his heart filled with a complex mix of respect and bewilderment. He drew a deep breath:
"First Prince, please!!!"
The next second, the earth-yellow Soul Power around Xuan Fan condensed into near-solid substance. As his surging battle intent soared, his peak Level 98 combat power was completely unleashed!
"Seventh Soul Skill-Taotie True Body!"
BOOM-!
Terrifying true dragon majesty blasted outward in all directions, the ocean waves instantly being driven backward by the sheer force of that intangible pressure.
The phantom of a giant mutant beast over thirty meters in length materialized from the void!
Although Xuan Fan had previously unleashed his Martial Soul Avatar, every time he looked at it, he still found its form truly tyrannical!
Its sheep-like body was covered in dense, dark-gold scales, and its eyes-unlike those of ordinary ferocious beasts-grew beneath its armpits, their gazes dark and sweeping across all directions. Its tiger-like mouth was filled with sharp sword-teeth, while the tips of its claws gleamed with earth-yellow blade-like cold light. Atop its head grew a pair of five-meter-long, thick, and ferocious giant curved horns, radiating a terrifying aura.
Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red-nine distinct soul rings floated in an orderly arrangement between its two giant horns, spinning and revolving up and down. Layers of earth-yellow halos overlapped, fully displaying the profound foundation of a Level 98 Super Douluo.
The ancient and primordial Dragon God Bloodline infused the entire battlefield with its might.
Dragon bloodline, martial soul avatar, and peak Level 98 combat power-at this moment, Xuan Fan truly seemed capable of shaking a Limit Douluo!
This match was his to win!
"Gravity Control!"
Xuan Fan made the first move. His giant horns trembled, and a soul ring swayed gently, unleashing its power as doubled gravity instantly enveloped the entire arena.
The once-breezy sea breeze seemed to stagnate at this moment, seabirds plummeted into the ocean, and the towering waves that had once stood several meters high could now only ripple slightly, utterly incapable of kicking up any spray.
This terrifying, oppressive weight instantly blanketed the battlefield, quite sufficient to crush an ordinary Titled Douluo to the ground if caught off guard.
Yet Ye Su remained in the center of the arena, his posture as graceful and poised as ever, his white robes unsoiled. His feet merely sank three inches into the empty air before automatically righting themselves.
He merely flipped the Heavenly Book in his hand, a pale golden light covering his body as he spat a single word:
"Lighten."
A simple, straightforward word directly neutralized Xuan Fan's doubled gravity.
Not only was he not suppressed, but his form grew even lighter, resembling an immortal stepping upon the wind. He strolled casually, effortlessly evading the confinement of gravity.
Xuan Fan was no slouch either; his combat experience was exceptionally seasoned. Seeing Ye Su execute his move, he instantly reversed the direction of gravity, turning the downward force upward in a flash.
He expected Ye Su to bounce up into the sky like a compressed spring,
but nothing of the sort happened.
A faint smile played at the corners of Ye Su's lips as he looked at the behemoth. He only needed a single thought to communicate with the power of the Heavenly Book.
The only reason he usually needed to speak it aloud was to look cool.
If he were ever in a real fight where opening his mouth became impossible, a single thought would suffice to make it take effect.
Seeing this, Xuan Fan's massive form swayed slightly, though his heart remained entirely steady, his battle intent only growing more fervent.
He stimulated his soul ring once more, stacking his offensives layer upon layer to bombard the opponent like a violent storm!
"Heavenly Meteor!"
"Divine Bull Descends from Heaven!"
The firmament shifted colors. Earth-yellow Soul Power gathered around the Godly Taotie Bull, and the next moment-driven by its gravity manipulation combined with Xuan Fan's Level 98 earth-attribute affinity-countless boulders the size of millstones plummeted from the heavens, tearing through the clouds and falling in a dense, torrential rain. They sealed off the entire battlefield and hurtled straight toward Ye Su.
Flying debris, blazing fire, and the elemental might of the earth element were fully displayed in this attack. Even an ordinary Super Douluo would have to handle this move with extreme caution.
Before you continue