Zhao Wuji's Challenge, the Might of the Heavenly Demon Hand

"You refuse to release her, even though Shrek has shown more than enough sincerity!"

"Then I'll have to make you release her!"

Seeing that Li Tianyuan had no intention of releasing her, Zhao Wuji unleashed a surge of soul power. His Vajra Strength Bear martial soul manifested, erupting with an astonishing sense of oppression.

At the same time, his seven soul rings appeared: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, revealing his formidable strength.

A powerful, intimidating force radiated from him.

The entire Heavenly Secrets Tower rattled under its force.

"Teacher Zhao has finally been provoked!"

"He's a Battle Soul Saint. Let's see what the master of this Heavenly Secrets Tower can bring to the fight!"

Outside, Dai Mubai felt that formidable power and spoke with anticipation.

"Forcing Teacher Zhao to act... it looks like this Mr. Li of the Heavenly Secrets Tower hasn't shown him any respect!"

"Now it all comes down to their strength!"

Tang San glanced into the Heavenly Secrets Tower and sneered in a low voice.

He wanted to see just how powerful Li Tianyuan really was.

"Teacher Zhao is a level seventy-six Battle Soul Saint! That fellow doesn't know his own limits, daring to force him into a fight. He'll be beaten black and blue in a moment!"

Anticipation showed on Ning Rongrong's face as well. Certain that Li Tianyuan was no match for Zhao Wuji, she craned her neck to peer into the Heavenly Secrets Tower.

"Are you still unwilling to release her?"

A wild grin spread across Zhao Wuji's face as he looked at Li Tianyuan.

He believed that, with his martial soul unleashed and his soul rings accompanying it, anyone with sense would recognize the difficulty, retreat, and obediently release her.

"With that paltry strength, you dare act so insolently before me?"

Li Tianyuan scoffed.

"You... you actually dare scoff at me!"

That scoff stung Zhao Wuji. As a level seventy-six Battle Soul Saint, he was a figure of some standing in Suotuo City. No one had ever scoffed at him before.

"Martial Soul Possession!"

Zhao Wuji let out a low growl.

His soul power exploded outward, and his body abruptly grew taller, rapidly swelling to over two and a half meters. His muscles bulged wildly, knotted like rock, while a thick layer of short, brown fur emerged from beneath his skin and covered his entire body.

His eyes quickly turned yellow-brown, his pupils contracting with the domineering, savage gleam of a wild beast. His hands swelled, his palms becoming enormous and heavy, and short, hard bear claws grew from his fingertips.

He had become a monster, half man and half bear!

A formidable oppressive force came crushing down.

"Will you release her now?"

Zhao Wuji flexed his claws and pointed at Li Tianyuan. His voice sounded like a beast's roar, enough to make anyone's scalp prickle.

With such might on display, he refused to believe Li Tianyuan would still not bow his head.

"The Vajra Strength Bear martial soul is certainly imposing!"

"But... taste a slap from me first!"

Li Tianyuan remained utterly composed. He raised his hand, deciding to give Zhao Wuji a slap.

He had only recently mastered the Heavenly Demon Hand soul skill and was eager to test its power.

"You're playing with fire!"

Zhao Wuji had not expected Li Tianyuan to remain defiant. He roared in fury and prepared to attack.

At that very moment, Li Tianyuan swung his hand up. An enormous black palm seemed to appear over his own, wreathed in waves of pitch-black energy.

The blow struck Zhao Wuji's body.

With a resounding bang, Zhao Wuji, who looked like a miniature mountain, was sent flying by that vicious slap.

Zhao Wuji hurtled backward out of the Heavenly Secrets Tower and slammed into the paving stones, shattering many of them and scattering fragments everywhere.

The students, who had just believed Zhao Wuji could turn the tables, were all dumbstruck.

"Teacher Zhao, are you all right?"

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened. When he had been knocked out of the building, he had nearly crashed into her.

Fortunately, she had dodged in time.

Dai Mubai was equally shocked. "Teacher Zhao, are you hurt?"

Tang San could not help stepping forward to offer Zhao Wuji a hand, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

Zhao Wuji shook himself and climbed to his feet. Although that blow had knocked him out of the building, his body had become far tougher after possessing his Vajra Strength Bear martial soul. He had suffered only superficial injuries.

"Damn it!"

"What soul skill did that fellow use? How is it so powerful?"

Zhao Wuji clenched his fists and glared into the Heavenly Secrets Tower, his wide eyes filled with ferocity.

Meanwhile, Li Tianyuan walked out from within.

"Zhao Wuji, what punishment do you deserve for running wild in the Heavenly Secrets Tower?"

With his hands clasped behind his back, Li Tianyuan looked at him and spoke in a grave voice.

"What did you say?"

"What punishment do I deserve?"

Li Tianyuan's words provoked Zhao Wuji once again.

This fellow before him was truly arrogant!

"Exactly. You relied on your status as a Battle Soul Saint and tried to crush me with your might. Do you really think you're blameless?"

Li Tianyuan spoke coldly.

Those words instantly ignited Zhao Wuji's temper. He laughed wildly. "A joke! What a joke! I've roamed unchecked through Suotuo City for so long, and no one has ever called me to account!"

"Do you really think you can defeat me?"

Zhao Wuji roared, a bloodthirsty gleam creeping into his brown pupils.

Seeing this, the surrounding students backed away.

"Teacher Zhao is about to unleash his full strength. That fellow's in for it now!"

Ning Rongrong held her head as she moved aside, ready to enjoy the show.

"Hmph, that fellow is far too arrogant. He actually disregards Teacher Zhao's strength!"

Xiao Wu spoke with a pout. She felt that Li Tianyuan was truly arrogant and overbearing.

"He really is too arrogant. Let's see just how capable he is!"

Dai Mubai had thought himself a proud man, but before Li Tianyuan, his pride seemed to amount to nothing.

Tang San silently hid to one side like a cunning fox, secretly activating Purple Demon Eye to observe Li Tianyuan's true strength.

That way, he could find an opening and perhaps deal with Li Tianyuan.

"Second soul skill, Great Strength Vajra Palm!"

At that moment, Zhao Wuji moved and thrust out his palm. Powerful martial soul energy gathered over it, radiating a yellow halo as he launched a crushing strike at Li Tianyuan.

Li Tianyuan remained where he stood, raised his hand, and swept it out once again.

The Heavenly Demon Hand took shape. A black palm rose before him like a dark cloud, slightly larger than Zhao Wuji's entire body, and swept forward in a heavy slap.

Zhao Wuji's Great Strength Vajra Palm collided with it but could not unleash even a fraction of its power. He was forcibly knocked away, staggering back many steps and nearly reaching the other end of the street.

Only after a spell of dizziness did Zhao Wuji recover somewhat.

"This..."

Zhao Wuji stared at the enormous black hand, his eyes widening in shock.

It was the first time he had ever encountered such an outrageously powerful soul skill!

"What is that thing of yours?!"

Zhao Wuji's voice trembled slightly as he asked.

He had not been able to see where that enormous black hand had come from.