A Loss Was a Loss
when--
A sharp, metallic clang rang out, sending sparks flying.
Using the recoil, Bai Yushan flipped backward and landed steadily on the ground, his feet causing cracks to spread across the arena floor.
But as soon as he regained his footing, the Crimson Scale King's figure rushed in front of him.
Quick!
That's too fast!
After burning his Soul Power, the Crimson Scale King's speed and strength increased dramatically, making him completely different from the steady and methodical Soul King he had been moments before.
Their desperate fighting style has made them several times more difficult to deal with than before.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The muffled thuds continued in unison.
The two instantly engaged in a fierce battle.
Claw strikes, fist strikes, knee strikes, elbow strikes—every move aims for vital points.
The Crimson Scale King's dragon claws sliced through the air, leaving behind trails of dark red afterimages. Each strike carried a sharp force capable of tearing flesh. He made no attempt to defend himself; even when Bai Yushan's fist slammed into his shoulder, he simply took the hit and swung his claws back towards Bai Yushan's waist and abdomen.
Trading injury for injury, risking life for life.
That's a completely reckless fighting style.
The more you look at Bai Yushan, the brighter it becomes.
interesting.
Now that's starting to feel like a real fight.
He neither dodged nor evaded, readily employing the techniques of the Slaughter Path.
Cold Blade Holding Light!
The palm blade, sharp as a knife, slashed upwards diagonally to meet the dragon's claw.
laugh--
The palm blade sliced through the scales, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound on the Crimson Scale King's arm.
Almost simultaneously, the Crimson Scale King's other claw swept across Bai Yushan's shoulder.
Blood splattered.
They both took a half step back at the same time, then pounced on each other simultaneously.
Without the slightest pause.
Shattered Horn, Scattered Clouds!
Bai Yushan's left fist twisted in a spiraling motion, slamming hard into the old wound on the Crimson Scale King's chest.
The Crimson Scale King neither dodged nor evaded, but straightened its chest and took the punch head-on. At the same time, it closed its claws and grabbed at Bai Yushan's head.
Dragon Claw Throat Lock!
Bai Yushan tilted his head and bumped into the Crimson Scale King's chest, his shoulder hitting the king's collarbone precisely.
Click--
The cracking sound of the collarbone breaking was subtle yet clear.
The Crimson Scale King grunted, not retreating an inch, but instead opened its mouth and spewed out a mouthful of dark red dragon flame.
Fourth Soul Skill: Dragon Flame Breath!
At close range, there's nowhere to hide.
The scorching dragon flames instantly engulfed the upper half of Bai Yushan's body.
A gasp of surprise erupted from the audience.
"The Crimson Scale King is risking his life!"
"Close-range Dragon Flame Breath! Who can withstand that!"
Everyone leaned forward, their eyes fixed on the flames in the center of the arena.
But amidst the firelight, a figure advanced instead of retreating.
Lightning Escape: Lightning Armor!
Black and red arcs of electricity exploded on his body, forming an impenetrable armor of lightning that withstood the dragon's flames.
Atop the Bai Yushan, scorching flames roared, a single step brought him before the Crimson Scale King. He raised his right fist high, black and red lightning swirling wildly across it.
Tiger Roar Mountain-Crushing Fist!
He slammed a punch hard into the Crimson Scale King's chest.
Bang--!
The Crimson Scale King was sent flying backward, his back slamming heavily against the railing at the edge of the arena.
With a loud crash, the guardrail was bent ninety degrees.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the scales on his chest armor red.
But he clung tightly to the railing and didn't fall.
With a powerful push, he flipped back onto the ring and staggered to his feet.
His chest heaved violently as he gasped for breath, and the scales on his body seemed to have dimmed somewhat.
The fifth Soul Skill consumes too much energy.
But his eyes remained fierce, still defiant.
"Well!!"
The audience erupted in cheers.
"Keep fighting! Keep fighting!"
"Go Crimson Scale King! Take him down!"
"Sea Tiger! One more punch!"
Everyone stood up and screamed at the top of their lungs, not caring that their voices were hoarse.
Some people were chugging entire bottles of liquor, while others were throwing chips onto the stage. Everyone's face was flushed, and their eyes were burning with a fanaticism that made them look like they wanted to devour someone.
To witness such a battle, even death would be worth it!
On the arena, Bai Yushan shook off the dragon flame embers on his arm, and the wound on his arm healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
He looked at the Crimson Scale King opposite him, who was swaying precariously but still standing, and a smile appeared on his lips.
good.
It's really good.
In a place like this, to meet someone as daring and determined as him is a testament to the fact that the trip wasn't in vain.
"Old man, can you still fight?"
When Bai Yushan spoke, his tone was less contemptuous and more approving.
"Whether you can fight or not, you'll find out once you try!"
The Crimson Scale King let out a low roar and stomped its feet hard on the ground.
The arena floor instantly cracked, sending debris flying everywhere.
Using the recoil, he was lifted into the air, looking down from above with his claws raised high.
Fifth Soul Skill: Crimson Scale Dragon's Wrath - Falling Heaven Strike!
His entire body transformed into a dark red meteor, carrying burning Soul Power, and he descended from the sky, crashing heavily into Bai Yushan.
This strike channeled all his remaining strength.
This attack is a fight to the death!
Bai Yushan looked up, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Good timing!
He neither dodged nor avoided, but stood with his feet apart and his center of gravity lowered.
He tucked his right fist to his waist, and 290,000 volts of electricity surged wildly within his body, converging entirely onto the tip of his fist.
The Five Beasts Merged Essence Form roared through his meridians, while the will of Slaughter Path boiled within his bones and blood.
Black and red lightning bolts erupted from his fist, ionizing the surrounding air and causing it to crackle.
Body Becomes a Soul Nail!
He let out a low shout, and his body suddenly leaped up from the ground, rushing towards the falling Crimson Scale King.
His entire body transformed into a streak of black and red light, like a nail shot from the ground into the sky.
Unstoppable and unstoppable.
Boom--!!!
The two figures collided violently in mid-air.
A deafening roar.
A visible Impact exploded from the point of impact, sweeping across the entire arena.
One by one, the guardrails snapped and flew far away.
The black iron on the surface of the arena shattered layer by layer, and stones were swept up by the Impact, flying everywhere and hitting the protective shield of the stands with a continuous crackling sound.
Smoke and dust suddenly exploded, obscuring everyone's vision.
Everyone in the audience held their breath, staring intently at the center of the smoke and dust.
Who's winning?
A few breaths later, the smoke and dust slowly dissipated.
Two figures slowly appeared.
The Crimson Scale King knelt in the center of the arena, covered in blood, his scales mostly shattered, and his chest deeply caved in. He braced himself on the ground with his hands, his knuckles white, yet he still did not fall.
He lowered his head, panting heavily, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, splashing onto the ground and spreading into small, bloody flowers.
Although they were in a sorry state, their fearless spirit remained undiminished.
Opposite him, Bai Yushan stood steadily.
His black outfit was somewhat torn, and there were several wounds on his exposed arms, which were healing at a visible speed.
The white tiger mask partially covered his face, but the fighting spirit still lingered in his eyes.
Clearly, Bai Yushan had the upper hand in this attack.
Even so, no one dared to show the slightest disrespect to the Crimson Scale King kneeling on the ground.
The Crimson Scale King is proud enough to have driven the Sea Tiger to this point.
The entire room fell silent for a few seconds.
Immediately, a deafening roar of cheers erupted.
"Crimson Scale King! Well done!!"
"Sea Tiger! Sea Tiger!"
"That was amazing! Holy crap, that was amazing!"
"Croak! To witness a battle like this, even dying would be worth it!"
The shouts, cheers, and banging on the railings blended together, making the entire underground boxing ring feel like a pot of boiling porridge.
Everyone was venting their emotions wildly.
Such a battle is something they can brag about for a lifetime.
The Crimson Scale King took a long time to catch his breath before slowly raising his head.
He looked at Bai Yushan with a complex expression.
There was resentment, admiration, and a sense of relief.
"I lost."
He spoke, his voice hoarse, yet frank.
A loss is a loss.
If you're not as skilled as others, there's nothing more to say.
But he doesn't regret it.
This battle was fought to the fullest and with great intensity.
I haven't played this hard in a long time.
Even if we lose, it's better than just coasting along with that title of number one in gold.