Battle of Three-Ring Soul Elders
As the roar died away, the uproar below the ring grew even fiercer than before.
His instant defeat of the level-two assault fighter Rock Bear could have been attributed to his opponent underestimating him. His crushing victory over the level-three agility fighter Night Falcon was enough to prove that this newcomer's strength stood completely above every fighter in the level-two and level-three rings.
Everyone could see that Sea Tiger had never used his full strength from beginning to end. He had been at ease throughout, without even any violent fluctuations in his Soul Power. Victory and defeat had been settled in a single thought.
"I'll keep defending the ring."
Before the referee could ask, Bai Yushan spoke first, his tone casual and languid.
The referee's mind jolted. He immediately called out loudly again, opening the floor to challengers.
Two consecutive instant victories had thoroughly stirred the competitive spirit of the experts present and the fervor of the spectators. Many veteran powerhouses lying low in the level-three rings grew solemn, their eyes fixed on Bai Yushan in the center of the ring.
Another steady, imposing figure emerged from the challengers' passage and stepped into the ring.
The newcomer was powerfully built, even burlier than Rock Bear. The fluctuations of Soul Power around him held steady at rank thirty-six. He was Shi Gang, one of the top powerhouses of the level-three rings.
Shi Gang's Martial Soul was the Colossal Rock Body, an ultimate defense type with extremely strong physical resistance and both offensive and defensive capabilities. He firmly ranked among the best in the level-three rings and had fallen just short in multiple challenges to the level-four rings. His actual combat experience was extraordinarily rich.
All three of his Soul Rings were at the purple, thousand-year level. As a veteran fighter, he had accumulated enough points over the years to redeem numerous opportunities to visit the Spirit Pagoda's Spirit Ascension Platform, successfully raising his Soul Spirit to the thousand-year level.
He stared at Bai Yushan, his expression solemn, without the slightest trace of contempt.
"Newcomer, you're strong enough for me to take seriously. Night Falcon lost because he was too impatient. Rock Bear lost because he was too conceited. I'm different from them."
Shi Gang planted both feet firmly in the ring, and vast, heavy earth-type Soul Power erupted with a boom!
An ocher tide of Soul Power surged explosively outward from him. The ring's hard stone slabs shuddered violently, fine cracks spreading wildly from beneath his feet. A thick, rocky texture covered his entire body as his skin rapidly hardened. A heavy, solid suit of rock armor formed snugly around him, and the muscles of his shoulders, back, chest, abdomen, and arms swelled to their utmost, their contours hard and sharp. His entire frame grew a size larger, and a fierce, overbearing pressure instantly swept across the whole ring!
Three purplish-black Thousand-Year Soul Rings rose into the air, revolving around him!
This veteran overlord of the level-three rings had now fully activated his Martial Soul, holding nothing back, determined to crush the mysterious newcomer who had appeared out of nowhere!
The boiling clamor below the ring abruptly subsided. Every spectator concentrated and held their breath, eyes locked on the ring. Everyone knew how formidable Shi Gang was. He relied on no tricks or shortcuts, securing his place among the best in the level-three rings through ultimate defense and domineering brute force. With both offense and defense, and endurance that defied any answer, he had brought countless powerhouses of his own level to ruin against his rock defenses.
"Shi Gang's going all out right away! This is a real clash between top fighters!"
"Instantly beating Rock Bear and Night Falcon isn't enough. If this newcomer wants to ascend to godhood, he has to break through Shi Gang's absolute defense!"
"A head-on battle of offense and defense! Now this is really worth watching!"
Discussion surged through the spectator stands. Everyone's excitement had been thoroughly ignited, their gazes fixed on the two figures of vastly different sizes in the ring.
Bai Yushan stood quietly in place, straight as a spear. His pure-white mask concealed every expression, leaving only a pair of narrow eyes, indifferent and cool, untouched by impatience.
The Soul Power around him lay dormant, and every spark at his fingertips had withdrawn. Seemingly relaxed and casual, he faced the fully armored Shi Gang and his towering presence without the slightest fear or any hint of retreat.
Electromagnetic Clarity remained active throughout, its invisible electromagnetic perception covering the entire ring. The circulation of heavy Soul Power within Shi Gang, the extent of his muscular tension, the leverage points rooted in the ring, the minute changes as his Soul Rings gathered power-not a single detail escaped him. Everything appeared clearly in Bai Yushan's mind.
Rock Bear's strength had been crude, and Night Falcon's speed had been flashy. Both had been riddled with openings, unable to withstand a single blow. But Shi Gang was entirely different. His combat foundations were exceptionally solid, his whole body had no obvious weaknesses, his center of gravity was as steady as Mount Tai, and his defense was airtight. His Soul Power circulated steadily and densely. His ability to withstand pressure, counterattack, and endure surpassed those of the previous two opponents in every respect.
Since stepping into the ring, this was Bai Yushan's first encounter with a truly formidable opponent, the first time he had felt a genuine obstacle in battle.
A strand of blazing battle intent surged up from the stillness of his heart, quietly igniting his dormant fighting blood.
The previous two matches had been too dull. A casually released thread of bioelectricity had been enough to defeat his opponents instantly. He had crushed them throughout without any pressure, failing even to warm up, much less vent the surging strength within him.
But Shi Gang's appearance had completely shattered that tedium.
The heavy rock armor inherently possessed ultimate elemental resistance, and earth-type Soul Power naturally countered electric currents, greatly weakening bioelectricity's penetrating and paralyzing effects. Sixty thousand volts of electricity could no longer pierce through his defenses instantly and immobilize him as before!
Bai Yushan lifted his chin slightly, and a keen edge suddenly flashed in his indifferent eyes!
Bioelectricity was his most convenient trump card for securing victory, but it was by no means his only source of combat strength.
The ultimate physical strength tempered through countless matches, top-tier fighting techniques, and the fearlessness to fight to the death were his most fundamental sources of confidence!
Since electricity can't break the deadlock instantly, I'll clash with him head-on!
Every punch striking flesh, meeting a powerful enemy head-on-I'll crush him in the most primal, most savage way!
Bai Yushan drew the current back into his body, letting it surge through his blood and bolster him!
Seeing that both fighters were ready, the referee hesitated no longer. He raised his arm high and swung it down sharply!
"Begin!"
As the call to battle fell, Shi Gang brazenly struck!
He did not rush forward recklessly. Both feet remained firmly locked against the ring floor as his First Soul Ring instantly blazed with light! Vast earth-type Soul Power poured madly into the armor covering his body. Dense rocky patterns spread all over him, and the hardness of his defense instantly doubled, reaching the absolute limit of his level!
First Soul Skill-Rock Barrier!
With this defensive Soul Skill bolstering him, assault attacks from fighters of his own level could not shake him in the slightest. This was the foundation of Shi Gang's dominance in the level-three rings!
Immediately afterward, his second Thousand-Year Soul Ring suddenly lit up. All his thick Soul Power gathered in his fists, and a rocky layer encased their striking surfaces, heavy and sharp, harboring terrifying might capable of crushing everything!
Second Soul Skill-Rock-Shaking Heavy Fist!
With his power gathered, Shi Gang took a step forward!
THUD!!!
The heavy step made the ring shudder violently. His burly body bore down on Bai Yushan with the fury of a raging gale. His steps were steady and heavy, neither hurried nor slow, completely sealing off every bit of space for kiting or maneuvering. His frontal assault was unstoppable!
In an instant, Shi Gang's heavy fist carried immense might and an explosive rush of wind straight toward Bai Yushan's chest!
He knew full well that the newcomer's anticipation was exceptional and his speed unparalleled. Flashy moves were meaningless. Only a head-on onslaught of ultimate strength could completely disrupt his opponent's rhythm and forcefully break the deadlock!
Every spectator below the ring held their breath, eyes locked on the arena. Everyone awaited the outcome of this peak head-on clash!
Bai Yushan's eyes were clear and sharp. Electromagnetic Clarity anticipated the entire battlefield, and he had already seen through his opponent's attack trajectory and the rhythm of his exertion. He neither dodged nor evaded, neither retreated nor yielded. Every trace of his languid bearing vanished, his muscles instantly tensed, and his body's explosive power rose to its peak!
At the very instant the Rock-Shaking Heavy Fist was about to reach him, Bai Yushan suddenly punched!