"Yes! His cultivation speed really was beyond ordinary people." Bai Baoshan was utterly astonished as well.
In his experience, once a Soul Master's Soul Power Level reached thirty, gaining two or three levels in a year was already considered good-an average of one level every six months. Some might not even gain a single level in a year.
A cultivation speed like Yu Tianheng's, gaining five Soul Power levels in a single year, was unheard of even in the history of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. If he continued cultivating at this rate, he really might reach the realm of a Soul King or even a Soul Emperor at the age of twenty, just as he had said.
"Let's leave the future for later. First, let's see how this boy handles the situation in front of him," Soul Douluo Zhi Lin reminded them.
Only then did the two stop asking questions and turn their attention to the Soul Fighting Arena.
In the arena, Lei Long had regained his composure after taking some time to steady himself. No matter what Yu Tianheng's future held, his current Soul Power Level was still four levels lower. Lei Long held the advantage and had no reason to be afraid.
Lei Long forcibly suppressed his anger and looked at Yu Tianheng. "Anyone can talk big. When we start fighting, don't let me beat you until you're on your knees begging for mercy. Today, I'll show you the true power of the Saber-Toothed Tiger Martial Soul."
With that, Lei Long attacked first. He stomped down, instantly cracking the ground, and shot toward Yu Tianheng like a bolt of black lightning. At the same time, he activated the Saber-Toothed Tiger Martial Soul's First Soul Skill, Tiger Fang Pierce.
His hands instantly transformed into sharp tiger claws that glinted with a chilling light. Every claw was as long as a dagger and razor-sharp. Roaring, he swept both claws through the air in two arcs and thrust them straight at Yu Tianheng's throat with unstoppable momentum.
Seeing this, Yu Tianheng chuckled, raised a hand, and gave a low shout. Dazzling blue light erupted around him. Blue-violet bolts of lightning raced wildly like nimble little snakes, weaving into a crackling net of lightning around his body. The powerful lightning enveloped an area several meters around him, filling the air with the acrid smell of scorching.
Immediately afterward, his right arm swelled and transformed, becoming a thick dragon arm in the blink of an eye. Its scales gleamed with a cold light, and the sharp dragon claws flashed with chilling killing intent beneath the lightning.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul's First Soul Skill, Thunder Dragon Claw, activated. With a dragon's roar, the claw tore through the air with tremendous force and struck at Lei Long as swiftly as a bolt of lightning.
Thunder Dragon Claw vs. Tiger Fang Pierce
The two First Soul Skills collided, and time itself seemed to stop for an instant. Then an earth-shaking explosion boomed.
The lightning power of Thunder Dragon Claw clashed with the mighty force of Tiger Fang Pierce, unleashing rings of dazzling, turbulent energy that spread wildly from the point of impact. The ground trembled under the force, and cracks spread outward like a spiderweb.
The arcs of Thunder Dragon Claw twisted and leaped under the impact of Tiger Fang Pierce's power, trying to break through its defense. Meanwhile, Tiger Fang Pierce was enveloped by Thunder Dragon Claw's powerful current, which sizzled as though it were struggling to break free of the lightning's restraints.
The two powerful forces remained locked in a stalemate, neither able to gain the upper hand. For a time, the entire Soul Fighting Arena was filled with their violent power, a sight that made hearts tremble.
Lei Long, locked in the stalemate with Yu Tianheng, was utterly shocked. He had used his First Soul Skill with level-forty Soul Power, expecting to crush his opponent, but instead he was evenly matched with Yu Tianheng, whose Soul Power was only level thirty-six. How was that possible?
How could Yu Tianheng's Soul Power be so abundant?
Damn it!
Lei Long cursed inwardly, then stepped back and activated his Second Soul Skill, Tiger Shadow Flash Assault. In an instant, his body became several afterimages that pounced at Yu Tianheng from different directions. Each afterimage brought a fierce gust from its claws, sending a whooshing sound through the air.
Yu Tianheng's Second Soul Skill, Thunderous Might, followed immediately. Countless arrows of lightning burst from around him like a flock of enraged thunderbirds, howling toward Lei Long's afterimages and the man himself.
The instant the afterimages were struck by the lightning arrows, they burst apart and vanished without a trace.
"Go!" Yu Tianheng pointed forward, and the lightning arrows shot toward Lei Long's real body once more.
Lei Long could not dodge in time. Several bolts struck him, making his body jerk as he let out a muffled groan of pain. His clothes were scorched by the lightning, wisps of black smoke rising from them, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Everyone watching was horrified. Lei Long, whose Soul Power was as high as level forty, had been injured by Yu Tianheng, whose Soul Power was a full four levels lower than his. It was unbelievable.
Was Yu Tianheng's combat strength too great? Or was Lei Long too weak?
Sensing the doubts around him, Lei Long instantly flew into a rage and shouted:
"Third Soul Skill, Mad Tiger's Furious Roar!"
Lei Long's presence surged once more as he entered the berserk state of his Third Soul Skill, Mad Tiger's Furious Roar.
The bloody mist around him suddenly doubled in density, and his Soul Power surged by fifty percent like a rushing tide. He threw back his head and roared, the sound rolling like thunder and making everyone's eardrums ache.
Seeing this, Yu Tianheng stopped holding back as well. His gaze sharpened, his presence surged once more, and he used the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul's Third Soul Skill, Thunderous Fury. It was an enhancement Soul Skill that sent him into a berserk state when activated.
At the same time, the power of the lightning around Yu Tianheng doubled, and his Soul Power surged by fifty percent like a rushing tide. Violent lightning flashed in his eyes, and he seemed to become a god of thunder, possessed of boundless majesty and power.
In the blink of an eye, the two closed the distance. Fists and claws flew as they began fighting hand to hand, and the battle instantly reached a fever pitch.
Thanks to his training in the Martial Dao, Yu Tianheng's moves were fierce and powerful, while his movements were nimble and graceful, like a roaming dragon weaving through the air. Every time, he accurately anticipated the path of Lei Long's attacks, deftly neutralizing them while counterattacking in the same motion.
Lei Long, by contrast, attacked fiercely but without any method, knowing only how to strike at random. Under Yu Tianheng's exquisite footwork and attacks, he gradually began to struggle.
As the battle dragged on, Lei Long's attacks grew increasingly disordered, and numerous openings appeared in his defense. Yu Tianheng would not let such a chance slip by. His assault grew fiercer, and the lightning trailing his dragon claws burst against Lei Long again and again, tearing open his flesh.
After several exchanges, Lei Long was covered in wounds and staggering on his feet. Yu Tianheng seized the right moment and struck with Dragon Claw Hand. A massive dragon claw formed from lightning slammed into Lei Long, sending him flying several meters.
Lei Long crashed heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. He struggled several times but ultimately failed to get back up, bringing the battle to a close with Yu Tianheng's complete victory.