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Both combatants released their martial souls simultaneously.
"Great Strength Ape?"
Upon seeing the opponent's martial soul, Su Wen immediately recognized its origin.
Possessing the Great Strength Ape meant this young man was a member of the Power Clan. Judging by his age and spirit power level, Su Wen had every reason to believe this was the same Tai Long mentioned in the original records.
"The Great Strength Ape, a power-type assault martial soul. The Power Clan specializes purely in raw strength. Every spirit ring they possess enhances their physical power, and every spirit skill focuses on explosive might."
When such rings stacked upon one another, the sheer power they could unleash utterly crushed opponents of the same level.
Even the Power Clan's patriarch, Titan, though only a Soul Douluo, was renowned for strength that surpassed many Titled Douluo.
Of course, Tai Long now only possessed three strength-enhancing rings.
But within the range of the Soul Grandmaster to Soul Elder level, the power gap between ranks wasn't as vast as the one between Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo.
Thus, Tai Long's triple-ring-enhanced strength could even rival that of weaker Soul Sects.
"Still, focusing purely on strength means weakness in agility and defense."
Su Wen understood the optimal tactic for dealing with a member of the Power Clan.
But this time, he didn't intend to follow the safe route.
Since fate had him face such an opponent, he wanted to feel that overwhelming strength head-on.
If he fell behind, he could always adapt his strategy later.
"So, you're the 'Fighting Scholar' everyone's been talking about?" Tai Long grinned. "Let's see what you've got. Today, I'll show you what a true battle spirit master looks like!"
Su Wen's reputation clearly preceded him.
Tai Long had heard of him even before reaching the thirtieth level. At that time, Su Wen had already been defeating Soul Elders in cross-level battles.
Now that he had advanced, he finally had the chance to face the legend himself.
"Match start!"
The referee's voice rang out, and in an instant—Su Wen shot forward.
Tai Long stomped heavily on the ground and charged in kind.
Their fists met at the center of the arena—Su Wen's right hand engulfed in explosive fire, Tai Long's arms gleaming as his first and second rings flared.
Boom!
A violent explosion of fire erupted as both were blasted backward.
Su Wen twisted his body midair, using controlled gusts of wind to cushion his fall before landing steadily—and then he surged forward again.
Tai Long's expression turned serious, his third ring igniting.
"Third Spirit Skill—Golden Ape Body!"
Above Su Wen's head, pages of his Book Martial Soul flipped rapidly before merging into his body.
His first and second spirit rings glowed in unison.
Once more, they clashed.
Their repeated collisions sent waves of shock and excitement through the audience.
This was a battle of raw power—punch against punch, will against will.
A mere Soul Grandmaster was trading blows with a Soul Elder in pure physical strength!
The only difference was that Tai Long's might came from full martial soul possession, while Su Wen's explosive strikes relied on elemental power—his flame-forged fists detonating on impact.
Though both fought up close, the distinction was clear:
Su Wen's attacks depended on skill and control, while Tai Long's relied on muscle and soul force.
But as their fists continued to meet, the strain on Su Wen's body began to show.
The explosive recoil of his Flame Fist technique was punishing, and Tai Long's overwhelming strength gradually pushed him back.
Yet Su Wen didn't retreat.
"Now then," he muttered with a sly grin, "let's use my true original spirit skill!"
A massive swirl of compressed wind formed in his palm, glowing azure as countless air currents twisted violently within.
It was pure compression—no pattern, no symmetry.
Yet the chaotic turbulence naturally sharpened, each current turning into an invisible blade of wind.
Boom!
Their fists met again.
The compressed wind sphere collided with Tai Long's punch—
And this time, Tai Long's knuckles were split open, blood spraying as the wind sphere shredded his skin.
Roaring in pain and fury, Tai Long's body erupted in golden light. The glow spread across his skin, coating his fists in an almost metallic sheen.
"Magic Ape Iron Fists!"
He swung again and again in a wild barrage.
Su Wen, unflinching, kept condensing new azure orbs, each swirling with volatile air pressure.
After multiple collisions, Tai Long's fists were bright red with blood, while Su Wen's own hands were numb and trembling.
"You're strong," Tai Long admitted through gritted teeth.
"But to overpower me in pure strength? That's impossible!"
The pride of the Power Clan burned in his eyes.
If a power-type soul master lost in strength to a mere Grandmaster, he'd be disgraced before his entire family.
"Ah, so this is the Power Clan's hidden technique," Su Wen noted inwardly, sensing the shift in Tai Long's aura. The sheer ferocity and pressure had multiplied.
It wasn't just the additive effect of his three rings—
This was a secret art, the true foundation of the Power Clan's fame.
In every great clan, soul skill combinations weren't chosen at random—they were perfected through generations of inherited techniques, creating unique synergies.
Boom!
Another collision. This time, the compressed wind orb shattered outright.
Normally, Su Wen's manipulation forced the air inside to detonate forward in a controlled burst. But now, Tai Long's sheer power overwhelmed it, blasting the orb apart and sending the backlash straight into Su Wen.
Blood splattered from Su Wen's hand as he skidded backward, gripping his trembling arm, astonishment flashing in his eyes.
The power difference was… monstrous.
Time to switch tactics.
———
In the viewing box, Liu Erlong frowned deeply.
"This Su Wen… his development of the wind element has reached this level already?"
She had witnessed Xiao Zhan's Fire Demon Flow and knew Su Wen was still physically limited, unable to fully unleash his potential.
Yet even so, his self-created wind-element technique had surpassed the strength of his Flame Fist.
"And he still tried to clash head-on with a member of the Power Clan…"
Watching his right hand drenched in blood, Liu Erlong couldn't help but snort softly.
The Power Clan's strength was no joke.
Still, she noted his quick adaptability. Once he had experienced that power, he immediately shifted to a more agile approach—using speed and technique to outmaneuver Tai Long and ultimately seize victory.
Her eyes flickered with interest.
"Tianheng," she said, turning to her nephew, "tell Su Wen this: if he wishes to train under me, he can find me at Blue Tyrant Academy."
With that, Liu Erlong left the Great Spirit Arena.
———
After the match, Su Wen received healing from Ye Lingling.
"You actually tried to out-muscle a Power Clan fighter," Qin Ming sighed, shaking his head. "That was reckless."
"Teacher Qin, it wasn't all for nothing," Su Wen replied calmly.
"Oh?" Qin Ming arched a brow but didn't press further when Su Wen didn't elaborate.
Once his wounds were healed, Su Wen sat cross-legged on the lounge sofa, closing his eyes to reflect.
"Tai Long's final burst—he must've fused all his spirit skills into one," Su Wen thought.
Just like how his first and second rings, when used together, could record and imprint elemental mastery onto others—
Tai Long had used his own abilities as anchors, merging them into a single refined power technique.
As he pondered, his spirit power continued circulating—
Boom!
A sudden surge of energy pulsed through his veins.
His aura flared.
Level 25 — Breakthrough achieved!
(End of Chapter)