Chapter 23: with translation of chapter title

The three Aosiluo moved swiftly, instantly forming a surrounding formation and simultaneously attacking Shi Mo, who was holding a shield.

Translation: "The three Aosiluo were very fast, instantly forming a surrounding posture, and they all attacked Shi Mo, who was holding a shield, at the same time."

We need to keep meaning, not add extra. Let's produce concise: "The three Aosiluo were very fast, instantly forming a surrounding posture, and they all attacked Shi Mo, who was holding a shield, at the same time."

Check: The three Aosiluo moved swiftly, instantly forming a surrounding formation and simultaneously attacking Shi Mo, who was holding a shield. That's accurate.

Shi Mo could only defend to the front among the three directions, leaving the other two uncovered.

Translation: "From three directions, Shi Mo could only defend the front; he could not cover the other two directions."

But Shi Mo had fought Aosiluo countless times and knew what his next stage of attack would look like.

Translation: "But Shi Mo had fought Aosiluo countless times and knew what Aosiluo's next stage of attack would be like."

In short, the three Aosiluo attack together; the two clones will surely rush forward first, then the main body launches a sudden strike, aiming to deliver a fatal blow to Shi Mo.

Translation: "Simply put, when the three Aosiluo attack together, the two clones will surely rush to the front, then the main body will launch a sudden strike, aiming to deal Shi Mo a fatal blow."

So Shi Mo just needs to wait for Aosiluo's main body to reveal itself.

Translation: "So Shi Mo only needed to wait for the Aosiluo's main body to reveal itself."

Although the clones have only thirty percent of the main body's attack power, even Shi Mo's bare‑body defense can withstand them, so he plans to wait for Aosiluo to act and then counterattack.

Translation: "Although the clones possess only thirty percent of the main body's attack power, even Shi Mo's mere physical defense can withstand such attacks, so he planned to wait for the Aosiluo to act and then counterattack."

Exactly, Shi Mo plans to use this hard‑blocking approach to draw out Aosiluo's main body and then launch a counterstrike.

Note: There's a typo, likely meaning 'come on'; the phrase translates to: "Exactly, Shi Mo intended to use this hard‑blocking approach to find Aosiluo's main body, but then launch a counterstrike."

This is actually the most common technique used by defense‑type soul masters; given their astonishing defensive power, there's nothing wrong with it.

Translation: "In fact, this is the most commonly used move by defense‑type Soul Masters; after all, their defensive power is astonishing, so there's nothing wrong with it."

But the spectator Gu Xuan found it exasperating, feeling it was foolish—almost like turning himself into a living target.

Translation: "But the spectator Gu Xuan found it somewhat exasperating, feeling it was too stupid—almost like making himself a living target."

Against an assault‑type like Aosiluo it's fine, but if he faced someone like Gu Xuan capable of a fatal blow, he'd lose instantly; even if he managed to defend, he'd still suffer serious injury.

Translation: "Facing an assault‑type Soul Master like Aosiluo is fine, but if he ever went up against someone like Gu Xuan who could deal him a fatal blow, wouldn't he lose instantly? Even if he managed to defend in the end, it would still be a seriously injured outcome."

Naturally, Gu Xuan lacks clone soul skills; if Shi Mo faced him, perhaps this wouldn't be the appropriate response, but Gu Xuan believes Shi Mo could do better, since the maneuverability of his Xuanwu flying shield is actually quite large—he just hasn't made use of it.

Translation: "Of course, Gu Xuan has no clone soul skill; if Shi Mo faced Gu Xuan, perhaps this wouldn't be the right response, but in Gu Xuan's view Shi Mo could do better, because the maneuvering space of his Xuanwu Flying Shield is actually large—he just didn't make use of it."

Sure enough, the next moment the three Aosiluo struck together, their sharp claws aiming at Shi Mo's chest, waist/abdomen, and back simultaneously.

Translation: "As expected, the next moment the three Aosiluo attacked together, their sharp claws lunging at Shi Mo from three directions—chest, waist/abdomen, and back—simultaneously."

Shi Mo remained still, firmly staring at the three Aosiluo while sensing their soul power fluctuations.

Translation: "Shi Mo still didn't move, staring fixedly at the three Aosiluo, sensing their soul power fluctuations."

When the three Aosiluo closed to within less than two meters of Shi Mo, a soul power fluctuation erupted from the surface of the rear Aosiluo, lighting its second yellow soul ring.

Translation: "When the three Aosiluo were less than two meters from Shi Mo, a soul power fluctuation burst from the surface of the rear Aosiluo, lighting the second yellow soul ring among its three."

"Second soul skill: Ghost Leopard Slash!"

Translation: "\"Second Soul Skill: Ghost Leopard Slash! \""

Shi Mo sensed the strong soul power fluctuation; his second soul ring flared again as he flung his shield toward his back and lunged backward to dodge the two clones' attacks.

Translation: "Shi Mo sensed this strong soul power fluctuation; his second soul ring flared again, and he flung his shield toward his back while his whole body shot backward, trying to dodge the two clones' attacks."

"Oh?" Gu Xuan looked on, somewhat surprised, as it seemed Shi Mo wasn't just knowing how to stand in place and defend.

Translation: "\"Oh? \" Seeing this, Gu Xuan was a little surprised; it seemed Shi Mo wasn't just standing in place to defend."

Aosiluo's main body's claws burst with cold light, unleashing a one‑meter‑long slash that greatly increased its attack power.

Translation: "Aosiluo's main body claws burst with cold light, emitting a one‑meter‑long slash, greatly increasing its attack power."

However, the shield Shi Mo threw instantly reached his face, actively blocking his second soul skill; although the Xuanwu shield was sent flying back by the slash, Shi Mo, using the control of his second soul skill Xuanwu Flying Shield, redirected the returning shield to strike Aosiluo again.

Translation: "But the shield Shi Mo threw instantly reached his face, actually blocking his second soul skill actively; although the Xuanwu shield was knocked flying back by the slash, Shi Mo, relying on control of the Xuanwu Flying Shield from his second soul skill, directly directed the returning shield to attack Aosiluo again."

Meanwhile, Shi Mo had dodged the clones' pincer attack, but the main body and the two clones charged together again, aiming their claws at his vital spots.

Translation: "Meanwhile, Shi Mo had dodged the clones' pincer attack, but Aosiluo's main body and the two clones again charged together at Shi Mo, their claws aimed at vital spots."

Shi Mo was greatly startled; he immediately recalled the flying shield, and as it returned, his purple third soul ring lit up.

Translation: "Shi Mo was greatly startled; he immediately commanded the flying shield to return, and as it flew back, his body's purple third soul ring lit up."

"Third soul skill: Explosive Escape Armor!"

Translation: "\"Third Soul Skill: Explosive Escape Armor! \""

Upon releasing the third soul skill, the returning Xuanwu flying shield exploded, its massive impact and shards destroying the two Aosiluo clones; dozens of shield fragments remained under Shi Mo's control, directly enveloping Aosiluo.

Translation: "With the release of the third soul skill, the flying Xuanwu Shield that had been blown backward exploded directly; the huge impact force and shield fragments destroyed Aosiluo's two clones, and dozens of shield fragments remained under Shi Mo's control, directly sweeping toward Aosiluo."

Aosiluo had closed to within less than a meter of Shi Mo, but the sudden Xuanwu flying shield fragments enveloped him; Shi Mo then mobilized soul power to control the fragments, forming a spherical cluster linked by soul‑power chains like a magnetic field, which immobilized Aosiluo.

Translation: "Aosiluo had originally been less than a meter from Shi Mo, but the sudden Xuanwu Flying Shield fragments enveloped him; then Shi Mo mobilized soul power to control the fragments, dozens of pieces forming a spherical body, linked by soul power as if creating a magnetic field, which actually immobilized Aosiluo's form."

Aosiluo was restrained; Shi Mo surged forward, instantly closing the one‑meter gap, and his massive fist struck Aosiluo's abdomen, sending him flying off the stage.

Translation: "Aosiluo being controlled, Shi Mo rushed forward, instantly closing the one‑meter distance, and his huge fist struck Aosiluo's abdomen, sending him flying off the Dou Hun Tai."

"Shi Mo wins!" Qin Ming announced calmly. "Aosiluo, you've made some progress, but it's not enough; although Shi Mo is a defense‑type soul master, you, as an assault‑type, still haven't fully utilized your speed." Qin Ming then began his commentary.

Translation: "\"Shi Mo wins! \" Qin Ming announced the result blandly. \"Aosiluo, you made a bit of progress this time, but it's not enough; although Shi Mo is a defense‑type Soul Master, you, as an assault‑type Soul Master, still haven't fully utilized your speed. \" Then Qin Ming began his commentary."

After commenting on Aosiluo, Qin Ming turned to Shi Mo and said softly: "Shi Mo, your performance this time was good; the soul‑power field from the Explosive Escape Armor fragments attacked immediately after controlling Aosiluo—you need to improve on that compared to last time."

Translation: "After finishing with Aosiluo, Qin Ming turned to Shi Mo and said softly: \"Shi Mo, you performed well this time; the soul power field generated by the fragments of your Explosive Escape Armor immediately attacked after controlling Aosiluo—you need to do even better than last time. \""

After commenting on the two, Qin Ming turned to the others and said: "Next up, Gu Xuan versus Shi Mo."

Translation: "After commenting on the two, Qin Ming looked at the others and said: \"Next match, Gu Xuan versus Shi Mo. \""

Shi Mo and Aosiluo left the stage to rest and recover soul power; Gu Xuan and Shi Mo then entered the stage.

Translation: "Shi Mo and Aosiluo left the stage to rest and recover soul power; Gu Xuan and Shi Mo went up."

Gu Xuan had also wanted to step in earlier, as he couldn't resist the urge to guide them; it's not that Qin Ming's teaching method is poor—on the contrary, compared to other teachers' more conventional approaches, Qin Ming's is already quite good.

Translation: "In fact, Gu Xuan had also wanted to appear earlier, because he really couldn't help wanting to guide them; it's not that Qin Ming's teaching method is bad—on the contrary, compared with other teachers' more conventional methods, Qin Ming's approach is already quite good."

However, the people of the Douluo Continent seem limited; even someone like Qin Ming, hailed as a genius in the original work, has never researched creating original soul skills, and even training is merely tailored to each soul master's traits without any notable innovation.

Translation: "However, the people of the Douluo Continent seem to have become limited; even Qin Ming, who is called a genius in the original work, has never researched creating his own soul skills, and even training is merely tailored to each Soul Master's traits without any outstanding changes."

This isn't to say it's bad; such training can greatly boost students' strengths in certain areas, but that's only true for ordinary students.

Translation: "This isn't to say it's bad; such training can greatly enhance a student's outstanding point in a certain area, but that's only for ordinary students."

Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo may not be top‑tier geniuses, but they are far stronger than ordinary trainees; although conventional training is effective, it still cannot fully develop their potential.

Translation: "Yu Tianheng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo—this group may not be top‑tier geniuses, but they are far stronger than ordinary trainees; although the conventional training method is effective, it still cannot fully develop their potential."

Therefore, Gu Xuan wants to come and properly develop them, but first he must demonstrate strength and ability that convince everyone.

Translation: "Therefore Gu Xuan wants to come and properly develop them, but the prerequisite is having strength and ability that convince everyone."

Gu Xuan's strength has already been demonstrated, but his ability hasn't yet—it takes time for them to see his capability.

Translation: "Gu Xuan's strength has already been shown, but his ability has not yet; this requires some time for them to see his capability."

Yesterday at enrollment, Gu Xuan had already demonstrated this, initially winning everyone's conviction, but it's not enough—he wants absolute authority.

Translation: "Gu Xuan had already demonstrated this upon enrollment yesterday, initially winning everyone's confidence, but that's not enough, because he wants absolute authority."

Gu Xuan flipped and leapt onto the stage with a suave, handsome motion—not because he was showing off, but because it's faster.

Translation: "Gu Xuan leapt onto the Dou Hun Tai with a flip, his movement suave and handsome—not because he was showing off, but because it was faster."

Shi Mo stood twenty meters opposite him, gazing at each other with eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

Translation: "Shi Mo stood twenty meters opposite him, gazing at each other, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit."

Yesterday he watched Gu Xuan's battle against Yu Tianheng with envy; although he knew he might not be a match for Gu Xuan—after all, even Yu Tianheng lost to him—he also wanted to test the gap between himself and Gu Xuan.

Translation: "Yesterday he watched Gu Xuan's battle with Yu Tianheng and felt eager; although he knew he might not be Gu Xuan's opponent—after all, even Yu Tianheng lost to him—he also wanted to test the gap between himself and Gu Xuan."

"Shi Mo, martial soul: Xuanwu Tortoise, rank thirty‑five defense‑type battle spirit master, please advise." Shi Mo spoke slowly, and like his brother Shi Mo, the Xuanwu Tortoise martial soul attached to his body, with two yellow and one purple soul rings rising and fluctuating on his body surface.

Translation: "\"Shi Mo, martial soul: Xuanwu Turtle, rank thirty‑five defense‑type Battle Soul Lord, please advise. \" Shi Mo spoke slowly, his martial soul Xuanwu Turtle enveloping him just like his brother Shi Mo's, and three soul rings—two yellow, one purple—rose and undulated on his body."

Shi Mo's already sturdy physique was clad in a thick layer of jade‑green tortoise shell, making him appear even more mighty.

Translation: "Shi Mo's already sturdy frame was clad in a heavy jade‑green turtle shell, making him look even more mighty."

However, Gu Xuan had long been accustomed to beast martial souls attaching to soul masters, so he had no particular comment on this.

Translation: "However, Gu Xuan had long been accustomed to beast martial souls attaching to Soul Masters, so he had no particular comment on this."

Gu Xuan stared at Shi Mo, lifted his right foot and stepped forward; a yellow soul ring rose on his body, then he stepped with his left foot and a second yellow soul ring rose immediately after; by the time he had taken three steps, his body displayed two yellow and one purple soul rings swirling.

Translation: "Gu Xuan stared at Shi Mo, lifted his right foot and stepped forward; a yellow soul ring rose on his body accordingly, then he continued stepping with his left foot, and a second yellow soul ring rose immediately after; by the time he took his third step, his body already bore three soul rings—two yellow, one purple—coiling and undulating."

His body surface was covered with a thin, silvery‑white membrane‑like soul power shield; his thick‑knuckled hands turned into a pair of gleaming, sharp‑cold‑light bone claws, thick and domineering, as if they could easily cut gold and jade.

Translation: "His body was covered with a thin, silvery‑white soul power membrane, and his pair of thick‑knuckled large hands turned into a pair of bone claws flashing with sharp cold light, the bone claws thick and domineering, as if they could easily cut gold and jade."

"Gu Xuan, martial soul: Bone Dragon, rank thirty‑three assault‑type battle spirit master, please."

Translation: "\"Gu Xuan, martial soul: Bone Dragon, rank thirty‑three assault‑type Battle Soul Lord, please. \""

Gu Xuan spoke lightly, his voice resonant with magnetism.

Translation: "Gu Xuan spoke lightly, his voice resonant with magnetism."

PS: Typos will be corrected later.

Translation: "ps: Correct the typos first, then revise."

(End of chapter)