Chapter 114: Yu Xiaogang

Yang Xiong, with Ning Rongrong, lay on an empty patch of ground, looking rather content.

Ning Rongrong laughed, "Xiao Xiongzi, what do you think of Spirit City? I think, although it's not as bustling as Seven Treasures City, it feels especially tranquil and peaceful."

Yang Xiong laughed, "Spirit City truly is a holy ground for martial soul masters; it does have certain benefits for cultivation, but it's a bit regrettable."

"Our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Spirit Hall are ultimately still adversaries; sooner or later we'll clash, and then Spirit City won't be this tranquil."

Ning Rongrong hurriedly said, "How could that be? Dad and Sword Grandpa are both elders of the Spirit Hall."

Yang Xiong shook his head, "Rong Rong, you should start getting more involved in matters of the martial soul world; the Spirit Hall is now unprecedentedly powerful, and when people become powerful they tend to develop ambitions. Talk more with the Sect Leader and you'll understand."

Ning Rongrong leaned directly on Yang Xiong's shoulder, "I don't care about any of that; whatever happens, you always protect me by my side."

Yang Xiong laughed, "Silly girl, people need to become self‑reliant; I can't be by your side all the time. I might have other things to do."

Ning Rongrong, a bit coquettish, "I don't care; you must stay by my side, after all you're my boyfriend."

……

After Xue Qinghe returned to his heavily guarded room, two towering figures suddenly appeared, both exuding a strong aura; they were Snake Spear Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo.

Xue Qinghe sat down alone, "Is there something? Did that woman say anything?"

Snake Spear Douluo spoke first, "Your Young Master, the Pope has ordered that, if possible, we should eliminate this Yang Xiong."

Xue Qinghe's face turned cold, "Do I have to handle such a trivial matter? Doesn't she know that Yang Xiong is someone Ning Fengzhi values? Acting rashly would expose us."

Snake Spear Douluo hurriedly said, "Young Master, this Yang Xiong opposes you at every turn; I think it's best to remove him in advance, otherwise it may affect your covert operations."

Xue Qinghe, recalling his rivalry with Yang Xiong, clenched his teeth, "Tell that woman that this Yang Xiong is my prey; no one may strike him. I will personally punish him, make him kneel before me and beg for mercy, otherwise I cannot settle the hatred in my heart."

Snake Spear Douluo hesitated, "But Yang Xiong comes from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; he may become a future disaster for us."

Xue Qinghe snorted, "If a mere kid can be valued so highly by her, then that Pope is just a pretender. Yet Tang San is the son of my father's murderer and also a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect; why hasn't she taken any action?"

Snake Spear Douluo quickly explained, "The Pope once sent Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo against Tang San, but it returned empty‑handed."

Xue Qinghe's gaze hardened, "She considered that ambush in Spirit City as an attack? Knowing the team includes Sword Douluo and Dugu Bo, both Title Douluo, plus Ning Fengzhi, yet she only sent Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo. I think that's all she can manage."

Snake Spear Douluo and Ci Hun Douluo fell silent, not knowing what to say.

Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong leisurely lay together watching the stars, enjoying the rare tranquility, when suddenly someone arrived.

The newcomers were Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, who smiled, "Yang Xiong, Rong Rong, you two seem quite relaxed and know how to enjoy yourselves, finding such a nice spot to rest."

Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong quickly stood up, "Mubai, Zhuqing, how are your injuries? They shouldn't cause any trouble, right?"

Dai Mubai said, "After treatment just now, we're almost fully recovered; we just need to rest now."

Yang Xiong nodded, "Good, I hope you won't leave any hidden dangers behind."

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, suddenly became solemn, and simultaneously bowed to Yang Xiong.

Yang Xiong hurriedly asked, "What are you doing? We're all classmates."

Dai Mubai said, "Yang Xiong, I'm truly grateful today; if you hadn't exposed your soul bone, perhaps Zhuqing and I wouldn't have faced a bad outcome."

Yang Xiong laughed, "I thought it was just a minor matter; no need to say more. After all, we've been teammates for years; in everyone's eyes, you're actually the real captain of Shrek."

Dai Mubai shook his head, "Can't say it like that; if it weren't for me and Zhuqing, you wouldn't have revealed your secret, otherwise I would have already been defeated by Dai Weisi's Nether White Tiger today."

Yang Xiong said, "I only did what I could; that's all I can help with. From now on you'll have to handle things yourself."

"By the way, what does the Star Luo Empire say now? It shouldn't be that simple."

Dai Mubai nodded, "Our Shrek team defeated the Star Luo Royal Academy Team this time, but Dai Weisi performed better than me, his strength is considerably higher. The Star Luo Empire Elder agreed to give Zhuqing and me a chance; Dai Weisi won't become Crown Prince so quickly, but we only have five years."

Yang Xiong thought carefully before speaking, "Why bother? You've seen Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's strength today; I've also fought them both."

"In terms of talent, Dai Weisi might be slightly weaker than you, but it's clear he's undergone harsh training; I estimate he could break through to Soul King within half a year. Reaching Soul King at twenty‑three or twenty‑four is not to be underestimated."

Dai Mubai nodded, "Thanks for the reminder; perhaps I also need even harsher training, otherwise I'll never close the gap between us."

At that moment Zhu Zhuqing suddenly asked, "Yang Xiong, may I ask what you rely on to become so formidable? I know your strength surpasses Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, and it's certainly not just your External Soul Bone."

Yang Xiong was silent for a while before replying, "My personal path may not suit you; today I also sparred with Zhu Zhuyun, and in speed and agility, within the Soul Sect it's already hard to find anyone who can match her."

"If you truly wish to defeat Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun, you must constantly push beyond your limits; otherwise you cannot make up the six‑year cultivation gap."

"Heaven Dou Royal Academy might give you some help, but if you really want to get stronger, you need more life‑or‑death battles; only between life and death can you truly break your own limits, just as when I once went alone into Sunset Forest—though someone protected me from the shadows, the danger was still great, with countless near‑deaths."

"Another point: between you there lacks true rapport, and such rapport isn't just a boyfriend‑girlfriend relationship or a past marriage contract; it must be a bond where you can rely on each other to the death."

Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai fell silent upon hearing this, obviously it exceeded their imagination, especially the dangers and pains Yang Xiong had endured, which were truly shocking.

……

Soon it was the next morning; only a few hours remained before the final showdown, and Yu Xiaogang was organizing everyone to set up the final battle formation.

Even though Yu Xiaogang had thought for so long, he still couldn't devise any way to counter the Spirit Hall team.

Yang Xiong watched Yu Xiaogang's eyes turn blood‑red, fearing he had spent the whole night pondering tactics; even Tang San and Qin Ming beside him looked a bit nervous, after all this was the final battle.

Yu Xiaogang looked unusually serious at Yang Xiong, "Yang Xiong, if you were to face the Martial Soul Fusion Technique Demon Charm of Xie Yue and Hu Liena, how long could you sustain it?"

Yang Xiong thought carefully before answering, "Master, that's hard to say; Xie Yue and Hu Liena have never shown their full power. Their Martial Soul Fusion Technique likely reaches at least the top Soul Emperor level, perhaps even Soul Saint level, and they also have mental attacks; even I might not endure more than five minutes."

The five minutes was Yang Xiong's conservative estimate, counting Xuanming Armor; otherwise, with Demon Charm's mental interference, even a Soul King could fall quickly. In the original, Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team was utterly crushed, a helpless defeat, while Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shi Brothers are now in the Second Team, all as main forces.

Although Tang San and Yu Tianheng's men are strong and each trusts their own combat ability, facing the Spirit Hall lineup makes them uneasy; they might hold their own against a Soul King, but they certainly cannot match Demon Charm.

Especially the red mist emitted by Demon Charm; even if Tang San uses Purple Extreme Demon Eye, he cannot see through it, though the red mist has mental‑interference effects.

Yu Xiaogang turned to Tang San, "Little San, if you were to confront Demon Charm, how long could you last?"

Tang San thought, "Teacher, my strength is far from Demon Charm's; I doubt I could even last three minutes."

Yu Xiaogang analyzed both situations carefully, finally gritted his teeth and said, "Then we'll gamble on five minutes; we must win within five minutes, otherwise we lose."

"This time I plan to field Yang Xiong, Little San, Dai Mubai, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong; Yang Xiong will distract Demon Charm, and the others must defeat all members of the Spirit Hall team within five minutes, at any cost."

"After all members of the Spirit Hall are knocked down, everyone will then swarm Demon Charm; perhaps that's the only chance to win."

Yang Xiong heard this tactic and merely scoffed; the Spirit Hall fighters are far stronger than Yu Xiaogang imagined, each with extensive combat experience. Even a six‑against‑five, plus Ning Rongrong's extreme support, barely holds; they even hope to crush the opponent?

Yet this tactic is indeed more targeted; the Shi Brothers are clearly at a disadvantage against the Spirit Hall team.

Yang Xiong seemed to recall something, looking at Xiao Wu.

Actually Yang Xiong has always been rather odd; Xiao Wu's identity hasn't been revealed even now, even though she has seen the Sword Douluo, and we don't know what method this Rabbit used to evade the Title Douluo's investigation.

Yu Xiaogang even arranged for Xiao Wu to take the stage in this final match; could fate have already destined Xiao Wu's exposure?

Finally Yang Xiong said, "I can try to eliminate one opponent, but there's a certain risk; it might cause a collapse."

Everyone stared at Yang Xiong in great astonishment; they had fought Yang Xiong many times and never expected him to have such a trump card.

In fact, over all these years, Yang Xiong has always followed the Body Sect's iron rule not to casually release his soul skill, and no one even knows what his soul skill is.

But now, thinking carefully, some of his soul skills may not need to be so hidden; even if the enemy knows, they can't counter them, such as a soul skill that looks easy to trap.

(End of Chapter)