Chapter 30: Battle Against Hu Yan Meng

After the first Soul Fighting Competition, because only one one‑on‑one match can be entered per day, Yang Xiong returned alone to the hotel to review the specific details of the battle.

In this Soul Fighting Competition, Yang Xiong was a bit nervous at first, but all those years of training were not in vain, and the countless resources he invested in himself were not wasted; although he did not use any soul skill, his strength, speed, agility, etc., should be among the strongest of the Great Soul Masters, yet he does not know how they compare to truly top‑grade martial souls.

But the chance to encounter such top‑tier martial souls in the Soul Fighting Arena is rare, after all, few true sect core lineages walk outside.

The next day, during the day Yang Xiong meditated alone in the hotel, and at night he went back to the Soul Fighting Arena for another match.

When Yang Xiong entered the match again, this opponent was taller than yesterday's opponent; his height seemed to be about 2.2 meters, like a gigantic fat man, weighing at least four hundred jin, his upper body was mostly bare, his lower body wore long trousers, and he looked extremely fierce.

And Yang Xiong, at 1.7 meters, looked relatively miniature in comparison.

Yang Xiong couldn't help to complain: "Is it that many people on Douluo Continent are exhibitionists, refusing to wear battle clothes just to show off their muscles?"

However, when the host announced the opponent's martial soul, Yang Xiong was surprised, because the person had soul power level 28 and his martial soul was Diamond Mammoth.

Yang Xiong was also shocked; Diamond Mammoth is the Inheritance martial soul of the Elephant Armor Sect, one of the four lower sects, reputed as the world's number one defensive martial soul, absolutely very formidable, likely far stronger than yesterday's contestant.

Moreover, unexpectedly, this person did not use a nickname on the Arena but went by his actual name Hu Yan Meng, and the level‑28 Hu Yan Meng had achieved a record of nine wins and one loss, which is quite impressive.

After stepping onto the Arena, Hu Yan Meng saw Yang Xiong's stature and record and sneered, "Kid, you'd better go back quickly; this kind of Arena match isn't for a child like you."

Yang Xiong gave a slight smile, "Aren't you just a bit older? I want to see what strength you actually have."

Hu Yan Meng's face darkened instantly, "Since you, kid, like to brag, I'll crush your bones and let you know the true cruelty of the Spirit Battle."

Yang Xiong smiled without replying; he didn't want to engage with such a mouth‑strong champion, and it seemed the entire Elephant Armor Sect shared this disdainful temperament.

But when the actual match began, Yang Xiong realized this fellow was not only verbally tough but physically tough as well.

During the Soul Fighting Competition's preparation phase, both sides summoned their martial souls and Soul Rings; Hu Yan Meng also had two yellow Soul Rings, but after the massive Diamond Mammoth possessed him, his whole body seemed even stronger, at least in aura he appeared far more formidable than yesterday's bull contestant.

When the host announced the start, Hu Yan Meng charged at Yang Xiong like a wild bull and threw a punch straight at him, looking extremely simple and brutal.

Yang Xiong also threw a punch in response, but after the two fists collided, both stepped back a pace; even Yang Xiong was surprised, knowing his punch had already used sixty percent of his strength, yet the clash resulted in a stalemate.

Especially Hu Yan Meng's fist was extremely hard; Yang Xiong felt the punch was like striking granite.

Hu Yan Meng was also a bit surprised, "Kid, your strength isn't small; let me see how your fist breaks my defense."

Hu Yan Meng moved at lightning speed; despite his massive size his body was unusually agile, delivering powerful punches and kicks.

Yang Xiong refused to be outdone; in both strength and speed he suppressed Hu Yan Meng, landing several consecutive punches on him and even delivering a heavy kick to his left shoulder.

But Hu Yan Meng was not affected at all; his whole body was as hard as iron, and even Yang Xiong's continuous attacks were easily blocked.

After a full three minutes of fighting, Hu Yan Meng's face broke into a wild laugh, "Kid, your strength is decent, but unfortunately you can't break my defense; with only that much power you can't defeat me."

Hu Yan Meng's Second Soul Ring flashed, his already robust body expanded again, clearly much stronger than before, manifesting his second soul skill: Mighty Horse Great Strength.

Yang Xiong still fought with sixty percent of his strength; with a single blow he felt a massive force push him back two meters, while Hu Yan Meng remained completely unmoved.

At this moment Yang Xiong couldn't help but smile, "Now that's interesting; otherwise this Spirit Battle would be meaningless."

When Hu Yan Meng launched another attack, Yang Xiong's speed was much faster than before; a hand‑slash blocked Hu Yan Meng's strike, and in that instant his both hands transformed, his five fingers turning into sharp claws that swiftly grasped Hu Yan Meng's arm.

Hu Yan Meng's defense was indeed formidable; even though Yang Xiong used only sixty percent of his power, that was already enough to defeat yesterday's opponent, and Hu Yan Meng's hand showed only five faint, barely visible blood marks.

But before Hu Yan Meng could react, Yang Xiong swept his right leg, striking the joint of Hu Yan Meng's left leg; Hu Yan Meng's whole body winced in pain, and his stance became slightly unsteady in that instant.

Seizing the moment, Yang Xiong's hands, like claws, latched onto Hu Yan Meng's shoulder, simultaneously an elbow struck his head, and finally his right foot kicked upward, propelling Hu Yan Meng seven or eight meters into the air.

After enduring continuous attacks from Yang Xiong, Hu Yan Meng looked in terrible condition; his shoulder resembled five blood‑filled holes, blood spurted from the corner of his eye, indicating that even the Elephant Armor Sect's head is relatively vulnerable.

Yang Xiong did not press the advantage; he merely wanted to hone himself through combat, and victory was no longer the most crucial thing.

Hu Yan Meng's body was extraordinarily resilient; he sprang up from the ground at speed and wiped a strand of fresh blood from his mouth corner.

"Good kid, after so many Soul Fighting Competitions this is my first injury; looks like I'll have to bring out some real strength."

Yang Xiong stretched his limbs, "I hope your strength is a bit harder than your mouth, otherwise you won't be able to defeat me."

Hu Yan Meng's First Soul Ring flashed, and his already robust body seemed to be covered with a layer of earth‑colored energy, like a shield; this was his first soul skill: Mammoth's Guard.

Yang Xiong was also a bit surprised, "It's not a pure defensive skill; it's a body‑defense amplification soul skill, which is rather rare."

"But I'm curious; with your strength and physique, especially your formidable defense plus the two rare amplification soul skills, you should have no equal among Great Soul Masters. How did you lose that match?"

I plan to study Baji Quan later; I always feel this kind of combat lacks a bit of artistic conception and also lacks some intensity.

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(End of Chapter)