Chapter 48: Phantom Demon Fox and Ice Jade Scorpion: The Future is Yours, But the Present Belongs to Me

"Brother Ming, are you really going to let that child continue challenging?"

High above the Spirit Ice Plaza, Spirit Hall Dou Luo Luo Luo Yali looked down at the two youths facing off on the Ice Battle Stage, her emerald eyes rippling with worry.

"Let him fight," Xiang Yunming said with a smile: "Shi Shi Laike Academy is revered as the number one academy on the continent; students come with a pilgrim's heart, strictly abiding by rules and regulations, each behaving as obediently as a quail. It has been many years since such a unique student appeared."

"Handsome in appearance yet acting without any scruples—not bad, his personality is just like mine."

Luo Luo Yali chuckled softly, lightly punching Xiang Yunming; having shared life's hardships with him for many years, she naturally understood the implication behind her husband's words.

Back then, he alone, wielding a spear, had broken into Ming Du, snatched her away under the gaze of countless eyes, and promised to fight every rival for her hand. That battle shook heaven and earth, striking until space nearly collapsed, and in the end, he won the beauty's heart.

"The academy has been too calm for too long; occasionally stirring up some waves is good, as outer court students will feel more motivated once they perceive the gap. However, without a referee below, safety cannot be guaranteed," Luo Luo Yali reminded.

Xiang Yunming waved his hand toward the distance, dispersing the academy enforcers rushing over, and said, "Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen knows his limits; when the Holy Angel fell earlier, he could have struck again, but he gave up the chance to inflict a heavy blow."

"The Holy Angel understood that the opponent had shown mercy, so despite still having a sliver of resistance left, he admitted defeat."

"The highest rank on the Young Genius List is merely a Soul King; with you and me present, absolutely no accident will occur. Just watch the battle in peace."

"That makes sense."

Luo Luo Yali set her mind at ease; even if the Sky-Supporting Dou Luo Xiang Yunming were not here, relying solely on her, a level 98 Super Dou Luo, would still be enough to save both parties in time.

Could a level 98 Title Dou Luo possibly fail to stop a Soul King?

Who would be so shameful!

On the Ice Battle Stage, Li Li Qiankun's muscles swelled, making him stand like an insurmountable peak; four luxurious purple soul rings rose, a golden halo floated around his body, and as his five fingers curled slightly, a gilded bronze sphere engraved with archaic runes materialized out of thin air.

The Li Qiankun Sphere, a top-tier defensive tool martial soul; Li Li Qiankun was also known as the number one defense on the Young Genius List!

"Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen! Li Li Qiankun is a tool soul master; attack his true body!"

A silver-haired girl stood in the front row of the audience, her eyebrows curved happily, her stunningly beautiful face flushed with excitement; cupping her hands like a megaphone, she shouted encouragement loudly.

Rumors always spread the fastest; after the battle between the Body War Angel concluded, more and more spectators gathered, passing the news from one to ten and ten to a hundred, completely igniting the atmosphere on site.

All students of Class One, Grade Two, were present: Swan Mo Jue, Blue Lightning Yu Yu Yuanheng, Ning Xian, Chu Yan... united as one, all there to support their class monitor, Li Li Qiankun.

In another corner, Ye Ye Xinglan pressed her red lips tightly together, her slightly curved chest heaving violently; she stared unblinkingly at the battle stage, her eyes burning with towering flames.

Two seats away from Ye Ye Xinglan, the little fatty Xu Xu Li Zhi gazed at the two battle soul masters, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen and Li Li Qiankun, with full envy; if he possessed combat power, perhaps everything would be different.

"Buzz—"

The first and second soul rings flashed in succession as soul power surged from within; the Li Qiankun Sphere formed a pale golden shield, and the first soul skill, Li Qiankun Shield, steadily protected Li Li Qiankun's tall figure, whereupon a black-and-white fist slammed heavily into the shield, and where the two met, brilliant sparks bloomed, momentarily as breathtaking as fireworks.

The Tai Chi Yang Hand was incomparably fierce; its force continuously invaded through the shield, causing Li Li Qiankun to groan muffledly and retreat half a step; he squatted into a horse stance, subtly adjusting the soul power output of the Li Qiankun Shield, his entire body retreating inward as if he had no intention of counterattacking.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

A series of violent roars echoed across the battle stage; as Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's fists fell one after another, rings of black-and-white light radiated outward.

Li Li Qiankun propped up the Li Qiankun Shield with both hands, the muscles in his arms, thighs, and face tensed as hard as a sculpture, blue veins bulging at his temples, his pupils constricted to the extreme.

He appeared so passive, yet he remained squatting in place without moving, constantly maintaining his two great soul skills; Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's gaze darkened—Li Li Qiankun's ranking, surpassing even Yu Yu Yuanheng, truly had its merits, for every attack landing on the Li Qiankun Shield brought a rebounding force!

The Li Qiankun Sphere's second soul skill: Li Qiankun Shock!

The effect of this soul skill was similar to Yin-Yang Reversal, with the difference being that Yin-Yang Reversal reflected ranged attacks, using the opponent's own method against them, whereas Li Qiankun Shock reflected damage from melee attacks, truly a divine skill for defensive soul masters!

Li Li Qiankun gritted his teeth, his nerves tensed like steel cables.

Although Li Qiankun Shock could inflict reflected damage, the prerequisite was that Li Li Qiankun must first endure Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's attack; the Tai Chi Fist carried both fierce and gentle forces, the combination of hardness and softness beating him until he nearly vomited blood, and any lapse would lead to instant defeat!

"Unbreakable Li Li Qiankun, truly living up to his name..."

Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen suddenly sighed; none of the top three on the Young Genius List were anything less than one-in-ten-thousands monsters, and Li Li Qiankun's defense was the strongest he had encountered among peers!

"Golden Awakening can only be used once a day; I cannot waste it on you, so..."

Compared to Li Li Qiankun, who ranked third, the top two on the Young Genius List were Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's hunting targets this time; the True Self Golden Awakening could not be employed at this moment.

The next second, Li Li Qiankun heard the cracking sound of bones; before his very eyes, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen rotated his wrists, and from his wrists down to his soles, his entire skeleton crackled and popped as if countless gears were operating, tightly locking every gap together!

Body Secret Art: Battle Bone!

Muscles tightened sequentially, bones self-adjusted; this top-tier secret art of the Body Sect's Flesh and Blood lineage elevated physical strength another level, creating a perfect combat form!

"Not good!"

Li Li Qiankun roared fiercely; his third soul skill, Power of Li Qiankun, erupted, doubling the density of the pale golden halo covering the Li Qiankun Shield as a layer of energy shield pushed outward!

Amidst a crisp cracking sound, a hand shattered the energy shield, protruding through a crack in the Li Qiankun Shield and striking straight toward Li Li Qiankun's chest!

At the critical moment, Li Li Qiankun only had time to press the Li Qiankun Sphere against his abdomen to absorb Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's Tremor palm strike!

"Boom—"

It felt as if struck in the chest by a fixed-configuration soul cannon shell; from the sternum to the ribs, all emitted a groan of unbearable burden; had Li Li Qiankun not been a soul master specializing in defense, this single blow would have been enough to make him fall asleep soundly right there!

Even so, that mighty figure was still sent flying by the tremendous force of the Tremor palm; just at that moment, Li Li Qiankun ignited his fourth soul ring!

Golden light poured into his meridians like molten lava; Li Li Qiankun's entire body knotted and swelled with muscle, his skin plated with a layer of metallic cold glow, and the moment his feet touched ground, the Ice Battle Stage was actually stamped into a half-foot deep pit!

Shi Laike Yin-Yang Reversal, Li Qiankun Shock had an upper limit of endurance; Li Li Qiankun's combat experience was extraordinarily rich, and he clearly realized that Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen in the Battle Bone state had already surpassed his defensive limit, making defense-and-counterattack ineffective; he must switch from defense to offense!

The Li Qiankun Sphere's fourth soul skill: Stabilize Li Qiankun!

All remaining soul power within his body was injected into the Li Qiankun Sphere; the gilded bronze sphere transformed into a falling meteor, trailing a pitch-black vortex behind it, releasing a powerful suction force as if heaven and earth were reversing, pulling Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen's body toward it.

Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen clenched one hand into a fist; his first soul ring flashed, black-and-white energy twisting and intertwining as Yin and Qi condensed into a single point; the force triggered a resonance, violently tearing a rift open within the Li Qiankun Sphere's suction vortex!

Collapsing Force · Moving, Blocking, and Hammering!

The Li Qiankun vortex was shredded into pieces by the collapsing force; the bronze sphere cried out mournfully as it flew backward, Li Li Qiankun spat a mouthful of fresh blood, and his towering figure suddenly collapsed.

"Class Monitor!"

Class One, Grade Two, cried out in shock and rushed forward together; half frantically helped Li Li Qiankun up, while the other half formed a human wall blocking Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen, their scarlet eyes seemingly saying: If you want to touch him, step over our corpses first!

"Don't be impulsive; I'm fine..."

Li Li Qiankun spoke to calm his classmates, stood up to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said in a deep voice:

"Inconceivable power... I, Mo Jue, and Yu Yu Yuanheng do not regret our loss. Class Two-One will devote ourselves to cultivation, and once we have improved, we will challenge you again."

Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen concentrated his spirit and calmed his breath to recover soul power, then nodded and said, "I await you anytime."

He clasped his fists in a bow, then Li Li Qiankun strode away with the entire Class One of the second year. High above, Saint Spirit Limit Douluo Luo Luo Yali's eyes sparkled with wonder:

"In the criteria for the Young Genius Rankings, Spirit Master combat power carries the highest weight. Having defeated Li Li Qiankun in a one-on-one, when the rankings update next, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen will be the undisputed third..."

Speaking thus, Luo Luo Yali paused, sounding somewhat puzzled: "Brother Ming, I feel Zhao Xuanzhen could have been even more decisive. The Li Qiankun Ball excels in close-range defense; if he had controlled the Thunder element to bombard it repeatedly, the Li Qiankun Ball's defense would no longer be impenetrable."

"The logic is sound, but you haven't grasped his intent." Xiang Yunming stroked Luo Luo Yali's satin-like emerald-green long hair, explaining, "Thunder shattered the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, aerial combat suppressed the Holy Angel, and ancient martial arts techniques clashed head-on with the Li Qiankun Ball's defense.

Each time, he broke through the opponent's strongest domain head-on; he sought absolute suppression."

"So sharp-edged, Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen..." Luo Luo Yali exclaimed in astonishment.

"Moreover, that boy fought very cleverly, using basically only his first Spirit Skill. That secret technique controlling his own bones offers far less enhancement to a Body Spirit Master than a second awakening, with correspondingly much lower consumption. After two battles, his Spirit Power hasn't diminished much; he remains at peak condition.

I believe he was preparing for the final two opponents, after all, they are Spirit Masters of a different realm than Li Li Qiankun."

At the Ice Cold Arena, the watching Shi Shi Laike Academy students were no longer in a frenzy. With Yue Yue Zhengyu and Li Li Qiankun defeated consecutively, plus the crushing defeat of Blue Lightning Yu Yu Yuanheng, their gazes toward Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen gradually grew filled with respect.

On the Limit Douluo Continent, the strong are revered.

Encouraging voices for Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen rose intermittently from all sides. Xiang Xiang Naer glanced at the unmoving youth on the platform; through the tear in his clothes left by the wings formed via his Body Secret Technique, his rugged side waist was faintly revealed. The young girl hummed softly:

"Foolish Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen, deliberately exposing his waist to seduce a young girl."

"Tap, tap, tap."

Amidst the noise of the Spirit Ice Plaza, the crisp sound of high heels striking the ground suddenly rang out. A Bai Xi leg, outlining a graceful curve, stepped onto the arena. Her enchanting figure swayed with every step like a flower branch.

The woman possessed a face of utmost charm; her eye corners were lightly flushed, her vermilion lips full and moist, and the upward curve of her lips held an unspent allure.

Seeing the woman's delicate, charming face and voluptuous figure, Xiang Xiang Naer's expression instantly changed drastically. She couldn't help but secretly compare, then stamped her foot in utter defeat. This time, age held her back, and her figure was a total loss!

"Damn it, three years in the east, three years in the Hexi; do not mock a young girl's poverty!"

The silver-haired girl cried out in her heart, unwilling to accept it!

"Second on the Young Genius Rankings, Vice-Captain of Class One, Year Three, the Charm Fox Nangong Yao."

The woman's voice was lingering and soft, as if a tiny hand were gently stroking the listener's brain. Shi Shi Laike Academy students familiar with her hurriedly shook their heads, trying to expel and drive away that voice.

Li Li Qiankun is the number one Defense-type Spirit Master on the Young Genius Rankings; Nangong Yao is the number one Mental-type Spirit Master. Her martial soul, the Phantom Enchanting Fox, has cultivated its Charm Art to an extremely profound realm!

The phantom fox shadow swayed like flames. Purple, purple, purple, purple, purple! Five thousand-year Spirit Rings erupted wildly, and the pale pink halo at the tip of the fox tail burned open ripples.

A bizarre peach hue floated in Nangong Yao's eyes. Pink mist spread silently, the mist carrying a cloying, fishy fragrance. Wherever it passed, the wind seemed to have its bones pulled out, stagnating into a viscous current.

Combined Spirit Skill, Charm Mist!

Perception stripped by thirty percent, Spirit Power suppressed by thirty percent, movement sluggish by thirty percent!

"Little brother, a Spirit King is not an opponent you can challenge. The game ends here."

The fox tail exploded into a thousand layers of illusions, downy fur steaming up peach-colored mist. Nangong Yao's slender body danced; as her fingertips grazed her neck, the fifth Spirit Skill, Enchantment of the Enchanting Fox, activated.

Mental-type Spirit Skills act directly upon the Sea of Spirit. Everything Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen saw twisted; the woman's Bai Xi lotus-arm coiled around, her lips and tongue smiling seductively, her breath fragrant as orchids, her waist twisting enchantingly. Whispers surged from all directions, and the Phantom Enchanting Fox burned a mark onto his retina.

Nangong Yao curled her lips, the arc charming and confident, but her smile soon froze. She saw a pair of eyes, blazing with a brilliant golden hue, making one tremble with fear.

The pressure poured down like a celestial river. Nangong Yao felt an iron will, transmitted through the Enchantment of the Enchanting Fox, reverse and impose itself upon her with even greater oppressive force.

The entire world seemed to spin chaotically. She could not distinguish heaven from earth; her ears rang long, her eyes bloodshot. The Charm Mist dissipated like a receding tide, while chaos and pain filled her brain.

Until her tender face felt a tearing, excruciating pain, Nangong Yao suddenly snapped back to her senses. Her vision was filled by a fist; the wind from the punch blew up the stray hairs on her forehead.

"You were faking it; you never fell under the charm!" Nangong Yao said hatefully. "I still had my Character Character Doukai..."

"So I had to subdue you in one strike."

The brilliant golden hue slowly faded away. Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen stated calmly.

Mental Erosion. A mental combat technique created by Han Han Tianyi, the Brain-Shattering Limit Douluo, stimulating brain activity. The user's spiritual power surges massively for a short time, causing the target's Sea of Spirit to collapse and shatter!

In another timeline, Mo Jue and Li Li Qiankun forged a full set of Single-Character Character Character Doukai during the second semester of their third year. Nangong Yao is currently in the first semester of her third year; Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen guessed her Single-Character Character Character Doukai was mostly complete.

A Single-Character Character Character Doukai with the highest compatibility can provide a twenty-level Spirit Power boost. Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen would absolutely not sit idly by and let Nangong Yao release her Character Character Doukai, even if the armor was incomplete.

Single-Character Character Character Doukai made of non-Spirit-Forged metal has a fatal weakness: the Spirit Master must wear it. The best method against a Single-Character Character Character Doukai user is to attack with the momentum of thunder, leaving them no time to don the armor.

"Little brother, I remember you!"

Nangong Yao's gaze burned brightly. She walked down the Ice Cold Arena, swaying her sexy waist, making Xiang Xiang Naer feel a surge of anger.

Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen ignored Nangong Yao. His pitch-black pupils gazed at a young boy a hundred meters away, arms crossed. Their gazes met from afar. The boy read the emotion being transmitted within those eyes: an unsuppressable, cold determination.

"Tang Dong, do you intend to keep watching?"

"I thought Nangong Yao could win. Who would have thought? She couldn't even release her Single-Character Character Character Doukai." Tang Dong grinned.

In the distance, Nangong Yao's pretty face instantly turned black; her silver teeth ground together with a creaking sound.

"Junior Zhao, you recognized me, proving you have at least learned about me."

Tang Dong spread his hands, saying helplessly, "Next month I turn eighteen and automatically withdraw from the Young Genius Rankings. Is it not easy to achieve the summit then? Why not just wait?"

"The first place is won by strength." Zhao Zhao Xuanzhen said indifferently. "One reason I entered Shi Shi Laike Academy is to fight you before you turn eighteen."

"I like your courage. As a senior from the third year, for fairness' sake, I will not use Character Character Doukai." Tang Dong slowly ascended the arena, his tone frivolous.

"High-sounding words. Breaking that martial soul to a five-ring Spirit King at eighteen; you must have spent all your energy cultivating Spirit Power, right? How many pieces of Character Character Doukai have you made? Do you have even half of Nangong Yao's?"

"Damn it."

Tang Dong shrugged gloomily: "I originally wanted to put on a show, but you exposed me.

I might as well tell you; I only have one chest piece, yet Nangong Yao, with her eight pieces of Character Character Doukai, is still no match for me."

Martial Soul Manifestation. Tang Dong's arms were covered in diamond ice crystals. His emerald-green tail hook, the color of jade throughout, was raised high, its tip a gleaming silver hook. Boundless cold air erupted!

"Junior, the future is yours, but the present belongs to me."

Purple, purple, purple, black, black!

Five Spirit Rings rose fiercely. Number one on the Young Genius Rankings, the Extreme Ice Tang Dong, martial soul Ice Jade Scorpion!

(End of this chapter)