Chapter 243

Actually, even Mu En didn't know that the Body Martial Soul Second Awakening could evolve further; the innate second awakening could at most reach silver-rank, and only upon becoming an Honored Douluo could it possibly advance from silver-rank to gold-rank.

Thus, in fact, all holders of silver-rank Body Martial Souls are highly valued within the Body Sect, because they have the chance to advance to gold-rank Body Martial Souls; once they succeed in awakening, they become the next sect master of the Body Sect.

Among them, Long Aotian had the best talent and was most valued; he was also the member most expected to advance to a gold-rank Body Martial Soul, and in the Body Sect his status even surpassed that of some elders.

After the silver light flared up, Long Aotian's speed suddenly increased greatly, instantly appearing before Tang Wulin and chopping down with a palm blade.

Tang Wulin hastily blocked with the Golden Dragon Spear; although he succeeded in blocking, the force transmitted to his hand also startled him.

Long Aotian's strength was still weaker than his, but the gap was now small.

Seeing that his strike failed, Long Aotian did not relent; instead, he began spinning rapidly in midair, continually slashing toward Tang Wulin.

At first Tang Wulin could still match him, but as the number of slashes increased, he was surprised to find that Long Aotian's slash power kept growing, gradually reaching a point where even he could hardly withstand it head-on, forcing him to fight while retreating.

If Wang Dong were here, he would surely be surprised to discover that the combat technique Long Aotian is using now bears some resemblance to the Clear Sky Sect's Chaos Wind Hammer Technique.

Body Sect soul masters differ from those of other schools; focusing on themselves, they have developed many combat techniques, and for convenience, many of their techniques are imitations of other famous techniques.

As the former number-one sect under heaven, the Clear Sky Sect could not escape being borrowed and imitated; although Body Sect members generally dislike external objects and thus rarely use weapons, this does not prevent them from adapting the Chaos Wind Hammer Technique into something of their own.

Seeing that he could barely block Long Aotian's continually strengthening attack, Tang Wulin's eyes narrowed, he stomped hard on the ground, and a golden dragon head appeared behind him.

"Roar——"

The Golden Dragon Roar was unleashed, and Long Aotian's figure momentarily stalled, even the silver-colored shadow behind him nearly dissipating outright.

Tang Wulin did not miss this opportunity; his first and fourth soul rings lit up simultaneously.

As his dragon scales all over his body shone, a ring of golden light rapidly expanded outward, enveloping everyone present.

Instantly, the aura emanating from Tang Wulin began to soar rapidly.

This was the first time he used the soul skill called Golden Dragon Berserk Domain after regaining consciousness, and even he himself did not know beforehand what its exact effect would be.

But looking at it now, this soul skill's power far exceeds his imagination.

He could feel that upon releasing this soul skill, his Golden Dragon King bloodline instantly boiled, as if entering a berserk state, causing his strength, defense, and speed to all double.

Theoretically, as a domain skill, the Golden Dragon Berserk Domain should also grant a boost to his teammates within the domain.

There's no time to spare now; later I'll ask Huo Yutong how much of a boost she received.

The spear thrust out like a yellow dragon; Long Aotian barely managed to dodge, narrowly avoiding this thrust, but it was obvious he could not dodge the next strike.

Since he couldn't dodge, he didn't try; Long Aotian raised his hand high, his fourth soul skill flared, silver light surged, and the God-Slaying Slash, amplified by the Body Martial Soul Second Awakening, was unleashed.

"Boom!"

A huge sound rang out, kicking up dense smoke and dust.

Even though Long Aotian was using a soul skill while Tang Wulin merely thrust a spear normally, when the smoke cleared, Wei Na discovered that the one leeward was actually Long Aotian.

This truly left Wei Na astonished, her mouth hanging open; she had full confidence in her fiancé, as no peer in the Body Sect could defeat him, and seeing him downwind was a first for her. Moreover, although it wasn't apparent from appearance, Wei Na clearly knew that Tang Wulin's actual age was five years younger than Long Aotian's—the age gap between the reserve and main teams—and for these youngsters, a five-year difference often amounts to heaven and earth.

What level of strength did Long Aotian have at Tang Wulin's age?

Wei Na's face stiffened involuntarily; she recalled correctly that at that time Long Aotian had only four-ring cultivation, and his combat techniques were far inferior to now, making it impossible for him to contend with Tang Wulin.

Seeing that both still wanted to keep fighting, she suddenly shouted, "Aotian, stop for now!"

Hearing her voice, Long Aotian and Tang Wulin's movements halted together, and they looked at her puzzledly.

Wei Na said seriously, "You can have a full match at the next competition; for now, why don't we hear what they two have to say?"

Long Aotian's eyes flickered.

He actually wanted to keep fighting to decide the victor, but Wei Na is not only the link between the Body Sect and the Tian Hun Empire, she is also his beloved fiancée, and her dignity must be respected.

Thus he lowered his stance, his gaze burning as he looked at Tang Wulin.

"Let's owe this match for now and find another chance to compete."

"Mm."

This battle was originally provoked by Long Aotian; he called for a truce, and Tang Wulin naturally had no objection.

That said, Long Aotian truly deserves his title as the Body Sect's strongest young generation; after only a brief exchange, Tang Wulin felt he had benefited greatly.

Although I can overpower him in brute force, I am still far behind in combat techniques; I need to find a way to hone this aspect when I return.

Seeing both withdraw, Wei Na let out a sigh of relief.

She really feared that Long Aotian would get carried away and refuse to listen.

She knows Long Aotian's abilities well; in that fight, even without revealing all his trump cards, he gave his all, and the God-Slaying Slash boosted by the Second Awakening ranks among his top three attacks—yet Tang Wulin suppressed it with a casual strike, making victory impossible for Long Aotian.

If they continued, not only would Long Aotian lose to Tang Wulin, but he would also expose many techniques that should stay hidden; for their next competition that would be all harm and no benefit, so Wei Na could not allow him to keep fighting.

She turned to Huo Yutong and asked gently:

"May I ask what you two came to see us about?"

In the Soul Master World, strength is what matters most; Huo Yutong and Tang Wulin proved their strength in this battle, and her tone immediately became much more respectful.

Huo Yutong smiled faintly.

"This place isn't convenient for talking; let's find a quiet spot."

She didn't want their conversation to be overheard.

By the way, Tang Wulin's ability boost effect is truly outrageous—often just doubling, the domain skill gives him a hundred percent increase in all three stats, and he can even share one-third of his panel with teammates; this effect is more nauseating than that of the same-level Seven Treasure Glazed Tower, truly playing with the numbers to perfection.

(End of chapter)