Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 16: Self-Created Soul Skill

"I want to see how you defend this time. If you use the White Tiger Protection Shield again, after just a few more attacks, you will run out of soul power!" Dai Mubai sneered.

Dai Yao was forced to activate the White Tiger Protection Shield once more to defend against Dai Mubai's assault.

The situation in the arena was nearly one-sided. Dai Mubai had complete control, relentlessly pushing Dai Yao back. Although Dai Yao's strength and speed were not inferior to Dai Mubai's, the gap in actual combat experience was vast. Dai Mubai completely dominated the tempo of the battle, and Dai Yao had no opportunity to launch a meaningful counterattack.

Dai Yao possessed brute strength, but lacked the technique to fully unleash it, unable to harness his power to its fullest potential.

"The Fourth Prince can hardly defend against the Third Prince's onslaught. He can only rely on his first soul skill to hold on. Once his soul power is exhausted, he will surely lose," some calmly analyzed the battle, making their judgment.

"I said it! There's a three-year age gap; defeating the Third Prince isn't so easy."

"To be fair, the Fourth Prince is indeed impressive. To be able to fight back and forth with the Third Prince right after obtaining his soul ring is remarkable," others praised Dai Yao.

The audience in the stands was abuzz with conversation, many of them already convinced that the outcome was decided. As time passed, Dai Yao would inevitably fail.

The queen, with her cold expression, betrayed no emotions. She had come today expecting a clean and decisive victory, where Dai Mubai would easily defeat Dai Yao, trampling his dignity underfoot. The humiliation that woman had caused her, she was determined to repay a hundredfold through her son.

But Dai Mubai wasn't able to end the battle quickly; instead, he had been drawn into a difficult struggle. Even if he won, it would be an ugly win. The queen's mood soured immediately.

However, Dai Mubai on the field didn't feel relieved at all.

Although it seemed like Dai Yao was being suppressed, besides the first two successful attacks, none of Dai Mubai's subsequent strikes had truly posed a threat to Dai Yao.

Dai Yao had only used the White Tiger Protection Shield twice.

The Fifth Elder, watching from the high platform, narrowed his eyes at the scene. "Although Dai Yao hasn't been able to counterattack, his movements are no longer as chaotic. He's starting to adapt to Dai Mubai's offensive."

He was once again shocked by Dai Yao's talent, but then sighed, thinking, "But it's too late now. After using his first soul skill twice, how much soul power does he have left? Meanwhile, the Third Prince hasn't used a single soul skill, and he has a soul power level of seventeen—much higher than Dai Yao's. Once Dai Yao runs out of soul power and the White Tiger Protection Shield is deactivated, the Third Prince will easily defeat him."

The Fifth Elder, his hand trembling slightly under his fiery red beard, exhaled a deep sigh, full of complex emotions.

Bishop Ferdinand, who was leaning against the railing, appeared calm on the surface, but internally, he was delighted. "How foolish the White Tiger family is. A talent like this would have already qualified him to be a Holy Son in my Spirit Hall, but they've ruined him with their rigidity. It's truly a pity for Dai Yao."

"Is this what real genius looks like?" Dai Mubai couldn't help but think to himself. "Such rapid growth in such a short amount of time—it's unbelievable."

Dai Mubai's attacks did not cease. His continuous barrage came crashing like a tidal wave at Dai Yao.

Dai Yao had no time to think and could only rely on his instincts to defend. His wings flapped continuously behind him, increasing his speed and helping him adjust his posture to dodge Dai Mubai's fatal strikes. However, his skills, the Eight Extreme Fist and Explosive Step, didn't have any room to be used in the face of Dai Mubai's overwhelming offense.

The two continued to hold their ground.

Dai Mubai's anxiety grew as his breath quickened, and even his attacks became more erratic. He knew his mother wanted him to humiliate Dai Yao thoroughly, but the situation was such that not only could he not punish Dai Yao, but Dai Yao seemed to be growing more at ease with every moment.

"I can't continue like this." Realizing the situation, Dai Mubai decided to change his strategy.

After forcing Dai Yao back once more, his expression turned ferocious. His eyes flickered with intent as he stomped the ground and slammed his fists toward Dai Yao.

He had completely abandoned defense and adopted a reckless, injury-for-injury approach, intending to deliver a fatal blow.

At that moment, Dai Yao sensed an opening. His eyes flashed with a sharp gleam, and he knew this was the critical moment to determine the outcome.

Dai Mubai was sacrificing his own defense to exchange injuries, so why should Dai Yao be afraid?

As the saying goes, when heroes meet on a narrow road, the victor is determined by courage.

Without the courage to face Dai Mubai head-on, how could he possibly have a chance to win?

Now, he finally had the opportunity to unleash his Eight Extreme Fist. Initially, he had hoped to use the Eight Extreme Fist and Explosive Step to keep up with Dai Mubai, but under Dai Mubai's relentless barrage, he had found no chance to use either technique.

Just as Dai Yao infused his soul power into his hands, a gust of wind suddenly blew across the arena, causing the spectators' clothes to flutter.

Dai Yao's right hand swelled up, and with his soul power activated, it looked like a block of granite—hard and powerful. The air around him swirled like a massive vortex, gathering around his right hand.

"The Fourth Prince is doing what?"

"What soul skill is this?"

The audience in the stands was buzzing with excitement, all shocked by the scene unfolding before them. The Fourth Prince was using an extremely powerful soul skill.

The Fifth Elder and Bishop Ferdinand both stood up, leaning over the railing, hoping to get a clearer view. They exchanged a glance, and both saw the shock in the other's eyes.

"A self-created soul skill?" Both of them spoke in unison, their voices trembling.

On the Douluo Continent, there are two types of soul skills: those gained through hunting soul beasts, granted by soul rings, or those obtained through soul bones, and those that are self-created.

For most soul masters, the soul skills they possess are acquired through soul beasts. Even many powerful soul masters who have reached the rank of Title Douluo have soul skills of the first type.

Self-created soul skills, however, are extremely rare across the continent.

Even the Heavenly Sect, the number one sect, has only one such skill—the Chaos Breaking Wind Hammer Technique. The White Tiger Clan doesn't even have a single one. Those who are strong enough to be considered geniuses in the world of Douluo don't even have their own self-created soul skills.

This shows just how difficult it is to create a soul skill of one's own.

Yet now, they were witnessing something unbelievable.

A six-year-old child was using a self-created soul skill.

This had completely overturned their understanding.

"Our Spirit Hall has so many talented people, yet there's no genius who could rival him. If only he were one of ours, he could join Spirit Hall," Bishop Ferdinand said, his eyes filled with longing as he looked at Dai Yao. He silently lamented, "This child's potential is enormous. Once he matures, he will pose a serious threat to Spirit Hall. He must be eliminated in the cradle."

He mentally sentenced Dai Yao to death.

(End of Chapter)

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