The pressure that followed was not just merely soul power, but blood pressure.
A terrifying dragon might far surpassed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon surged outward, suffocating the alley.
Qin Ming's expression changed instantly. Almost on instinct, his soul power flared.
"Martial Soul Possession—Inferno Grey Wolf."
Grey fur streaked with crimson flame enveloped his body. His pupils sharpened, claws extending as heat rippled outward.
Both were Soul Sages. Yet Qin Ming felt it clearly.
It was as though he were facing a higher-ranked existence—
a predator standing at the top of the food chain.
Yu Ming's eyes glowed faintly.
"Domain—Beast Sanctuary."
An invisible field spread out, suppressing wild soul power while simultaneously amplifying Yu Ming's own presence. Qin Ming felt his movements grow heavier, as if he were wading through invisible resistance.
Yu Ming did not hesitate.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Dragon's Strength!"
Blue light surged violently through his veins. His muscles swelled, veins standing out like steel cords. His physical strength and defense skyrocketed—a full fifty percent increase.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
"Fifth Soul Skill—Power Charge."
Thump—thump—thump.
Yu Ming's heartbeat accelerated to an inhuman rhythm.
His limbs were flooded with overwhelming power, each motion feeling as though it could shatter stone.
Qin Ming's pupils contracted. He did not dare underestimate his opponent.
He attacked first.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Howl!"
Qin Ming threw back his head and roared.
A terrifying sonic wave mixed with scorching flames tore through the alley like a blazing shockwave, shattering loose stones and scorching the walls.
Yu Ming vanished.
He dodged with explosive speed, his body rebounding off the alley walls like a dragon in flight—erratic, unpredictable, and lethal.
Qin Ming's eyes struggled to follow.
Unable to properly aim, he gritted his teeth and shifted tactics.
"Sixth Soul Skill—Fire Claws!"
Flames condensed around Qin Ming's claws, turning them into blazing weapons capable of tearing through metals.
He lunged forward—But it was useless.
Yu Ming burst straight through the flames.
Bang!
A shoulder charge slammed into Qin Ming's chest like a battering ram.
They exchanged blows at point-blank range.
Right jabs, Hooks.
Heavy punches colliding with bone and muscle.
Yet from the very first exchange, the difference was clear.
Qin Ming was being suppressed.
Each time he struck, Yu Ming absorbed it with frightening ease, his dragon scales deflecting most of the force.
Unable to maintain close combat, Qin Ming retreated half a step and launched a wide-area attack.
A sweeping kick lashed out.
Yu Ming ducked low.
In the same instant, he twisted his waist and threw a devastating right hook.
Crack—!
The blow landed squarely against Qin Ming's jaw.
His vision darkened for a moment and his body nearly lifted off the ground.
Before he could recover—
Bang! Bang!
A brutal combo of punches crashed into his face and body.
His face bruised rapidly, turning purple-black and all the bones in his body screamed in protest.
Qin Ming's consciousness wavered. He collapsed heavily to the ground.
The Inferno Grey Wolf faded as his martial soul possession was forcibly broken.
Lying in the dust, half-conscious, Qin Ming heard footsteps approach.
Yu Ming's voice was calm—almost regretful.
"I didn't intend to go all out on a weakling like you."
He looked down coldly.
"But a lesson from a few years ago taught me something important."
His eyes gleamed with ruthless clarity.
"Even if a lion hunts a rabbit…it should still use its full strength."
Yu Ming withdrew his fist and exhaled slowly, the azure scales on his body gradually dimming.
He turned his head slightly.
"I think this much beating should be enough."
His tone was casual, as though commenting on the weather.
Yu Tianheng approached, the bag of high-grade medicinal herbs slung over his shoulder. Without hesitation, he lifted his foot and kicked Qin Ming's ribs.
Thud.
"Ow—!"
A hoarse cry escaped Qin Ming's throat.
Yu Tianheng looked down coldly and said flatly, "With this beating—and with herbs of this quality to assist my training—my anger is somewhat relieved."
Qin Ming lay sprawled on the ground, blood at the corner of his mouth, his consciousness flickering like a dying flame.
Yet when he heard them speaking about taking the medicinal herbs away, something snapped within him.
He forced his eyes open and blurted out hoarsely—
"D-Don't take that bag…"
His voice trembled.
"It's for Lord Clear Sky Douluo."
The moment those words left his mouth—Yu Ming froze.His pupils contracted sharply.
Clear Sky Douluo?
A subtle gleam ignited in his eyes,his intuition screamed that this was important.
He crouched slightly, lowering his gaze to Qin Ming's battered face.
"Clear Sky Douluo?" Yu Ming repeated slowly.
A faint smile curled his lips.
"Interesting."
He tilted his head.
"What is Clear Sky Douluo doing at Shrek Academy?"
Qin Ming's breathing grew heavier.
His jaw clenched. Despite the pain wracking his body, he pressed his lips tightly together.
Yu Ming straightened as the smile on his face did not fade—instead, it deepened. A dangerous kind of amusement surfaced.
"So you won't answer?"
He flexed his fingers.
Crack. Crack.
The sound of knuckles popping echoed sharply in the narrow alley.
"I'm very curious," Yu Ming said lightly, "how much you're actually hiding."
He stepped forward, shadow looming over Qin Ming's prone form.
"And how long that stubborn temper of yours can last…"
His voice lowered, carrying cold authority.
"…in front of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's torture techniques."
Qin Ming's pupils trembled.
Yu Ming turned his head without looking back.
"Tianheng."
"Yes, Brother."
"Go to the entrance of the alley," Yu Ming ordered calmly. "Keep watch."
Yu Tianheng nodded, gripping the bag of herbs tightly before turning and walking away.