["Die!"]
[A roar filled with anger and killing intent rang in Yu Xiaogang's ears.]
[In an instant, Yu Xiaogang felt as if death had descended upon his head.]
[But in this moment when death was imminent, Yu Xiaogang felt time passing incredibly slowly.]
[It was so slow that he could see the hideous expression on the attacker's face and the gathering of Soul Power on the opponent's fist.]
[At the same time, Yu Xiaogang could see the terror on Tai Tan's face as he sat slumped on the ground behind the attacker, and the subtle shift from shock to joy on the faces of Niu Gao and the others not far away.]
[At this moment, everything in the world seemed to have come to a standstill, coming into view for him to observe at will.]
[However, Yu Xiaogang also understood that now was not the time for observation; he had to survive under this person's hand.]
[What should he do?]
[The first thing Yu Xiaogang thought of was definitely Elementalization.]
[As long as he could successfully perform Elementalization, he could turn danger into safety.]
[But the problem was that Elementalization was not a passive skill, but an active one.]
[When fighting Tai Tan earlier, the opponent had never been able to hit his vital points.]
[That was because Tai Tan's speed was too slow; his attacks were all within the range of Yu Xiaogang's reaction time.]
[Therefore, upon realizing that Tai Tan's attack would cause unacceptable damage, Yu Xiaogang would immediately activate his Spirit Bone Skill to elementalize his body.]
[But now, this fellow in front of him had suddenly appeared, intercepted his attack, and then struck directly without hesitation.]
[At this moment, if he wanted to use Elementalization, he had to first input Soul Power into the Spirit Bone, then let the Spirit Bone output the Spirit Bone Skill to achieve the effect of Elementalization.]
[But the problem was, there wasn't enough time.]
[The attacker's strike was right before him; with the speed of his own Soul Power circulation, he simply wouldn't have time to elementalize.]
[So, besides Elementalization, what else could he do?]
[Taking it head-on was definitely out of the question; the opponent was out for his life, and if that fist landed, he would undoubtedly die.]
[As for Lin Lang.]
[Yu Xiaogang could feel Soul Power fluctuations behind him; clearly, Lin Lang had also sensed this person.]
[Should he gamble? Gamble on Uncle Lin being able to save him?]
[Yu Xiaogang dismissed the thought without a second thought.]
[It wasn't that he didn't trust Uncle Lin, but entrusting one's life entirely to someone else was the height of stupidity.]
[If Uncle Lin made a misjudgment, he would truly be dead.]
[So, what else did he have on him now that could handle the current situation?]
[external Spirit Bone? No time to use it.]
[Spirit Ability? This could work in time; after all, Soul Power was stored within the spirit rings, and Spirit Abilities could be activated with just a thought.]
[At this moment, Yu Xiaogang suddenly felt fortunate that he had discovered the secret of spirit rings being able to store Soul Power; otherwise, in today's situation, even the Spirit Abilities of the spirit rings would have been ruled out.]
[So, which Spirit Ability could help him?]
[The First Spirit Ability could form a defense, but in such a short time, the protection it could provide would be very weak.]
[The Second Spirit Skill was mental-based; it was usable, but its activation was complicated.]
[The Third Spirit Ability was a Domain, which wasn't of much use here.]
[Not to mention the Fourth Spirit Ability.]
[In other words, he could only rely on his First Spirit Ability and Second Spirit Skill for defense.]
[The First Spirit Ability alone wouldn't hold; he had tested it with his father, and his full-power defense had been shattered by a single blow from him.]
[However, there was no need to completely block the attack with the First Spirit Ability.]
[It would be enough as long as it could stall the opponent slightly, giving him enough time to perform Elementalization.]
[So, how could he strengthen the defensive capability of the First Spirit Ability?]
[Right, the Second Spirit Skill could cause a brief moment of mental daze when unleashed; just an instant would be enough for him to activate Elementalization.]
[Therefore, what he needed to do was use the Self-Created Spirit Ability he had researched before—the External Mental Shock formed by combining the First Spirit Ability and Second Spirit Skill.]
[But would that move alone be enough?]
[To be safe, should he use the Mental Pressurization method?]
[Numerous thoughts were completed in Yu Xiaogang's mind in nearly an instant.]
[Having figured out a strategy for survival, Yu Xiaogang shifted his focus and mobilized his First Spirit Ability, beginning to condense a Defensive Wall between himself and the fist that could kill him.]
[As it condensed, Yu Xiaogang's Mental Energy was also merging into it.]
[To Yu Xiaogang's surprise, this Fusion felt unprecedentedly smooth.]
[There wasn't a hint of obstruction, nor a shred of wasted power.]
[It was as if a piece of naturally formed steel was being created.]
[Everything was going so smoothly.]
[Feeling the power merging without resistance under his direction, even on the brink of life and death, the corners of Yu Xiaogang's mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly.]
[This experience reminded Yu Xiaogang of the legendary Epiphany.]
[Probably only an Epiphany could describe his current state.]
[Thinking about it, he really was interesting—having an Epiphany between life and death.]
[Hahaha, if only this feeling could last a little longer.]
[Yu Xiaogang's brain underwent a long period of realization.]
[In the outside world, in the blink of an eye, a figure arrived in front of Tai Tan, blocked Yu Xiaogang's attack, roared "Die!", and then threw a punch at Yu Xiaogang's head.]
[Long before that figure moved, Lin Lang had already noticed the opponent's actions.]
[Seeing the opponent rushing toward Yu Xiaogang, Lin Lang underwent Martial Soul Possession and also dashed toward Yu Xiaogang.]
[Almost simultaneously, Lin Lang and that person arrived by Yu Xiaogang's side.]
[The two attacked in succession.]
[But to Lin Lang's surprise, the opponent showed no intention of dodging his attack.]
[Seeing this, Lin Lang realized he had misjudged.]
[This fellow was a lunatic; he was willing to expose his own vitals just to strike at Yu Xiaogang.]
[What a reckless madman!]
[Lin Lang cursed inwardly and immediately shifted his target, aiming directly at the fist attacking Yu Xiaogang, intending to deflect the blow.]
[But because of Lin Lang's initial misjudgment, he had lost the initiative; thus, before Lin Lang's attack could land, the opponent's fist had already reached Yu Xiaogang.]
["Stop!!"]
[Lin Lang watched with eyes nearly splitting as the fist closed in on Yu Xiaogang inch by inch, but he couldn't even roar out loud in time and could only scream in his heart.]
[Noticing the fury on Lin Lang's face, the man flashed a provocative smile, as if mocking Yu Xiaogang, mocking Lin Lang, and mocking the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.]
[But in the next second, the provocative smile on his face froze.]
[Because a Pitch-black Barrier stood in front of his fist.]
["Ridiculous!"]
[The opponent sneered inwardly, circulating his Soul Power to increase his strength.]
[But the moment his fist collided with that barrier, a sense of mental shuddering caused him to daze for an instant.]
[It was this brief moment of daze that gave Yu Xiaogang a chance to breathe.]
[In the next instant, the fist broke through the barrier and hit Yu Xiaogang's body.]
[But unfortunately, by this time, Yu Xiaogang had successfully activated his Spirit Bone Skill.]
[As the opponent's punch landed, Yu Xiaogang transformed into a flurry of Black Particles, successfully evading the lethal blow.]
, a one-on-one duel where life and death are irrelevant.
["So, are you going to join him?"]
[Yu Xiaogang's words left the scene in dead silence.]
[Flender and the members of the Second Team looked at Yu Xiaogang in a daze.]
[What did he mean?]
[He wants to fight Tai Tan and the others with the cultivation of a Spirit Ancestor?]
[Is he crazy?]
[On Tai Tan's side, Niu Gao and the others also looked at each other in surprise.]
[Finally, Niu Gao asked in disbelief:]
["Are you planning to fight us?"]
["Otherwise?"]
[Yu Xiaogang said matter-of-factly, glancing at Tai Tan as he continued to warm up his body.]
["Looking at this guy's stance, this battle is unavoidable."]
["It just so happens that I want to stretch my muscles too."]
["The reason I asked you is because I think you're still somewhat rational."]
["If you really intended to gang up on me, my response would be different."]
[Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Niu Gao and the others felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of dread.]
[Because Yu Xiaogang's performance was too calm, too confident.]
[As the Young Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Niu Gao and the others didn't believe Yu Xiaogang was unaware of the strength gap between Spirit Master Ranks.]
[The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had plenty of experts of different Ranks; Yu Xiaogang only needed to walk around the Sect to know the strength of experts at different levels.]
[But even so, he remained calm and confident when facing Tai Tan.]
[What this implied was self-evident.]
[The opponent believed that Tai Tan, a Spirit Emperor, was no match for him.]
[But was that possible?]
[Yu Xiaogang was only a Spirit Ancestor, while Tai Tan was a Spirit Emperor.]
[Fighting an enemy across two major Ranks—did such a thing really exist?]
[Niu Gao and the others inexplicably thought of Tang Hao, the Young Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect.]
[He was recognized by the entire Clear Sky Sect as the successor to the Clear Sky Douluo and the future Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect.]
[Currently, his strength was also at the Spirit Emperor Rank, yet he could defeat some Spirit Saints.]
[This incredible strength was the fundamental reason why the members of the Clear Sky Sect and their subsidiary Sects were truly convinced by Tang Hao.]
[Spirit Ancestor vs Spirit Emperor, Spirit Emperor vs Spirit Saint.]
[Strictly speaking, Niu Gao and the others still felt that a Spirit Emperor fighting a Spirit Saint was more difficult, as the boost from a Spirit Avatar was simply too great.]
[Even so, a Spirit Ancestor fighting a Spirit Emperor was also Heaven-Defying.]
[Could the rumors circulating outside that Yu Xiaogang was the number one of the younger generation be true?]
[Thinking of this, Niu Gao looked at Tai Tan, thinking maybe they should let it go.]
[But as if noticing Niu Gao's thoughts, Tai Tan immediately accepted the challenge.]
["Kid, you have guts for daring to fight me."]
["In today's battle, I don't need help, and you won't let anyone intervene. Our lives are in the hands of fate. Do you dare?"]
[Tai Tan stared fiercely at Yu Xiaogang.]
[Yu Xiaogang's willingness to fight him was completely unexpected, but Tai Tan felt relieved instead.]
[He had imagined many scenarios before, but those were under the assumption that they would have to force their hand against Yu Xiaogang.]
[But now, as long as Yu Xiaogang accepted the conditions of this battle, the nature of the fight would be completely different.]
[From seeking revenge while being in the wrong, it turned into a life-and-death duel voluntarily entered into by Yu Xiaogang.]
[This way, even if Yu Xiaogang was killed by him, it would be because he was too arrogant, and no one else could be blamed.]
[As for himself being killed by Yu Xiaogang?]
[What a joke. He, Tai Tan, was after all a powerful Spirit Emperor, with strength exceeding the Spirit Emperor Rank, making his attacks terrifyingly strong.]
[He wouldn't be able to take down a mere Spirit Ancestor like Yu Xiaogang?]
[If that were really the case, he might as well just be killed!]
[Tai Tan's life-and-death duel made Yu Xiaogang shake his head and laugh.]
[Since you want to court death, why should I refuse you?]
["Fine, I accept."]
[Hearing that Yu Xiaogang really accepted Tai Tan's challenge, everyone from both sides couldn't help but swallow hard.]
[Wait, you really dare?]
[Flender and the others from the Spirit Hall Academy Second Team looked at Lin Lang, hoping this Spirit Douluo would step forward to stop Yu Xiaogang's reckless behavior.]
[But Lin Lang remained comfortably seated in the carriage, only occasionally glancing in a certain direction near Tai Tan and the others.]
[Seeing that Lin Lang had no intention of stopping him, everyone turned their gaze to Bibi Dong.]
[Only to see Bibi Dong roll him eyes as he noticed his gaze.]
[We don't need to worry about that guy Yu Xiaogang.]
[Withdrawing her gaze, Bibi Dong fixed him eyes on Yu Xiaogang.]
[This time, she could properly gather a wave of intelligence on Yu Xiaogang.]
[Seeing that Lin Lang and Bibi Dong, who were more familiar with Yu Xiaogang, didn't react, everyone was dumbfounded.]
[Could it be?]
[On the other side, seeing Yu Xiaogang nod, Niu Gao and the others had no choice but to step back and clear the field for the two.]
[Yu Xiaogang and Tai Tan locked eyes under everyone's gaze.]
[Then.]
[Boom!]
[Tai Tan, whose size was like a small carriage, stomped on the ground and charged rapidly toward Yu Xiaogang.]
[He actually intended to attack while Yu Xiaogang hadn't summoned his Spirit yet.]
["Despicable!"]
[Flender cursed inwardly. He's stronger yet still takes advantage of a person in a vulnerable position; he's even more shameless than me!]
[As the person facing Tai Tan's charge, Yu Xiaogang grinned and let Tai Tan crash into him.]
["You're looking for death!"]
[Tai Tan grew even angrier. During the charge, his Second Soul Ring lit up, and his strength instantly surged.]
[Then, with this matchless Aura, he delivered a frontal elbow strike to Yu Xiaogang.]
[But as he hit Yu Xiaogang, he was stunned to find that his attack passed right through Yu Xiaogang's body.]
[The part of Yu Xiaogang's body that was hit turned into dark attribute particles that filled the air, drifting around the two.]
[At the same time, Yu Xiaogang raised his hand, and Little Dragon appeared behind Yu Xiaogang in his Dark Attribute Complete Form.]
["Wh-what is that?!"]
[Flender's eyes widened as he looked at Little Dragon's massive body in disbelief. He remembered that Yu Xiaogang's Spirit wasn't like this.]
["That is the true form of the Captain's Spirit. Little Dragon's usual appearance is for convenience in daily life."]
[Xu Xiaoxing explained to Flender from the side.]
[Upon hearing this, Flender recalled Little Dragon's small and delicate figure in his mind, then looked at the giant dragon before him.]
[You're telling me that the little thing I saw before is the same thing as this behemoth?]
[On the other side, Niu Gao and the others were equally shocked.]
[The intelligence they gathered didn't tell them that Yu Xiaogang's Spirit was something like this.]
[But soon, they calmed down.]
["Using such a large size to fight that Gorilla Tai Tan, I really don't know how to evaluate it."]
[Yang Wudi shook his head and said.]
[A Spirit Master's battle is not decided by size alone.]
[Under everyone's gaze, Yu Xiaogang's body and the dark particles in the air floated toward Little Dragon, merging into its massive frame.]
[In the next second, Yu Xiaogang, having completed his Martial Soul Possession, stretched his body and looked down at Tai Tan, who didn't even reach his knees.]
["You specialize in strength, and this is my Strength Form. I wonder which of us has the greater strength."]