"Unfortunately, all your efforts are in vain."
At this moment, Gu La lamented that he didn't possess the striking appearance of someone extraordinary—silver hair, purple eyes, or wings sprouting from his back. If he did, the scene of him effortlessly blocking a forty-meter spear with telekinetic force would have been truly awe-inspiring.
Of course, even now, it wasn't bad.
The ninth soul ring of the Snake Spear Douluo originated from an eighty-thousand-year-old spirit beast, yet his spear couldn't advance even an inch past three feet from Gu La's body. Blue ripples spread through the air like water waves.
"Spiritual power materialization?"
The Porcupinefish Douluo finally discerned some details about Gu La's telekinetic abilities but found it even more unbelievable. Could a soul master really interfere with reality using spiritual power? Or was this a special type of spiritual martial soul?
He couldn't figure it out. His mountain-like bloated body suddenly contracted, and countless poison spikes erupted from his pores.
"Eighth Soul Skill: Ten Thousand Poison Pierces!"
Gu La loosely clenched his left hand, and the humid night air seemed to be grasped by an invisible giant hand, squeezing out a torrential downpour.
Seamlessly transitioning into visualization techniques, the rain coalesced into countless ice crystals in midair. Before the poison spikes could reach him, they were frozen solid by the sub-zero temperatures.
His right fingertips crackled with white lightning. Upon closer inspection, the dazzling light emitted a dense, sharp aura as if hiding a forest of blades and a sea of swords, radiating an oppressive intent!
Simultaneously controlling four elements pushed Gu La to his limits. Without a corresponding elemental martial soul, he lacked the proper "leverage," requiring significantly more effort to manipulate the elements.
Though his Title Douluo-level spiritual power was formidable, it still required precise control to wield effectively.
But this was enough. With effortless ease, he blocked the Porcupinefish Douluo's eighth soul skill. The white lightning column suddenly surged, its extreme explosive force delivering a shocking blow to the overconfident Porcupinefish Douluo.
He screamed as he plummeted from the sky, spider-web patterns of capillaries and lightning burns spreading across his skin.
The Snake Spear Douluo had no time to rescue him. He retracted his spear and changed tactics, thrusting repeatedly. He refused to believe Gu La's spiritual power was limitless!
Wherever the spear tip pointed, piercing sounds reverberated as if space itself groaned under the strain.
Blocked by this assault, Gu La indeed couldn't press his advantage. The Porcupinefish Douluo quickly recovered from his paralysis and flew back into the sky.
His true form expanded violently, the toxic fumes emanating from his body forcing the nearby Soul Douluos to retreat another hundred meters. Dark red patterns on his surface writhed like awakened venomous snakes, each twitch releasing countless poison needles.
"Fourth Soul Skill: Endless Barrage!"
Ci Xue changed his strategy. Though their strength was inferior, two people's soul power combined was greater than one. If they kept consuming resources, their chances of victory would increase.
She Long received a mental message and shifted positions seamlessly, taking on the role of the main attacker.
A deluge of spear shadows obscured the sky, each strike precisely targeting the same point on Gu La's telekinetic barrier.
"Eighth Soul Skill: Thunderous Might!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the air. Gu La grunted, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His Soul Sage-level physical strength was holding him back, unable to endure the high-intensity spiritual battle.
His materialized spiritual power refracted moonlight, carving countless blue trajectories across the night sky.
The Porcupinefish Douluo seized the opportunity. His originally deep-black ninth soul ring suddenly turned purple. The surrounding purple poison needles darkened, and their tips spewed out thick black-purple toxic mist.
"Ninth Soul Skill: Poison Dominance Over the World!"
The toxic mist condensed into a headless giant serpent, defying the laws of physics as it reversed direction and flew toward Gu La. Even before it approached, countless crimson illusions appeared before Gu La's eyes, accompanied by the wails of thousands of vengeful spirits.
His spiritual consciousness violently shook—it was a soul skill imbued with a mental attack!
Fortunately, it wasn't a purely mental skill. After a brief moment of disorientation, Gu La regained his composure. Facing the onslaught of spear shadows and crimson poison needles, pus-filled blisters erupted on his skin.
But at this critical moment of life and death, a cold smirk crept onto Gu La's lips. A dense wave of spiritual energy suddenly descended from the sky, transforming into pure mental strikes resembling lunar punishment, attacking both opponents.
Future Sight!
A psychic-type move where the user can foresee the future to some extent, embedding attacks in the cracks of time to unleash them at a later moment.
This was a technique only a few Psychic-type Pokémon could use proficiently. Compared to Celebi's time-travel abilities, it was far less demanding in both difficulty and energy consumption.
From the start of the battle, while showing off, Gu La had already set up this ambush. This was the art of battle—always resort to any means necessary.
"You've lost."
As his words fell, Gu La raised a "Protect" with both hands, blocking the full-force attacks of the two Title Douluos.
The serpent spear halted motionless before the golden shield, while the Porcupinefish Douluo's toxic mist serpent dissipated into countless points of light, washed away by the rain.
"Impossible!"
The two Title Douluos screamed in unison. They had unleashed their full strength—how could they be so easily blocked?
Gu La stood suspended in the air, not intending to explain.
"Gentlemen, the battle ends here."
Future Sight shattered their soul power defenses, and the familiar oppressive force pressed against their chests.
Ci Xue and She Long exchanged glances, seeing intense regret in each other's eyes. But the outcome was set, and their regrets were futile.
Ci Xue bowed slightly. "Sir, your skills are unparalleled. We admit defeat. May we ask for your name so we know whom we lost to?"
"Haha."
Gu La chuckled, initially planning to decline. But then he reconsidered. Qian Renxue had somehow tracked him down, and having the backing of a mysterious Title Douluo might make her think twice.
Changing his mind, he said, "I am unworthy, but people call me Oak. I've published a few articles and gained some fame. Have you heard of me?"
"You're Oak!"
They exclaimed in unison, utterly shocked. For years, they had searched for this mysterious theorist, and now he had suddenly appeared before them—and defeated them.
The Porcupinefish Douluo's expression shifted, not bothering to verify the truth. "Since you're Mr. Oak, I'm sure you can guess where we're from. With your intelligence, why not join us and climb to the pinnacle of soul mastery together?"
Gu La shook his head faintly. Joining the Spirit Hall would expose him.
"No need to say more. I dislike being burdened by responsibilities and obligations, and I have no interest in living for anyone else. Before I change my mind, take your people and leave."
The Porcupinefish Douluo wanted to try again but suddenly felt excruciating pain in his chest, as if crushed by a boulder. He spat out a mouthful of blood.
Horrified, he realized this injury was worse than anything he had suffered during the battle.
Daring not to speak further, the Porcupinefish Douluo and the Snake Spear Douluo hurriedly retreated with their subordinates.
"Are you truly Mr. Oak? On behalf of His Majesty, I thank you for your righteous assistance."
The leading golden-armored imperial elder stepped forward to inquire, his thoughts chaotic. Unsure what to say, he wondered if extending another invitation after Gu La had already declined once would seem too tactless.
"May I ask, Mr. Oak, do you know where those two came from?"
Gu La turned his head. "You're quite the clever one, aren't you? Is this something a mere Soul Douluo should concern themselves with?"
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)