Douluo Continent: The Real World

Huang Yuan's hair was originally black, but after the spirit possessed him, it instantly turned gray and grew rapidly longer. Hair of the same color appeared on his exposed hands.

Simultaneously, his body seemed to swell, his muscles becoming larger and more defined.

His green eyes fixed on Yu Tianyan, his hands transforming into sharp wolf claws that gleamed with a cold light. Two yellow soul rings rose from his feet and circled around him.

"Boy, I've tolerated you for long enough. I am now officially challenging you."

After declaring this, he glanced at Liu Erlong, whose face was as cold as ice, and spoke with a fist formed from his wolf claws.

"Dean, this kid has insulted me gravely. Please allow me to duel him."

Liu Erlong didn't respond but turned and walked away. Before leaving, she cast a fierce glare at Yu Tianyan, silently warning him that if he didn't provide a satisfactory explanation, he would be in trouble.

Her departure left everyone stunned once again. Huang Yuan stood awkwardly, watching her walk away, uncertain of what to do.

"The Dean actually left," Jiangzhu exclaimed, surprised.

Liu Erlong had clearly been in an explosive mood, so why had her anger vanished as soon as she turned around? Sensitive to emotions, Jiangzhu's mind entertained an unbelievable idea, but she quickly shook her head, dismissing it as overthinking.

Yu Tianyan smiled, saying, "You're challenging me alone? Haha, you should both come at me together."

Huang Yuan, stunned by Liu Erlong's departure, felt an invisible anger rise to his head.

"You are too arrogant!"

Just as he was about to launch an attack, Jing Ling could no longer hold back his temper. Casting hesitation aside, he growled lowly, "Skeleton Possessed!"

A giant, humanoid skeleton appeared behind Jing Ling, its hollow eyes burning with green flames as two yellow soul rings emerged from beneath its feet. Jing Ling's entire body appeared drained, yet he radiated a cold, murderous intent.

"[First Soul Skill: Bones Transformed into Blades]"

His first soul ring lit up, and a nearly one-meter-long bone blade extended from his arm. With an eerie gait, he rushed towards Yu Tianyan.

Huang Yuan, slightly behind, let out a shout and charged, his wolf claws poised to strike.

"They're actually teaming up," Jiangzhu said in disbelief, her beautiful eyes wide.

Huang Yuan's martial soul was relatively typical, but the transformation in Jing Ling intrigued Yu Tianyan. Still, he focused on the fight at hand. Gathering power in his arms, now covered with dragon scales, he dashed towards the two attackers.

Since a fight was inevitable, he would defeat them in the most direct and undeniable way.

Jing Ling took the lead, slicing with his bone blade. The chill of his attack brushed against Yu Tianyan's face as he quickly raised an arm to block it.

There was a sharp clang as the bone blade struck the dragon scales, sparking briefly before being repelled. Yu Tianyan felt a slight pain; unlike Tai Long's fist, the sharp blade caused more damage to his scales.

To his surprise, the bone blade seemed non-conductive; the lightning on it couldn't reach Jing Ling.

Meanwhile, Huang Yuan's wolf claws came sweeping in. Yu Tianyan quickly sent a bolt of lightning to push him back. Reluctant to endure what Tai Long had, Huang Yuan activated his first soul ring:

"[First Soul Skill: Swift Wolf Flash]"

In an instant, he moved to Yu Tianyan's right side, launching another attack alongside Jing Ling, who struck with his bone blade from the left. Together, they attacked from both sides with practiced coordination.

Seeing this, Yu Tianyan, though lacking experience, realized he couldn't take them both head-on. His first and second soul rings lit up:

"[First Soul Skill: Thunder] - Increases all attributes by 30%"

"[Second Soul Skill: Lightning]"

Thunder energy gathered around him, releasing a terrifying purple lightning in all directions. The dragon scales on his arms spread under the effect of thunder, generating violent purple sparks. Forced to retreat, the two attackers were pushed back.

"Damn, he's like a hedgehog covered in lightning!" Huang Yuan muttered.

Jing Ling raised his arm, the bone blade shielding him from the scattered lightning. Jiangzhu, witnessing it all, was taken aback. Watching Yu Tianyan activate two soul skills simultaneously, her eyes widened in awe, realizing the extent of his talent. He was a true prodigy.

Originally concerned about Yu Tianyan's safety, Jiangzhu was completely captivated. His thunder-covered form burned itself into her memory.

"Good teamwork, you two," Yu Tianyan said. "But now, it's my turn."

With that, he leaped into the air, wings of lightning and fire emerging from his back and carrying him upwards.

"Soul bone!" Jing Ling murmured in disbelief. Jiangzhu, too, was stunned, her understanding of his abilities expanding.

With wings of fire and thunder on each side, his body wrapped in violent lightning, Jing Ling felt a surge of helplessness.

"Huang Yuan, don't give up! Even if he has soul bones to fly, he'll run out of soul power eventually. Once he does, we'll definitely win," Huang Yuan said, though even he was troubled by the massive gap between them.

"Although your martial spirit isn't exceptional, your tactical judgment is solid. However, my soul bones don't consume soul power," Yu Tianyan declared as he launched a bolt of lightning from his palm.

"What?"

With no time to think, Huang Yuan and Jing Ling retreated, the latter losing his will to fight altogether. He questioned himself: Was it really a victory if they had to fight a child together?

Slowly, Jing Ling withdrew from Yu Tianyan's range, dispersing his martial soul. Huang Yuan, his head hung low, activated his second soul ring:

"[Second Soul Skill: Wolf Howl Bomb]"

A gray energy bomb flew from his mouth, aimed at Yu Tianyan, who dodged gracefully in the air.

Seeing his attack fail, Huang Yuan turned and ran towards the forest, hoping to use the trees as cover.

Jing Ling raised his hands, signaling surrender. The cold-blooded Jing Ling's pride would not let him continue the fight. A feeling of sadness weighed on him, realizing the futility of challenging someone so far beyond him.

Seeing that Jing Ling had given up, Yu Tianyan withdrew his hand and turned to pursue Huang Yuan. Jiangzhu approached Jing Ling, looking at his pained expression, and tried to console him:

"Don't dwell on it too much, Jing Ling. This child is a true prodigy. There's no shame in losing to him."

At her words, Jing Ling fell silent.

(End of chapter)