Chapter 41: Tian Lin vs. Yu Tianheng (2) - Douluo's spirit bead sword

Chapter 41: Tian Lin vs. Yu Tianheng (2) Tian Lin glanced at the cloth strip on his chest and sighed, "What an impressive claw technique! Is this one of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan’s unique soul skills?" "That's right, this is the Coiling Dragon Seven Claws!" Yu Tianheng retracted his dragon claw and said, "I can see you've only been using basic sword techniques. You can't possibly defeat my family's soul skill with that. Why not use the Seven Kill Sword Technique?" "Alright, then prepare yourself—it's time for my aura of killing intent to spread!" Tian Lin knew he couldn't win against Yu Tianheng with just Shushan's basic sword techniques, so he got serious. A menacing aura converged around Tian Lin, sending shivers down one's spine. Yu Tianheng knew that a natural sense of fear arises when facing such auras, and once fear suppresses one's fighting spirit, it leads to a rapid decrease in combat effectiveness. Hence, one must confront the challenge head-on. "Thunderous Dragon Claw, Thunder Dragon Breaks the Wind!" The Seven Kill Sword Technique allows no retreat. Naturally, Tian Lin wouldn't dodge at this time. Both of them unleashed their ultimate moves with their first soul skills activated, showcasing power comparable to a Soul Elder. Sword and claw, ice and thunder clashed countless times, thrilling anyone who witnessed the spectacle. At that moment, Yu Tianheng suddenly changed tactics. Transforming his claw into a fist, blue electric light buzzed continuously as he concentrated his power. It seemed his first soul skill, like Tian Lin’s, could also be unleashed offensively rather than just being a state-type skill. With a thunderous roar, a lightning dragon head surged toward Tian Lin as Yu Tianheng struck with his fist. Tian Lin raised his long sword and slashed down, "Condensing Cold Snow, go!" Instantly, the powerful ice-sealing force neutralized Yu Tianheng's lightning, leaving the two evenly matched. "It’s like watching a duel between the young Sword Douluo and Thunder Douluo." Meng Shenji marveled, acknowledging that although both were just Grandmasters, their strength did not fall short of a Soul Elder's. "Xiao Tian, you're indeed formidable. Now, how will you handle this? Second soul skill, Thunder's Wrath!" Yu Tianheng finally unleashed his trump card, the second soul skill. Though a single-target attack, its power vastly surpassed that of the Thunderous Dragon Claw. Several bolts of lightning converged into one, and a mighty current swept toward Tian Lin. "I have a second soul skill too, Icefire Sealing God!" Tian Lin instantly summoned icefire energy, sending out two sword waves to clash with Yu Tianheng. Tian Lin used at least sixty percent of his strength in this blow, while Tianheng went all-out. Their forces were locked at an impasse in the arena's center. "Xiao Tian, you're truly strong. My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon has never met a match in attack power. Even though you are using a millennium soul skill against my century soul skill, you have every right to be proud." Yu Tianheng’s voice echoed through the lightning with confidence. Now both sides had entered a battle of soul power. Without full exertion, even with a millennium soul skill, the disparity of four levels in soul power was a challenge for Tian Lin to bridge. It became apparent that Tian Lin's icefire energy was slowly being suppressed by Yu Tianheng's lightning. "Yu Tianheng has the upper hand now." Many who bet on Yu Tianheng cheered passionately. "Hehe, it looks close, but victory and defeat do not lie in this blow!" Tian Lin smiled slightly, and surprisingly withdrew his power, leaving Thunder's Wrath unopposed as it surged toward him. This shocked Yu Tianheng. He hadn't expected Tian Lin to suddenly retreat, and he hastily shouted, "Xiao Tian, get out of the way! I can't stop my soul skill!" The power of Thunder's Wrath was formidable. A direct hit could prove devastating for Tian Lin. "Condensing Cold Snow!" In an instant, Tian Lin activated his first soul skill, and astonishingly, his first soul skill alone completely blocked Yu Tianheng’s Thunder's Wrath. "Hehe, Yu Tianheng, now you have no chance!" Tian Lin seized the opportunity, slashing horizontally with his sword. Yu Tianheng reached out with a dragon claw to block, but the overwhelming force drove him back halfway across the field. "Fierce Storm and Rapid Thunder!" In the least amount of time, an assault-type soul master unleashes their strongest attack. Tian Lin had mastered the basic sword techniques to an extraordinary level, with seamless transitions between each move. Fierce Storm and Rapid Thunder was the strongest move within Shushan's introductory sword techniques, delivering a rapid strike aimed at the opponent's vital point. Of course, Tian Lin wouldn’t deal a fatal blow to Yu Tianheng, so he slightly adjusted the direction of his sword tip, shifting the target from the heart to the shoulder. "Thunder Dragon Guard!" Yu Tianheng hurriedly employed the second form of Coiling Dragon Seven Claws, a defensive move. Lightning formed glove-like coverings around his hands, attempting to seize Tian Lin’s sword edge to block the attack. "Yu Tianheng, stop struggling. You can’t withstand my sword in your current state." Tian Lin increased his power, causing the blade to glide through Yu Tianheng's grip, leaving a bloody gash on his shoulder. Although his palm was protected by lightning, it was still frozen and injured by the cold of Condensing Cold Snow. "What’s happening? The situation has completely reversed. How did Tian Lin suddenly become stronger?" Dugu Yan was both anxious and puzzled. The previously favorable situation turned on its head after Tian Lin withdrew his second soul skill. "No, it's not that Tian Lin became stronger, but that Yu Tianheng became weaker. Did you notice?" Meng Shenji asked Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin beside him. "Yes, it seems Tian Lin's second soul skill is not just an attack but also has a weakening effect on the opponent." The two nodded in unison, their experienced eyes far surpassing those of the students. "No way, what happened to my soul power? Why can't I use it?" On the field, Yu Tianheng stared at his hand in disbelief. He finally sensed something was wrong. He could feel his soul power being abundant, yet for some reason, a part, roughly seven levels, became unusable, reducing his soul strength to around nineteenth level. As his soul power decreased, his attack power, defense, and speed naturally began to decline. "Yu Tianheng, it seems you finally realized. My second soul skill not only attacks but also seals soul power. During our clash with Thunder's Wrath, I sealed approximately seven levels of your soul power!" Tian Lin raised his sword and chuckled, "Give up, Yu Tianheng. Right now, you can't withstand my second soul skill." Tian Lin’s second soul ring illuminated again as he prepared to use Icefire Sealing God once more. However, Yu Tianheng's stubborn nature would not let him admit defeat so easily. He too prepared to light up his second soul ring and clash with Tian Lin once again. But then, he noticed his second soul ring, once a bright yellow, was now encircled in gray, rendering the soul skill unusable. "What? My soul power regressed from a Grandmaster to a regular Soul Master, and my second soul ring has been sealed off!" Yu Tianheng was utterly shocked. Tian Lin's second soul skill was excessively domineering. "Wow, is Icefire Sealing God really this powerful?" Even Tian Lin was stunned, having only known it could seal soul power, not realizing it could seal soul rings as well. Yu Tianheng sighed and withdrew his martial soul, saying, "Alright, Xiao Tian, I admit defeat." Originally eager to fight, but with both soul power and soul ring sealed, there was nothing left to challenge Tian Lin with. It was better to concede early than risk injury. Hearing this, Tian Lin also withdrew his martial soul. After all, it was merely a spar, and they both knew when to stop.