Niu Gao took a deep breath, calming his mind before saying, "One last thing, Su Ming: I want a match with you!"
"Although Yang said you beat him completely, I didn't see it with my own eyes. I want to see it for myself! Let's test our defenses—each of us gets three attacks, and whoever fails to block an attack loses. What do you say?"
Even though Niu Gao knew Su Ming possessed two hundred-thousand-year spirit bones, Su Ming was only at level seventy and hadn't yet acquired his seventh spirit ring. Niu Gao didn't believe a kid like Su Ming could surpass his years of defense-focused training.
As soon as he made his request, everyone around cast him strange looks, some with a hint of sympathy in their eyes.
Not wanting his old friend to suffer, Yang Wudi attempted to dissuade him, "Old Rhino, you should let it go. You'll end up getting cut down, and I really don't want to watch you make such a mistake!"
Niu Gao scoffed, "Yang, I'm not as fragile as you. I'm all defense; it's nothing like your glass cannon style. Plus, I have my martial soul avatar—layered defenses. Do you really think I can't withstand an attack from Su Ming?"
"Just to remind you, in pure defense, I can barely handle attacks from a level ninety-five Titled Douluo!"
Yang Wudi sighed, resigned. Even if you can block one hit from a level ninety-five Douluo, Su Ming single-handedly took down Yu Yuanzhen. Do you think your defenses can hold up against a semi-divine Yu Yuanzhen?
Yang Wudi glared at Niu Gao and said through gritted teeth, "Su Ming, don't hold back. Let Old Rhino here understand what he's up against—he's spent so much time shut away here, he's forgotten there's always someone stronger."
After a pause, he added, "Just… don't kill him."
Yang Wudi knew Su Ming and his healer companion possessed incredible powers of recovery, so he wasn't worried about Niu Gao's survival. As long as he was breathing afterward, Su Ming could heal him.
Su Ming nodded to Yang Wudi, reassuring him he'd be careful.
Niu Gao's claim that he could withstand a Titled Douluo's attack was laughable. If that were true, he wouldn't have looked so threatened when seeing Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo just moments ago. A random attack from Chrysanthemum Douluo would likely leave him clinging to life.
Su Ming turned to Niu Gao with a calm expression. "Elder Niu Gao, you can attack me first. I'm afraid once I strike, you might not get the chance."
To Su Ming, this was a simple fact. But to Niu Gao, it felt like an intentional taunt.
"Fine, let's see if you're as tough as you think!" Niu Gao roared.
Su Ming activated his Susanoo armor, shrouding himself in a brilliant blue aura.
"Come at me, Elder Niu Gao."
Though wearing Susanoo on himself limited its offensive capabilities, it left his defense undiminished. No matter how much Niu Gao attacked, Su Ming remained unmoved. This sight left Niu Gao momentarily stunned.
"This is the Susanoo Yang mentioned?" Niu Gao marveled.
Su Ming urged, "Elder Niu Gao, you may want to use your martial soul avatar. Let's finish quickly—the Speed Clan should arrive soon."
"Hmph, I don't need you telling me what to do!" Niu Gao shot back.
Using his full soul power, Niu Gao gathered eighty percent of his strength into a powerful punch, still reluctant to go all out. Though he'd dismissed Yang Wudi's warnings as exaggerations, he couldn't ignore Su Ming's confidence entirely. Even so, when his punch landed, he found Su Ming completely unfazed.
"Hahaha!" Yang Wudi burst out laughing, almost beside himself. "I warned you, Old Rhino! Now look who's embarrassed!"
Niu Gao withdrew his fist, feigning nonchalance. "No need to laugh. I only used twenty percent of my strength. Su Ming's defense is impressive; let's see if he can handle a full attack!"
The others struggled to contain their laughter; they doubted the punch had only been twenty percent strength. Now they were curious how Niu Gao would manage.
Niu Gao stopped holding back, putting his full power into his next blow. Yet, it too barely made Su Ming flinch. To spare Niu Gao some dignity in front of his clan, Su Ming pretended to stagger back slightly.
"Elder Niu Gao, this is your last attempt. If you don't use your martial soul avatar now, you might lose outright," Su Ming suggested with a hint of sympathy.
"Hmph! I don't need you to tell me how to fight," Niu Gao grumbled.
"Seventh Spirit Skill: Martial Soul Avatar!"
With a flash of light, a massive armored rhino appeared before them.
Su Ming chose not to activate his full Susanoo form, opting instead for the skeletal half-form with only one massive arm raised to block.
Even Yang Wudi was taken aback by this restrained form of Susanoo, prompting him to ask, "Does Su Ming's Susanoo have multiple forms?"
Xiao Wu explained, "Yes, this is its initial form. The one he used against you was the complete form."
"I think he's using the first form because he doesn't need more than that against Elder Niu Gao's attacks."
Yang Wudi merely raised an eyebrow, noting how Niu Gao seemed uncertain but still charged forward.
With a resounding crash, dust billowed up around them. When it settled, everyone saw Niu Gao standing there, his martial soul avatar dissipated.
Though his final attack had been blocked by Susanoo's massive arm, Su Ming had let him down gently, sparing his pride. Niu Gao's clan members likely wouldn't have noticed the humiliation in the exchange.
"Ahem, Su Ming, no need to continue. I… I concede," Niu Gao admitted, his red face now flushed even deeper with embarrassment.
He could barely hold his head up, realizing Su Ming had gone easy on him to preserve his dignity.
Yang Wudi looked at Niu Gao with suspicion, sidling up to him and whispering, "So, Old Rhino, how was it? Didn't I tell you the truth?"
Niu Gao chuckled awkwardly. "Alright, I'll admit I was beaten fair and square. That was only the initial state of Su Ming's Susanoo. If he'd used the full form, he'd probably have sliced me in half with one strike…"
Yang Wudi leaned in, speaking in a conspiratorial tone, "Good thing you gave in when you did. Let me tell you the truth: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has a new leader. Yu Yuanzhen was cut down in one strike by Su Ming's full Susanoo."
"What? Is that true?" Niu Gao was so shocked he raised his voice, drawing everyone's attention.
"Why didn't you just tell me earlier?" Niu Gao muttered, holding Yang Wudi in a headlock.
Yang Wudi pushed his hand away and replied with a smirk, "You didn't give me the chance, did you? Do you remember how confident you were? Claiming you're not as fragile as me? I almost hoped you wouldn't surrender, just so we'd see how tough your hide really is against Su Ming's Susanoo blades."
Niu Gao conceded with a grumble. "Fine, I admit I was too cocky."
Turning away from Yang Wudi's teasing, Niu Gao addressed Su Ming. "Su Ming, I keep my word. From this day on, the Defense Clan is yours, but like Old Yang, we'll only take orders from you."
Su Ming smiled. "That arrangement is ideal. Elder Niu Gao, I'll give you a little preview: within a month, Spirit Hall will be establishing itself as the Spirit Empire. Do you know what that implies?"
Niu Gao's eyes widened at the news. Clearly, the situation on the continent was reaching a critical point, and if Spirit Hall established an empire, it would greatly undermine the interests of the two existing empires.
After some thought, Niu Gao said, "Well, there's little doubt the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires will join forces to counter Spirit Hall. Though Spirit Hall has many powerful individuals, the two empires have millions of soldiers. It won't be easy to defeat them—unless Bibi Dong or you attain godhood soon."
"Plus, if Spirit Hall declares itself an empire, that's a declaration of war. Innocent people will suffer as a result."
Su Ming replied, "Elder Niu Gao, you're not entirely wrong, but your outlook is short-sighted."
"Let me ask you this: even if Spirit Hall doesn't establish an empire or start a war, are people happy now? Most commoners struggle to get by, with barely enough to eat or wear. Some are even reduced to slavery by nobles.
"Just look at your clan. You're all Spirit Masters, yet life is still tight. Think of those commoners who have no one to rely on—they're even worse off. Spirit Hall's actions may bring hardship to some, but in the long run, a united continent will see improved lives for all."
"For example, Spirit Hall can expand its branches everywhere, supervising local authorities, and offering free Spirit Awakening for all. Basic infrastructure would also be extended to remote areas, which is where your Defense Clan would come in."
"I understand the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans have some reservations about Spirit Hall. But that's a matter of perspective, not right or wrong. Spirit Hall, strictly speaking, is an organization for commoners, and once it unifies the continent…"
Hearing Su Ming's vision for the future left Yang Wudi and Niu Gao astounded. Neither had expected Su Ming's ambitions to be so vast.
Xiao Wu and A Yin's eyes sparkled as they gazed at Su Ming. They found this side of him irresistibly charming, and it was part of why they were drawn to him.
With a thump on his chest, Niu Gao declared, "Alright! If there's one thing we in the Defense Clan excel at, it's building. Leave that to us!"
Su Ming grinned. "That's perfect. Elder Niu Gao, the Defense Clan will play a pivotal role in Spirit Hall."
"Think about it: you've done so much for the Clear Sky Clan, yet they treated you with utter disregard. For them, only those with the Clear Sky Hammer were 'family.' You've made countless sacrifices for them, yet what have they given you in return? Anything truly beneficial?"
"Spirit Hall is different. Here, merit leads to advancement, with rewards for contributions."
"Once Spirit Hall becomes the Spirit Empire, we'll establish a 'Mission Hall' where various tasks will be posted: construction jobs, medicinal projects. Completing these tasks will earn points, which can then be exchanged for rewards—soul tools, talismans, you name it."
Su Ming's statement piqued everyone's interest. A system of points for completing tasks with transparent rewards? They could even earn soul bones if they accumulated enough points!
Yang Wudi had questions. "Su Ming, what do you mean by different types of soul tools and talismans? Aren't soul tools mainly for storage? And what exactly is a talisman?"
With a mysterious smile, Su Ming replied, "Be patient. Once the Speed Clan arrives, you'll all get to see what an offensive soul tool is and discover the power of talismans."
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