Chapter 9 - The Examination Area (2)

Instructor Wu, despite the embarrassing crash into the building, brushed off the debris with a composed demeanor.

He walked back to the stage, unharmed, but an undercurrent of frustration lingered in his eyes.

The crowd, still buzzing with excitement, focused their attention on the stage as he prepared for the next phase.

Instructor Wu took a deep breath, his spirit energy pulsating around him.

The aura he emanated intensified, sending a tangible wave of power through the crowd.

He stood tall, his embarrassment replaced by a renewed determination.

With a stern expression, he declared, "It seems I underestimated you, young one. Let's see how you fare when I am serious."

Instructor Wu unleashed all of his four spirit rings, a display of power that rattled the onlookers.

"This is a Spirit Leader!"

"So strong!"

The sudden surge of energy caught even me by surprise, and I couldn't help but smile at the unexpected turn of events.

"Good. I didn't want the fight to end so fast," I remarked, my confidence unshaken.

However, instead of intimidating me, my words seemed to enrage Instructor Wu.

His eyes gleamed with a fierce resolve as he prepared for the next round.

The anticipation in the air was palpable.

In response, I activated my purple spirit ring, and a dazzling light enveloped me.

The crowd gasped in awe as the vibrant aura illuminated the stage. Even Xuan Lao, observing from a distance, raised an eyebrow in astonishment.

"A purple spirit ring?" Instructor Wu remarked with disbelief.

The clash of energies between Instructor Wu and me created a spectacle, the air crackling with power.

The unfolding battle became a mesmerizing dance of spirit mastery, captivating the audience with its unpredictability.

I rushed towards the shaken Instructor and said, "Already going to lose, Instructor?"

My tone carried mockery as the Instructor turned purple as he could not contain his rage.

"Haa! You damn kid! I'll teach you a lesson to respect your instructor!"

Instructor Wu's martial soul manifested as a water serpent, a fluid entity that mirrored the undulating movements of its aquatic inspiration.

Water Needles!

The first spirit ring graced the battlefield with a cascade of water needles, sharp and glistening as they fell from the sky.

I gripped my fist and ran towards the rainstorm of water needles, I threw my hands and rushed towards the Instructor Wu.

"Tsk! You slimey brat! I won't allow you to win with that attitude!"

Water Serpent!

The second spirit ring summoned a water serpent, its sinuous form weaving through the air with deceptive grace.

I materialized the Dark Gauntlets while punching through the water dragon while gracefully dodging the remnants of the water serpent.

"Damn! If that isn't enough, then how about this!"

As the battle intensified, the third spirit ring came into play, conjuring multiple water serpents that twisted and coiled in a synchronized dance of elemental power.

The display was breathtaking, and the crowd marveled at the versatility of Instructor Wu's martial soul.

Anticipating the imminent assault, I activated the Divine Step, my body moving with unparalleled speed to dodge the intricate patterns formed by the water serpents.

"So fast! I didn't see that!" Wang Yan exclaimed.

"This martial technique is extraordinary…" Xuan Lao admired the godly technique as he couldn't decipher it.

"I've already shown you, how I avoided that attack, Instructor."

"You think that my attack is the same as before?"

'It's different, but it doesn't matter.'

I glanced calmly at the water transforming into thin deadly needles after the water serpents collapsed, but I already knew what was going to happen.

With the precision granted by my Almighty vision, I seamlessly navigated through the elemental onslaught.

When I used the Divine Step once again to reach Instructor Wu.

"You won't be able to hit me with those flimsy attacks, kid!"

"Bet." I replied with a chilling tone as the Instructor felt fear for the first time.

Instructor Wu, stepped back as he unleashed his fourth spirit ring while creating more layers to the water barrier.

I seized the opportunity and unleashed the power of Black Flash, my fists enveloped in a dark-blue aura.

The Dark Gauntlets, an extension of my spirit, added a dense of ethereal menace to my strikes.

The combination of speed and piercing force penetrated Instructor Wu's defense, catching him off guard.

"Augh! Wh-?!"

The impact sent him reeling backward, the force of the blow disrupting the equilibrium of the battle.

I pressed on, determined to capitalize on the advantage gained.

Instructor Wu, recovering from the unexpected assault, summoned his fourth spirit ring once again, creating a multifold water barrier that shielded him from further attacks.

The audience gasped at the intricate display of water manipulation, a testament to the Spirit Leader's mastery over his martial soul.

Undeterred, I continued to maneuver with the Divine Step, circumventing the water barrier and closing the distance between us. As I neared, the Dark Gauntlets materialized once more, ready to strike.

I hurled my blue violet fists covered in the black gauntlets to the water barrier until the barrier exploded from the unrelenting force.

Instructor Wu was hit by the onslaught of dense coated spirit energy fists ramming into his body with terrifying pace.

The afterimages of Huo Yuhao's fists hitting the Instructor back and forth, left the crowd awestruck at the strength of the Black Horse.

The climactic clash reached its zenith as my finishing combo punch connected with Instructor Wu's abdomen.

The impact resonated through the arena, sending him hurtling backward with tremendous force.

The crowd gasped as the defeated instructor crashed into another building, unconscious from the powerful blow.

The surroundings were silent as Huo Yuhao stood still before turning his back from the Instructor's unconscious body.

Xuan Lao, witnessing the spectacle, approached me with a nod of approval.

"Impressive, Huo Yuhao was it? Your techniques are truly extraordinary," he praised, his eyes gleaming with genuine admiration.

With a subtle smile, he continued, "I've been observing your battles closely. Your mastery of your fighting skills, strength, speed, and that strange martial soul of yours—all remarkable. I believe you have the potential to reach great heights."

Xuan Lao then dropped a revelation that echoed through the stunned onlookers. "I am Xuan Zi, the Taotie Douluo of Shrek Academy," he declared, his identity disclosed to the gasps and murmurs of the crowd.

"Incredible! Xuan Zi, the Taotie Douluo!" the whispers spread like wildfire.

Xuan Lao extended an invitation that resonated with the weight of his prestigious title. "Become my disciple, and I will guide you to grow stronger. I promise that you can run wild even in the Douluo Continent without fear if you take my offer."

The proposal hung in the air, and all eyes turned to me, awaiting my response.

However, I met Xuan Lao's offer with an unexpected reply.

"I appreciate the honor, Douluo Xuan Zi, but I am unwilling to take a master," I stated firmly, surprising the crowd, Wang Yan, and even Xuan Zi himself.

I walked away, leaving a stunned silence in my wake.

The unexpected rejection resonated through the spectators, each trying to comprehend the audacity of refusing an offer from a Titled Douluo.

Wang Yan exchanged a puzzled glance with Xuan Zi, who wore an expression of intrigued surprise.

The crowd murmured in disbelief as I departed from the stage, my decision leaving an indelible mark on the unfolding events.

[ Ding! ]

[ The Sin of Pride has awakened! ]

I felt my body energized by the power of Pride like being showered by warm water.

[ Spirit Energy Recovery 50% ]

[ The Two Great Sins are resonating! ]

[ You have gained the False Transcendental State through the synergy of the two sins! ] 

[ False Transcendental State: 333% Spirit Energy Recovery, 333% Spirit Energy ]

I walked through the crowds with a graceful gait as the crowded people glanced at me with awe .

The crowds split in half like the sea of Moses as I ignored the glare from the Titled Douluo.

Although accepting Douluo Taotie's Proposal would've saved him a lot of trouble, but, who was I?

I, the Demon King, kneeling to a human and becoming his disciple? 

Ridiculous.

I smiled incredulously as if another ego of the demon king continued to influence my decisions even if it was illogical.