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While mid-air, Ye Lan reflected on Dugu Bo's earlier attack. Could it be… that my Shunpo was predicted?
Recalling Dugu Bo's motionless stance and sharp, unwavering gaze, Ye Lan deduced that Dugu Bo had likely spotted the flaws in both his Shunpo and Xiang Yi.
Although his Shunpo and Xiang Yi allowed for incredible speed, they had weaknesses. Both techniques required a brief moment to gather power before activation, and after teleporting, he had to rely on his reflexes to reorient himself and plan his next move. Furthermore, when moving between two points with either skill, he could not change direction mid-transit.
So, Dugu Bo observed my pattern and predicted my next teleportation point?
Ye Lan sighed with admiration. As expected of a Titled Douluo—his combat experience is terrifying.
When Tang San had faced his Shunpo and Xiang Yi, he had been completely suppressed. Dugu Bo, however, had seen through the flaw almost instantly. The gap in battle experience was immense.
In the few moments he was sent flying, Ye Lan had already analyzed Dugu Bo's strategy with his Eight-Brilliant Exquisite Heart.
Now that he understood Dugu Bo's approach, things became much simpler.
Steeling his resolve, Ye Lan used his Blue Silver Grass to land steadily on the ground. He glanced down at the shattered Blue Silver Armament over his chest. Thankfully, the armor had absorbed the blow. Without it, that strike from Dugu Bo would have left him gravely injured.
Dugu Bo's emerald-green eyes remained fixed on Ye Lan's chest, noting that the Blue Silver Armament was already almost fully repaired within seconds.
What the…? What kind of monster is this?! Can a plant-type martial spirit's possession really be this absurd?
Dugu Bo couldn't help but question reality. That whip-like kick had been empowered by both his Spirit Possession and his Excitement Mist. Against an ordinary Great Spirit Master, it would have been a fatal blow—or at the very least, crippling.
But Ye Lan was completely fine. Even the famed defense of a Diamond Mammoth Great Spirit Master wasn't this outrageous.
As the first to experience Ye Lan's Extreme Vitality, Dugu Bo realized his martial spirit was a pure stats monster—all raw power, no finesse.
No wonder Xue Qinghe wanted to recruit Ye Lan for the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. If this man reached the rank of Spirit Ancestor, what then? Wouldn't he steamroll the entire Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament?
While Dugu Bo's mind raced, Ye Lan charged toward him again.
Once more, Dugu Bo stood his ground, waiting for Ye Lan to attack first. He was already familiar with the pattern. As long as he continued to predict Ye Lan's next move, he would be unbeatable.
In an instant, Dugu Bo saw Ye Lan's leg muscles tense.
Hmph! A cheap trick. He instantly predicted that Ye Lan would appear in front of him and throw a punch. Dugu Bo immediately launched a preemptive strike at Ye Lan's predicted destination.
As expected, Ye Lan appeared!
But the moment the attack landed, Dugu Bo knew something was wrong.
Bang!
Ye Lan's legs moved again!
This technique can be fired twice in a row?!
Dugu Bo was shocked. Even a self-created spirit skill shouldn't be this powerful, should it?
Ye Lan's figure instantly reappeared to Dugu Bo's right.
"Meteor Strike!"
Ye Lan's leg, streaked in a blur of blue, crimson, and gold, transformed into a meteor and smashed heavily into Dugu Bo's chest. Although Dugu Bo had also predicted this second position, he had no time to turn his body and counterattack.
Knowing Dugu Bo could read his movements, Ye Lan had turned the tables on him. After all, Dugu Bo didn't know the difference between Shunpo and Xiang Yi. A single self-created skill couldn't be used twice in rapid succession, but Ye Lan possessed two different movement skills.
First, he used Xiang Yi to close the distance, baiting Dugu Bo's attack. Then, he immediately used a standard Shunpo to slide several meters to Dugu Bo's flank before unleashing Meteor Strike.
The moment Ye Lan's kick landed, Dugu Bo's second, yellow spirit ring lit up.
"Paralysis Ray!"
As he was sent flying, Dugu Bo aimed his mouth at Ye Lan, unleashing a jet of yellow poisonous mist like a high-pressure water cannon that drenched Ye Lan's body.
Although Ye Lan instinctively held his breath, the poison of the Jade-Scaled Serpent Emperor was far too potent. The mist seeped into his eyes and nasal mucous membranes, and the paralytic toxin successfully entered his body.
Ye Lan had hoped his Blue Silver Grass's Extreme Vitality could completely nullify the poison, but it wasn't fully neutralized. This was, after all, poison from a Titled Douluo's martial spirit. Even if Dugu Bo was only using Spirit Elder-level power like Tang San, the venom was far beyond anything Tang San's Blue Silver Grass could handle, even after absorbing several poison-type spirit rings.
Thankfully, while the toxin took effect, its impact was greatly diminished. A poison that should have caused complete paralysis only affected Ye Lan by about twenty percent. His body tingled, and his reaction speed, agility, and movement all decreased by a fifth.
But Dugu Bo didn't know this. Just like before, he crashed through several thick trees. As he lay on the ground, a satisfied grin spread across his face.
Kekekekeke! Caught you, didn't I?
Though Dugu Bo had no idea how Ye Lan had teleported twice, closing the distance was the biggest mistake anyone could make against him. Poison was his greatest strength.
When he first witnessed Ye Lan's speed, he had refrained from using his more powerful spirit skills. They consumed too much energy, and with Ye Lan's self-created techniques, he wasn't a hundred percent certain he could land a hit. His earlier close-quarters combat was merely to test the prowess of the younger generation. After realizing he was outmatched in melee, he seized the first opening and decisively used his second spirit skill, landing a direct hit.
Chuckling darkly, Dugu Bo walked toward Ye Lan, who stood motionless.
"Young man, you're impressive," Dugu Bo said with a smirk. "If you want to admit defeat, blink twice. I assume your eyelids still work? Surrender now, and I'll acknowledge you as a student of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
"Senior Dugu…" Xue Xing muttered pitifully.
"Oh? You have a problem with that?"
Xue Xing lowered his head, not daring to object.
Xue Beng, however, was trembling violently, unable to imagine how miserable his life at the academy would become. This living Buddha… even the Poison Douluo couldn't get rid of him and instead was letting him join. What will happen to me?! On the verge of a mental breakdown, Xue Beng desperately racked his brain for a way to beg for mercy.
Meng Shenji, seeing Dugu Bo's change in attitude, knew Ye Lan's admission into the academy was secured. Clearly, his outrageous performance had won Dugu Bo's admiration.
"Young friend Ye Lan, you should concede," Meng Shenji said. "This battle with Senior Dugu was truly spectacular! Even a Spirit Ancestor wouldn't have performed as well as you."
Zhi Lin added, "Indeed, young friend Ye Lan. This is the first time I've seen a plant-type spirit master be so powerful. It makes me feel as if I've wasted all my years."
Bai Baoshan grinned. "Xue Beng, you brat, just wait until we're back at the academy. I'll personally train every pound of fat off you—if I don't, I'm not surnamed Bai."
Yet, their words had no effect. Ye Lan didn't surrender. He simply stood in place, his head shaking slightly from side to side, as if stubbornly refusing to give in.
Seeing his defiance, Dugu Bo scowled.
"Hmph! Since you don't want to be dignified… I'll help you be dignified!"
(End of Chapter)