"I must drag this fight out, exhaust Wang Zhong's stamina and soul power. Otherwise, I have no chance of winning!"
His grip on the shield tightened, and Lu Xiaoshuang found the only path to victory. "With the heavy armor shield, I'll take all of Wang Zhong's attacks and fight a war of attrition!"
He slammed the heavy armor shield onto the ground, concealing himself almost completely behind it, and stood ready.
Wang Zhong slowly crouched, his legs spread almost into a straight line. His hands clasped the edge of the stage, his gaze towards Lu Xiaoshuang filled with icy coldness.
"You want to play a defensive game, but don't forget how the other half of the stage behind you collapsed."
"Eight Extremes Heaven, Second Style, Wind Sweeps Clouds!"
His hands clasped and pushed with force, his body spun rapidly, becoming a circular blur, like a high-speed cutting machine.
His body plowed through the stage, leaving a deep groove, and finally crashed into the shield Lu Xiaoshuang held up, sparks flying. A piercing metallic grinding sound stimulated everyone present, making their scalps tingle.
Feeling the immense power transmitted from the shield and the sharp sound in his ears, Lu Xiaoshuang gritted his teeth and pushed the shield forward, blocking Wang Zhong, who had transformed into a circular cutting weapon.
His body landed on the stage, dragging another deep groove. At the end of the groove, Wang Zhong looked at Lu Xiaoshuang with a solemn expression.
A white fourth soul ring spun around Lu Xiaoshuang's feet. A phantom of a verdant green bamboo swayed behind him, but quickly vanished.
"Fourth Soul Skill, Heaven and Earth Canopy."
When the soul skill activated, at Lu Xiaoshuang's location, a circular disc like a bamboo joint appeared above and below him, protecting him. Furthermore, the disc beneath his feet possessed the ability to protect the ground.
It was this ability that prevented Wang Zhong's previous attack from shattering the stage beneath Lu Xiaoshuang's feet.
"Is Wang Zhong's body made of iron!"
"Otherwise, how could he plow such a groove on the stage?"
"His contact with Lu Xiaoshuang's shield actually produced the sound of metal clashing. This is too terrifying."
"A body of iron, or a body like a weapon!"
In the square, countless people expressed their utmost surprise at the hardness of Wang Zhong's body. Flesh and blood were still flesh and blood. Even those with beast martial souls could not achieve this level of hardness with the augmentation of their martial souls.
This physical hardness was already comparable to tool martial souls!
Lu Xiaoshuang panted heavily. The pressure from the previous attack was astonishing. Under the high-speed cutting, he had felt his heavy armor shield on the verge of shattering more than once.
Glancing at the deep marks on the shield, Lu Xiaoshuang's heart pounded. Soul power surged to repair it, and he stared at Wang Zhong with an extremely serious expression.
"How many more abilities does he have that he hasn't used? He's simply a monster!"
He cursed softly in his heart, Lu Xiaoshuang couldn't help but wonder.
At the edge of the stage, several teachers were numb. Now, no matter what ability Wang Zhong displayed, they felt it was fitting for him.
"It didn't break. It seems the attack power and destructive force are still insufficient."
"Then let's see if you can still defend against this move!"
He stepped forward with his right foot, his left foot retreating. His arms spread wide to his sides, index and middle fingers together, the other three fingers bent and held. His body slowly lowered, pressing his center of gravity as low as possible. His arms moved slightly backward, concentrating all his power on his right foot.
At this moment, Wang Zhong was like an eagle poised to soar.
"Eight Extremes Heaven, Second Style, Sheath Break!"
His body transformed into a sword light, and Wang Zhong's figure disappeared from the stage. When he reappeared, he was already in front of Lu Xiaoshuang's shield.
His eyes carried a sword-like sharpness and coldness. Under Lu Xiaoshuang's slightly trembling gaze, his right hand shot out like lightning.
At this moment, Lu Xiaoshuang seemed to see an unparalleled divine sword, carrying unmatched sharpness, pierce fiercely into his shield.
"Eight Extremes Heaven, Second Style, Sword Flash!"
His index and middle fingers touched the heavy armor shield. Under Lu Xiaoshuang's terrified gaze, his proud heavy armor turtle shield exploded.
His index and middle fingers struck his shoulder. The powerful lethality and destructive force instantly shattered all the bones in Lu Xiaoshuang's left shoulder.
With a muffled groan, a trace of blood flowed from the corner of Lu Xiaoshuang's mouth. His internal organs were also injured. A fierce look appeared in his eyes as he clenched his right fist, pouring all his soul power and stamina into it, and punched Wang Zhong in the abdomen.
Wang Zhong was sent flying backward. He still performed a roll in mid-air, then lightly touched the stage with his toes a few times, channeling the force into the ground below, creating several craters, and then completely dissipated the force.
He himself remained unharmed.
Lu Xiaoshuang was on the verge of despair, but he quickly suppressed it and roared.
"Third Soul Skill, Tortoise Shell Expansion!"
"Fourth Soul Skill, Heaven and Earth Canopy!"
As soul power surged, the already shattered heavy armor shield reappeared in Lu Xiaoshuang's hand. Blocking with the heavy armor shield, his expression was one of desperate resolve, filled with ferocity.
"My shield cannot break, and my beliefs and ideals will not shatter here!"
Looking at Lu Xiaoshuang's almost ferocious expression, Wang Zhong murmured softly.
"It's useless."
"Your shield cannot protect the Spirit Hall, nor can it secure victory in this match!"
Humans have their limits. Even a Titled Douluo cannot protect everything.
One day, they might not even be able to protect their own lives, leaving behind those they cherish, those important matters.
Allowing them to face the sorrow and pain of loss alone.
He recalled Qian Renyu transforming into an angel in the wind and snow, her trembling eyes, and the desolate and helpless look on her face when she said she wanted to be friends.
The angel wished to protect all beings, yet could not protect herself.
As the Pope, Qian Xunji wished to protect the future of the Spirit Hall, yet could not even preserve his own life.
Life's sorrow could be no greater than this.
Therefore, Wang Zhong was always clear about the people he wanted to protect.
Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan, some people from the orphanage, and the new friend Qian Renxue – this was all he needed to protect.
He did not protect everyone; he only protected a few.
One protected everyone, one protected a few.
The battle between them was no longer simply about determining victory. They were now contending for their beliefs.
Which was sturdier: the shield that protected everyone, or the sapling that grew to protect only a handful of people.
Let them be the ones to prove it!
The winner would have the right to prove they were right!