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Facing Xie Xie's slash from the Light Dragon Dagger, Guang Long's eyes flickered with grave focus.
Though brimming with confidence in his own strength, years of street brawling had taught him one rule: never underestimate any opponent.
"Armored Dragon attach!"
With a roar, two soul rings—one white, one yellow—flared beneath his feet.
At his shoulders, two lizard-like soul spirits materialized:
- One smaller, earthy-yellow.
- The other, a larger, iron-gray lizard, its scales gleaming with metallic luster under the sun.
In an instant, Guang Long entered martial soul attachment.
His already massive frame swelled further.
His exposed skin turned iron-gray, as if armored in metal.
Joints sprouted thick, overlapping scales.
This was his Spirit—Armored Dragon, a subspecies of Earth Dragon, excelling in raw power and defense.
Combined with his innate strength, he'd been undefeated in street fights.
"First Soul Skill: Armored Body!"
The white ring blazed. Guang Long crossed his arms, his iron-gray skin shimmering like forged steel—bracing to block Xie Xie's strike.
CLANG!
A deafening metal-on-metal screech echoed down the street.
Guang Long grunted, stumbling two steps back.
He stared in disbelief at the deep, bone-exposing gash on his arm—blood dripping from his iron-hard skin.
"How… is this possible?!" he muttered.
Since gaining his first soul ring, no one had ever pierced his defense.
"AAGH! YOU'RE DEAD, BRAT!"
The pain ignited his rage. Eyes bloodshot, he let out a thunderous roar.
His yellow soul ring flared—silver runes spiraled across his iron scales, his body swelling even larger.
"Second Soul Skill: Armored Dragon Body!"
His hundred-year soul skill—maximizing defense and strength to their peak.
Guang Long's silver eyes locked onto Xie Xie like a rabid beast.
Despite his size, he lunged with shocking speed, wind howling around him.
Xie Xie tightened his grip on his dagger—brow furrowed in concern.
He hadn't expected this street thug to be this strong…
"Xie Xie!" Fang Yang's group arrived just in time.
Tang Wulin instantly released his Blue Silver Grass, his yellow ring blazing.
"First Soul Skill: Blue Silver Bind!"
Vines shot out like serpents—but too late.
THUD!
A figure slammed into the fray, taking Guang Long's killing blow in Xie Xie's place.
The impact sent Fang Yang flying backward, skidding across the ground in a trail of dust.
"Fang Yang!" Gu Yue's voice trembled with unprecedented panic.
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin rushed to him.
Fang Yang knelt on one knee, a trickle of blood at his lips.
Blocking Guang Long's full-power strike without dragon transformation had pushed him to his limit.
"I'm fine," he said, lifting his head—his aura slowly rising.
Gu Yue's fear eased—but her eyes now glowed with icy killing intent.
If Fang Yang were hurt… she'd reveal her Silver Dragon form and sink Donghai City into the sea.
Donghai City: "???"
Xie Xie exhaled shakily—guilt gnawing at him.
If Fang Yang was injured because of him, he'd never forgive himself.
As heir of the Donghai Xie Family, he'd make sure these thugs understood the price of crossing him.
Tang Wulin clenched his fists—frustrated his vines hadn't been faster.
Guang Long stared at Fang Yang, bewildered.
This kid had survived his full-power strike unharmed?
In his mind, anyone connected to a humble shopkeeper had no power or backing.
Fang Yang slowly stood, gaze icy.
"You're lucky—today, you'll witness my true power before you die."
"Dragon Transformation!"
With a roar, golden scales erupted across his body like a tidal wave.
His arms armored in jagged dragon plates, fingers elongating into razor-sharp Golden Dragon Claws.
His black pupils slit into vertical dragon eyes, radiating primordial destruction.
An ancient dragon's aura crushed the entire street.
"The… Golden Dragon King?!" Gu Yue's blood surged in resonance, her black hair lifting as if stirred by an unseen wind.
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin gaped—they'd never seen Fang Yang like this.
Guang Long's face shifted from shock to terror.
His Armored Dragon martial soul trembled in his blood—overwhelmed by draconic supremacy.
"This… this can't be!" he stammered, stumbling backward—instinct screaming to flee.
BOOM!
Fang Yang vanished—reappearing before Guang Long in an instant.
His Golden Dragon Claw ripped through the air, tearing into Guang Long's chest.
SCHLICK!
Blood sprayed.
Five deep gashes—to the bone—split Guang Long's torso.
He flew fifteen meters, crashing to the ground—unconscious.
"Boss!"
His two lackeys panicked.
One suddenly shouted, "Do you even know who his brother is?! Guang Biao—Captain of Donghai's Mecha Battalion! He commands the entire city's mecha forces!"
"Captain Guang Biao of Donghai Mecha? Excellent," Fang Yang said coldly, stepping forward.
Blood dripped from his claws.
"Tell Guang Biao—come to Donghai Academy if he wants revenge. I'm Fang Yang."
His gaze swept over the thugs. "Get out of my way—or I'll kill you too."
They scrambled aside in terror.
Fang Yang approached the unconscious Guang Long—
and savagely ripped open his arm with his claws.
"AAGH!"
The pain jolted Guang Long awake, screaming.
He begged, trembling: "Please… don't kill me! I was wrong—I won't dare again!"
Fang Yang loomed over him, voice glacial:
"You're not sorry. You're just terrified of dying."
"No… my brother Guang Biao… he'll destroy you!" Guang Long hissed weakly.
Fang Yang didn't hesitate.
His Golden Dragon Claw delivered the final strike.
"Guang Long—die."
Gu Yue stood nearby—expressionless.
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin watched in stunned silence.
Yet neither felt remorse.
After all—Guang Long's strike had been meant to kill Xie Xie.
If Fang Yang hadn't intervened… Xie Xie would be dead.
"Xie Xie, you've killed Guang Long! Flee quickly!" Uncle Li limped over, battered but more worried for the four youths. "The trouble you'll face… it'll be catastrophic!"
"Uncle Li, don't worry," Xie Xie assured him. "We'll be fine."
"Ah… all because of me…" Uncle Li sighed in guilt.
Fang Yang stepped forward. "Uncle Li, this isn't your fault. I killed him."
He turned to the trembling thugs. "Go. Tell Guang Biao—if he wants vengeance, he'll find me at Donghai Academy."
"You… you just wait!"
The thugs hauled Guang Long's corpse and fled.
Xie Xie pulled out a stack of Federation credits and pressed them into Uncle Li's hands.
"Uncle Li—use this. I'll still come for your Clay-Pot Beef! The rest—get Auntie treated. Don't open the shop until she's well."
"This… I can't accept…" Uncle Li resisted—but tears streamed down his face.
"Please, Uncle Li!" Xie Xie insisted.
"Alright… I'll take it," Uncle Li finally relented, wiping his eyes.
"Little Xie—once your aunt recovers, I'll reopen. Bring your friends back!"
As Uncle Li turned to clean his ruined shop, Xie Xie turned to the others.
"Let's go back. Tomorrow's Promotion Tournament awaits."
The four walked side by side—toward Donghai Academy.
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