Chapter 22 — Fierce Battle in the Small Forest
The dragon-like body formed by the Dragon Lord and Snake Matron coiled upward, scooping up Meng Yiran in the process.
The small girl sat safely between the two horns of the massive dragon, encased in a golden light barrier that shielded her from the strong winds — and protected her from harm.
Even proud Dugu Bo could not help but praise what he saw. "The Dragon-Snake couple is truly formidable. With Spirit Fusion, they probably now possess the strength of seasoned Title Douluos."
Yu Luo Mian glanced at the scene below. "Definitely. But Li Tianyu is no ordinary fighter, and with their numbers, the odds are probably only fifty-fifty!"
Dugu Yan's eyes sparkled. "Wow! So cool! I want to sit on the dragon's head too!"
Dugu Bo and Yu Luo Mian exchanged silent looks, speechless.
"Seventh Soul Skill — Beast Soul True Form!"
With a roar, a terrifying aura surged from the dust.
A massive black figure, mountain-sized, emerged. "The Dragon-Snake couple lives up to their reputation. Today, let me, Li, test this famed Dragon-Snake Strike!"
Li Tianyu glanced at his brother, and they exchanged a glance before launching their attack.
The enormous body leapt forward, confronting the Dragon-Snake couple. Over twenty meters long, this dragon — let's call it a dragon — clashed with Li Tianyu's mountain-like black ape form.
Seeing this, Li Feiyu shouted to the others, "What are you standing around for? Attack!"
"With my brother leading, what are you afraid of?"
Encouraged by his words, the rest joined the fight.
Even so, no one dared approach too closely, relying instead on ranged spirit skills to provide fire support for Li Tianyu.
At first, the Dragon-Snake couple held the upper hand, but with so many opponents and Meng Yiran needing protection, the tide slowly turned against them.
Li Tianyu's gaze was merciless, constantly targeting the dragon's head where Meng Yiran sat. The Dragon-Snake couple could only defend with difficulty.
"Dragon-Snake Strike!"
"Sixth Soul Skill — Mighty Black Ape Break!"
A golden and a black energy wave collided, both radiating intense soul power.
Boom!
The explosion of energy toppled countless trees and tore up the ground, filling the forest with dust and debris.
When the dust cleared, the Dragon-Snake form was battered and torn, and Li Tianyu had not fared well either.
The black ape's chest bore three deep claw marks, flesh torn and blood flowing freely.
Almost every attacker was injured as well, and two unlucky fighters were crushed by dragon claws.
Despite being outnumbered, the Dragon-Snake couple still displayed remarkable combat skill, proving their immense strength.
Meng Yiran, sitting atop her grandparents' heads, cried in panic, seeing them struggling against the overwhelming numbers. "Grandpa! Grandma! Waaaah!"
The golden shield protecting her flickered, dimming — clearly the Dragon-Snake couple was near exhaustion.
This battle should not have turned out this way.
With Spirit Fusion, the Dragon-Snake couple possessed Title Douluo-level power. In a one-on-one fight, Li Tianyu would have likely fallen in a few exchanges.
But now, with overwhelming numbers and the need to protect Meng Yiran, they were at a disadvantage.
Hearing her granddaughter cry, the Dragon Lord and Snake Matron reassured her. "Yiran, don't cry. Grandpa and Grandma are fine."
Li Feiyu, badly injured with several broken ribs, shouted to the remaining attackers, "Attack! Strike them! They're near their limits!"
However, the rest hesitated, scarred by recent losses, glancing at one another nervously, unwilling to step forward.
Seeing the fear in their enemies, the Dragon-Snake couple let out a small sigh of relief.
But before they could catch their breath, Li Tianyu, enduring excruciating pain, roared:
"Sixth Soul Skill — Mighty Black Ape Break!"
Even wounded, he unleashed the sixth soul skill again. His sixth black spirit ring radiated deep, soul-stirring light, condensing around his fists as he struck the Dragon-Snake couple.
The surrounding air cracked under the force.
The Dragon-Snake couple struggled to raise the dragon's head, releasing a wave of energy that collided with Li Tianyu's black light.
The clash of black and golden energy erupted again. Li Tianyu was blasted backward by the impact.
"Now!" he shouted.
"Third Soul Skill — Divine Wind Flash!"
Before he finished speaking, Li Feiyu vanished from sight, reappearing atop the dragon's head that had just endured a heavy strike.
"Watch out, Yiran!"
The Dragon-Snake couple, still recovering from the last collision and near exhaustion, barely had time to maintain the golden shield protecting Meng Yiran.
"Sixth Soul Skill — Wind Blade Fist!"
Li Feiyu's clawed, cyan-furred fist slammed into the golden barrier protecting Meng Yiran.
Crrrk — Crrrk —
A piercing sound like cutting steel rang out. The golden shield shattered.
Li Feiyu's cyan form flashed again, already seizing Meng Yiran.
"Yiran! Damn it!"
The Dragon-Snake couple struck with their dragon claws, but it was too late. Though Li Feiyu was thrown back, he had already captured Meng Yiran.
"Hehehe —"
Li Feiyu spat blood, grinning wickedly. "Old couple, hand over the spirit bone, or your precious granddaughter dies!"
Seeing Meng Yiran in pain, the Dragon Lord roared in desperation, "Stop! We'll give it to you!"
Hearing this, the Li brothers exchanged triumphant smiles.