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Li Luochen brought Oscar and Ma Hongjun to Shrek Academy's sparring arena.
It hadn't existed originally, but Flender had specially spent money to build a small circular arena with a diameter of fifteen meters. It was large enough for the three of them to fight in, and since the area was quiet and undisturbed, they could spar freely without worry.
"Come on, attack me with everything you've got. Let me see how far your current strength has come."
Li Luochen didn't release his spirit; instead, he took out an iron staff that he had crafted several years ago for practice. It weighed thirty jin, heavy enough to ensure it wouldn't seriously injure them.
"Oscar, martial spirit Sausage, level thirty-two food-based Battle Soul Elder. Please guide me, Big Brother Chen."
"Ma Hongjun, martial spirit Fire Phoenix, level twenty-nine Strong-attack Soul Grandmaster. Please guide me, Big Brother Chen."
The two youngsters released their spirits, and their spirit rings appeared. Oscar's were yellow, purple, and purple, while Ma Hongjun's were yellow and purple.
Both had absorbed their second spirit rings beyond their limits, from thousand-year soul beasts. Though the absorption process had been painful, the benefits were immense.
Although Ma Hongjun's soul power was only one level higher than Dai Mubai's, he had one more purple spirit ring. The difference between a thousand-year and a hundred-year spirit ring was significant, which was why Ma Hongjun could completely dominate Dai Mubai.
Similarly, although food-based soul masters like Oscar had gentler soul power, the physical enhancements from his spirit rings were substantial. He too could easily overpower Dai Mubai when the latter wasn't using spirit skills.
"Come on, attack me with the intent to kill. If you can force me to use my spirit, make me use spirit skills, draw blood, or drive me out of the arena, you win."
Li Luochen spoke calmly. Oscar and Ma Hongjun were already used to this. Every time they trained with Li Luochen, he would say the same thing, as the gap in soul power between them was too great for them to harm him.
Oscar made the first move, dashing forward with a straight punch aimed at Li Luochen.
"Nice!" Li Luochen watched Oscar's swift punch, reached out, and grabbed his fist. "Not bad, but not enough power. This punch carries about four hundred kilograms of force, comparable to a strong-attack Battle Spirit Master. Unfortunately, it's still not enough to hurt me."
"Hoh, Big Brother Chen, I never intended to hurt you," Oscar grinned, revealing that his goal was merely a feint.
At this moment, Li Luochen noticed that Ma Hongjun had already moved behind him.
"Second spirit skill, Phoenix Wing Soaring! First spirit skill, Phoenix Flame Line!"
Ma Hongjun directly stacked his second spirit skill with his first, amplifying the attack's power to match a high-level Spirit Elder's third spirit skill.
Under the effect of Phoenix Wing Soaring, the fire attribute's power doubled, and the strength of Ma Hongjun's first spirit skill, Phoenix Flame Line, was also multiplied.
"Hoh, still not enough (muda muda)."
Li Luochen caught Oscar's punch with his left hand and swept his iron staff with his right, dispersing the flame ray.
Oscar didn't rest. He immediately attempted a sweeping kick to trip Li Luochen, but upon hitting Li Luochen's leg, it felt as if he had struck a steel pillar rather than flesh.
"Ho, Xiao Ao, your tactics are pretty good. It seems your legs are stronger than your fists—nice!"
Though Li Luochen praised him, his counterattack followed swiftly. A blow carrying a thousand jin of force came crashing down. Upon seeing it, Oscar broke into a cold sweat and quickly retreated backward.
*Boom—*
The ground was instantly smashed into a crater. Oscar wiped his sweat, thinking, 'If that had hit me, I'd probably be bedridden for days.'
Ma Hongjun didn't hesitate. Taking advantage of the brief opening after Li Luochen's attack, he launched his own assault.
This time, Ma Hongjun opted for close combat. Flapping his wings, he flew to Li Luochen's side and imbued his hands with flames, turning them into fiery claws resembling iron talons.
"Self-created spirit skill, Phoenix Blaze Claw."
Li Luochen noticed Ma Hongjun's attack and quickly blocked it with his iron staff. The staff turned red-hot and nearly snapped, but it was protected by Li Luochen's soul power.
"Hongjun, this strike was good, but there are still some flaws. I suggest you gradually improve it as your level increases. Don't let it hinder your cultivation."
Li Luochen was quite satisfied with Ma Hongjun's self-created spirit skill. At just nine and a half years old, Ma Hongjun had already developed his own technique—a testament to his talent, which far surpassed his original timeline.
Seeing his attack fail, Ma Hongjun quickly retreated to Oscar's side.
"Hongjun, I'll lead the attack next, and you follow up when the opportunity arises."
Oscar glanced at Ma Hongjun, their eyes exchanging something. However, Li Luochen, not paying close attention, didn't notice their silent communication.
"Communicating during battle isn't a good habit, especially when loudly announcing your plans. That won't do."
Li Luochen looked at the two boys. Were they trying to amuse themselves by openly scheming against him? They were still so young.
Oscar began circling to the side, drawing Li Luochen's attention. Instinctively, Li Luochen assumed Ma Hongjun was charging up.
"First spirit skill, Phoenix Flame Line!" Ma Hongjun instantly unleashed his spirit skill, targeting the area beneath Li Luochen's feet, creating an explosion of smoke.
Ah, the principle of "smoke without injury." Li Luochen was unharmed, though his vision was obscured. However, his mental strength was formidable, allowing him to perceive their movements even without sight.
But Li Luochen didn't use his mental strength. Wasn't it overkill to rely on such abilities against these two youngsters? He couldn't stoop so low.
While relying on his hearing to locate them, Oscar had already consumed his second spirit skill, Swift Swallow Mushroom Sausage, granting him the speed of a Spine-tailed Swift for fifteen minutes—an excellent spirit skill.
A pair of wings sprouted from Oscar's back, and he flew rapidly. His right arm extended, forming a white blade about thirty centimeters long. It looked unassuming but was sharp and deadly.
"Ten Thousand Leaf Thrust!" Oscar unleashed his spirit bone skill, sending countless sharp bamboo leaves of soul power flying toward Li Luochen.
Li Luochen noticed it and hastily blocked with his iron staff. Only now did he realize he had fallen into a trap—a double-layered scheme that had deceived even him.
While Li Luochen was briefly suppressed by Oscar's barrage, Ma Hongjun seized the moment and unleashed a full-power Phoenix Flame Line attack, exploiting the brief opening.
As the flame ray approached, Li Luochen sighed inwardly. He had been tricked!
"Third spirit skill, Ripple Surge!" Waves of water-like energy rippled outward from Li Luochen's body, neutralizing both Oscar and Ma Hongjun's spirit skills.
This was another application of Li Luochen's third spirit skill. Though not as powerful as when used with his staff, it looked incredibly flashy. With a stomp of his foot, waves of energy surged outward—a perfect showy move for overwhelming weaker opponents!
"Alright, I admit defeat. You two even set up a layered trap and managed to fool me. How many people have you tricked like this?"
Li Luochen looked at Oscar and Ma Hongjun with satisfaction. Their strength and combat techniques had improved significantly. In a few months, when they trained in Suotuo City's Great Sparring Arena, they might grow even stronger.
"Hehe, Big Brother Chen, how did we do?"
Oscar looked at Li Luochen with a happy grin. There was nothing more satisfying than earning his praise.
"Not bad at all, very impressive. I'm satisfied. But remember, balance work and rest in your training. Don't push yourselves too hard."
Li Luochen's praise sent the two boys' spirits soaring—they were practically walking on air.
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