Chapter 21: Yan's Shaping Magic, The Battle Between Master and Disciple (Part 1)
"Wuhun Possession!"
"Wuhun Possession!"
In the instant following the simultaneous Wuhun possession of master and disciple, Yan lifted his right hand, instantly forming a cannon barrel made of magma.
With a muffled boom, a dark red magma fireball shot out at a terrifying speed.
Yan's Shaping Magic—Vulcan Cannon! Infernal Magma Shot!
Relying on his training in form alteration through his second and third soul skills, Yan did not abandon his first soul skill. This self-created soul skill was crafted by leveraging his proficiency in form alteration and incorporating the effects of Infernal Magma Surge!
The original Infernal Magma Surge was a simple soul skill that shot magma energy at high speed. With the added focus of a cannon barrel, its speed at least doubled!
Although his time constraints meant his mastery of Infernal Magma Surge was not as developed as his second and third soul skills, resulting in lower purity of magma energy compared to using the first soul skill directly, the speed boost made the attack more powerful.
Most importantly, as his mastery of "Property Alteration" and "Form Alteration" improved, the power of this soul skill would continue to rise! By altering the properties of the projectile, he could fire various types of projectiles with different characteristics and power!
In the future, this skill might become a soul skill with a minimum output at the century level and a maximum at the ten-thousand-year or even one-hundred-thousand-year level!
Truly making the Vulcan Cannon live up to its name!
"Too obvious."
As You Chen commented casually, he sidestepped the Infernal Magma Shot.
With a loud boom, it exploded behind him like a small explosive charge.
The speed of this Infernal Magma Shot reached the level of a millennium soul skill, with power akin to a high-tier century soul skill. Discounting the energy consumed in constructing the cannon barrel, it consumed energy at a century soul skill level.
This was undoubtedly a competent, even excellent, self-created soul skill.
But for You Chen, a level 50 soul elder leaning towards agility assault, it was still insufficient.
Even though You Chen had suppressed his soul power to match Yan's level 36, and the enhancement from his Wuhun naturally dropped to the soul elder level, his physical prowess remained.
His physical strength had long reached the level of a soul king. Despite the gap in Wuhun quality, in terms of sheer physical strength, You Chen still held the upper hand.
With a reaction time like his, evading such straightforward attacks was effortless.
However, this advantage was not overwhelming since Yan's physical prowess also far exceeded his peers. You Chen's speed was his only clear edge.
Ignoring You Chen's critique, Yan continued his barrage.
With the century skill's consumption level, he could fire over a hundred shots without pause.
You Chen, while dodging the continuous barrage, discerned Yan's strategy.
Beyond the initial shot maintaining the strength of a 400-year soul ring skill, the subsequent magma projectiles barely reached the energy level of a century soul skill, more show than substance.
Yet even a century soul skill, fired in the manner of a Vulcan Cannon, held power only slightly weaker than the original Infernal Magma Surge, sufficient to pose a significant threat to an agility-type soul elder.
Though called a battle between master and disciple, You Chen's aim was to test Yan's progress, assessing himself by the standards of an agility-type soul elder.
Yan's true goal, however, was not to weaken him.
It was to restrict You Chen's movements with ranged attacks, then—
The third dark purple soul ring circling Yan suddenly lit up.
Third Soul Skill, Yan Prison Cage!
If this landed, it would be a death sentence for an agility-type soul master of the same rank!
However, almost simultaneously with Yan's third soul ring lighting up, You Chen's second soul ring also activated!
Due to his physical advantage, You Chen restricted himself to using only his first and second soul skills and the innate power of his Wuhun.
This was an unspoken understanding between master and disciple.
You Chen's second soul skill, "Force of the Cold Wind," purely enhanced wind power.
With the wind power boost, You Chen's speed naturally surged!
As the Infernal Magma Shot exploded, leaving residual magma energy ready to form a cage, Yan realized he couldn't trap his teacher with You Chen's sudden acceleration. To conserve soul power, he was forced to cancel the skill midway.
Despite this, he consumed half the soul power needed for a full skill activation.
Even with environmental energy mitigating some consumption, it equated to nearly a quarter of a normal millennium soul skill's cost!
Yan's soul power sharply declined.
"Good tactics, but a bit too rigid. You're too eager to establish an advantage, making your true intentions clear."
You Chen's voice carried on the wind as he closed in on Yan.
Yan focused, seeing You Chen's snow-white dragon wings unfold behind him, spanning over two meters, with star-like specks glistening.
The dazzling beauty was secondary; the dragon wings further heightened You Chen's already impressive speed.
In a flash, You Chen's fist was aimed at Yan's face.
The speed was astonishing, and Yan could only instinctively react, raising his arms to block.
Blow after blow.
Despite Yan's strength surpassing You Chen's, the overwhelming speed left him scrambling to dodge and block, still taking several hits.
All the while, You Chen didn't hold back verbally either: "See? Your plan failed, leaving you at a soul power disadvantage. I can just wear you down like this, using my speed advantage to keep you on the defensive until you lose!"
Yan felt a twinge of injustice, wanting to protest that not everyone could seize such opportunities like his teacher, but You Chen's relentless assault left him no chance to speak.
Continuing like this would only lead to defeat!
You Chen didn't need to say it; Yan understood this deeply.
In past sparring sessions, he had lost more than once.
But this time, as a farewell duel with his teacher, he wanted to showcase his growth. He refused to lose!
"Ah—!"
Yan let out a sudden roar, catching You Chen off guard, his attack slowing for a split second.
In that brief moment, Yan forcefully constructed a pair of arm guards on his forearms.
Yan's Shaping Magic—Yan Gauntlets!
Boom!
The gauntlets enhanced Yan's defense, mitigating the impact of You Chen's attacks, giving Yan a moment to regroup.
"Nice!"
While loudly praising Yan, You Chen's first soul ring abruptly lit up.
Even though Yan's unexpected response earned him a chance, was You Chen the type to let his disciple's growth sway him into going easy?
Absolutely not!