Chapter 219: Thunder Rises, Shadows Fall
When Xiao Qiang cleaved through all the incoming spectral souls with a single sweep of his sword, his surge of formidable momentum lit a sense of safety in Zhang Lexuan's heart. That flicker of hope was quickly amplified by Xiao Qiang's psychological suggestion field, pushing back the despair field's suffocating pressure.
"If you can still move, then get out of here! This isn't a battlefield you can afford to step on!"
Xiao Qiang shot her a quick glance, his mental power locking horns with Ghost Douluo's own oppressive force. The clashing aura between them was evenly matched, two titans pressing against each other.
Thanks to Xiao Qiang holding back the weight of despair, Zhang Lexuan found the strength to flee. She didn't hesitate any longer. As her figure disappeared into the forest's depths, Ghost Douluo gave a cold chuckle.
"Heh… I never would've thought the great Hall Master Xiao would be so smitten. Risking your life for a Shrek woman—how touching. But I wonder… will she even come back?"
"You're thinking too much," Xiao Qiang replied, his grip tightening on the Sword of Judgment. "I never planned to let her come back. Once I've finished with you, I can bring her back myself."
"Hmph, you're bold, I'll give you that. Not even the Great Priest or the Supreme Master had your strength at your age. But you're still just a boy."
The sixth black soul ring around Ghost Douluo flared. A powerful spectral Titled Douluo emerged, radiating terrifying pressure as it lunged at Xiao Qiang.
Though merely a soul remnant, this opponent's power was no weaker than the Divine Power Douluo Xiao Qiang had once bested. In life, he must've been a powerhouse with at least level 94 soul power—possibly even a Super Douluo.
But Xiao Qiang wasn't fazed. Leaping into the air, he gripped his Sword of Judgment tightly. "I use light as my sword—let this radiance illuminate all rivers!"
With a mighty swing, dozens—hundreds—of searing light blades slashed outward, instantly reducing the Titled Douluo soul into dissipating fragments.
"Don't waste my time with cheap tricks," Xiao Qiang said coldly. "I stayed behind to test how far I am from level 98. This isn't a game."
"Stay behind?" Ghost Douluo sneered, appearing like a phantom behind Xiao Qiang. "Boy, who do you think you are?"
His first soul ring lit up. A ghostly hand lashed out, clawing at Xiao Qiang's neck. But Susanoo's skeletal frame materialized just in time, absorbing the attack.
Even so, the impact left visible damage—grooves etched into the sturdy bones. A chill swept over Xiao Qiang's heart. This wasn't an opponent to underestimate.
With a sharp breath, Xiao Qiang summoned the full form of Susanoo. Its upper body completed rapidly: bones, muscles, skin, and shimmering armor. Then, its massive lower body emerged from the earth. In mere seconds, a towering figure loomed over Ghost Douluo.
"A construct forged from mental power and soul power…" Ghost Douluo narrowed his eyes. "Give you ten more years, and perhaps I wouldn't stand a chance. But right now—you're not that future self."
Xiao Qiang unleashed a mighty arrow from Susanoo's hand, piercing through Ghost Douluo's body. But it passed through harmlessly—he'd activated his Martial Soul True Body.
Then came the eighth soul ring. Darkness swallowed the bright sky as demonic entities erupted from every direction. This was Ghost Douluo's eighth soul skill—Night Parade of One Hundred Ghosts.
Though Susanoo's defenses were formidable, they couldn't fully withstand the corrosive power of these summoned nightmares. Piece by piece, Xiao Qiang's protective avatar was being devoured.
"Still not enough," Xiao Qiang muttered, unfazed.
This wasn't Uchiha Madara's towering, divine Susanoo. His current form was more like Sasuke's partial version after awakening the Eternal Mangekyō. In the world of Naruto, Sharingan evolved alongside chakra. But in the Douluo Continent, Xiao Qiang's Sharingan was a martial soul—meaning his growth relied entirely on his soul power.
To wield Madara's world-splitting Susanoo, he estimated he'd need at least Extreme Douluo-level soul power.
"Light of the Extreme—Shining Sun!"
Xiao Qiang summoned dozens of blazing spheres—miniature suns. Heat and radiance blazed out, pushing back the ghostly swarm. Over twenty demonic spirits were incinerated, yet his Susanoo continued to erode.
"It's a clever trick," Ghost Douluo said, eyes gleaming. "But your soul power is too shallow. Light and fire alone won't stop my eighth soul skill. I'll sever your head and let her watch you die."
"Light and fire aren't enough?" Xiao Qiang smirked. "Then how about thunder?"
"Thunder?" Ghost Douluo froze.
Above them, dark clouds had formed—thick cumulonimbus, spawned from the steam Xiao Qiang's heat attacks had produced. This wasn't coincidence.
Xiao Qiang had known from the start that he couldn't win in a direct clash. So light was merely a distraction. Fire, the real catalyst. All to create a perfect storm for what came next.
"Sorry to disappoint. The light and fire were just the bait. This… is the real deal."
His Sharingan gleamed. Mental detection merged with perfect insight, and Xiao Qiang raised his hand.
"Lightning Style—Kirin!"
A massive thunder beast, shaped from pure lightning, tore through the skies and plummeted toward Ghost Douluo—its roar drowning the screams of the ghosts, its divine wrath defying despair.
This was the blow meant to crack level 98.