Douluo: Martial Soul Thunder Dragon, A Century of Glory

"I… might've been too impulsive."

"Impulsive?"

Shi Mo looked at Yu Tianheng in confusion.

"I bet 5,000 gold soul coins on my cousin…"

Yu Tianheng buried his face in his hands, trying to hide the subtle sting of regret.

Hearing this, Shi Mo and Shi Mo (the twin brothers) exchanged awkward glances —

they'd also bet on Yun Yibai thanks to Yu Tianheng's influence.

That same sinking feeling gripped both of them.

As for Dugu Yan, she had also placed a wager on Yun Yibai —

but she was genuinely wealthy, and the amount meant little to her.

She didn't feel the pain at all.

Once Yun Yibai entered the arena, the comparison between the two fighters became obvious.

He was at least a head shorter than his opponent.

Just in terms of momentum, he seemed to be starting at a disadvantage.

But due to the whale gel he had consumed, his vital energy was running strong —

so much so that Molten Rhino's eyes narrowed slightly in response.

Yun Yibai's upbringing showed as well — raised with elite training,

his poise and confidence was something Molten Rhino lacked entirely.

"Both fighters are in place! Let's look forward to an incredible match!"

"Now, soul masters, release your martial souls!"

As Qingyin's voice fell, two soul crests appeared above the contestants:

A flaming red soul crest with a rhino's head symbol above Molten Rhino.

A golden crest bearing the image of a dragon above Yun Yibai.

"There it is! Thunder Dragon's martial soul is indeed a variant of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"

"We'd heard this before, and now it's confirmed!"

"With both martial souls activated, let the match—"

Qingyin's wings fluttered, lifting her higher into the air.

"Soul battle—begin!!"

She held her mic out toward the audience.

"BEGIN!!" the crowd roared in unison.

The atmosphere in the stadium instantly ignited.

Boom!

Molten Rhino stomped the ground, his body igniting in a blaze of red-hot soul power.

Magma-colored armor appeared on his chest and right arm — his Trueform Armor.

But that wasn't all.

The stomp was a momentum-builder.

In the next second, his entire body turned into a streak of flame, charging straight at Yun Yibai.

That pressure… that's not Grand Soul Master level.

He's broken through.

Yun Yibai's eyes narrowed. His earlier suspicion was confirmed.

Sz—

Against an opponent with higher soul power and better combat experience, Yun Yibai had to go all in.

Luckily, his martial soul and soul rings were superior.

Golden lightning crackled around him as his hands transformed into gleaming dragon claws.

Trueform Armor increased soul consumption — but in return, it greatly boosted the soul master's attributes.

Of course, the effectiveness of that boost still depended on the quality of the soul rings.

Despite the charge, Yun Yibai remained calm — even excited.

He thrived against powerful opponents.

Even if he lost, it wouldn't damage his pride — it would only push him to train harder.

Besides, he didn't think he was going to lose.

With a roar, he threw his fist straight into the oncoming flame.

BOOM!

It was like thunder splitting the sky.

Molten Rhino's blazing charge collided with Yun Yibai's golden dragon claw.

The explosion of force was immense, sending shockwaves through the arena.

The air itself trembled with pressure.

But this was the Main Arena — it was built to withstand Soul King-level combat.

A bit of force from two Grand Soul Masters didn't even stir up dust.

"Such power…!"

"This kid—he has this much strength?!"

Both fighters were secretly shocked by the other's might.

So I underestimated him just because he's young, huh? Heh…

Molten Rhino gave a self-deprecating smile.

No wonder the higher-ups specifically told me to fight him.

They saw something I didn't.

It made him feel how small he still was — how much stronger he wanted to be.

The deal had already been made:

If he defeated Yun Yibai, the Grand Arena would send someone to help him hunt for a new soul ring.

That reward alone was worth everything.

The Grand Arena's backing was far more reliable than random mercenaries.

These clan disciples are on another level…

If I had his background…

Molten Rhino's gaze sharpened with a flicker of jealousy and violence.

His magma-colored armor pulsed with red light as his soul power surged again.

He hated to admit it — but he envied Yun Yibai.

He truly believed that if he had the same resources, his achievements would be far greater.

Their first exchange had just been a feeler — the real battle was about to begin.

And the best defense… is a good offense.

Yun Yibai struck first.

He had excellent control over his element — but with his current soul power,

casting non-instant magic-style techniques only drained him faster.

That's why most soul masters fought at close range — using martial soul power instead of flashy techniques.

The goal: wear down the opponent, then deliver the finishing blow.

Unless you had a truly devastating soul skill, pure ranged fighting was rarely decisive.

The arena was blazing with activity — and Qingyin was narrating frantically from above.

"Golden lightning continues to surge into Thunder Dragon's dragon claws…"

"Molten Rhino is holding his ground!

His flaming soul power gathers in his palm—he's launching a fireball!"

"But Thunder Dragon dodges with ease!"

Back in the arena, Yun Yibai's golden claw lashed forward, surging with electricity —

aimed directly at Molten Rhino's vital points.

"What?!"

Even Qingyin's voice spiked with surprise.

Many spectators hadn't seen what happened yet.

"Molten Rhino just activated his first soul skill: Molten Charge!"

Qingyin's voice grew urgent.

"At first, it looked like he was planning to take the hit head-on…

But it turns out he was using the soul skill to escape!"

The reverse maneuver caught Yun Yibai off guard.

As his attack missed and he landed back on the ground, Molten Rhino made his move again.

"Second Soul Skill: Molten Stomp!!"

With a roar, he slammed both feet into the floor.

The arena quaked.

Within five meters of him, the ground turned red-hot —

liquid magma erupted upward, surging like a tide toward Yun Yibai.

Caught off-guard, Yun Yibai felt the blistering heat wash over him.

Damn, this guy is a veteran.

There's a reason he's lasted this long in the Grand Arena.

No flashy theatrics — just hard-earned battle sense.

Without hesitation, Yun Yibai's first soul ring lit up.

Szzztt—!!

Lightning burst out around him in a crackling explosion.

The golden current met the incoming magma head-on, stalling its advance — at least for the moment.