Douluo : People are writing diaries in Douluo

Niu Gao took a deep breath, calming his mind before saying, "One last thing, Su Ming: I want a match with you!"

"Although Yang said you beat him completely, I didn't see it with my own eyes. I want to see it for myself! Let's test our defenses—each of us gets three attacks, and whoever fails to block an attack loses. What do you say?"

Even though Niu Gao knew Su Ming possessed two hundred-thousand-year spirit bones, Su Ming was only at level seventy and hadn't yet acquired his seventh spirit ring. Niu Gao didn't believe a kid like Su Ming could surpass his years of defense-focused training.

As soon as he made his request, everyone around cast him strange looks, some with a hint of sympathy in their eyes.

Not wanting his old friend to suffer, Yang Wudi attempted to dissuade him, "Old Rhino, you should let it go. You'll end up getting cut down, and I really don't want to watch you make such a mistake!"

Niu Gao scoffed, "Yang, I'm not as fragile as you. I'm all defense; it's nothing like your glass cannon style. Plus, I have my martial soul avatar—layered defenses. Do you really think I can't withstand an attack from Su Ming?"

"Just to remind you, in pure defense, I can barely handle attacks from a level ninety-five Titled Douluo!"

Yang Wudi sighed, resigned. Even if you can block one hit from a level ninety-five Douluo, Su Ming single-handedly took down Yu Yuanzhen. Do you think your defenses can hold up against a semi-divine Yu Yuanzhen?

Yang Wudi glared at Niu Gao and said through gritted teeth, "Su Ming, don't hold back. Let Old Rhino here understand what he's up against—he's spent so much time shut away here, he's forgotten there's always someone stronger."

After a pause, he added, "Just… don't kill him."

Yang Wudi knew Su Ming and his healer companion possessed incredible powers of recovery, so he wasn't worried about Niu Gao's survival. As long as he was breathing afterward, Su Ming could heal him.

Su Ming nodded to Yang Wudi, reassuring him he'd be careful.

Niu Gao's claim that he could withstand a Titled Douluo's attack was laughable. If that were true, he wouldn't have looked so threatened when seeing Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo just moments ago. A random attack from Chrysanthemum Douluo would likely leave him clinging to life.

Su Ming turned to Niu Gao with a calm expression. "Elder Niu Gao, you can attack me first. I'm afraid once I strike, you might not get the chance."

To Su Ming, this was a simple fact. But to Niu Gao, it felt like an intentional taunt.

"Fine, let's see if you're as tough as you think!" Niu Gao roared.

Su Ming activated his Susanoo armor, shrouding himself in a brilliant blue aura.

"Come at me, Elder Niu Gao."

Though wearing Susanoo on himself limited its offensive capabilities, it left his defense undiminished. No matter how much Niu Gao attacked, Su Ming remained unmoved. This sight left Niu Gao momentarily stunned.

"This is the Susanoo Yang mentioned?" Niu Gao marveled.

Su Ming urged, "Elder Niu Gao, you may want to use your martial soul avatar. Let's finish quickly—the Speed Clan should arrive soon."

"Hmph, I don't need you telling me what to do!" Niu Gao shot back.

Using his full soul power, Niu Gao gathered eighty percent of his strength into a powerful punch, still reluctant to go all out. Though he'd dismissed Yang Wudi's warnings as exaggerations, he couldn't ignore Su Ming's confidence entirely. Even so, when his punch landed, he found Su Ming completely unfazed.

"Hahaha!" Yang Wudi burst out laughing, almost beside himself. "I warned you, Old Rhino! Now look who's embarrassed!"

Niu Gao withdrew his fist, feigning nonchalance. "No need to laugh. I only used twenty percent of my strength. Su Ming's defense is impressive; let's see if he can handle a full attack!"

The others struggled to contain their laughter; they doubted the punch had only been twenty percent strength. Now they were curious how Niu Gao would manage.

Niu Gao stopped holding back, putting his full power into his next blow. Yet, it too barely made Su Ming flinch. To spare Niu Gao some dignity in front of his clan, Su Ming pretended to stagger back slightly.

"Elder Niu Gao, this is your last attempt. If you don't use your martial soul avatar now, you might lose outright," Su Ming suggested with a hint of sympathy.

"Hmph! I don't need you to tell me how to fight," Niu Gao grumbled.

"Seventh Spirit Skill: Martial Soul Avatar!"

With a flash of light, a massive armored rhino appeared before them.

Su Ming chose not to activate his full Susanoo form, opting instead for the skeletal half-form with only one massive arm raised to block.

Even Yang Wudi was taken aback by this restrained form of Susanoo, prompting him to ask, "Does Su Ming's Susanoo have multiple forms?"

Xiao Wu explained, "Yes, this is its initial form. The one he used against you was the complete form."

"I think he's using the first form because he doesn't need more than that against Elder Niu Gao's attacks."

Yang Wudi merely raised an eyebrow, noting how Niu Gao seemed uncertain but still charged forward.

With a resounding crash, dust billowed up around them. When it settled, everyone saw Niu Gao standing there, his martial soul avatar dissipated.

Though his final attack had been blocked by Susanoo's massive arm, Su Ming had let him down gently, sparing his pride. Niu Gao's clan members likely wouldn't have noticed the humiliation in the exchange.

"Ahem, Su Ming, no need to continue. I… I concede," Niu Gao admitted, his red face now flushed even deeper with embarrassment.

He could barely hold his head up, realizing Su Ming had gone easy on him to preserve his dignity.