Chapter 254 Paralysis, How is Xu Ran so strong?_1

After unleashing his Martial Soul, a colossal black cat appeared behind Zhu Ao, its body emitting an endless chilling gleam—it was the Zhu Clan's inherited Martial Soul, the Wuhun Youming Lingmao (Spectral Ghostly Cat).

Zhu Ao, a level 88 Soul Douluo, the strongest member of the Zhu Clan, and also the Previous Family Head.

"It's your turn," Zhu Ao said after releasing his Martial Soul, not in a hurry to attack but instead turning his gaze towards Xu Ran, his eyes shining with satisfaction. Normal people would be emotionally stirred, even fearless in the face of a Soul Douluo, but Xu Ran showed no sign of agitation, a truly formidable younger generation.

However, Zhu Ao had no idea that every ferocious beast Xu Ran had seen in the Star Luo Great Forest far surpassed him in strength. Xu Ran even dared to take advantage of Gu Yuena while healing her, let alone... people say you shouldn't touch a tiger's rear, yet Xu Ran even dared to touch—no, knead—the rear of a dragon, even giving it a pat…

Xu Ran naturally wouldn't panic because of Zhu Ao's level of strength, especially since he was not necessarily Zhu Ao's inferior.

Whether in strength or speed, Xu Ran was in no way inferior to Zhu Ao.

Even without using the Myriad Beasts Armor, Xu Ran wouldn't be weaker than any Soul Douluo.

"Good, I look forward to learning from Grandfather," Xu Ran said with a smile, as Zhu Ao was Zhu Qing's grandfather, naturally making him Xu Ran's grandfather as well.

An endless, majestic flow of Soul Power surged within Xu Ran, and four massive black Soul Rings flickered into existence beneath him as he held the "Godslayer Sword," his demeanor turning cold and stern.

Xu Ran's Soul Power was incredibly robust, and though only at level 50, his Soul Power reserve was already comparable to that of a Soul Sage.

"What concentrated Soul Power," Zhu Ao, Zhu Zihao, and the others exclaimed in surprise as they watched Xu Ran, their mouths twitching. Typically, those who cultivate rapidly have less substantial Soul Power. Due to continuously forcing their Cultivation Level to grow without properly condensing and compressing their Soul Power, they end up with a more ethereal quality to it.

But there was no sign of ethereality about Xu Ran.

With a "Cultivation Level" not yet at Soul King, his Soul Power reserve was almost comparable to an ordinary Soul Sage's.

Even those Soul Sages who relied on medicinal shortcuts might not have a Soul Power reserve as ample as Xu Ran's.

It was bad enough that Xu Ran's cultivation speed was fast, but his Soul Power was also so well-condensed.

Damn it, was Xu Ran even human?

Why was cultivation so hard for others, yet Xu Ran seemed to improve it so effortlessly?

At this moment, Zhu Ao and Zhu Zihao, among others, started cursing their luck. Thinking of how hard they had worked just to reach their current Cultivation, they felt a surge of tears within.

Comparing oneself to others can indeed be maddening.

And those four black Soul Rings beneath Xu Ran, that was just ridiculous. Since ancient times, there had scarcely been anyone known to possess such a formidable configuration of Soul Rings.

Xu Ran was defying the heavens.

But thankfully, this genius was born into their Zhu Clan.

"Grandfather, what's wrong?" Xu Ran asked.

"You make a move first. I'll give you three moves," Zhu Ao stated, standing with his hands behind his back.

After all, he was the foremost individual in his family, a level 88 Soul Douluo, the former Family Head of the Zhu Clan. Using his Martial Soul against a junior was already embarrassing enough, so naturally, he couldn't make the first move.

However, though Xu Ran was a monster, his power was still limited by his Soul Power, and he shouldn't be too strong.

Now that he had unleashed his Martial Soul, Zhu Ao didn't believe Xu Ran could harm him.

"You want me to make the first move?" Xu Ran looked at Zhu Ao weirdly, his expression becoming somewhat strange.

As a swordsman, making the first move meant worrying that the respected elder before him would lose face…

As a swordsman, striking first was like a swift, graceful crane, instantly sweeping away the enemy without dragging things out. If he struck first, given their close distance, Zhu Ao wouldn't even have time to react and would probably be defeated directly by him.

If their battle had more distance between them, it would be another matter.

This...

Wasn't this courting death?

"Grandson-in-law, don't hesitate any longer, make your move. It's a good opportunity to show me your strength," Zhu Ao said, standing with his hands behind his back, the very image of a master.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Zihao couldn't help but admire him; this was their Zhu Clan's war god.

Whether in poise or in "Cultivation Level," he was the object of their admiration.

"Uh, alright," Xu Ran nodded, gripping the sword handle. In that moment, the air around Xu Ran seemed to undergo a subtle distortion, as he and his sword appeared to merge into one.

At the moment Xu Ran grasped the meaning of sword intent, he had initially comprehended Unity of Man and Sword.

If Sword Douluo were here and saw this scene, he would have been utterly astonished, for he himself had only grasped Unity of Man and Sword when he was over sixty years old. It was during the time he was perfecting his Seven Kill Sword Intent.

Unity of Man and Sword is the first step to unlocking the Sword Domain.

Having grasped this step, the understanding of one's Domain was no longer far off.

Considering Xu Ran's age and "Cultivation Level," the fact that he was on the verge of comprehension was indicative of a monstrously talented nature!

"What is this?" Zhu Zìháo and the others had been observing Xu Ran and also noticed the anomaly at that moment. It was just that their "Cultivation Level" had not yet reached that realm.

"Unity of Heaven and Man? Doesn't seem like it," Zhu Ao sensed the transformation in Xu Ran and immediately thought of that terrifying realm. Only after comprehending the state of Unity of Heaven and Man did one have a chance to progress beyond level 95.

However, Xu Ran's initial comprehension of Unity of Man and Sword did show a glimpse of the embryonic form of Unity of Heaven and Man.

"This child has talent close to demonic. Terrifying indeed, truly terrifying," Zhu Ao murmured to himself, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

"Grandfather, I am making my move," Xu Ran reminded.

"Slaughter Sword Path."

"Slaughter Sword Intent."

Xu Ran murmured, unleashing a dreadful burst of sword light from his hand that streaked rapidly towards Zhu Ao's direction.

After Xu Ran had grasped sword intent, Soul Ring Soul Skills became somewhat trivial for him. Sword Intent was the most pure form of power belonging to swordsmen. The Sword Intent released in harmony with a swordsman's true nature was the most refined manifestation of swordsmanship.

With Xu Ran's level 50 "Cultivation Level," the Sword Intent he unleashed with full force was like a terrifying crimson pillar of light!

"Damn it."

"Damn it."

Zhu Zìháo and the Zhu Clan elders, witnessing this scene, were completely flabbergasted. The speed of this sword was incredibly fast, its power was immensely formidable, and its attribute force was so pure... Could this be the attacking power that Xu Ran, with his "Cultivation Level," was able to release?

Such a sword could even threaten the life of a Soul Douluo.

Therefore, upon seeing Xu Ran draw his sword, they no longer knew what to say, only instinctively let out a curse.

"Damn it," Zhu Ao couldn't help but curse upon seeing this.

He had speculated that Xu Ran's strength was likely between that of a Soul Sage and a Soul Douluo, which was why he had been overly confident in allowing Xu Ran to make a move.

He was even prepared to let Xu Ran have three moves...

But how could he have known that Xu Ran was so strong? A youth, a level 50 Soul Master who hadn't even reached his fifth soul ring, possessed such a frightening strength.

This one sword was enough to threaten all Soul Douluos.

And because he had been overconfident, now not even a single Soul Skill had been released...

"Netherworld Magic Cover," seeing this, Zhu Ao dared not act arrogantly anymore. He immediately released his eighth soul skill, a layer of dark flowing light enveloping his body, forming a black light barrier to protect himself.

However, as the black light barrier was just forming and still destabilizing, Xu Ran's sword light had already arrived.

This was a sword infused with the purest Slaughter Sword Intent.

This one sword had drained nearly one-fifth of the Soul Power within Xu Ran's body.

Sword Intent, the purest energy of swordsmanship, also drained Soul Power that was incredibly terrifying.

"Bang." The sword light directly hit Zhu Ao's protective dark barrier, the barrier shuddered and then, in an instant, shattered.

After that, the sword light directly struck Zhu Ao.

"Boom." Zhu Ao was sent flying backward, crashing through the solid tables and chairs in the hall. Finally, he hit a thick pillar and slowly came to a stop.

"Crap." Zhu Ao fell to the ground, groaned, and couldn't help but curse again. Was Xu Ran even human? Why was he so strong?

Was this really the junior of the Zhu Clan? Why did it feel like he was almost on par with this decrepit old man?

With Xu Ran's strength, even if he (Zhu Ao) took it seriously and went all-out, he'd probably only be evenly matched with Xu Ran. And if Xu Ran had other stronger trump cards, perhaps...