Chapter 39: Flying Poison Thunderstrike, Battlefield Reaper

Yang Wudi looked at Yun Yibai, Oscar, and Dugu Yan with complex emotions.

In his eyes:

Yun Yibai was someone who'd struck extraordinary luck,

Oscar was a true child of heaven, and

Dugu Yan also had solid potential — if she found the right opportunities, she might very well reach the Titled Douluo realm someday.

As for Yun Yibai and Oscar, they were already basically seed candidates for becoming Titled Douluo — so long as they developed smoothly.

"Your Grace Dugu, these three juniors of yours truly are dragons among men — far superior to what we were in our day."

Dugu Bo smiled in satisfaction, glancing outside.

"Then let's begin. Clan Leader Yang, go find a few promising youths from your side as well."

"Let's divide this into two matches — the first being a team battle."

That was his plan all along. Yun Yibai was a strong attack-type Battle Spirit Master, Dugu Yan a control-type, and Oscar pure support — a well-balanced team.

"As for this little brat," Dugu Bo said, giving Yun Yibai a sideways glance, "pick a Spirit Elder for him to duel solo."

"Let him fight one-on-one. Don't doubt it — this brat's no ordinary Spirit Elder."

Yang Wudi gave Yun Yibai a look as well, then nodded.

"Very well, Your Grace. I'll take my leave for now."

About half an hour later, at the Yang Clan's training arena...

Yang Wudi had chosen three of the clan's outstanding juniors.

"Your Grace, these three are among the best of our clan. Introduce yourselves."

"Yang Yong, Martial Soul: Break-Soul Spear, Rank 37 attack-type Battle Spirit Master."

"Wu Youwei, outer member of the Yang family, Martial Soul: Windchaser Fan, Rank 31 control-type Spirit Elder."

"Yang Lang, Martial Soul: Break-Soul Spear, Rank 42 attack-type Spirit Ancestor."

"Greetings, Your Grace!" they said in unison.

Dugu Bo noticed that none of the three showed fear when facing him — a Titled Douluo. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

This wasn't common composure for Spirit Elders and Spirit Ancestors.

But it wasn't entirely unexpected. The Yang clan had always trained their descendants in a militant and aggressive style, thanks to constant harassment from factions under Spirit Hall. Their upbringing treated the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall as imagined enemies.

Yes — the Yang clan was that bold. A Spirit Douluo family daring to treat two Titled Douluo powers as future enemies, dreaming of one day taking revenge on both.

"Let the match begin!" Dugu Bo declared.

The wind stirred up light dust as the six figures stepped onto the massive stage — which now felt a bit empty.

Off to the side, Dugu Bo sat with Yang Wudi, while the rest of the Yang clan stood behind them, unusually quiet and respectful.

With both Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi present, even the normally restless youths of the clan were acting like perfect gentlemen.

"Release your Martial Souls!" barked a Yang clan Soul Saint who served as the temporary referee.

Bright halos of soul energy lit up above the heads of all six participants — the soul seals of their Martial Souls.

"Begin!" the Soul Saint announced before disappearing from the stage.

"Third Spirit Skill — Green-Winged Flying Mushroom!"

Oscar immediately activated his flying mushroom skill.

Yun Yibai and Dugu Yan each took one and consumed it. Oscar did the same himself.

Whoosh!

All three shot into the air, green soul-force wings sprouting from their backs.

"That must be the food-type Spirit Master the clan leader mentioned…"

"Originally I planned to take out their support-type first, but now... that's not going to be easy," Yang Lang muttered as he watched them ascend.

Once Yun Yibai and his team were airborne, the Yang trio — grounded by their abilities — could only wait below in formation. They stayed sharp, preparing for an aerial assault.

"Third Spirit Skill — Emerald Serpent Venom Ring!"

From midair, Dugu Yan activated her third skill.

A green toxic ring bloomed around Yang Lang's group, rapidly unleashing a cloud of venomous mist in their direction.

Having spent years studying medicine and poison, the Yang clan youths responded instantly and professionally.

"Wu Youwei!" Yang Lang shouted.

"Understood! Second Spirit Skill — Gale Spiral Dance!"

Wu Youwei's second soul ring lit up. Wielding the Windchaser Fan, he stirred up fierce gusts of wind, aiming to blow away the incoming poison fog.

But then—

Zzzzt—! A flash of golden lightning struck down.

The winds were shattered by the thunderstrike.

Yang Lang's face darkened.

"Take the anti-poison and detox pills, now!" he barked.

Technically, the pills were a form of external aid, but no one would punish them — Yang Wudi wouldn't break the rules, but he also wasn't going to police every little workaround.

Still, Yang Lang felt deeply embarrassed.

Relying on medicine mid-fight felt like cheating. He'd just shamed the Yang family.

Worse still — these detox pills were home-brewed. Their effect? Marginal at best.

Yun Yibai swooped down, his soul rings glowing as the lightning around him momentarily dimmed...

But was it truly gone?

"Thunderclap!"

Multiple bolts of lightning rained down on Yang Lang's team.

"First Spirit Skill…!"

The Yang brothers raised their Break-Soul Spears, trying to tank the electric assault while shielding Wu Youwei.

The outcome was already clear.

Even including Yun Yibai, the trio executed their team fight flawlessly.

Oscar provided unbeatable support.

The airborne advantage allowed them to strike from safety.

Their enemies couldn't retaliate effectively from the ground.

Dugu Yan had free rein to deploy poison without risking friendly fire, a rare luxury in ground combat.

And Yun Yibai played the role of a "finisher" — disrupting enemy movement with thunder, helping Dugu Yan's poison seep in faster, ensuring a quick victory.

This wasn't a show of his raw individual power. Instead, Yun Yibai deliberately emphasized Oscar and Dugu Yan's team value, proving how vital they were in a fight.

Truth be told, even if Yun Yibai hadn't intervened, Oscar and Dugu Yan could've won by attrition alone.

Of course, that was because the Yang youths weren't very skilled at detoxification. If they'd been more experienced, Yun Yibai would have had to take a more active role.

After all, Jade Scaled Serpent poison isn't something most Spirit Masters can handle.

"Your Grace Dugu, this round... we've lost," Yang Wudi admitted.

"Watching it in person is far more impactful than just hearing about it. For Spirit Masters below Soul Saint level, flight gives an overwhelming advantage — it allows for superior initiative in both offense and retreat."

"My brats couldn't do a thing against them."

"Hahahaha! It's just a matter of the right spirit skills," Dugu Bo chuckled, pretending to be modest.

"If they fought head-on on equal footing, the result might've been different."

But in truth — he was thrilled.