Douluo: I Can Choose My Own Soul Skills

Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:

patreon.com/ZeroMoney

I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated. 

******

Ma Hongjun's head aimed toward Ye Lan even before his flame beam reached him, curving the flame in an arc toward the blond youth. Convinced

Ma Hongjun's head aimed toward Ye Lan even before his flame beam reached him, curving the flame in an arc toward the blond youth. Convinced

Ma Hongjun's head aimed toward Ye Lan even before his flame beam reached him, curving the flame in an arc toward the blond youth. Convinced

Ma Hongjun's head aimed toward Ye Lan even before his flame beam reached him, curving the flame in an arc toward the blond youth. Convinced he had landed a direct hit, Ma Hongjun was so excited he nearly shouted aloud.

But before he could celebrate, he watched with wide eyes as the blond youth vanished from sight in an instant.

A moment later, a powerful impact struck Ma Hongjun's chin. His teeth slammed against the tip of his tongue, and a sharp pain from the bite drowned out all other sensations.

The pain was so intense it even overwhelmed the burning left behind by the residual flames in his mouth.

Ye Lan had used Shunpo to land a clean blow to Ma Hongjun's jaw, interrupting the flame beam entirely.

Just as Ye Lan was about to follow up with a kick, he noticed Ma Hongjun's second soul ring light up, emitting a surge of violet light from his body.

Ye Lan immediately stopped his attack and pulled back, opening up a ten-meter distance between them.

Ma Hongjun, gritting through the pain in his mouth, swiftly activated his second soul skill to defend against Ye Lan's next attack.

However, before his second soul skill could even take effect—before the flaming aura had fully emerged from his body—he watched helplessly as the blond youth once again slipped out of his attack range. The spark of hope that had just been lit in Ma Hongjun's heart was instantly extinguished.

He's so fast! His speed was only slightly slower than a soul master in Martial Soul Possession, but in terms of explosive bursts, it was clearly superior.

Ma Hongjun knew that no matter how powerful his flame attacks were, they were pointless if they couldn't land. It would just waste soul power.

He shouted, "Why don't you use your Martial Soul? Dodging all over the place—what kind of skill is that? Dare to fight me head-on?"

Ye Lan's expression turned strange. This was the first time someone had demanded that he use his Martial Soul.

"Honestly, I could finish you in a few seconds even without using my Martial Soul. But since you insist on tasting despair—and want to confirm where a fat chicken ranks on the food chain—I'll grant your wish."

Hearing the words "fat chicken," Ma Hongjun's heart wavered slightly, but instead of getting angry, he felt secretly delighted.

I can't believe I just outsmarted someone. He felt a surge of pride at his own cunning.

"Then it's settled! A real man keeps his word—you can't dodge anymore!" To prevent Ye Lan from dodging, Ma Hongjun even tried flattering him.

"Enough nonsense. I'll show you what despair really feels like!"

"Phoenix of Rebirth! Phoenix Ray!"

Both of Ma Hongjun's yellow soul rings lit up. The Phoenix Ray, in addition to defense, could amplify his flame beam.

Flames engulfed Ma Hongjun's entire body as a longer, wider Phoenix Ray burst from his mouth.

Inwardly, Ma Hongjun kept chanting: Don't dodge! Don't dodge! Don't dodge!

Then he saw golden light bloom from the blond youth's body as dozens of Golden-veined Blue Silver Vines burst forth.

Plants? Ma Hongjun's tension instantly eased. What a trash Martial Soul. Phoenix fire is the perfect counter to plant-based souls.

Even though these vines looked unusual—more like a surging mudslide than normal vines—he was confident.

My Evil Fire Phoenix is no ordinary beast Martial Soul. The dean himself said it's one of the top-tier beast souls.

Just as he was about to celebrate victory, the sight before him shattered Ma Hongjun's expectations.

Dozens of Golden-veined Blue Silver Vines ignored the Phoenix Ray entirely, as if the beam wasn't even there, and slammed right into it.

In the blink of an eye, the Phoenix Ray was devoured! The beam didn't even scorch the vines black!

"Impossible!" Ma Hongjun shouted, moments before being tightly bound by the Blue Silver Grass, his face twisted in shock and disbelief.

Ye Lan looked at the now bundle-wrapped Ma Hongjun without surprise.

His Blue Silver Grass possessed the Ultimate Light attribute, which originated from the sun, making it naturally immune to fire.

Moreover, Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix flames weren't of the ultimate fire element—and they carried a corrupting attribute.

The evil and fire attributes were completely countered by Ye Lan's Ultimate Light. The moment his Martial Soul charged at Ma Hongjun, the outcome had already been sealed—there was no way he could escape in time.

"Thank you, Soul Master!" Cuihua said with a grateful bow. Her eyes showed not just gratitude, but also fear.

Ma Hongjun was already known as a soul master prodigy in the area, yet the blond youth before her had far surpassed her expectations. To defeat a genius soul master… could he be a monster?

"No need to thank me," Ye Lan replied, waving his hand. "It's just that Ma Hongjun's despicable behavior annoyed me."

"Soul Master, please forgive Ma Hongjun this once. I've already cut ties with him. He has many flaws, yes, but he hasn't done anything unforgivable yet." Though Cuihua had just been helped by Ye Lan, she still feared future retaliation from Ma Hongjun and decided to speak on his behalf.

"That depends on his attitude," Ye Lan replied. He was willing to let Ma Hongjun go—but not so easily that Cuihua might forgive him just like that.

Soon, the round, trussed-up "dumpling" of a boy revealed his bruised eyes and swollen cheek.

Before Ye Lan could say a word, Ma Hongjun burst into tears and snot.

He now realized he had seriously provoked someone far beyond his league.

Though he'd always been arrogant and overbearing, Ma Hongjun wasn't completely clueless. He knew there were certain people he couldn't afford to offend—like Dai Mubai, or that mysterious girl in black. Today, he silently added the blond youth to that list.

"Boss! Big Bro! You're my boss! I'll never cause trouble again! I swear I'll never bully Cuihua again! Please just let me go!" Ma Hongjun begged. The tight grip of the Golden-veined Blue Silver Vines on his pudgy body made him acutely aware that Ye Lan hadn't even exerted full force yet—if he did, Ma Hongjun might be crushed into a pile of meat paste.

"If you knew this would happen, why act that way in the first place? For Cuihua's sake, I'll spare you this once. Clearly no one taught you how to behave. Here's my advice—read more books. Learn how to be a decent human being!"

Since this fat idiot was being so cooperative, Ye Lan decided to let him go—for now.

"Yes, yes, Big Bro! I'll go straight back to the academy and start reading!" Ma Hongjun promised eagerly, relieved to be spared.

Cuihua looked at him with utter disdain. So this is the same arrogant jerk I knew? The way he's groveling in front of a stronger soul master—it's pathetic.

Ma Hongjun also realized his once-proud image had shattered completely in Cuihua's eyes. He didn't even dare meet her gaze.

After Ye Lan withdrew the Blue Silver Grass, Ma Hongjun didn't say a word. Clutching his swollen cheek, he slinked away in shame.

Ye Lan reminded Cuihua that if Ma Hongjun harassed her again, she could find him at the Great Spirit Arena—he would likely be there.

Cuihua bowed deeply to express her thanks, but Ye Lan just waved it off.

He didn't believe Ma Hongjun would have the face to act arrogant around her again. In her eyes, his dignity had already been completely destroyed.

(End of Chapter)