Shang Qi's words fell, and before Xu Du could ponder their meaning, he mirrored Xu Du, striking back with a thunderbolt projectile.
Although distracted by Shang Qi's words, Xu Du remained vigilant. As Shang Qi's thunderbolt projectile flew towards him, he swiftly dodged, using his weapon to block it.
The moment he blocked, the thunderbolt projectile, like a venomous serpent coiling around his neck, climbed his weapon and delivered an unexpected electric shock that coursed through his entire body.
Xu Du's body went numb, his mind instantly blank.
He quickly let go, his weapon clattering to the ground, and managed to pull himself free from the shock.
After this exchange, Xu Du finally understood Shang Qi's prowess and the source of his arrogant demeanor.
Shang Qi's ability seemed to be more than just fire; he could absorb and utilize thunderbolt abilities. Xu Du's eyes widened in realization. Shang Qi possessed the rare 'Devour' ability, something he had only heard of, never expecting to encounter.
This meant he was facing a formidable opponent.
Shang Qi granted Xu Du no time for introspection. While Xu Du was dodging, he had already reshaped the thunderbolts into a thunderbolt bow and arrow, aiming it directly at Xu Du for an assault.
Xu Du felt an overwhelming pressure and a chilling killing intent. He shifted his gaze from his weapon on the ground towards the source of the malevolent aura.
The sight made Xu Du's face drain of color.
As he looked, Shang Qi's arrow was loosed, carrying his killing intent straight towards Xu Du.
Xu Du's complexion instantly turned ashen. He frantically threw another thunderbolt projectile to counter.
However, his panic and disarray caused him to miss. The thunderbolt projectile hit the ground, crackling and sizzling, leaving behind a scorched black mark.
The loosed arrow, meanwhile, flew true, heading directly for Xu Du. Seeing that he couldn't dodge, Xu Du instinctively reached out to catch it.
"Ah..."
Xu Du's pained cry echoed as he caught the arrow with his bare hands. His hands, however, began to smoke from the electric shock delivered by the thunderbolt arrow.
Standing closest, he could already smell the scent of burning flesh in the air.
The thunderbolt arrow clung to his hands like a stubborn poultice, refusing to be shaken off. He was forced to endure the searing pain.
The people behind Xu Du turned deathly pale, retreating in fear.
Xu Du tried to pull his hands away, but they were stuck together. The pain was so intense he was losing sensation. The electricity, as if with legs of its own, began to spread from his hands to other parts of his body, gradually engulfing him.
He, who had always been the one to inflict harm with thunderbolts, now understood the excruciating agony of being electrocuted.
"Ah..."
Xu Du roared, channeling all his strength into his hands, forcefully tearing them away from the arrow that was fused to them.
Enduring the excruciating pain, he regained his freedom, but his hands were already charred black, emitting wisps of smoke.
Xu Du cried out in pain. His hands, perfectly fine just minutes ago, were now unrecognizable and wracked with agony that spread throughout his body.
In just the initial clash, his hands were so severely injured. How could he possibly continue fighting Shang Qi?
Wasn't this a clear indication that he was doomed to lose?
There is nothing more demoralizing than seeing the opponent's strength inflate while one's own spirit deflates. This was precisely Xu Du's current predicament.
Yet, it was hard to blame Xu Du, for Shang Qi was simply too powerful.
Before he made a move, people might have perceived him as merely boastful and somewhat capable.
But the moment he attacked, he displayed an almost invincible aura. Anyone would have been terrified, and Xu Du was no exception.
Meanwhile, Shang Qi, after Xu Du broke free from his first arrow, immediately loosed a second one!