However, the present You Ji clearly paid no mind to the zodiac order, perhaps believing such a hierarchy did not represent true strength, or perhaps supremely confident in his own power.
As tenth in line, You Ji stood before Bai Ye, ranked fifth as the Chen Dragon, without any reservations.
After a brief exchange of words, the atmosphere instantly became heavy.
You Ji slowly shifted his stance, his gaze locked onto Bai Ye, as if searching for an opening.
And at that very moment...
Ding!
The elevator chimed, then slowly opened!
The sound acted as a signal, causing both Bai Ye and You Ji to lunge at each other simultaneously.
You Ji raised his massive fist, unleashing a straight punch towards Bai Ye's face. But just as it was about to connect, Bai Ye abruptly ducked, and the punch grazed past his head.
Bang!
In the next instant, Bai Ye, bent low, threw a fierce punch that landed squarely on You Ji's abdomen.
"Ugh!"
You Ji's eyes widened instantly, his body doubling over as he spat out a mouthful of bitter bile mixed with blood.
"Seems you're only strong on the outside," Bai Ye straightened up and followed with an elbow strike to You Ji's face, saying, "When it comes down to it, you're not even as good as me, this little guy!"
Bai Ye was supremely confident in his body, enhanced by the T-virus. At this stage, few could surpass him in pure physical attributes.
On the other side, after taking Bai Ye's elbow to the face, You Ji staggered backward, blood trickling from his lips. After finally regaining his footing, he spat out blood, even spitting out a tooth mixed in.
Bai Ye smirked with a hint of contempt, spreading his hands at You Ji.
"Kid, you're celebrating too soon."
Enraged by Bai Ye's provocation, You Ji immediately drew an arm blade and donned it on his right arm. Like a charging bull, he rushed at Bai Ye again.
The arm blade sliced through the air, leaving trails of silver light as it slashed repeatedly at Bai Ye.
As Bai Ye dodged, the arm blade struck the wall, and with a crashing sound, it ripped a chunk out of it.
You Ji roared, "Do you only know how to dodge?"
"No rush," Bai Ye continued to provoke, "I think this much is enough to deal with you."
You Ji's rage flared. He suddenly raised his left arm.
"Adrenaline!"
Almost instantly, You Ji's muscles swelled, growing larger by another circle. Following this, You Ji's pupils turned blood red from congestion.
Bang!
In the next moment, You Ji stomped forward and threw a punch with his left fist towards Bai Ye, his speed now twice as fast as before.
Bai Ye quickly raised his arm and, with a loud bang, took the punch squarely.
The immense force made Bai Ye feel as though he had been hit by a truck, sending him staggering backward until his back hit the wall. The violent impact caused a large section of the wall to crack.
"Adrenaline, this stuff is tricky!"
Bai Ye winced. He knew the ability "Adrenaline" could significantly boost physical attributes for a short time, but it came with side effects, including a period of weakness after the battle, depending on how long the ability was used.
Therefore, Bai Ye immediately understood his opponent's intention: to finish the fight quickly. By minimizing the usage time of Adrenaline, he could reduce the duration of its side effects.
"But, what a shame..." Bai Ye, unconcerned by the pain in his arm, suddenly laughed, "Your ability is countered by mine!"
You Ji ignored Bai Ye and quickly launched another attack, raising his arm blade and swinging it down at Bai Ye's head.
Then...
"Spirit Body!"
Bai Ye whispered, and his body began to gradually fade, becoming semi-transparent.
Simultaneously, the blade descended!
You Ji's arm blade struck Bai Ye's head. He was shocked. Although he had hit Bai Ye, You Ji felt no substance. The imagined scene of blood splashing and a severed head did not materialize; the arm blade had passed right through Bai Ye's body.
You Ji, disbelieving, raised his fist and punched towards Bai Ye's face again.
But as his fist struck Bai Ye's nose, You Ji staggered. His fist had gone straight through Bai Ye's body.
Bang!
You Ji's fist smashed into the wall behind, shattering a piece of it!
Bai Ye burst into laughter. In the Spirit Body state, he was immune to all physical attacks. Of course, Bai Ye also had to pay a price: he could not launch physical attacks either.
But was that a problem?
If physical attacks couldn't be used, then non-physical attacks would suffice!
Puff!
From behind You Ji, a flash of silver light suddenly appeared. It was the Frost Bloom Sword, striking You Ji's shoulder.
The Frost Bloom Sword's attack was physical, but its control relied on Bai Ye's spiritual attributes. Therefore, even in the Spirit Body state, its use was unaffected!
After the sword struck, You Ji grunted, then forcefully gripped the sword hilt, pulling the Frost Bloom Sword from his shoulder and tossing it aside.
But was Bai Ye's attack only this?
Suddenly, You Ji smelled something burning. He looked down to see two talismans on the ground, now igniting.
The Five Spirit Curses were not physical attacks either. However, in the Spirit Body state, Bai Ye could not hold the talismans. So, Bai Ye had secretly placed them on the ground earlier, waiting for this very moment!
"Flame Curse!"
Bai Ye grinned ferociously, and then...
Rumble, rumble!
The deafening roar of explosions erupted, and amidst the booming sounds, a massive fireball burst forth, engulfing You Ji almost instantly.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye used his Spirit Body to pass through the wall, evading the impact of the explosion.
A moment later...
The surrounding walls collapsed, and the area was scorched black by the dense smoke.
You Ji lay on the ground, pinned by the fallen debris, his body trembling as he coughed up bloody saliva.
Bai Ye passed through the wall and approached You Ji. Exiting his Spirit Body state, he stepped on the rubble pressing down on You Ji.
The intense pain contorted You Ji's expression. Then Bai Ye reached out and grabbed the Frost Bloom Sword!
"It seems you'll be the first to be eliminated!"
The moment Bai Ye spoke, he forcefully plunged the Frost Bloom Sword towards You Ji, piercing directly through his throat.
You Ji's eyes widened instantly, then gradually lost their light, finally becoming dull and lifeless.
...