However, the Rooster present clearly paid no mind to the zodiac order, perhaps believing such an order did not represent true strength, or perhaps being supremely confident in its own power.
As the tenth in line, the Rooster stood before Bai Ye, the fifth-ranked Dragon, without any hesitation.
After a brief exchange, the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
The Rooster slowly shifted its stance, its gaze locked onto Bai Ye, as if searching for an opening.
And at that very moment...
*Ding!*
The elevator chimed and then slowly opened!
The sound served as a signal, prompting both Bai Ye and the Rooster to charge at each other simultaneously.
The Rooster raised a massive fist, unleashing a straight punch towards Bai Ye's face. But just as it was about to land, Bai Ye suddenly ducked, and the fist grazed past his head.
*Bang!*
In the next instant, Bai Ye, bent low, threw a fierce punch that struck the Rooster's abdomen.
"Agh!"
The Rooster's eyes widened instantly as it bent over, spitting out bitter bile mixed with blood.
"Seems you're only strong in appearance," Bai Ye straightened up, following through with an elbow strike to the Rooster's face. "When it comes down to it, you're not even as good as me, who's this small!"
Bai Ye was supremely confident in his body, enhanced by the T-virus. At this stage, very few people could surpass him in pure physical attributes.
On the other side, the Rooster's face, struck by Bai Ye's elbow, reeled backward. Blood trickled from its mouth, and after finally regaining its footing, it spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, even spitting out a tooth amidst the blood.
Bai Ye smirked with a hint of disdain, spreading his hands towards the Rooster.
"Kid, you're celebrating too soon."
Enraged by Bai Ye's provocation, the Rooster immediately produced a gauntlet blade, donned it on its right hand, and charged at Bai Ye once more like a rampaging bull.
The gauntlet blade slashed through the air, leaving streaks of silver light as it made successive attacks on Bai Ye.
As Bai Ye dodged, the gauntlet blade struck the wall, and with a loud *crash*, it gouged out a chunk of the wall.
The Rooster roared, "Are you only going to dodge?"
"No rush," Bai Ye continued to taunt. "I think this much is enough to deal with you."
The Rooster's fury intensified. It suddenly raised its left arm.
"Adrenaline!"
Almost instantly, the Rooster's muscles bulged, growing visibly larger. Following this, its pupils turned blood-red due to engorgement.
*Bang!*
In the next moment, the Rooster stamped its foot and threw a left punch at Bai Ye. The speed of the punch was twice as fast as before.
Bai Ye quickly raised his arm and took the punch squarely.
The immense force felt like being hit by a truck, sending Bai Ye staggering backward until his back hit the wall. The wall cracked extensively under the violent impact.
"Adrenaline, this stuff is tricky!"
Bai Ye winced. He knew the adrenaline ability could drastically boost physical attributes for a short period, but it came with side effects. Depending on how long the ability was used, there would be a period of weakness after the fight.
Therefore, Bai Ye immediately understood his opponent's intention: to end the fight quickly. By minimizing the use of adrenaline, the duration of its side effects could be reduced.
"But, what a shame..." Bai Ye ignored the pain in his arm and suddenly chuckled. "Your ability is countered by mine!"
The Rooster ignored Bai Ye and continued its rapid assault, raising the gauntlet blade and slashing down towards Bai Ye's head.
Then...
"Spirit Body!"
Bai Ye uttered a soft cry. Immediately, his body began to fade, becoming semi-transparent.
At the same time, the blade descended!
The Rooster's gauntlet blade struck Bai Ye's head. Then, a shock coursed through it. Despite hitting Bai Ye, the Rooster felt no solidity. The imagined scene of blood splattering and a head falling did not materialize. The gauntlet blade had passed through Bai Ye's body.
Disbelieving, the Rooster raised its fist and threw another punch towards Bai Ye's face.
However, as the punch connected with Bai Ye's nose, the Rooster stumbled. Its fist had passed directly through Bai Ye's body.
*Bang!*
The Rooster's fist struck the wall behind, shattering a section of it!
Bai Ye burst into laughter. In the Spirit Body state, he could not be hit by any physical attacks. Of course, Bai Ye also had to pay a price: he could not launch any physical attacks either.
But was that a problem?
If physical attacks were unusable, then non-physical attacks would suffice!
*Puff!*
Behind the Rooster, a silver glint suddenly flashed. It was the Frost Sword, striking the Rooster's shoulder.
The Frost Sword's attack was physical, but its manipulation relied on Bai Ye's spiritual attributes. Therefore, even in the Spirit Body state, its use was unaffected!
After being struck, the Rooster grunted, then forcefully grabbed the hilt of the Frost Sword and pulled it from its shoulder, throwing it aside.
But was that all Bai Ye had?
Suddenly, the Rooster smelled something burning. Looking down, it saw two talismans stuck to the ground, now igniting.
The Five Spirits Curses were also not physical attacks. However, in the Spirit Body state, Bai Ye could not hold the talismans. Thus, Bai Ye had secretly affixed them to the ground beforehand, waiting for this very moment!
"Flame Curse!"
Bai Ye grinned savagely, and then...
*Rumble, rumble!*
A deafening explosion erupted, followed by a roar as a massive fireball burst forth, engulfing the Rooster almost instantly.
Bai Ye, meanwhile, used his Spirit Body to phase through the wall, thus evading the shockwave of the explosion.
A moment later...
The surrounding walls had collapsed, and the area was charred black by smoke.
The Rooster lay on the ground, pinned by fallen debris. Its body trembled as it coughed up bloody saliva.
Bai Ye phased through the wall and approached the Rooster. After exiting the Spirit Body state, he placed a foot on the rubble pinning the Rooster.
The intense pain contorted the Rooster's expression. Then, Bai Ye reached out and grasped the Frost Sword!
"It seems you'll be the first to be eliminated!"
The moment Bai Ye spoke, he forcefully plunged the Frost Sword towards the Rooster, piercing its throat.
The Rooster's eyes widened to their fullest, then gradually lost their light, finally becoming dull and lifeless.