Chapter 233: The Strength of a Demon Star
Seeing Xingluo Empire's Protector of the Nation, Douluo Cheng Gang, sent flying by a head-on fist clash with Xiao Qiang, everyone present was shocked.
Especially those Titled Douluo from the Xingluo Empire who were familiar with Cheng Gang's reputation—their eyes widened in disbelief. Cheng Gang's Martial Soul was the Thousand-Jin Ant Emperor, and his title was Giant Strength. Though only a Rank 91 Titled Douluo with a soul ring configuration of two yellow, three purple, and four black rings—not exactly the peak of strength—it was still unexpected for him to be overpowered like this.
They could accept that Cheng Gang might lose. After all, he was the type of Titled Douluo who might never reach Rank 93 in his life. But what they couldn't accept was how he lost—he was overwhelmed in raw strength.
While Cheng Gang didn't possess top-tier soul power or speed, strength had always been his domain. Ants were known for their ability to lift dozens of times their weight, and with a Martial Soul like the Thousand-Jin Ant Emperor, Cheng Gang's raw physical power was immense. Among Titled Douluo, few dared claim to surpass him in pure strength. Yet now, before their very eyes, the man titled Giant Strength had been punched away with a single blow—using nothing but strength.
"You're telling me this kid is eighteen? TMD, how can an eighteen-year-old have this kind of monstrous strength!?"
An elderly Titled Douluo couldn't help but curse. It was a rare sight—someone of such status to let loose like that. But today's events had truly shaken his composure.
No one else said anything, but the same thought echoed in their minds: unreal. That single punch was powerful enough to stun even a veteran soul master—much less an eighteen-year-old.
Even Yu Tianlong, hidden away in Xiao Qiang's soul guide, was dumbfounded.
"Is he really only eighteen?" he muttered in disbelief, his worldview beginning to crumble.
Yu Tianlong had fallen for Mu Qingxue at first sight. Pushed on by a group of childhood friends, he had mustered the courage to approach her. Though Mu Qingxue rejected him outright, he held on to hope, especially when she said he could try again—if he could defeat Xiao Qiang.
At 18, he was already Rank 54. With his Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex Martial Soul and a soul ring configuration of two yellow, two purple, and one black, he had always believed he was invincible among his peers. In fact, until today, he had never met anyone stronger than himself within his age group.
Then he saw Xiao Qiang casually obliterate Giant Strength Douluo.
Yu Tianlong knew who Cheng Gang was. With that soul ring configuration and strength-type Martial Soul, even his father, Tianlong Douluo—a fellow Titled Douluo—couldn't defeat Cheng Gang in terms of pure strength.
Yet Cheng Gang was defeated by Xiao Qiang… in one punch.
At this moment, Yu Tianlong didn't know whether to be relieved that Xiao Qiang hadn't accepted his challenge earlier, or horrified that he had walked into a battlefield meant for Titled Douluo.
"You were pretty smug when you beat me. If you're so capable, go fight him," Nan Qiuqiu sneered from inside the soul guide. "You don't need to win—if you can stand after three punches, I'll respect you."
Yu Tianlong gave a bitter smile. "Miss, don't mock me. I admit, I was narrow-minded. I thought I was unmatched among my peers, but I didn't expect…"
He paused.
Nan Qiuqiu raised her brows. "Didn't expect what?"
"I didn't expect… someone like him to exist," Yu Tianlong said with a sigh. "I have to work harder. One day, I'll defeat—"
"Defeat him?" Nan Qiuqiu asked.
"No." Yu Tianlong shook his head. "Defeat my father and become the new Titled Douluo of the Tianlong Clan."
"…Oh."
Outside, the atmosphere had changed.
After Xiao Qiang effortlessly defeated Giant Strength Douluo, the arrogance and disdain previously worn by the many powerful soul masters vanished. Replacing it was a deep, grave wariness.
They had heard of Xiao Qiang's unusual strength, but at eighteen, it was hard to regard him as a peer, let alone as an opponent on their level.
But facts couldn't be denied. After witnessing the crushing defeat of Giant Strength Douluo, no one dared take Xiao Qiang lightly anymore.
"Don't panic! Don't be intimidated!" one of the Titled Douluo shouted. "We have the numbers! Giant Strength Douluo was on the weaker side anyway. We're dozens of experts—our advantage is absolute!"
That did help bolster the morale of some.
But Xiao Qiang didn't intend to give them a chance to regroup.
"Ice Age."
As he took a single step forward, a majestic domain descended—the domain he had comprehended under the guidance of the Ice Emperor over years of cultivation.
Unlike Huo Yuhao's Everfreeze Domain, which merely served as fusion material, Xiao Qiang's domain was a true battlefield weapon. It was a crystallization of comprehension, experience, and tremendous resources—far superior to anything that could be blocked by a mere first or second soul skill.
Instantly, all Soul Douluos were frozen in place. Even Titled Douluo found their reactions drastically slowed. One by one, Xiao Qiang walked past them, like death itself. None of them even noticed when he placed a hand on one of their shoulders.
"Freeze Moment."
With that, frost surged into the man's body, and a Titled Douluo was turned into an ice sculpture. Another, and another. One by one, Titled Douluos fell under Xiao Qiang's hand. In the blink of an eye, a team of dozens was reduced to five remaining Super Douluos.
Xiao Qiang didn't rush to finish them off. Instead, he stood amidst the icy stillness, releasing just enough of his domain to let them breathe—let them feel the chill of despair.
Then, calmly, he asked:
"Just now… who was it that said the advantage was yours?"