Douluo: My power increases in Two levels

"Haha! Kid! Don't say I'm bullying you—since the girl asked, I can't let you make the first move! "

Zhao Wuji burst out laughing, but then his eyes turned sharp. With the weight of a thousand catties, he threw a thunderous punch toward Han Feng.

A flash of worry crossed Ning Rongrong's eyes. Beside her, Xiao Wu couldn't bear to watch and tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, Teacher Zhao knows how to hold back. And besides, a blockhead like him deserves a good beating to knock some sense into him! "

Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth, recalling Han Feng's attitude all along. She forced down her concern and huffed, "Exactly! That idiot! If he dies, it's his own fault! "

Han Feng didn't hear this. His eyes were focused solely on Zhao Wuji's incoming fist. Though Zhao Wuji wasn't using any soul skills, the power behind his strike was terrifying. From their previous exchanges, Zhao Wuji had already gauged Han Feng's limits—just around a mid-tier Soul Ancestor (Soul Power ~45–46).

Of course, that was without accounting for Han Feng's absurdly strong skill—Divine Shield of Life.

Zhao Wuji was holding his strength just enough to push Han Feng to the edge without overwhelming him. He had clearly made up his mind to teach this kid a lesson.

"Tch!"

Han Feng clicked his tongue. His first soul ring lit up—Divine Shield of Life activated again. With practiced ease, he absorbed the strike.

Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed. "That soul skill again!? It's a good one, I'll give you that—but how long do you think you can keep using it? "

Han Feng said nothing. He knew he couldn't rely on that skill forever. But that didn't mean he was out of cards.

"Can you not call me 'kid' like you're scolding a pet? My name's Han Feng. Is that too hard to say? Or did it get stuck in your throat? If you need help pronouncing it, I can teach you—repeat after me: Haaan F—"

"Hmph! Let's see if you're still running that mouth after this! "

Boom!

With a snort, Zhao Wuji let out another punch—this one strong enough to send shockwaves through the air!

Whoosh!

Han Feng's pupils contracted. Flames erupted around him, scorching the moisture from the air itself!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Zhao Wuji had purposefully added force to this strike to rattle Han Feng, to teach him respect. But to his surprise, the punch didn't shatter Han Feng's defenses. It felt like hitting solid steel.

Han Feng was pushed back three steps—but stayed upright.

His appearance had transformed. His entire body was engulfed in flame—not burning, but armored. A layer of flame armor cloaked him like a martial soul avatar, and his Blazing Seraph Shield split into twin arm-mounted shields.

Self-Created Soul Skill: Flame Dragon Armor!

...Well, in name only. Han Feng had to admit it didn't exactly summon a dragon or turn him into a flame emperor. Honestly, it was more like "Hollow's Mask" from a certain anime. He'd just stolen the name because it sounded cool...

Even Zhao Wuji was visibly surprised this time.

Han Feng had shocked him over and over again—always pushing past expectations as if he had no limits.

Still catching his breath, Han Feng smiled. "Apologies—I happen to have just enough energy left to say a few more words. If you hit me a couple more times, maybe I'll squeeze out a whole sentence or two! Who knows—maybe even a haiku."

"Oh, and could you keep your voice down, Elder Zhao? You're rattling my brain cells."

This time, Zhao Wuji didn't get angry. His burly face couldn't hide his appreciation. Laughing heartily, he said, "Good! Then let's see how many more words you've got left in you! "

Boom! Boom! Boom! CRACK!

As he spoke, Zhao Wuji charged like a berserker, every stomp shaking the ground. When he finally threw a punch, Han Feng heard the air split.

BOOM!

Han Feng didn't dodge. He took the full force of the punch—and this time, Zhao Wuji had powered it up again. Han Feng was blasted away, rolling several times across the ground before skidding to a stop.

He looked a mess. Pain twisted his face. His organs felt like they'd been scrambled.

Zhao Wuji had used Soul King-level strength with that blow.

Han Feng couldn't speak anymore. Every breath hurt. But he refused to look away, eyes locked on Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji, both impressed and amused, chuckled. "Haha! Now you've learned something—don't show off until you have the strength to back it up. Out in the world, this would've gotten you killed. It's only because we're in an academy that you're still breathing."

Han Feng understood the logic—but he didn't accept it.

Though he couldn't speak, he forced a bloody grin, eyes gleaming with defiance.

Zhao Wuji blinked, surprised again. Then, grinning, he said, "Tough guy, huh? But toughness needs real strength to match it."

Boom!

With a casual motion, Zhao Wuji threw another punch. This one was weaker—he didn't want to actually injure the kid.

DING!

Right then, Han Feng moved! His second soul ring lit up!

Not the first—but the second.

In an instant, he vanished and reappeared directly in front of Zhao Wuji, back turned.

Zhao Wuji was massive in his soul-form. Han Feng was practically inside his guard!

Second Soul Skill: Guardian Shift!

Who said you could only teleport in front of allies?

Of course, it was risky. A fast opponent could attack him from behind before he could react.

But against a hulking Soul Sage like Zhao Wuji?

Han Feng didn't hesitate. He spun around, gathering all his remaining strength.

Charged Shield Strike!

Clasping both fists together, he used Zhao Wuji's knee to leap up—and with Soul Ancestor-level power, he slammed his shielded fists into Zhao Wuji's face!

Smash!

Zhao Wuji's head snapped to the side—but he didn't fall. He was still a power-type Soul Sage with martial soul armor active. A single hit from a Soul Ancestor wouldn't take him down.

But Tang San and the others were stunned.

This was Han Feng's "limited" attack power!?

That one punch drained every ounce of Han Feng's soul power. His Flame Dragon Armor shattered and vanished. The backlash alone sent Han Feng flying.

Zhao Wuji stood dazed. He hadn't expected Han Feng to teleport directly into his face, using himself as bait to deliver a single, all-in punch.

That kid had spent the entire fight—not stalling—but building up to this one moment.

Zhao Wuji touched his face. A faint streak of blood marred his cheek.

If the other teachers saw this, they'd laugh me off the continent—injured by a two-ring student!?

Han Feng collapsed on the ground, barely conscious. But when he saw the blood on Zhao Wuji's face—and the incense stick still burning, with one-quarter left—he smiled in satisfaction.

Ignoring the pain, he roared to the sky:

"Tang San! I'm spent! It's all on you now—don't let my efforts go to waste! "

Then his head slumped, and he passed out.

Flame Dragon Armor consumed a massive amount of soul power. Combined with Charged Shield Strike, he was completely drained.

Zhao Wuji stared at the unconscious Han Feng, baffled.

He played me!

Why had Han Feng refused Zhao Wuji's earlier offer for a one-on-one win condition?

Because he wanted Tang San to fight Zhao Wuji.

Han Feng knew: as long as Xiao Wu wasn't injured, Tang San wouldn't go all out. But with Han Feng around, Xiao Wu would stay safe.

So he went along with Zhao Wuji's challenge—because he wanted to get out of the way.

And because Zhao Wuji had been targeting him all along—well, Han Feng had a little payback to deliver:

A full set of Clear Sky School-grade hammer blows.