LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 40: Chapter 40
**Chapter 40: The Battle is Fierce**
Although the poisonous fog had no effect on Zhi Lin, the audience watching from outside the ring was in uproar. Bibi Dong's repeated use of poisonous fog for the second time had left them frustrated and exasperated.
On the stage, *Swish, swish, swish...* Vines erupted from the ground, snaking their way through the dense fog like venomous serpents, relentlessly aiming for Bibi Dong.
"Can you please stop doing this? We want to watch the battle, not just the result! What's the point of this?" someone in the audience shouted.
"I've had enough! I don't want to watch anymore—I just want to go home!" another complained.
"This is ridiculous. If this keeps up, I'm leaving! Right now!" others chimed in, their anger boiling over.
Despite the vocal protests, no one actually left. After all, a contestant displaying a combat power that surpassed ordinary Soul Kings and facing a Level 61 Fighting Soul Emperor still promised a thrilling showdown.
From the high platform in the distance, the person overseeing the Great Fighting Soul Arena smirked. "Leave if you want. Go on, don't just yell about it. I've already made my profits. Whether you stay or go makes no difference to me."
The poisonous fog had obscured the action in the past two matches, and now it seemed as though this bout would be no different.
Within the ring, Bibi Dong moved nimbly, evading the onslaught of the sky-blue vines. These relentless vines seemed almost alive, tracking her movements even through the thick fog.
Bibi Dong understood her opponent well—Zhi Lin's plant-based martial soul granted him mental power stronger than most at his level. It wasn't surprising he could pinpoint her approximate location despite the fog.
However, this was no time for reflection. Her third soul ring lit up as she activated *Death Spider Web Binding*. A dark purple spider web shot from her mouth, expanding as it raced toward Zhi Lin and his attacking vines.
The web succeeded, enveloping both Zhi Lin and the vines in its sticky grasp. However, Zhi Lin was not an ordinary opponent. He was eight levels higher than her and possessed an additional 10,000-year soul ring, introducing unpredictable challenges to the fight.
Zhi Lin's third soul ring gleamed as he activated *Wild Growth*. In an instant, the vines surged as though fueled by potent fertilizer, growing wildly in strength and size. The once-ensnared vines broke free, tearing apart the spider web as they expanded.
Bibi Dong watched as her web disintegrated. She knew her technique lacked the resilience to hold back such formidable growth. Zhi Lin's near-endless soul power meant he could continuously generate new vines, rendering her efforts futile.
The vine tide surged again, forcing Bibi Dong to react swiftly. She unleashed her fourth soul skill, *Thorn Spider Armor*, a defensive technique that didn't compromise her mobility. This armor was one of her strongest assets at this stage of her growth.
Surrounded by the venomous mist, she began strategizing. She had two options: either wait for the poisonous fog to weaken Zhi Lin over time or make a bold move to close the distance and strike him directly.
Waiting seemed precarious. Against the Level 55 Fighting Soul King, it had taken nearly five minutes for the mist to fully incapacitate him. Zhi Lin, however, was not only stronger but significantly higher in rank. It might take over ten minutes to affect him, by which time his vines could completely overrun the ring.
Determined, Bibi Dong decided to attack head-on. Her sharp eyes gleamed with resolve as she dodged the advancing vines. *Swish, swish, swish...* She weaved through the greenery, leaping onto one of the thicker vines and charging straight for Zhi Lin.
Alarmed, Zhi Lin activated his second soul skill, *Azure Ivy Stab*. Sharp, javelin-like vines shot up from beneath him, aiming for Bibi Dong.
Relying on the defense of her *Thorn Spider Armor*, Bibi Dong pushed forward, confident in her protection. As expected, the vines failed to pierce the armor but attempted to entangle her instead.
Anticipating this, Bibi Dong's fifth soul ring illuminated, activating her ultimate defense skill, *Forward Ten Thousand Shields*. A purple vortex appeared beneath her feet as countless spider legs emerged, forming a dense shield around her. This shield's defensive capability far exceeded her earlier techniques, deflecting Zhi Lin's vines with ease.
With her protection secure, Bibi Dong analyzed her next move. She would strike the moment her *Thousand Shields* technique expired, exploiting the temporary lull in Zhi Lin's defenses.
Her eyes never left him, her sharp gaze piercing through the fog as she bided her time. When the shield faded, she would close the distance and use her agility to overpower him.
The moment the *Thousand Shields* disappeared, Bibi Dong sprang forward like a released arrow. Her second soul ring flared to life, activating *Death Hunting* as she launched her decisive attack against Zhi Lin.
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(End of Chapter)