The Rooster, however, clearly paid no mind to the zodiac order, perhaps believing it didn't represent true strength, or perhaps being supremely confident in his own abilities.
As the tenth in line, the Rooster stood before Bai Ye, who ranked fifth as the Dragon, without any hesitation.
After a brief exchange, the atmosphere turned tense.
The Rooster slowly shifted his stance, his gaze locked onto Bai Ye, seemingly searching for an opening.
It was at this moment...
Ding!
The elevator chimed and slowly opened!
The sound acted as a signal, and both Bai Ye and the Rooster charged at each other simultaneously.
The Rooster raised his massive fist, unleashing a straight punch towards Bai Ye's face. Just as it was about to connect, Bai Ye suddenly ducked, and the punch grazed over his head.
Bang!
In the next instant, Bai Ye, half-bent at the waist, threw a powerful punch that landed squarely in the Rooster's abdomen.
"Urgh!"
The Rooster's eyes widened instantly as he doubled over, spitting out bile mixed with blood.
"Looks like you're only strong in appearance," Bai Ye straightened up and followed with an elbow strike to the Rooster's face, saying, "When it comes down to it, you're not even as good as a small fry like me!"
Bai Ye was utterly confident in his body, enhanced by the T-virus. At this stage, very few individuals could surpass him in pure physical attributes.
On the other side, the Rooster's face, struck by Bai Ye's elbow, tilted and staggered backward. Blood trickled from his mouth. After barely regaining his balance, he spat out a mouthful of blood, even losing a tooth in the process.
Bai Ye flashed a slight, contemptuous smile and shrugged at the Rooster.
"Kid, you're celebrating too soon."
Enraged by Bai Ye's taunts, the Rooster immediately produced a forearm blade, equipping it onto his right arm. Like a raging bull, he charged at Bai Ye again.
The forearm blade slashed through the air, leaving trails of silver light as it rained down consecutive blows on Bai Ye.
As Bai Ye dodged, the forearm blade struck the wall with a *swish*, tearing off a chunk of the concrete.
The Rooster roared, "All you do is dodge?"
"No hurry," Bai Ye continued to provoke, "I think this much is enough to deal with you."
The Rooster, furious, suddenly raised his left arm.
"Adrenaline!"
In an instant, the Rooster's muscles bulged, his body growing a size larger. Immediately after, his pupils turned blood-red from congestion.
Bang!
In the next moment, the Rooster stomped his foot and unleashed a punch with his left fist towards Bai Ye. The speed of the punch was double what it was before.
Bai Ye quickly raised his arm and took the punch head-on with a *bang*.
The immense force felt as though he had been hit by a truck, sending him staggering backward until his back slammed against the wall. The wall directly cracked under the violent impact.
"Adrenaline, this stuff is tricky!"
Bai Ye winced. He knew the superpower of adrenaline was to significantly boost physical attributes for a short period, but it came with side effects. After the ability's usage, there would be a period of weakness.
Therefore, Bai Ye immediately understood the opponent's intention: to end the fight quickly. By minimizing the duration of Adrenaline's use, he could reduce the duration of the side effects.
"But, what a pity..." Bai Ye, unfazed by the pain in his arm, suddenly chuckled, "Your ability is countered by mine!"
The Rooster ignored Bai Ye and continued his rapid assault, raising the forearm blade and slashing it down towards Bai Ye's head.
Then...
"Spiritual Body!"
Bai Ye softly uttered, and his body began to fade, becoming semi-transparent.
Simultaneously, the blade fell!
The Rooster's forearm blade struck Bai Ye's head. He was shocked, clearly hitting Bai Ye, yet he felt no substance. The expected splatter of blood and severed head did not materialize. The forearm blade had actually passed through Bai Ye's body.
Disbelieving, the Rooster raised his fist and swung another punch at Bai Ye's face.
However, as his fist struck Bai Ye's nose, the Rooster stumbled. The fist had passed directly through Bai Ye's body.
Bang!
The Rooster's fist hit the wall behind Bai Ye, shattering a piece of it!
Bai Ye burst into laughter. In his Spiritual Body state, he was immune to all physical attacks. Of course, Bai Ye had to pay a price for this: he also couldn't perform any physical attacks.
But was that a problem?
If physical attacks were unusable, then non-physical attacks would suffice!
Puff!
From behind the Rooster, a streak of silver light suddenly flashed. It was the Frost Sword, striking his shoulder.
The Frost Sword's attack was physical, but its control was reliant on Bai Ye's mental attributes. Therefore, even in his Spiritual Body state, its use was not affected!
After being struck, the Rooster grunted and, with great effort, grabbed the hilt of the Frost Sword and pulled it from his shoulder, throwing it aside forcefully.
But was that all of Bai Ye's attack?
Suddenly, the Rooster smelled something burning. He looked down to see two talismans on the ground, now ablaze.
The Five Spirit Curses were also not physical attacks. However, in his Spiritual Body state, Bai Ye couldn't hold the talismans. Thus, he had secretly placed them on the ground beforehand, waiting for this moment!
"Flame Curse!"
Bai Ye grinned sinisterly, and then...
Boom, boom!
The deafening sound of explosions erupted. In the ensuing roar, a massive fireball exploded, engulfing the Rooster in an instant.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye used his Spiritual Body to pass through the wall, directly avoiding the shockwave of the explosion.
A moment later...
The surrounding walls had collapsed, and the area was blackened and scorched by smoke.
The Rooster lay on the ground, pinned by collapsed debris. His body trembled as he coughed up blood.
Bai Ye walked through the wall and approached the Rooster. After exiting his Spiritual Body state, he placed a foot on the rubble crushing the Rooster.
The intense pain contorted the Rooster's face. Bai Ye then reached out and grasped the Frost Sword!
"Looks like you'll be the first one out!"
As Bai Ye spoke, he forcefully plunged the Frost Sword towards the Rooster, piercing his throat.
The Rooster's eyes widened to their fullest, then gradually lost their light, finally becoming dull and lifeless.