Deviant: No Longer Human

This time, he tried a different tactic, sweeping his arm in a wide arc to catch Wang Xiao off guard.

But Wang Xiao was already steps ahead, anticipating the move.

Twisting his body, Wang Xiao avoided the sweeping arm and closed the distance between them, his own fists now glowing with a subtle energy, as if coated by wind itself.

"Poor choice," Wang Xiao whispered, almost pityingly.

Boom! Pow!

With two swift, precise strikes, Wang Xiao targeted vital points on Xerxes\'s torso, unleashing a burst of kinetic energy that knocked the wind out of the giant.

Ughhh!

Xerxes grunted, his breath escaping him in visible puffs of vapor, his knees buckling under the sudden assault.

Thud!

As he fell to his knees, the realization of defeat finally dawned on him, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

Wang Xiao stood back, watching calmly. "Learn when to fight, and when to surrender. Survival would keep you alive, not the victory," he stated, his tone now devoid of mockery.

As the red mist settled around them, Xerxes looked up, his expression a mixture of pain and disbelief.

Wang Xiao glanced at Xerxes, his face an unreadable mask, but inwardly, he marveled at the effectiveness of his efforts.

After his last battle with Asmodeus, a foe stronger than Xerxes who wielded physical strength and absorption abilities, Wang Xiao knew he needed a counter.

He had spent countless hours refining a new technique, one that harnessed the laws of physics to turn his enemies\' strength against them.

Wang Xiao\'s ability relied on a principle he had long studied: kinetic redirection.

By using his barrier as a form of elastic membrane, he could absorb incoming kinetic energy and then release it back with equal or greater force.

The key was in the precise control of the barrier\'s elasticity and tension, allowing it to act like rubber.

When Xerxes attacked with his immense force, Wang Xiao\'s barrier absorbed the kinetic energy of the blow.

The energy was stored momentarily within the barrier, and then, like a compressed spring, it rebounded, sending the force back at Xerxes with devastating effect.

This redirection caused Xerxes to be thrown backward by his own strength, without Wang Xiao needing to exert much effort.

In his offensive strategy, Wang Xiao used a similar approach.

When delivering a blow, the reverse force typically experienced by the attacker was channeled back through his fist.

By aligning the direction and timing of this reverse force with his strike, he amplified the impact significantly.

This not only increased the power of his punches but also ensured that his own energy was used more efficiently.

The practical application of this technique was akin to mastering a martial art that combined physics with combat.

Wang Xiao had to understand the exact moment to release the stored energy and the precise angle at which to deliver his strikes.

It was the precise timing and power, making him feel almost invincible.

He wondered on the potential of refining this technique further, manipulating it at a molecular level.

If he could transform kinetic energy into other forms of energy, such as thermal or electrical, and regulate its absorption and redirection at a molecular scale, his combat effectiveness would increase exponentially.

This could allow him to match, or even surpass, the speed and power of opponents like Luna.

Today marked the first time he had put his theoretical technique into a real battle, and he was pleased with the results.

What he considered a minor achievement would typically take others years to master.

With further refinement, he believed he could elevate his abilities to unprecedented levels.

Standing over Xerxes, Wang Xiao allowed himself a brief moment of internal satisfaction.

This was just the beginning. With each battle, he would grow stronger, more adept at turning theoretical knowledge into devastating practical application.

Xerxes, now kneeling and breathing heavily, looked up at Wang Xiao with a mixture of pain and begrudging respect. "What... what are you?" he managed to gasp out, still trying to comprehend the rapid defeat he had suffered.

Wang Xiao looked down at him, his expression calm and composed. "Just someone who refuses to be a pawn," he replied, echoing Zhao Yang\'s earlier sentiments. "Someone who learns, adapts, and never stops growing."

"..."

Xerxes glanced down, his fists clenching tightly before he gritted his teeth, a deadly determination lighting up his eyes.

"I won\'t go down alone..." he muttered, his voice low and filled with resolve.

"Huh?" Wang Xiao\'s eyes narrowed as he noticed the ominous glow enveloping Xerxes\'s body, his form starting to expand unnaturally. "Are you planning to self-explode?"

A manic laugh erupted from Xerxes, echoing through the icy expanse.

"Hahaha..." His eyes were red, brimming with tears and a twisted satisfaction as he watched the flicker of panic cross Wang Xiao\'s face. "Yes, that\'s right. As long as I explode, I can eradicate everything within a one-kilometer radius!"

Wang Xiao\'s mind raced, calculating the potential destruction.

The energy building within Xerxes was immense, a ticking bomb threatening to obliterate everything around them.

He knew he had to act quickly, but the situation demanded precision and calm.

"Think, Wang Xiao, think..." he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting around for a solution.

His barrier technique could deflect kinetic energy, but this was a different challenge entirely new.

Xerxes\'s laughter grew louder, more unhinged. "You\'re too late! This is the end for both of us!" His body continued to swell, the glow intensifying.

"Idiot, I\'m just thinking of how to make use of your energy," Wang Xiao snapped back, scolding him sharply.

"What?" Xerxes couldn\'t believe it, looking at Wang Xiao in disbelief.

But Wang Xiao completely ignored him, his mind working for a solution.

Wang Xiao took a deep breath, centering himself. His mind flashed back to his studies of energy manipulation.

If he could create a barrier strong enough to contain the explosion, he might save the area from total destruction.

But then, what to do with that energy?

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him!

With a swift movement, Wang Xiao raised his hands, focusing his energy into creating a dome around Xerxes. "This has to work..."

The barrier formed, shimmering with a translucent light, encapsulating the expanding Xerxes within. The ground trembled as the energy reached its peak.

"You\'re wasting your time!" Xerxes roared, his voice muffled by the barrier. "Nothing can stop this!"

Wang Xiao merely smiled in return. He wasn\'t trying to stop it; he was trying to harness it.

The moments stretched into eternity, then—

BOOOOOOM!