Shrek Academy, back mountain training ground.
As the vines around him retracted, Dai Mubai landed with a smack, tugged at his clothes, and raised his head toward Tang San with a sigh. "Xiao San, your vine strength now—I can't even tear them apart anymore. No wonder, absorbing that soul ring beyond your level really gave you a huge boost."
'And also from me devouring the Unhappy Trio, along with the 6,200-year Red-Spotted Ghost Spider corpse,' Tang San thought with a smile.
After yesterday's battle, he had asked his teammates to help test his Martial Soul's strength. The result: aside from Yu Tianheng, who could still break through by relying on his attribute restraint, Dragonization ability, and self-buffing soul skills, none of the others could easily destroy the vines he produced.
'Anyway, the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique with me as the core has already succeeded. Once the qualifiers end, I'll use the excuse that absorbing poison-attribute soul beasts can promote the evolution of the Eight Spider Lances, giving our team a bigger chance to win the Soul Master Tournament. Then I'll have Teacher bring along Aunt Erlong and Dean Flender to the Sunset Forest again to hunt poison-type beasts for me to devour.'
'One month's time should be enough to greatly strengthen my Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. The poison attribute will also be drastically enhanced. In the ranking rounds, I'll be able to defeat Yang Yunhai in one stroke and avenge my humiliation!'
The thought filled him with burning resolve.
Dropping his gaze, Tang San noticed that after absorbing the Red-Spotted Ghost Spider's soul ring, his Blue Silver Grass had already turned completely dark purple, with blood-red patterns along its surface.
Even if he continued devouring, no one would see the difference.
That was exactly why he had chosen that spider as his fourth soul ring.
'It's just a pity that the weakness of plant-type Martial Souls against fire still can't be resolved through devouring evolution,' he sighed inwardly.
Retracting his Martial Soul, Tang San turned to his teammates with a smile. "It's about dinner time. Let's go back."
"Alright!" Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Ma Hongjun all nodded, following him back to the dormitory.
The night passed quietly. The next morning, Shrek Academy faced off against Starry Academy.
Tang San went on stage, used his third and fourth soul skills once each, and directly poisoned the entire opposing team. Then, naturally, he stepped forward with his Eight Spider Lances to "help" extract the toxins.
'Looks like, in the rabking rounds, we'll need to resolve Tang San's external soul bone problem,' Yang Yunhai thought, brows furrowing.
Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo both frowned as well.
That afternoon, after the Soul Master Tournament, in a carriage outside Heaven Dou City, Bone Douluo spoke with a scowl. "Fengzhi, this Tang San has tasted the sweetness of cultivation through devouring and is getting more and more excessive. The moment the fight began, he used his third and fourth soul skills to release poison mist—obviously intentional."
"I can almost guarantee that when he absorbed his fourth soul ring, he definitely found some excuse to devour the soul beast's corpse."
"Fengzhi, are you really not going to stop this?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly. "As expected, the amount Tang San absorbs during battle should be very little. Otherwise, those contestants wouldn't be completely unaware. If asked, Tang San can always say it was just poisoning. In other words, we don't have concrete evidence."
"Fortunately, the qualifiers are about to end. And since we can see Tang San's intentions, Dugu Bo and Yang Yunhai will definitely see it too. Uncle Bone, don't worry."
"With Yang Yunhai's temperament, I'm certain he won't let it slide. I have a feeling Tang San will receive his punishment in the ranking rounds."
Bone Douluo's expression relaxed a little, and he nodded without saying more.
The next day, Qualifier Day 27.
Perhaps realizing that they couldn't break Tang San's combo technique, and that losing to it wouldn't bring their students any growth, Shrek Academy's matched opponents chose to forfeit.
The second day was the same.
On the third day, Day 29—the final day of the qualifiers.
"This afternoon we'll be facing Thunderclap Academy," Meng Shenshou announced in the rest area after drawing lots.
"Rigged, isn't it?" Yu Feng muttered. "The Great Spirit Arena clearly wants us as the finale, to make one last big profit."
He knew that the ranking rounds wouldn't be held here.
"Well, they're the host, after all," Oslo shrugged, turning to Yang Yunhai. "Captain, how do we fight Thunderclap Academy?"
"This match involves my personal grudge with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan," Yang Yunhai said with a calm nod.
"So, I'll be going up alone."
"???" Everyone froze, staring at him in shock.
"We trust Yun," Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan said evenly, faces composed.
Yang Yunhai smiled. "You've all been curious why I'm immune to both fire and ice, haven't you? In this match, you'll see it for yourselves."
…
By procedure, after the last qualifier match would come the award ceremony. Emperor Xue Ye himself would grant advancement tokens and ranking rewards. Therefore, all teams had to be present that afternoon.
"Long live Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
"Thunderclap Academy, let's go!"
Before either team entered, the packed arena was already roaring.
Naturally, as the only team with 27 straight wins, Heaven Dou Royal Academy had the loudest support.
"Qualifier Round 28, Match 14—Heaven Dou Royal Academy versus Thunderclap Academy!"
With the announcer's booming voice, all the lights swung to the two player tunnels.
"When we fought Thunderclap Academy, it wasn't this grand," Ma Hongjun muttered sourly from the stands.
"That's because Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the only undefeated team so far," Ning Rongrong said coolly. "Obviously, the arena arranged them as the finale to maximize profit, in agreement with the organizers."
'That's why I placed my bets early,' Flender thought to himself.
"That's rigging, then!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed.
"What did you expect? Why else would the arena be willing to host the qualifiers?" Dai Mubai gave him a pitying glance. "If we hadn't lost those few matches, the finale would've been us."
"Don't bother with vanity. Your target is the championship," Yu Xiaogang said flatly.
"Exactly," Tang San added. "Even if our record isn't the best, our progress is the greatest. That was our real goal in joining this tournament, wasn't it? And we've already secured advancement. As long as we keep improving, the final championship will belong to us."
"Third Young Master is right—everything else is secondary," Tai Long said reverently.
"That's right! The champion will definitely be ours!" Xiao Wu nodded firmly.
Ning Rongrong only gave a slight nod, saying nothing more.
"And now, let's welcome both teams onto the stage!" the announcer cried.
Everyone refocused, eyes on the tunnels.
The lights flashed, the floor gleamed white, and footsteps echoed through the soul tools.
Thunderclap Academy's side was steady and synchronized. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's side, light and solitary.
"???" Just from the sound, it was clear—Heaven Dou Royal Academy didn't send many people.
A second later, the crowd erupted in shock.
"What the—Heaven Dou Royal Academy is insane! Yang Yunhai, my god!" someone shouted, breaking the din.
"Unbelievable! This ticket was worth it!"
"Yang Yunhai, real man!" Whistles and screams shook the arena like a tidal wave.
Into everyone's view walked Yang Yunhai—alone.
"This Yang Yunhai is just too pretentious!" Ma Hongjun groaned from the stands, face twisted with envy. He wished it were him basking in that spotlight.
Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed with curiosity.
'For Yang Yunhai to choose a solo battle against Thunderclap Academy, he must have a reason. He wouldn't do this on a whim.'
"Hmph!" Xiao Wu snorted. "Let's see if he gets beaten until he soils himself!"
"Attention seeker," Tai Long scoffed disdainfully.
'Has Yang Yunhai been hiding his strength all along?' Both Tang San and Yu Xiaogang frowned, clenching their fists.
'So he's really going to provoke the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to the extreme…' On the VIP stand, Ning Fengzhi's eyes glinted.
On the stage, the Thunderclap Academy students all looked furious. To them, Yang Yunhai's move was blatant contempt. Yu Tianxin's face was dark, his eyes full of killing intent—this was a challenge directed at his entire clan.
Yang Yunhai remained calm, walking slowly to the center of the arena.
"Yang Yunhai, you'll pay for your arrogance," Yu Tianxin said coldly.
"That's what I was about to say," Yang Yunhai replied with equal chill. "Only, the ones paying… are you."
The crowd roared again. Everyone could tell Yang Yunhai's "you" referred to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Remembering Dugu Bo's rumors, it seemed more believable than ever.
So the clan really had tried to capture him?
If Yang Yunhai won today, he'd grind their pride into the dirt.
'This is the elite the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan trained? Just this?'
"Fine. Very fine!" Yu Tianxin's eyes burned with rage.
"Both sides, salute!" The referee kept a professional face as if nothing unusual was happening.
Yang Yunhai saluted calmly, Thunderclap Academy's side with obvious reluctance.
The referee ignored it, raised his hand, and gave them one minute to prepare. Then, after both sides exchanged looks, he shouted: "Match, begin!"
"Third soul skill—Fifteen Ton Thunder!" Yu Tianxin instantly activated his amplification skill, charging forward.
"Third soul skill—Thunder Wings!" From the air, the flying soul master shot ahead.
Yang Yunhai smirked, flipping his hand. His Blue Silver Grass spread along the ground, releasing a mist that quickly expanded in a three-meter radius.
At the same time, stalks of Blue Silver Grass surged upward, tangling and weaving until they formed a throne. On either side, two long vine-snakes coiled protectively.
Then Yang Yunhai sat down, crossed one leg over the other, and said lightly, "If you can force me back even one step, I'll count it as your win."
The arena exploded in cheers.
"Arrogant!" Yu Tianxin roared, his fourth soul ring flashing as he punched out. "Fourth soul skill—Blue Lightning Dragon Assault!"
"Fourth soul skill—Thunder Hawk!" From above, Lei Tian spread his wings and unleashed his own attack.
"Fourth soul skill—Thunder Chain Ring!"
" Third soul skill—Thunder Net!"
" Third soul skill—Falling Thunder!"
"Third soul skill—"
One after another, the others unleashed their strongest soul skills, determined to crush Yang Yunhai in one go.
Thunder arcs filled the air, covering both ground and sky.
"Whoa, they're going all out!" the audience gasped.
On the Shrek side, everyone leaned forward, eyes fixed. Xiao Wu pumped her fist, yelling, "Good! Beat that guy down hard!"
"Heh." Yang Yunhai chuckled, patting the armrest of his vine-chair.
With a hiss, countless vines shot up and twisted into a diamond-shaped shield, two meters high, slanting forward at a 60-degree angle. On both sides, the vine-snakes lashed out at the thunder hawk.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions lit the arena, lightning blazing so bright Yang Yunhai's figure was obscured.
Through the glare, the crowd could only see the Blue Silver Grass field writhing with thunder arcs, and the thunder hawk struggling in the snakes' grip. Bolts raced down their bodies into the ground. It was impossible to see clearly, but everyone assumed Yang Yunhai was caught in the storm.
Then, as the light faded—
Gasps echoed everywhere.
Yang Yunhai was still sitting, legs crossed, on his vine throne. Lightning danced across his body, but his face remained calm. In front, the vine shield bore only a small crack; otherwise, it was intact. The vine-snakes slithered back into place, unharmed. The Blue Silver Grass across the floor swayed gently, untouched.
"His Martial Soul is immune to lightning too?!" a spectator cried.
Ning Fengzhi's brows furrowed. He glanced at Emperor Xue Ye's bright eyes but chose to stay silent.
"So strong!" Ning Rongrong covered her lips in shock.
'Impossible!' Tang San gritted his teeth, fists trembling.
Every Thunderclap Academy member had unleashed their strongest soul skills, yet Yang Yunhai hadn't even budged.
'How… how could this be?' Yu Xiaogang's face was grim, his hands clenched.
"Gulp… gulp… this is insane," Ma Hongjun muttered, Adam's apple bobbing. Fear crept into his face—he'd provoked Yang Yunhai before.
"This… impossible!" The Thunderclap students stared in disbelief.
(End of Chapter)
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