Chapter 298: An Undisputed Outcome and Final Healing
Xiao Wu's fate was of no concern to her.
Hu Liena wasn't worried that her actions would displease Bibi Dong either. She had always known her teacher only cared about Tang San. This was her small act of defiance.
Now then, it's your move, Tang San.
Six.
On the spectator stands, Han Li mentally counted down.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he struggled to contain his laughter. He hadn't expected Hu Liena to pull such a bold maneuver.
He knew for a fact that she had no idea what Xiao Wu's fourth soul skill did heck, even he was envious of it. But that didn't stop him from giving her a mental thumbs up.
Using Xiao Wu's body to take a direct hit from Tang San's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique? That was next level thinking.
So, what's next? "Tang San, watch closely. This is how you use Xiao Wu properly?"
Han Li suddenly found himself looking forward to the scene.
"No Xiao Wu!"
On the stage, a heart wrenching cry erupted from Tang San.
His Clear Sky Hammer was already mid swing, propelled by the momentum of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. Even if it meant breaking his own arm, he couldn't stop the attack now.
If this strike landed, Xiao Wu would be seriously injured if not killed.
But what tormented Tang San the most was the fact that this attack came from his own hands.
On the sidelines, the head bishop serving as referee had already moved. He was preparing to intervene, but because Xiao Wu had teleported in, even he wasn't confident he could pull her out unscathed.
Hu Liena was being reckless. If something really happened, it would tarnish Spirit Hall's reputation that was his main concern.
Then, in that split second, a golden light enveloped Xiao Wu's body.
She raised her arms, and, incredibly, she stopped the Clear Sky Hammer's blow, even redirecting it back, sending Tang San flying with his weapon.
"Huh?"
Now it was Hu Liena's turn to be surprised.
Such a powerful defense and strength was this really something an agility type soul master could achieve?
But she quickly recovered.
It didn't matter.
The stronger Xiao Wu was, the better.
After all, she wasn't the one fighting her.
A wicked smile curled on Hu Liena's lips.
She immediately commanded Xiao Wu to teleport again, appearing right in front of Tang San and kicking straight for his waist.
Tang San, despite his injuries, was filled with joy.
He recalled how, after catching up with the team, Xiao Wu had mysteriously told him that her fourth soul skill would definitely help him but refused to explain how.
This is amazing.
Relieved, he exhaled.
But then he noticed the golden glow around Xiao Wu flickering.
Controlled by Hu Liena, she teleported once again this time, to strike at him directly.
Tang San's hammer technique was still in motion, so the two clashed once more.
Yet this time, he caught something.
The golden light had vanished.
When Xiao Wu landed, her left leg trembled ever so slightly.
Damn Spirit Hall.
His Purple Demon Eyes flashed a deeper hue, tinged with red.
As he maneuvered his footwork, he noticed Xiao Wu's third soul ring lighting up again.
Her face was pale she was reaching her limit.
He quickly calculated the distance between himself and Hu Liena's team.
A flicker of unwillingness passed through his eyes.
But seeing Xiao Wu, once again charging at him under enemy control, his gaze firmed.
This is it.
A long howl erupted from Tang San.
Two purple beams shot from his eyes, meeting Xiao Wu's vacant gaze.
Crack.
The Clear Sky Hammer slammed into the ground at an angle.
Tang San's left arm snapped from the force.
Yet his expression remained unchanged.
With his remaining arm, he pulled Xiao Wu into his embrace, holding her tightly as she lost consciousness.
At that moment, the stage already weakened from dozens of overlapping hammer strikes collapsed with a deafening crash.
Hu Liena and her teammates exchanged glances but did not pursue.
Instead, they turned to the referee.
How would this be judged?
The dust settled.
Tang San, cradling Xiao Wu with one functioning arm, looked up, his expression calm as he met their gazes.
"I concede. I forfeit the individual battles as well."
Then, ignoring the strange looks from everyone, he lowered his head to look at the unconscious Xiao Wu.
This image was captured on the large viewing screens.
For a brief moment, the stadium was silent.
Then uproar.
On the stands, Han Li kept his head down, pressing his lips together.
He was struggling.
Struggling not to burst out laughing.
Not playing the hammer, but playing the tragic protagonist?
Alright, he's got some style.
Next to him, however, Bibi Dong's eyes glowed with approval.
This…
This is my disciple.
If only…
She rose to her feet.
Looking at the still stunned referee and competitors, she took the initiative to announce:
"Tang San has conceded. The Spirit Hall Academy team is victorious. Additionally, healing soul masters, assist the Royal Fighting Team 2. The next match will take place on Arena Two."
Her voice remained cold and steady, yet anyone could hear it she approved of Tang San's decision.
On the platform, Hu Liena's gaze snapped toward her teacher.
But there was no response.
Bibi Dong had already returned to her seat.
Hu Liena clenched her fists.
She glanced at Tang San, then turned away, walking down the stage without a word.
Blood dripped from her palm.
Why?
I won.
So why do I feel like the loser?
With a short intermission, the tournament paused.
Since Hu Liena's team had sustained minimal damage and had access to support type soul masters, the final match was scheduled to resume in thirty minutes.
The entire stadium buzzed with discussions about the previous match about the power of Tang San's final strike and the choice he had made. This was the effect of Bibi Dong personally setting the narrative.
Behind her, Guang Ling's expression was sour. He genuinely disliked Hu Liena and her team, but Bibi Dong's actions annoyed him even more. This is a tournament. The opponents are Haotian Sect's rats, and you, Bibi Dong, are seriously pulling this nonsense?
Yet, because they were in public, with representatives from various forces present, he couldn't openly voice his frustration.
Under the wary gazes of those around him, Guang Ling stood up expressionlessly and walked off the stands.
A while later, he returned and sat back in his place.
Han Li glanced at his master but said nothing. He knew exactly where Guang Ling had gone he had gone to find Xiu'er and the others.
It was clear that the final match was going to end very quickly.
Seeing this, Han Li no longer bothered to conceal his spiritual fluctuations. He directly activated mental sharing with Qian Renxue, signaling her to be ready to execute their plan at any moment.
On the other side, Bibi Dong, who had been meditating, opened her eyes slightly and glanced at him. Meeting Han Li's calm smile, she simply closed her eyes again.
Throughout the tournament, this wasn't the first time Han Li and Qian Renxue had exchanged mental conversations right in front of her.
She could faintly sense their interactions due to her unique abilities, but she couldn't decipher their content, so she simply chose to ignore it.
In the waiting area, Ye LingLing, using the miniature figurine Han Li had gifted her, carefully controlled her healing process while conversing with him.
After finishing a preliminary treatment on Tang San's broken arm, she looked at the team.
"I'll need a moment to recover, then I'll conduct a full team healing."
Tang San and the others nodded, gratitude evident on their faces.
Ye LingLing's recent healing style had been methodical and meticulous, and outsiders merely thought she was striving for perfection. No one suspected anything unusual.
The audience's discussions were still ongoing as Tang San and his team returned to their resting area.
Tang San was satisfied.
Even though he hadn't managed to eliminate a single opponent, he had still achieved the expected result.
That was enough.
With that thought, he turned to Xiao Wu.
She was gazing at him tenderly, and at that moment, Tang San felt like this Soul Master Tournament had already been perfect for him.
Now, all that remained was observing the strength of Spirit Hall's rising stars.
These were the opponents he would face in the future.
Holding Xiao Wu's hand, he turned his gaze back to the stage.
Hu Liena's name had already been added to his kill list.
Controlling Xiao Wu and forcing them to fight each other such a vicious woman had no right to live.
The next thirty minutes passed quickly.
Even before the audience could settle their debates, both teams were already stepping onto the arena, responding to the referee's call.
The contrast between the two teams was stark.
The four members of Tianshui Academy were relaxed, even chatting amongst themselves, while Spirit Hall's team, led by Hu Liena, wore grim expressions.
As soon as the referee blew the whistle, the golden staff in Xu Yu's hands shone brilliantly, bathing Hu Liena and Xie Yue in a golden glow.
Right from the start, they activated their Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
On the other side, after exchanging glances, Xiu'er and Zhu Zhuqing both shook their heads and simply stepped back.
Dugu Yan and Shui Bing'er, seeing their movements, chuckled helplessly and stepped forward, clasping hands.
Golden red flames and blue white ice erupted simultaneously, engulfing the entire stage.
Time seemed to freeze.
When the light dissipated, only Xiu'er and Zhu Zhuqing remained standing at the edge of the ruined stage.
The arena itself had disappeared.
In its place was a massive crater, with all seven members of Spirit Hall's team lying unconscious inside.
Around them, flames and ice quietly flickered.
No one doubted for a second that if the two had intended to kill, none of the fallen combatants would have survived.
Even the referee wiped cold sweat from his forehead he hadn't dared to move.
The two opposing energies had deliberately avoided him; otherwise, he wouldn't have walked away unscathed.
The stadium was silent, aside from the sound of throats gulping nervously.
"Well? Can you announce the results now?"
Shui Bing'er's voice, enhanced with soul power, rang across the battlefield, snapping everyone out of their daze.
"…Tianshui Academy is victorious."
The referee's voice was stiff, and he didn't even bother mentioning individual battles.
Everyone on Spirit Hall's team was unconscious the match was over.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then, an earth shattering cheer erupted from the crowd.
There was no doubt this was the most overwhelming and powerful championship victory they had ever witnessed.
"Tianshui!"
"Tianshui!"
The name echoed throughout the arena, making certain people uneasy.
"…I didn't expect it to end so quickly. I need to head over there. Let's start the final healing now."
Ye LingLing's voice broke the tense silence in the waiting room of the Royal Fighting Team 2.
"Thank you."
Tang San forced out a stiff smile as he turned to her.
"Mm."
Ye LingLing nodded, and a vast green healing array appeared beneath their feet.
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