The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Almost instantly, both figures moved.
"Martial Soul Possession: Stormwind Double-Headed Wolf!"
A powerful gale erupted as Feng Xiaotian's body expanded. Wolf fur covered his limbs, sharp claws extended from his fingers, and two wolf heads materialized above his shoulders, howling as violent wind gathered around him. His aura surged explosively.
"Martial Soul Possession: Blue Silver Grass."
Blue light bloomed and blue-silver vines burst much different and bigger than normal Blue Silver Grass appeared in Tang san's hands..
"First Soul Skill: Bind!"
Countless Blue Silver Grass vines shot forward like serpents, weaving together to form an inescapable cage aimed directly at Feng Xiaotian.
Feng Xiaotian sneered.
"First Soul Skill: Wind Blade Burst!"
Crescent-shaped blades of compressed wind formed instantly, slicing through the air with terrifying sharpness. With a sweeping motion of his arms, the wind blades tore through the advancing Blue Silver Grass, severing vine after vine, before redirecting toward Tang San himself.
Tang San's pupils contracted.
He activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, his body blurring as he shifted positions in rapid, unpredictable steps. The wind blades grazed past him, tearing deep gouges into the arena floor behind him.
Before Feng Xiaotian could follow up, Tang San struck again.
"Second Soul Skill: Parasite."
Unnoticed seeds hidden within the earlier vines instantly germinated. Blue Silver Grass sprouted directly from Feng Xiaotian's body, winding toward his joints and limbs, attempting to immobilize him from within.
But Feng Xiaotian was prepared.
"Third Soul Skill: Stormwind Wings!"
With a deafening roar of air, razor-sharp wings of compressed wind unfolded from his back. They snapped open and shut violently, shredding the parasitic vines that grew in an instant. At the same time, a powerful updraft lifted Feng Xiaotian off the ground.
He soared into the air, hovering high above the arena.
Tang San narrowed his eyes.
'So he intends to kite me.'
From the ground, Tang San clearly understood the situation. If Feng Xiaotian maintained aerial superiority and relied on wind-based long-range attacks, Blue Silver Grass alone would struggle to restrain him.
Above him, Feng Xiaotian laughed loudly, his voice carried by the wind.
"Tang San, is this all the strength of the so-called Shrek Academy?"
Tang San remained silent, his gaze steady. Beneath the calm surface, countless calculations raced through his mind.
'I have to force him into a direct confrontation, Tang San thought grimly. If I let him maintain distance and fight from the air, this battle will become impossible to win.'
The blue-silver light around his body slowly receded. One by one, the vines withdrew into the ground, and the gentle aura of the Blue Silver Grass vanished.
In its place—
A heavy pressure descended upon the arena and black hammer appeared in Tang San's hand.
Its body was simple and unadorned, oppressive weight. The patterns engraved upon it were deep and dim. Even without being swung, the Clear Sky Hammer radiated a tyrannical aura.
This was Tang San's second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer.
Gasps immediately rose from the audience.
Tang San gripped the hammer with one hand and raised his head to look at Feng Xiaotian, who was still hovering in midair.
"Xiaotian," Tang San said calmly, his voice echoing through the arena, "weren't you saying you wanted to personally experience my strength?"
He slightly lifted the hammer.
"Now that I've summoned it—do you dare face it head-on with your attack?"
For an instant, Feng Xiaotian's pupils shrank.
The Clear Sky Hammer was famous throughout the continent for one thing alone—absolute dominance in frontal combat.
Feng Xiaotian's heart stirred with battle intent, yet reason quickly followed. He was not foolish enough to rashly collide with a martial soul that specialized in overwhelming power.
Still, he could not retreat.
A smile spread across his face as he answered loudly, ensuring the entire arena could hear him.
"Of course I'll take it head-on."
Then, with a mocking tone, he continued,
"Actually, this tournament doesn't need agility-type, food-type, or control-type soul masters at all. All it needs is two people with brute strength charging straight at each other. One clash—and the match will be decided."
Laughter and murmurs spread through the stands.
Tang San's eyes darkened. Rage surged within him as he realized Feng Xiaotian was deliberately belittling him in front of the entire audience.
But he endured it.
'I must make him come down', Tang San reminded himself. 'Otherwise, I won't win.'
At that moment, a memory from his past life surfaced in his mind, forming a plan almost instantly.
Tang San raised his head again, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"I thought," he said slowly, "that you wanted to take revenge and prove your mettle after witnessing the beating I gave Blazing Academy."
His gaze sharpened.
"But it seems… I overestimated you."
The words struck like a blade.
Feng Xiaotian's expression stiffened. His eyes subconsciously shifted toward the audience.
There—Huo Wu was seated among the Blazing Academy members.
She caught his gaze and snorted, crossing her arms, clearly unimpressed.
Feng Xiaotian's chest tightened.
'This is my chance to impress her'
The wind around him surged violently as his aura flared.
"I'll defeat you," Feng Xiaotian declared loudly, his voice filled with confidence, "using my self-created soul skill!"
Tang San tightened his grip on the hammer and smiled faintly.
"Likewise."
Tang San slowly raised the Clear Sky Hammer.
His stance shifted, muscles tightening as profound strength gathered within his body. He started to hammer around the arena in a chaotic yet controlled manner, layering upon itself again and again.
It was the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer.