While Tang Hao was talking with Oscar, Tang San and Xiao Wu, far away in the Kingdom of Silves, were not so lucky.
A week ago, they escaped through a secret tunnel under Lou Gao's protection. They thought that after disguising themselves, they could return safely to Heaven Dou City and find the Strength Clan's patriarch, Titan. But today, in a valley, they were ambushed.
There weren't many pursuers,one Soul Emperor and two Soul Kings. This trio wasn't the main force, only one of several small teams hunting them down.
The Soul Emperor in the lead stared coldly at Tang San and Xiao Wu, who were now surrounded. A cruel smile appeared beneath his mask.
"Heh, as expected of the genius with twin martial souls. The higher-ups have even put a bounty on your head,one soul bone for your life." The Soul Emperor didn't seem in a hurry to act, as though victory was already certain.
When they first received the mission to kill Tang San, they had been thrilled. Though Tang San was a prodigy with twin martial souls, what did that matter if he hadn't yet grown strong enough?
As long as they killed this kid who hadn't even reached the Soul King realm, they could bring his head back to Spirit Hall and receive a ten-thousand-year soul bone. This was the closest they had ever been to such a treasure.
Naturally, they hadn't even thought of notifying their companions. The temptation of a ten-thousand-year soul bone was too great; if they shared the news, others might try to steal the credit.
They had already agreed to divide the spoils equally after the deed was done.
Tang San gripped Xiao Wu's soft jade hand tightly, frowning as he stared at the three enemies,each at least Soul King level.
The situation was clearly unfavorable. Although both he and Xiao Wu had just broken through level fifty, they had yet to obtain their fifth spirit rings. Against two Soul Kings and a Soul Emperor, they were at a clear disadvantage.
But surrender was out of the question. Their enemies had no intention of letting them live.
Tang San snorted coldly. "So you need numbers to bully the weak? Since you've found me already, how about we make a bet?"
His words made the three Spirit Hall soul masters burst into laughter.
One of the Soul Kings sneered. "A bet? You're already a turtle in a jar. What qualifications do you have to bet with us?"
Tang San smiled faintly. "You need my head to complete your mission, don't you? What if there's no corpse left?"
As he spoke, he took out a small porcelain bottle from his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges pouch, gripping it firmly with a resolute look in his eyes.
"I might not be able to defeat the three of you, but I can still control my own life. If I crush this bottle, my body will be completely destroyed in an instant. Then I'd like to see how you explain that to Spirit Hall."
The three exchanged glances, clearly shaken. Tang San's willingness to die had indeed rattled them.
If they couldn't prove Tang San's death, that ten-thousand-year soul bone would be lost to them.
The Soul Emperor's eyes flickered. Through sound transmission, he told the others, "He's just stalling for time. Pretend to agree, and when there's an opening, kill them both instantly. Don't let him play any tricks."
The other two nodded subtly. The Soul Emperor then said aloud, "Heh, you've got some guts. Your life might indeed be worth a soul bone."
"Since you want to gamble on a variable, I'll grant your wish. But let me make this clear: no matter what tricks you have, before me, I am the only variable that matters."
Tang San remained calm. He cupped his hands and said, "Then let's settle this in a fair duel. You and I will fight without using spirit abilities. If I win, you let us go, and all I ask is one day's head start."
The Soul Emperor laughed louder. "You have twin spirits, and your second spirit is the Clear Sky Hammer,the greatest tool spirit in the world. So that's your plan."
"But I'll agree. I'll show you that the gap between a Soul Emperor and a Soul Ancestor can't be bridged. Even without using spirit skills, my sheer power will crush you."
He sneered. "And if you lose?"
Tang San replied seriously, "If I lose, I'll give you my head myself."
The Soul Emperor burst into laughter. "Good! You've got guts!"
Tang San added, "For fairness, let's both swear by our martial souls."
The Soul Emperor agreed immediately. A martial soul oath meant Tang San couldn't go back on his word.
As for Tang San winning? Impossible. Even without spirit abilities, their difference of two ten-thousand-year rings and over ten levels of power was too vast.
After both swore the oath, the two Soul Kings spread out to block any escape, while the Soul Emperor faced Tang San in the clearing.
Seeing that his opponent had agreed, Tang San gently released Xiao Wu's hand and stepped forward. But Xiao Wu caught his hand again.
"Brother, do you really have to do this?" she asked, worry filling her eyes.
Tang San nodded and whispered in her ear, "Do as I said. I have a seventy percent chance of taking them down."
Xiao Wu bit her lip, then nodded firmly. "I understand. I won't drag you down."
Tang San stroked her rabbit ears, then turned and walked toward the Soul Emperor.
Tang San faced the Soul Emperor head-on, while Xiao Wu stood aside, only ten meters from the nearest Soul King.
The two Soul Kings fixed their eyes on Xiao Wu, ready to strike first at any moment.
The Soul Emperor, smiling confidently, said, "Boy, no matter how you struggle, your fate won't change today."
As he finished speaking, his body expanded, coarse brown fur growing across his skin. His already massive frame transformed into that of a humanoid berserk bear.
Six spirit rings,two yellow, two purple, and two black,rose and pulsed around him before quickly vanishing again as he activated his spirit possession.
When Tang San saw his opponent's spirit, his eyes narrowed slightly. A bear-type martial soul,he only knew one person like that: Teacher Zhao.
Although this Soul Emperor wasn't as strong as Zhao Wuji, bear-type spirits were known for overwhelming strength and defense. Tang San's pressure increased sharply.
But retreat was no longer possible. In his left hand, a massive black hammer one and a half meters long appeared,the Clear Sky Hammer. Tang San rested it on his shoulder, his eyes glowing faintly purple.
This was no tournament fight; it was a life-and-death battle. There would be no introductions or announcements,both released their martial souls and charged at each other at the same time.
The Bear Soul Emperor charged like a humanoid bulldozer, while Tang San swung his Clear Sky Hammer to meet him head-on.
Though there was a huge gap in cultivation, Tang San still had a chance.
Since childhood, he had trained in forging, giving him physical strength far superior to most soul masters. After joining Shrek Academy, he consumed rare treasures like Whale Glue and the Nine-Grade Mysterious Pill, and even absorbed a ten-thousand-year torso soul bone.
With all these, his body was now nearly on par with that of a Soul Emperor. That was why he dared to suggest a fight without using soul skills.
If their physical strength was close, it became a battle between equals.
And Tang San had never lost a fight against someone of equal level,except for monsters like Oscar, Ma Hongjun, or Dai Mubai.
Tang San swung his Clear Sky Hammer, colliding with the bear's palm. To the Soul Emperor's shock, Tang San's strength nearly matched his own.
So this was the terror of the Clear Sky Hammer,such power even without spirit rings.
Though surprised, the Bear Soul Emperor didn't take Tang San seriously. He was a Soul Emperor, while Tang San was only level fifty with four rings. The difference of two ten-thousand-year rings couldn't be bridged by a single hammer.
He attacked relentlessly, certain Tang San couldn't maintain that strength for long. He wanted to test the famed Clear Sky Hammer for himself.
As Tang San's Purple Demon Eye reached full operation, he observed every flaw in his opponent's movements. With his body moving in perfect sequence,legs, waist, torso, arms,he unleashed another full-force strike.
The second clash was even stronger than the first.
The Bear Soul Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique? So that's it! No wonder a mere level fifty dares challenge me!"
"But even with that technique, how can you overcome a ten-level difference in spirit power?"
With a roar, the Bear Soul Emperor stopped holding back and went all out.
He knew the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique,it was the pinnacle of a blacksmith's art, a special way to multiply one's power.
In ordinary hands, it wouldn't mean much. But when wielded with a hammer-type spirit,especially the Clear Sky Hammer,its power could double.
Though he doubted a youth like Tang San could have mastered the full technique, he still took no chances.
Yet as their battle raged on, the Bear Soul Emperor began to feel something unsettling.
This boy, barely in his teens, had physical power on par with his own. With each hammer strike, Tang San's attacks grew fiercer, pressing him back.
He finally realized he had fallen into Tang San's trap. The so-called "fair duel" and "martial soul oath" had been part of the scheme all along.
This kid really did have a chance to defeat him without using spirit abilities.
Still, the Bear Soul Emperor was a veteran of countless battles. Though furious, he focused fully on the fight.
Tang San too was tense. Even with his plan working, victory over a Soul Emperor required everything he had.
The beast spirit still granted tremendous power, even without spirit skills.
Combining the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Tang San's pressure eased slightly, his hammer technique stacking higher and higher.
Thirty-three strikes… thirty-four… forty… forty-one…
By the time he passed forty blows, each of Tang San's strikes was stronger than the last, already surpassing the Bear Soul Emperor's attacks.
The Bear Soul Emperor had yet to land a single clean hit. Tang San's footwork was too strange,every time a bear paw was about to strike, Tang San slipped away like a ghost, hammering back in return.
Furious that he still hadn't defeated this brat, the Bear Soul Emperor's anger boiled.
Meanwhile, as Tang San fought, Xiao Wu suddenly turned to one of the Soul Kings, giving him a flirtatious glance and sending a secret voice transmission. "Uncle, the wanted one is Tang San. Can't you let me go?"
"I'm just a weak girl. As long as you spare me, I'll do anything you want."
Her tone was soft and pitiful, her expression shy and delicate like a porcelain doll that could shatter with a touch.
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