"Damn!" Yan clenched his teeth, eyes blazing as Tang San flew toward him. He braced himself, only to see Tang San veer aside and land next to the pale, poisoned Li Kai and Sun Chuantao. Effortlessly blocking their attacks with the Eight Spider Lances, he stabbed each once, injecting venom while also siphoning a trace of life force.
Thud, Thud.
The poison worsened, and both finally collapsed in pain.
Yan's eyes burned with fury as he charged forward.
"Yan, don't be reckless!" Hu Liena's anxious cry came from behind.
'Must be fast.' Tang San twisted in midair, flicked a glance at the Charm Demon, then activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, darting toward Yan at blinding speed.
"Not that easy!" Yan roared, punching down.
"Fourth soul skill, Molten Eruption!" The ground flared red, magma bubbling up to spread across the field.
Tang San flapped his wings, still lingering faintly behind him, skimming low to glide past.
"Third soul skill, Spider Web Restraint!" He flicked his hand, vines shooting forth to block the Charm Demon's path.
Swish, Swish, Swish.
The crimson whirlwind hacked them apart, slowing slightly.
"Third soul skill, Infernal Flames!" Yan conjured the Fire Lord, unleashing a torrent of flame at Tang San.
Tang San sidestepped, dropping to the ground. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track flared again, two leaps carrying him to Yan's flank. His fist lashed out, Yan countered with a sweeping kick—
"Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon!" Purple light flashed in Tang San's eyes. His hands floated upward, hooking Yan's leg and yanking it down. He twisted, Eight Spider Lances thrusting into Yan's shoulder.
Puchi, Puchi.
Yan caught one, but eight lances left two buried deep into his waist.
Tang San's palms slammed forward.
Bang!
Yan was blasted off his feet, crashing heavily.
"Yan!" Hu Liena and Xie Yue's Charm Demon surged through the vines, too late.
Cough, Cough.
Electric burns, poison, lance wounds, and Tang San's full-powered strike combined—the injuries overwhelmed Yan. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he staggered, barely able to stand, eyes still burning with rage.
"Yan, your condition is critical. Withdraw and purge the poison!" Xie Yue urged, driving the Charm Demon toward Tang San. Maintaining their fusion consumed soul power; they couldn't stall further.
Yan ground his teeth but knew he was finished. Staying would hinder his teammates—or worse, he could be bound and drained by Tang San. He turned toward the referee, gestured to his two fallen comrades, and rushed to carry them out.
Chrysanthemum Douluo descended once more, handing out antidote pills.
"Thank you, Elder." Yan bowed his head, his expression dejected.
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded, saying nothing more.
In the arena, Tang San had switched to the Clear Sky Hammer, clashing directly with the Charm Demon.
"Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!" Sparks exploded as both were knocked back.
"Full Moon!" The Charm Demon spun, transforming into a storm of scarlet blades and red mist, giving Tang San no chance to gather strength.
Tang San faltered, his face shifting. 'This red mist suppresses soul power and spiritual power?'
He felt the Eight Spider Lances countering the suppression, leaving his body mostly unaffected—but the Clear Sky Hammer's immense weight slowed him. Against the nimble Charm Demon, he was at a disadvantage.
He dismissed the hammer, drew the Eight Spider Lances tight to his front, and raised his jade-like palms. The blood-red storm hurtled at him.
'Too late to dodge.' He gritted his teeth, forehead veins bulging, summoning the Blue Silver Grass.
"First soul skill, Bind!" Vines wrapped around his limbs, forming armor. He activated Devour, sucking in the red mist.
All soul skills were manifestations of soul power.
His body suddenly felt light.
"It works!" Tang San's eyes brightened, then hardened. He thrust forward with the Eight Spider Lances.
'Let's see who lasts longer.'
The clash rattled the arena. Sparks flew as the lances scraped, two slipping through and piercing the fusion's body.
"Aaaah!" The Charm Demon shrieked, stomping forward, dragging Tang San back despite his lances and vines binding them.
"Dammit!" Tang San snarled, pouring soul power into the lances. His feet cracked the marble floor, trying to brace.
"His soul power is draining faster!" Hu Liena and Xie Yue sensed it keenly.
They stomped and kicked in unison. The Eight Spider Lances ripped free under the strike.
Bang!
Their blade hacked down, Tang San barely blocking with his lances.
Crack!
A lance splintered. Tang San staggered back, teeth clenched.
At that moment, the fusion dissolved into Hu Liena and Xie Yue. The red mist dissipated.
"Third soul skill, Crescent Moon!" Xie Yue slashed out a storm of blades.
Hu Liena followed up instantly, surging alongside him.
Bang!
Tang San stamped the ground, sliding aside with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. He twisted in midair, gripping broken lance fragments.
"Bat Wing Reincarnation!" His body spun, hurling the shards in deadly arcs.
Swish, Swish, Swish!
The fragments curved unnaturally through the air.
Xie Yue's face blanched. He leapt in front of Hu Liena, blocking with twin blades.
Clang, Clang, Tssskk—
Some deflected, but several slipped through, slicing his waist and abdomen. Hu Liena cried out as her thigh was cut.
Across from them, Tang San too staggered, grazed by blade energy but mostly shielded by his lances. His trembling arms betrayed the toll.
"It seems I've won." Tang San stood straight, face calm.
The dissolved fusion was proof: their soul power was exhausted.
Cough, Cough.
Both Hu Liena and Xie Yue clutched their chests. With their blood racing and soul power depleted, they could no longer suppress the poison coursing inside. Their bodies grew heavier, Xie Yue's arm shaking violently—his old injury flaring.
'So that's why his blades were so weak earlier.' Tang San stepped forward, his voice cold.
"A reminder—without prompt treatment, you will die."
Bibi Dong's face darkened. She hated losing, but she would not risk her disciples' lives. She rose, her gaze flicking toward Yu Xiaogang, who stood ramrod straight, hands clasped behind his back, eyes cold. Her teeth ground as she declared:
"Spirit Hall Academy forfeits!"
"Heh. Bibi Dong, doesn't it hurt to slap yourself in the face? You should thank me—I've helped make Yu Xiaogang's dream come true. After all, defeating Spirit Hall Academy with three Soul Kings certainly made him famous." Yang Yunhai sneered inwardly.
His eyes slid toward Yu Xiaogang's pretentious stance.
"Don't worry. Tomorrow, you'll be even more famous. The higher you climb, the harder you fall—you just don't understand yet."
On the judges' stand, Bibi Dong's expression sank as she rose and left.
"Let's go back to the hotel." Yang Yunhai stood, glancing once at Tang San before sweeping his eyes across the grim-faced Spirit Hall knights. His teammates silently followed.
"Heh." Dugu Bo snorted as he passed Bibi Dong entering the Pope's Hall, striding after Yang Yunhai.
At the foot of the mountain, Shrek Academy walked tall, spirits high.
"I can't believe Shrek Academy actually won."
"Credit to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. This morning, Yang Yunhai thrashed Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, exposing most of their abilities. Otherwise, I doubt Shrek could've pulled this off."
"Who cares. I'll bet anything—Shrek will be crushed by Heaven Dou Royal Academy tomorrow."
"Agreed. They've never beaten them before. Tang San's always been humiliated by Yang Yunhai."
Murmurs rippled as the crowd discussed.
Shrek's sharp-eared members overheard, Tang San's fists clenching, face dark. His eyes locked coldly on Yang Yunhai's departing figure.
"Yang Yunhai… tomorrow, you'd better not disappoint me. Otherwise, you'll die."
Later, in the Pope's Palace council hall—
"I'm sorry, Teacher." Hu Liena lowered her head in shame.
"Victory and defeat are common. You are not to blame," Bibi Dong said softly, shaking her head. "The tactics were mine—I share the fault. I underestimated Shrek. Their research into your abilities was far deeper than I imagined."
Spirit Hall's victories had been too smooth, while Shrek had suffered multiple defeats, their teamwork honed through hardship. Today made that clear.
'At least you realize it.' Chrysanthemum Douluo kept a neutral face, mocking her in thought.
"Go rest." Bibi Dong waved her hand.
"Yes!" The seven disciples bowed and withdrew.
"Chrysanthemum Elder," Bibi Dong said, turning cold eyes to him, "tell Xiao Hai that tomorrow, Tang San must die."
'Your own disciples failed, so now you turn to mine?' Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered inwardly, bowing respectfully.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Dismissed."
"Yes." He and Ghost Douluo saluted and left.
"Xiaogang… you never cease to surprise me," Bibi Dong whispered.
That night, Chrysanthemum Douluo entered the hotel.
"Hahaha! Did you see Bibi Dong's face today? I could die happy!" Dugu Bo laughed.
"Heh, she deserved it," Chrysanthemum Douluo said coolly.
The room filled with laughter.
(End of Chapter)
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