What was the natural counter to plant-type martial souls?
BOOM—!
A torrent of flame erupted from Yang Fan's palm. The terrifying heat from the Infernal Delicate Apricot instantly reduced the Blue Silver Grass coiling around him to ash.
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding—!
Zhuge Divine Crossbow bolts struck the Heavy Xuan Ruler in rapid succession, sparks flying wildly.
In a blink, Tang San's "death wish" was effortlessly neutralized!
Yang Fan spun, dragging the ruler downward. Crimson Dou Qi flames surged, forming a scorching wave-slash.
To Yang Fan, Tang San was no different from a soul beast.
And would he show mercy to a soul beast?
Absolutely not!
His Earth-Tier technique, Flame Splitting Tsunami, aimed straight for Tang San's life.
Suddenly, Tang San's eyes gleamed with violet light. Under its glow, the world seemed to slow.
Every skill had blind spots—and this technique was no exception.
The next second—
Tang San dodged with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps. But before he could breathe, a flaming fist loomed before his eyes.
He crossed his arms, taking the blow head-on.
Instantly—searing pain flooded his body. He gasped sharply.
So hot!
His Jade Hand Technique claimed immunity to fire and water—but this flame defied that.
"Master, we must intervene now!" Nuoding Academy's Headmaster saw the crisis clearly.
Tang San was being one-sidedly crushed!
Without a miracle, their hard-won soul ring would slip away.
"Headmaster, we must trust Xiao San," Yu Xiaogang insisted.
The self-proclaimed "Theory Master" wasn't clueless—he understood the situation.
But…
Fire was the natural bane of plant-type souls!
Tang San's martial soul couldn't unleash even 20% of its power. His only hope was his hidden weapons.
"Aren't you the 'Theory Master'?" the Headmaster pressed. "What are you waiting for?"
Sweat beaded on Yu Xiaogang's brow.
Of course he wanted to help—but this battle defied his knowledge.
The opponent used no martial soul yet unleashed a terrifying skill. No soul power, yet formed energy constructs.
None of his books described this!
The fight raged on.
After missing his punch, Yang Fan deliberately stepped forward—exposing his back to Tang San.
Desperate to turn the tide, Tang San took the bait.
As he struck Yang Fan's back, Yang Fan's fist swung toward his ribs.
Here, their physical disparity showed.
Yang Fan barely flinched under Tang San's blow—but Tang San flew backward like a dead dog, crashing four meters away.
He hit the ground, face contorted in agony.
"I was waiting for an opening. What were you waiting for?" Yang Fan sneered.
He admitted Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps were impressive. Without feigning that opening, he couldn't have won in two minutes.
What a pity.
If that punch hadn't hit Tang San's Jade Hands, Octane Blast's hidden force would've killed him.
Now—Yang Fan's killing intent surged.
A Soul Ancestor Headmaster, a useless theory-spouting Soul Grandmaster, and Tang San—already defeated and crippled.
Eliminating them wouldn't be hard.
But then—a group appeared on the ridge, shattering his plan.
Yang Fan recognized their hulking frames instantly:
Elephant Armor Sect!
Only they bred such giants.
"Little one—a strong expert just appeared nearby!" Yao Lao's warning echoed in his mind, killing his urge to finish Tang San.
A strong expert?
Tang Hao? Or someone else?
He could kill Tang San now—but then what?
Even Yao Lao couldn't guarantee erasing all traces of such a massacre.
He refused to become a fugitive who'd abandon his sect, hide in the wilderness, and shrug, "Not my fault."
"What're you staring at?" Yang Fan taunted Yu Xiaogang. "Got the guts to duel me properly?"
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened—especially as Yang Fan dragged off the Ghost Vine corpse. Their expression soured like they'd swallowed feces.
He'd set the rules himself!
Now, they had no grounds—or strength—to reclaim it.
Just then, Elephant Armor Sect members descended the slope:
"Have you seen a powerful soul master in Sunset Forest?"
Yang Fan shook his head, slipping away quietly with the corpse.
Though he hadn't killed Tang San, the six-layer hidden force of Octane Blast would leave the brat reeling.
He now knew Tang San's true strength:
Mediocre.
With Yu Xiaogang as his teacher, forget godhood—Tang San would struggle to become a Title Douluo.
Yang Fan declared this!
How pathetic—a "theory genius" who had to beg others for answers about twin martial souls, yet found none.
What could he achieve?
Without solving the dual soul dilemma, what future awaited Tang San?
In the original story, Tang Hao likely took Tang San after the Grand Tournament because Yu Xiaogang—as useless as a normal person—could no longer teach a Soul Ancestor, let alone guide the Hao Tian Hammer's cultivation.
"Xiao San… are you alright?" Yu Xiaogang asked frantically.
Tang San's face was deathly pale, ears ringing.
Hwaaah—!
Octane Blast's hidden force churned inside him, forcing out a mouthful of blood.
"It's bad—" the Headmaster paled. "This child has severe internal injuries!"
Yu Xiaogang's mind went blank.
Internal injuries could haunt a soul master for life.
Tang San was so young!
Was he witnessing a genius's fall?
Who would validate his Ten Core Martial Soul Theories?
When Tang Hao entrusted Tang San to him, how could he explain this failure?
"Headmaster!" Yu Xiaogang pleaded. "One more favor—escort us to Suotuo City!"
Panicked, his only hope was Flender—their friend running Shrek Academy outside Suotuo.
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