The Arena
"First Soul Skill—Cloud!"
Following Feng Xiaotian's command, the thousand-year soul rings on the two Godwind Academy's Soul Masters lit up.
In an instant, the surroundings were engulfed in thick mist, reducing visibility to a vast expanse of white.
Several figures darted swiftly through the haze, yet strangely, their movements didn't disturb the clouds.
Xiao Tianyang, however, remained unaffected by any debuffs.
Yet, every move he made might already be under the enemy's control.
"First soul skill: Wind Blade Burst!"
The moment the words fell, sharp whistling sounds filled the air.
Relying on instinct, Xiao Tianyang barely moved—only tilting his body slightly to the side.
Dozens of wind blades shot past him, missing by a hair's breadth!
If this wasn't sheer misfortune for the Godwind Academy team, then it was a testament to Xiao Tianyang's impeccable calculations.
But was this the end?
No—it was only the beginning.
"Fourth soul skill: Tornado Blade!"
The dozens of wind blades multiplied in an instant, covering the sky in a dense, overwhelming storm!
Then, like a torrential downpour, they rained down upon the arena, their range nearly encompassing the entire battlefield!
Even the referee had no choice but to retreat beyond the field and wait.
On the spectator stands, Xiao Wu frowned.
"This attack pattern is too oppressive. Not only do they take to the skies, making themselves untouchable, but they also obscure vision. Now, this method is practically forcing Edward into a corner."
"This Godwind Academy sure is impressive." Ma Hongjun shrugged. "But do you really think Edward is as helpless as he looks?"
"Personally, I doubt it." Oscar glanced at him. "Got some inside information, Fatty?"
"Tch, have you all forgotten how he thrashed us in the Sunset Forest?" Ma Hongjun sighed dramatically. "Remember how he shot me out of the air and slammed me into the ground dozens of times?"
"...It was brutal." Dai Mubai winced in sympathy.
"Wait, Boss Dai, you didn't know?" Ma Hongjun blinked in surprise.
Hadn't they been together this whole time? How could Dai Mubai not know about his beatdown?
Dai Mubai's expression stiffened before he sighed. "At the time, I was kicked far away—remember? Everyone's focus was on Edward. No one had time to worry about anything else."
Ma Hongjun could only shrug helplessly. "Well, we were unlucky. But now, it's Godwind Academy's turn to suffer. Their good days are over..."
"CRACK!"
A deafening sound erupted!
A terrifying shockwave exploded outward, shredding the clouds and shattering the wind blades!
And from within the chaos, a figure emerged—sword reversed, poised to strike!
"Not good—that stance! Everyone, brace yourselves!" Tang San, who had been silently observing the match, suddenly tensed.
The moment Xiao Tianyang assumed that posture, Tang San's expression changed.
He still vividly remembered—this was the same strike that had once overwhelmed the main team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy with unstoppable force!
That battle had been devastating.
Not only had the entire opposing team been left unable to stand, but even the reinforced arena—designed to withstand Soul Sage-level battles—had been reduced to rubble!
The sheer destructive power of that single slash was unimaginable!
Yet Tang San couldn't understand—why would Xiao Tianyang use such a move here?
Godwind Academy was troublesome, yes, but surely not enough to warrant this level of force?
Shouldn't they be conserving their strength and advancing steadily? Why suddenly go all out, completely contradicting their strategy?
Of course, Tang San's confusion was natural.
After all, the more Edward's identity was exposed, the more Xiao Tianyang's true self could remain hidden.
As for his reasons? Xiao Tianyang had his own plans.
Ever since his encounter with Miao Zhenshan, his perspective had shifted.
With that trump card now in his possession, even the Spirit Hall might not be an insurmountable obstacle.
But this process had to be gradual—like a well-served meal.
After the appetizer, one couldn't jump straight to the main course. There needed to be a transitional dish—a soup to settle the mood and warm the stomach.
Only then would the audience eagerly anticipate what came next, rather than being overwhelmed by the main event.
Yet, not everyone grasped Xiao Tianyang's intentions.
Huo Wu was one of them.
"What is he trying to do?" Having finally shaken off Huo Wushuang's interference, she frowned deeply.
"I don't know, but judging by his stance... it doesn't look good." Huo Wushuang felt an inexplicable unease.
The next moment—Xiao Tianyang swung his blade forward.
"BOOM!"
The roar shook the entire Great Soul Arena!
Both Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang paled.
"An earthquake?!" Huo Wushuang barely managed to steady Huo Wu as she stumbled.
"No—it's his attack!" Huo Wu pointed a trembling finger at the arena.
Only then did Huo Wushuang turn his gaze back—and froze in shock.
Feng Xiaotian, who had been soaring in the sky moments ago, was now planted headfirst into the ground like a discarded spear!
As for the rest of the team? They fared even worse—while Feng Xiaotian at least twitched weakly, the others were completely unconscious!
"T-This... He did this alone?!" Huo Wushuang's voice trembled.
"Unless there's someone else on stage..." Huo Wu's tone was bitter.
Originally, after her martial soul's evolution, she had believed herself to have reached new heights—worthy of being called a genius.
But now, she realized the true meaning of "there is always someone greater."
That single slash—she couldn't have blocked it.
Even the Soul Emperors and Soul Sages spectating might not have been able to withstand it.
"Referee, announce the result." Xiao Tianyang flicked Cong Yunqie, resting the blade against his back with effortless coolness.
"Winner—Whitebeard Team, Edward!" The referee's gaze was no longer curious, but outright fearful.
Those distant from the strike might not have sensed it.
But he, standing closest to the arena, knew full well—that slash was unstoppable.
To put it bluntly, if Xiao Tianyang had wanted to kill him, he wouldn't have needed the blade. A single punch would have sufficed.
This wasn't self-deprecation.
It was simply the truth.
Meanwhile, the reactions among the VIP spectators varied—some were solemn, some intrigued, and some radiated killing intent.
Of course, there were also those filled with worry.
Aside from Huo Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, another concerned figure was Ning Fengzhi.
He nearly rushed onto the field to grab Xiao Tianyang and slap him twice while yelling: You little brat! Do you have any idea how much attention you're drawing?!
Don't you know the Spirit Hall's spies are probably already tracking you?!
But if he had, Xiao Tianyang would have merely shrugged and replied: Of course I know. In fact, they now have one more reason to act.
But I'm confident that before they find what they're looking for—I'm in no real danger.
…
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