Chapter 297: Xiao Wu Under the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer
Here it was the battle for second place.
As the audience in the stadium watched the unfolding events, the same thought ran through their minds.
This was the real reason they had eagerly gathered today.
For most spectators, the champion had already been decided. Even those unfamiliar with the competition could understand the odds displayed outside the venue.
Since the moment Xiu'er and her team had stepped onto the stage, all betting on Tianshui Academy had been suspended. Meanwhile, the odds for the Spirit Hall Battle Team and the Royal Fighting Team 2 had skyrocketed to an astonishing 100 to 1 and 300 to 1, respectively. While a few reckless gamblers were still willing to bet, most had already been discouraged.
These odds were set by the Great Soul Arena, whose expertise had been validated through countless battles. Though upsets occasionally occurred, their predictions were generally reliable.
As the head bishop made the official announcement, the four member Tianshui Academy team left the stage, making way for the two teams about to clash.
Hu Liena shook her head, clearing away unnecessary thoughts as her gaze landed on Tang San.
Ugly. Just like Yan. No, worse than Yan.
At least Yan didn't fit her aesthetic preferences, but Tang San… Hu Liena made a brutally honest judgment.
She was a self admitted admirer of good looks, and Tang San's transformation after his body reconstruction had made him resemble a giant ape due to the King Kong Baboon's bloodline. His dark complexion only added to her distaste.
If Yan was the equivalent of an overly muscular gym enthusiast, then Tang San… No, Hu Liena refused to think any further. If she continued, she would start questioning her teacher's taste.
Yet, there was something off about Tang San his expression was unnervingly calm. When he looked at them, there was even a hint of superiority in his gaze.
Hu Liena took a deep breath, her eyes turning sharp. Though he concealed it well, she had noticed it.
That kind of look she had only felt it from Han Li before. But at least Han Li had truly crushed them in battle, utterly dominating her, Yan, and Xie Yue. Now, they weren't even confident they could defeat Dugu Yan's group.
But what right did Tang San have to look down on them? Just because he had twin martial spirits? That same "twin martial spirit" had once been beaten down like a dog. And the person who had defeated him? The weakest among them Zhu Zhuqing.
What was he pretending for now?
Tang San had no idea that a mere glance had ignited the fury Hu Liena had been suppressing.
I will let you display your full strength, as teacher commanded but I will not hold back, Hu Liena resolved.
"Begin!"
As the bishop's voice rang out, three figures from the Spirit Hall team shot forward, charging at the Royal Fighting Team 2. Only Xu Yu, whose martial spirit was the Radiant Gold Scepter, remained in the backline.
This was not surprising it was the Spirit Hall Academy's standard tactic. In most cases, Hu Liena and the others didn't even need to step in. Once Zhang Ping, whose martial spirit was the Golden Waist Swallow, led the charge with the other two, the match was usually over.
The fact that they hadn't changed their strategy meant that Bibi Dong had instructed them to do so.
The Royal Fighting Team 2 reacted appropriately. Though the lowest ranked member of the opposing three was still at Level 45, times had changed. During their journey to Spirit City, Xiao Wu had successfully broken through to Level 42.
Now, they too had four Spirit Masters above Level 40. With Ning Rongrong's support, they were holding their own but barely.
It wasn't enough.
While deflecting the trio's attacks, Tang San glanced at Hu Liena and her teammates, who stood watching as if they were mere spectators.
Then, recalling Tang Hao's advice, he made his move.
As another vine of Blue Silver Grass was effortlessly sliced apart by Zhang Ping, Tang San raised his left hand.
A small, pitch black hammer appeared, suspended by five soul rings each of them deep black.
Gasps erupted throughout the audience.
Tang San had reached the Soul King realm.
And his second martial spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer, had five uniformly black rings.
"Fall back."
Hu Liena's voice rang out clearly.
The three Spirit Hall members who had been locked in battle immediately ceased their assault and withdrew without hesitation.
"So, he barely reached Soul King level?"
Hu Liena looked at Tang San with mild disappointment. At such a close range, she could sense it his soul power fluctuations weren't as strong as hers.
"Level 52 Assault type Battle Soul Master," Tang San declared, calmly holding the Clear Sky Hammer before him.
Before the tournament began, he had only barely broken through to Soul Ancestor thanks to his body reconstruction. Now, at the tournament's end, he had leaped an entire rank, reaching Soul King. His five ten thousand year soul rings were something to be proud of this was the power of twin martial spirits.
Yet deep down, he felt a hint of regret.
The kowtows had been for nothing.
Yu Xiaogang had failed to obtain a way for him to cultivate both martial spirits simultaneously. In fact, he had been avoiding him altogether.
Tang San understood now. When he had added his fifth soul ring to the Clear Sky Hammer, it had already been extremely difficult. His Blue Silver Grass martial spirit couldn't support another ten thousand year ring. Otherwise, he could have reached an even higher level.
"Arrogant fool."
Hu Liena sneered.
Just by glancing at the shade of his rings, she could tell that his ten thousand year soul rings were barely past the threshold. If having more rings were all that mattered, then what was the point of competition?
She hadn't even made a move yet.
"Finish this quickly," she commanded. "Xu Yu, hold back for now. I overestimated him."
Hu Liena's voice reached her teammates, and Xu Yu, the one she had named, nodded without hesitation. He trusted his captain's judgment.
At the same time, the three leading members of the Spirit Hall Battle Team activated their soul rings.
Hu Liena's fourth soul ring, a ten thousand year ring, glowed above her head, along with a fifth soul ring whose depth of color immediately caught Tang San's attention. He frowned so the rumors were true. As Yu Xiaogang's disciple, he could tell that Hu Liena's fifth soul ring was close to thirty thousand years old.
His gaze swept over Xie Yue and Yan, noting that their soul rings were also darker than usual.
Damn it.
Just as Father said, Spirit Hall had been hiding critical information. They had a method to enhance soul ring years, yet they kept it secret. Tang San clenched his fists in frustration.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on this. With Xu Yu providing support, the Spirit Hall team had already closed in on them.
"Xiao Wu."
Tang San suddenly called out. He hadn't just been standing idle he had been waiting for them to get closer. That auxiliary type soul master in the back? They would take him down first.
However, he overlooked one crucial point.
Why had they charged at them so recklessly?
And why did he still know so little about Hu Liena's capabilities?
"You think you can get to the back? Dream on. Little rabbit, come down!"
Royal Fighting Team 2's tactics weren't exactly a secret. Hu Liena still didn't understand her teacher's intentions, but as a captain, she did her job well.
Other than Xiao Wu's yet to be seen fourth soul skill and the five skills attached to Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer, she knew all their abilities inside and out.
And even the Clear Sky Hammer's soul skills weren't a complete mystery most were variations of the same type.
Thus, for her, only Xiao Wu's fourth soul skill remained unknown. But she had already accounted for that.
Her full scale attack had always targeted Xiao Wu.
And to be sure, she went all out from the start.
As her fifth soul ring flashed, her eyes locked onto Xiao Wu.
Bewitching Gaze.
Just as Xiao Wu was about to activate Teleportation, her body stiffened.
She turned around and kicked Tai Long straight into Oscar, sending them both tumbling. Then she dashed toward them, seemingly trying to eliminate them in one go.
"What did you do to Xiao Wu?!"
Tang San's first three soul rings lit up on the Clear Sky Hammer as he swung it at Hu Liena.
But Xie Yue intercepted with his Moon Blade, blocking the attack. Though he was pushed back a few steps, it was clear he could hold his ground.
Meanwhile, Yan's arms were already covered in flames and granite, hammering against Dai Mubai's shield, forcing him backward.
"It's just a soul skill. She belongs to us now."
Hu Liena smirked seductively, though inside she was sneering.
Tang San's weakness had been painfully obvious throughout the tournament.
This Xiao Wu… it would've been better if she hadn't stepped onto the battlefield at all.
As she spoke, her first soul ring flickered, and her eyes glowed with a faint purple light Fox Charm directed straight at Tang San.
For a moment, Tang San's movements halted, and the hammer in his hand dipped slightly.
But he quickly regained clarity.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
His body flickered as he assessed the situation behind him his teammates were already in dire straits.
And with Xiao Wu under enemy control, even Fatty dared not unleash his flames.
I'm sorry, Xiao Wu.
I must complete Father's mission.
Tang San took a deep breath.
His body shifted, and Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique activated.
With his soul rings supporting him, he could now barely complete most of the technique.
Even if he lost, he couldn't afford to lose without dignity this was about the Clear Sky Clan's eventual return to the world.
Hu Liena's eyebrows furrowed.
He had a mental technique?
And its strength wasn't inferior to hers?
That hadn't shown up in any of his previous matches.
But… it was useless.
Letting Xie Yue keep Tang San occupied, Hu Liena quickly moved around the stage, assisting her teammates in eliminating everyone except Xiao Wu.
Soon, only Tang San remained standing, surrounded by the Spirit Hall team.
Clang!
The Clear Sky Hammer and Moon Blade clashed again.
Xie Yue faltered slightly but still absorbed the impact.
Unlike Feng Xiaotian, he could control his weapon remotely.
Though it was difficult, merely delaying Tang San wasn't a problem.
"Brother."
Hu Liena's voice rang out.
Xie Yue stopped trying to clash head on.
Instead, he tapped the ground with his Moon Blade, pushing himself backward.
Hu Liena's voice rang out again.
"Teleportation."
At her command, the third soul ring on Xiao Wu lit up.
In an instant, Xiao Wu appeared right where Xie Yue had been standing.
Hu Liena's lips curled upward.
She activated Xiao Wu's fourth soul ring.
Let's reveal the truth right here and now.
If she's strong enough, she should be able to block the Clear Sky Hammer.
If not… let's see if Tang San is willing to stop his own attack.
The stage was his to perform on now.
Teacher, I have endured enough.
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