Outside Spirit City, in a secluded canyon.
The blazing sun hung high, and the stifling air carried the mingled scents of sweat and dust.
Four youthful figures darted rapidly across the narrow valley floor, their soul powers clashing violently, stirring up gusts of wind that disturbed the fallen leaves scattered across the canyon floor.
Tang San moved like a ghost, his steps precise as he treaded on the crevices of jagged rocks, avoiding the powerful White Tiger Fierce Light Waves unleashed by Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai let out a low tiger roar, his third soul ring glowing as he activated the White Tiger Diamond Transformation. Each punch carried the force to split mountains and crack stones, sending shards of rock flying with every impact.
Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix flames burned fiercely, attempting to disrupt Tang San's evasive maneuvers.
Oscar stood at a distance, his third soul ring flickering as he produced several large recovery sausages, which he skillfully tossed to his teammates in need of replenishment.
This was an intense, highly coordinated training session!
At the edge of the training grounds, cloaked in a black robe that concealed even his face, stood Tang Hao, beside him the "Master" Yu Xiaogang dressed in plain black clothing.
Their gazes were fixed intently on the battling figures below.
Though Tang Hao's expression remained obscured, the satisfaction in Yu Xiaogang's eyes was unmistakable.
After a long while—
"Stop!"
Tang Hao's low, disguised voice rang out, and the fierce battle in the canyon instantly ceased.
The phantom White Tiger surrounding Dai Mubai dissipated, and he panted heavily. Ma Hongjun retracted his flames, beads of sweat rolling down his plump face…
Tang San's breathing was also slightly labored, but his eyes gleamed with sharp focus. After stopping, he quickly adjusted his inner energy, circulating the Xuan Tian Gong technique to calm the surging blood within him.
"That's enough for this morning."
Tang Hao's voice was devoid of emotion. "Rest. Prepare lunch."
Tang San wiped away the fine beads of sweat from his forehead, his gaze unwavering as he looked toward Tang Hao. "Senior, I'm not tired."
"I want to continue practicing my footwork and control over the Purple Extreme Demon Eye."
"Dai Chengfeng's movements are erratic, and his spiritual power is incredibly strong. I must—"
"What's worrying you?"
Tang San's words were abruptly cut off by Tang Hao. "Strength isn't achieved in a single day."
"And besides…"
He paused briefly. "That brat Dai Chengfeng may have a higher soul power level than you, but when it comes to the subtleties of soul skills or the unpredictability of combat tactics, he doesn't necessarily hold the advantage."
"Why did you lose last time?"
Tang San hesitated for a moment, his voice heavy. "It was his strange mental shockwave—it defeated me instantly."
"Precisely!"
Tang Hao's voice rose slightly. "His mental power is indeed peculiar. If your soul ring levels are inferior, you can compensate with soul bones or clever strategies."
"But being overwhelmed by mental power leaves you completely restricted!"
These words caught the attention of Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar, who were resting nearby.
"The main reason you lost was because of this!"
Tang Hao's tone was resolute. "This time, I've prepared something for you… ahem, a gift."
He extended his hand, revealing a metal circlet with an ancient design, its surface covered in intricate dark silver patterns. It rested in his rough palm.
The circlet was embedded with several small black crystals, seemingly not gemstones, emanating a faint yet unsettling ripple of silence.
"This item is forged from deep-sea sunken silver combined with rare anti-mental force ores," Tang Hao said with a hint of pride. "It greatly reduces the impact of mental shocks, especially those with penetrating or manipulative properties."
"And more importantly…"
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "When it absorbs a mental shockwave beyond its limit, it forcibly extracts, stores, compresses, and then violently 'rebounds' the energy through a special node!"
Tang San's pupils contracted sharply!
"Rebound?"
Mental backlash! This was practically the greatest nemesis of spiritual-focused soul masters!
He could almost picture it: after Dai Chengfeng's overwhelming mental attack was weakened, just as he thought he had succeeded, he would suddenly be struck by the full force of his own rebounding mental power…
The agony and chaos would be enough to instantly shatter his combat capabilities!
"Yes, backlash!"
Tang Hao confirmed, tossing the circlet to Tang San. "With this, you'll stand invincible in mental duels, and you might even seize the chance to deal a devastating blow to your opponent!"
"With this, your elusive footwork and the Eight Spider Lances' power will reach their full potential."
"What does he have to win against you?"
Tang San caught the circlet steadily. It felt cool and heavy in his hand, its intricate patterns seemingly imbued with profound power.
He gripped it tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force, and his eyes blazed with an intensity never seen before.
With this, Dai Chengfeng's overwhelming mental power—which had once been an insurmountable wall—would no longer be unconquerable!
In fact, it would become his own nightmare!
"Good!" Tang San nodded firmly, his voice low but filled with resolve. "I won't let you down, Senior!"
At this moment, Ma Hongjun could no longer contain his excitement. He bounded over to Tang San, wiping his sweat as he exclaimed, "Wow! Xiao San! With this ultimate weapon from Senior, we're guaranteed to win!"
"Haha, just imagining Dai Chengfeng being hit by his own mental backlash makes me ecstatic!"
He slapped Tang San on the shoulder, even more excited than Tang San himself.
Dai Mubai also stood up and walked over to Tang San's side.
He glanced at the circlet in Tang San's hand, a glimmer of admiration flashing in his eyes.
He patted Tang San's other shoulder and said gravely, "Not bad."
"That guy Dai Chengfeng only has a few soul rings and some inexplicable mental power, but his actual soul skill prowess definitely can't match mine!"
"Your Eight Spider Lances, combined with the Xuan Yu Hands and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps, are already difficult to handle. Now, with this specialized countermeasure…"
He glanced meaningfully at Tang San's waist and whispered, "Besides, don't you still have your… secret weapon?"
"This time, there's no way Dai Chengfeng can escape!"
A barely perceptible flicker passed through Tang San's eyes as his left hand instinctively touched the inconspicuous "Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moonlight" soul-guidance belt at his waist.
Hidden within the seemingly ordinary storage space lay a deadly weapon shimmering with metallic light—the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, crafted specifically to counter Dai Chengfeng. Tang San had nearly exhausted all his resources and efforts to gather the materials needed to create this masterpiece of the Tang Sect!
This pinnacle of hidden weapons boasted terrifying instant piercing power—it was the true "surprise" Tang San had prepared for Dai Chengfeng!
Double insurance!
Thinking of Dai Chengfeng facing both mental backlash and physical penetration, Tang San's eyes turned icy cold, as if he could already envision Dai Chengfeng collapsing at his feet.
"Revenge is a must!"
Tang San's voice was bone-chilling, laced with murderous intent. "This time, we'll settle old scores and new!"
"Right! Teach that arrogant bastard a lesson!" Ma Hongjun clenched his fist and swung it in the air.
"Let him know the consequences of offending Shrek Academy!" Oscar also stood up, unusually spirited.
Dai Mubai's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Make him kneel and beg for mercy!"
For a moment, the image of Dai Chengfeng kneeling and pleading for mercy swept away the fatigue from their morning training. Excitement and unrestrained joy radiated from their faces.
"Let's go eat!"
Ma Hongjun's stomach growled loudly in agreement, and he sprinted toward the makeshift stove set up at the canyon entrance. "After eating, we'll train in the afternoon until one punch is all it takes to knock that guy down!"
"Wait for me, Fatty!" Oscar laughed and chased after him.
Dai Mubai and Tang San exchanged a glance before following suit.
"When we win, I'll make him apologize publicly for insulting Master!"
"Just an apology won't do—he has to return all the resources he stole!"
"Hehe, watching that arrogant look on his face crumble will be amusing…"
The excited chatter of the four accompanied their footsteps, brimming with impatience for the impending "revenge" and unshakable confidence in victory.
Tang San, walking at the rear, kept his hand firmly on the "Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moonlight" at his waist.
Dai Chengfeng, it's time to settle our accounts.
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