Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
Xiao Wu leaped onto Tang San's shoulders, completing her Spirit Fusion as a pair of fluffy rabbit ears sprouted atop her head.
Stacked in this "human tower," Ye Lan channeled Soul Power into his legs and charged forward.
Having mastered Perfect Soul Power Fusion, Ye Lan's speed now rivaled that of an Agile soul master his level—completely crushing both controller-type Tang San and striker-type Xiao Wu.
Tang San's eyes widened in shock. He was even faster than six years ago!
He thrust his palms forward as a blue light shimmered: Striated Blue Silver Herbs shot from his hands, aiming to bind Ye Lan.
Ye Lan eyed the dozen or so herbs—each seven centimeters thick and covered in snake-like markings. Clearly, they paled before his own Radiant Living Beings, which Yu Xiaogang had perfected. The old Blue Silver Emperor technique was now obsolete.
"Ugh, how ugly!" Ye Lan sneered.
Golden light flared in his eyes—Golden Eye! Visual Control and Dynamic Vision Enhancement activated. Through it, Ye Lan traced the herbs' trajectories instantly.
"Normalizing Instant Step!" Invulnerable to their crude net, he simply dodged.
"Now!" Tang San barked, shrugging his shoulders to signal Xiao Wu.
Using him as a springboard, Xiao Wu leaped toward Ye Lan's back.
Ignoring her, Ye Lan shot forward, landing before Tang San and delivering a brutal punch to his face.
Purple light shimmered in Tang San's gaze as he anticipated the strike and surged forward instead of retreating. White light glowed around his fists as he tested Ye Lan's strength.
Bang!
So heavy! Tang San was stunned—despite his Soul Power being six ranks higher, he still trailed in raw strength.
Recovering quickly, Tang San aimed a palm at Ye Lan's chest—only to be met by Ye Lan's swift Golden Eye dodge. Ye Lan grabbed Tang San's arm, braced his leg, and flung him toward Xiao Wu.
Tang San, tossed off balance, activated Ghost Shadow Tracing Steps mid-air to steady himself just before colliding with Xiao Wu, who landed safely on his shoulders and struck a Golden Rooster stance.
"Hey! Are you two performing acrobatics?" Ye Lan quipped, bemused.
Their initial exchange had been a simple probe between him and Tang San. Xiao Wu's jumping routine baffled him—and without teleportation, she'd be a sitting duck if he'd focused on her.
"You ugly one!" Xiao Wu glared, cheeks flushed from embarrassment.
"I never said that!" Ye Lan waved her off.
"Xiao Wu, get down. This opponent demands our full strength," Tang San urged, aware of his disadvantage in close combat and speed.
When Ye Lan sprinted again, he vanished and reappeared half a meter away—instantly outpacing Ghost Shadow Tracing Steps.
"Third brother, we'll win! Use your ultimate move!" Xiao Wu declared, jumping from Tang San's shoulders.
Tang San nodded. His second yellow spirit ring glowed as he activated Parasitism—seeds of Blue Silver Herbs had been scattered on Ye Lan earlier.
Countless Striated Herbs sprouted across Ye Lan's body. Yet he remained as calm as a still lake—he had anticipated this.
"Blood Armor!"
"Let me show you real Blue Silver Herbs," Ye Lan said disdainfully. Golden light burst from him as eighteen Radiant Living Beings surged forth, sweeping away the striated vines. The parasitic herbs wilted instantly.
Tang San's face paled—his once-silky herbs now felt like rusty gears, impossible to control.
Spectators gasped at the two varieties of Blue Silver Herbs:
"They're the same spirit, so why is the gap this huge?"
"Those ordinary ones looked ugly but still like herbs."
"The Emperor's herbs are terrifying—they're more like vines!"
"His spirit is gorgeous! I want to be bound by it~"
Ye Lan surrounded himself with his Radiant Living Beings.
"Ye Lan! Why can't I control my herbs? Did you tamper with them?" Tang San asked, staring into his golden eyes.
"I wouldn't know," Ye Lan replied, refusing to share his spirit secrets. "Enough talk—finish this!"
"Third brother, what now? Four years ago, these vines bound me, and they weren't this thick!" Xiao Wu fretted.
Tang San's expression shifted from anxious to cunning. "Xiao Wu, we'll win! Watch!" he declared.
"Look—Ye Lan isn't moving. That's the toxin on my herbs taking effect. Parasitism's poison will numb him soon!" Tang San explained.
"My herbs don't just paralyze—they carry a neurotoxin. Once it hits, he'll lose sensation!" Xiao Wu added.
"Ye Lan! Admit defeat! Don't drag out your demise!" Tang San yelled.
"You want us to walk into your trap, huh?" Ye Lan retorted.
"Stay here. When Ye Lan can't hold on, we win!" Tang San said confidently, joy spilling across his face.
Their teacher was right: by adding poison to Blue Silver Herbs, any opponent who touched them would be defeated.
(End of Chapter)