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The next day, the second round of the promotion competition began.
The pace of the promotion competition was much faster than the qualifiers. There were no spectators, no shouts, only results. And in one-on-one matches, if the strength gap was too large, the outcome was often decided in a single move, with no room for a prolonged fight.
Soon, today's promotion competition came to its final match: the Royal Fighting Team against the Shrek Team.
When Xuan Ming, representing the Royal Fighting Team, entered the arena, everyone in the audience showed looks of astonishment. Evidently, they hadn't expected Xuan Ming to participate in the promotion competition.
After all, while the Royal Fighting Team's teamwork was a mess, their individual strength was formidable.
And just as everyone thought Shrek Academy would forfeit the match directly, as they did in the qualifiers, Tang San stepped onto the stage.
"Are they crazy?" Feng Xiaotian frowned deeply.
The severe injuries he sustained in the qualifiers only fully recovered just before the promotion competition was about to begin. If his outcome wasn't enough to show everyone the gap between himself and Xuan Ming, wasn't the subsequent encounter of Thunder Academy sufficient?
All seven members of Thunder Academy were easily beaten by Xuan Ming. Now, Tang San actually dared to step onto the stage?
"This Tang San, isn't he getting a bit too arrogant?" Huo Wu said.
"Does he really think his evolved Blue Silver Grass Spirit can contend with Xuan Ming?"
"He probably felt too embarrassed to surrender directly again," Huo Wushuang said.
"No matter what, they are a team that made it into the promotion competition. If they don't even dare to fight, it would be too disgraceful."
"They were already like that in the qualifiers, would they still care about this?" Huo Wu said with disdain.
In the very first match of the opening ceremony, even before they had started fighting, two team members were so scared they scrambled off the stage. The Soul Master Competition had never seen such a situation.
In the arena, Tang San and Xuan Ming stood opposite each other. Compared to Xuan Ming's composure, Tang San's expression was exceptionally grave.
Naturally, he wasn't so overconfident as to believe he could defeat Xuan Ming. This battle was merely to test his own limits and to see how far the distance truly was between them.
"Both sides ready—begin!"
At the referee's command, Tang San instantly released his Blue Silver King Spirit. The evolved vines were far tougher and stronger than before, glowing with a deep blue luster.
Just as Tang San prepared to unleash his first Spirit Ability to test, Xuan Ming slowly raised his right hand, to everyone's astonishment—
A blood-red dark light swirled, and a long spear, coiled with dense malevolent energy, suddenly appeared.
With the Soul Master Competition having progressed this far, it was the first time Xuan Ming had brought out his Blood Spear in the arena, which instantly sparked widespread discussion among many participating teams.
"What does he mean by this? Does that Tang San have the qualifications to make him serious?" Feng Xiaotian stood up, somewhat annoyed.
Although he knew he was no match for Xuan Ming, Xuan Ming clearly hadn't been serious in their previous encounter!
"School Master Ning, is there anything special about this Tang San?" Emperor Xue Ye was also a little surprised and couldn't help but ask Ning Fengzhi.
Even the Thunder Academy back then wasn't enough to make Xuan Ming draw his weapon. Could this control system Spirit Master from Shrek Academy be even stronger than Thunder Academy?
"Your Majesty, Tang San's special qualities, you will soon see," Ning Fengzhi said.
Xuan Ming had been attacked outside Tiandou City by someone suspected to be a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect. He had investigated this matter extensively but found no news of any Clear Sky Sect direct disciples leaving. This meant that the person was very likely Tang Hao!
And Tang San was Tang Hao's son, now... "Stop with these boring probes," Xuan Ming said indifferently.
"I don't have that much patience."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of determination flashed in Tang San's eyes. The Blue Silver King vines in his hand grew rapidly, and as his third spirit ring flickered, a massive Blue Silver Prison surged from the ground, instantly trapping Xuan Ming within it.
Immediately after, the Blue Silver Prison began to contract rapidly, while countless vine-formed thorns attacked Xuan Ming from all directions.
Xuan Ming fiercely brandished his Blood Spear, and the ferocious blood-red malevolent energy surged, instantly tearing the Blue Silver Prison to shreds!
But before he could make his next move, dense Blue Silver King vines grew out from his body.
"I told you, stop with these boring probes," Xuan Ming said, a hint of impatience in his voice. His spirit power surged around him, and the dense vines shattered once again.
And in this interval, Tang San moved his feet, and with his elusive Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he had already closed in on Xuan Ming.
"Is he crazy?!"
The crowd in the audience exclaimed repeatedly, appearing extremely confused by Tang San's action.
Fighting Xuan Ming in close combat? Is he looking for death?
Did he forget the fate of Thunder Academy?
Tang San, of course, hadn't forgotten, but he knew very well that even with his evolved Blue Silver Grass Spirit, its strength greatly increased, it still couldn't block Xuan Ming's Blood Spear. His only chance of victory was to close the distance and engage in close-quarters combat.
The Blood Spear was a long weapon, severely restricted in narrow spaces, and even harder to wield up close.
Under everyone's shocked gaze, Tang San's hands silently turned to the color of white jade. With one hand, he grabbed for the Blood Spear, and with the other, he swiftly aimed for Xuan Ming's wrist pulse!
Even the strongest beast Spirit Master had vulnerabilities.
Joints, meridians... striking these areas didn't require immense strength but could cause severe injury.
Using the Blue Silver Prison and Parasite to divert attention, in exchange for an opportunity to get close, this was Tang San's first tactical plan.
At least so far, everything was going smoothly.
However, the moment his left hand touched the Blood Spear, regret was already too late.
His indestructible Mysterious Jade Hand was instantly torn open and bitten by the ferocious malevolent energy, causing excruciating pain!
He hadn't even touched Xuan Ming's wrist before he had to use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to retreat rapidly.
Looking at his bleeding left hand, as if it had been gnawed by a fierce beast, Tang San's pupils contracted, unable to comprehend the scene before him.
"You... lost your mind?" Xuan Ming couldn't help but show an expression of looking at an idiot.
"What's going on?" Emperor Xue Ye asked, puzzled.
"How did this Tang San suddenly get injured?"
Ning Fengzhi's expression was a bit unnatural, "Your Majesty, Xuan Ming's Blood Spear Spirit is extremely unique. You should have heard some news about it; his Spirit devours its master."
"So, how could a fierce weapon that even devours its own master tolerate being touched by others?"
Xuan Ming's Blood Spear eats people; this wasn't an exaggeration, but a fact!
Let alone someone like Tang San, whose cultivation was still below Xuan Ming, even a Titled Douluo of the Sword Bone's realm would trigger a powerful backlash upon touching it!
"Don't waste time," Xuan Ming said.
"Or are you saying, this is your full effort?"
Tang San took a deep breath, and his fourth spirit ring flickered. The Blue Silver Grass grew rapidly, and amidst a deep blue light, a long spear made of Blue Silver Grass appeared in his hand.
Blue Silver Overlord Spear!
Xuan Ming raised an eyebrow slightly, "You want to play with spears against me now?"
Tang San's expression was stern. He gripped the Blue Silver Overlord Spear tightly, its tip pointing directly at Xuan Ming, "How will I know without trying?"
Spears and lances are similar in form but differ in quality.
The spear emphasizes piercing, and its shaft is flexible, making it more agile.
The lance shaft is rigid, relying more on strength.
Strictly speaking, the spear is an evolution of the lance, not inferior in power but superior in agility.
"Then come," Xuan Ming shook his Blood Spear, and malevolent energy surged, enveloping the entire arena in a chilling aura.
Tang San showed no fear. With spirit power infused, the Blue Silver Overlord Spear shone brightly. He tapped his toes on the ground, his body like lightning, and charged forward, his long spear breaking the wind as it thrust directly at Xuan Ming!
Xuan Ming stood firm, and only when the spear tip was upon him did he swing his spear to meet it—
A resounding clang, sparks flew! The powerful impact caused cracks to spread across the arena.
Tang San felt a tremendous force transmit from the spear shaft, making his arms numb and almost unable to hold the spear. But he gritted his teeth, forcibly stabilized himself, and circulated his spirit power again, intending to counterattack.
Xuan Ming, however, gave him no chance. His Blood Spear swept horizontally, and a blood-red arc of light slashed towards Tang San's waist!
Tang San's heart tensed. He rapidly shifted his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, narrowly dodging, but the strong wind scraped his cheeks painfully.
"A spear can indeed overcome the clumsiness of a lance, but with your meager abilities, don't make a fool of yourself," Xuan Ming said indifferently.
"Is that so?" Tang San's first spirit ring flashed again, and Blue Silver King vines once more entanglement Xuan Ming, briefly Binding him in place!
Even if it was only for an instant, it was enough for Tang San. He poured all his strength, and the Blue Silver Overlord Spear thrust out again!
Xuan Ming frowned, tearing away the restraints, and met it with his Blood Spear—
In the fierce collision, the Blue Silver Overlord Spear first showed spreading cracks, and after less than a breath of stalemate, it shattered with a crash! Tang San was also sent flying backward, nearly falling off the arena.
"Have you had enough?" Xuan Ming was getting impatient.
Tang San stabilized himself, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained firm, without the slightest intention of backing down.
He had used his full power with his Blue Silver Grass Spirit, but clearly, this power was meaningless before Xuan Ming.
But if that was the case, why hadn't Xuan Ming knocked him down yet?
What was he waiting for?
He had started thinking about this question last night. With Xuan Ming's strength, could his evolved Blue Silver Grass Spirit really pique his interest?
Clearly, it was impossible.
Then why did Xuan Ming still want to fight him?
There was only one answer.
The Clear Sky Hammer!