"Stop right now!" Bei Bei saw that Shi Yu showed no reaction and could only release his Martial Soul, forcibly charging onto the competition stage.
Yan Shaozhe instinctively moved to stop him, but considering Xu Sanshi's condition, he quickly restrained himself and allowed Bei Bei to act.
He was still cautious; if Bei Bei's attack was too heavy, he would intervene.
Boom!Upon releasing his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, Bei Bei transformed into a controller of lightning. His right arm morphed into a dragon's claw, and he swung it toward Shi Yu, lightning raging violently.
Shi Yu was alert. He immediately lifted Xu Sanshi, using him as a human shield.
Shi Yu could have dodged, but he didn't want to. Since Bei Bei wanted to attack, he would let him strike Xu Sanshi instead.
Bei Bei's pupils contracted. He wanted to withdraw his hand immediately, but the lightning he had released was not so easily controlled.
Part of it veered off course, but most of it still struck Xu Sanshi's body.
"Ah!" Xu Sanshi screamed in pain. Already battered from the earlier beating, being struck by lightning added insult to injury.
Xu Sanshi blocked most of the lightning for Shi Yu, but some still affected Shi Yu, numbing his whole body — an uncomfortable sensation.
"A strong attack-type Grandmaster Soul Master truly is different from a defense-type like Xu Sanshi," Shi Yu staggered back a few steps before steadying himself, his heart growing serious.
Bei Bei's attack was far more threatening than Xu Sanshi's — not because his raw strength was much greater, but because the nature of his Martial Soul made him far more aggressive.
Two Martial Souls with the same Soul Power level could display completely different degrees of strength depending on their type.
For the same Soul Master, one type might be easy to deal with, while another could be very troublesome.
"Sanshi, I didn't mean to!" Bei Bei realized he had accidentally hurt Xu Sanshi and quickly apologized, his eyes blazing with anger toward Shi Yu.
"Do you really want to kill Xu Sanshi?" Bei Bei asked angrily. The other party was being far too excessive.
"What do you mean asking that? Weren't you the one who just launched the attack? Why are you saying I'm trying to kill him?"
"If Xu Sanshi really dies, it will be because of your attack just now."
"As for the fight between me and him, it was agreed upon beforehand. Even if I beat him to death, it wouldn't be my fault," Shi Yu said coldly.
"Let him go!" Bei Bei knew he couldn't win a war of words with Shi Yu, so he didn't bother with unnecessary talk and barked an order.
"Dean Yan, as one of the witnesses to the agreed-upon battle between me and Xu Sanshi, will you not say anything when there's interference like this?" Shi Yu ignored Bei Bei and only looked at Yan Shaozhe.
He had some doubts about Yan Shaozhe's lack of action — it didn't feel entirely fair.
Of course, true fairness might not exist in this world; he only hoped for it.
Yan Shaozhe didn't speak immediately, instead looking at Xu Sanshi's miserable condition.
The eruption of the Mystic Tortoise Power had left him extremely weak, and the toxins in his body continued to harm him. At this point, his condition had become extremely serious, potentially life-threatening.
Coupled with Shi Yu's punches and kicks, if the beating continued, Xu Sanshi would definitely die.
"It would be best if your fight doesn't end in death."
"I understand your desire to teach Xu Sanshi a lesson and vent your anger, but I also hope you'll restrain yourself."
"If you kill Xu Sanshi, even if the Academy doesn't hold you accountable, the Sect behind him won't let you go."
"You probably don't want to become the target of pursuit by a major Sect — that would make your future life far from peaceful."
"You've vented your anger, but what about the future?" Yan Shaozhe tried to persuade Shi Yu.
He wasn't pretending. The talent Shi Yu had displayed was enough for a Dean to lower himself and personally mediate.
He even intended to take Shi Yu as a disciple. Such talent was rare throughout history, and it deeply moved him.
Shi Yu's brows furrowed, unwilling to relax. He knew Yan Shaozhe wanted to persuade him to release Xu Sanshi.
To be honest, he was reluctant, but what the other party said made sense.
Xu Sanshi's background was not simple. If Shi Yu killed him, both the Xuan Ming Sect and the Douling Empire would become his enemies.
This was not a good thing. Life would be very difficult in the future.
"If I had absolute strength, I wouldn't have to consider so many things," Shi Yu became more aware of the importance of power.
Right now, he didn't have the strength to act without hesitation, solely based on his own will.
As the saying goes: when under someone else's roof, you must lower your head. Compromise now seemed the most rational choice.
"Release him. The Academy will help you handle the pressure from the Xuan Ming Sect."
"If Xu Sanshi tries to take revenge on you in the future because of today, the Academy will definitely support you," Yan Shaozhe made his position clear, not wanting Shi Yu to worry.
Shi Yu ultimately didn't let anger cloud his judgment and rationally compromised. He had beaten him enough today — this was a good place to end it.
Thud! Shi Yu threw Xu Sanshi to the ground.
"Don't provoke me again in the future, or I'll beat you into a turtle just like today!" Shi Yu kicked Xu Sanshi again, warning him coldly.
With that said, he intended to leave. There was no need to stay any longer.
Lying on the ground, Xu Sanshi coughed up blood from the blow. He was in pain, but a cold, sarcastic smile appeared on his face.
"In the end, you didn't dare kill me, and you couldn't force me to say the words 'turtle bastard.' I didn't lose, haha!" Xu Sanshi laughed bitterly, trying to console himself.
Bei Bei went to check Xu Sanshi's injuries.
Many students had anticipated this ending, but they had also hoped for something more. They wanted to see Xu Sanshi actually say the words, "I'm a turtle bastard."
Or perhaps they hoped Shi Yu wasn't afraid of power, and that if Xu Sanshi didn't say it, he would keep beating him until he died.
Although cruel, a small number of people still hoped for it.
Of course, this was only a minority. Many others didn't want to see death occur.
"Are you alright?" Jiang Nannan walked up to Shi Yu to express her concern. She had felt no sympathy when Xu Sanshi was beaten, only relief.
"I'm fine," Shi Yu replied with a relaxed smile, signaling to Jiang Nannan that she didn't need to worry.
"Let's go outside and talk," Jiang Nannan walked beside Shi Yu, the two of them very close.
Xu Sanshi, supported by Bei Bei, saw Shi Yu — the one who had just been so ruthless — and Jiang Nannan, the woman he cherished so deeply. His already boiling anger completely overcame his reason.
"Shi Yu, even if Jiang Nannan doesn't like me and won't be with me, she will definitely never be with you!"
"Because she's already mine!" Xu Sanshi roared, almost hysterically.
Many people were stunned. They had never heard such gossip before.
Shi Yu's steps halted. He didn't look at Xu Sanshi, but at Jiang Nannan beside him.
She trembled as if recalling a nightmare, holding back tears as she turned back to Xu Sanshi: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
"You and I both know whether I'm speaking nonsense or not. Since it's come to this, I'm not afraid of you being angry at me."
"Let me tell everyone — Jiang Nannan is my woman. I've seen every part of her body, touched her, and even entered her…"
The pain all over his body, the surge of toxins, the hatred, and the blaze of anger made Xu Sanshi speak without any restraint.
"Shut up!" Jiang Nannan screamed hysterically.