Tang Lan kept looking at this girl—it felt like he had seen her before.
But Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have misunderstood something.
She studied the girl carefully, and the more she looked, the more intense her gaze became.
—Another top-tier beauty!
Tang Lan
Falling for someone again?
The girl with water-blue shoulder-length hair activated her first soul ring.
Without any visible movement—
Ning Rongrong and the Blue Silver Grass were instantly frozen in place.
Instant-cast soul skill?
Freezing effect?
Tang Lan finally recognized her—Water Binger, the former captain of the Tian Shui Academy battle team!
How did she end up joining Tang Sect Academy?!
Looking at the team again—
Another girl with the same water-blue shoulder-length hair stood there. Though her face was more on the sweet and cute side, her brows carried a resemblance to Shui Binger.
It was none other than Shui Binger's half-sister—Shui Yue'er!
So the sisters came together?
Looks like this year's Tian Shui Academy is doomed.
While Tang Lan was lost in thought—
Dai Mubai, seeing Ning Rongrong being controlled, redirected his White Tiger Fierce Light Wave straight at Shui Binger.
The power-attack type fighter Tai Long immediately stepped forward to block for her.
Shui Binger's second soul ring lit up.
"Second Soul Skill: Ice Ring Armor!"
A crystalline blue armor formed around both Tai Long and Shui Binger.
The White Tiger Fierce Light Wave struck, causing visible cracks across the Ice Ring Armor.
After a few seconds of stalemate—
Shui Binger still lost the exchange, and the Ice Ring Armor shattered completely.
However, the power of the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave was significantly weakened.
Tai Long didn't even need to use a soul skill—just relying on his brute strength, he punched the remaining energy apart.
Leaving behind only a few scratches—
Which were instantly healed under Jiangzhu's Healing Halo.
Between their second soul skills, Dai Mubai had a slight upper hand.
But Shui Binger's Ice Ring Armor was a group defense skill!
Dai Mubai's White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, on the other hand, was a one-time attack.
Overall, Shui Binger was stronger.
Meng Yiran seized the opportunity to dash toward Ning Rongrong.
"First Soul Skill: Snake Blade!"
She shattered the ice covering Ning Rongrong, and her third millennium soul ring lit up.
"Third Soul Skill: Snake Shadow!"
The top of her snakehead staff split into three—red, purple, and blue snakeheads—lunging toward battle soul masters Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Tai Long.
Jing Ling dodged in a flash, escaping the attack range.
The blue snakehead that had targeted him immediately shifted its aim to Tai Long.
"First Soul Skill: Swift Wolf Flash!"
Huang Yuan knew he was no match, so he quickly retreated.
"Second Soul Skill: Explosive Power!"
Tai Long's fists transformed into heavy hammers, directly smashing the purple and blue snakeheads aside.
Without any hesitation, he rushed toward Ning Rongrong.
Completely ignoring the risk of being surrounded.
"First Soul Skill: Ice Seal!"
Meng Yiran, along with the three snakeheads, were instantly frozen on the spot.
Tai Long easily bypassed her.
Meanwhile, Huang Yuan, who had retreated, now found himself in an awkward situation—the lack of teamwork cost him.
Tai Long closed in on Ning Rongrong, coordinating with Jing Ling from both sides.
Thinking that their teamwork would secure an easy victory—
But unexpectedly, Ning Rongrong didn't retreat.
She weaved and dodged between their attacks, sliding low to the ground toward Meng Yiran.
With a flick of her wrist—Dragon Capture!
She grabbed Meng Yiran at close range—
And slammed her into Tai Long's fist, using his own attack to shatter the ice.
She was just a support-type soul master!
Yet, not only did she evade a strong attack and an agility-type assault unharmed—
She even used the opportunity to free a teammate!
Ning Rongrong's maneuver—absolute brilliance!
But for Tai Long and Jing Ling, who were reduced to mere stepping stones, it was pure humiliation!
A stain on their reputations!
They were just about to attack in anger—
A shadow streaked past.
Ning Rongrong and Meng Yiran were suddenly yanked into the sky by Oscar.
At the same time, they completely escaped Shui Binger's soul skill range.
The female soul master who had been chasing Oscar could only glare at the sky with frustration.
Her eyes filled with unwillingness.
—Her martial soul was flight-based!
But because her level was too low, she hadn't acquired a flying soul skill yet.
She could only watch helplessly, unable to do a thing.
How infuriating!
Tang Lan raised an eyebrow.
Hah!
Another familiar face.
She was tall and well-proportioned, her delicate figure graceful and slender.
An absolute beauty—
Though slightly on the thinner side.
She was slightly less stunning than Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu.
Based on seniority—
She should be Tang Lan and Tang San's cousin—Bai Chenxiang.
And also one of the reasons behind Tang San's infamous "Double Standard God-King" behavior.
She joined Tang Sect too?!
Now, this was getting interesting. The Min Clan could be recruited into Tang Sect.
As everyone looked up—
Tang Lan and his companions were naturally exposed.
"Sect Master?"
"Sword Grandpa?"
"Zhu Zhuqing?"
"You're back?!"
The intense battle was immediately put on hold.
Oscar took the opportunity to stealthily regroup with Dai Mubai and Tang San.
Chen Xin controlled the Seven Kill Sword and descended.
Zhao Wuji stepped forward.
"Sect Master, Sword Douluo, you've returned."
"I had Mubai and the others spar with the academy's second team."
"These seven are all promising talents. After their assessment, I was planning to recommend them to you for recruitment into the inner sect."
"Four of them are former Blue Tyrant Academy students, and three joined later."
Liu Erlong spoke up at the right moment and pulled over Jiangzhu.
"Sect Master, you've met her before. My goddaughter, Jiangzhu. Martial soul: Healing Scepter. Sixteen years old, Rank 28 Healing-type Tool Soul Master."
Jiangzhu, dressed as boldly as ever, gave Tang Lan a polite yet slightly resentful smile—
She was probably still salty about not getting to enjoy the drama last time.
But due to Tang Lan's status, she didn't dare to express it openly.
Liu Erlong, knowing her all too well, immediately snapped, "What kind of attitude is that? Kneel!"
Jiangzhu shuddered in shock—
Her ample assets bounced dramatically, drawing everyone's attention.
Then, realizing how foolish she had been, she immediately dropped to her knees.
And given her already bold attire, this pose ended up exposing a great deal in front of Tang Lan.
Tang Lan was speechless.
He even started suspecting Jiangzhu did this on purpose to seduce him.
Too bad.
Compared to Zhu Zhuqing, she was way out of his league—Tang Lan had no interest.
He waved dismissively.
"For Liu Erlong's sake, don't do it again."
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
Jiangzhu stood up, a hint of disappointment in her eyes—yep, she did it on purpose.
Liu Erlong quickly continued the introductions.
"This is Tai Long. Martial Soul: Titan Giant Ape. Sixteen years old, Rank 30 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Master. He was previously the most talented student in our academy."
Tai Long, true to his name, was tall, muscular, and powerfully built.
He grinned in a goofy, toothy way.
But then he spoke—
"Sect Master, the Tang Sect Encyclopedia you wrote is way too thick!"
"My old man makes me memorize it word for word every day, and after two months, I've only gotten through half of it!"
Good lord!
First meeting, and he was complaining about the Sect Master's masterpiece?!
A widely recognized classic, no less?!
This Tai Long…
Liu Erlong's explosive temper kicked in.
"BANG—"
She punched Tai Long straight into the ground, then kicked him far, far away.
"GO GET YOUR PARENTS!!!"
"THEN KNEEL AT THE SCHOOL GATES!!!"
"IF YOU DARE TO STAND UP, I'LL EXPEL YOU!!!"
Two of her star students had already embarrassed her so much—
Liu Erlong couldn't save face anymore.
She could only force an apologetic smile at Tang Lan.
Tang Lan, however, didn't mind at all and chuckled.
Tai Long was straightforward and blunt, completely thoughtless.
He'd easily offend people, but he was an honest and loyal person.
As long as he was used properly, he was basically a hardworking ox that could produce both milk and meat.
Seeing Tang Lan wasn't mad, Liu Erlong breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Lan might be young, but his achievements were undeniable.
Without hesitation, she called up Jing Ling.
"Jing Ling, Martial Soul: Skeleton. A rare Ghost-type soul master. Sixteen years old, Rank 30 Agility Attack-type Battle Soul Master.
He has even more talent than Tai Long!"
Hah.
Just a moment ago, she said Tai Long was "the most talented", and now he had dropped a rank.
Guess his low EQ just cost him some points.
Looking at this "Goth elf"-styled young man named Jing Ling, Tang Lan became intrigued.
That Skeleton Martial Soul—
It reminded him of…
Susanoo!
—Making a skeleton into an Agility-type soul master? That's insane!
Wouldn't piloting a Gundam be way cooler?!
(End of Chapter)