Tang San deftly used Ghost Shadow to evade Zhao Wuji's powerful Vajra Palm, then unleashed the Mysterious Jade Hand and Controlling Cranes and Capturing Dragons to neutralize the force. Simultaneously, he maneuvered the Eight Spider Lance behind him, ready to strike from behind. But Zhao Wuji sensed the move immediately.
"The first soul skill, Fudo Mingwang Shen!" Zhao Wuji roared, sending Tang San and Xiao Tian flying three meters back. Tang San's lip bled from the recoil.
Xiao Tian planted Sword Fifteen in the ground with a sly smile. Zhao Wuji, the harder you hit Tang San, the worse your night will be!
"Tang San, what now? Teacher Zhao's defense is too strong, and he's wary of my Eight Spider Lance. I can't find an opening."
"Don't you have hidden weapons?" Xiao Tian replied calmly. "Leave long-range breakthroughs to me. Summon a few blue silver grasses beside me."
Tang San hesitated briefly; revealing hidden weapons so soon was risky. But then he realized it was a good chance to show Ning Rongrong and others the power of his weapons, to later leverage Ning Rongrong's connections with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Following Xiao Tian's advice, Tang San summoned blue silver grasses beside him and touched his soul guide. Their auras shifted—Tang San exuded icy coldness; Xiao Tian radiated sharp sword intent.
Zhao Wuji eyed them warily, unnerved for the first time.
Just then, Flanders hurried from his office, clutching the jade jar, alarmed by Zhao Wuji's soul power fluctuations.
"We're inside the academy—why the commotion?" Flanders grimaced, sensing trouble.
He saw Dai Mubai to the side and Zhao Wuji confronting Xiao Tian and the others.
As Flanders opened his mouth to intervene, Yu Xiaogang stopped him.
"Relax, it's begun already. Watch Tang San and Xiao Tian. They'll exceed your expectations. Unless Zhao Wuji uses his spirit body, he won't easily counter their combined attacks."
Convinced by Yu Xiaogang's confidence, Flanders grew curious.
Zhao Wuji noticed Flanders' arrival but relaxed, seeing no interference.
"Fifteen, play freely now. Show them your power. Focus on using your third soul skill to break defense and cause bleeding!" Xiao Tian ordered quietly.
Fifteen, a curved and humane sword, imbued with Xiao Tian's sword intent and energy, soared from his hand.
Its third soul ring arose, the blade glowing red.
"What!" Zhao Wuji gasped in shock.
"You're controlling your martial soul for melee with your third soul skill but lost your protection. Let's see your next move," Zhao Wuji sneered, surprised by Xiao Tian's recklessness.
Unknown to him, Xiao Tian wasn't remotely controlling Sword Fifteen—but the sword acted on its own will.
Everyone was startled.
Tang San reacted quickly, unleashing hidden weapons stored long ago—some poisoned, some not—firing them at Zhao Wuji's front.
They were deflected with ease.
"Tsk! I don't believe your defense has zero blind spots. Impossible to cover 360 degrees! Ghost Shadow Phantom, activate!" Tang San struck Zhao Wuji from multiple angles, coordinating with Sword Fifteen's assault.
Xiao Tian closed his eyes momentarily, then opened them to reveal pupils shimmering with silver-white sword blades—Sword Heart Eye!
"Tang San, let me teach you to use Blue Silver Grass!" Xiao Tian said.
Sword energy coated his hands as he rapidly tore into the blue silver grass leaves, transforming them into razor-sharp blades and hurling them at Zhao Wuji.
His hands moved faster and faster, leaving afterimages.
Tang San's expression darkened. Picking flowers and leaves? Was Xiao Tian truly like him—transplanted from another martial arts world?
In his previous life, Tang San had seen moves like this but never could harden blue silver grass as Xiao Tian had.
Surrounded on all sides by sharp, flying blades, Zhao Wuji had to maximize defenses, with his focus on Sword Fifteen—its third soul skill posed the greatest threat.
Seizing an opening, Zhao Wuji struck with his Vajra Palm again.
But Jian Shiwu instantly created clones.
"First soul skill, Qingmu Soul Condensation!"
Xiao Tian used his first soul skill simultaneously, boosting his soul power.
"Well played!" Zhao Wuji grumbled, dodging Jian Shiwu's blow but increasing wounds.
Though minor, bleeding intensified, staining all his robes deep red.
Meanwhile, Tang San's followed-up sword strike triggered his Purple Demonic Eyes and Xuanyu Hand, letting several small golden hidden weapons pierce Zhao Wuji's defense.
Dragon Needle!
Found in Flanders' shop and bought for a hundred gold soul coins, it was a treasure valued beyond measure.
Suddenly, Zhao Wuji felt pain searing across his body.
"Asshole!"
He activated his third soul skill—gravity enhancement!
Then unleashed the fifth, gravity squeeze, homing in on Jian Shiwu.
Jian Shiwu, the main target, could not resist the suction and was flung toward Zhao Wuji at tremendous speed.
"Hehe, just for you!"
The tension surged as the battle intensified, each side unleashing formidable power.
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