Xiao Tianyang didn't refuse this time and smiled. "Actually, the reason is very simple. Ice with fixed properties may be hard once formed, but what is it before it solidifies?"
Fei Xue replied, "Water, obviously."
"So, crushing your opponent while it's still water is easier than crushing ice, right?" Xiao Tianyang paused, then added, "Of course, this only considers hardness—other factors aren't part of the analogy."
He said this to close any loopholes in the metaphor.
After all, strictly speaking, water is harder to "strike" than ice—since the latter can at least be shattered into pieces, whereas the former would just flow away.
Thus, Xiao Tianyang emphasized hardness, not the form of water versus ice.
Fei Xue nodded. "I don't get it."
Xiao Tianyang continued, "And the so-called 'breaking it with speed' is essentially taking the initiative to evade."
"But if you're hit by the Defying Flame Ring, wouldn't you just be knocked back?"
Fei Xue frowned. "Then what's the difference?"
"One is active, the other passive. Isn't that a difference?"
Xiao Tianyang didn't hesitate. "But if Huo Wu uses the Defying Flame Ring, it means the opponent wants to create distance. So in essence, it's not a bad move."
Of course, in his opinion, the best option was to avoid being hit altogether.
As he'd said before, if you're struck passively, the force exerted on you—plus the time spent retreating to disperse it—would take longer than actively evading.
The Defying Flame Ring wasn't lethal; its purpose was to create space.
So if Huo Wu succeeded, she'd likely follow up with a relentless barrage of attacks—either combining the Defying Flame Ring with the Fire Burst or pairing it with the Brilliant Sun.
In the future, she'd undoubtedly have even deadlier soul skills. As for control techniques…
Well, Huo Wu probably believed one was enough.
When the day's match ended, Xiao Tianyang and his team left swiftly, heading straight for the Hotel—one of Miao Zhenshan's properties.
That's right. Tonight, teacher and disciple were set to reunite.
…
The Next Morning
The match began on schedule.
"Senior Brother, our opponent today is the Shadow Academy," Fei Xue said softly as she approached Xiao Tianyang. "Isn't that the team you've been watching closely?"
"Even if I am, they're no match for us." He paused. "Why? They didn't surrender?"
"Of course not. In fact, they're confident about breaking your winning streak." Fei Xue's voice was light. "Their captain looked serious—I don't think he was bluffing."
Xiao Tianyang understood her implication.
"If they're bold enough to say that, they must have a trump card." His eyes narrowed behind his goggles. "But it doesn't matter. If they won't surrender, I'll just have to reveal a little more of my hand."
Saber, standing nearby, frowned beneath her helmet. "Aren't you exposing too much?"
"So far, it's still within my control." Xiao Tianyang added after a moment, "Of course, the more I show now, the stronger the opponents they'll send later. That's inevitable."
"Then why take the risk?" Saber's voice carried concern. "I don't know what you're planning, but your current position is dangerous..."
"Relax. No matter how dangerous it gets, it won't be life-threatening." He chuckled. "You've forgotten—I value my life too much."
"Besides, this grand life has only just begun. I'm not about to throw it away like cannon fodder."
Saber fell silent.
Her expectations for Xiao Tianyang were simple—even if he were ordinary, it wouldn't matter.
Watching his retreating figure, she thought to herself: 'If you're determined to stir up trouble, then I'll follow you. Even if the situation becomes hopeless… I'll face death by your side.'
"Little Knight, what are you waiting for?" Unaware of her thoughts, Xiao Tianyang turned and called out.
Saber could only sigh at the nickname before nodding and following.
…
Soon, it was their turn to fight.
Surprisingly, the Shadow Academy didn't hesitate—their captain, the strongest member at level 46, stepped forward immediately.
In the entire competition, such a level was rare.
"Today, your undefeated streak ends here!" The captain's voice was arrogant, his expression dark.
But this wasn't baseless bravado—his strength was real.
Moreover, his personality had been shaped by his martial soul, making him naturally grim.
"Come at me." Xiao Tianyang planted Cong Yunqie into the ground and waited calmly.
The captain smirked at his indifference—the less his opponent cared, the more effective his surprise attack would be.
"Begin!"
With the referee's command, the captain instantly summoned his martial soul.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple—a flawless soul ring configuration!
But what shocked Xiao Tianyang next was the captain's sudden disappearance.
Not invisibility, nor extreme speed—but a ghostly intangibility, as if he'd turned into a specter.
"So that's his trick. No wonder he's so confident." Xiao Tianyang understood now.
His own fighting style relied on overwhelming physical force.
But against an intangible foe, brute strength meant nothing.
In other words—this opponent hard-countered him.
At least, in theory.
"How does it feel? Helpless, aren't you?"
The captain's voice sounded as he darted low to the ground, flickering in and out of visibility.
"Third Soul Skill—Phantom Claw!"
He shouted out of habit—a rookie mistake.
Experienced fighters wouldn't announce their attacks so carelessly.
But Xiao Tianyang remained eerily calm as the spectral claws lunged at him.
"You've forgotten one thing." His voice was icy. "I may rely on physical attacks, but that doesn't mean I lack soul power."
Boom!
Xiao Tianyang's foot lashed out with perfect timing—crushing straight into the captain's face.
The damage was minimal, but the humiliation was absolute.
The captain tumbled back like a gourd, rolling away just as fast as he'd charged in.
…
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