Just as the referee was about to unleash his soul power to rescue Tang San from Huo Wu's fiery attack—something unexpected happened.
Before the blazing white fireball could reach Tang San, it suddenly burst into countless tiny sparks that rained down around him, peppering the arena floor and leaving charred pits in their wake.
Though Tang San wasn't directly struck, his Blue Silver Grass, naturally vulnerable to fire, disintegrated instantly in the heat. The flames spread rapidly across the vines, scorching them to ash. Even his eyebrows and hair were burned away in an instant.
"We surrender…" Seeing that Huo Wu still looked vibrant and energetic even after releasing her ultimate move, Tang San didn't hesitate. He immediately raised his hand and admitted defeat.
On the preparation platform…
The Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe, turned to the clearly amused Yu Tianming and said quietly, "It seems Blue Tyrant Academy can only defeat the Elephant Armored School among the five elemental academies. While Tang San is strong and unpredictable, the other four—Fire, Water, Wind, and Thunder—either counter him or simply overpower him. I doubt he'll win against Tianshui Academy either."
"Perhaps his easy wins against weaker teams gave him confidence," Yu Tianming said indifferently. "He dared to challenge Blazing Academy even while facing elemental suppression."
Qian Renxue, seated beside them in disguise, watched the scorched and bald Tang San walk off the stage. Her tone shifted to one of suspicion. "Tang San might have innate full spirit power, but isn't his cultivation speed a bit too fast? The tournament's only been going for a short while, yet his soul pressure is already approaching that of a solid Soul Ancestor…"
"Oh? You suspect something?" Yu Tianming asked, intrigued.
Qian Renxue furrowed her brows. "He reeks of blood. It's nauseating. Only evil soul masters who feed on life force give off that kind of aura. Still, he's always been ruthless in battle, so I can't be sure if it's from slaughter or something else."
As the possessor of the purest Angel martial soul, Qian Renxue was born to oppose evil. Despite Tang San's deep concealment, her innate senses still picked up traces of something wrong.
Yu Tianming sat up, speaking calmly, "You're right. Tang San has been absorbing life force from his opponents during battles. But the amount is small, and since he always injures his enemies severely, no one's noticed the missing vitality."
"Then why not expose him?" Qian Renxue asked heatedly, keeping her voice low. "Letting him continue like this will harm countless soul masters. Are you just going to stand by while he grows stronger by stealing life?"
"Brother Xue, don't be in such a rush. I will deal with Tang San—but not yet," Yu Tianming said lightly.
Qian Renxue's frown deepened. "Tianming, you've already reached the level of a god. You've gained unmatched power in this world. What could possibly be stopping you from crushing someone like Tang San?"
Yu Tianming leaned back in his seat, voice calm but firm. "It's not a matter of ability. I could destroy Tang San and the Clear Sky Sect in an instant. But wouldn't that be too merciful? I want Tang San to suffer the scorn of the world, to endure endless torment. That is the fate a bastard like him deserves."
At the mention of Tang San's origin as the son of Tang Hao and the Blue Silver Empress, Qian Renxue's own hatred flared up again. "You're right. He's the offspring of a soul beast—born evil like those wolf bandits. Only the cruelest end would be satisfying enough."
—
Three Days Later – Final Round of the Preliminaries
The Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena was packed to capacity as the final match of the preliminaries was about to begin.
"Today marks the final round of this year's preliminary matches! On the central stage, Blue Tyrant Academy will face Tianshui Academy. Both teams have already secured their spots in the finals, but today, they will battle for honor and ranking. Who will take the final victory? Let's find out!"
As the two teams entered the arena, cheers erupted throughout the audience.
The five elemental academies had unique admission criteria. Elephant Armored Academy prioritized weight (over 300 jin) before even considering martial souls. The other four—Fire, Wind, Water, and Thunder—chose based on elemental compatibility. Blazing Academy only accepted students with fire-type martial souls. Divine Wind Academy required wind-type martial souls.
Tianshui Academy had the strictest standards: not only did applicants need a water-type martial soul, but they also had to be beautiful young women. As the only elemental academy open to commoners, this standard was just barely sustainable.
Tianshui's competing team was entirely made up of beautiful girls, drawing waves of wild cheers from the crowd the moment they appeared.
Due to Tang San's violent fighting style and his increasingly grotesque martial soul, even the girls who might've admired Dai Mubai now looked at him and the Blue Tyrant team with disdain.
Upon stepping onto the stage, Shui Bing'er frowned the moment she laid eyes on Tang San.
He was never handsome to begin with—prominent brow ridges and deep-set eyes gave him a clownish appearance. Now, burned hair and eyebrows only made his sinister aura more pronounced. It was repulsive.
"Shrek team captain, Tang San. Level 43 control-type Battle Soul Master," Tang San said courteously, hiding his actual level-46 soul power.
Despite her disgust, Shui Bing'er didn't show it. Seeing his politeness, she responded, "Tianshui Academy captain, Shui Bing'er. Level 43 control-type Battle Soul Master."
"Prepare for battle. Release your martial souls!" the referee announced.
Tianshui Academy's seven girls released their martial souls—all a beautiful oceanic blue.
Three power-type fighters stood at the front, their bodies adorned with fine scales—not dragon scales, but fish scales. Among the agility-types, Shui Bing'er's sister, Shui Yue'er, had a bright glaze over her skin, while the other girl's skin turned entirely blue.
Only Shui Bing'er, at the center, was surrounded by a soft, hazy blue light that concealed the nature of her martial soul.
Watching from the stands, Yu Tianming muttered to himself, "Fish-type martial souls… dolphins… maybe some aquatic mollusks? Shui Bing'er's Ice Crystal Phoenix must be the only non-aquatic martial soul here."
As the match began, Shui Bing'er called out softly, and her first soul ring lit up. Suddenly, a layer of ice encased Tang San's team, freezing them in place.
Similar to Tang San's Blue Silver Bind, her first soul skill was also a control-type. But hers was instantaneous, more powerful, and nearly impossible to resist—a miniature divine skill.
After freezing her enemies, she activated her second soul skill to coat herself in icy armor, then shared it with her teammates.
Meanwhile, the black-haired girl at the back began to dance—not to attack, but to conjure a supernatural downpour. Her four soul rings pulsed as blue ripples spread out from her twirling figure. A dark cloud formed above the arena, and thick raindrops began to pour down, forming a curtain of water.
The initial freeze broke as several ice blocks shattered. The stronger members of Tang San's team escaped their frozen states. But before they could react, Shui Bing'er froze them again.
Only Dai Mubai, using White Tiger Barrier and White Tiger Vajra Transformation, resisted the freeze and charged toward the frontline.
But Shui Bing'er's third soul skill—a knockback ring similar to Huo Wu's—flung him back to the edge of the stage.
"Xue Wu, begin," Shui Bing'er said softly, disgusted by Tang San and his squirming Blue Silver Grass. She activated their martial soul fusion technique.
The blue-haired Shui Bing'er and black-haired Xue Wu disappeared into a blinding pillar of light that shot into the cloud above. The fusion activated.
Snowflakes replaced the rain—sharp, bladed flakes spinning into a swirling snowstorm. A vortex of ice and snow formed around Tang San.
"If you can't endure this, surrender. We'll stop," Shui Bing'er's voice echoed gently from above.
"A fusion technique…" Yu Tianming murmured from the VIP box. "Her second skill isn't just ice armor—it must also boost martial soul compatibility. That's why she can fuse with Xue Wu and share links with Shui Yue'er."
Dugu Yan smiled, "I thought ice armor was a waste of a soul ring for a control-type soul master. But now it makes sense—it enhances martial soul affinity. It's a miraculous skill."
Yu Tianming nodded. "What do you think about recruiting Shui Bing'er to Sea God Island? Tianshui Academy is the sanctuary of water-type soul masters. She's the best of them. Sea God Island would suit her."
"You mean…" Dugu Yan smiled knowingly.
"Yes. Ah Zi is already the Sea God's successor. As she undergoes the divine trials, the Sea God's forces become our forces. Shui Bing'er has great potential—I want her."
Dugu Yan looked toward Shui Yue'er. "Her sister has over level 30 soul power—not as strong as Xue Wu, but her dolphin martial soul suits Sea God Island even more. Let's recruit her too."
Yu Tianming nodded slightly. After all, showcasing talent to attract powers across the continent was one of the Soul Master Tournament's core purposes. If he could secure Shui Bing'er and Shui Bingyue, the time spent watching would be well worth it.
On the battlefield…
As the bladed snowstorm intensified, the Blue Tyrant team leapt off the stage one by one—except for Tang San.
He stood alone amid the blizzard, muttering to himself: "Why? I've grown so strong… yet among the elemental academies, I can only defeat Elephant Armored Academy. I can't fight back against the rest at all…"
No one could hear him clearly in the howling snow. They only saw his bloodshot eyes and crazed expression.
Shui Yue'er shuddered and whispered, "It's just a match. Why is he so extreme, like he wants to kill someone? No wonder he injured so many people before—he's mentally twisted."
As the snowstorm raged on, Tang San activated Blue Silver Bind—but wrapped it around himself.
Layers upon layers of Blue Silver Grass coiled tightly, reinforced with Spider Web Restraint, forming a near-impenetrable cocoon.
Though Blue Silver Grass was tough, even more so with webbing, it was still plant matter. Could it withstand the full might of Shui Bing'er's fusion technique, Frozen Petals?
No one could say.
Even the powerhouses in the VIP seats couldn't answer.
(End of Chapter)
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