Knowing that at least three teams in the tournament possessed Soul Kings, Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu didn't hold back on using their Martial Soul Fusion Technique. Faced with the grotesque and sinister-looking Tang San and his eerie combat style, they simply wanted to end the fight quickly. Not long into the battle, they unleashed their deadly finishing move.
Frozen Petals. A beautiful name, but behind its elegance lurked immense killing intent. What kind of power did a fusion technique between two Soul Ancestors hold?
The audience saw the snowstorm vortex, but the team members of Tianshui Academy heard nothing but the unbearable screeching of slicing and grinding.
Without access to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well or the Blue Silver Prison, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was like a sandcastle in a storm. It disintegrated into glittering ice crystals, swept away by the snowy whirlwind.
Soon, a splash of blood appeared within the storm, forming a pink line that twirled within the vortex—a beautiful but chilling sight.
Shui Bing'er immediately deactivated the fusion technique. Tang San's body, now gravely injured, emerged from the snowstorm. His frail body, as a tool-type Soul Master, couldn't endure the razor-sharp ice storm. In mere seconds, much of his skin was flayed off, revealing a horrifying, blood-red figure encased in frost.
Nearly a hundred thousand spectators fell silent at the sight.
Even the referee, a seasoned Soul King who had seen many brutal fights, was stunned by the flayed and blood-soaked Tang San. It took him a few seconds to announce, "Final match of the preliminaries—Tianshui Academy wins!"
The referee's voice snapped the crowd out of their stupor. Suddenly, cheers, screams, and curses toward Tang San erupted throughout the Heaven Dou Grand Spirit Arena.
"Jiangzhu! Little San's still breathing—quick, heal my son!" Grandmaster (Yu Xiaogang) cried from the stands, pushing Jiangzhu toward the stage.
Jiangzhu didn't hesitate. Her three soul rings lit up in succession, and under her rapid healing, a thin layer of scab formed over Tang San's body. He slowly regained consciousness.
Having cultivated Xuan Tian Gong, Tang San's senses were sharp. Amid the chaotic cheering, he clearly heard the crowd celebrating his severe injuries.
The four soul rings he had absorbed—snake, bat, and two spiders—were all sinister and twisted soul beasts. Not only had they distorted the appearance of his Blue Silver Grass, they had subtly altered his mind. Coupled with his practice of absorbing life force, what little conscience he had was nearly gone.
Hearing the crowd's jeers, Tang San gritted his teeth and muttered coldly, "You all have a death wish."
Jiangzhu, who was still treating him, heard the words clearly. Her heart filled with a deep, creeping dread.
—
With the preliminary matches in the Heaven Dou division concluded, the award ceremony was next.
Ordinarily, awards were given from the central platform. But since it had been destroyed during the fight, the process was simplified—only the top five teams were summoned to the VIP platform to receive their qualification certificates.
To everyone's shock, the supposedly grievously wounded Tang San walked onto the platform lively and spirited, drawing countless stares from the audience. Is this recovery even human?
"The Emperor, along with Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Platinum Bishop Salas, will now present the qualification certificates and reward money to the five advancing teams!"
Once the prizes were distributed, the host handed the floor to the most prestigious guest present—Emperor Xue Ye.
His gaze swept across the representatives of the five academies, lingering a few seconds longer on Tang San, before he smiled and said:
"First of all, children, congratulations."
"You've successfully earned the right to advance in this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. As the sovereign of the Heaven Dou Empire, I am proud of you. You are the future of the empire. I have decided to confer upon the ten representatives the noble rank of Viscount, and the remaining team members the rank of Baron. The imperial palace will always be open to you."
"The advancement matches will still be held within the empire, but the venue will move from the Grand Spirit Arena to the Royal Hunting Grounds. There, the top ten teams from the five kingdoms and duchies will compete with you. I hope the five of you achieve excellent results in the advancement matches and gain an edge for the finals."
After the ceremony, the Blue Tyrant team returned to their academy.
But not long after, more than a dozen people stormed into the academy.
It turned out that due to Tang San's brutal fighting style, many audience members and academies had filed formal complaints, demanding punishment for his actions. In response, the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall hastily formed a joint investigation team and arrived at the academy to question Tang San.
The committee overseeing the tournament consisted of the Heaven Dou royal family and Spirit Hall. Naturally, the team was led by prominent figures from both sides. Surprisingly, Spirit Hall sent none other than Platinum Bishop Salas, and the Empire sent Ning Fengzhi, head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Though Tang San's actions were indeed vicious, it was shocking that both Salas and Ning Fengzhi would personally get involved. Their true interest lay in Grandmaster's revolutionary Soul Master theories—and Tang San's exaggerated cultivation speed.
Since all academy affairs had been handed to Flender, he rushed to receive them with Grandmaster in tow.
"Dean Flender, apologies for the sudden visit," Ning Fengzhi greeted politely.
Though their soul power levels were comparable, their positions in the soul master world were vastly different. Flender quickly returned the courtesy. "Sect Master Ning, your presence honors our humble academy."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and stepped aside. "This is Salas, Platinum Bishop and head of Spirit Hall's Heaven Dou branch."
Flender remained composed, bowing deeply again. "Ah, Bishop Salas—what an honor. Please, both of you, come in."
Salas gave a curt nod, and the group followed Flender into the academy.
Ning Fengzhi was only accompanied by Bone Douluo Gu Rong. Salas, on the other hand, brought twelve people: two red-robed bishops and ten armored temple warriors.
They gathered in the academy's main conference hall, with Salas and Ning Fengzhi seated in the honored spots, and Flender and Grandmaster seated below.
Unexpectedly, Yu Tianming entered with Ning Rongrong and Xue Qinghe.
Though Ning Fengzhi caught sight of his daughter, son-in-law, and student, he said nothing. After a subtle cue from Xue Qinghe, Salas also ignored their presence and seated himself.
"Dean Flender, I assume you know why we're here," Salas said, sipping tea.
Flender feigned innocence. "I've yet to be informed. Why have the two of you honored our academy today?"
Salas frowned slightly. "During the preliminaries, your student Tang San repeatedly used excessive force, gravely injuring many participants. While not fatal, it severely delayed their cultivation. With numerous complaints lodged, the committee formed this investigation team."
Flender replied with a helpless look, "Though the injuries look serious, they're all superficial. Minor injuries are part of any soul master battle—surely this doesn't warrant such a fuss?"
Salas snorted, "Your prized student is young, yet ruthlessly brutal. No other academy's matches left behind so many injuries—only yours!"
"Unjust accusations, my lord!" Flender put on a pitiful act. "Tang San's vine-based martial soul relies on piercing thorns. He has no choice but to fight that way—it's a limitation of the martial soul itself."
Salas's eyes grew cold, his voice harsh. "I saw with my own eyes how Tang San continued to attack even after his opponents were incapacitated. Dozens injured! This is a mockery of the tournament's rules—"
Before he could finish, a voice interrupted him. "Salas, take a look at this." Grandmaster flicked his wrist, tossing something toward Salas.
Salas caught it casually. Even without looking, he knew what it was. His face changed instantly as he bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Elder."
It was a Pope's Decree—a badge representing the highest honorary rank within Spirit Hall, usually reserved for the top three sects. Only three existed outside the Hall. Even Ning Fengzhi didn't dare wear one publicly.
Yet Grandmaster—Yu Xiaogang—had one.
Salas returned the badge with a forced smile, but his eyes flickered with curiosity. This badge bore the symbol of the hammer—clearly one that should've remained within the Clear Sky Sect. How did Grandmaster get it?
Yu Xiaogang calmly placed the badge on the table. "Salas, let's drop the formalities. As for the injured students—they've already recovered. I'll tell Tang San to go easy next time. Will that suffice?"
Salas, who hadn't come to punish anyone in earnest, nodded. "Since Elder says so, we'll let the matter rest. But I must ask—how did you manage to train Tang San to improve so quickly?"
Knowledge is power, especially in the world of soul masters. Ning Fengzhi immediately perked up.
Yu Xiaogang straightened, feigning the air of a sage. "I've studied soul master theory for over thirty years. Tang San is both my student and my adopted son. His strength is a product of my painstaking guidance. But cultivation methods are personal. I cannot disclose them."
Yu Tianming, familiar with his uncle's tendency to show off, instantly understood—Grandmaster didn't actually know how Tang San got so strong. He was just pretending.
Ning Fengzhi noticed Yu Tianming's expression and took mental note, though he remained silent outwardly.
Unfazed, Salas pressed on. "I've read your theories. They're enlightening. But I'm curious about one thing—how does Tang San's Blue Silver Grass possess such incredible potential for evolution?"
Grandmaster replied calmly, "Tang San's martial soul isn't ordinary. It has the potential to become the king of all Blue Silver Grass—so naturally, it's unique."
"You mean the Blue Silver Emperor?"
"No," Grandmaster said with a composed expression. "I meant the Blue Silver King. The Blue Silver Emperor is still far beyond him."
But Salas saw the fleeting change in his expression—and memorized it.
(End of Chapter)
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