Ye Xinglan, despite her surprise, focused more on the battle. She launched towards Tang Wulin, her consciousness merged with her stargod sword, which was radiating starlight. Each wave of her sword was leaving a flash of bright light, as she moved on.
Tang Wulin understood that Ye Xinglan was serious this time. He hopped down from the Lance, and activated his golden Dragon Body.
The two clashed with each other. Tang Wulin could could feel how proficient Ye Xinglan's swordsmanship was from each of her strike. Each strike held the unique power of the stars. If it wasn't for Tang Wulin's own proficiency with his spear, he would have definitely been overwhelmed.
Ye Xinglan, one the other hand, was experiencing the overwhelming power of Tang Wulin. His stikes were sharper and most importantly, terrifyingly stronger than before. Each strike was as if waves in the vast ocean. The brute strength was as if a tyrannical beast on a rampage. Ye Xinglan was able to hold on because she was using her flexible sword techniques to elegantly deflect those attacks.
Ye Xinglan's Stargod Sword Art against Tang Wulin's Spear technique of simplicity. One utilizing the power of the stars, while other utilizing the very essence of spearmanship. Both techniques were displaying its brilliance
'What's with his technique? It doesn't seem anything special but it is easily able to parry with Ye Clan's ancient technique. How is this possible?' Ye Xinglan wondered.
Tang wulin decided to use his martial soul, as vines came out, under his feet. It was trying to bind Ye Xinglan's feet.
Ye Xinglan quickly used 'Purple Demonic eyes ' and Ghost Shadow Perplexing steps to avoid the vines. She was shredding the vines while parrying with Tang Wulin's spear. But then, just as her sword was close enough to Tang Wulin, she used her first sword skill to strike tang Wulin at point blank range.
Vines appeared again, pulling Tang Wulin back, avoiding the strike. Ye Xinglan was sure that strike would hit, but the result disappointed her.
"How are you able to control those damn vines so perfectly?!", Ye Xinglan yelled in annoyance.
Tang Wulin glanced at her proudly, with spear held behind him, the sharp edge down. 'I am the son of the Thousand Hands Doulou. Of course each of those vines are like my very own hands ", Tang Wulin thought.
"Don't get too cocky!", Ye Xinglan declared as she ascended to the sky. The dusk sky started getting dull as Ye Xinglan started to shine like a star. Countless sword intents, fine as silk formed in the sky as ther fourth soul ring lit up. They decorated the sky like stars
'Sword meteor shower!'
All the swords made of starlight and sword intent rained down like shooting stars, falling from the starry sky. The swords were seemed so sharp, it seemed they could cut through metal. Each sword was so dazzling, anyone would stare at it in daze.
'She really is a sword prodigy ' Tang wulin smiled. His eyes became extremely focused, as he stood a stabbing stance. It consciousness merged with the spear, as thousands of Golden Spear Conciousness condensed.
'Thousand Accusing Fingers '
This was one of the spear techniques Tang San taught him in his previous life. A divine technique made by a God. Each sword was the materialisation of Tang Wulin's spear intent and mastery.
Tang Wulin stabbed forward his spear, and the thousand spears shot towards the descending swords. The clash resulted in a beautiful display of golden light radiance leaving everyone in awe.
'How long was he training to get to this level?!', was the thought of everyone who saw this. All of them knew how good Ye Xinglan was with her sword. She was training in swordsmanship since little. But Tang Wulin was different. No one had seen his mastery over the spear until recently. They never saw him train or use such a technique before. So, seeing him like this was truly shocking.
'Boss is too overpowered!', Xie Xie thought.
But that wasn't the end of the clash. Remaining few of the sword consciousness hit Ye Xinglan, impaling her mentally. She was completely taken off gaurd, as the previous move made her immobile for a bit. But that was enough for the mental attack of Thousand Accusing Fingers to hit her, completely numbing her mind.
Vines reached her from the ground, wrapping around her, and pulled her to the ground, the next instant. The moment she reached the ground, three lances rose forming a triangle around her. The lances were looked the same as the Lance Tang Wulin stood earlier. The three surrounded Ye Xinglan, imprisoning her. Although the gap between each Lance was wide enough for anyone to easily walk out, and the top of the formation was wide open, Ye Xinglan found herself completely immobilized.
"I... lost", Ye Xinglan admitted her defeat.
Vine withdrew instantly as Tang Wulin walked up to her. It took a moment for others to comprehend what just happened. Everything happened in an instant, after the brilliant clash of light.
"That settles our previous account ", Tang Wulin said as he put forth his hand.
"You are such a sour loser ", Ye Xinglan sighed as she shook his hand.
"Guess I am", Tang Wulin said with a smile.
"Boss, since when were you this strong?!", Xie Xie's voice rang out behind Tang Wulin.
"For a long time. You guys just didn't know until now ", Tang Wulin said in a meaningful tone.
"Captain, what is your third soul skill?", xi Xiaoyan questioned.
Three lances suddenly torn through space, and started revolving around Tang Wulin.
"My third skill is Blue Silver Space Lance. It forms three lances that could pierce through space. With the spacial awareness of my thorn dragon skull bone, I could control them. But it takes a lot on my mental power."
The three lances dissappeared into thin air again as Tang Wulin continued," if I tweak it a little bit, I could create upto five sets of such three lances. Although it losses its ability, to cut through space, it could seal the space within it ", Tang Wulin said as three lances surrounded Xie Xie, compelling immobilized him in a Blink of an eye. Even his mouth was sealed.
"I call it, Blue Silver space lance: Prison Array ", Tang Wulin said as he withdrew his lances, freeing Xie Xie.
"Why am I always the lab rat for you?!", Xie Xie said, displeased, which Tang Wulin nonchalantly ignored
"Wow, does that mean, their's no escape?", Xu Lizhi asked.
"Of course there is. If my opponent's comprehension of space element is higher than mine. Or else they would need someway to hit it from outside. Because in prison array, the lances are pretty weak. But if they can't, there is no escape. Even teleportation won't work ", Tang Wulin said.
"Does that mean, if your comprehension of space element is higher than Gu Yue, you could beat her too? ", Xie Xie, said with an odd excitement, earning a stomp on the feet from Gu Yue, who still wore an indifferent face, but her eyes showed her tenderness towards Tang Wulin.
"She is someone I would never wanna fight against ", Tang Wulin said, as he walked away. His attitude showed the end of conversation, and no one felt like pursuing the topic any further.
At night, all the of them went back to rest. Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan became working students as well, thereby getting their own dorm. So, the six of them decided to split the two rooms, one for boys and one for girls.
Tang Wulin decided to practice his spear late at night, so as to not disturb his friends. He decided to fully master the art of simplicity to the very core, as he knew how overwhelming his spear mastery would get as a result. He never had lot of time to master his spear in his previous life, so with this new star, he could completely master it. After some practice, he sat down on a bench, gazing at the sky.
"Don't fall asleep here again", a voice he deeply cherished in his heart rung in his ear. He didn't turn back, but knew very well who it was, and when she arrived.
Gu Yue walked upto him, and sat by his side. She handed him a bottle of water which he took. He didn't thank her, as this was something completely natural between them. The word thank you ' would only become a wall.
The two enjoyed the silence as they gazed at the stars. Gu Yue wasn't a talkative person, and so wasn't Tang Wulin. No one spoke, but enjoyd each other's company.
"Did you get that soul bone from the Thorn Dragon?", Gu Yue asked. Tang Wulin simply nodded.
"How did you hide it from the Spirit Pagoda?", Gu Yue asked.
"Would you believe me if I said I only found out I got the skull bone after I got back?", Tang Wulin questioned.
"I would" , Gu Yue said with no hesitation at all.
"Why's that?", Tang Wulin asked again.
"I know you too well ", Gu Yue said naturally. "I also know you are not telling the whole truth ", she finished.
"Why's that?", Tang Wulin enquired again.
"I know you too will ", Gu Yue gave the same answer, earning a smile from Tang Wulin.
"So you know I can't tell you about it right?", Tang Wulin asked to which Gu Yue nodded in response.
They again sat their in silence, for next ten minutes, each lost in their thoughts.
"Is something bothering you? ", Tang Wulin asked, when he sensed a slight discomfort felt by Gu Yue. It was only for an instant, but he caught on.
"What makes you think so?", Gu Yue asked indifferently.
"I know you too well ", Tang Wulin answered as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Why did you say you would never wanna fight me?", she sighed. She knew there was no point in lying or hiding it.
"What do you think?", Tang Wulin asked back.
"I don't know. But that's definitely not something as you afraid of a fight as Xie Xie said ", she said
"Seems like Xie Xie is looking for a beating ", he joked as he cracked his knuckles
"Not the point", Gu Yue remarks.
"Sigh.. I just don't want us to fight each other, ever ", Tang Wulin said.
"What if we have no choice?", she asked
"I will admit defeat ", Tang Wulin said nonchalantly
"What if the stakes are too high? What if it's life or death? What if I become the enemy of every soul master in the world ", she asked again. She was getting agitated with every word she uttered. Each of her words were clearly felt by Tang Wulin. her pain was evident for him, which filled his heart with regret.
'You were carrying such a burden for so long, I never even tried to understand ' Tang Wulin lamented in his heart as he walked infront of Gu Yue, facing her.
"If the stakes are too high, if the world is your enemy, I will do everything to stop you, but will never let the world harm even a strand of your hair. If a situation comes when only one of us could live, ", Tang Wulin gave her a hand to get up, "I would gladly lay down my life for you, but will never hurt you", he finished, his eyes resolute. This was his firm determination. He still remembered how Gu Yuena tricked him to kill herself. But this time, he swore not to let that happen, not to be an idiot he had been.
Gu Yue's body trembled, as those words rung in her ear and mind. Her own heart was beating fast, seeing those determined eyes. She bit her lip in frustration.
Tang Wulin could clearly see the pain she was hiding, from her eyes. Tang Wulin clearly knew what carrying the burden of hopes of countless people on one's own shoulders meant. He also did the same. In his previous life, he was the one who lead the resurrection of Tang Sect and Shrek Academy. He was the one who prevented the war between continents. And when the Abbysal plane hit, he became the hope of the whole people. Such a burden was too overwhelming.
But Gu Yue and Na'er were carrying the hopes of the whole soul beasts on her own shoulders for more than twenty years back then and no one knew. Even Tang Wulin realized when it was too late. And this was a knot I'm his heart. His inability to ease the burden of his beloved.
Gu Yue was contemplating her heart, but took his hand. She got up, but suddenly hugged him, as a drop of tear slid down her cheeks.
Tang Wulin was surprised, but he didn't reject it. He could feel Gu Yue's body was shaking. He embraced her in his arms, as if, he was shielding her from the world.
'This time, I will never let you suffer amy pain', he thought resolutely.
'If I didn't meet you, I wouldn't suffering so much. Why? Why did I make a stupid bet with her? If I had never met you, I could move on without any second thoughts. Then we could have faced each other as enemies. But why is fate playing such a game with me?', Gu Yue was lamenting in her heart. 'Even so,'
'Why can't I seem to get away from you?', she thought as he laid her head in his chest, as her body fell at ease.