Here it comes—the battle for second place.
This thought simultaneously arose in the minds of the audience at the venue. It was the real reason they had come so eagerly today.
To most people, the outcome of the championship was already decided. Even those unfamiliar with the details could understand the odds posted outside. Since the appearance of Xiu'er and the others, the betting odds for Skywater Academy had been sealed. Meanwhile, the odds for the Spirit Hall team and the second team of Heaven Dou Academy had skyrocketed to 100:1 and 300:1, respectively. While a few reckless gamblers still took part, the majority had already been deterred.
These odds were set by the Great Soul Arena, whose professionalism had been proven accurate in countless battles. Though there were occasional upsets, they were generally a reliable reference.
As the head referee announced the next match, the four-person team from Skywater Academy stepped off the stage, leaving the arena for the two teams about to compete.
Hu Liena shook her head, pushing aside distracting thoughts, and focused her gaze on Tang San across the stage.
So ugly, just like Yan. No, even worse than Yan. Yan just didn't suit her aesthetic tastes, but Hu Liena was quite objective in her evaluation.
She was, admittedly, a bit of a face-judger, and after Tang San's transformation—his appearance now influenced by the bloodline of the Vajra Baboon—he looked more like a gorilla. Not to mention, he was already quite dark-skinned.
If Yan was like an over-muscled bodybuilder... never mind. Hu Liena decided to stop that train of thought. If she continued, she might even start questioning her teacher.
Tang San appeared calm, and when he glanced over at them, there was even a hint of superiority in his gaze.
Hu Liena took a deep breath, her eyes sharpening. Although he hid it well, she had noticed it—that look. She had felt it before from Han Li, but at least she had fought him, and he had crushed the three of them head-on. Now, they might not even be able to win against Dugu Yan and her team.
But who did Tang San think he was? Just because he had twin martial souls? Didn't he get beaten like a dog last time? And it wasn't even by the strongest among them; Zhu Zhuqing, the weakest, had taken him down. So why was he acting so high and mighty now?
Tang San had no idea, but just from a single glance, he had ignited the simmering anger inside Hu Liena.
I'll do as my teacher instructed and force you to show your full strength. But I won't hold back, either, Hu Liena resolved.
"Let the match begin."
As the referee's voice rang out, three figures behind Hu Liena shot forward toward the second team of Heaven Dou Academy. Xu Yu, whose martial soul was a radiant golden scepter, stayed behind.
This was no surprise—it was the usual tactic of the Spirit Hall Academy. Most opponents didn't even require Hu Liena and her teammates to act. As long as Zhang Ping, with her Golden Waist Swallow martial soul, led the charge with the other two, the match was as good as over.
And this time, they hadn't changed their strategy, following Bibi Dong's instructions to the letter.
The second team of Heaven Dou Academy responded well. Although the lowest level among the three attackers was 45, this time was different. On the way to Wuhun City, Xiao Wu successfully broke through to level 42.
Now, their team also had four Soul Masters above level 40, and with Ning Rongrong's support, they were holding their ground. But that alone wasn't enough.
While fending off the attacks, Tang San cast his gaze toward Hu Liena and her teammates, who were watching as if they were mere entertainment. He recalled something Tang Hao had warned him about. After his Blue Silver Grass was cut down once again by Zhang Ping, he raised his left hand.
A small black hammer, with five soul rings hovering above it, appeared in his grasp, causing the crowd to gasp in shock. Tang San had become a Soul King, and his second martial soul now bore five black rings.
"Retreat."
Hu Liena's clear command rang out. Instantly, the three Spirit Hall members ceased their attacks and returned to formation without hesitation.
"Just a Soul King, huh?"
Hu Liena said, looking at Tang San with some disappointment. At this close distance, she could tell his soul power fluctuations weren't as strong as hers.
"Level 52 Assault-type Soul Master," Tang San announced, calmly holding the Clear Sky Hammer in front of him.
"It may be a bit low, but I think it's enough to deal with you."
It was important to note that just before the tournament began, he had barely reached the level of a Soul Ancestor. Now, at the tournament's end, he had jumped a full major level, and all his soul rings exceeded ten thousand years. This was the power of twin martial souls.
Yet a trace of regret lingered in his eyes. The sacrifice he had made earlier had been for nothing—Yu Xiaogang had failed to figure out how to cultivate both martial souls at the same time and had even been avoiding him.
Tang San knew that when he added the fifth soul ring to his Clear Sky Hammer, it had been taxing. His Blue Silver Grass couldn't support another ten-thousand-year soul ring, or else his level could have been even higher.
"Such arrogance."
Hu Liena sneered. Just from the depth of the colors, she could tell that the soul rings on his Clear Sky Hammer barely hit the ten-thousand-year mark. If sheer numbers alone mattered, why bother with the competition? So far, she hadn't even needed to make a move.
"Hurry up and finish them. Xu Yu, keep some reserves. I overestimated him."
Hu Liena's voice reached her teammates. Xu Yu, upon being named, nodded without hesitation. He trusted his captain's judgment.
At the same time, soul rings began to light up on the bodies of Hu Liena and the other three members of the Spirit Hall team.
Above Hu Liena's head, her fourth ten-thousand-year soul ring shone, and the noticeably deeper glow of her fifth soul ring made Tang San frown. The rumors were true—her fifth soul ring was nearing thirty thousand years.
He glanced again at Xie Yue and Yan, noticing that their soul rings were significantly darker than normal.
Damn it, just as my father said—Spirit Hall has been hiding something. They've found a way to enhance the age of soul rings, but they're not making it public, Tang San thought angrily.
But this was no time to dwell on that. With Xu Yu's support, the Spirit Hall team was already charging toward them.
"Xiao Wu," Tang San suddenly called out. He wasn't standing idle either—he was waiting for the opponent to get closer. As for the auxiliary-type soul master they'd left behind, Tang San had no doubt they could take him down.
However, he overlooked one crucial detail: why the other side had launched such a fearless assault. Up until now, he still had no intelligence on Hu Liena and her team's abilities.
"You think you can reach the back? Dream on, little rabbit. Come down here."
The second team of Heaven Academy wasn't exactly a mystery. Though Hu Liena didn't fully understand Bibi Dong's intentions, she was still a competent captain. Apart from Xiao Wu's unshown fourth soul skill and Tang San's five soul skills from the Clear Sky Hammer, she was well aware of their opponent's capabilities. Even the Clear Sky Hammer's soul skills held no real secrets—there wasn't anything too surprising about them.
To her, the only unknown was Xiao Wu's fourth soul skill. By choosing to fully attack, Hu Liena's true target was Xiao Wu.
Moreover, to play it safe, Hu Liena went all out from the start. Her fifth soul ring glowed above her head, and her eyes locked onto Xiao Wu.
Charming Gaze.
Just as Xiao Wu was about to use her teleportation, her body stiffened in place. She turned and delivered a powerful kick to Tai Long, sending him crashing toward Oscar. She quickly followed up, attempting to finish them both in one swift move.
"What did you do to Xiao Wu?"
Tang San shouted, his first three soul rings lighting up on the Clear Sky Hammer as he swung it toward Hu Liena. Xie Yue intercepted with his Moon Blade, and although he was pushed back a few steps, it was clear that he could hold Tang San off for a while.
Meanwhile, Yan's arms were already covered in flaming granite, each punch pounding against Dai Mubai's shield, forcing him to retreat step by step.
"It's just a soul skill. Now, she belongs to us."
Hu Liena's face showed a seductive expression, though inside she was sneering. Tang San's weaknesses had been exposed far too clearly in previous matches. This girl, Xiao Wu, would've been better off not joining the fight at all.
As she spoke, Hu Liena's first soul ring flickered, and a faint purple glow appeared in her eyes. Fox Enchantment. Her mental attack was aimed directly at Tang San.
Tang San hesitated for a moment, the hammer in his hand dipping slightly. However, he quickly regained clarity and activated the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Glancing behind him, he saw that his teammates were already in trouble, and with Xiao Wu under control, Fatty didn't dare unleash his flames.
Sorry, Xiao Wu, but I must fulfill my father's orders.
Tang San took a deep breath. As his body flickered, he activated the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique. With the support of his soul rings, he could now barely complete most of the technique. Even if they lost, he couldn't lose without dignity—this was tied to the future reemergence of the Clear Sky Clan.
Hu Liena frowned. He had a mental technique as well, one no weaker than hers. This hadn't been revealed in previous matches. But still, it was futile.
Leaving Xie Yue to handle Tang San for the moment, Hu Liena quickly moved around the arena, coordinating with her teammates to eliminate everyone except Xiao Wu.
Now, with only Xu Yu standing in the distance, the group surrounded Tang San.
Clang!
The Clear Sky Hammer clashed with the Moon Blade again. Xie Yue paused briefly but still managed to block it. Unlike Feng Xiaotian, Xie Yue could control his martial soul from a distance. Though it was a bit exhausting, stalling Tang San wasn't too difficult.
"Brother," Hu Liena's voice rang out. Xie Yue stopped his direct clash, tapping the Moon Blade on the ground as he slid backward.
At the same time, Hu Liena's voice echoed once more.
"Teleport!"
As she spoke, Xiao Wu's third soul ring lit up, and Xiao Wu appeared in the spot Xie Yue had just vacated.
Hu Liena's lips curled slightly as she activated Xiao Wu's fourth soul ring. The mystery behind it would soon be revealed.
If Xiao Wu was strong enough, she would withstand the Clear Sky Hammer. If not, then it would be up to Tang San to decide whether to continue his attack or not. The stage was set for him.
Teacher, I've been patient long enough.