Chapter 32: Tang San's Setback
Today's match against Su Yun was one Tang San couldn't afford to lose. This was the bottom line he set for himself. Because in this battle, he was not only fighting for himself but also for his teacher.
Without any hesitation, he immediately used his first soul skill, Entangle.
"Trying to restrict my movement?" Su Yun had fought Tang San before, with more losses than wins, but that was because he didn't use his soul skills.
He could see that Tang San's Entangle wasn't meant to directly bind him but to create a diversion. The real killer move was yet to come.
Su Yun's eyes flickered, and he applied force to his feet, swiftly moving within the competition area. The area was a stone platform with dimensions of fifty meters on each side—not too large but not too small.
Using the Wind God's Legs, Su Yun accelerated to evade Tang San's Blue Silver Grass vines.
As Su Yun dodged the first wave of attacks from Tang San, as expected, Tang San's figure appeared before him in an instant, like maggots crawling over bones.
One of Tang San's Six Skills of the Tang Sect—Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
"Su Yun, I can't afford to lose in today's match," Tang San said solemnly.
"Then give it a try," Su Yun grinned.
Immediately, a white light flashed in Tang San's small hand and then patted towards Su Yun's chest.
One of Tang Sect's Six Skills—Mysterious Jade Hand.
The hand, like white jade, was indestructible.
Su Yun never underestimated Tang San's close combat abilities. In a situation where soul power was generally low, the physical condition among soul masters didn't differ much.
Even without practicing eye techniques, Su Yun could easily discern Tang San's weak points from their sparring in the academy and the battles against the freaks, Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Facing Tang San's palm, Su Yun didn't take it lightly. With the wooden spear in his hand and the augmentation of soul power, he thrust out a strike!
This spear strike was similar to the one Su Yun used earlier today, straightforward and powerful. However, this time, Su Yun's execution was more standard, and his force was fiercer.
In sparring with other students in the academy and Tang San and Xiao Wu, even without practicing eye techniques, he could easily spot Tang San's weaknesses. This spear strike was aimed at Tang San's ribs.
The speed of this strike was even faster than Tang San's palm strike.
Initiative vs. Response!
Sensing that Su Yun's spear technique had improved, Tang San inwardly exclaimed, but his brain remained calm, analyzing the next move.
Tang San immediately made his Blue Silver Grass surge up under his feet, and at the same time, a purple mist seemed to surround his eyes.
One of Tang Sect's Six Skills—Purple Demon Eye.
Tang San deduced that Su Yun's spear strike was aimed at his ribs, so he decisively manipulated the Blue Silver Grass to interweave and entangle, blocking the strike from the side.
"Puff!"
As expected!
Su Yun's spear struck the Blue Silver Grass.
Tang San was secretly delighted.
However, before Tang San could savor his joy for long, he suddenly saw the long spear that had pierced the Blue Silver Grass suddenly lift upwards!
Not good!
Deceptive moves!
Tang San's pupils suddenly shrank!
He suddenly realized that Su Yun was trying to force him to abandon the car to save the commander! Or perhaps, his true goal was the car!
Realizing the danger, Tang San quickly pulled back, but it was already too late!
"Clang!"
The wooden spear, or perhaps it should be called a wooden stick, shot towards Tang San's wrist at an astonishing speed!
Su Yun's intention with this spear was to temporarily disable one of Tang San's hands, perhaps even create an opportunity for consecutive strikes.
Anytime one of a person's limbs is suddenly injured, their actions are bound to be affected, especially for a mobile and unpredictable opponent like Tang San. This is precisely what such opponents fear the most.
However, Su Yun's attempt to disarm Tang San was a bit slow.
It did not hit Tang San's wrist.
Instead, it hit Tang San's Mysterious Jade Hand.
The Mysterious Jade Hand was only effective for the palm and couldn't protect the wrist. This was also Su Yun's purpose in using the spear.
Unfortunately, facing Tang San's Mysterious Jade Hand, Su Yun didn't believe he could break his defense with just a wooden stick.
Thus, Su Yun's thrust only briefly caused Tang San to lose balance, and he staggered back a few steps.
Moreover, Tang San's reaction was extremely fast. After retreating a few steps, he immediately used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, simultaneously supporting himself with Blue Silver Grass on the ground to assist in changing his position, quickly creating distance from Su Yun.
The first round between the two came to an end, and it was evident that Su Yun had gained the upper hand.
The audience was abuzz with discussions about Tang San unexpectedly being at a disadvantage in the first round.
"Oh, Tang San unexpectedly suffered a setback in the first round?!"
"These two kids' agility is not something ordinary soul masters can compare to."
"That kid Su Yun, using a spear is even more skilled than me, a soul master with a spear!"
"His combat awareness is strong. If Tang San hadn't reacted in time, once his right hand was completely lifted by him, it wouldn't just be a temporary loss of control over one arm."
Some people with keen eyes quickly saw Su Yun's intention.
"He's formidable. It's a pity that Su Yun's martial soul is not a spear, but he is indeed a good seed for spear use."
"Don't forget, Tang San's reaction is also very fast. In the next round, Tang San probably won't give Su Yun such an opportunity again."
"His first soul skill turns the Blue Silver Grass into vines for remote manipulation. His future path should be that of a control-type soul master."
"Perhaps next, his primary goal will be to create distance from Su Yun."
Besides the audience's discussions, after seeing Tang San lose in the first round, Master Yu Xiaogang was also surprised by Su Yun's combat awareness.
"This kid actually managed to catch Tang San off guard."
"However, Tang San was also careless."
"I've taught him before that control-type soul masters shouldn't easily engage in close combat with their opponents. He was too eager to defeat Su Yun, allowing Su Yun to seize the opportunity."
Thinking to this point, Master Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed slightly.
"Moreover, in the first round, Su Yun still hasn't used his first soul skill."
"The current situation is still unfavorable for Tang San."
Unwittingly, Yu Xiaogang's heart suddenly felt uneasy.
Could Tang San really lose?
Yu Xiaogang shook his head abruptly.
No!
He had already spoken out. Now, the entire Nuoding City, and even many cities outside Nuoding City, knew about his bet with Su Yun.
If Tang San lost, he would have to admit in front of everyone that he wasn't worthy of the title of Master.
Moreover, he wouldn't admit that he was inferior to Su Yun's mentioned teacher.
Yu Xiaogang always believed that he was the most profound and strongest person in soul theory research on the entire continent.
Without thinking too much about it, the second round between Su Yun and Tang San had already begun in the competition area.
Indeed. This time.
Tang San didn't rush to press forward.
Instead, he patiently waited for Su Yun to make a move.
The competition and sparring had no time limit and would continue until one side ran out of soul power or admitted defeat.
Tang San considered his martial soul to be Blue Silver Grass. Although he had used a soul skill, the consumption wasn't significant. He could fight while slowly recovering.
"It's a pity I can't use hidden weapons here. Otherwise, with my Hidden Weapons Hundred Decimation method combined with my first soul skill, Su Yun would be at a disadvantage now."
Tang San lowered his gaze, watching Su Yun's movements, and felt a hint of regret.
However, Su Yun didn't give him the opportunity to recover soul power. From a distance, Su Yun once again took action.
In an instant, a fierce breaking wind accompanied the whistle of Su Yun's long staff!
(End of this chapter)
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