Tang San knew that now was the perfect time. If he missed this opportunity and Su Ming and Ning Fengzhi reached a cooperation, even if he could still work with Ning Fengzhi through his hidden weapons, the rewards would definitely shrink. That was something he didn't want to see.
Ning Fengzhi turned to Su Ming and said, "Su Ming, shall we find a place to discuss the details of our cooperation?"
Tang San felt a sense of urgency and quickly stepped forward, respectfully saying, "Sect Master Ning, I also have a proposal for cooperation that I think you will be very interested in."
This sudden move caused Su Ming's brow to furrow. He had a good idea of what Tang San was planning. Was Tang San trying to steal his business?
Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing had already expected this. Earlier, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing had told Ning Rongrong that Tang San had spent his time during the holiday in the city crafting hidden weapons.
Now that Ning Fengzhi was here, and given what happened in the original storyline, there was no way Tang San would let this chance slip by.
Ning Fengzhi paused and looked at the plain-looking boy. With a warm expression, he asked, "Oh, and you are?"
Tang San replied, "I am Tang San. I have a few hidden weapons I'd like to discuss with Sect Master Ning. I believe you'll find them very useful."
As he spoke, Tang San took out the Zhuge Crossbow and a sleeve dart. "This is the Zhuge Crossbow, and its power is equivalent to a Soul Master's attack of about level 40. If used unexpectedly, it could even kill a Soul Elder."
"As for this, it's a sleeve dart—small and portable, but with less power. Rongrong already has one of these. You can ask her about it."
Ning Fengzhi turned to Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong?"
Ning Rongrong sighed and reluctantly took out the sleeve dart she had. "This is the one, but the power is weak. A defensive-type Soul Master can easily block it with a basic defense skill."
Ning Fengzhi immediately understood. Rongrong likely hadn't mentioned this before because of Su Ming and the weapon's lackluster power. He recalled how Rongrong had once complained about several of her classmates, including Tang San, who she didn't particularly like.
Even though Ning Rongrong disliked Tang San, Ning Fengzhi still felt it was worth considering the hidden weapons for the safety of their sect's disciples. He was intrigued by the Zhuge Crossbow.
Then, Ning Fengzhi had an idea. Since Rongrong disliked Tang San, he could set things up in a way that would benefit Su Ming. After all, now that Su Ming had introduced talismans, his need for Tang San's hidden weapons wasn't as strong.
"How about this, Tang San," Ning Fengzhi proposed, "Why don't you have a contest with Su Ming? You can use your hidden weapons, and Su Ming can use his abilities. You're free to use any methods you like. What do you think?"
Su Ming's lazy voice chimed in, "I don't have a problem with that."
Tang San's face twitched. Fight Su Ming?
Even though he had the Zhuge Crossbow, he wasn't confident about winning. However, he had no choice but to agree. "Alright!"
Su Ming looked at Tang San calmly. It seems the last beating from Xiao Wu wasn't enough of a lesson. Time to give him something harder.
"Be careful, Tang San. If you don't go all out, I might beat you badly," Su Ming teased.
From the side, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong cheered, "Su Ming, go for it!"
This made Tang San's face darken. Xiao Wu, the girl I liked, was cheering for someone else. And Ning Rongrong, supporting Su Ming, made my hidden weapons look worthless!
Su Ming thought: Come on, Xiao Wu is my sister. Why wouldn't she cheer for me?
Ning Fengzhi, seeing this, couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. Rongrong, must you be so obvious about it? It's a little embarrassing for me as your father.
Tang San knew that, with his current strength, he couldn't beat Su Ming head-on. His only chance was to rely on his hidden weapons and poisons to create an opening and land a decisive blow.
No, he didn't just want to demonstrate the power of his hidden weapons. Tang San wanted to defeat Su Ming once and for all. He had lost to Su Ming too many times. Given Xiao Wu's close relationship with Su Ming, Tang San felt that defeating him was the only way to overcome his inner demons.
The crowd cleared a space for Tang San and Su Ming to fight.
Off to the side, Ning Fengzhi asked, "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, who do you think will win?"
Gu Rong answered without hesitation, "Even if Tang San's hidden weapons are as powerful as he claims, Su Ming is no ordinary Soul Master. I'm betting on Su Ming."
"I hope he gives Tang San a good beating. Rongrong doesn't like him, after all."
Gu Rong didn't like Tang San either. He remembered how, back in Soto City, Tang San had pleaded for mercy on behalf of Dai Mubai. Gu Rong had mentioned this to Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin before.
Chen Xin also agreed. "I think so too. Plus, if Su Ming can craft spatial talismans, he must also be able to create other types of talismans."
"I don't believe he started by making spatial talismans—they're too difficult. And the materials needed for spatial talismans are surely expensive, probably involving treasures with spatial attributes. Su Ming definitely has some big secrets."
Chen Xin's guesses were spot on.
Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement. Sword Douluo had a point.
Then, Ning Fengzhi sent a mental message to Su Ming: "Su Ming, could you help me teach Tang San a good lesson for Rongrong's sake?"
Su Ming was momentarily surprised. For Rongrong's sake?
If Ning Fengzhi knew Tang San's father was Tang Hao, he might not have made such a request. However, since this aligned with Su Ming's own intentions, he gave a barely noticeable nod in agreement.
The duel began, and Tang San didn't dare hold back. He used a large amount of spirit power to unleash Blue Silver Grass Bind, while also closing in with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
Although Su Ming didn't know Tang San's exact strategy, he wasn't going to stand still.
"Wood Style: All-Encompassing Bag Jutsu!"
Immediately, several wooden hands rose from the ground, reaching toward Tang San. However, Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track lived up to its reputation as an evasive technique, allowing him to narrowly avoid each grasp.
This display left Ning Fengzhi and the others in awe. Did Tang San also have a self-created Soul Skill?
Ning Rongrong quickly explained what was happening to the three onlookers.
Upon hearing her explanation, they understood. Ning Fengzhi, being the sharp man he was, instantly saw through Tang San's excuses.
If Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was supposedly paired with Mysterious Heaven Skill, why didn't Tang San teach them both? Clearly, it was just an excuse to avoid teaching others. Unlike Su Ming, who readily shared what he knew with my daughter.