Su Ming didn't care whether Tang San heard his words or not. He had already said what needed to be said. While speaking, the wooden restraints around Tang San tightened. If Tang San couldn't find a way to break free, he would be strangled to death.
Tang San was overwhelmed by suffocation, trapped in this tight space. He thought to himself, I've already lost. Why won't Su Ming let me go? If this continued, he would be crushed alive. His limbs were already being painfully compressed, and his breathing had become labored. He had to find a solution quickly!
Su Ming's words echoed in his mind. Does he really have to do this? He's not even hurt! Why does he need to take it this far?
Su Ming: …
If Su Ming had known what Tang San was thinking, he might have retorted, What, should I only retaliate if I get hurt? I'm not a fool who takes beatings without response.
Tang San found himself in a dilemma. Should he reveal his external spirit bone, the Eight Spider Lances, in front of Ning Fengzhi and the others? His teacher had always advised him to hide the Eight Spider Lances unless absolutely necessary—don't flaunt your wealth was a rule Tang San understood well.
But without using them, he was sure he'd be crushed to death. His resentment toward Su Ming increased. He could only hope that Ning Fengzhi, seeing that they were classmates and given his teacher's presence, wouldn't covet his spirit bone.
Tang San channeled what remained of his soul power into his Eight Spider Lances. Purple spider legs burst from his back, stabbing into the wooden restraints and piercing through them.
However, the wooden constructs healed rapidly, gripping the spider legs tightly.
Yu Xiaogang, watching with growing concern, thought, Tang San's using the Eight Spider Lances! Can he control them properly? They haven't fully fused with him yet.
Su Ming simply smiled. Good, now show me your potential. Let's see how much more you can handle.
Ning Fengzhi, observing the strange purple limbs, furrowed his brow and asked, "Rongrong, do you know what that is?"
Ning Rongrong replied, "That's Tang San's external spirit bone, the Eight Spider Lances, which he gained after absorbing the Man-Faced Demon Spider's spirit ring."
Ning Fengzhi was impressed. An external spirit bone! He knew how rare they were—Tang San was incredibly fortunate to have one. But would it be enough to break free from Su Ming's control? Could this be the full strength Su Ming had been taunting him about?
Yu Xiaogang discreetly glanced at Ning Fengzhi. If Ning Fengzhi got too tempted by the external spirit bone, he might have to reveal Tang San's lineage as the son of Tang Hao to protect him.
Meanwhile, Su Ming wasn't ready to let Tang San off so easily. He channeled more life energy into the giant tree binding Tang San.
Crack!
To everyone's shock, the tree completely healed, and Tang San's Eight Spider Lances snapped.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
The bone-chilling sound of breaking resonated through the air, followed by Tang San's agonized screams. The broken pieces of the Eight Spider Lances dripped with purple liquid, painting a horrifying picture.
The audience could hear Tang San's heart-wrenching screams from within the wooden prison. Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. The Eight Spider Lances might not have fully merged with Tang San, but the pain of breaking them was still excruciating.
Raising his hand, Yu Xiaogang angrily pointed at Su Ming and demanded, "Su Ming, enough! This is just a sparring match. Was this really necessary?"
Su Ming responded indifferently, "Master, how about you let Tang San use those same moves on you? As long as you survive without injury or death, I'll let this go."
Yu Xiaogang fell silent, and the others, especially Dai Mubai, couldn't say a word either. In their eyes, Su Ming's methods seemed almost demonic—truly terrifying.
Tang San couldn't believe that his sharp and resilient Eight Spider Lances had been broken. His resentment for Su Ming deepened. You've pushed me too far this time, Su Ming!
But Tang San knew he had no other choice. His Eight Spider Lances were shattered, and they wouldn't regenerate anytime soon. Only one last option remained.
Tang San's gaze shifted to his left hand. There's no other way. Teacher, father, forgive me. I have to break my promise now, or I'll never escape this!
"Clear Sky Hammer!"
Tang San decided to go all out.
Suddenly, the sky above them darkened, and faint lightning flashed. Tang San poured the last of his soul power into the Clear Sky Hammer, causing it to enlarge significantly, creating enough space for him to breathe.
Su Ming observed this and thought, So, he's finally using the Clear Sky Hammer. Let's see if you can use the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique in such tight quarters.
Inside the small space, Tang San remembered his father's teachings. He needed to move quickly—the speed of his hammer strikes had to surpass the tree's shrinking speed.
"Ahhh! Here I come! Chaotic Cloak!" Tang San shouted, becoming strangely elated and frenzied, his pain seemingly numbed.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The audience heard the deep thuds of Tang San's hammer striking the giant tree. Under Tang San's relentless blows, Su Ming's wooden prison began to expand.
Su Ming realized that his wooden jutsu would eventually break under Tang San's accumulated strikes. Fine, let's end this. I'm starting to lose interest.
With a tap of his foot, countless wooden spikes appeared around Tang San.
"Don't blame me, Tang San. If you can withstand what I just endured, then we'll call it even."
"Wood Style: Piercing Plant Jutsu!"
Before the astonished crowd, hundreds of sharp wooden spikes shot towards Tang San's direction.
Gu Rong couldn't help but laugh. "Good, good! Su Ming's really got guts! An eye for an eye—I like it!"
Chen Xin nodded approvingly. No need for us to test Su Ming's strength. Watching this is enough—he's impressive, with guts and spirit.
In contrast, Tang San's actions were understandable, given the difference in their abilities. But since he'd chosen to fight with such ruthless tactics, he should've expected retaliation.