Yu Xiaogang took a step forward, but Yu Tianxin stepped back, keeping his distance.
"Uncle, even if you are my elder, don't forget that Tianheng is essentially ruined now and is no longer in the running for clan heir. Frankly, you're a nobody now—our family won't listen to you!"
"Even as clan leader, favoritism would only lead to public outrage."
Yu Tianxin's mind was clear: Tianheng was finished, and Yu Yuan was out of time to train a new successor. The elders would never agree to it.
Su Ming watched their exchange in silence, pleased with Yu Tianxin's response. It showed that he cared for the family and had the qualities of a capable heir. Once the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was reorganized, Yu Luomian, the current public leader, would eventually retire, and Yu Tianxin seemed like a good successor.
Hiding in the shadows, Tang Hao pondered Su Ming's skills, wondering if he could somehow convince Su Ming to make Xiao San's right leg disappear temporarily. Though it would cost him some spirit power, it would be worth it to extract the hundred-year-old spirit bone. He began planning how to get Su Ming to "willingly" help. Should he threaten Su Ming's female friends? Although Su Ming was powerful enough to rival a Titled Douluo, his friends weren't so lucky, and Dugu Bo couldn't protect them all.
Watching from a distance, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo thought, There are two of us too, you know!
If Bibi Dong knew Tang Hao's thoughts, she would dismiss them—thinking he was underestimating the Spirit Hall.
Meanwhile, Su Ming turned his attention back to Yu Tianheng, refining his techniques a little.
Thump!
Yu Tianheng's heart raced as he watched Su Ming approach again.
"Su... Su Ming, we can talk this through! You said you'd restore me—don't go back on your word and start doing... that again!"
"Hmm? Didn't I just fulfill that? I restored you, didn't I? But I never promised it wouldn't disappear again! Be my test subject so I can practice this soul technique." Su Ming smirked.
"You all saw that my technique wasn't yet seamless; I'm just curious how fast I can perform the conversion."
Yu Tianheng thought, Curious, my foot! This is my body! You're using me for practice!
The crowd was beginning to feel pity for Yu Tianheng—of all the people to provoke, why did he choose Su Ming, a complete devil?
"From Life to Destruction—Life Conversion!"
"From Death to Rebirth—Destruction Conversion!"
With these alternating moves, Su Ming systematically reduced every part of Yu Tianheng's body, sparing only his torso and head, and then restored them repeatedly.
Yu Tianheng's spirit power dropped to thirty-five levels, rendering his fourth spirit ring gray and unusable. Worse, he seemed completely broken by Su Ming's cruel treatment.
"Argh! Just kill me! Su Ming, do you have the guts to kill me? Do it, if you can!" Yu Tianheng yelled, despair clear in his voice.
Su Ming shook his head, slightly surprised at the effect his actions had on Yu Tianheng.
The audience murmured among themselves, "Don't you think Su Ming's gone too far? If he wants to kill him, he should just do it instead of torturing him."
"Speak for yourself," came a retort. "You wouldn't understand until you've experienced his pain."
"Exactly. The Spirit Master Tournament forbids killing, so letting Tianheng die would give Thunder Academy an easy path to victory. They don't stand a chance against the Spirit Hall!"
"True, but still… isn't this too much?"
"Pfft, in chaotic times, people like you would be the first to be eliminated."
Satisfied with his progress, Su Ming decided it was time to stop. He glanced at Yu Tianheng, who seemed on the verge of a breakdown, then turned to Bibi Dong, addressing her respectfully.
"Your Holiness, I have a question."
Bibi Dong was intrigued. "Go on."
"Your Holiness, as you can see, Yu Tianheng wants to die. Perhaps I could grant him a swift end, as he's asked. The crowd here can all testify that it's his request," Su Ming suggested with feigned hesitation.
The crowd collectively rolled their eyes, thinking, Would you really just grant him what he wants?
Su Ming: Well, he's insisting!
Bibi Dong's lips twitched, her expression conveying, Are you serious?
"Well, the rules of this competition are clear. If you really have the guts, end him—then Thunder Academy can advance. Are you not interested in the prize of the three spirit bones?"
Yu Tianheng's wild expression hinted at hidden sanity as he taunted, "Rules are rules, kill me, and Thunder Academy advances. I doubt you'd want to throw away your chance at those spirit bones!"
His tactic was to provoke Su Ming; he couldn't believe Su Ming would actually kill him.
Unfortunately, Yu Tianheng never thought that Su Ming and the Spirit Hall actually had a good relationship.
Su Ming was very confident that Bibi Dong would definitely do something.
Although it is said that opponents cannot be killed during the Soul Master Competition, there is still room for maneuver. It all depends on what Bibi Dong does next!
Bibi Dong pondered for a moment, then said calmly: "The rules of the Soul Master Competition were set by the Spirit Hall and the two empires. With so many people present, I can't let you kill this member of the Thunder Academy, but..."
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished uploading the whole series in patreon, thanks for supporting me and special thanks to all the patrons for joining