Blue Silver Grass erupted from the ground, surging endlessly toward Ye Hao.
Unfazed, Ye Hao swiftly dodged, his hand transforming into razor-sharp spider spikes that severed the grass with ease.
From beginning to end, Ye Hao kept his identity hidden. Even when deploying his spider spears, he made sure to cover them with his black robes. After all, Tang San was far too clever to risk leaving any clues.
"Only the powerful get to make the rules, right, Tang San? You can provoke others, but no one is allowed to retaliate? What kind of hypocritical logic is that? You're the most despicable person I've ever met."
Ye Hao's cutting words struck a nerve. Tang San clenched his teeth, a towering wave of killing intent surging within him.
Consumed by rage, Tang San's Eight Spider Lances burst forth from his back, and his eyes turned blood-red. His left hand flickered with an ominous black glow, and his third soul ring lit up, weaving a toxic spider web.
This was Web Binding, a third soul ability derived from a thousand-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider. The web was not only tough but also laced with deadly venom.
With his killing intent fully exposed, Tang San materialized a shadowy hammer in his hand—the Clear Sky Hammer—and lifted it high before slamming it down with tremendous force.
The targeted soul master, who had only dared to give Xiao Wu the middle finger during the earlier fight, was now trembling in terror. He couldn't comprehend why such a simple gesture had escalated into a life-or-death confrontation.
Because he's Tang San.
Ye Hao Unleashes His Power. As Tang San's ferocious attacks bore down, Ye Hao drew a deep breath. His body shimmered with a ghostly green light, and a spider-web-like pattern appeared on his forehead. Gradually, his form began to change:
His back sprouted three pairs of dark green spider legs. His arms transformed into gleaming emerald-green spears. His lower body became shrouded in an eerie, glowing green carapace.
This was Ye Hao's second martial soul—the Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor.
Tang San, blinded by rage, had already resorted to using his second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer. Meanwhile, Ye Hao's use of his second martial soul was calculated and concealed. With his black cloak, even the clever Tang San would never suspect his true identity.
Ye Hao understood all too well—Tang San wasn't just trying to kill the hapless soul master. He was also determined to eliminate Ye Hao, fearing that his secrets would be exposed: His twin martial souls and the events of this night.
If these truths came to light, Tang San would become an outcast the Douluo Continent, and Shrek Academy would be forced to close its doors in disgrace.
"Let's set the record straight, Tang San," Ye Hao sneered. "You're murdering an innocent soul master over a trivial grudge from the Spirit Arena. Even though he lost and admitted defeat, you won't let it go. And now, when a free soul master like me intervenes to save a life, you want to kill us both?"
Ye Hao spun his spider spear, shredding the Web Binding in an instant.
"Imagine, Tang San, if word of this incident spread across the Douluo Continent. You'd be a laughingstock. The people you love would abandon you, your family would shun you, your friends would ostracize you, and even your teacher would bear the shame of your actions."
"Shut up!" Tang San roared, his fury reaching a boiling point. "You're dead today!"
Tang San raised the Clear Sky Hammer again, his crude and unrefined hammer techniques drawing scorn from Ye Hao.
"Your hammer skills are laughable."
Ye Hao intercepted the hammer with his Soul-Devouring Spider Spears, locking it in place. Suddenly, Tang San's Eight Spider Lances lunged forward, aiming to impale Ye Hao.
Ye Hao dodged swiftly. Though the lances carried potent venom, Ye Hao's Death Spider Emperor venom was even deadlier. However, revealing his primary martial soul would compromise his identity, so he continued to hold back.
"That external soul bone is wasted on you," Ye Hao mocked.
With a sharp kick, Ye Hao knocked Tang San back, loosening his grip on the hammer. Ye Hao's six spider spears retracted as his Six-Winged Purple Light Wings emerged. His spinning spear technique turned his entire body into a deadly meat grinder, slashing toward Tang San.
"Ahhh!" Tang San screamed in pain as blood seeped from his clenched fists. Despite his efforts, Ye Hao's relentless attacks proved overwhelming.
Tang San raised the Clear Sky Hammer to shield himself, but Ye Hao's Soul-Devouring Spider Spears gradually wore it down. The hammer splintered and eventually shattered, leaving Tang San defenseless.
"Your second martial soul isn't so impressive after all," Ye Hao sneered. "Want me to explain where this hammer really comes from?"
"Shut up! Die already!" Tang San roared, activating his Blue Silver Grass once more.
But it was futile. Ye Hao swept his spear horizontally, cutting through the vines as if they were paper.
In the dim light of the misty rain, Ye Hao suddenly noticed tiny glimmers in the distance. A swarm of projectiles was flying toward him and the soul master.
"Damn it!"
Realizing the danger, Ye Hao grabbed the injured spirit master and soared into the sky using his wings. By the time he scanned the ground below, Tang San had vanished into the night.
"Lucky for you," Ye Hao muttered as he landed, taking in the scene of destruction. The alley was littered with broken walls and scattered throwing weapons—Tang San's handiwork.
"You okay?" Ye Hao asked the trembling spirit master.
The man nodded, his face pale. "I... I'm fine. Thank you... thank you for saving me."
"Soto City isn't safe for you anymore," Ye Hao warned. "Leave immediately. Find a quiet place to live as an ordinary person. Stay away from soul masters like Tang San."
The man had witnessed too much: Tang San's twin martial souls, his deadly tools, and his murderous intent. Each revelation was enough to ruin Tang San's reputation and future.
Ye Hao's strategy was clear—the man had to survive. His testimony would be a valuable asset in the future.
As Ye Hao escorted the man out of Soto City, they passed the bodies of the other six members of the soul master's team. They were all lifeless, their deaths swift and brutal—typical of Tang San's efficiency.
The man's grief turned to fury. If he ever gained the strength, he swore he would avenge his teammates.
Unbeknownst to Ye Hao, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had witnessed the entire battle from a nearby rooftop. As the rain subsided, the two girls emerged from the shadows, their expressions heavy with shock and doubt.
The events they had just seen—the ruthless nature of Tang San and the overwhelming power of the mysterious black-clad figure—were etched into their memories.