"Who's there?" The young man named Huang Jia San Gui (Huang's Third Ghost) sneered, narrowing his eyes at the dark silhouette descending from above.
Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu stared intently at the dusty figure, their faces lighting up with excitement—they recognized the figure in an instant.
Under the countless gazes of the crowd, faint footsteps echoed within the swirling dust. In the silence of the plaza, each step felt like it resonated with everyone's heartbeat, making the onlookers feel a peculiar, gripping tension.
"I heard you wanted to 'cripple' me?" A deep voice echoed through the dust cloud. Slowly, a black-robed youth, carrying a massive, dark ruler on his back, emerged from the haze. "Freshman Class Seven, Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan's calm voice reverberated like thunder, filling the ears of every spectator around the plaza.
The appearance of this black-robed youth instantly quieted the murmuring crowd. Curious eyes turned toward Xiao Yan, whose imposing figure, carrying the massive ruler, left an indelible impression. The whispers and doubts died down as the audience focused intently on the scene unfolding before them.
"This kid Xiao Yan sure likes to cut it close. But at least he made it back in time," Wang Yan thought to himself, feeling a wave of relief. "I'll definitely question him after this match to find out where he's been."
…
"So, you're Xiao Yan?" In the center of the plaza, Huang Jia San Gui's cold gaze locked onto the black-robed youth. His voice was icy and disdainful.
"Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded lightly, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "I know who you are, Huang's Third Ghost. I've seen your matches. You're just a petty character who hides in the shadows and ambushes others."
"Ambush? Petty?" Huang Jia San Gui laughed loudly, his voice carrying a haughty ring. "People only care about the outcome, not the method. As long as I win in the end, who cares how I do it? You can mock me all you like—it doesn't change anything. Those who live for the opinions of others are truly pitiful."
At that moment, Wang Dong, standing beside Huang Jia San Gui, stepped forward, releasing a yellow and purple soul ring beneath her feet. Pointing at Xiao Yan, she declared, "Xiao Yan, I said before that next time we meet, I'll defeat you!"
"Heh, I've already told you, those who fall to me are never my equals. I've given you the time to catch up, but it's only so you can continue to look up from below." Xiao Yan sighed, shaking his head as he reached out to adjust the grip on his heavy ruler.
A flicker of anger flashed through Huang Jia San Gui's eyes. A yellow and purple ring flared beneath him, radiating from his feet as he sneered, "Quite arrogant, aren't you? Soon, I'll teach you what true cruelty is."
"What's all this nonsense? Can we start now?" Xiao Yan turned slightly, casting a calm gaze toward the referee.
The referee nodded, his voice stern as he announced, "Freshman Class One versus Freshman Class Seven—begin!"
"You arrogant brat!" With the match beginning, Huang Jia San Gui's face twisted with malice. His first soul ring glowed brightly as a sharp, dark aura gathered in his palm. With a fierce stomp, he lunged toward Xiao Yan.
"First Soul Skill: Ghost Sting!"
At the same moment, Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed as a white soul ring manifested around him, activating his Mental Detection Sharing skill. Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu moved in perfect sync, casting their Hair Net technique on Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, immobilizing them without even glancing their way.
Watching Huang Jia San Gui hurtle toward him, Xiao Yan remained still, his hands emerging from his robe as he calmly rolled up his sleeves. While his opponent charged at him, Xiao Yan leisurely adjusted his cuffs, his calm demeanor only adding to the crowd's astonishment. The students surrounding the plaza erupted in whispers at what they saw as sheer arrogance.
"A single soul ring? And it's white—just a ten-year ring? Are you looking to die, brat?" Huang Jia San Gui sneered, taken aback by Xiao Yan's white ring, his own anger flaring. Soul power surged into his hands, turning the dark aura a faint shade of red as he closed the distance in the blink of an eye.
"Blaze Palm!"
Facing the incoming Huang Jia San Gui, Xiao Yan let out a low shout, extending his hand with a slight bend, then forcefully thrusting his palm forward. An immense, invisible force burst forth, slamming into Huang Jia San Gui.
Caught off guard by the sudden surge of power, Huang Jia San Gui's expression twisted as he stumbled back a dozen steps, barely managing to steady himself.
On the viewing platform, Wang Yan's eyes widened in surprise. It was his first time seeing Xiao Yan use a skill beyond Mental Detection Sharing. "This kid…he's got hidden depths, alright," he muttered.
"What kind of skill was that?" Huang Jia San Gui rubbed his chest, which felt tight and sore from the impact. His face showed a flicker of unease.
Xiao Yan, unfazed by the question, simply smirked, lifting his outstretched hand as he clenched his fist and shouted, "Vacuum Palm!"
A powerful suction force erupted from his palm, pulling Huang Jia San Gui towards him in a sudden, uncontrollable arc through the air.
"Ah!" The unexpected pull made Huang Jia San Gui panic. His feet dug into the ground, but before he could stabilize, the force lifted him off his feet.
As he was drawn closer, Huang Jia San Gui grinned wickedly. His second soul ring glowed as a deadly energy concentrated at his fingertips.
"You idiot! Pulling me in close—what a mistake!"
With a sinister laugh, Huang Jia San Gui's clawed hand, emanating a chilling energy, swiped toward Xiao Yan's chest. From this range, such an attack could easily result in serious injury.
His second soul skill—Ghost Claw!
Watching the claw close in, the spectators gasped, fearing for Xiao Yan, who they still perceived as a ten-year-ring support-type soul master. How could he withstand a hundred-year soul skill from a soul master of the Ghost lineage?
But just as Huang Jia San Gui's claw was about to reach Xiao Yan's chest, something ex
traordinary happened. His attack froze mere inches from its target.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/GodofTL236
Thanks!