Chapter 409: The Soul Breaking Spear Technique
Golden light flickered and faded. Tang Zhong stepped out from within the unfurled ghostly vines, and upon hearing Yun Qing's words, his face darkened slightly. His gaze turned cold as he glared at a certain Tang Sect disciple fighting not far away.
Traitor!
He had actually revealed his spirit skill to Yun Qing!
If not for that, his opponent would've been caught off guard—Tang Zhong might have even found a chance to strike back.
Tang Zhong's fifth spirit skill had, in a way, come about through misfortune. When he obtained his fifth spirit ring, he had accidentally chosen a spirit beast poorly suited to him. But since he was in a desperate situation at the time, he couldn't afford to be picky and was forced to absorb it. Unexpectedly, what he gained turned out to be a divine skill.
Fifth Spirit Skill: Undying Golden Vine.
This skill was quite similar in nature to the Undying Golden Body: by consuming spirit power, it granted temporary invincibility. The more powerful the opponent's attack, the greater the spirit power consumed.
However, the invincibility did not apply to Tang Zhong himself—it applied to his ghostly vines.
This spirit skill had even alarmed the Tang Sect's upper echelons. Unfortunately, after their testing, they discovered it couldn't be replicated. Its creation was tied to the unique mutation of Tang Zhong's Ghost Vines.
Although Yun Qing's spirit skill appeared overwhelmingly powerful, it was actually a thousand-year ring ability. For Tang Zhong, using Undying Golden Vine to counter it didn't cost much spirit power.
He couldn't use his fifth skill again in the short term, but he had successfully probed his opponent's abilities. In that sense, it wasn't a total loss.
Even so, Tang Zhong was starting to regret his earlier carelessness. He'd heard rumors about Yun Qing before, but since Yun Qing had never fought publicly in the Shrek City Great Spirit Arena, Tang Zhong had treated those stories as idle gossip and never bothered to investigate his spirit skills. All he knew vaguely was that Yun Qing's martial spirit took the form of a pair of gauntlets.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been caught so off guard now.
Still, Tang Zhong was an experienced fighter. At this point, he'd already pieced together the secret of Yun Qing's martial spirit—it seemed to be related to the changes of weather, allowing him to manifest attacks of different elements.
From what he'd seen so far, Yun Qing had already used three spirit skills that drew upon four different elements—water, fire, light, and lightning. Each element had its own attack form, and together they created an incredibly difficult opponent to counter.
No wonder he had reached such an astounding 18,000 points in the Arena.
With multi-elemental attacks, there were no elemental weaknesses to exploit, and his offensive techniques were so versatile that he could handle both close and ranged combat with ease.
Tang Zhong could only take things one step at a time.
He looked solemnly at Yun Qing. After taking two light steps forward, his sixth spirit ring suddenly lit up. A spear of deep violet formed from ghostly vines appeared in his hand, while a faint purple mist began to swirl within his black pupils.
Tang Sect Secret Technique–The Eye-Training Method: Purple Demon Eyes!
Sixth Spirit Skill: Ghost Shadow Tyrant Spear!
The moment the spear appeared in his grasp, Tang Zhong seemed like a completely different person. With a fierce shout, he charged forward like an assault-type spirit master. The veins in his hand bulged from the force of his grip, his skin taking on an eerie jade-like sheen. The long spear in his hand danced and flashed, its afterimages blooming like a rain of deadly light, striking straight toward Yun Qing.
Tang Sect Secret Technique–The Hand-Training Method: Mysterious Jade Hands!
"So—you know my spirit skills?"
"Then let me show you something new!"
"Don't forget—the Medicine Hall's family isn't a clan of plant-type spirit masters."
"It belongs to the Yang Family!"
"The Yang Family—masters of the Soul Breaking Spear!"
…
"Hm?"
Sitting in a quiet corner of the spectator stands, Qi Poxiao's brow suddenly arched, a trace of surprise flickering across his face.
"This spear technique—?"
"The Soul Breaking Spear Technique of the Yang Family," Tang Qianqiu said with a smile. Watching Tang Zhong, whose demeanor had become almost manic the moment he grasped his spear, his eyes showed a hint of satisfaction.
"I gave him a few pointers on his spear technique a few days ago. Looks like he's improved, his form actually looks proper now."
"The Medicine Hall's Yang Family?" Qi Poxiao's expression grew even more astonished.
"How did the Yang Family's spear technique end up in his hands?"
"Tang Zhong may not bear the surname Yang," Tang Qianqiu said with a faint smile, "but his wife does. And besides, the Yang Family isn't all that rigid. Ever since our ancestor Tang San passed down the Tang Sect's Secret Techniques to all disciples, the four affiliated clans have followed that example—each passing down their own secret techniques to outstanding disciples within the sect. Even my own spear style has been influenced quite a bit by the Yang Family's spear technique."
"I see." Qi Poxiao nodded in realization. After glancing a few times at Tang Zhong in the arena, he couldn't help but chuckle. "He's only picked up the surface of the Yang Family's spear technique, but that crazed fighting intent—he's learned that part perfectly."
…
Although Qi Poxiao had dismissed Tang Zhong's performance as mere imitation, the moment Tang Zhong unleashed the Yang Family's spear technique, the previously one-sided battle instantly reversed.
Under the power of his ten-thousand-year-level spirit skill, the Ghost Shadow Tyrant Spear in his hands was as durable as a true weapon-type martial spirit. And because it originated from a plant-type spirit, even if it was damaged, Tang Zhong wouldn't suffer backlash to his essence—it could quickly regenerate.
Combined with his near-maniacal spear technique, the enhanced strength of the Mysterious Jade Hands, and the perceptive clarity of the Purple Demon Eyes, Tang Zhong caught Yun Qing completely off guard.
Cursing under his breath, Yun Qing steadied himself. His third spirit ring flashed, and golden lightning arced from his left fist, colliding head-on with the spear tip. Countless sparks crawled up along the spear shaft toward Tang Zhong's right arm, attempting to numb it.
Tang Zhong's expression tightened. A jade glow flickered over his hand, suppressing the lightning before it could advance or retreat. With a twist of his wrist, his spear's shaft whipped sideways, clashing heavily with Yun Qing's incoming right punch. The clash rang out like metal striking metal as both figures staggered back before lunging at each other again.
After several fierce exchanges, Tang Zhong had managed to fight Yun Qing to a stalemate.
But there was no trace of joy on his face.
Because up to now, Yun Qing still hadn't used his fifth or sixth spirit skills—both ten-thousand-year abilities.
Of course, Tang Zhong hadn't revealed all his cards either. During the spear clashes just now, he hadn't employed any of his Ghost Vine control skills. If he combined those with his spear technique, his strength would rise even further.
"Sweet Tofu Pudding Team, one member eliminated!"
Ang Tian's sudden announcement made Yun Qing's body jolt.
He didn't turn to see which teammate had fallen—his gaze only grew heavier as he stared at Tang Zhong.
The Savory Tofu Pudding Team had an extra fighter.
He couldn't afford to drag this out any longer.
"Be careful," he warned softly.
Then Yun Qing clenched his fists and surged forward. Behind him, his dark fifth spirit ring lit up for the first time.
It's coming!
Tang Zhong's face turned grim. He knew his opponent was finally under pressure—and that meant he wouldn't be holding back anymore. The long spear shot out instantly, while his fourth spirit ring flared. Countless ghost vines erupted from the ground, disrupting Yun Qing's charge rhythm.
Facing Tang Zhong's fierce assault, Yun Qing did only one thing—
He punched.
As his fist shot forward, the howling wind pressure from the blow seemed to crush everything in its path. The overwhelming aura of that strike even smothered the maddened energy of the Soul Breaking Spear, sending a tremor through Tang Zhong's heart.
This punch… can't be stopped.
That thought surfaced involuntarily in his mind. Even his spear technique faltered under the oppressive might of Yun Qing's attack, slowing against his will.
The fist finally slammed into the spear tip. The sharp point of the Ghost Shadow Tyrant Spear shattered in an instant, yet the unstoppable force still surged along the spear's shaft, flooding into Tang Zhong's jade-hued right hand.
The glow of the Mysterious Jade Hands dimmed.
The next moment, Tang Zhong was blasted backward as if struck by lightning.
Fifth Spirit Skill: Clear Skies, Clouds Disperse, Mist Fades.
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