Chapter 259: Referee, We Surrender!
Seeing Tai Long bypass Jing Ling and Huang Yuan, heading straight for the backline, the two fighters became even more frantic in their attacks.
Jing Ling was still managing well after exchanging several blows with Tang San, he realized something.
Tang San wasn't using his spirit abilities.
Not even the first three recorded in their intelligence reports.
But even without spirit abilities, Tang San's raw strength was immense, and his movements were unbelievably agile.
Speed wise, as an Agility Type Soul Master, Jing Ling still held an advantage.
However, this Tang San was nothing like ordinary Control Type Soul Masters facing him felt no different than clashing head on with a Power Type Battle Soul Master.
Fortunately, without spirit abilities to tip the scales, Jing Ling could still rely on his undead bone martial soul's natural defense to endure blows while leveraging his superior agility.
But Huang Yuan wasn't so lucky.
His Wolf Spirit was already weaker than Dai Mubai's White Tiger Spirit, and his spirit power and enhancements were inferior.
With each clash of spirit abilities and fists, Huang Yuan staggered back, blow after blow.
If not for the initial healing buff from Jiang Zhu, he would've been knocked out already after just one round of exchanges.
Yet even with healing, he was barely holding on.
Dai Mubai was completely unhinged, his attacks wildly ferocious.
The malice in his evil eyes was even more intense than theirs.
Relying on his First Spirit Ability's protective effect and Third Spirit Ability's enhanced defense, he completely abandoned defense, taking Huang Yuan's attacks head on just to land his own blows.
Huang Yuan had no choice but to trade injuries for injuries, their uniforms shredded, and the arena floor stained with blood.
The audience fell silent for a brief moment before erupting in deafening cheers.
This was the real opening match.
It was even more thrilling than previous years' final rounds.
The sight of blood ignited a frenzy in the spectators' minds.
As for whatever personal grudges the two teams had, no one cared except for a select few.
From the VIP stands, Emperor Xue Ye looked on, somewhat surprised.
This year's competitors felt completely different from previous ones.
Seeing his confusion, Xue Qinghe leaned in and whispered a few explanations.
Understanding dawned in Xue Ye's eyes, and he nodded slightly, casting a glance at Yu Yuanzhen, who remained expressionless.
Meanwhile, Han Li turned his head toward Ning Fengzhi.
"No wonder Sect Master Ning sent his beloved daughter into the Royal Battle Team. Your foresight is impressive."
Ning Fengzhi blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Han Li's remark.
The surrounding dignitaries turned their gazes toward them.
Han Li smiled but didn't leave them guessing.
He pointed directly at Tang San, still fighting in the arena.
"If I'm not mistaken, this Control Type Soul Ancestor named Tang San is quite extraordinary. He's already demonstrated two self created spirit techniques. Truly a genius."
"Not only does he possess tremendous strength, but these two techniques alone allow him to battle an Agility Type Soul Ancestor without using his martial soul. Congratulations, Sect Master Ning. Oh, and of course, congratulations to Your Majesty as well."
As if he had only just remembered that Tang San was the captain of the Royal Battle Team, Han Li casually added Emperor Xue Ye into the mix.
The atmosphere in the VIP section instantly turned strange.
On the arena floor, Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon had been subtly concealed.
For most of the fight, he masked his movements, only using them when absolutely necessary.
To the untrained eye, it simply looked like he had incredible reaction speed.
But with Han Li's reminder, everyone started scrutinizing him closely.
And upon careful observation
Indeed.
They quickly confirmed Han Li was right.
Despite Tang San's efforts to hide it, the experienced eyes of the VIPs could still spot clues.
His footwork and his attacks that manipulated his opponent's movements were extremely refined and perfectly coordinated.
Now, every gaze on Tang San burned with interest.
Even Emperor Xue Ye, who had initially been focused on Yu Yuanzhen, now subtly turned his attention toward Ning Fengzhi.
He had always wondered why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Master would send his precious daughter to an obscure team like this.
Even if these students were talented, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could've simply recruited them outright there was no need for Ning Rongrong to join them.
Now, Xue Ye finally understood.
Ning Fengzhi, the cunning leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not only wanted these talents under his wing but also had his eyes on their self created spirit techniques.
Fortunately
Xue Qinghe had handled things well.
Now, Tang San was the captain of the Royal Battle Team.
Which meant the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had failed to recruit him.
Perhaps he should remind Qinghe to keep an eye on Ning Fengzhi.
As for self created spirit techniques, Xue Ye wasn't in a rush. He coveted them, but he also understood that no rational person would reveal such things easily not to mention, there might be restrictions related to martial spirits.
As long as Tang San remained in Tian Dou, that was enough. He could help establish a new noble family and serve the empire. The Xue family had never been known for martial prowess anyway even if they obtained the techniques, without reaching Title Douluo level, they were useless.
But under no circumstances could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect get their hands on them so easily.
Lately, they had been overstepping their boundaries, extending their influence further and further. Even as allies, they needed to be kept in check.
Xue Qinghe's maneuvering against various factions it was very likely that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was involved.
But now that Qinghe had also roped in Han Li, the balance needed to be carefully maintained.
Xue Ye sighed inwardly. Being emperor of Tian Dou was no easy task.
Qinghe, while your father can still hold on for a few more years, grow stronger. Become the pillar of Tian Dou.
Facing Han Li's veiled accusations, Ning Fengzhi simply smiled.
"Saint Son Han has sharp eyes. If not for your reminder, I wouldn't have noticed the extraordinary talent among Rongrong's teammates. It seems I'll have to ask her about it later."
He offered no further explanations.
Of course, Ning Fengzhi had already known about Tang San's self created techniques. He had even tried probing for information through Ning Rongrong.
But upon hearing Tang San's nonsense about some 'Tang Sect', he immediately lost interest.
To Ning Fengzhi, it was obvious Tang Hao had coached Tang San to say that as a cover.
Why establish a so called 'Tang Sect' when the Clear Sky Sect already existed? What kind of joke was that?
In his eyes, neither Tang Hao nor Tang San were the type to settle down peacefully.
Their identities being exposed was only a matter of time.
When that happened, Xue Ye's suspicions would naturally dissipate.
Even if Ning Fengzhi clarified things now, would Xue Ye even believe him?
They had been "old friends" for decades. Who didn't know what kind of person the other was?
As for Han Li's attempt to sow discord, Ning Fengzhi found it amusing.
He looked forward to seeing Han Li's face when he finally realized Tang San's true identity.
Would he regret today's little schemes? Would he want to slap himself?
After all, this was the closest the Spirit Hall had ever gotten to finding Tang Hao and his son, and yet Han Li was wasting the opportunity on petty tricks.
Since Ning Fengzhi refused to take the bait, Han Li simply smiled, unfazed.
He had only mentioned it in passing anyway.
It was merely laying groundwork for Qian Renxue's next moves the outcome didn't matter much.
The VIP stands fell silent once more, shifting focus back to the arena.
Despite Huang Yuan coughing up blood, both teams seemed strangely satisfied with the battle.
But the most ecstatic person on the field was undoubtedly Tai Long.
With Ning Rongrong's buffs, his once clumsy movements had become much faster and more precise.
At this moment, he had a sinister grin on his face as he closed in on Jiang Zhu, who was continuously retreating.
She was already at the edge of her spirit ability's buffing range if she stepped out, Jing Ling and Huang Yuan would lose their enhancements.
But if she stayed put, then once Tai Long got close as a healing type spirit master, how would she defend herself?
Either way, the outcome was sealed.
Tai Long at this moment was the one controlling the battlefield's momentum.
As for the other four members of Blue Tyrant Academy, he scoffed inwardly. Too slow. Always too slow.
Only now were they rushing to support Jiang Zhu? Too late.
Especially that shield spirit master instead of protecting Jiang Zhu, he was prioritizing that useless control type spirit master he liked so much.
Pathetic.
Mocking his former teammates in his heart, Tai Long didn't slow down at all.
His fist, enhanced by spirit abilities, slammed toward Jiang Zhu's body.
"Get off the stage!"
And then
She smiled.
Jiang Zhu, who had been wearing a look of panic moments before, suddenly smiled at him.
At the same time, she shouted one word
"Retreat!"
Before Tai Long could react
"Dodge!"
Tang San's voice roared from behind him.
But his punch was already in motion.
With his momentum, speed, and strength fully committed, how could he possibly stop now?
Then
He saw it.
Vines.
The control type spirit master he had mocked earlier his Hollow Vine spirit was wrapped around Jiang Zhu's waist, yanking her backward at high speed.
At the same time
The shield spirit master, who Tai Long had mocked for his incompetence, had dismissed his shield spirit.
In its place
Two massive energy blasts shot toward Tai Long's unguarded back.
At the same time
Vines rapidly sprouted beneath Tai Long's feet, entangling his legs, restricting his movement.
The Hollow Vine normally fragile and easy to break had now become his biggest obstacle.
Boom!
The energy blasts collided against his body, blasting him backward through the air.
Only now did Tai Long realize the truth.
Why was the shield spirit master's shield slightly larger than usual today?
Why had the control type spirit master remained in the backline?
Because they had been setting up this moment all along.
And then
Everything went black.
Tai Long's body slammed into the ground with a heavy thud, and he lost consciousness.
Across the battlefield
Even the bloodied Huang Yuan smiled.
Before Tang San and the others could launch a counterattack
The members of Blue Tyrant Academy exchanged glances, nodded, and simultaneously raised their right hands.
Turning toward the referee, they shouted in unison
"Referee! We surrender!"
(End of Chapter)
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