Chapter 266: Zombie Berserker Tang San? Shadow Assassin Zhu Zhuqing?
On the viewing platform, Han Li, who had been monitoring the match with both his eyes on the big screen and his spiritual power scanning the arena, couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows.
Yes, this was it. In his observations, the faint gray aura belonging to a spirit beast that resided in Tang San's limbs was, at this moment, merging even deeper with him, completely blending into his essence.
Of course, this wasn't without its benefits. Perhaps in the near future, Tang San's strength would increase again, and his physique would grow even more robust?
Han Li glanced at Sword Douluo, who was also watching closely, though it seemed he hadn't noticed this change. Instead, his furrowed brows and the dissatisfaction on his face clearly reflected his emotions more directed at Dai Mubai.
After all, Dai Mubai's earlier White Tiger Light Wave had almost engulfed Ning Rongrong within its range.
As for Zhu Zhuqing's performance, Han Li was fairly satisfied. Though her execution had been somewhat drawn out, she still maintained a steady and calculated approach to victory.
The main issue was that Zhu Zhuqing had improved too quickly in a short time, and since she had been constantly around Han Li and the others, she had yet to fully shift her mindset she hadn't realized just how strong she had become.
Otherwise, she could have ended the fight much earlier.
Still, after today, she would likely get used to it.
Han Li retracted his gaze, keeping his usual faint smile.
On the arena, Tai Long glanced nervously at Tang San, who seemed increasingly unhinged, and hesitantly asked, "Third Young Master, what do we do next?"
He could see the blood continuously dripping from Tang San's arm.
During the earlier clash with Zhu Zhuqing's clones, both he and Dai Mubai had managed to endure. Dai Mubai had his defensive soul skills, and as someone from the Power Clan, Tai Long's spirit rings had all been chosen for strength enhancement. Most power type spirit beasts also had decent defenses, and being a beast martial soul user, he gained additional boosts in his transformed state.
As a result, although his clothes were in tatters, his injuries were still within an acceptable range.
But Tang San was different.
Despite having wrapped himself in Blue Silver Grass for protection, its toughness was clearly insufficient.
Zhu Zhuqing's attacks were known for their sharpness, and with her Nether Hundred Claws carrying armor piercing properties, Tang San's chest and both arms were covered in deep claw wounds, some even exposing bone.
If he didn't act soon, Tai Long suspected that just the blood loss alone would be enough to incapacitate him. Out of loyalty, despite knowing the timing wasn't ideal, he felt compelled to speak up.
"Mm."
Right now, the bloodthirsty and violent impulses were surging wildly within Tang San.
On any other occasion, his powerful spiritual strength, enhanced by Purple Demon Eye, would have helped him suppress such urges.
But now, his mind was replaying every moment he had spent with Xiao Wu.
He thought of that night on the grassy hill when he had made his promise to her.
He recalled the sorrow in Xiao Wu's eyes as she asked him, "If one day, many people wanted to kill me, and they were stronger than you, what would you do?"
He had answered firmly, "Then they'll have to step over my dead body first."
Now, seeing the slap mark on Xiao Wu's face and the blood at the corner of her lips, he couldn't contain his murderous intent.
First, she ruined my Mysterious Jade Hand.
And now, she has harmed Xiao Wu.
Zhu Zhuqing, you have walked the path of death twice over!
What was the third rule of Tang Sect again?
Under the influence of the Titan Giant Ape's energy, Tang San's mind was hazy. He couldn't remember the beginning of the rule. He forgot the middle.
He only remembered the last part MUST KILL.
Unconsciously, he clenched his left hand.
Right now, he had only one thought kill Zhu Zhuqing, at all costs.
Of course, his assassin's instincts were still intact. He didn't immediately reveal his Clear Sky Hammer.
He knew that Zhu Zhuqing's soul skills were on cooldown. If she wanted to attack them, she would have to engage in close combat.
And that would be his best opportunity to strike.
If he combined his attack with the Clear Sky Hammer, he might just have a chance to kill her in a single blow.
"Kill."
That single word, dripping with murderous intent, left Tang San's lips.
Dai Mubai and the others saw Tang San lift his bloodshot eyes, and without waiting for their response, he dashed forward using his so called Tang Sect footwork, charging straight at Zhu Zhuqing.
As he advanced, his right hand's Blue Silver Grass martial soul released a flurry of leaves into his palm.
Hmm?
On the viewing platform, Han Li straightened slightly in his seat.
He could tell that Tang San was in a state of near total loss of control, with most of his rationality consumed by the growing gray spirit beast aura in his mind.
But what surprised him was that even in this berserk state, Tang San was instinctively using his hidden weapon techniques.
This was far more useful than his usual Blue Silver Bind!
To be honest, if Tang San had developed his Blue Silver Grass martial soul toward poison and durability, this would have been his ideal combat path.
Han Li sighed in appreciation.
But he wasn't the least bit worried. Zhu Zhuqing could handle it, and now the match was getting even more interesting.
Damn it.
Dai Mubai and the others exchanged glances, cursing inwardly.
Are you out of your damn mind?!
We couldn't even beat her before, and now, when you're already badly injured, you think charging in alone is a good idea?
Did you forget that you're a control type Spirit Master?!
Tang San had already charged forward and launched his attack what else could they do?
After all, they were proper power type Battle Spirit Masters, and since their commander had taken the lead in the charge, even if they were doomed to fail, they had no choice but to follow. Gritting their teeth, the three of them rushed in behind him, all heading straight for Zhu Zhuqing.
"Die! Parting Swallows!"
A flurry of Blue Silver Grass leaves, carried by Tang San's Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon technique, shot into his hands, continuously flung out in various forms straight lines, arcs, sharp angles.
With the enhancement of his soul power, these leaves formed a deadly storm, striking toward Zhu Zhuqing from all sorts of tricky trajectories.
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes narrowed as the faint black mist around her grew denser, her movements quickening as she dodged skillfully.
This was not unfamiliar to her Han Li had once given them a small booklet detailing these hidden weapon techniques and had explicitly told them that if they were interested, they could practice them.
She hadn't trained in them, nor had the others, except for Dugu Yan, who was somewhat curious, though more for the poison applications than the techniques themselves. Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, had been focused on quickly leveling up. Her martial soul had yet to be fully developed, and she had no intention of wasting time on other things.
She knew that this was originally Tang San's secret skill, and today, she was experiencing it firsthand. However, it was clear that his mental state was off.
While dodging Tang San's hidden weapons, Zhu Zhuqing remained calm, patiently waiting for her soul skills to cool down.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Dugu Yan's eyes lit up she had some interest in this.
Han Li had previously shared these techniques with her via spiritual link, but because the knowledge came from his dreams, and the students Tang San was teaching already had some hidden weapon foundation, his explanations were more about advanced tricks and flashy demonstrations, which left her a bit overwhelmed.
But now, things were different. Tang San was putting on a live performance right in front of her. With this practical example, learning would be much easier.
"Zhuqing, if you're not under too much pressure, stall for a bit longer."
Dugu Yan skillfully sent her voice directly into Zhu Zhuqing's ears using sound compression techniques.
Zhu Zhuqing effortlessly dodged another blade of Blue Silver Grass and instantly understood her meaning, slowing down her originally planned finishing moves.
That worked once Dugu Yan learned it, Zhu Zhuqing's training regimen would gain another component.
Besides, letting Tang San showcase his skills a little longer wasn't a bad idea. Han Li was watching from the stands, and so was the Emperor of Heaven Dou Empire. It was only fair to give them some face Tang San shouldn't have to bear all the pressure alone.
Thinking of Han Li, Zhu Zhuqing's usually cold face softened into a faint smile.
Her expression was fine before, but now that she smiled, the already deranged Tang San completely lost it.
"You deserve to die!"
His voice, now resembling a wild beast's roar, accompanied the even faster movements of his hands.
"Blossoms Scattered by the Wind!"
"Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers!"
"A Thousand and One Nights!"
"Phoenix Leading Nine Chicks!"
One hidden weapon technique after another, each with poetic and graceful names, erupted from Tang San's hands. The sky filled with razor sharp Blue Silver Grass leaves, transforming into lethal projectiles aimed at Zhu Zhuqing in dazzling formations.
Zhu Zhuqing continued evading, and to be extra cautious, she activated an elemental shield modified by Han Li from Mysterious Jade Hand.
Of course, she disguised it by wrapping her left arm in soul power, making it appear as if she were using a soul bone.
Unfortunately for Tang San, while his techniques were indeed exquisite, the few projectiles that managed to break through her black mist lost all momentum upon hitting the elemental shield, falling harmlessly to the ground.
On the other side of the arena, Dugu Yan focused her spiritual power, her eyes glowing faint white as she absorbed every detail of Tang San's hidden weapon techniques.
In the audience, despite Tang San's unstable emotions and inability to land a hit on Zhu Zhuqing, the scene was undeniably spectacular, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Zhu Zhuqing stopped moving and glanced toward the three women on the sidelines.
Dugu Yan withdrew the white glow from her eyes and smiled, nodding to her.
It was time to end this.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head as she looked at the three men, who seemed rather excited as they followed behind Tang San, emboldened by his frenzied assault.
Seeing her halt, Tang San accelerated, his eyes burning with violent intent.
Closer, closer soon, she would be in range. His soul power surged toward his left hand.
"Bat Wing..."
Bat Wing Reincarnation, was it? Too bad Dugu Yan had already mastered that technique ages ago.
Zhu Zhuqing finished the thought in her mind.
At the same time, her back wings spread open, and her fourth and fifth soul rings lit up simultaneously.
Her real body leaped backward into the air.
And in front of her, four identical clones materialized, their fifth, first, and second soul rings shining.
Along with the nine afterimages created by her fifth soul skill, they all lunged toward the four men ahead.
In an instant, excluding her real body, forty nine identical Zhu Zhuqings clones and afterimages combined formed an unstoppable feline army, spinning mid air as they pounced.
Nether Hundred Claws × 49
Forbidden Secret Technique! Instant Hell Shadow Kill Formation!
The Shadow Assassin of Douluo Continent, Zhu Zhuqing, has arrived!
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