The collision of two figures at extreme speed dazzled the audience. To most, all they could see were two flickering shadows weaving around the arena. They couldn't even tell that Xie Xie was injured—only through Fang'er's commentary did they learn what was happening in the match.
Xie Xie's breathing grew heavier. Though the wounds on his body were small, they still bled, and they still hurt. Each cut affected his strength and state of mind.
He now bore over a dozen gashes. His torn clothes flapped as he moved, and at this velocity, every shift of fabric added discomfort. This kind of high-speed clash was anything but pleasant.
"Still don't get it? I've been holding back. Admit defeat," Lin San said calmly.
"You sure talk a lot. Wouldn't it be better to just hit me a few more times instead?" Xie Xie snorted.
In a blur, Xie Xie swept past Lin San. The wind blades in Lin San's hands gently slashed again, leaving another cut on Xie Xie's back.
But this time, instead of immediately counterattacking, Xie Xie came to a sudden halt, planting his feet firmly on the ground.
The abrupt switch from movement to stillness was shocking. Landing like a statue, he stood utterly motionless.
Lin San, still in his high-speed flow, flashed past. In an instant, three more wounds were added to Xie Xie's frame.
Yet he did not flinch. Watching from the broadcast screen, one could see Xie Xie had closed his eyes.
He held his Light Dragon Dagger upright before his chest, frozen in place, as if time had paused.
For the first time, surprise flickered in Lin San's eyes. This boy from Shrek Academy truly had greater talent than him.
But... was opportunity really that easy to seize?
Lin San didn't stop. On the contrary, his speed surged even faster. What had already overwhelmed Xie Xie was not even his limit.
Green light spiraled around Xie Xie like a small tornado, whirling around him in relentless assaults.
In the blink of an eye, Xie Xie looked like a bloodied mess from every angle.
Yuanen Yehui had unknowingly sat up straight, her back rigid.
'It's worse than I thought.' Xie Xie was being completely suppressed. Even from her perspective, she couldn't see a chance for him to win.
Neither had used powerful soul skills or battle armor. But Lin San had five soul rings—two of which were black ten-thousand-year rings. That alone gave him an edge in soul skills. Not to mention, his battle armor surely outclassed Xie Xie's too.
In such a gap, where was the opening?
Clang! Suddenly, a crisp sound rang out through the arena.
Lin San drifted backward. The golden glow of Xie Xie's Light Dragon Dagger shimmered in the air. And at that moment, he opened his eyes.
"Thanks," Xie Xie said quietly.
Lin San paused, then gave a calm smile. "No need to thank me. It was your own insight."
He looked at Xie Xie with respect. "I take back what I said before. You're no turtle. You're worthy of Shrek Academy. When I reached this level of understanding… I was two years older than you."
Though Lin San remained composed as ever, his tone carried genuine admiration.
A worthy opponent only excited him more. But in his heart, Xie Xie still wasn't strong enough to be his true rival.
True strength longed to be surrounded by even stronger people. Only then would the pressure turn into urgency, pushing oneself to train harder and strive farther. That was how Lin San saw things. The stronger Xie Xie became, the happier he would be.
Suddenly, a green flash lit up Lin San's eyes. His second soul ring flared to life. In the next instant, his entire body was cloaked in a green hue. As he moved, shadows of him filled the sky.
Xie Xie's heart tightened. 'That wasn't even his true speed? He has a soul skill that boosts speed further?'
Now, both his vision and instincts failed him. He could no longer sense Lin San's actual location. Around him swirled unpredictable gusts of wind, erratic and untamed, following no pattern at all.
A streak of green light slashed across his skin—another wound.
Then the winds around him twisted tighter and tighter, compressing like a grinding machine of pressure.
This… was the weight of overwhelming speed.
But Xie Xie didn't cry out. He merely wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Raising his Light Dragon Dagger, he growled, "Even the wind must break eventually!"
"Good!" Lin San responded softly.
In that moment, the countless green shadows around him vanished. When the audience saw him again, he was floating midair.
Everyone froze.
In soul master combat, unless one used a soul tool, only those with seven soul rings or more could fly. Yet Lin San now hovered above the arena purely through his soul power. Wisps of green wind gently cradled him, as if the wind itself had become part of him.
"No need to continue. In a battle with such disparity in strength, I've already lost."
"I surrender."
His voice was calm—like a passing breeze.
What?!
The entire stadium fell silent.
"A battle where I have overwhelming advantage… my victory is never glorious."
And with that, Lin San's silhouette melted into the wind.
He was gone.
From the bottom of his heart, Xie Xie felt deep admiration. Lin San could have won at any time—but he chose to step back.
Because he knew he was never the disadvantaged one.
"This kid…"
"That's just how he is," said a white-haired, bearded elder, smiling as he stroked his chin. "Calm as wind, ever drifting. It's exactly this temperament that made him who he is."
Among the Eight Heavenly Kings, Lin San was the most diligent—and also the most proud. His pride meant that crushing someone weaker was a disgrace. Using his full power to beat a kid five years younger than him would be shameful. If it came to that, he'd rather lose—to wake himself up instead.
The battle had turned dramatic, but the people of Star Luo Empire would remember one thing deeply: a man of principle and pride.
The Wind King—Lin San!
The tournament continued. Today, the top eight would be decided!
On the main platform, Dai Tianling sat in the central seat, and beside him was none other than Monster Academy's dean, Enci. Given the importance of today's matches, both had come in person.
"Teacher," Dai Tianling leaned over and asked Enci in a low voice, "What do you think are Yueyan's chances against Gu You?"
Enci pondered. "Your Highness, if Gu You truly stood toe-to-toe with Long Yue, then Yueyan's chance of victory is no more than ten percent."
Dai Tianling nodded, his face clouded with concern...
(End of Chapter)
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