Yu Xiaogang lost.
And he lost in a way that was both abrupt and unexpected—so much so that many simply couldn't accept it.
Aren't you supposed to be the Grandmaster?
The most renowned theorist on the entire Douluo Continent?
The man who proposed the ten core theories of the Martial Soul System?
So how could you lose, and just like that?
And not just lose—but lose to a kid who looks barely out of childhood?
What does that say about your theories? Are they really worth believing in anymore?
Questions like these echoed in the hearts of every teacher and student present. Even someone as mentally composed as Tang San, and someone as experienced as Flender, couldn't help but feel baffled.
How could the Grandmaster end up like this?
Yu Xiaogang's eyes were hollow as he stumbled off the training grounds. No one could truly understand how hard the blow had hit him…
Flender didn't chase after him immediately. As the Dean, there were still follow-up matters to attend to. Instead, he shot a glance at Tang San, signaling him to go after the Grandmaster.
Flender then gave Li Chang'an a few words of praise, recognizing the effectiveness of his teaching methods and instructional style. After that, he announced the dismissal of the class. As for speaking up on the Grandmaster's behalf? He said nothing.
Truth be told, ever since Yu Xiaogang had come to Shrek Academy, he hadn't brought much benefit at all. From the food issues in the cafeteria to repeated failures in teaching outcomes, the Grandmaster had done nothing but slap Flender's face with embarrassment. Even if Flender wanted to vouch for his old friend, he couldn't find the words.
Once everyone had left, Li Chang'an took Xiao Wu's hand and left the field as well.
The first step of his plan was complete.
Yu Xiaogang had fallen into self-doubt, and even the teachers around him were beginning to question his educational value. This was just the beginning—his fall from grace had already begun!
Just then, Li Chang'an suddenly paused. He patted Xiao Wu's hand gently.
"Xiao Wu, you go ahead. I've got something to take care of."
Xiao Wu sighed helplessly, gave him a peck on the cheek, and skipped off cheerfully. She wasn't the clingy type. If Li Chang'an said he had business to attend to, she wouldn't pester him about it.
…
As soon as Xiao Wu left, Li Chang'an exited Shrek Academy at a brisk pace, chasing after a mysterious aura.
Using the power of the Donghuang Bell, he shifted and flashed through space as he pursued the target. The other party seemed deliberately evasive, moving quickly as well. The chase continued for nearly a hundred kilometers, finally ending deep in an ancient forest.
"Senior, if you're going to test me, why not come out and face me properly?"
Li Chang'an scanned the surroundings, his expression serious. The mysterious aura had stopped moving. He had a good idea of who it was—and he had already thought of several response strategies.
That overwhelming and unrestrained spiritual pressure that had probed him earlier near the academy... other than him, who else could it be?
"You're not ordinary, that's for sure…"
A deep and aged voice rang out.
From behind a massive tree, a tall figure cloaked entirely in black stepped into view. His entire body was shrouded in darkness—even his head was covered by a black hood. From his appearance, all one could discern was that he was a tall and imposing man.
As he spoke, the man slowly raised his right hand. A black light surged in his palm, forming into a massive hammer-like weapon. At the same time, nine soul rings emerged around his body—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red!
The nine soul rings floated quietly in different positions around the man, completely enveloping him. The pressure was terrifying—especially that final red ring. A 100,000-year soul ring!
"If I'm not mistaken, Senior, you must be... the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao?"
Li Chang'an spoke calmly, completely unfazed by the oppressive pressure radiating from Tang Hao.
"Oh? You managed to guess who I am?"
Tang Hao looked at the young man before him in surprise. It was rare to see a Spirit King show no fear in front of a Titled Douluo.
He hadn't been around recently due to personal matters, but had just returned today—just in time to witness the earlier duel.
Tang Hao trusted Yu Xiaogang's theories, which only made him more suspicious of Li Chang'an. A young man this exceptional couldn't be unknown. His curiosity got the better of him, and instead of waiting and observing, he had decided to use his spiritual sense to probe Li Chang'an directly.
What he hadn't expected was that his spiritual probe would be completely blocked—and that Li Chang'an would respond so directly and aggressively.
Li Chang'an knew better than to take Tang Hao lightly. He raised his right hand slowly, summoning a massive axe black as ink—Pangu's Axe. At the same time, five soul rings emerged behind him.
Black. Black. Black. Black. Red!
The moment the five rings appeared, Tang Hao's eyes went wide.
This… this wasn't human!
That soul ring configuration—four black and one red? Even Tang Hao's ninth ring felt a shiver of inferiority.
"I am... Li Chang'an."
"Li Chang'an! The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall—it's you!"
Tang Hao's eyes bulged, his aura intensifying. Spirit Hall.
He was from Spirit Hall. In that case—he had to die today!
What Tang Hao hadn't expected was that the Holy Son of Spirit Hall would be this talented—and wield such an unbelievable spirit ring configuration.
"You're radiating all this killing intent, Tang Hao. Do you really think you can keep me here?"
As Li Chang'an's Pangu Axe released its aura, the weapon's sheer quality instantly overwhelmed Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer!
"Hmph, just five rings!"
Even though he was shocked by the suppression of his Martial Soul, Tang Hao's killing intent only grew stronger. Someone this monstrous... if allowed to grow, he'd never have a chance at revenge again!
His seventh ring flared—releasing the Martial Soul True Body!
The giant black Clear Sky Hammer behind him erupted with light. Black energy surged and churned as the hammer expanded—growing until it stretched nearly a hundred meters long. Its head loomed like a small mountain, vast and crushing.
Crimson runes lit up across its surface as Tang Hao's 100,000-year red ring pulsed. The massive black hammer was instantly dyed entirely red.
No testing. No holding back. Tang Hao went all out—attempting to finish this in one blow!
"Hmph, then let's go head-to-head!"
Li Chang'an didn't enlarge his Pangu Axe, but all five of his spirit rings lit up simultaneously. A radiant golden glow shimmered from the soul bone on his forehead, and the soul core within his body began spinning wildly.
He—never—retreated.
He drew in all his energy and condensed it into the Pangu Axe. The weapon radiated with intense violet light, extending to nearly fifty meters in length. Though not as massive as the Clear Sky Hammer, the axe was sharp, potent, and devastating—charging head-on into the mountain-sized weapon before him.
_
T/N:
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