Chapter 81: A Perfect Chance to Seize Soul Bones
Tang San struggled to push himself up from the ground.
His entire body felt as if every bone had shattered—each breath brought a wave of burning pain.
Dai Mubai and the others lay sprawled across the arena in miserable heaps, their faces pale as paper, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.
Seeing his companions in such a pitiful state, Tang San felt as though a knife were twisting in his heart.
His mind replayed the terrifying scene from a moment ago:
Gui Mei's disdainful gaze.
That unstoppable, razor-sharp sword qi.
His own Clear Sky Hammer, shattered in an instant…
'Why? Why did it end like this?!'
Tang San screamed silently in his heart.
He lifted his gaze toward the youth floating above—the cold, indifferent Gui Mei—his eyes filled with unwillingness.
He had believed that with the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique and the Death God Domain, his Clear Sky Hammer could unleash the true might of a weapon martial soul's avatar form. But reality crushed him mercilessly.
'Just what is that monster?! How can he be so heaven-defying?! Even with my once-in-a-century twin martial souls… am I still inferior to his martial soul?!'
Tang San's dream of becoming the champion was shattered completely.
Those three soul bones awarded to the champion were now out of his reach.
His heart ached.
Everything he had done during this period—every drop of sweat, every sleepless night—was for the sake of those three soul bones.
Yet now he could only watch helplessly as they fell into that mysterious youth's hands.
'I am the 'Asura King,' the one who earned the Death God title! How… How could I lose to him?! No. I refuse to let those soul bones fall into his hands!'
A ruthless glint flashed in Tang San's eyes.
He knew very well that his father, Tang Hao, was watching secretly from the shadows.
Even if Wuming managed to claim the three soul bones today, there was no way he would safely return to Heaven Dou City.
They would ambush him along the road and seize those soul bones!
Bibi Dong, too, was shocked by the terrifying power the black-clothed youth had revealed.
She knew that even with the power of seven people combined, Tang San could never block that strike.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin's intervention violated the tournament rules, but it was understandable.
After all, Ning Rongrong—Ning Fengzhi's daughter—was a member of the Shrek team. They could not stand by and watch her die.
Besides, Chen Xin's interference would not change the match's outcome.
Shrek Academy had lost—utterly and completely.
Bibi Dong's voice echoed across the arena:
"Although there was a slight accident in this match, everyone clearly witnessed Wuming's strength. Without a doubt, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team is the victor. Rest for a moment. We will soon begin the award ceremony for the top three teams."
The champion of the Soul Master Tournament would receive three soul bones.
In addition, all three finalist teams would be rewarded with 20,000 gold soul coins.
Gui Mei retracted his soul power. With a flicker of his silhouette, he descended beside the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team.
Everyone rushed forward excitedly.
"Wuming, you're incredible! You won the entire Soul Master Tournament by yourself!"
"Yeah! We basically just followed behind you. Haha!"
Gui Mei smiled faintly.
"I came for the three soul bones. Those will be mine. As for the gold soul coins and other rewards, you can divide them among yourselves."
"Nonsense, of course, the soul bones belong to you! We're already satisfied just winning the championship with you!"
This was a world where strength ruled.
Power was everything.
Gui Mei wasn't familiar with these people, but his overwhelming strength had made them respect—and even worship—him.
On the other side…
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others huddled together.
They were gravely injured; many had fractured ribs.
Jiang Zhu treated them as best as she could.
Seeing their battered and broken appearance, Yu Xiaogang felt a wave of guilt.
"Children… This is my fault. I underestimated Wuming's strength and caused you all to suffer."
"Teacher, it's not your fault."
"Yeah, Grandmaster, who could've expected that freak to be that powerful?"
As they spoke, Ning Fengzhi approached.
He didn't waste time on pleasantries. Time was tight.
He released the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul.
Six rays of multicolored light shot out from the pagoda, descending onto Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others.
Jiang Zhu was only a three-ring Soul Elder—her healing ability had limits.
With Ning Fengzhi's assistance, their injuries didn't fully heal, but they looked significantly better than before.
Yu Xiaogang cupped his fists respectfully.
"Sect Master Ning, thank you for your and Sword Douluo's intervention. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Ning Fengzhi replied courteously,
"Grandmaster, you're too polite. Wuming's strength far exceeds everyone's expectations. This was just an accident, nothing more. Don't let it weigh on your mind."
Flender quickly chimed in,
"Sect Master Ning is right. Everyone, cheer up. Getting second place is still a fine result. The twenty thousand gold soul coins are nothing to scoff at."
At this point, Flender could only use this to comfort the disheartened group.
Though everyone exchanged bitter glances, filled with unwillingness, they had no choice but to accept the reality before them.
Before long, everything was ready.
The teachers and students of the three finalist teams lined up across the plaza.
Bibi Dong announced:
"The Soul Master Tournament has come to a successful conclusion. Congratulations to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team for winning the championship. We will now present the champion's rewards."
As soon as her words fell, a red-robed bishop stepped forward, carrying a silk tray with three soul bones resting atop it.
The Shrek group's eyes instantly filled with greed as they stared at those soul bones.
Unfortunately, they belonged solely to the champion team.
Instructor Lin accepted the tray and handed the three soul bones to Gui Mei.
Bibi Dong's gaze swept over Gui Mei, a faint trace of unwillingness flashing within her eyes.
This matter was far from over. The ultimate ownership of those soul bones remained uncertain.
"Next, we award the finalist teams. Each team will receive twenty thousand gold soul coins."
Three red-robed bishops approached, each carrying a tray of gold soul coins, which were handed to the representatives of the three teams.
"With this, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is officially concluded. Congratulations to all of you. May your futures be bright."
Having finished her speech, Bibi Dong turned and walked toward the Pope's Palace.
Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan cast a final glance at Gui Mei before leaving with their team.
Just as Gui Mei and the Heaven Dou Second Team were preparing to depart, Qian Renxue approached.
"Congratulations on securing the championship. You've won the greatest honor for the Empire."
Everyone's attention immediately shifted toward Gui Mei.
He simply smiled faintly, remaining silent.
Qian Renxue continued,
"Go and prepare. This afternoon, we'll meet the Royal Knights outside the city. We will depart for Heaven Dou City first thing tomorrow morning."
"I won't be traveling with you. I'll be leaving Spirit City shortly."
"What?"
Qian Renxue froze for a moment.
She was perfectly aware that after Wuming claimed the three soul bones, Bibi Dong would never let him leave easily.
Ever since the Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team was eliminated, Dugu Bo had already departed with them.
Without Dugu Bo's protection, even Wuming, despite his formidable strength, would find it extremely difficult to return to Heaven Dou City safely if Bibi Dong's people targeted him.
"Wuming, are you certain you want to leave alone?"
"Mhm. I've always traveled alone."
His words were overheard by the nearby Shrek group.
Tang San's eyes instantly lit up with excitement.
Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong exchanged glances, then all turned their gazes toward Tang San.
A tacit understanding formed between them.
Yu Xiaogang and Flender had been humiliated by Wuming—they naturally wouldn't let this matter go.
Liu Erlong, with her explosive temper, had already disliked the black-clothed youth from the start.
With the Crown Prince Xue Qinghe protecting the Heaven Dou Second Team, they hadn't dared make a move.
But now Wuming chose to act alone—that opened a perfect opportunity.
They all understood that although Wuming was powerful and possibly backed by a hidden expert, the allure of three soul bones, especially that 60,000-year mental-type skull, was simply irresistible.
If not for protecting Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, even Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo might have made a move.
Everyone knew it clearly:
If they didn't act now, they would never get another chance.
To seize the soul bones, they would have to take the risk.
Knowing full well danger awaited, they still had to walk straight into it.
Tang San believed that with his father Tang Hao and the Golden Iron Triangle's support, they would definitely be able to kill that mysterious youth… and take the soul bones for themselves.
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End of Chapter