2 chapters will be uploaded on daily basis i.e. 14 Chapters will be uploaded every week apart from the bonus chapters.
1 Bonus Chapter will be uploaded for every 50 Power Stones or 1000 Collections.
All interested readers can read advanced chapters on: Free Members of Patreon can read 10 Chapters ahead of Webnovel for FREE.
[email protected]/Kingdom_Of_Ink
×××××××××××××××
In an instant, the first spirit ring beneath his feet lit up, its golden glow illuminating his handsome face.
As the zither strings vibrated, a circular sound wave swept across the entire arena with destructive force.
The hard granite floor shattered like thin paper under this power, and gravel flew like rain.
Tang San hastily used his Mysterious Jade Hand to block, but the zither's sound seemed to penetrate his defense, striking directly at his internal organs.
He grunted, adjusted his breathing, and retreated seven steps before barely steadying himself, a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth starkly visible on his pale face.
"Little San!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, her pink eyes filled with distress, her slender fingers tightly gripping the edge of the Great Spirit Arena, as if she would leap onto the stage at any moment.
The Shrek Academy members looked grave, Dai Mubai's tiger eyes wide.
Only then did they realize how terrifyingly strong the youth who always wore a gentle smile was.
"This power, this... impossible!" Yu Xiaogang suddenly stood up, his tactical notes sliding to the ground.
His proud disciple had suffered a major loss in a single encounter.
Zhao Wuji stroked the stubble on his chin, his eyes glinting: "Interesting, this kid's zither music seems to specialize in countering Little freak's flashy tricks.
Flender, it looks like our Little freak has met his match today."
Tang San steadied his slightly trembling body, a hint of surprise flashing in his Purple Demon Eye.
He stared at Feng Xiao, who was calmly playing the zither not far away, his heart sinking—among Spirit Masters of the same rank, those who could so acutely detect his Hidden Weapons techniques concealed beneath his Spirit attacks were truly rare, and combined with Feng Xiao's Spirit, he could tell that the opponent's hearing was even more exceptional.
Feng Xiao lightly plucked the zither strings, gently advising, "Student Tang, sneak attacks might be unexpected..." The zither's tone shifted, turning clear and melodious, "But they are ultimately minor tricks, which might hinder your future.
It's better..."
He looked up and smiled faintly, as if stars flowed in his eyes: "To put more effort into the foundation of your cultivation."
To outsiders, this was an extremely friendly reminder, but for Tang San, it tasted quite different.
Feng Xiao's understated words struck Tang San like a thunderbolt.
His face instantly turned pale, his knuckles white from excessive force—as a Tang Sect disciple, the way of Hidden Weapons was his foundation, and this evaluation was tantamount to a complete negation of his life's learning.
This battle was no longer just his challenge to Feng Xiao, but a battle to defend the honor of the Tang Sect!
A cold light flashed in Tang San's eyes, and a hint of blood red appeared deep within his Purple Demon Eye.
"Insulting the Tang Sect, you have chosen death's path."
Killing intent surged in his heart, but his face remained impassive.
He slowly raised his left hand, adopting the Tang Sect's 'Inquiring Hand' posture, while his right hand quietly moved behind his back—with a soft click, a crossbow made entirely of black refined iron appeared in his palm.
The dark blue patterns on the crossbow body flickered faintly under the Spirit-guidance lamp, and three poisoned crossbow bolts were poised to launch.
Feng Xiao's ear twitched slightly; his keen hearing, developed from years of playing the zither, allowed him to precisely capture the almost imperceptible click of the crossbow mechanism.
His gaze towards Tang San gradually grew colder, and a sharp glint appeared in his originally gentle eyes.
Feng Xiao lightly stroked the zither strings, silently chanting in his heart: "He who kills others will be killed by others."
In the stands, Yu Xiaogang's gaze narrowed, focusing on the cold glinting crossbow in Tang San's hand.
His lips moved as if to stop him, but ultimately he remained silent—on the Great Spirit Arena, there was only winning or losing, life or death; while using external objects was disdained by the Spirit Master's world, it was not against the rules.
Flender, standing beside him, frowned deeply, his eyes behind his glasses constantly shifting between Tang San and Qin Ming in the distance.
He knew full well: given Qin Ming's relationship with Shrek Academy, this should have been a friendly sparring match.
But Tang San, by bringing out a killing weapon, had already crossed the line of healthy competition.
Tang San's knuckles gripped the crossbow tightly, a resolute glint flashing in his Purple Demon Eye.
He knew the power of the Godly Zhuge Crossbow in his hand—even a Spirit Ancestor level Spirit Master would find it difficult to escape unscathed at such close range.
Once the poisoned crossbow bolts left the string, no matter how divine the opponent's zither skills, there would be no way to change their trajectory.
The cold sensation from his fingers boosted his confidence, and Tang San secretly calculated: three arrows fired simultaneously, aimed at the throat, heart, and dantian, three vital points.
Even if Feng Xiao could avoid fatal injuries, he would surely be severely wounded.
In an instant, Tang San's figure suddenly became erratic, his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track pushed to its limit, and the next second, several indistinct afterimages were left on the Great Spirit Arena.
The Godly Zhuge Crossbow, emitting a cold, eerie light, had already locked onto Feng Xiao's vital points, and the dark crossbow bolts gleamed with deadly light under the Spirit-guidance lamp.
"Be careful!" Zhu Zhuqing's cold and beautiful face suddenly changed color, her clear voice cutting through the air.
Feng Xiao's eyes narrowed, and his slender fingers suddenly exerted force on the zither strings.
Three spirit rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—simultaneously burst forth with dazzling light, the Fuxi Zither trembled like a dragon's roar, and the surging spirit power fluctuations distorted the very air.
Tang San's heart screamed a warning; the spirit power intensity Feng Xiao unleashed at this moment far exceeded his estimation.
His finger was just about to pull the trigger when he saw Feng Xiao's fingertip already slide across the zither string.
How could the speed of a sound wave be matched by a crossbow bolt?
The moment that clear zither sound rang out, Tang San knew he had lost the initiative.
Feng Xiao's eyes were like lightning, and a clear shout resounded throughout the arena: "Strings move, startling wind and rain; sound breaks, clouds scatter for a thousand miles! Zzheng—!"
Just as Tang San pulled the trigger, an almost imperceptible sound wave precisely penetrated the crossbow mechanism.
With a soft 'click', the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, crafted from refined iron, exploded right before everyone's eyes!
Feng Xiao lightly stroked the zither strings, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Naturally, he couldn't take Tang San's life in front of everyone, but giving this so-called Tang Sect disciple an unforgettable lesson was certainly possible.
Tang San's tiger's mouth split open, his entire right hand a bloody mess from the scattered parts of the Godly Zhuge Crossbow.
Even more terrifyingly, the zither sound Feng Xiao played was not only directed at the Godly Zhuge Crossbow; the zither sound, like a maggot in the bone, drilled into his meridians.
He violently spat out a large mouthful of blood, which even contained some fragments of internal organs.
"Pfft—"
In the last moment before his consciousness faded, Tang San only felt the excruciating pain of his entire body's meridians shattering inch by inch.
The sound wave was like thousands of red-hot steel needles, freely roaming within his body, causing heart-wrenching pain every time it passed a vital acupoint.
"Although exquisitely brilliant..." Feng Xiao's voice flowed like a clear spring, yet every word was a stab to the heart, "It's just a pity..." He glanced at the pile of scrap metal on the ground, sighing lightly, "It's merely an external object.
The more precise the mechanism, the more flaws it has."
Tang San was sent flying several meters like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily against the edge of the Great Spirit Arena.
The expensive Godly Zhuge Crossbow was already shattered, its parts scattered across the ground.
"Little San!" Xiao Wu's heart-wrenching cry pierced the air, her pink figure rushing towards the Great Spirit Arena like an arrow released from a bow.
The Shrek Academy members followed closely behind.
At the same time, the Huang Dou Battle Team members also leaped onto the stage.
Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Serpent phantom flickered faintly, lightning flashed around Yu Tianheng, and the seven of them stood in a fan shape behind Feng Xiao, their momentum like a rainbow.
The two sides confronted each other on the blood-stained Great Spirit Arena, the tense atmosphere solidifying the air, as if a fight would break out at any moment.
"Stop!"
Three figures flashed onto the stage like lightning.
Flender's Owl Spirit left an afterimage in the air, bringing Yu Xiaogang down onto the stage, while Qin Ming appeared beside Feng Xiao like a ghost.
Without waiting for Qin Ming to speak, Feng Xiao turned to Ye Lingling and said gently, "I'll trouble Sister Lingling."
Ye Lingling was about to step forward but was stopped by the wary gazes of the Shrek Academy members.
Dai Mubai's tiger claws gleamed coldly, Xiao Wu's scorpion braid was taut like a whip, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda slowly rotated in Ning Rongrong's palm.
Feng Xiao lightly stroked the zither strings, his tone gentle but unyielding: "If you don't want Student Tang's foundation to be completely destroyed, please step aside."
"Hypocrite!" Dai Mubai's tiger eyes widened, his sharp claws glinting coldly, "Little San is so badly injured, isn't it all thanks to you?"
Feng Xiao's expression was calm: "Student Tang had killing intent first; I merely protected myself."
He glanced at the unconscious Tang San, "Without a sufficiently powerful sound wave, how could I have shattered that refined iron crossbow?
If you insist on blocking..."
Feng Xiao's voice paused slightly: "For every moment of delay, the damage to his meridians will worsen."
Ning Rongrong thought of something and suddenly pushed everyone aside: "Move!"
She tightly gripped the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, her voice trembling, "He's right... Little San's injuries can't wait..."
Qin Ming stepped forward at the opportune moment, his gentle voice like a spring breeze: "Everyone, rest assured, with Lingling here, he will be fine."
He softly swept his gaze over everyone, "Speaking of which, I'm also your senior."
Flender quickly smoothed things over: "Alright, Qin Ming, save the reminiscing for later.
Hurry and let this young lady begin."
He anxiously looked at the unconscious Tang San, his heart in turmoil.
If Tang San truly suffered some irreparable harm, not only would Shrek Academy be unable to continue, but they, this group of people, would probably have to pack up and scatter, going their separate ways.
Ye Lingling quickly approached Tang San, her delicate hand gently raised.
Though Xiao Wu glared angrily at Feng Xiao, she ultimately did not speak to stop her.
"Nine Hearted Sea棠, open."
As Ye Lingling's clear, cold voice rang out, pale pink begonia petals fell like rain.
Each petal that touched Tang San's wound transformed into specks of glowing light and merged into his body.
Most astonishing was his bloody left hand—shattered bones reassembled, torn muscles healed, the entire process taking only a few breaths.
The Shrek Academy members watched in stunned silence, Dai Mubai couldn't help but sigh softly, "Having a healing Spirit Master like this on the team is like having an extra life."
Ning Rongrong gazed at the begonia petals, softly saying, "The single-line inheritance of the Nine Hearted Sea棠 truly lives up to its reputation."
Yu Tianheng's gaze suddenly froze by Flender's side.
When he clearly saw that familiar figure, an incredible surprise instantly burst forth in his dragon eyes: "Uncle?!"
His voice trembled slightly with excitement; this Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit Master, who had dominated the Great Spirit Arena, now resembled a child seeing a loved one, his usual arrogance visibly reined in.
Seeing Tang San out of danger, Flender pushed up his glasses and smiled at Yu Xiaogang beside him, "This really is a case of 'a flood washing away the Dragon King Temple'!
" (A misunderstanding between friends)
The Shrek Academy members turned their heads at his words, no one expecting that this unassuming theoretical Grandmaster would come from the illustrious Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Xiaogang's gaze lingered on Yu Tianheng for a moment, but the corner of his eye subtly swept over Feng Xiao, a complex and elusive emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Tianheng, you've grown up."
His tone was gentle, but just as Yu Tianheng was about to smile, he changed the subject: "But when will you change this habit of underestimating the enemy and being reckless?"
The majestic Royal Fight captain, who had just been so imposing, instantly wilted like a frosted eggplant, standing with his hands at his sides, looking exactly like a youth who had made a mistake and was being lectured by an elder.
As the treatment neared its end, Ye Lingling's smooth forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and her breathing became slightly rapid.
Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly retracted her blooming Nine Hearted Sea棠, the spirit power surrounding her receding like a tide.
"The injuries are no longer serious."
She lightly wiped the sweat from her forehead, her voice as clear and cold as ever, "But he cannot use his spirit power for three months."
Xiao Wu quickly stepped forward, her pink eyes filled with gratitude: "Thank you so, so much!"
Ye Lingling merely shook her head slightly, her snow-white skirt swirling gently as she turned and walked towards the Huang Dou Battle Team, leaving a faint floral fragrance lingering in the air.
Feng Xiao's gaze turned to Zhu Zhuqing not far away, a gentle smile playing on his lips: "Thank you for your warning just now, Miss Zhuqing."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression was cold; she merely shook her head slightly: "Even without my reminder, you would have managed."
"At a crucial moment of victory or defeat..." Feng Xiao bowed respectfully, "Only you, Miss, were willing to speak out righteously without regard for personal gain.
This breadth of mind is truly admirable."
These words made the Shrek Academy members look ashamed, and Dai Mubai even awkwardly turned his face away; even Flender and Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but cough lightly.
"You saved me."
Zhu Zhuqing left this brief explanation and then turned to leave like a gust of wind, her black leather attire cutting a clean arc in the air.
Dugu Yan's jade eyes lightly swept over the Shrek Academy members, her tone cool: "Teacher Qin, it's late, we won't disturb your reunion with old friends."
Qin Ming nodded with a slight awkwardness: "Alright, Yanyan, you all go back to the hotel and rest first."
"Little Feng, let's go."
Dugu Yan turned to Feng Xiao, her voice unconsciously softening a bit.
Feng Xiao nodded understandingly, and before leaving, cupped his hands in greeting to the Shrek Academy members: "Please inform Student Tang that I, Feng, deeply apologize for today's incident."
His gentle smile appeared especially sincere in the moonlight.
Then Feng Xiao looked at Qin Ming and said, "Then I'll trouble Teacher Qin to handle the aftermath for us here at the Great Spirit Arena."
Qin Ming nodded, and as the Huang Dou Battle Team members successively departed, only Yu Tianheng and Qin Ming remained.
Flender slightly adjusted his square-rimmed glasses and said somewhat awkwardly to Qin Ming, "This time, it really... made you lose face in front of your students."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming immediately straightened his back, placed his right hand over his chest, and performed a standard disciple's bow, his voice respectful and firm: "Dean, you overstate it.
Once a teacher, a father for life; you will always be my benefactor, and Shrek Academy will always be my home."
He swept his gaze over the Shrek Academy members, saying gently, "Young people are full of vigor, and some friction is a necessary part of growth."
A glint flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, and he nodded approvingly: "Well said.
Only by seeing a broader sky can one understand that there are always people better than you."
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly suggested: "I wonder if Teacher Qin would be willing to let the Royal Fight and Shrek Academy exchange and study together for a period of time?"
Qin Ming looked troubled and was about to go back and solicit everyone's opinions, but Yu Tianheng had already preempted him: "Of course!"
Excitement gleamed in his blue eyes, "To receive guidance from Uncle would be of immense benefit to us."
Saying this, he turned to Qin Ming, his tone firm, but a hint of disdain flashed deep in his eyes as he said, "Teacher, I believe that the exchange with Shrek Academy will definitely allow the Royal Fight to reach a higher level."
In Yu Tianheng's eyes, although the Shrek Academy members were a bit stronger than the mediocre talents of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's second team, that was all they were.
The reason he readily agreed was more because he hoped to spend more time with his uncle, whom he hadn't seen in many years, and receive his guidance.