Due to a certain someone's specific arrangements, Ning Tian's team did not encounter Tang San's team early on. It wasn't until the finals that the two teams finally faced off.
"Nanmen Yun'er, Rank 27 Agility-Attack System Battle Soul Master."
"Wu Feng, Rank 32 Power-Attack System Battle Soul Master."
"Ning Tian, Rank 37... Support System Tool Soul Master."
In accordance with rules and etiquette, Ning Tian's team announced their names and ranks in order.
Upon hearing that the opposition possessed two Soul Elders, Tang San unconsciously felt a flicker of pressure.
But the strongest must be me!
A surge of battle intent rose in Tang San's eyes as he slowly announced his name:
"Tang San, Rank 33, Control System Tool Soul Master."
Du Weilun acted as the referee. He slowly took his seat at the referee's bench and, seeing that both sides were ready, stood up and declared:
"Match... start!"
In the next instant, without a moment's hesitation, the teal-green Jasper Azure Bird and the crimson Red Dragon manifested simultaneously.
At the same time, behind the two, Ning Tian summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and chanted softly:
"Seven Treasures turn to gold. One says: Speed!"
In a flash, Tang San saw Nanmen Yun'er, who had been at a distance, become a blur. She appeared directly in front of him!
Tang San's pupils shrank. As an Agility-Attack System Soul Master, Nanmen Yun'er, bolstered by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support, had reached a speed nearly comparable to a Soul Ancestor!
At this moment, it was too late to summon the Blue Silver King for defense.
Without hesitation, Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps. Using Jade Sky Hand in conjunction with Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon and his powerful physique, he attempted to catch the strike head-on. However, Ning Tian's voice rang out again.
"Seven Treasures turn to gold. Three says: Power!"
A thousand-year Soul Ring flashed. A third of Ning Tian's Soul Power was consumed, and a terrifying power boost fell directly upon Nanmen Yun'er and Wu Feng.
As the disciple of a certain someone and the bridge between the Spirit Transmission Pagoda and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Tian had naturally not been treated poorly.
Ning Tian's third Soul Ring had been personally crafted by Huo Yuhao.
Combining the characteristics of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul, her third Soul Ring did more than just provide a fixed power buff; it allowed her to boost power even further by consuming extra Soul Power!
Furthermore, this Soul Ring... was also an Energy Storage Ring.
The consumption of one-third of her Soul Power gave Nanmen Yun'er, despite being only a Rank 27 Agility-Attack Master, strength comparable to a Soul Ancestor!
The massive force descended. Tang San, who had underestimated the blow, saw his Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon fail instantly. The terrifying strength smashed into his hands and then slammed into his chest!
Tang San was sent flying. He barely managed to stabilize his footing, but his throat felt a sudden sweetness as blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
"How is this possible?!"
Recovering, Tang San's expression was one of disbelief. He could not believe that a mere Rank 27 Agility-Attack Soul Master, under the buff of a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, could possess strength far exceeding his own!
He had experienced the support of a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda before, but a power boost of this magnitude was absolutely impossible!
In an instant, Tang San's gaze shifted to Ning Tian. He understood everything.
This Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was strange!
He had to deal with that Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda first!
As thoughts flashed through Tang San's mind, he made his decision. But in the next second, Nanmen Yun'er attacked again!
Teal-green Soul Power coated her hands like twin blades, easily slicing through the temporary Blue Silver Grass defense Tang San had summoned.
"Blue Silver Bind! Blue Silver Bind! BLUE SILVER BIND!!!"
With a ferocious look, Tang San caused countless strands of Blue Silver Grass to grow and spread frantically. While they wrapped around Nanmen Yun'er, he triggered his sleeve darts, firing three poisonous needles toward Ning Tian!
Seeing the needles, Ning Tian didn't move. Tang San's face lit up with joy, but in the next heartbeat, a silver-white hexagonal shield suddenly appeared, blocking the strike!
"A Soul Tool?!"
Below the stage, Zhou Yi's expression contorted. "Du Weilun! Isn't the use of Soul Tools forbidden in the Freshman Assessment? Why is Ning Tian allowed to use one?!"
On the referee's bench, Du Weilun looked impatient. "Zhou Yi, did you not read the rules for this year's assessment?
"The competition allows the use of Soul Tools! However, the prerequisite is that the student must be a Soul Tool Engineer!
"A Rank 1 Soul Tool Engineer is only allowed to carry one Rank 1 Soul Tool. A Rank 2 is allowed two Rank 2 tools, and a Rank 3 is allowed three Rank 3 tools.
"And Ning Tian is a Rank 4 Soul Tool Engineer! If not for the competition limit forbidding anything above Rank 3, Ning Tian could take on every team single-handedly!"
Zhou Yi's expression froze. She truly hadn't known the rules had changed. Thinking back, a document titled Freshman Assessment Rules had indeed appeared on her desk, but she had seemingly ignored it.
Combined with her poor interpersonal relationships, no one had bothered to remind her. Besides, even if she had known, what could she have done?
None of the students left under her command were Soul Tool Engineers!
On the field, Tang San's eyes were bloodshot. He stared fixedly at the silver-white shield hovering beside Ning Tian, momentarily speechless with rage!
Yet, in the next moment, Ning Tian brazenly pulled out a "Soul Power Storage Device" and began slowly recovering her Soul Power.
That wasn't all. Beside Ning Tian, a Rank 3 "Hovering Soul Tool Cannon" locked onto Tang San.
"Who told you I was just a support Soul Master?" Ning Tian said calmly.
As she spoke, Nanmen Yun'er swiftly retreated. Immediately, bursts of pale-yellow energy beams shot toward Tang San!
This frantic, saturated attack completely submerged Tang San. Countless fragments of Blue Silver Grass flew through the air, stirring up clouds of dust.
In this moment, the entire audience was shocked!
"Is that a freaking support Soul Master?! That attack intensity is already comparable to an average Soul Ancestor, isn't it?! Bei Bei, do you think you could match that?"
"If I were just a fresh Soul Ancestor, I couldn't. And that shield that blocked the hidden weapons—don't you think it looks a lot like your Mystic Underworld Shield?"
"Holy... is this a Soul Tool Engineer? How do they feel more fierce than Soul Masters of the same level! And that thing in her hand—if I remember correctly, it's a Soul Power Storage Device, right?! She's actually using it to recover Soul Power mid-fight?!
"She can fight, she can tank, she can recover, and she can support! She's an all-rounder!" Xu Sanshi's eyes widened; his worldview was being refreshed.
"Indeed terrifying... I finally understand why Ancestor Xuan has always wanted to develop Soul Tools vigorously. This kind of power is truly frightening." Bei Bei's gaze was solemn; he felt as though traditional Soul Masters were gradually losing their way to survive.
Below the stage, the two known as the "Twin Stars of the Outer Court" chatted as the battle on stage seemed to enter its final stage.
The hovering Soul Tool cannon stopped firing. Ning Tian, whose Soul Power had recovered to ninety percent, put away the storage device. She held the hovering cannon in one hand and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in the other.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er had joined forces to finish off Tang San's two accessory teammates.
At this moment, it was a triple-sided pincer position!