Dao Jie cracked his knuckles. He didn't care about anything else anymore; originally, he saw how fair-skinned and tender Tang San was and thought about being a bit gentle, but now he only wanted to show Tang San "why the flowers are so red!"
A long saber manifested in his hand, the third soul ring beside him lit up, and a sudden blade flare swung out!
Tang San, who had just struggled to his feet, narrowed his eyes. Another corner of his Spider Lance War Armor shattered. With a flash of golden light and relying on Invincible Golden Body, Tang San blocked the strike once again.
Staring at Dao Jie as he approached step by step, Tang San felt a deep sense of unwilling resentment.
Ten thousand years ago, Tang San was able to break the defense of the Immovable Bright King, Zhao Wuji, by relying on his hidden weapons and the fact that Zhao Wuji wasn't serious; otherwise, Tang San would have been face-down from the start.
But now? The Spider Lance War Armor was indeed powerful—it boosted his strength and defense and even granted him a life-saving divine skill like Invincible Golden Body.
However, there was a catch: when he used the armor, it covered his entire body and tore his clothes to shreds.
For an ordinary Soul Master, this was nothing more than a minor wardrobe issue. But for him, it was a fatal flaw!
You see, he had hidden a vast array of hidden weapons within the layers of his clothing!
Thus, a contradiction arose: using the Spider Lance War Armor prevented the use of hidden weapons, and using hidden weapons prevented the use of the armor.
Now, to save his life, he had used the armor, his hidden weapons were lost, and a merciless Soul Emperor powerhouse was targeting him... did he really have no chance left?
No... actually, he still had a trump card... it was just that...
Struggling, Tang San tried to speak again:
"Senior! Don't you think it's a bit too much for a dignified Soul Emperor like yourself to bully a lowly Soul Elder like me?!"
Dao Jie's footsteps paused slightly, a look of surprise crossing his face, followed by... another palm strike!
The golden light of Invincible Golden Body flashed again, and Tang San was sent flying once more.
"Heh! Do you think I worked this hard at cultivation for anything other than doing whatever I want? Bullying the weak? Isn't that exactly how it's supposed to be!"
Dao Jie smiled disdainfully, thinking there was definitely something wrong with the brain of the kid in front of him.
Facing an enemy clearly intent on killing you—one you cannot defeat—anyone with a brain would be looking for a way to run, not wasting time yapping. This kid was purely brain-damaged!
Looking at Tang San, whose clothes were slightly messy but who remained largely uninjured, Dao Jie was slightly surprised.
He knew Tang San's soul bone possessed a life-saving soul skill, but he hadn't expected it to be usable so many times. And...
Dao Jie caught a glimpse and let out a soft "tsk."
So fair...
One hit and the armor explodes?
Dao Jie had found his fun. He unconsciously licked his lips and turned around. "Take the injured members back first. I'm going to play for a while."
Behind him, the Vice Captain—a Soul King—paused, but ultimately nodded and turned to leave.
As the Vice Captain, how could he not know his Captain's thoughts? It was just a passing whim, and besides, the Captain knew his limits.
As for what would happen to this Tang San... who cared? As long as the boy was delivered alive to the Young Master in the end.
Taking the only survivor among the four Soul Ancestors from the jaws of the bloodthirsty soul beasts, the Soul King left quickly. Now, only Dao Jie and Tang San remained.
"Come, let me see exactly how many times you can use that life-saving soul skill!"
Dao Jie raised his hand, and another blade flare swung out from his great saber. Tang San had no choice but to activate Invincible Golden Body again to block the hit.
But he wasn't done. With every step Dao Jie took closer, he casually swung his blade at Tang San, like a cat toying with a mouse—leisurely, as if everything was under his control.
Tang San's eyes were bloodshot. Being only a Soul Elder, even a casual strike from a Soul Emperor was unstoppable; he was forced to use Invincible Golden Body over and over again.
The Spider Lance War Armor continued to shatter, covering less and less of him. Following the eighth use of Invincible Golden Body, the Eight Spider Lances—which had only been fully repaired for two days—completely crumbled once again!
Tang San, now left with nothing, knelt on the ground, his face twisted in a mask of distorted resentment. Yet, the more Tang San looked like this, the more excited Dao Jie became!
Watching Dao Jie approach, Tang San was incredibly hesitant. He had one final trump card left—his Divine Consciousness!
With the power of Divine Consciousness, which contained the level of a "God," even a Titled Douluo could have their consciousness snuffed out instantly! But... this could only be used once!
Tang San truly did not want to waste such a powerful trump card here.
Thinking this, Tang San spoke again: "Senior, you haven't killed me outright because you want to take me back alive, right?
"Even though my cultivation is low, I understand the principle of 'rather be a broken jade than a whole tile'! If I commit suicide, you won't be able to report back easily, will you!"
"Ooh~ Threatening me! I like that attitude!" A smirk appeared on Dao Jie's lips. In the next moment, his soul power surged, completely suppressing Tang San.
Flipping him over, Dao Jie laughed, "The Young Master is in a hurry, I won't waste any more time!"
Tang San's pupils dilated instantly as he realized something: "?! You dare...??!!!...!! You have a way to court death!!!"
(It is said that the Brave General, spear in hand, stood alone in the desert canyon to face a vast army, attempting to break through the imperial pass and strike directly into the enemy's heartland.
(However, the enemy would not stand for it, ordering the canyon guards to resist to the death; not a single step back was allowed, even if only one soldier remained!
(Yet, they were facing the Brave General after all. His spear struck like a dragon, plunging in and out of the enemy lines seven hundred times, the spear's glow completely covering the entire canyon! He moved as if through an empty field!
(The defending troops were terrified but held their ground. In the end, having no other choice, the defenders decided to stake everything on one throw, paying a grievous price to pray for the Heavens to open their eyes and grant divine grace to strike the Brave General down from his horse!)
"Haha... Hahahahaha!!!!"
Tang San stood up tremulously. Though his legs were shaking, he held his forehead with one hand and laughed wildly toward the sky, his facial expression utterly twisted. At this moment, Tang San felt as though his state of mind had reached a certain level of transcendence.
Beside him, Dao Jie had long since lost consciousness. The powerful Divine Consciousness had ground his mind to dust. The current Dao Jie was a vegetable—possessing the physical strength of a body but no intellect whatsoever!
Staring fixedly at the effectively dead Dao Jie, a hint of madness flashed in the depths of Tang San's eyes.
His Divine Consciousness! His Divine Consciousness! His strongest trump card had been wasted on a mere Soul Emperor! Tang San felt as if his heart were bleeding!
However, it wasn't without unexpected gains...
"Stand up."
Suppressing the chaos within, Tang San spoke to Dao Jie.
In the next instant, the tower-like Soul Emperor obeyed Tang San's command, slowly standing up with hollow, lifeless eyes.
Because it had crossed the barriers of fate, Tang San's wisp of Divine Consciousness had been weakened to the point of extreme fragility, but it was still power derived from a God!
Wiping out the consciousness of a mere Soul Emperor and turning him into a puppet was, quite frankly, simple.
"Now, lead the way!"
At this moment, Tang San's eyes were filled with nothing but ice!