The first week of preliminary matches for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament quickly produced results. In the Polaris City region, Shrek Academy had become the hottest dark horse. Even famous top academies such as Divine Wind, Heavenly Water, and Blazing Fire had lost to Shrek. Or rather, they had lost to Tang San alone.
Of course, that had happened under Wu Ling's instruction. Isaac Gale and the others had merely fought with all their available effort. In truth, each of them still held at least one trump card unused. Otherwise, they would have done more than simply force Tang San to reveal the Clear Sky Hammer.
Back when Tang San's three purple and two black Spirit Rings appeared, it had caused an uproar at once. But after the first wave of surprise passed, mockery appeared in the eyes of the higher-ups. They had also seen the flaw in Tang San's approach.
During that week, Wu Ling had attended the matches every day after arriving in Polaris City. Even during the previous Elite Tournament, when he had participated personally, he had not appeared so frequently. This abnormal behavior naturally drew many people's attention.
However, the Saint's status was no longer ordinary. Inside Spirit Hall, even Pope Bibi Dong no longer held much more authority than he did, let alone anyone else.
For someone as honored as him, no one had the right to ask how he chose to act. Many people guessed in secret, but no one knew his true thoughts.
On the VIP platform, a voice suddenly sounded by Wu Ling's ear.
"Saint, there has been movement from Dorian Morrow. This morning, he followed Tang San out of Polaris City toward Shrek's campus. Judging by his actions, his intentions seem malicious."
"Dorian Morrow really can wait," Wu Ling said.
On the VIP platform, he yawned. These days of watching dull arena matches had already tested his patience. But without a suitable opportunity, it had not been convenient for him to act earlier.
Dorian Morrow might be a small figure, but he was still a Spirit King. In the Spirit Master world, that counted as a high-level expert. He was also the vice dean of an advanced Spirit Master academy, giving him some identity, status, and strength.
Wu Ling's status was honored, but if he killed such a person casually without reason, it would still affect his prestige. That was why he had been waiting for the right opportunity.
"Bishop Salas, please keep an eye on the situation here for me."
After giving Salas a few instructions, Wu Ling took the initiative to rise and leave his seat. This naturally drew attention, but no one was tactless enough to ask questions.
The weather was excellent that day. The sunlight was bright, and its warm rays gave people a soft, drowsy feeling. Ever since what had been done to him, Tang San had grown especially fond of bathing in sunlight like this.
He narrowed his eyes and enjoyed the sun. The rare relaxation in his body left him almost intoxicated. Everything that had happened over the past few years had exhausted him. He almost wanted to sink into that comfort completely. But the moment he thought of Spirit Hall's pressure, unwillingness surged through him again.
"No... something is wrong."
Tang San suddenly felt that today's road was a little too long. He subconsciously quickened his pace, but as he walked, he slowed down again. Faintly, he realized that he seemed to be walking in place. There was no feeling of actually moving forward at all.
The sunlight clearly fell on his body, yet its warmth had already vanished. Instead, a faint chill seemed to seep silently from every direction.
Tang San became alert, but nothing around him appeared to change. Passersby moved back and forth beside him. Everything looked completely normal.
Once he confirmed there was a problem, he immediately summoned his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. He immediately sensed a cold aura and vaguely felt killing intent spreading through the air. It was killing intent powerful enough to threaten his life. Someone wanted to harm him.
Tang San was first startled, then deeply afraid. Whoever attacked him so suddenly was clearly strong, and there were no experts by his side right now. It would be false to say he was not panicking.
He hurriedly prepared all his hidden weapons, ready to release them at any time. But then, the surroundings suddenly became quiet. All the sounds that should have existed on the street vanished at once.
In his vision, every scene seemed covered by a thin veil. Everything became indistinct, and a faint figure slowly became clear ten meters in front of him.
"As expected of Shrek Academy's finest student. Your vigilance is impressive. Unfortunately, you discovered it too late."
The one who spoke was an old man in white. Tang San had seen him more than once. It was Dorian Morrow, Pale Radiance Academy's team leader, the Spirit King whom Flender, Barrett Knox, and the others had specifically warned him about.
Tang San stiffened when he saw Dorian. Suppressing his fear, he forced himself to remain calm and said flatly, "So it is Pale Radiance Academy's teacher. May I ask what guidance you have for stopping me here?"
Dorian stared at Tang San for quite a while before smiling faintly.
"I have no guidance to offer. I simply want you to disappear. That is all."
Tang San's expression cooled.
"Just for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament? Is this not going too far?"
"Boy, you do not understand the meaning of this matter at all. For the sake of advancing in the Elite Tournament, killing one of you is nothing. If there were more, this old man would kill them too."
Dorian smiled coldly.
"I have been searching for an opportunity these past few days. Unfortunately, you were always with the other Shrek students, so I had no chance to act."
"But today, you finally gave me that chance. Be smarter in your next life. What a pity. You are not a disciple of my Pale Radiance Academy."
As Dorian spoke, Tang San suddenly discovered that the blurred scenery around him had become clear. He was now standing in the wilderness. When he looked back, he could vaguely see the walls of Polaris City.
Tang San then fell to the ground, his body convulsing violently. Blue Silver Grass coiled around him. Ten meters away, beneath a large tree, Dorian did not even need to look with his eyes. He could clearly sense that Tang San was already on the verge of collapse.
At that moment, the Spirit King's seventh Spirit Ring shone with dazzling black light. His face was covered in a cruel, twisted smile.
He greatly enjoyed torturing geniuses to death. This was not the first time he had done something like this. His Martial Soul was extremely special. By tormenting an opponent, he could invade their spirit. After torturing them until they collapsed, he could even obtain their memories.
Tang San's convulsions among the Blue Silver Grass gradually weakened. His body only twitched faintly. The coiling Blue Silver Grass slipped down to the ground. It seemed that Tang San was about to die.
Dorian's smile became even more cruel.
"What a pity. If I could reach the level of a Titled Sage, I would be able to see everything he experienced through my Martial Soul. That would be even more perfect."
In the past, Dorian had killed several geniuses through extremely hidden methods. This time, when he designed this ambush against Tang San, he had no intention of leaving evidence either. If such a matter spread, not only would Pale Radiance Academy be finished, he himself would be classified as an Evil Spirit Master and hunted to death by Spirit Hall and the other Spirit Master powers.
In that extreme silence, a voice suddenly sounded.
"Dorian Morrow, you crossed the line."
Hearing that voice, Dorian felt as if the speaker was very close. He subconsciously raised his head toward the tree above him. Horror spread across his face, and he retreated several steps.
"Saint... Saint... Saint!"