Tang San's mood dipped. He stopped challenging those with the highest win rates and instead scrolled lower on the list, looking for opponents he believed he could handle.
"First Spirit Ability—Binding!"
The Blue Silver Grass around his feet surged like coiling serpents, wrapping tightly around Jade Heavenheart's body.
Jade Heavenheart didn't even resist. "Is that all?"
"Second Spirit Ability—Parasite!"
You're too careless.
A faint smile tugged at Tang San's lips.
My second ability can absorb—
But Jade Heavenheart had already noticed. He activated his cultivation technique, and lightning coursed across his body. In the next instant, every vine constricting him exploded into fragments.
His right hand drew back, then thrust forward. A dragon-shaped bolt of energy roared out so fast Tang San barely registered it. It slammed into him and sent him crashing backward.
Flashy.
That was Jade Heavenheart's verdict.
—
"How did everyone do?" When the agreed time arrived, Tang Xiao stepped out of the Training Ground.
He wore a calm smile, as though the one who had been repeatedly defeated earlier wasn't Tang San at all.
Tang San's face darkened. "Free matching was fine. Even without spirit-level suppression, I won every battle."
"But in the Genius Training Ground—where everyone's level was equal—I was crushed. Completely crushed."
"I challenged ten people and didn't win once. One of them was even a support-type Spirit Master. But her spirit-power finger blasts clashed head-on with my White Tiger Light Wave!"
He drew in a breath, voice suddenly rising. "And worse—they pierced through my attacks and shattered my White Tiger Barrier."
"And Zhu Zhuqing," Dai Mubai added grimly. "She's three years younger than Little San. Agility-attack system. Hell Civet. But she suppressed me to death."
Flender stared. "How?"
"Absolute superiority in attack speed and movement. She blocked everything. I couldn't land effective damage at all.
"Even with spirit abilities, I couldn't connect, while she launched continuous assaults. Once my guard broke, I became a target dummy."
He let out a bitter laugh. "She never used a single spirit ring ability."
Zhao Wuji and the others fell silent. Tang Xiao's earlier warning now made complete sense.
The atmosphere chilled—until Ma Hongjun and Xiao Wu arrived.
"The top twenty rankings are out!" Ma Hongjun said excitedly. Unfortunately, he forgot most names after just a few.
Xiao Wu stayed by Tang San's side, offering quiet comfort. Only after that did she read the rankings aloud:
First, Gao Feng, Spirit Hall.
Second, Huo Wu, Blazing Academy.
Third, Qian Renxue, Spirit Hall.
Fourth, Yang Xian, Breaking Clan.
Fifth, Zhu Zhuqing, Hell Civet Manor.
Sixth, Ning Rongrong, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Twelfth, Zhu Zhuyu, Hell Civet Manor.
Thirteenth, Feng Xiaotian, Divine Wind Academy.
Fourteenth, Xie Yue, Spirit Hall.
Fifteenth, Tang Long, Clear Sky Sect.
Sixteenth, Liu Yanhu, Star Luo Palace Guard.
Seventeenth, Feng Xin, Wind Sword Sect.
Eighteenth, Zhou Changxing, Rogue Spirit Master.
Nineteenth, Xie Bing, Rogue Spirit Master.
Twentieth, Wang Wangyuan, Rogue Spirit Master.
"There are even Rogue Spirit Masters?!" Dai Mubai's pupils shrank, shock flaring alongside indignation.
Oscar, meanwhile, stood quietly. His talent and comprehension were extraordinary—Tang Xiao admired him deeply. But Oscar clearly wasn't willing to leave Shrek, and the elders would never invest core resources in an outsider.
Thinking of resources made Tang Xiao sigh. "The Sect spared no expense. Yet we were still crushed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Even our most promising Dragon Son only squeezed into the top ten."
"Now the Sect desperately needs people—and you are the best candidate."
Tang San clenched his fists. "Godfather… they all have access to third-grade cultivation methods and private techniques?"
"At least one matching third-grade method each—and secret manuals for offense and defense tailored to their fighting styles."
Tang San fell silent.
All he had was Mysterious Heaven Skill and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. He lacked offensive secret techniques, and hidden weapons were nearly useless in this kind of battle. No wonder he had lost so badly.
If he could fill those gaps… he believed he wouldn't lose to anyone.
So, for now, he could only return to the Clear Sky Sect.
"Good!" Tang Xiao's joy showed openly. "Don't worry. As long as your talent holds, the Sect will support you fully. Xiao Wu—you too, rest easy."
Xiao Wu wasn't particularly worried. She had seen countless Spirit Beasts and Spirit Masters coexist peacefully. Combined with Tang Xiao's assurance, her heart remained steady.
They continued discussing the arena illusions, the geniuses from various clans, the methods and manuals that could be exchanged for points. Nearby, a pair who had just finished a duel ran into each other in the plaza and immediately started arguing about the match—voices rising as though they might fight again on the spot.
Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts watched, cheering them on.
Yes—hostility still lingered between some factions. But scenes like this made it clear the world was changing.
And with the Spirit Beast King, Di Tian, displaying overwhelming might today…
Who would dare provoke him by hunting a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast?
Seeing Tang San agree to return to the Sect, Tang Xiao turned to Oscar. "Your talent is just as exceptional. Would you like to—?"
"No." Tang Xiao shook his head gently before Oscar could finish. He already understood the boy's answer.
_____________________
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