This Hammer Needs to Get Through

The Soul Fighting Arena was even livelier than Xu Sheng had expected.

They were still some distance from the competition platform, but the shouting had already reached them through the passage. Someone up ahead had won, someone nearby was cursing over a bad bet, and several waiting Soul Masters sat on a bench, none of them sparing anyone else a glance.

Xu Sheng put on his faceplate and stowed his newly issued Iron Soul Badge.

He Zheng was looking down at the team registration.

White Wings, Heavy Hammer.

In the end, the two had given their team a wonderfully simple name: Flying Hammer.

When Mo Yifan heard it, he laughed for half the length of the passage.

"You two spent all that time discussing it, and that's what you came up with?"

"Easy to remember," Xu Sheng said.

"Then wouldn't Lu Song and I be Flying Shield?"

Lu Song thought about it seriously. "That works too."

This time, Mo Yifan was the one left speechless.

Xu Sheng and He Zheng's match was scheduled for later. While they waited, Xu Sheng asked He Zheng about both his Soul Skills, then had him take up his hammer and try his opening moves twice.

His First Soul Skill, Heavy Mountain.

It strengthened the power of his hammer blows for a short time.

His second Soul Skill, Earth Shaker.

When the hammerhead struck the ground, it could raise a shock wave nearby, disrupting the footing of anyone standing in that small area. The effect varied with the ground, and it couldn't reach anyone far away.

Both were highly practical.

Xu Sheng tested it with him twice, standing close the first time and moving a few steps away the second. After that, he had a good idea of the shock wave's range.

When He Zheng had teamed up with others before, it was his second Soul Skill that had given him the most trouble.

Whenever he raised his hammer, his teammates would retreat first. If they were too slow, they would be shaken as well.

Xu Sheng's eyes lit up when he heard that.

"When you raise your hammer, I'll move."

"Move where?"

"Don't worry about that yet. Just call out to me before the hammer falls."

Before long, a staff member called them up.

The two men who came up on the other side were a broad-shouldered, thick-backed man with a heavy square shield floating before him, and a tall, lean man whose arms had transformed into curved scythes. Azure patterns ran from his wrists all the way to his elbows.

Thick Earth Shield, level twenty-eight.

Azure-Patterned Mantis, level twenty-seven.

Both had two Yellow Soul Rings.

When Xu Sheng heard that the shield bearer was named Jin Yuan, he paused for a moment, then smiled.

He hadn't yet had a chance to use Meng Xingzhou's letter of introduction, but he had already run into the man himself.

Jin Yuan knew nothing of that connection. He nodded to the two of them and planted his shield on the ground.

The moment the signal to begin sounded, Fang Zhu, the Azure-Patterned Mantis Soul Master, charged out around the side of the shield!

He didn't try to meet the Clear Sky Hammer head-on. His curved scythe went straight for Xu Sheng.

Xu Sheng spread his white wings and turned sideways to evade the first strike, thrusting his steel sword out in the same motion. Fang Zhu crossed his arms, bringing a scythe blade against the sword. Using that contact, he pressed another half step forward.

So fast!

Xu Sheng stepped back, but the other scythe blade was already sweeping toward his waist.

Crimson light flashed into being.

First Soul Ring, Crimson Holy Judgment!

Sword and scythe clashed, jolting Fang Zhu's arm. He didn't press the attack, instead turning and retreating to Jin Yuan's side.

On the other side, He Zheng had already advanced, swinging his hammer.

The pitch-black hammerhead slammed into the shield. The tremendous, muffled boom made even the spectators in the front row sit up straight.

Jin Yuan's feet dragged two marks across the ground, and his expression changed slightly.

He had seen many hammer-type Martial Souls, but that blow had still exceeded his expectations.

Yet his shield held.

His First Soul Ring lit up, coating the shield in a thick layer of earthy yellow light. He deflected the hammer's force to the side and braced his shoulder against the inside of his shield, standing firm in front of Fang Zhu.

While He Zheng was drawing his hammer back, Fang Zhu darted out again!

This time, his scythe aimed for the wrist.

He Zheng didn't have time to swing his hammer around again. He held the shaft crosswise and caught the blade, but from his side came the sound of Jin Yuan's approaching footsteps.

One blocked from the front while the other slashed from behind. The two worked together with practiced ease.

Xu Sheng flapped his wings and rushed over, forcing Fang Zhu back with a sword strike. Then he pulled He Zheng away from the front.

"Don't stand in a straight line."

He Zheng caught his breath and nodded.

He had kept trying to smash the shield open with a single blow, but in those two exchanges, their opponents had used the shield to keep him and Xu Sheng from attacking together.

At the edge of the stands, Zhuo Yuan squeezed into the passage just in time to see it happen.

Someone beside him muttered, "That Angel's only level twenty-three. Wouldn't it be over if he just flew up?"

Zhuo Yuan didn't answer.

If Xu Sheng flew up and left He Zheng standing alone below, He Zheng would still take a beating.

It was the first time those two had teamed up. How could it be that easy?

On the platform, however, Xu Sheng really did fly up.

His Second Soul Ring lit up, and his white wings traced a line of gold beneath the lights. He didn't rise very high. As soon as he cleared their heads, he swept diagonally toward Jin Yuan's flank.

Jin Yuan immediately turned his shield.

Fang Zhu retreated with him, crossing his scythes to guard against Xu Sheng swooping down from above.

He Zheng took the opportunity to close in, and his hammerhead slammed into the shield once more.

"Again?"

Jin Yuan gave a low shout. His Second Soul Ring lit up, and the bottom of his shield pressed heavily against the platform. He seemed rooted to the spot. Though the Clear Sky Hammer's blow was heavy, he held it back.

Xu Sheng didn't land behind the shield. Instead, he circled in a small arc overhead.

Fang Zhu had just started to move when he heard He Zheng shout.

"White Wings!"

Xu Sheng shot upward.

The black hammer struck the ground!

Earth Shaker!

A shock wave rippled across the nearby platform. Jin Yuan used his braced shield to steady himself, but Fang Zhu was just about to move, and the shock knocked one of his feet out of position.

In that instant, Xu Sheng dropped down from above his head!

Crimson light gathered on the sword. Xu Sheng didn't slash at his throat, but between his two curved scythes.

Fang Zhu hastily crossed his arms and took the sword strike head-on, his feet sliding backward.

Jin Yuan wanted to turn his shield to help, but he found that he had braced it too firmly to withstand the hammer. By the time he released his Soul Skill and turned, he was a beat slower than usual.

How could He Zheng let him get away with that?

He stopped trying to overpower the shield head-on. Stepping to the side, he brought his hammerhead down hard along its edge, blocking Jin Yuan from turning.

The fight on the platform split into two.

Fang Zhu retreated near the edge of the platform. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth. His Second Soul Ring lit up, and he pushed off with both legs, launching himself into the air!

Leaping Slash!

The attack came with incredible speed.

Xu Sheng only had time to bring his sword across before the scythe blade struck its spine with a heavy blow, jolting the web between his thumb and forefinger numb.

He leaned back with the force, his wings almost brushing the platform, and used the wind from his wings to move clear of Fang Zhu's landing spot.

Fang Zhu landed, but before he could find his footing, he saw another flash of white light before him.

Xu Sheng hadn't stayed in the air to wait for him.

Driving his Firmament Holy Wings, he doubled back just above the platform, ramming his shoulder between Fang Zhu's arms before Fang Zhu could draw them in!

Bang!

Fang Zhu staggered back several steps. His rear foot found empty air, and he fell off the Soul Fighting platform.

Xu Sheng checked his pursuit, his toes resting on the platform's edge. His chest was rising and falling as well.

The stands fell silent for a moment, then erupted in shouts.

Jin Yuan was still locked in a contest of strength with He Zheng. When he caught sight of Fang Zhu falling from the platform, his expression darkened.

He Zheng couldn't help grinning.

"Your partner's down."

"I saw!"

Jin Yuan gave a low shout and raised his shield, forcing him back instead.

He Zheng took a step back. Before he could raise his hammer, Xu Sheng had already landed on Jin Yuan's other side.

One in front and one to the side.

Jin Yuan looked at the hammer, then at the sword, and finally let out a helpless sigh.

"We concede."

He Zheng quickly eased off, and Xu Sheng lowered his sword point.

Only after the host announced the result did He Zheng turn to Xu Sheng and hold out his fist.

Xu Sheng raised his hand and bumped it.

The Clear Sky Hammer felt heavy in the hand.

This man, though, could take it.

As they left, Song Xiaoqiao had already squeezed her way to the mouth of the passage, a roll of bandage cloth clutched in her hand.

"I thought we'd need this..."

Xu Sheng saw it and smiled, waving his empty hand at her.

"Put it away for now. I'm fine."

He Zheng, however, took the bandage from her.

"Don't put it away. I need it."

He held out his palm. The skin between his thumb and forefinger had split a little, and in his excitement, he had gotten blood on his sleeve.

Song Xiaoqiao was both annoyed and amused as she took his hand. Xu Sheng helped wrap the bandage around it, and just as he finished tying the knot, someone walked up to them and looked at He Zheng.

"Well fought."

Zhuo Yuan stood at the foot of the steps, holding a list.

"Come to the academy tomorrow to prepare for the next ring hunt. A place has been reserved for Song Xiaoqiao."