Tearing Up the Pretense with Tang San

This one-on-one match lasted a long time. For Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin, it was more than just a competition; it was a fight over who would become the heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Because they knew each other so well and possessed the same martial souls and soul skills, their Soul Power had already run dry after more than ten minutes of fighting. Yet neither was willing to give up. Without Soul Power, they fought with their fists and feet.

Everyone present watched the two of them brawl like street thugs. After all, becoming the heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was far too tempting for either of them to relinquish.

Even though both were now covered in injuries, after battling for over half an hour, they each threw a punch that sent the other flying, and both passed out.

Seeing that both had lost consciousness, the host announced, "Th-this, contestants Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin have both exhausted their Soul Power and physical strength. This match is a draw. However, all seven members of the Thunder Team have been eliminated. The victors are the Heaven Dou Royal Team."

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling quickly ran over. Seeing Yu Tianheng's face covered in blood, with none of his usual handsomeness left, Dugu Yan anxiously said, "Lingling, I'm counting on you."

Ye Lingling nodded gently and immediately used her martial soul, the Nine Heart Begonia, to heal him. Dugu Yan supported Yu Tianheng as she asked, "Tian Heng, are you all right?"

Under the healing of the Nine Heart Begonia, Yu Tianheng soon opened his eyes. The wounds on his body recovered at a visible rate as he asked, "Did I win?"

"It was a draw," Zhao Zilong said as he walked over.

Hearing that it was a draw, Yu Tianheng's eyes filled with disappointment. Looking at Yu Tianxin lying not far away, he said, "Lingling, please heal Tianxin too."

"Mm." Ye Lingling quickly used the Nine Heart Begonia as well, and under its healing, Yu Tianxin recovered.

After recovering, Yu Tianxin stood up with his teammates' help. Looking solemnly at Yu Tianheng, he said, "Looks like I lost this time."

"No, you didn't lose. The two of us fought to a draw," Yu Tianheng answered seriously.

"Even if it was a draw, we still lost the match." Yu Tianxin spoke regretfully, then said nothing more and turned to leave.

The next day brought another advancement match. Today's opponent was one the entire Heaven Dou Royal Team had been eagerly anticipating: the Shrek Battle Team.

Although they had not been able to fight the Shrek Battle Team in a group battle, for Yu Tianheng and the others, who had always wanted to wash away their humiliation, getting to beat up the Shrek Battle Team in one-on-one matches was not bad either.

However, the people from Shrek took the initiative to approach the Heaven Dou Royal Team.

Seeing the members of the Shrek Battle Team come over, Yu Tianheng immediately asked, "Do you need something?"

Tang San looked at Zhao Zilong and said directly, "Zhao Zilong, I hope you and I can be the first to take the field later, just like your match with Feng Xiaotian on the first day. If you win, every member of Shrek will forfeit. And if I win, your side will do the same."

Yu Tianheng was immediately displeased. Feng Xiaotian had done this before, and now Tang San was pulling the same stunt. They really did not take him, the future heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, seriously at all. It infuriated Yu Tianheng.

However, Tang San had specifically called out Zhao Zilong, so Yu Tianheng could not interfere too much. If Zhao Zilong wanted to go first, they would not refuse.

Zhao Zilong looked at Tang San with amusement. "Feng Xiaotian wanted to duel me because of Huo Wu. What's your reason?"

"What do you think it is?" Tang San countered. He had always held some inexplicable hostility toward Zhao Zilong, and Zhao Zilong's humiliation of his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, only made him want to defeat Zhao Zilong even more.

Zhao Zilong feigned ignorance. "I really don't know. Why don't you tell me? If you insist on dueling me, you should at least give me a proper reason. Otherwise, my teammates won't agree."

Tang San's gaze turned cold as he said, "Hmph. You don't know the reason? You don't know what you've done? Do I need to remind you?"

Zhao Zilong was annoyed too. He had not particularly wanted to provoke Tang San, but Tang San insisted on provoking him. Why the hell should he save him any face? He said coldly, "Tang San, just say it. Stop talking in that passive-aggressive tone with me."

"Whose father are you calling yourself?" Tang San's dissatisfaction with Zhao Zilong had initially stemmed from his jealousy and from Zhao Zilong humiliating his teacher, Yu Xiaogang. But now it was different. Zhao Zilong had directly insulted him.

As the atmosphere suddenly dropped to freezing point, the members of the Shrek Battle Team were at a loss. After all, they had once been Zhao Zilong's classmates. Back at the academy, they had never seen Tang San and Zhao Zilong get along this badly.

Zhao Zilong looked at Tang San disdainfully. Compared with Tang San, Zhao Zilong now held far too many advantages. He was no longer the person he had been when he had just crossed over. Now, he was confident he could defeat Tang San. And it was not only Tang San who harbored hostility toward Zhao Zilong; from the very beginning, Zhao Zilong had secretly regarded Tang San as an opponent. The closer he came to the threshold of Rank Fifty, the more clearly he understood that he would soon become Tang San's outright enemy.

His gaze at Tang San grew even colder, and he no longer cared about their former friendship as classmates. "Do I need to say it again? Tang San, stop talking in that passive-aggressive tone with me. Tell me why you want to duel me."

Tang San's face turned livid, his fists clenched as he said icily, "Back then, you humiliated my teacher. Now, you have humiliated me like this. Old and new grudges combined—this reason is enough, isn't it?"

A teasing smile curved Zhao Zilong's lips. "Good. It's good that you said it. There were two reasons I didn't want to stay at Shrek Academy back then. First, that trash Yu Xiaogang. Seeing him every day made me sick. Second, because of you. Like teacher, like student. Can't stand seeing someone more talented than you?"

Tang San's expression grew even uglier. Zhao Zilong's words had indeed struck at his heart. He truly was jealous of Zhao Zilong's talent, which was why he wanted even more to suppress him. He said coldly, "Don't compare me to you. Someone who doesn't even understand the basic principle of respecting one's teacher has nothing worth saying to me. One question: are we fighting or not?"

Hearing Zhao Zilong and Tang San's exchange, the Shrek side was completely dumbfounded. What was going on? How had these two suddenly become so openly hostile?

Zhao Zilong's desire to fight grew stronger and stronger. With a faintly eager look on his face, he said, "As you wish. I'll duel you during the match. I'll take the field first. I hope you won't back down when the time comes."

"That's what I should be saying." Tang San's eyes flashed coldly. In truth, Tang San had always been somewhat worried that Zhao Zilong might suddenly apologize for humiliating Yu Xiaogang back then. If that happened, he would no longer have a reason to challenge him. But now, they had completely fallen out. There was no longer any need to hold back over anything.