Sparring

Early the next morning, Xiao Tianyang set out first. His journey was simple: a small bundle, all alone, with Nuoding City as his destination.

As for finding the Spirit Hall branch, that was not difficult either. He only had to grab any local and ask—could not have been easier.

However, the moment he arrived at the entrance, a guard stopped him. "Kid, this is Spirit Hall. You can't just barge in!"

Xiao Tianyang did not mind. He merely smiled politely. "I'm looking for Su Yuntao, Master Su. If he's here, please let him know that a child named Xiao Tianyang is looking for him."

Hearing this, the guard could not help but look Xiao Tianyang up and down. Though suspicious, he still went inside to report it.

Before long, footsteps sounded from within.

"Did Not Expect you to actually come looking for me. How interesting."

When Su Yuntao saw Xiao Tianyang, he could not help but freeze. "You are...?"

Xiao Tianyang's appearance had changed so drastically that even Tang San had nearly failed to recognize him after only one day, let alone Su Yuntao, who had not seen him for almost three months.

Xiao Tianyang did not hide it. "I don't know why, but after my Spirit Awakening, I took a nap and became like this."

Xiao Tianyang felt there was no need to lie about this.

Moreover, a martial soul could affect its owner's body. It was possible, just with fewer examples.

Sure enough, Su Yuntao did not ask further. He simply nodded. "That makes sense. But are you really going to fulfill that request from back then?"

"Of course."

Xiao Tianyang answered without hesitation.

"Then come with me."

Su Yuntao waved him over and turned toward the hall. Xiao Tianyang immediately followed.

There was an Arena inside Spirit Hall. It was not particularly large, but it was enough for two people to spar. This was where Su Yuntao had brought Xiao Tianyang.

"With Innate Full Soul Power and such strong physical qualities, I have to say, you're the most interesting child I've ever met."

Su Yuntao stood in the Arena with his hands behind his back, putting on the airs of an old master.

Xiao Tianyang was a little speechless. You're only in your twenties. Why are you acting like such a grandmaster already?

"Then Master Su had better be careful."

The smile on Xiao Tianyang's face was sincere.

Yet in the next instant, he suddenly burst forward in a sprint. His speed was so fast that even Su Yuntao was caught off guard.

Bang!

With a dull thud, Xiao Tianyang's fist slammed into Su Yuntao's crossed arms, forcing him back two steps!

That was right. Although he had not reacted in time, Su Yuntao was still a twenty-sixth-ranked Battle Soul Master. No matter how weak he was, there was no way he could fail to block even a single punch.

"Good kid. Your strength really isn't small."

Su Yuntao shook out his hands and smiled. "At your age, reaching this level is already quite impressive. How about we call it a draw?"

The system gave no prompt, so Xiao Tianyang merely smiled. "Master Su, there should be a second half to that, shouldn't there?"

"You really are a smart child."

Su Yuntao nodded and added, "That's right. Your martial soul may be strange, but it is not necessarily a useless martial soul. And with Innate Full Soul Power and a physique like yours, if you join Spirit Hall, you will definitely receive focused training."

"Are you inviting me?"

Xiao Tianyang thought to himself, Just as expected.

The reason the system had not responded was because Su Yuntao had not acknowledged it as a draw. What he had just said was merely an attempt to recruit him.

Su Yuntao spread his hands. "Isn't that obvious enough?"

Xiao Tianyang could not help but smile. "I'm still just a child, so I haven't thought that far ahead. How about Master Su fights me once more, and then I'll seriously consider it?"

The hidden meaning behind those words was simple: if you could not even beat me, what was the point of joining Spirit Hall?

The words were somewhat childish. After all, everyone on the Douluo Continent knew Spirit Hall's standing. But did that not fit Xiao Tianyang's persona perfectly?

"Hahaha, alright. Then I'll give you plenty to think about."

Laughing, Su Yuntao stepped forward on his own initiative. He was no slower than Xiao Tianyang had been just now, and his fierce punch tore through the air with a sonic boom.

Faced with that punch, Xiao Tianyang neither dodged nor evaded. Instead, he Charge Towards it head-on!

However, at the moment they drew close, Xiao Tianyang half-turned his body. His left palm slid against the fist, redirecting its force to the side.

At the same time, borrowing the momentum of his turn, his left elbow drove into Su Yuntao's ribs.

A numb, aching sensation spread through his body. In that instant, Su Yuntao had an utterly absurd thought—could he lose?

But Xiao Tianyang's assault was far from over.

The moment his elbow struck Su Yuntao's ribs again, Xiao Tianyang had already moved directly in front of him. He kicked straight into the back of Su Yuntao's knee, forcing him to drop to one knee.

Before he could react, a knee strike came flying toward his head!

Startled, Su Yuntao hurriedly dropped flat to avoid it.

But immediately afterward, he felt a gust of pressure descending onto his back. His instincts screamed at him to roll to the side!

And he did exactly that...

Bang!

With a dull thud, Xiao Tianyang's downward whipping kick slammed into the spot where Su Yuntao had been lying!

Su Yuntao's face was somewhat blank—that was from being beaten.

To be honest, the strength Xiao Tianyang had displayed was not particularly outrageous. It was fairly standard, only slightly stronger than that of an ordinary child.

But his techniques were enough to make one's scalp tingle!

First of all, that series of moves was definitely not the kind of reaction one could develop through empty practice alone!

Because during their exchange, Su Yuntao had not failed to struggle. However, Xiao Tianyang had forcibly altered the angles of his moves and neutralized every attempt!

"Tianyang, I knew I wasn't wrong about you!"

Su Yuntao took a deep breath and said solemnly, "But this ends here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a white and a yellow soul ring rose from his body!

At the same time, the phantom of a giant wolf appeared behind him. That was Su Yuntao's Martial Soul, Lone Wolf!

But just as Su Yuntao was about to make his move, Xiao Tianyang raised a hand and said, "No need to continue, Master Su. I concede!"

The overwhelming Aura that had just surged forth instantly deflated, and Su Yuntao's entire face fell.

However, Xiao Tianyang had already prepared an explanation. He smiled and said, "Master Su, I only sparred with you because I wanted to see how a real Soul Master fought, and also to find out whether my techniques could hold their own against you. That's all. I had no other intentions."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply. After straightening up, he continued, "Now that you've unleashed your Martial Soul, I'd be the one getting utterly crushed. Do I look that stupid to you?"

Su Yuntao had no response to that and could only smile wryly. "You really are something."

"Hehe, Master Su, please don't take it to heart."

Xiao Tianyang turned around and rummaged through his bag. Before long, he took out a complete set of Boruto and handed it to Su Yuntao. "Consider this an apology gift."

"You're just a child. How could I possibly take your things?"

Su Yuntao straightened his clothes and said somewhat unhappily.

"Take it. They're only some books. I'm sure you'll like them."

Xiao Tianyang set the books down, then turned and left. "Goodbye, Master Su!"