Seven-in-One? One Cauldron Breaks It!

Zhang Bufan's words—"Hidden weapons are ultimately external tools. If your heart is crooked, even the finest techniques are still a crooked path"—struck Tang San's mind like a thunderclap, plunging him into immense shock and confusion.

He had cultivated the Tang Sect's supreme arts since childhood, and the general principles of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record were engraved deep into his soul: "Tang Sect disciples must not easily provoke trouble, but if someone takes the initiative to offend them, they may answer with thunder." He had always kept that rule in mind. Using hidden weapons against enemies had always seemed perfectly justified to him, so how could his heart be considered "crooked"?

Yet Zhang Bufan had effortlessly broken every one of his hidden weapons, and that gaze of his seemed to see through everything, making Tang San doubt himself for the first time. Was what he had always relied on truly right or wrong?

"Brother, are you okay?" Xiao Wu asked worriedly, supporting Tang San's pale body.

Dai Mubai and the others also gathered around him. Though they had suffered a miserable defeat, seeing Tang San so lost and shaken made their hearts ache even more.

"Little San, don't listen to that guy's nonsense!" Dai Mubai consoled him in a deep voice. "He's only strong, so he gets to stand there and spout nonsense!"

"Exactly! What kind of twisted logic was that?" Ma Hongjun said indignantly.

Oscar handed over a Recovery Great Sausage. "Little San, eat something first and recover."

Tang San accepted the sausage but did not eat it. He merely looked blankly in the direction of Master Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang approached with Flender and Liu Erlong supporting him. His expression was no better, but seeing his beloved disciple in such a state, he forced himself to rally and said solemnly, "Little San, do not let your opponent's words disturb your mind. Zhang Bufan's strength has indeed surpassed our understanding. His words may have their own basis, but they are not necessarily the truth. Your Tang Sect arts are a part of you. How you use them depends on your heart. The key lies in the user, not the techniques themselves."

Yu Xiaogang's words were like a jolt of enlightenment, clearing much of Tang San's muddled thoughts.

That was right. Hidden weapons themselves were neither righteous nor evil. What mattered was the person using them and what they used them for. He had never used hidden weapons to slaughter innocents. Everything he had done was only to protect his companions and fight for victory!

At that thought, the confusion in Tang San's eyes gradually faded, replaced once more by determination. He looked in the direction Zhang Bufan had left, his expression complicated. "Teacher, I understand. Thank you."

He swallowed Oscar's sausage in one bite, then sat cross-legged and began circulating his power to regulate his breathing. Though his injuries were serious, adjusting his mindset was even more important. The Final Tournament was not over yet. They still had a chance to fight for third place through the Loser Bracket Resurrection Mechanism. He could not fall into despair now.

Seeing Tang San pull himself together again, everyone from Shrek Academy let out a sigh of relief.

However, the shadow Zhang Bufan had cast over them—and that utterly unshakable finger—would likely remain etched in their hearts for a long time.

Unlike the heavy atmosphere on Shrek Academy's side, the Imperial Fighting Team's rest area was filled with celebration.

"Bufan, you were incredible! One finger! Just one finger!" Yu Feng danced around excitedly, imitating Zhang Bufan flicking his finger.

Osler looked equally worshipful. "That was the Clear Sky Hammer! Seven-in-One! It still feels like a dream!"

Though Ye Lingling remained quiet as ever, her gaze toward Zhang Bufan was also filled with amazement.

Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan were relatively calmer, but neither could hide the joy on their faces. Defeating the powerful Shrek Academy so easily meant they already had one foot on the champion's throne.

"Alright, quiet down," Yu Tianheng said, maintaining order as the captain. "We've only entered the finals. The real hard battle is still ahead."

He looked at Zhang Bufan, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry. "Bufan, our opponent in the finals will most likely be the three from Spirit Hall Academy: Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena, known as the Golden Generation. All three are Soul Kings, and I've heard they possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Their strength is likely no weaker than Shrek's."

Everyone turned their eyes toward Zhang Bufan.

Zhang Bufan was leisurely sipping a glass of juice. Hearing that, he glanced at Yu Tianheng and said dismissively, "Spirit Hall? Golden Generation? That's a pretty intimidating name. Don't worry, Captain. When the time comes, you guys can just stand nearby and cheer. I'll handle it."

Everyone: ... They knew he was strong, but why did those words sound so punchable?

Yu Tianheng's mouth twitched as he said helplessly, "Bufan, I know you're strong, but the finals are no trivial matter. We still need to come up with some tactics..."

"Tactics?" Zhang Bufan set down his juice and patted Yu Tianheng's shoulder, speaking earnestly. "Captain, before absolute strength, all tactics are just clouds in the sky. Trust me, there won't be a problem."

His confidence, bordering on arrogance, made Yu Tianheng swallow the rest of his words again. Forget it. Discussing tactics with this monster really did seem unnecessary.

Just then, someone knocked on the lounge door.

Osler, who was closest to the door, opened it and found Huo Wu standing outside. She wore red, her figure was fiery, and her face was breathtakingly beautiful. There was a trace of barely noticeable awkwardness on her pretty face.

"Miss Huo Wu?" Osler froze for a moment.

The Imperial Fighting Team immediately wore knowing expressions, all turning to look at Zhang Bufan.

Zhang Bufan's eyes lit up. He immediately stood, a grin spreading across his face as he hurried to the door. "Wu'er, what are you doing here? Did you come to see me? Were you captivated by my handsome performance just now?"

Seeing his smug, playful expression, most of Huo Wu's lingering worry instantly vanished. She rolled her eyes at him irritably. "Stop flattering yourself! Who came to see you? I... I was just passing by!"

"Passing by is good, passing by is good." Zhang Bufan grinned. "Come in and sit for a while? Have some tea?"

"No need!" Huo Wu immediately refused. Being alone with this bastard was far too dangerous. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke quickly in a low voice. "You... you're alright, right? Tang San's hidden weapons... they were strange. I heard they can sometimes be poisoned..."

So that was what she was worried about.

Warmth immediately filled Zhang Bufan's heart. Looking at Huo Wu's eyes, which tried to remain calm but could not conceal her concern, he found the girl before him utterly adorable.

He deliberately leaned a little closer, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear. "What? Worried about me?"

His sudden approach made Huo Wu's heart skip a beat. Catching the fresh scent around him, along with that powerful confidence he carried, her cheeks reddened. She instinctively stepped back half a step, forcing herself to say, "Who... who's worried about you? I just... I just don't want you to lose the match because of such underhanded methods as poison and embarrass our Heaven Dou Empire!"

"Your words say one thing, but your heart says another." Zhang Bufan's smile grew even brighter. Then, with lightning speed, he reached out and vigorously ruffled Huo Wu's beautiful short red hair twice.

"Don't worry, my little Wu'er." His gesture was intimate, but his tone carried unquestionable dominance. "Nothing capable of hurting me has been made anywhere on Douluo Continent yet."

Huo Wu was stunned for a moment by his sudden head pat. Then she jumped away like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, slapped his hand aside, and flushed bright red with both embarrassment and anger. "You! You lecher! Who gave you permission to touch my hair?!"

Her chest rose and fell with anger as she pointed at Zhang Bufan. After stammering "you" for a long while, she finally stomped her foot and threw out, "You'd better not lose the finals! Otherwise, just see how I'll laugh at you!" Then she turned and fled as though escaping for her life.

Zhang Bufan watched Huo Wu's graceful retreating figure, savoring the soft, silky sensation of her hair beneath his palm. He chuckled foolishly twice.

Hehe, she got shy. So cute. Looks like I'm not far from winning her over completely.

This girl, even when she cares about someone, she has to be so awkward about it. But I like that.

Still, she actually came to check on me. Looks like this handsome guy really is quite charming!

He turned around happily, only to find every member of the Imperial Fighting Team staring at him with extremely strange expressions.

Yu Feng waggled his eyebrows. "Brother Bufan, not bad! You've already won over the fiery Goddess from Blazing Fire Academy?"

Osler imitated Zhang Bufan's tone. "'My little Wu'er'~~~ Ow!" Before he could finish, Zhang Bufan kicked him in the backside.

Yu Tianheng held his forehead, feeling exhausted. This guy's strength was absurdly powerful, and his methods for flirting with girls—as well as his thick skin—were just as absurdly powerful.

"Alright, enough messing around." Yu Tianheng forcibly pulled the conversation back on track. "Since Miss Huo Wu has reminded us as well, we still need to give Spirit Hall Academy's Golden Generation sufficient attention. Their information..."

As Zhang Bufan listened to Yu Tianheng analyze Spirit Hall Academy's situation, his mind had already wandered elsewhere, still replaying Huo Wu's adorably embarrassed expression.

Spirit Hall? Golden Generation?

In his heart, he had already lowered their threat level to that of mere companions accompanying a prince while he studied.

For him now, figuring out how to completely devour the delicious little cake that was Huo Wu as soon as possible was the top priority.