Live to Fight Until the End

Tang San stepped through the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, closing the distance to Dai Mubai in the blink of an eye.

Dai Mubai's pupils contracted. Tang San's hand suddenly held an extra silver needle. His wrist flicked, and the needle struck Dai Mubai.

It was like a masseur working out the knots in a tiger's muscles, using a series of deft techniques to press every muscle and acupoint. Dai Mubai felt so relaxed that he could have fallen asleep.

"Just what kind of trick is this?"

Dai Mubai asked in confusion.

"Hidden Spirit."

Tang San sidestepped and flicked the needle again.

Dai Mubai didn't move, letting the needle land on him.

The needle's power was too weak to cause him any harm. It only made him feel so comfortable that he wanted to fall asleep.

The tiger's body even gave off a contented purr, like a real animal.

Tang San: "???"

Luo Mo: "???"

Xiao Wu: "???"

The fetus inside the Azure Cloud Sect's disciple: "???"

The hotel manager and the waiter: "???"

So the old tiger really had been enjoying a massage?

Tang San drew his hand back. Dai Mubai still looked like he was enjoying himself, and he'd even started snoring.

He paused for a moment, then stopped.

"Why'd you stop? Keep going..."

Dai Mubai opened his eyes and saw the entire hotel staring at him with dark, unreadable expressions.

"The deputy team leader's lost his mind. Come on, let's go!"

Dai Mubai summoned his first Soul Ring.

His first hundred-year Soul Skill—White Tiger Protective Barrier.

A white barrier enveloped him, enough to block the Hidden Spirit's attacks.

His second Soul Ring lit up, and white light gathered in his mouth. As Dai Mubai let out a tiger's roar, the glowing sphere shot from his mouth.

His second thousand-year Soul Skill—White Tiger Fierce Light Wave.

Tang San hurriedly used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, his feet moving like greased wheels.

Rumble—

The powerful shockwave swept through the entire hotel, leaving the place in ruins. Luo Mo and the others had no choice but to retreat farther away.

In the blink of an eye, Tang San had already moved behind Dai Mubai.

The thousand-year Soul Ring beneath him lit up, and a dagger with a serrated edge appeared in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, it landed on Dai Mubai's back.

The dagger sliced through the air, breaking through the White Tiger Protective Barrier and leaving a deep, bloody gash across his back.

"Ah!"

Dai Mubai let out a miserable cry.

The instant the wound cut into his flesh, he felt as though his soul had been torn from his body.

Tang San recognized the weapon. It was made from a plant called Ghost Thorn, a plant-type soul beast whose essence was highly poisonous.

A prick from one of its spines could kill a person almost instantly, turning them into fertilizer for the Ghost Thorn.

Since he'd used the Soul Bone of the Human-Faced Demon Spider, what he'd absorbed was its thousand-year Soul Ring. However, thanks to the Dark Gold Suit's effects, it had evolved into a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring.

That was also why Tang San hadn't obtained the original parasitic Soul Skill.

Instead, he'd gained a Soul Skill called Hidden Spirit Herb Thorn.

Its power was greater than that of the Ghost Thorn, and when it entered someone's body, its poison would seep into their internal organs, causing extremely intense pain.

It was even more vicious than the Man-Faced Demon Spider.

For a moment, Luo Mo didn't know whether he'd helped Tang San or harmed him.

Fortunately, the poison didn't take hold. The damage wasn't too severe.

"What kind of Soul Skill is that?"

Dai Mubai gritted his teeth and asked.

"Hidden Spirit Herb Thorn. It hurts a lot, so I'd advise you to surrender. I won't go easy on you next time."

Tang San replied calmly.

Dai Mubai clenched his teeth, his eyes shining with defiance.

"Good. If you and I were on equal footing, I'd admit defeat. But I have one more Soul Ring than you."

"Oh?"

Tang San could tell that something wasn't right.

But it was too late. The third Soul Ring beneath Dai Mubai burst into purple light, and the dust around him swirled. His figure turned a deep shade of purple.

His third thousand-year Soul Skill—White Tiger Vajra Transformation.

"Roar—"

Dai Mubai let out a loud tiger's roar and transformed once more. His body swelled, his muscles grew taut, his shirt burst apart, and the fur on his limbs showed distinct black tiger stripes.

Golden light covered his entire body, making him look as though he'd been cast in gold.

He radiated the commanding air of a beast king.

"You'd better think carefully before you act. Are you sure you want to attack again?"

From within the purple haze, Dai Mubai's laugh sounded sinister and mouse-like.

Tang San took a deep breath, steeling himself.

Then he threw another needle at Dai Mubai.

Whiz!

Five golden lights flashed. The Hidden Spirit Herb Thorn in Tang San's hand snapped apart.

Tang San's mouth fell open. He couldn't believe it.

And he was a little... terrified.

"Your Soul Skill is pretty good. It combines attack, defense, and control. But the Hidden Spirit Herb Thorn is too weak. Its power and speed are both quite ordinary."

Dai Mubai stood tall, looking down at him.

Seeing that Tang San had fallen into a daze, Dai Mubai's sinister smile widened. He rushed forward, grabbed Tang San, and began pounding him with both fists.

You made me feel so comfortable you hurt my brothers.

You made me hurt so much.

Based on what had happened, Dai Mubai wouldn't have gone out of his way to pick a fight. But after Tang San had embarrassed him, and Luo Mo had deliberately egged him on, their conflict had become unavoidable.

A moment later, Dai Mubai let Tang San go.

He hadn't hit him too hard. He'd only bruised Tang San's face, and it would heal after a day or two of rest.

"You've lost. Answer my questions properly, and I'll go easy on you."

Dai Mubai's eyes gradually lost their purple glow, and his bulging muscles relaxed, returning to their normal shape. Even so, he couldn't get back up.

"Ask away."

Tang San wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up, still composed.

He could afford to lose. He'd only been testing Dai Mubai, and neither of them had fought to the death. If it had come to that, he had a seventy-percent chance of winning and a thirty-percent chance of dying.

"I think my White Tiger and your Hidden Spirit Herb might be able to combine into a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Don't you think so?"

Dai Mubai's eyes gleamed as he stared at Tang San.

"Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

Tang San was a little disappointed. He'd thought Dai Mubai was going to offer him something better.

Dai Mubai noticed that Tang San didn't understand what a Martial Soul Fusion Skill was, so he immediately explained, then invited him to try it.

"How about we find somewhere and give it a try?"

Tang San rubbed his hands together, about to decline, when Dai Mubai seemed to guess what he was thinking. He added, "You're planning to take the entrance exam for Shrek Academy, right? Once you're in, I'll come find you."

With that, he waved farewell to Tang San and the others, then left with the fetus from the Azure Cloud Sect.

As for where they were going and what they planned to do, everyone understood.

Those who didn't understand had no way to learn.

Luo Mo admitted he didn't understand, and considered using his spiritual perception to investigate.

After all, they were going to fight until the end of their lives.