If it came to a fight to the death, there would be no way to back down. The Immortal Slaying Sword tormented the body, the Immortal Trapping Sword tormented the mind, and Evil Aura could be activated at the same time. Its tenfold effect on negative emotions would inevitably throw the opponent's Soul Power into disarray, while also amplifying the effects of the Immortal Slaying Sword and Immortal Trapping Sword. Then, he could strike while the opponent was down and finish them with a single slash of the Immortal Extinction Sword. A fight to the death had to be swift and decisive. Jiang Siming didn't want to be like those villainous bosses who were clearly powerful but insisted on torturing their opponents first, only to end up getting killed by the protagonist and becoming a stepping stone for someone else.
Between life and death, no matter how badly he was injured, he still needed the will to kill. No matter how badly the enemy was hurt, he still needed to act decisively.
Great power could always make people lose their way. So Jiang Siming constantly reminded himself that only by continually defeating and questioning himself could he become stronger.
After another routine morning exercise session,
Jiang Siming and Dai Mubai's group finished breakfast.
Dai Mubai suggested a friendly match with Jiang Siming.
"Hey, Siming, we're full, so we could use a little exercise to help us digest. How about we trade a few moves?" Dai Mubai asked provocatively.
"Forget it. If you really want to fight, then all of you come at me together. Otherwise, you won't stand a chance." Jiang Siming rested one hand against his chin, raising an eyebrow and giving him a challenging look.
"You said it!" Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. Clearly, that had been his plan from the start.
"Everyone, come on! We've finally got our chance. We've been training at the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City all these days, haven't we? Wasn't it all to take Old Jiang down? Anyone want to join?" Dai Mubai called to Tang San and the others with a wave.
"Let's do it! This time, no matter what, we're turning Brother Siming into a pig's head." Ma Hongjun rubbed his hands together and grinned mischievously.
"Siming, we're not the same people we used to be. Get ready for us!" Oscar chimed in.
Zhu Zhuqing and the other girls nodded one after another.
Only Tang San tilted his head and said, "Fatty, Xiao Ao, be careful. Brother Siming will probably beat the two of you the hardest."
"Xiao San, don't go boosting the enemy and demoralizing our side. Last time, there were four of us. This time, there are seven. Get your ass over here!" Dai Mubai burst out laughing.
"Fine! Since you're so eager to get beaten up, I'll graciously oblige. What can I say? I'm handsome and kindhearted." Jiang Siming ran a hand through his hair, preening.
The others all pretended to vomit.
They headed to the training ground.
"Make your move. I'm going to have a smoke first." Jiang Siming pulled out another Xuanhemen cigarette and stood to the side, puffing away. His charm increased by 50%. The girls' eyes began to glaze over, and even Dai Mubai and the others were momentarily stunned.
Tang San was the first to recover. "Hey! Don't just stand there, guys. Get moving!" Blue Silver Grass shot out from around him and wrapped around the others' waists.
The others snapped out of it too, and Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda shone with five rays of light.
"Oh? Not a bad idea." Jiang Siming finally finished his cigarette and tossed the butt away.
Dai Mubai charged forward, and his first and third Soul Rings lit up.
"White Tiger Barrier! White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
His third Soul Skill lit up again. A powerful beam of white light shot from his mouth straight toward Jiang Siming. He then moved quickly, circling to the side in search of an opening.
Jiang Siming easily dodged with a quick sidestep. But at that moment, Zhu Zhuqing attacked from the shadows behind him with Hell Stab and Nether Hundred Claws.
As Jiang Siming dealt with Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai finally attacked from the other side. His fists were closing in on Jiang Siming.
Jiang Siming didn't rush. He grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hands, moving so fast that her form was almost impossible to see, and flung her toward Dai Mubai on the other side. Just as the two were about to collide, Tang San used his Blue Silver Grass to stop them.
Ma Hongjun seized his chance and unleashed his first Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line.
Jiang Siming pushed off with both feet and dashed in front of Ma Hongjun, slapping the Phoenix Fire Line off course. Ma Hongjun tried to pull it back, but it was too late. Instead, he suffered a backlash from his own Soul Power.
Oscar, standing nearby, took the hit and was burned until he was pitch-black and shiny.
Jiang Siming kicked Ma Hongjun flying, then sent Oscar flying with another kick.
Just as Jiang Siming was about to deal with Ning Rongrong, Blue Silver Grass suddenly wrapped around him. "Parasite." Tang San had somehow planted Parasite on Jiang Siming.
Dai Mubai seized the opportunity and unleashed another White Tiger Light Wave.
Jiang Siming took the attack head-on. A cloud of dust rose across the training ground.
For a moment, no one could see what was happening. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun seized the chance and unleashed a barrage of ranged attacks. The dust cloud grew even thicker.
Jiang Siming released his fourth Rusty Sword. Sword Qi streaked through the smoke toward Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai. Caught off guard, both of them lost the ability to fight.
With the two heavy hitters dealt with, Tang San was left to fight alone. Jiang Siming wasn't worried about Zhu Zhuqing's speed, and Xiao Wu hadn't had a chance to get close to him from beginning to end.
The fight was over ten minutes later.
Everyone got to their feet, disappointment written across their faces.
"It's all right. You've improved, but you still need more practice," Jiang Siming said reassuringly.
"But do you know what your biggest mistake was? Every one of you attacked me, but no one stayed behind to protect Oscar and Ning Rongrong, the two support-type Soul Masters with no combat ability. The only thing that really surprised me was Xiao San's Parasite. But Xiao San also made a poor decision. You tied everyone together with Blue Silver Grass. It helped prevent some injuries, but it also made Zhuqing, an agility-type Soul Master, easy to track. And when you didn't know what was going on, attacking blindly only gave away your positions. More importantly, Xiao Wu is your teammate, but she never had a chance to join the fight. Don't you think you should reflect on that?" Jiang Siming continued, criticizing them. Though Jiang Siming was always reflecting on himself and never satisfied with his own performance, there was no denying that he could utterly dominate anyone his age.
"Fatty's problem was even more obvious. No Soul Master would just stand there and wait for you to unleash your Soul Skill. You still aren't using your Soul Skill very well. Just look at what you did to Oscar." Jiang Siming couldn't help laughing.
Ma Hongjun scratched his head awkwardly. Oscar was glaring daggers at him.
"As for Xiao Wu, I won't comment. A close-combat Soul Master really isn't much use against me. Xiao Ao and Rongrong are support-type Soul Masters, so I won't say much about them."
"As for Zhuqing..." Jiang Siming turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing and found her staring at him strangely.
"Uh... Zhuqing, why are you looking at me like that?"