Tang San, You Think Too Highly of Yourself!

Tang San was arrogant, his words ringing with conviction, each one meant to strike at the heart.

He met Qian Renyu's gaze without the slightest hesitation. After finishing his speech, one hand had already moved toward his belt.

The others didn't understand what Tang San's little movements meant. At that moment, all their attention was fixed on his words.

One pair of astonished eyes after another turned toward Qian Renyu. Their breathing grew subdued, and beneath their astonishment lay deep suspicion.

Everyone who had come to Spirit City today was a gifted young talent from one of the advanced Soul Master Academies across Douluo Continent.

Every one of them longed to claim the Spirit Master Tournament's championship.

But after hearing Tang San's words, they all began to feel uneasy.

Everyone acknowledged that the Martial Soul Academy of Spirit Hall was powerful. The many gifted young talents gathered here all recognized that.

If the Martial Soul Academy won the championship after a fair contest, they would have nothing to say. They would simply have been outmatched.

But if Spirit Hall really intended to use underhanded tactics outside the competition to suppress talented young people, then there would be no point in continuing the Spirit Master Tournament.

Chen Xin had clearly heard Tang San's words, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Ning Fengzhi, standing beside Chen Xin, was smiling too. He sent a voice transmission: "Uncle Jian, Tang San really hasn't let any of us down!"

Chen Xin nodded. "Indeed. Winning hearts and minds comes first. After such a pointed challenge, Qian Renyu won't act rashly."

Ning Fengzhi hummed in agreement. "Exactly. Winning hearts and minds comes first. If this new Pope, Qian Renyu, attacks Tang San and the others in front of all these gifted young talents, he'll prove Tang San's accusation right."

"Such an act would make Spirit Hall an enemy of the whole world. Even if Spirit Hall is powerful, it still lacks the strength to openly oppose everyone."

"Spirit Hall can't afford to lose the people's support!"

Chen Xin dismissed the Seven Kill Sword that had been hovering behind him.

He clasped his hands behind his back, no longer standing as tensely as he had at first.

Watching Tang San face Qian Renyu, he thought even more highly of Tang San.

Qian Renyu remained unmoved, watching Tang San with the same calm gaze as before.

From beginning to end, he hadn't taken Tang San's accusations to heart.

Not only had he heard Tang San's accusations, but Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo's voice transmission had also fallen within his observation.

Although he couldn't know exactly what Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo had been discussing, Qian Renyu was certain his guess was right.

He sneered inwardly. A trace of disdain surfaced in his calm gaze as he looked at Tang San.

"One Shrek Academy isn't enough to make me rig the competition!"

"Tang San, you think far too highly of yourself!"

Qian Renyu's voice had barely faded.

In the next instant, he vanished from in front of Tang San and appeared behind him.

Standing almost back-to-back with Tang San, he spoke softly, his voice ringing in Tang San's ears like a demonic spell.

Tang San's breathing immediately grew ragged. Feeling Qian Renyu right behind him, every hair on his body stood on end, and a dangerous gleam appeared in his eyes.

But before he could react, a spray of blood had already scattered through the air.

The Sword of Doom and Slaughter flashed past the edge of the pit, sweeping past Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others.

Its sharp blade-light flashed past Liu Erlong. Everyone's gaze followed that fleeting arc of light and froze.

Dark-red droplets fell from the Sword of Doom and Slaughter's edge. Beneath the blade-light, one of Liu Erlong's arms soared into the air.

At the same time, a muffled groan escaped Liu Erlong.

Tang San turned around. Seeing Liu Erlong's severed arm flying through the air and her face gone deathly pale, his eyes widened in shock.

"Qian Renyu, you..."

Tang San's voice was low and furious. His fingers moved rapidly across his belt. He was just a moment away from taking a Hidden Weapon out of the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges.

The hilt of the Sword of Doom and Slaughter pressed against Tang San's elbow, preventing him from drawing a Hidden Weapon from his Soul Tool.

Qian Renyu's calm voice followed. "The Spirit Master Tournament's championship isn't worth rigging!"

"But since you're so confident that Shrek Academy will claim the title, I'll give you a chance to play the fool!"

"Shrek Academy takes first place, and Liu Erlong lives!"

"If you fail, I'll settle today's score!"

"Liu Erlong's life is in your hands, Tang San!"

When Qian Renyu finished speaking, the Soul Power around him surged toward Liu Erlong's severed arm.

The intact arm was pulverized into a spray of blood under his violent, forceful Soul Power.

Qian Renyu showed Liu Erlong no mercy. Having severed her arm, he naturally wouldn't let her have any chance of reattaching it.

He had left Liu Erlong's life in Tang San's hands. Now he wanted to see just how far Tang San could take things.

Qian Renyu knew perfectly well that Tang San had used his accusations to try to make him and Spirit Hall stand against all the gathered forces.

Given Spirit Hall's current strength, it indeed had no way to contend with all the major powers in the Soul Master World, nor could it face the millions of soldiers of the Two Great Empires after revealing its ambitions.

But Qian Renyu could use the same tactics as Tang San.

He wanted to see whether someone like Ning Fengzhi would still dare to stake the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect when Tang San ultimately lost the championship and Qian Renyu truly began his assault.

If Ning Fengzhi really was willing to go that far, Qian Renyu would be happy to see it happen.

The sneak attack during the Soul Hunting Operation had never been aboveboard. Qian Renyu personally preferred having a reason to openly sweep everything aside.

Tang San's breath caught in his throat. Once he had sorted through Qian Renyu's words, he made no attempt to hide the fury in his eyes.

Deep inside, his hatred for Qian Renyu surged like a mountain collapsing and a sea raging.

Growling like a trapped beast, Tang San spoke each word with force. "Shrek Academy will take first place in this Spirit Master Tournament!"

"You'd better not lay another finger on Dean Er Long—or on my teacher!"

Qian Renyu glanced at Tang San. "I'll be waiting."

Gui Mei stood some distance away. Hearing Qian Renyu give Tang San such an opportunity, his expression suddenly turned peculiar.

At the same time, a figure surfaced in his mind. His already strange expression grew even more unsettling.

He tried several times to force the image from his thoughts, but failed each time.

Suppressing his unease, he took a deep breath and sent a voice transmission:

"Your Holiness, I'm afraid our Martial Soul Academy really won't be able to win this Spirit Master Tournament!"

"There are far too many variables within Spirit Hall for this tournament!"