Qian Yun vs. Tang San

The members of Shrek Academy were taken aback, never expecting that Tang San, who was usually so calm and collected, would choose to step forward at this moment.

Facing the strange looks from everyone, Tang San seemed not to notice. He looked at Qian Yun with burning eyes and said, "Dean, I am also a part of Shrek Academy. I feel the same shame regarding the academy's reputation. I, too, have a responsibility to defend the honor of the academy."

Flender hesitated. His students had lost both matches, and as the dean, his face naturally didn't look good. Moreover, he still harbored a fantasy about having Qian Yun and his companion join his academy. In his heart, he also wanted to let Tang San give it a try.

However, Qian Yun had already fought Dai Mubai, and Hu Liena had already competed as well.

To send someone else to fight now, wouldn't that be bullying? But letting it go just like that, Flender was equally unwilling.

"Qian Yun, are you willing to have a match with Tang San?" Flender asked, looking at Qian Yun.

Hu Liena looked at Qian Yun. She didn't mind; if there was a fight, she would fight. She had great confidence in Qian Yun's strength.

Qian Yun looked at the confident and proud Tang San, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Alright, since classmate Tang San is willing, I will accompany you to the end."

Flender breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, then let's have one more match."

"Wow."

The fire of gossip burned fiercely in Ning Rongrong's eyes. She asked Xiao Wu, who had been silent beside her, "Hey, Xiao Wu, tell me. Who is stronger, Qian Yun or your brother Tang San?"

"Don't talk nonsense, who is my brother Tang San?" Xiao Wu pouted and muttered, "I'm not saying."

Ning Rongrong found it amusing. Her delicate hand climbed onto Xiao Wu's willow waist and slowly moved downward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Just tell me, otherwise I might..."

Xiao Wu was startled and hurriedly grabbed her mischievous hand. She glanced at Qian Yun, then said with some uncertainty, "It should be my brother who is a bit stronger, right?"

"So much confidence in your brother San?" Ning Rongrong's eyes rolled mischievously. "Then I'm betting more on Qian Yun."

Xiao Wu showed an expression of surprise. "Eh, why?"

She thought to herself, could it be that you were also bullied by the boss?

Ning Rongrong blinked and smiled. "No reason. Xiao Wu, how about we make a bet? Let's see who wins in the end, Qian Yun or Tang San."

"Bet on what?"

Ning Rongrong smirked. "If Tang San wins, I'll kiss Zhuqing. If Qian Yun wins, we both kiss Zhuqing. How about it?"

Xiao Wu wondered, "What does this have to do with Zhuqing?"

"So you agree? Good, it's settled." Ning Rongrong didn't explain further and made the decision just like that.

On the other side, Tang San and Qian Yun were already standing opposite each other.

Tang San had seen the touching scene of Flender educating Ma Hongjun, and he was deeply moved. Especially at the moment Flender bowed, he couldn't help but think of his own father, and also of Grandmaster, who treated him like his own son.

Although the former was indifferent to him and did not fulfill his duties as a father, it could not change the fact that blood is thicker than water!

As for Grandmaster, there was even less need to say. He taught him cultivation, taught him the principles of being a person, and cared for him warmly at Nuoding Academy.

He made him feel a warmth of family affection he had never felt before. Therefore, if Flender was humiliated, he was humiliated, and he had to personally defend the honor of the academy. He wanted the world to know that the people of Shrek could not be insulted!

Of course, Tang San's motivation was not entirely for Shrek.

Ever since he became Grandmaster's disciple, Grandmaster had told him that as long as he followed his cultivation plan, even the Blue Silver Grass martial soul could become a top-tier powerhouse. He even put forward the slogan that there are no trash martial souls, only trash soul masters.

Moreover, Tang San was confident that with the Tang Sect Secret Arts, he was by no means weaker than anyone else.

So now was the time to test the results of his many years of cultivation.

A cluster of deep blue grass emerged from his palm. At first glance, it looked like ordinary Blue Silver Grass, but if one looked closely, they would find that each blade of grass was slender and cylindrical, and it was covered with scale-like snake patterns as well as sharp thorns.

Tang San's two yellow century-old Spirit Rings rose from beneath his feet, and the grass in his hands seemed to be stimulated by something, moving without wind, coiling around his hands like several venomous snakes.

"Tang San, martial soul Blue Silver Grass, level 29 tool soul master, please advise."

Qian Yun's eyes showed timely surprise. "Just Blue Silver Grass?"

Tang San remained unmoved, simply relaying Grandmaster's original words to Qian Yun. "There are no trash martial souls, only trash soul masters."

Hearing this, Qian Yun put away the contempt in his eyes and nodded. "Only trash martial souls, no trash soul masters? Hmm, well said. Being able to attach two century-old Spirit Rings to Blue Silver Grass, it seems you indeed have a good teacher."

Tang San raised his eyebrows. From the past until now, only he had been earnestly practicing Grandmaster's theory, and no one had ever expressed affirmation. This Qian Yun was the first person to praise Grandmaster.

"Yes, to me, he is the best teacher in the world, the one who gave me a second life." Tang San nodded, and at the same time, he felt a little more favor toward Qian Yun in his heart.

Qian Yun restrained his smile. After his martial soul possessed him, his Crown Martial Soul was like the bright moon compared to the stars of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. However, at this moment, Qian Yun had no contempt in his heart; he had to go all out against Tang San.

"The match begins." Zhao Wuji shouted and jumped away first.

Neither Qian Yun nor Tang San moved first. Qian Yun was in no hurry, and Tang San was even less so, because the opponent's three Spirit Skills had all been used, while his own two Spirit Skills were still unknown to Qian Yun.

Finally, Qian Yun moved first. "Second Spirit Skill, Spirit Blade."

After a dazzling light flashed, he said to Tang San, "Be careful."

A strong wind swirled around Qian Yun, and he burst forward.

"Heh, well come." Tang San praised. He was not panicked at all. In his previous observation, he found that Qian Yun's fighting style was very similar to Dai Mubai's, both emphasizing aggression like fire.

The difference was that one was a beast martial soul and the other was a tool martial soul, which meant it was unlikely for Qian Yun to tear through his Blue Silver Grass entanglement as violently as Dai Mubai.

Relying on the hidden characteristics of the Blue Silver Grass and the poison attribute attached to it, Tang San could be certain that once his Blue Silver Grass entangled Qian Yun, the battle could be declared over.

However, this was a match between a three-ring Soul Elder and a two-ring Soul Grand Master. With the gap of one Spirit Ring, Tang San could not be careless.

His eyes were filled with purple light, silently counting Qian Yun's steps. Faster, one more step... now!

"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Entanglement!"

The Blue Silver Grass in Tang San's hands surged wildly at his command, exploding toward Qian Yun like a cast net, attempting to shroud him completely.

Qian Yun sneered; Tang San was indeed adept at seizing opportunities, as the moment he struck was the exact instant Qian Yun's feet were suspended in mid-air.

However, that alone was not enough to force him back. With a flick of his wrist, his Spirit Blade danced, and a sharp sword aura was whipped out by Qian Yun.

The slashed sword aura met the tough Blue Silver Grass, and with almost no effort, it shredded the incoming, aggressive vines to pieces.

Missing with one strike did not fluster Tang San in the slightest, as all of Qian Yun's countermeasures were already within his calculations.

He never expected to succeed in one blow, and besides, his true killing move was already prepared.

The second Spirit Ring beneath Tang San's feet flickered. "Second Spirit Skill, Parasite."

Qian Yun's footsteps faltered, and he frowned as he looked down to see several strands of Blue Silver Grass suddenly sprouting from the soil, tightly wrapping around his calves and preventing him from taking another step forward.

"Good move," Qian Yun praised.

"Heh." Tang San smiled easily; he had been lying in ambush for quite some time, and it had finally paid off.

At this moment, Qian Yun was bound by the Blue Silver Grass, and since his tool-type Martial Soul could not rely on raw strength to break free, the outcome could be considered decided.

"Student Qian Yun, please don't make any futile struggles. My Blue Silver Grass is quite special; it is covered in thorns that can easily pierce human skin, and it is also coated with Datura Snake Venom. I don't want to hurt you, so you should just concede." Tang San was all smiles, and feeling that the victory was already his, he even kindly offered a warning to Qian Yun.

Watching the smugness in his eyes, Qian Yun shook his head. What Tang San didn't know was that from the very beginning of the battle, he had quietly infused his calves with the Wind Element. At this moment, let alone Blue Silver Grass, even a wooden club would be severed upon contact, let alone scratching Qian Yun's skin.

"It is indeed a good move," Qian Yun repeated inexplicably, then shook his head again. "Unfortunately, it's not enough."

As his voice fell, a burning ring of fire suddenly appeared around Qian Yun's calves. The ring traveled straight down his legs, and wherever it passed, the Blue Silver Grass was instantly incinerated.

"What?!" Tang San was no longer calm. Just how many tricks did this Qian Yun have left unused? How could someone with a Crown Martial Soul possess fire abilities?

Hmph, but so what? Purple Demon Eye!

A purple light erupted from Tang San's eyes, aimed directly at Qian Yun's head.

Feeling Tang San's mental power strike, Qian Yun cooperated perfectly by swaying his body, his face contorting in pain as he gritted his teeth.

It worked!

Tang San felt a surge of joy. Even if your Crown has fire attributes, so what? When it comes to mental power, you are still inferior to me.

"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Entanglement!" Tang San seized the opportunity to strike again. This time, he dared not be the least bit arrogant, pouring all his spirit power into the attack to ensure he defeated Qian Yun in one blow.

"Is he going to succeed?" Xiao Wu unconsciously placed a hand over her chest, gripping it tight. In truth, her feelings regarding the battle between Tang San and Qian Yun were the most complex; one was the brother with whom she shared an ambiguous relationship, and the other was the master who had issued her a mission.

She didn't know who to support, and after much thought, she could only leave it to the heavens to decide.

Hu Liena raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected the usually serious-looking Qian Yun to be capable of acting.

She didn't believe for a second that Tang San, whose Martial Soul was merely the lowly Blue Silver Grass, had any means to suppress Qian Yun's mental power. She just wanted Qian Yun to quickly end this match, the result of which had been determined long ago.

Facing the incoming Blue Silver Grass, the corners of Qian Yun's mouth curled upward. He didn't want to put on a hypocritical act, but Tang San was simply too cunning; if he didn't reveal a flaw, how could he lure him into the trap?

As the battle progressed to this point, Tang San was calculating against him, and he was calculating against Tang San.

As a fellow user of a tool-type Martial Soul, Qian Yun understood that to unleash the maximum power of such a soul, one had to channel vast amounts of spirit power, which meant that one's own mobility was inevitably restricted!

Just like now.

The moment Qian Yun smiled, Tang San knew something was wrong. He tried to pull back in a panic, but unfortunately, the Blue Silver Grass was currently frantically absorbing his spirit power, and he couldn't escape at all.

"First Spirit Skill, Spirit Roar!"

A wave of light, infused with fire elements, shot out rapidly from Qian Yun's chest. Its momentum was clearly far more formidable than what Dai Mubai had faced before!

The fragile Blue Silver Grass could not withstand the chaotic onslaught of the Spirit Roar. In an instant, the Spirit Roar broke through the layers of obstruction and reached Tang San.

By this time, Tang San had only just managed to cut off his spirit power. Facing Qian Yun's unavoidable strike, he had nowhere left to retreat.

In the final instant, fear surfaced in Tang San's eyes. All he could do was instinctively raise his hands to block in front of him, his palms turning as white as jade the moment they made contact with the Spirit Roar.

"Clang--!"

A heart-wrenching sound rang out once more. Dai Mobai had already turned his face away, unable to bear watching; only he knew how unbearable the taste of Qian Yun's Spirit Roar truly was.

Xiao Wu's lips parted slightly. Did the boss win? Brother San really lost after all...

She looked at the dejected Tang San and then at the high-spirited Qian Yun, her heart trembling violently. She didn't know what kind of feeling this was.

Tang San clutched his charred hands, enduring the piercing pain and his constantly blurring consciousness.

"You lost." Qian Yun stood not far from him, holding his blade.

Did I lose? Did I really lose? Tang San looked at the arrogant Qian Yun and suddenly clenched his fists. No, I didn't lose. I didn't lose at all! The one who should have failed is you!

Tang San gritted his teeth and glared at him, killing intent erupting in his eyes. His right hand slowly reached toward the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist.

"Tang San! What do you think you're doing!" Zhao Wuji let out a sharp shout, interrupting Tang San's movement.

Tang San's hand trembled. Regaining his senses, he looked blankly at the stern-faced Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, I..."

"Enough," Zhao Wuji said coldly. "Tang San, this was just a match. You lost!"

Tang San closed his eyes in despair and nodded dejectedly.

Zhao Wuji let out a long breath. He understood exactly what Tang San had been about to do; he had clearly intended to use a hidden weapon to kill Qian Yun.

If he hadn't stopped it in time, there was no telling what kind of trouble might have broken out.

"The third match, the winner is Qian Yun!"

As the match came to an end, the members of Shrek gathered around.

"Tang San, are you okay? Oh, your hand..." Ning Rongrong widened her eyes and pointed at Tang San's charred hand.

Tang San hid his hand with his sleeve, remaining silent without saying a word.

"Brother..." Xiao Wu looked at his disheveled appearance, feeling an indescribable heartache.

"I'm fine." After saying that, Tang San felt he had no face to remain, so he pushed through the crowd and left in a hurry.

Hu Liena came to Qian Yun's side; she was not at all surprised by this result. "Congratulations."

"Heh." Qian Yun retracted his Martial Soul and glanced at Xiao Wu again, saying, "Help me distract that beauty in blue later; I have something to take care of."

Hu Liena's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly. "Sure, sure."