Qian Yun vs. Tang San

The Shrek Academy students were surprised, too. They hadn't expected Tang San, who was usually so low-key, to step forward at a time like this.

Facing everyone's curious looks, Tang San seemed not to notice. He fixed his gaze on Qian Yun and said, "Dean, I'm also a member of Shrek Academy. I share the humiliation and honor of the academy, and I have a responsibility to defend its glory."

Flender hesitated. His students had lost both matches, and as the dean, he naturally didn't look good. Besides, he still held out a faint hope that Qian Yun and Hu Liena might join the academy. A part of him wanted Tang San to give it a shot.

But Qian Yun had already fought Dai Mubai, and Hu Liena had already taken her turn.

Wouldn't sending someone else to fight them now be bullying them? Still, Flender was just as reluctant to give up.

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

Hu Liena glanced at Qian Yun. She didn't mind either way. If they wanted to fight, then they could fight. She had complete faith in Qian Yun's strength.

Qian Yun looked at Tang San, who stood there proudly, brimming with confidence, and smiled. "Sure. Since Tang San wants to, I'll gladly oblige."

Flender breathed a sigh of relief. "All right. Then let's have another match."

"Wow."

The flames of gossip burned brightly in Ning Rongrong's eyes. She asked Xiao Wu, who had been silent beside her, "Hey, Xiao Wu, who do you think is stronger, Qian Yun or your Tang San?"

"Don't say that! Who's my Tang San?" Xiao Wu muttered with a pout. "I'm not telling you."

Ning Rongrong found that amusing. She slipped a hand around Xiao Wu's slender waist and slowly moved it lower, her eyes narrowing. "Come on, tell me. Otherwise, I'll..."

Xiao Wu jumped and hurriedly grabbed her wandering hand. She glanced at Qian Yun, then said uncertainly, "My brother's probably a little stronger, I guess?"

"You're that confident in your San-ge?" Ning Rongrong playfully rolled her eyes. "Then I'm going to bet on Qian Yun."

Xiao Wu looked surprised. "Huh? Why?"

She wondered if Ning Rongrong had been bullied by the boss, too.

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

"What are we betting?"

Ning Rongrong grinned mischievously. "If Tang San wins, I'll kiss Zhuqing. If Qian Yun wins, we'll both kiss Zhuqing. How's that?"

Xiao Wu was puzzled. "What does Zhuqing have to do with this?"

"So you agree? Great, it's settled." Ning Rongrong didn't explain further and decided on the bet just like that.

Meanwhile, Tang San and Qian Yun had taken their places opposite each other.

Tang San had seen the touching moment when Frank had taught Ma Hongjun a lesson earlier, and it had deeply moved him. Especially when Frank had bowed—Tang San couldn't help thinking of his own father, and of Grandmaster, who had treated him as his own son.

Though the former had been cold to him and failed to fulfill a father's duties, that couldn't change the fact that their bond was thicker than water!

As for Grandmaster, there was no need to say more. He had taught Tang San how to cultivate and how to conduct himself, and had always looked after him at Nuoding Academy.

Grandmaster had also given Tang San a feeling of familial warmth he had never known before. So if Frank was humiliated, then Tang San was humiliated, too. He would personally defend the academy's glory. He would show the world that no one could insult the people of Shrek!

Of course, defending Shrek wasn't Tang San's only motive.

Ever since Tang San had become Grandmaster's disciple, Grandmaster had told him that if he followed his cultivation methods, even the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul could make him a top expert. He had even declared that there were no useless Martial Souls, only useless Spirit Masters.

Tang San also believed that with the Tang Sect Secret Arts, he was no weaker than anyone else.

Now it was time to test the results of his years of cultivation.

A tuft of deep-blue grass sprouted from his palm. At first glance, it looked like ordinary Blue Silver Grass, but on closer inspection, each slender blade was cylindrical, covered in scale-like snake markings and lined with sharp thorns.

Two yellow Hundred-Year Soul Rings rose from beneath Tang San's feet. The grass in his hand seemed to respond to some stimulus, moving without a breeze and coiling around his hand like several venomous snakes.

"Tang San, Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, twenty-ninth rank, tool-type Spirit Master. Please guide me."

Appropriate surprise showed in Qian Yun's eyes. "It's just Blue Silver Grass?"

Tang San didn't react. He simply repeated Grandmaster's words to Qian Yun. "There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Spirit Masters."

Qian Yun's dismissive look faded, and he nodded. "No useless Martial Souls, only useless Spirit Masters? Well said. To give Blue Silver Grass two Hundred-Year Soul Rings, you must have a good teacher."

Tang San's brows lifted slightly. Until now, he had always been the only one seriously putting Grandmaster's theory into practice, and no one had ever shown approval. Qian Yun was the first to praise Grandmaster.

"Yes. To me, he's the best teacher in the world. He gave me a second life." Tang San nodded, feeling a little more favorably toward Qian Yun.

Qian Yun's smile faded. After Martial Soul Possession, his Crown Martial Soul was like the bright moon compared to Tang San's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, which was like a star. But he felt no contempt now. He had to give Tang San his all.

"The match begins!" Zhao Wuji shouted, leaping away first.

Neither Qian Yun nor Tang San moved. Qian Yun wasn't in a hurry, and Tang San had even less reason to rush. His opponent had already used all three of his Spirit Skills, while Qian Yun's two Spirit Skills were still unknown to him.

At last, Qian Yun moved first. "Second Spirit Skill, Spirit Blade!"

A dazzling flash passed, and he called out to Tang San, "Watch out!"

Strong winds stirred around Qian Yun as he charged forward.

"Good, bring it on!" Tang San praised him, entirely unruffled. From watching Qian Yun fight earlier, he had noticed that Qian Yun's fighting style was very similar to Dai Mubai's: both favored relentless offense.

The difference was that one had a Beast Martial Soul, while the other had a tool-type Martial Soul. That meant Qian Yun was unlikely to tear through his Blue Silver Entanglement by brute force the way Dai Mubai had.

Thanks to Blue Silver Grass's ability to stay hidden and the poison attached to it, Tang San was certain that once his Blue Silver Grass ensnared Qian Yun, the battle would be over.

Still, this was a match between a three-ring Soul Elder and a two-ring Soul Grandmaster. With the gap of one Soul Ring between them, Tang San couldn't afford to be careless.

A violet gleam shimmered in his eyes as he silently counted Qian Yun's steps. Almost there. One more step... Now!

"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Entanglement!"

The Blue Silver Grass in Tang San's hand shot up wildly and flew toward Qian Yun like a net.

Qian Yun sneered. Tang San was indeed good at seizing the right moment. He had struck just as Qian Yun's foot was off the ground.

But that alone wasn't enough to make him retreat. His Spirit Blade flashed in his hand, and he flung a razor-sharp sword aura forward.

The sword aura met the resilient Blue Silver Grass and sliced through it with almost no effort, tearing apart the entire oncoming mass.

Tang San wasn't the slightest bit flustered by the missed attack. Qian Yun's response was still within his calculations.

He hadn't expected to succeed with a single strike. Besides, his real killing move was already in place.

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

Qian Yun stopped in his tracks and frowned. Several strands of Blue Silver Grass had suddenly sprouted from the ground beneath his feet, tightly wrapping around his calves and stopping him from moving forward.

"Nicely done," Qian Yun praised him.

"Heh." Tang San smiled easily. After lying in wait for so long, he had finally managed to ensnare him.

Now that Qian Yun was bound by Blue Silver Grass, and couldn't break free by relying on his own strength with a tool-type Martial Soul, the outcome was all but decided.

"Qian Yun, there's no point struggling. My Blue Silver Grass is special. It has thorns that can easily cut the skin, and it also carries Datura Snake Venom. I don't want to hurt you, so you should just admit defeat." Tang San smiled, kindly reminding Qian Yun even though he believed the winner had already been decided.

Seeing the smug look in Tang San's eyes, Qian Yun shook his head. What Tang San didn't know was that, from the very beginning of the fight, Qian Yun had secretly surrounded his calves with Wind Element. The Blue Silver Grass would be cut to pieces on contact, just like a wooden stick. The idea that it could scratch Qian Yun's skin was pure wishful thinking.

"Nicely done," Qian Yun repeated for no apparent reason, then shook his head. "But it's not enough."

As soon as he finished speaking, a ring of burning fire appeared around Qian Yun's calves. It swept down his straight legs, incinerating the Blue Silver Grass in its path.

"What?!" Tang San finally lost his composure. Just how many more tricks did Qian Yun have? How could a Crown Martial Soul possess the power of fire?

Hmph, so what? Purple Demon Eye!

Violet light burst from Tang San's eyes, aimed straight at Qian Yun's head.

Sensing Tang San's spiritual power coming at him, Qian Yun played along. He swayed, gritting his teeth as his face twisted in pain.

It worked!

Tang San was elated. So what if Qian Yun's Crown Martial Soul had fire attributes? His spiritual power was still inferior to Tang San's.

"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Entanglement!" Tang San seized the moment and struck again. This time, he didn't dare underestimate Qian Yun. He poured all his Soul Power into the attack, hoping to defeat him in one blow.

"Is he going to win?" Xiao Wu unconsciously clutched at her chest. She felt conflicted about Tang San and Qian Yun fighting. One was a brother she had an ambiguous relationship with, while the other was her master, who had given her a mission.

She didn't know whom to support. After thinking it over, she could only leave it to fate.

Hu Liena raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected Qian Yun, who usually seemed so serious, to put on an act.

She couldn't believe that Tang San, whose Martial Soul was just Blue Silver Grass, had any way to restrain Qian Yun's spiritual power. She only wanted Qian Yun to end this match, whose outcome had been decided from the start.

As the Blue Silver Grass rushed toward him, Qian Yun's lips slowly curled into a smile. He hadn't wanted to put on this act, but Tang San was far too shrewd. Without showing him an opening, how would he take the bait?

At this point in the fight, Tang San was plotting against him, and he was plotting against Tang San.

As someone who also wielded a tool-type Martial Soul, Qian Yun understood that to unleash its full power, one had to pour in an immense amount of Soul Power. That meant one's own movements were bound to be restricted!

Just like now.

The moment Qian Yun smiled, Tang San knew something was wrong. He hurriedly tried to pull away, but the Blue Silver Grass was greedily draining his Soul Power, and he couldn't escape.

"First Spirit Skill, Spirit Roar!"

A beam of light, infused with fire element, shot rapidly from Qian Yun's chest. Its force was sure to be even greater than the one Dai Mubai had faced earlier!

The fragile Blue Silver Grass couldn't withstand Spirit Roar's wild assault. In an instant, Spirit Roar had broken through layer after layer of obstacles and reached Tang San.

Only then did Tang San manage to cut off his Soul Power. Faced with Qian Yun's unavoidable strike, he had nowhere left to retreat.

At the last moment, fear surfaced in Tang San's eyes. All he could do was instinctively raise his hand in front of himself. The instant his palm touched Spirit Roar, it turned warm and white as jade.

"Clang—!"

That heart-chilling sound rang out once again. Dai Mubai turned his face away, unable to bear watching. Only he knew how awful it felt to be struck by Qian Yun's Spirit Roar.

Xiao Wu's mouth fell open. Had the boss won? Third Brother really had lost...

She looked at the dejected Tang San, then at the triumphant Qian Yun, and felt her heart lurch. She couldn't even tell what she was feeling anymore.

Tang San grabbed his charred hand, enduring the piercing pain and the haze clouding his consciousness.

"You lost." Qian Yun stood not far away, sword in hand.

Had he lost? He had lost? Tang San looked at Qian Yun, standing there so proudly, and suddenly clenched his fists. No. He hadn't lost. He hadn't lost! Qian Yun should be the one who lost!

Tang San glared at him through clenched teeth, killing intent surging in his eyes. His right hand slowly reached for the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist.

"Tang San! What are you doing?" Zhao Wuji shouted, interrupting him.

Tang San's hand trembled. Coming back to his senses, he stared blankly at Zhao Wuji's stern face. "Teacher Zhao, I..."

"That's enough." Zhao Wuji's voice was cold. "Tang San, this was only a match. You lost!"

Tang San closed his eyes in despair and nodded dejectedly.

Zhao Wuji let out a long breath. He had understood what Tang San had been about to do. Tang San had clearly wanted to use a Hidden Weapon to kill Qian Yun.

If he hadn't stopped him in time, who knew what kind of trouble might have followed?

"Third match, the winner is Qian Yun!"

As the match ended, the Shrek Academy students gathered around.

"Tang San, are you all right? Oh, your hand..." Ning Rongrong stared wide-eyed at Tang San's charred hand.

Tang San hid his hand in his sleeve and remained silent.

"Brother..." Xiao Wu looked at him in his sorry state, her heart aching beyond words.

"I'm fine." After saying that, Tang San felt he couldn't bear to stay. He pushed through the crowd and hurried away.

Hu Liena came over to Qian Yun. She wasn't surprised by the result at all. "Congratulations."

"Heh." Qian Yun recalled his Martial Soul and glanced at Xiao Wu. "Help me get that woman in blue out of the way later. I have something to take care of."

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