The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament continued in full swing.
After their stunning match against the Elephant Armor Sect, the World Burial Team (Heaven Dou Team One) had become the top favorites to win the championship. The name Yu Tianyu had become a deity in countless girls' dreams—and a nightmare in countless boys' hearts.
Rest area corridor.
Yu Tianyu was leading his team toward the competitors' area.
Two groups approached from the opposite direction.
On the left was a group of young men in green uniforms. Their leader was tall and slender, wearing a mask, though his eyes kept darting toward the group on the right. He was none other than Godwind Academy's captain, Feng Xiaotian.
On the right was a group of students in fiery red uniforms, radiating heat. Their leader was a tall girl with short, golden-red hair that blazed like flames. She was exceptionally beautiful, but her brows held a wild, defiant pride.
Blazing Fire Academy's vice-captain, Huo Wu.
"So that's Yu Tianyu?"
Huo Wu stopped, folded her arms across her chest, and looked Yu Tianyu up and down without the slightest restraint, as if sizing up prey. "He looks decent enough, but I wonder if he's all show and no substance."
"Miss Huo Wu!"
Feng Xiaotian hurried over, fawning like a puppy. "Don't be rash. There's something strange about that guy. Even a big guy like Huyan Li was cut down by them like a vegetable..."
"Shut up, Feng Xiaotian."
Huo Wu glared at him in disgust. "Huyan Li is a stupid oaf. Of course he lost. Blazing Fire Academy is different. I'll show him what it means to be consumed by flames."
With that, Huo Wu walked straight up to Yu Tianyu, lifting her chin in challenge.
"Hey, Yu Tianyu, right? Our match against you is next. Are you brave enough to make a bet with me?"
Yu Tianyu stopped and looked down at the girl, who was like a little chili pepper.
There was no denying Huo Wu was beautiful, with a wild, lively charm entirely unlike Zhu Zhuqing's cool elegance or Dugu Yan's alluring beauty.
"What are we betting?" Yu Tianyu asked mildly.
"If we win, you'll admit in front of everyone that the World Burial Team is inferior to Blazing Fire Academy. And..." Huo Wu said confidently, "you'll take off that haughty mask of yours and be my sparring partner for a month!"
"And if you lose?" Yu Tianyu asked, the corner of his mouth curling in amusement.
"If we lose..." Huo Wu bit her lip. "You can do whatever you want!"
"Fine."
Yu Tianyu took a step forward, making Huo Wu lean back.
"Remember what you said. I'm not interested in anything else. If you lose, whenever you see me from now on, you'll obediently call me 'Master.'"
"You!" Huo Wu flushed with anger. "How arrogant! Just wait until you're burned to ashes!"
With that, she stormed away.
Watching his goddess get teased, Feng Xiaotian's heart shattered. He turned and glared at Yu Tianyu. "Yu Tianyu! How dare you disrespect Miss Huo Wu! I challenge you!"
Yu Tianyu didn't even look at him. He walked right past, leaving only a casual remark behind.
"Where'd this mutt come from? What a racket."
Feng Xiaotian froze, feeling as if he'd taken a barrage of blows.
Half an hour later, on the arena.
World Burial Team versus Blazing Fire Academy.
This match drew even more attention than the day before. Everyone wanted to know whether Yu Tianyu's team could keep crushing its opponents when faced with fire Spirit Masters whose explosive power was second to none.
"Both teams, release your Martial Souls!"
Boom!
All seven members of Blazing Fire Academy had fire-based Martial Souls. Huo Wu stood in the center. Although she was a Control System Spirit Master, her presence was even stronger than that of their captain, Huo Wushuang.
"Yu Tianyu! Today I'll show you what the Resisting Fire Ring can do!"
Huo Wu cried out, and her third Spirit Ring suddenly lit up.
Third Spirit Skill: Resisting Fire Ring!
A dazzling golden-red ring of fire erupted around her, blazing with intense heat and powerful repulsion as it surged toward the World Burial Team's formation, aiming to scatter them in one blow.
But then—
A shocking sight unfolded.
Yu Tianyu waved a hand, signaling Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others behind him to retreat.
He actually walked toward the terrifying ring alone, hands in his pockets, as casually as if taking a stroll!
"Has he lost his mind?"
"That's the Resisting Fire Ring! It can repel all physical and energy attacks!"
The spectators cried out in alarm.
But in the next instant, their shouts of surprise turned to shock.
The moment the scorching Resisting Fire Ring touched Yu Tianyu, there was no violent collision, and it didn't send him flying.
Instead... as though they were subjects meeting their king, the raging flames parted on their own!
Yu Tianyu walked right through the ring, unharmed. Not even a single strand of his hair was singed.
"Th-that's impossible!"
Huo Wu's eyes widened as if she'd seen a ghost. "My flames... why don't they work on you?!"
She refused to believe it!
"Fourth Spirit Skill: Fire Dance Shining Sun!"
Huo Wu raised both hands. A massive fireball, like a miniature sun, gathered in her palms. The temperature soared, and even the air began to warp.
"Die!"
She poured all her strength into hurling the scorching fireball at Yu Tianyu, who was only a few steps away.
Faced with the enormous fireball coming straight at him,
Yu Tianyu still didn't dodge.
He slowly raised his right hand. He released no Spirit Skill; only a strange red-and-blue glow appeared across his palm.
That was the ultimate physique tempered by the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well!
That was the Dragon God's body, imbued with the auras of the Fire Dragon King and Ice Dragon King!
"Smack."
Yu Tianyu caught the fireball in his hand, despite it being hot enough to melt steel.
As easily as if he'd caught a harmless ball.
"This fire is too weak," Yu Tianyu remarked calmly.
Then, as Huo Wu watched in utter horror, he clenched his fingers.
"Pop!"
The enormous Fire Dance Shining Sun was crushed in his grip, bursting into countless sparks that faded into the air.
"Are you... human or a ghost?" Huo Wu's legs went weak, and she stumbled backward.
As a fire Spirit Master, she felt her flames completely nullified, even suppressed. Deep despair filled her, as if a child playing with fire had come face-to-face with the true ruler of flames.
"I'm your creditor."
Yu Tianyu flashed forward, appearing in front of Huo Wu in an instant.
He wrapped an arm around her slender yet powerful waist and pulled her against him.
"Let go of me!" Huo Wu struggled frantically, trying to release her Soul Power.
"Don't move."
Yu Tianyu lowered his head, his unusual eyes gleaming with a captivating light. "Your flames don't work on me. If you keep struggling, I don't mind collecting a little interest here in front of everyone."
As he spoke, his hand tightened slightly. A more domineering, purer Ultimate Fire flowed from his palm into Huo Wu's body.
"Mm—!"
Huo Wu stiffened all over, her face instantly turning red.
It was the absolute suppression of a superior flame over an inferior one! The Fire Shadow Martial Soul inside her trembled, submitting to this man!
"You've lost this match."
Yu Tianyu let go and pushed the powerless Huo Wu back toward the Blazing Fire Team.
"Remember our bet."
"Next time we meet, remember to call me Master."
Then Yu Tianyu turned and waved to the referee.
"Boring. We're done here."
The referee stood stunned for several seconds before raising a trembling hand. "H-Heaven Dou Royal Academy wins!"
The whole arena erupted!
If their match against the Elephant Armor Sect had been a showcase of physical power, then this match against Blazing Fire Academy had been an absolute miracle of elemental dominance!
Fire immunity!
That label instantly attached itself to Yu Tianyu, making him seem even more unfathomable.
The tournament continued.
Next up was Shrek Academy versus Thunder Academy.
Thunder Academy was the foremost of the Five Element Academies, backed by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Before the match,
Yu Tianyu went to Thunder Academy's rest area.
Every member of the team was a direct or collateral descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
When Yu Tianyu walked in, they all stood up as one, their eyes full of respect.
"Young Master!"
Yu Tianyu's standing in the clan had now surpassed that of the Twin Stars. Yu Yuanzhen had named him the sole heir and the leader of the clan's younger generation.
"Cousin Tianxin."
Yu Tianyu looked at the handsome young man seated in the very middle—Yu Tianxin. He was the strongest of their generation aside from Yu Tianheng, a Level 43 Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor.
"Tianyu, what do you need?" Yu Tianxin asked respectfully.
Although he was the older cousin, in the Spirit Master world, strength commanded respect. Yu Tianyu's power left him no choice but to acknowledge him.
"Your opponent in this match is Shrek."
A cold glint flashed in Yu Tianyu's eyes. "Especially their Control System Spirit Master, Tang San."
"I want you to do one thing."
"Even if you lose the match, force him to use his full strength."
"I want to see his Second Martial Soul. Understood?"
Yu Tianxin was taken aback, then a fierce fighting spirit blazed in his eyes. "Understood! The clan has long been saying that Tang San is an unpredictable factor. Don't worry, Young Master. I'll use the fiercest lightning to tear his Blue Silver Grass apart!"
"Go on."
Yu Tianyu patted his shoulder. "Don't disgrace the clan."
On the arena,
thunderclouds gathered, and lightning snakes danced.
Yu Tianxin stood in the center of the arena, a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon phantom roaring behind him. His two yellow and two purple Spirit Rings revolved, and his powerful lightning made the air around him smell scorched.
Opposite him,
Tang San's expression was extremely grave.
Blue Silver Grass was tough, and it was immune to fire because he'd eaten Infernal Delicate Apricot—but it didn't conduct electricity, did it? Or rather, it conducted it too well!
Lightning countered grass!
This was an absolute elemental disadvantage.
"Begin!"
"Third Spirit Skill: Wrath of the Thunder God!"
Yu Tianxin didn't bother testing his opponent. He unleashed his full strength right from the start. He'd kept Yu Tianyu's order in mind: winning didn't matter; forcing Tang San to reveal his trump card did!
Rumble!
Bathed in lightning, Yu Tianxin became a blue bolt and shot toward Tang San.
"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track!"
Tang San used an enigmatic footwork technique, trying to dodge.
"Trying to run? Dream on!"
"Fourth Spirit Skill: Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Strike!"
Yu Tianxin roared. His right hand transformed into a massive dragon claw, and a giant dragon made entirely of lightning surged forth, blocking every one of Tang San's escape routes.
The power of this attack was enough to kill an ordinary Spirit Ancestor in one blow!
"Blue Silver Cage!"
Forced to defend, Tang San sent countless strands of Blue Silver Grass bursting from the ground, forming a cage around himself.
Zzzzt—!
But before the ferocious Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Strike, the Blue Silver Grass was as fragile as dead weeds. It was torn apart and charred in an instant.
The terrifying residual force of the lightning slammed into Tang San.
"Pff!"
Tang San spat out a mouthful of blood. His body blackened with burns, and he crashed heavily into the edge of the arena.
Too strong!
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon was known as the world's greatest Beast Martial Soul, and it had earned that title. Faced with overwhelming explosive power, the Control System Blue Silver Grass seemed utterly useless.
"It's not over yet!"
Yu Tianxin didn't give Tang San a chance to catch his breath.
He leaped again, an even more terrifying ball of lightning gathering around his dragon claw.
"The young master said to force you to reveal your trump card!"
"Let's see how long you can keep it hidden! Die!"
Boom!
Yu Tianxin descended from above, and his Thunderous Might struck straight for Tang San's crown.
It was a killing blow!
If Tang San didn't block it, he was as good as dead!
Below the arena, Flender and Grandmaster were horrified. "Xiao San! Surrender! Hurry, surrender!"
Surrender?
Tang San lay on the ground, his eyes bloodshot.
No! I can't surrender!
I've already lost to Yu Tianyu and Shi Nian. If I can't even beat one of Yu Tianyu's subordinates, what right do I have to talk about revenge? What right do I have to rebuild the Tang Sect?
His Blue Silver Grass couldn't stop the attack.
His Eight Spider Lances were still recovering. He couldn't use them.
Hidden Weapons were prohibited.
Then there was only one option...
In that split second between life and death,
Tang San's left hand rose of its own accord.
A heavy, domineering black light, steeped in an aura of destruction, instantly gathered in his palm.
Time seemed to freeze.
"Vmmm—"
A massive, pitch-black hammer, engraved with strange patterns, appeared out of thin air!
It had no Spirit Rings, yet the moment it appeared, the lightning elements in the air were forcibly scattered!
The greatest Tool Martial Soul in the world—the Clear Sky Hammer!
"Chaotic Cloak!"
With an animalistic roar, Tang San gripped the hammer handle with both hands. Using the force of his spinning body, he swung it savagely against Yu Tianxin's Thunder Dragon Claw.
BOOM!
The earth-shaking explosion rang throughout the Great Soul Arena.
Blue lightning and black hammer shadows clashed in a frenzy.
The sturdy arena platform shattered instantly, sending fragments of stone flying.
As the dust settled,
Yu Tianxin staggered back more than a dozen steps, blood at the corner of his mouth. He stared at his opponent in shock.
Tang San stood proudly, the black hammer in his hand. Though covered in blood, he remained upright.
The entire arena fell silent.
Everyone stared fixedly at the hammer in Tang San's hand.
In the VIP seats,
Salas, the Spirit Hall Platinum Bishop, had been wearing a gloomy expression. The instant he saw the hammer, he sprang to his feet, knocking over the chair behind him.
"That's..."
Salas's pupils contracted sharply. His voice carried a note of disbelief and deep-seated hatred.
"The Clear Sky Hammer!"
"Is he a remnant of the Clear Sky Sect?! Is he Tang Hao's son?!"
Beside him, Ning Fengzhi sighed, his expression complicated. Tang San had hidden it for so long, but in the end, it had still been exposed.
Up in the stands,
Yu Tianyu looked down at the scene, a satisfied smile curling his lips.
"You finally showed it, little mouse."
"Now I don't have to lift a finger."
"The mad dogs of Spirit Hall will give you a proper welcome."
Only then did Tang San come to his senses, emerging from his frenzied state.
He looked at the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand, then felt the countless shocked and probing gazes around him—and Salas's undisguised murderous glare.
His heart sank to the bottom.
It's over.
I've been exposed.
Below the arena, Grandmaster had gone ashen. He dropped onto the ground. "It's over... It's all over..."
Once the secret of his Twin Martial Souls was exposed, along with his connection to the Clear Sky Sect,
Tang San would become a target Spirit Hall would stop at nothing to eliminate.
And it had all been part of the schemes of that boy named Yu Tianyu.
Before you continue