Persistence, Guang Biao's Defeat

"What is it?"

Tang San's words piqued Tang Wulin's interest, and he asked.

"Faith and persistence." Tang San smiled faintly.

"In a battle, only the one who persists until the end is the ultimate winner. Everything before that—victory or defeat—doesn't matter."

Tang San felt this deeply.

Tianshui, Blazing Fire, Divine Wind, Spirit Hall—back then, which battle hadn't been a challenge for the Shrek Team?

Even the later Continental War and War of the Twin Gods had been the same, equally difficult.

But in the end, weren't they still the victors?

After hearing Tang San's guidance and connecting it with his own experiences over the years, Tang Wulin fell into thought.

"Old Tang, you're right!"

After saying that, Tang Wulin looked back at the battle in the arena and no longer felt so devastated.

Tang San watched Tang Wulin regain his confidence and nodded in satisfaction. Then, he secretly used his Divine Sense.

He began contacting Tang Hao, who was within the Origin Space.

"Father, do you know what's going on with Xu Yue?"

A moment passed without any response.

"Hm?" Tang San frowned slightly. "What's going on?"

"Father? Mother?"

"Where are you?!!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Xu Yue unleashed four more consecutive Lithic Spear Techniques infused with Spear Intent, displaying the weight of the Spear Intent of Rock to its fullest.

With each thrust, he advanced one step, taking four steps in a row!

Meanwhile, beneath the edge of the Vortex Vanquisher, Guang Biao retreated one step with every thrust until he had been forced all the way to the edge of the arena.

His expression was grave as he stared at Xu Yue.

"Impossible! He's only a Soul Elder. No matter how strong he is, how could he possibly remain unmoved under a Soul Emperor's attacks?"

Guang Biao's gaze suddenly narrowed. After the Jade Shield around Xu Yue flickered several times, it shattered with a bang.

At the same time, that subtle sensation of being one with the earth instantly vanished.

"So that was it! A Soul Skill effect!"

In an instant, Guang Biao understood. "A perfect opportunity!"

Without hesitation, the fourth and fifth Soul Rings circling his body lit up at once, releasing an incomparably tyrannical dragon's might.

"Iron Armored Dragon Rage!" "Earth-Shaking Dragon Claw!"

In an instant, a massive iron-gray dragon claw condensed beside Guang Biao and came howling down toward Xu Yue.

However, the strike did not smash toward Xu Yue himself. Instead, it slammed into the ground in front of him.

Rumble!

The dragon claw descended, and the ground trembled and cracked apart.

After his Stone-Solid Tyrant Body was dispelled, Xu Yue himself was knocked several meters back by the aftershock of the attack.

Once he steadied himself, Xu Yue narrowed his eyes and looked at Guang Biao.

Just then, several furious shouts suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Guang Biao, you've got some nerve!"

"A-Yue!! Are you alright?!"

A man's voice and a woman's voice rang out one after another.

The newcomers were Xu Xiaoyan's older brother, Xu Xiaoyu, and Mu Xi.

When Guang Biao saw the two approaching, his momentum faltered.

Two yellow and one purple—both possessed the optimal Soul Ring configuration. His already furrowed brow tightened further.

"Who are you?"

Xu Xiaoyu's expression was icy. "Xu Clan, Xu Xiaoyu."

Mu Xi, standing beside Xu Yue, glared furiously at him. Her voice was filled with anger. "Blacksmith Association, Mu Xi!!"

"The East Sea Xu Clan's Chief Financial Officer?!"

"The Blacksmith Association, surname Mu—Eight-Star Saint Craftsman Mu Chen!"

Once those two pieces of information came together, Guang Biao's expression changed drastically.

Whether in status, strength, or position, both the Xu Clan's patriarch and the Blacksmith Association's president, Mu Chen, stood above him.

Even with the Mecha Brigade behind him, he could not afford to offend them lightly.

"Guang Biao, is this how the Mecha Brigade protects Eastsea City? Are you the Federation's military, or your own private army?"

"Looks like it's time to report this to the Administrator."

Though Xu Xiaoyu doted on his younger sister and disliked Xu Yue's manner, Xu Yue was still the brother-in-law he had acknowledged in his heart. How could he allow others to bully him?

"A misunderstanding!" Guang Biao withdrew his Martial Soul, forcing a stiff smile onto his face. "There must be some mistake in what happened today."

After saying that, he turned and roared sternly at the people behind him.

"What are you standing around for? Get over here!"

Very soon, two people were dragged out from the crowd.

They were Guang Long's two lackeys.

Trembling, the two explained what had happened yesterday.

After listening, Guang Biao immediately slapped them both, his face full of rage, then bowed to Xu Yue.

"My apologies! I was misled about what happened today. Young Master Xu taught them a proper lesson!"

Of course, he knew Guang Long had done plenty of such things under his protection.

But today, he could not bear the consequences.

"You think an apology ends this?" Seeing that Xu Yue was unharmed, Mu Xi sighed in relief, but she was still furious.

"Of course not!" Guang Biao hurriedly waved his hands. "Since today's matter has caused Young Master Xu trouble, compensation will naturally be offered. What do you think...?"

Xu Xiaoyu and Mu Xi both turned their gazes toward Xu Yue, waiting for his decision.

Xu Yue gave Guang Biao a long look, withdrew his Martial Soul, and replied calmly, "I'll accept the compensation."

Hearing that, Guang Biao let out a long breath of relief.

"The compensation will be delivered shortly. I deeply apologize for the trouble caused to Young Master Xu today. I'll take my leave."

After Guang Biao finished speaking, he turned and left.

Someone in the crowd looked at Guang Biao and asked quietly.

"Are we really just letting this go? How about..."

Guang Biao shot him a cold look. "Shut up!"

At that moment, his heart was incomparably heavy.

The five consecutive spear exchanges had left his Sea of Spirit throbbing with pain.

That abnormality reminded him of something only true geniuses could comprehend.

Intent!

He could not afford to provoke Xu Yue's background, and he could afford Xu Yue's future even less. Give Xu Yue another two years, and this Soul Emperor might not even be his match.

Perhaps even now, he already...

In a corner beyond everyone's sight, Guang Biao raised his trembling right hand and wiped the corner of his mouth. A flash of bright red vanished in an instant.

Outside the academy gates.

Although the gathered crowd gradually dispersed, the discussions about Xu Yue did not lessen. Instead, they only grew more intense.

"That junior is so handsome. Is he in First Grade Class One? I wonder if I can get his contact number?"

"Give it up. Didn't you see Senior Mu Xi and that younger girl who's always following beside her?"

"Tch, so what?"

The crowd gradually drifted away.

Anger still lingered on Mu Xi's pretty face. "A-Yue, are we really letting this matter go? When I get home, I'll talk to Dad. I'll make sure Guang Biao pays dearly for this."

The chill in Xu Yue's expression gradually faded, and his smile returned.

"How could we just let it go? But there's no need to bother Uncle Mu." As he spoke, he looked at Xu Xiaoyu.

"Brother Xiaoyu, do you know who the deputy captains of the Mecha Brigade are? They should be very interested."

"You mean..." Xu Xiaoyu froze, then immediately understood. "I get it. This is simple."

After Xu Yue, Mu Xi, and the others left, some people still remained outside the academy gates. They were Wu Zhangkong and the others.

Having watched the entire battle, Wu Zhangkong was no longer merely surprised.

He was shocked—utterly shaken.

Judging purely by technique, was Xu Yue's spear technique impressive?

It was, but not to the point that Wu Zhangkong could not comprehend it.

Among the students he had seen in Shrek Inner Court, many could reach Xu Yue's level, or even surpass it.

But that had to be considered alongside their ages. How old were those who could enter Shrek Inner Court?

How old was Xu Yue now?

However, unlike Guang Biao, Wu Zhangkong had not crossed spears with Xu Yue, so he naturally did not know that Xu Yue had comprehended Spear Intent.

Otherwise, he likely would not have been able to maintain his current aloof appearance.

"Teacher Wu! Are you alright?!"

Tang Wulin's voice snapped Wu Zhangkong out of his daze.

He looked at the students beside him, then thought about the Class Promotion Tournament in a few days. He gritted his teeth and said coldly.

"Go! All of you, get training!"