Lin Jiang: Tang San, where do you think you're running?

[Seeing Lin Jiang about to be caught in a pincer attack—]

[You close your eyes, a decision forming in your heart.]

[Sacrifice.]

[As long as you sacrifice yourself to him... he will have the power to escape...]

["Xiao Wu."]

[A hand presses onto your shoulder.]

[You open your eyes, meeting Lin Jiang's golden gaze.]

[He smiles, still wearing that same calm and indifferent expression.]

["Don't do anything foolish." He ruffles your hair. "I can handle this."]

[You panic: "But they are both peak Titled Douluo! You are no match for them..."]

[Lin Jiang withdraws his hand, turns around, and faces away from you.]

[The Golden Dragon Shadow emerges once more, this time more solid and majestic than before!]

[His voice drifts back to you, carrying a hint of a smile.]

["Whether I am a match—"]

["We'll only know after we fight."]

Xiao Wu stands at the entrance of the cafeteria, her entire body trembling.

It is not because of fear.

It is because—

Her heart is beating too fast.

[Two massive Clear Sky Hammers smash down simultaneously from the left and right!]

[A full-force strike from peak Titled Douluo, the very air is crushed to pieces!]

[Lin Jiang does not retreat; he advances—]

[Avatar of the Martial Soul, activate!]

[The Golden Dragon Shadow surges into the sky, and he throws both fists out, forcibly holding back the two Clear Sky Hammers!]

[Boom—!]

[A shockwave explodes, uprooting every tree within a hundred meters!]

[The ground beneath Lin Jiang's feet shatters inch by inch, veins bulge on his forehead, and his soul power burns wildly!]

[You lie on the ground, watching that back shielding you, tears streaming down your face uncontrollably.]

["Lin Jiang... why?"]

["Why would you go this far!"]

["You could have just left me behind..."]

[Lin Jiang glances back at you and grins, that smile blindingly bright amidst the swirling dust and smoke.]

["Xiao Wu, aren't we friends?"]

[You are stunned.]

[Friends...]

[Just because... of friends?]

Xiao Wu stands at the entrance of the cafeteria, clenching her fists tightly.

Lin Jiang...

This time, I will definitely find you sooner.

I cannot let you carry this burden alone again.

["Hahahaha!"]

[A shrill laugh interrupts your thoughts.]

[Tang San stands in the distance, his hands still held in the posture of throwing a hidden weapon, his face twisted with madness.]

["Lin Jiang! You have already been struck by my Yama's Sticker!"]

[Your pupils constrict—a pitch-black hidden weapon is embedded deep in Lin Jiang's abdomen, and the surrounding skin has already begun to turn black!]

["The Poison of the Yama's Sticker has no cure!" Tang San laughs maniacally. "Even if you are a Titled Douluo, you will surely die!"]

[Lin Jiang looks down at the hidden weapon in his abdomen, his expression blank.]

[Then he lifts his head, looking at Tang Xiao and Tang Hao before him.]

["Two peak Titled Douluo..." he murmurs, "truly a bit troublesome."]

[He takes a deep breath—]

[The Golden Dragon Shadow surged violently once more!]

["Then..."]

["Burn the Martial Soul origin!"]

[BOOM--!]

[Golden flames erupted from Lin Jiang's body! His aura broke through its limits in that very instant!]

["Golden Dragon Blast--!"]

[He threw both fists out simultaneously! A golden explosion of light swallowed everything!]

[The Clear Sky Hammers of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao were forcefully knocked aside! Lin Jiang's fists drove straight through, piercing both their chests!]

["Pfft--!"]

[The two spat out mouthfuls of blood, flew backward, and slammed heavily into the ground, falling silent.]

The entire scene fell into silence.

Everyone was stunned.

The five elders of the Clear Sky Sect widened their eyes, unable to believe what was happening before them.

Two peak Titled Douluo... just died like that?

[The smile on Tang San's face froze.]

["No... impossible..." he muttered, "It's impossible..."]

[But he quickly snapped back to reality and shrieked, "Lin Jiang! You have already been struck by the Poison! No matter how strong you are, you are nothing but a spent force!"]

["Elders! Avenge the Sect Master!"]

[The five elders exchanged glances and charged at Lin Jiang in unison!]

[Five auras of Titled Douluo intertwined, pressing down like a crushing tide!]

[Lin Jiang stood where he was, motionless.]

[You struggled to crawl up, but you couldn't move at all.]

[Then you saw--]

[Lin Jiang lifted his head.]

[His eyes had turned a pure, solid gold.]

["Ninth Soul Skill--"]

["Dragon Sovereign of Ten Thousand Worlds."]

[The heavens and earth changed color.]

[The sun and moon lost their light.]

[Golden radiance erupted from Lin Jiang's body, illuminating the entire Star Dou Great Forest! A massive rift appeared in the sky, and countless golden dragon shadows surged from the crack, roaring as they charged toward the five elders!]

[One strike.]

[A single strike.]

[Five Titled Douluo, reduced to ashes.]

Xiao Wu's mouth hung open, unable to close it for a long time.

Is... is this even human?

[Tang San slumped to the ground, trembling all over.]

["Impossible... impossible..." he muttered to himself, his face full of terror, "Lin Jiang can't be this strong... I am the protagonist... I am the chosen one..."]

[Lin Jiang walked toward him, step by step.]

[With every step he took, the ground trembled.]

[Tang San wanted to run, but his legs were too weak to stand. He could only prop himself up with his hands, desperately crawling backward--like a stray dog.]

["No... don't come over..."]

["I beg you... don't..."]

[A foot stepped onto his back, pinning him firmly to the ground.]

[Tang San looked up, meeting those golden eyes.]

[Lin Jiang looked down at him, his face expressionless.]

["Tang San."]

["Where are you running to?"]

So satisfying!

Hurry up and kill this dog!

[Tang San was pinned underfoot, yet he was still laughing.]

"Lin Jiang... even if you kill me, don't think you'll survive!" Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth as his face twisted into a hideous mask. "You've already been struck by Yama's Sticker! It is a Poison with no cure! You will be joining me in the grave soon enough!"

Lin Jiang looked down at him, his expression devoid of emotion.

Then, he raised his foot—

"Snap."

He brought it down.

Tang San's voice came to an abrupt end.

The world was finally quiet.

Xiao Wu trembled all over.

He stepped on him to death?

Just like that... stepped on him to death?

She froze for three seconds, then the corners of her mouth curled upward uncontrollably.

Well stepped!

"Lin Jiang..."

You lunged at him from behind, wrapping your arms tightly around him.

Tears flowed uncontrollably, soaking his back.

"Lin Jiang... I don't want you to die..."

Lin Jiang was stunned for a moment, then he chuckled.

"Silly girl."

You held on even tighter, as if he would vanish the moment you let go.

Da Ming and Er Ming lay on the ground, watching this scene, the eyes of both behemoths turning red.

"Sister Xiao Wu..."

"Wuwuwu..."

You refused to let go, wishing you could melt yourself into his body.

Lin Jiang, finding himself breathless from your grip, patted your hands gently.

"Xiao Wu..."

"I won't let go!" You shook your head stubbornly. "I won't! Not even in death!"