Lin Jiang: Tang San, Where Do You Think You're Running?

You watched as Lin Jiang was about to be caught between the two of them—

You closed your eyes, your mind made up.

Sacrifice.

As long as you sacrificed yourself for him... he'd have the strength to escape...

"Xiao Wu."

A hand rested on your shoulder.

You opened your eyes and met Lin Jiang's golden gaze.

He smiled, still as calm and untroubled as ever.

"Don't do anything foolish." He ruffled your hair. "I can handle this."

You panicked. "But they're both Peak Douluo! You're no match for them..."

Lin Jiang withdrew his hand and turned away, putting his back to you.

The golden dragon shadow appeared again, this time more solid and more imposing than before!

His voice rang out, carrying a hint of laughter.

"Whether I'm a match for them—"

"I'll find out when I fight them."

Xiao Wu stood at the cafeteria entrance, trembling all over.

Not because she was afraid.

But because—

Her heart was beating too fast.

Two enormous Clear Sky Hammers came crashing down from both sides at once!

The full-force strike of two Peak Douluo crushed the air itself!

Lin Jiang charged forward instead of retreating—

Martial Soul Avatar, activated!

The Golden Dragon Shadow soared into the sky. He thrust out both fists, forcibly holding back the two Clear Sky Hammers!

Boom!

The shock wave erupted, uprooting every tree within a hundred meters!

The earth beneath Lin Jiang's feet crumbled inch by inch. Veins bulged across his forehead as his Soul Power burned wildly!

You lay on the ground, staring at the figure shielding you, tears streaming uncontrollably.

"Lin Jiang... why?"

"Why would you go this far!"

"You didn't have to protect me..."

Lin Jiang glanced back at you and grinned, his smile blinding amid the swirling dust.

"Xiao Wu, aren't we friends?"

You froze.

Friends...

Just because... you were friends?

Xiao Wu stood at the cafeteria entrance, fists clenched tight.

Lin Jiang...

This time, I'll find you before it happens.

I won't let you shoulder everything alone again.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

A piercing laugh snapped you out of your thoughts.

Tang San stood in the distance, his hands still poised as if he'd just thrown a Hidden Weapon, his face twisted with madness.

"Lin Jiang! You've already been hit by my Yama's Sticker!"

Your pupils contracted. A pitch-black Hidden Weapon was buried deep in Lin Jiang's abdomen, and the skin around it had already begun to turn black!

"The poison on Yama's Sticker has no cure!" Tang San cackled. "Even if you're a Titled Douluo, you're doomed!"

Lin Jiang lowered his eyes to the Hidden Weapon in his abdomen, expressionless.

Then he raised his head and looked at Tang Xiao and Tang Hao before him.

"Two Peak Douluo..." he murmured. "This is a little tricky."

He drew a deep breath—

The Golden Dragon Shadow swelled once more!

"Then..."

"I'll burn my Martial Soul Origin!"

Boom!

Golden flames burst from Lin Jiang's body! In that instant, his aura broke through its limits!

"Golden Dragon Blast!"

He thrust both fists forward at once! A golden explosion swallowed everything!

Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammers were blasted away! Lin Jiang's fists drove straight through, piercing both men's chests!

"Pfft!"

They spat out mouthfuls of blood, flew backward, and slammed heavily into the ground, never to move again.

The entire place fell silent.

Everyone was dumbstruck.

The five elders of the Clear Sky Sect stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Two Peak Douluo... dead just like that?

The smile froze on Tang San's face.

"No... impossible..." he murmured. "That can't be..."

But he quickly came to his senses and shrieked, "Lin Jiang! You've been poisoned! No matter how powerful you are, you're just a spent force!"

"Elders! Avenge the sect master!"

The five elders exchanged glances, then charged Lin Jiang together!

The auras of five Titled Douluo wove together, pressing down like a storm tide!

Lin Jiang stood motionless.

You struggled to get up, but couldn't move at all.

Then you saw—

Lin Jiang lift his head.

His eyes turned a pure gold.

"Ninth Soul Skill—"

"Dragon Sovereign of Ten Thousand Worlds."

Heaven and earth changed color.

Sun and moon lost their light.

Golden radiance burst from Lin Jiang's body, illuminating the entire Star Dou Great Forest! A vast crack opened in the sky, and countless golden dragon shadows poured from it, roaring as they charged at the five elders!

One strike.

Just one strike.

The five Titled Douluo were reduced to ashes.

Xiao Wu's mouth hung open, and for a long time she couldn't close it.

Th-this... was he even human?

Tang San slumped to the ground, trembling all over.

"Impossible... impossible..." he mumbled, his face filled with terror. "Lin Jiang can't be this strong... I'm the protagonist... I'm the chosen one..."

Lin Jiang walked toward him, one step at a time.

With each step, the ground trembled.

Tang San tried to run, but his legs were too weak to get up. He could only brace himself with his hands and desperately crawl backward—like a dog that had been driven from its home.

"No... don't come any closer..."

"Please... don't..."

A foot came down on his back, pinning him firmly to the ground.

Tang San looked up and met those golden eyes.

Lin Jiang looked down at him, his face expressionless.

"Tang San."

"Where do you think you're running?"

That was so satisfying!

Hurry up and kill that bastard!

Tang San was pinned beneath his foot, yet he was still laughing.

"Lin Jiang... kill me, and you won't live either!" Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, his face twisted with malice. "You've already been hit by Yama's Sticker! It's an incurable poison! You'll be joining me in the grave any moment now!"

Lin Jiang looked down at him, expressionless.

Then he lifted his foot—

Crack.

He stomped down.

Tang San's voice cut off abruptly.

At last, the world was quiet.

Xiao Wu trembled all over.

He stomped him to death?

Just like that... stomped him to death?

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

Well stomped!

"Lin Jiang..."

You flung your arms around him from behind, hugging him tight.

Tears streamed uncontrollably, soaking his back.

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

Lin Jiang froze for a moment, then smiled.

"Silly girl."

You hugged him even tighter, as if he would disappear the moment you let go.

Da Ming and Er Ming lay on the ground, watching the scene with red-rimmed eyes.

"Sister Xiao Wu..."

"Boo-hoo..."

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

Lin Jiang was having trouble breathing from your embrace, so he gently patted your hand.

"Xiao Wu..."

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